~When Daddy's Away the Monkeys Will Play!~

Nick spent more of February in warm climates than Iowa, with 10 days in Brazil and 7 days in Mexico.  I tried really hard not to be jealous or bitter.  :-)  It was the first time I've been completely alone with all three kiddos, and I must admit I was nervous.  How was I supposed to meet all their needs day and night, let alone deal with snowy weather, going to the store, keeping up on the house, etc.  I decided this was going to be an experience to earn my Mommy Stripes.

Turns out the first 10 days were way easier than I had planned.  We felt so blessed and so very loved as we received one dinner invitation after another.  Add in a girls night and a movie night with our home teachers family and there wasn't a single night for me to sit at home feeling sorry for myself.  The night before Nick got home I wept as I thought of the kindness and generosity of so many for my little family.   We really do live the good life here in Iowa.

Nick's second trip out of town wasn't as fun for us.  The kids had a harder time with him leaving because he had just been gone!  Elyssa was particularly offended by his departure.  To add insult to injury all three kids were sick practically the entire time he was gone.  I was up two or three times every night with Cordy and recieved a few late night wake up calls from Alec as well.  Still we trudged on and made due, and though we couldn't go anywhere we still felt extremely loved and supported by our dear Iowa friends/family.  

Alec was particularly helpful both times that Nick was away.  He really stepped up his game as a big helper around the house and with his sisters.  I was totally amazed at the things he was willing to do and the effort he put forth to make things easier and happier around here.  He's such a sweet big brother and such a wonderful help, especially with poor little sicky Cordelia. 

Now don't get the idea that it was all survival mode while Nick was away.  We really did have lots of fun, even when we couldn't play with friends.  We had picnic snack dinners in the basement, we played games, read books, had tickle wars, took silly pictures and played with lots of fun toys.  We had a couple days where we watched way too much TV and spent the day in our pajamas.  We got in a good bedtime groove and Alec even figured out how to pour his own milk into his cereal bowl.  All that being said, we were still THRILLED to have Nick come home.  It was just icing on the cake that he always brought presents.  

Welcome Home, Nick!  

Take a load off and stay a while, okay? 

Pretty please?