Before and After

2015

When Jonathan left for BCT we had very little time to prepare. We didn't fully know what we were getting into, we just knew that we'd felt like it was the right thing to do, so we jumped in feet first. It was definitely a miserable sink-or-swim experience. We mostly sunk.

2019

We had more time to prepare, and we made sure the kids were ready for an extended separation. At least we thought we did. Here's how the first week without the kids' dad around has been:

David has been mostly helpful. He's stepped up, looked for ways to help, and observantly found ways to serve. He's a good kid. Thanks for taking out the trash without being asked, Buddy.

Andrea has had her weepy moments. She holds on to the pictures we took pretty tightly. She has thrown herself into dance, and has done very well. She's been rather stoic.

Peter is a mess. We only have one meltdown a day, if Dad calls we have two. The worst was Sunday at church when Brooke found him hiding under the piano while he just sobbed. He misses dad hugs and snuggles.

Elizabeth hardly recognizes that things have changed. She does point out daddy in pictures more, and she does get very excited when he calls. But otherwise she just trucks along being her normal self.

I have found that my only difficulties arise when the kids have evening activities. Scouts on Monday, Cub Scouts on Tuesday, dance on Wednesday and Thursday, mutual on Wednesday at the same time as dance, and this Friday night is Pinewood Derby check-in one hour before the Youth Auction at church. Taking all of the kids along to all of these activities is a tad tiring. But at the end of the day I think I'm handling it just fine (except last Saturday when I forgot to feed the kids dinner, I have not forgotten to feed them again).

So we are alive, and we are mostly thriving. And I feel good and calm about how we are managing here on the home front.

Reports from Jonathan are spotty. Apparently the average length of this training is 32 weeks, though it can take up to 36. We've been planning on 26. Ha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

We'll just see what happens.