It's been a while

Sorry it's been so long. Kinda what happens when you're doing this whole parenting thing by yourself while your better half is deployed. Thankfully I won't be alone for too much longer (excuse me while I do my excited dance...)

I'm sitting here listening to Otto tear something else up in the backyard. He switches from the watering system to the cardboard box that holds our chiminea. Wonderful. More for Michael to take care of when he gets home... I've taken care of my fair share lest you think I'm leaving everything for him.

Audrey's just laid down to take her 3rd nap. She doesn't normally take that many naps... Oh well. More time for me to get things done around this messy house.

So what's been up with me. Well, I'm tired. It's been a long 3 months and I'm very ready for my husband to be home. I know I sound like a weakling. I've heard the "You're lucky you're not an army wife dealing with 18 month deployments." Yes, I am. But I also know that the Lord gives me the strength to press on through any deployment be it 3 or 18 months. And I've prepared for a 3 month separation, so it stands to reason that I'm ready for Michael to be home.

Audrey has kept me very busy in the meantime. She is on the go all the time! At 5 1/2 months old she's beginning to sit up unassisted (for a little bit till she comes crashing down on her face), she grabs anything and everything within her reach and immediately puts it in her mouth, she holds onto my fingers and stands up very well, talks, giggles, and blows raspberries. She's almost crawling... she gets up on her hands and knees, rocks back and forth, and then scoots... backwards. :) At least she's moving.

Children grow up so fast! Looking back at pictures Audrey's changed so much! You'd hardly recognize her. It's so hard for me to think of all the things I've seen her do while Michael finds out second hand. I sent him a video the other day and he replied that that was one of the first times he's ever heard her laugh! Come home, Michael and enjoy the joy that is our daughter!

I'm proud to say that this has been a productive deployment for me. I'll make a list to prove it:

Installed a security system
replanted watering system
fixed a broken watering system
organized our bills
spent 2 weeks in Texas
and 3 in Virginia
built 1/2 of my project desk (hoping to have it finished before Michael gets home)
made a meal plan
had windows installed in our VA rental
fixed Michael's credit score (with help, thanks Dad P!)
got Audrey sleeping through the night
and I've kept my sanity (for the most part)

What's left to do is another story:

clean the house
sew 3 large sewing projects
finish the desk
potty train Audrey (just kidding)
organize my pantry
and paint my nails...

Thankfully I have a few weeks left to do it. I'm contemplating whether or not it's really worth it to clean my house before Michael gets home... it's just going to get trashed again with all his stuff. Oh well. It'll make me feel better.

So there you go. Little ol' me. Workin' away. Keepin' busy and stayin' sane.