Happy Birthday Hubby!

It's my Hubby's birthday today. Unfortunately, he is traveling again and we won't get to celebrate with him today. But we made the most of this weekend and celebrated all the way through.  Our celebration started on Friday night when my parents graciously offered to watch the kids so that we could have a date night.

Hubby and I did something we haven't done in forever and we went bowling!  Wow, bowling has changed a lot since I was a good. Everything is computerized. The place we went to had waiters with earpieces taking orders and serving our food. No more greasy diner at the back of the alley.  They served more than just beer. Now you can fancy martinis while you bowled.  No more going up and down the alley looking for the ball that was "just right."  Now it's small, medium, and large and everything is color coded and is handed to you when you order your shoes.  I don't know if all bowling alleys are like this now, but the one we went to was definitely fancy.  The groups next to us were enjoying a buffet dinner complete with fruit and cheese platter.  Huh, no kidding.  Oh, and if you use bumpers, you could program the alley to put them up and take them down as needed for each player.  Fancy!

Hubby and I decided to have dinner while we bowled. We indulged and bowled. We're both terrible at bowling, but enjoyed one another's company knowing that the kids were in good hands and we didn't have to worry about them.

We were greeted on Saturday morning with some snow covered in a layer of ice. We had a leisurely morning and decided to have Daddy's birthday breakfast a few days early.  We let Daddy sleep in while I made breakfast and the kids bounced around the house waiting for him to wake up.  We spent the rest of the day hanging out with friends and enjoying a friend's 3 year old birthday party.  

On Sunday, I made Hubby a peanut butter cake. Not sure what I did wrong, but it came out dryer than expected and I should have waited a little longer for the homemade frosting to cool before pouring it over the cake. I'll have to work on this. We had an early dinner, opened presents, and ate cake all before Hubby headed out for another business trip.  

The kids and I are so grateful for Hubby/Daddy. He is the best thing that has happened to us and we miss him when he travels and celebrate when he is home. Happy Birthday, Baby. We love you!

This is What I Call Sexy

Sometimes a way to a woman's heart is not jewelry, flowers, or even chocolate...sometimes it's when our significant others see through the turmoil and craziness of the day and lend a hand when it's least expected.  (Though, Hubby, if you are reading this, I wouldn't say no to a new pair of earrings or a pair of new shoes!)

But seriously, sometimes what makes me fall more madly in love with my husband (if that's even possible) is when he lends a hand when I least expect it. We both have our list of chores and "to-do"s and we go through our usual routines. 

But when my hubby steps outside his usual routines and chores and helps me with one of mine, "wow!" It seems that with a new baby the chores have gotten a little harder to complete and my energy isn't what it used to be. I blame old age for my energy level.  I've also been preoccupied late with other things and I have been putting my energy and time in trying to help my extended family with job interviews, applications, etc.  I don't mind doing it, but since it's a new routine, it shifts what I've been able to do.  It's appears being preoccupied makes me tired even if I'm not actively doing something.

But anyhow, I was sitting back one night crocheting and watching television when my husband came down the stairs with a basket of clean laundry and started folding clothes. He had already put the kids to bed and cleaned up after dinner.  I was touched that he saw through the craziness of my days and decided on his own accord to help me with the laundry when all I wanted to do was chill out after another busy day with the kids. That's what I call sexy!

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect...and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

The Curse of Having a Helpful Husband

It must be Spring or the beginning of warmer weather. I know this, not because the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and we are playing outside, but because my husband has to work late and is going on travel (soon) for work.

It stinks...sucksola!  I hate it.  I get stressed and anxious about  his travels weeks before he actually leaves. It makes me edgy and moody. Mostly I worry about him flying.  I hate when he flies by himself. I would rather be flying with him. Not because I like flying because (here's a morbid thought), he goes, I go.  That's right, if something were to happen, we would be together.  There you go, welcome to my neurosis.

While my husband usually works 40-50 hours a week (including commuting time it can be up to 60-70 hours a week), he is truly helpful around the house.  As soon as he walks in the door he's in Dad/Husband mode. No rest for the weary. He plays with the kids while I finish putting dinner on the table. He's getting them ready for bed while I clean up after dinner. I think I mentally, emotionally, and physically relax because he's home.  I don't have to be "on" for the kids. I can take a break.

We work so well together. It's nice having a partner helping you with everything. Someone you don't have to explain what goes where or how the children do x, y, and z.  We're a team and we work in tandem.  When he's gone, I'm solo. Not only do I do my "jobs" around the house, I do his, too.  It's the daily chores, I'm talking about...getting the kids ready for bed, loading and unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash, making sure the house is secure for the night, feeding the cats and scooping the litter.  It's those things that make my day easier. They're daily chores that get done and I don't have to think about them.

To add to that I think my mommy radar works in overtime. I don't sleep as well because I'm subconsciously listening for my children and any possible invaders. I know,  I know, invaders? Highly unlikely, but in my neurotic world anything can happen.  Who knows, maybe I should sleep with a bat time and say "It's go time" if I hear somebody in my house (bonus points to anyone who can identify that scene from a current television show).

Having him gone for several days is really the curse of having a helpful husband. I realize just how much he really does for the family.  On top of all of his helpfulness, he is my best friend. The one person who knows me completely, inside and out. At the end of the day he knows just what to say to make me feel like I'm a good mother and wife.  Missing his companionship just makes him going away that much harder.