The Climb

[StrgMarvelousWmn]

So, I have not posted since D6's grad from kindergarten. Things are essentially SSDD (same stuff, different day) around here.

My favorite cousin was married on the 19th. D17 and I were both in the wedding party and we drove up early the morning of the 18th. DH had duty in the 18th, could not get leave, and would not have made it in time for the ceremony on Saturday, so he did not drive up. He spent the weekend at my inlaws--no out of state visitors, Thank Goodness!

My cousin was absolutely beautiful and her new husband is wonderful! Their wedding was sweet and perfect for them--she walked down the aisle to Here Comes My Girl by Tom Petty! I even got over my aversion to the ugly dress she made me wear! I danced all night and had a blast at the reception.

I did not call DH at all while we were gone and of course did not hear from him. I did finally call him Sunday night, after we got home and i got the kids settled in bed. I let him know we were back, wished him a happy father's Day, and told him he was missed by the family. He quickly stated "but I told cousin I could not make it." I said "I know you did and they understood, but that does not mean you were not missed." He asked me some questions about the wedding and I talked for a few minutes, then told him I needed to go, as I was tired and wanted to get some sleep, that we would see him the next day.

The week went the same as always, he had duty Saturday, then took the kids to the beach on Sunday. D9 asked him twice if I could go, but he acted like he did not hear her. He did ask me what time they should be "home" for dinner.

Monday, he mowed the yard and after dinner, I suggested taking the kids for ice cream. We all went together in his car and the small talk surprised him a bit. I started going back to the gym this week and have been going early in the morning. I walk to the gym and back, working out for about an hour and a half when I get there. I mentioned some wild blackberry bushes that I passe on my walk and he was really surprised that I was walking to the gym.

This week, he has been getting here later and is exhausted. Apparently, he is getting off the ship later than usual in the afternoon. He has also not been taking the time to eat during the day. Tuesday, he was looking for something to eat when he got here, I told him to grab something to eat-that dinner would be later than usual due to a new recipe, so he made himself something to eat and then said he should not be eating "all your food." I let it go. He came and sat by me on the sofa and told me some stiff about work, about re-enrolling for college, etc. He went out to play with the kids, then came in and sat down in the family room. Within 5 minutes, he was asleep. I left him sleeping and on one trip through the room, I covered him up with a blanket.

When I woke him up to eat, he said it was nice of the kids to put a blanket on him, D9 told him I did it. He asked why, I said cause you looked cold, and I headed back upstairs to finish getting dinner on the table. He looked reflective as he folded the blanket and put it back on the quilt rack. The new recipe was a huge success--everyone cleaned their plates, there were few leftovers, and DH complimented me several times on it.

Thurday, the older girls had counseling and originally, D17 was going to ask him into her session, onbeknownst to him. She decided she was not ready at the last minute. However, she did ask me to join her after a few minutes in her session. When I first walked in, her C told me tht D17 has said that her dad was coming home. C wanted to know if there was movement in that direction. I said none that I had seem but that the girls believe that God is capable of anything. The C said that is good, bit we should not build false hope. I told her I agreed and tht I was prepared for either eventuality, but that if Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead and God bring a field of dead bones back to life, my marriage would be a drop in the bucket at the right time. D17 said that she can see her dad still loves me and that she sees him looking at me differently now--with more life in his eyes. I have not noticed, but we will see.

I then joined D9 and DH in her counseling session--it started during D17's session. They had apparently been talking about thing that we do in an instant that affect people forever--based in a book that D9 is reading. Hr C had asked DH to join them and tell about things that D9 has done that positively affected someone else. He recounted a story from when she was 3 and she hugged a store worker while out shopping with MIL. D9 told the woman she looked like she needed a hug. It is one of my favorite stories bout her. We talked about some other things that she has done over the years, then DH said that D9 has something about her that lifts his heart and makes him want to be with her everyday. How strange from a man that wants a D and will not see her everyday! I did not say it and neither did C, but she broached it to me after when D9 and DH were both out of earshot. C said she may follow up on that in greater detail at a later, but not too later, date.

After, we drove D9 to my sister's to meet up to go camping. I let my sis borrow my car and we drove her car back to my house. DH gathered up S3's stuff and shortly after headed to his parents'. When they were leaving, I asked what time they would be back. DH said around 8, but would call when they were leaving. I told him to leave a message, as i would not be home and would be checking them to make sure I was back in time. He looked surprised that I would not be here. He called me last night to let me know they were in okay and so I could talk to S3 and said again he would call when they were heading back.

More in a minute

Living Gid's blessings with grace and dignity~
SMW