I’ve been trying to keep myself busy, to keep myself from missing Chris, and getting too sad. So, as soon as I got up this morning, I started getting me and the kids ready to go to the library for the preschool program at eleven. It ended up being cancelled this week because of spring break, but I didn’t know that until I got there. So, we read a few books, checked some out, and left. Then, we went to the park and played and fed the geese. After that, we went to eat lunch at my Aunt Debbie’s restaurant, and then we went to see my grandparents for a little while. Then, we came home and got a bag of trash, and then I took it to the dump. We came home, Kyra took a nap, Elijah played, I vacuumed and did a load of laundry, and then we got ready and went to church. After church, I talked to Chris on the phone for nearly two hours. Then, I watched American Idol, Newlyweds, and the Ashlee Simpson show. The kids fell asleep, I put them in bed, and here I am. I’m worn out, and I still miss Chris. I’m not as outright sad as I was yesterday, but I still miss him. I sure hope the next six weeks pass quickly. I did a good job keeping myself busy today.

Tomorrow….Dollywood!!!

I’m so incredibly sad. I left Chris at the airport this morning. He should be in the air right now, landing in Vegas in about two and a half hours. I don’t know what I’m going to do without him for the next six weeks. Ugh. It’s such a long time. Chris is my best friend, and we do absolutely everything together. It’s gonna be really hard. I miss him already, just knowing that I couldn’t see him if I wanted to.

I’m going to try to stay busy, and keep myself and the kids occupied. I’ve already made plans to go to Dollywood with Stephanie (my cousin and one of my best friends) on Thursday. She was really thoughtful, knowing we’re on our own now, and called to see if I wanted to. Hopefully, I can do a few things like that while he’s gone, and make the time go by quicker.

I drove home from the airport all by myself. That might not sound like much of an accomplishment, but it was a big deal for me. The interstate makes me really nervous. Mostly merging into traffic. I did fine, though, and everything went smoothly. I feel like such a big girl. Maybe I will grow as a person while he’s gone. Does that make any sense? I just mean that maybe I will be able to do some things for myself that I have always depended on someone else to do for me. Now that Chris is gone, I’ll have to do some of the things that he usually does. We’ll see if I can be an independent woman for six weeks. Well, somewhat independent…he’s still paying the bills.

Well, I haven’t blogged in a few days. I’ve had a lot to do, and haven’t got a lot done. Story of my life, I guess.

I did manage to get to the salon yesterday, and I got blonde highlights put in my hair. I love it. It’s just like I wanted…a DRASTIC change. I really, really like it.

I’m still trying to get stuff ready for the birthday party Saturday. I’m hoping to get the house in order tomorrow and Friday. We’ve had revival this week, but, so far, I’ve only made it there last night. Chris is off tomorrow night, so we should be there tomorrow. The kids were so whiny tonight, I didn’t think it would do me much good to try to go. Defeatist attitude, maybe, but I didn’t want to get all dressed up to sit in the nursery.

Chris found out tonight that he’s actually leaving Tuesday…three days earlier than we thought. So, that was kind of suprising, and a little…saddening. So, Chris has to get everything in order in the next few days. I’m so dreading him being gone. It’s going to be a LONG six weeks.

On another note, my little brother is on his way home right now. He’s on leave through Sunday. I called my mom’s house a few minutes ago to see if he got home yet, and Malachi (my brother) told me that Jason was in Knoxville right now, and that he had already gotten a speeding ticket when he got pulled over by three state troopers doing 95 mph. Crazy kid. He doesn’t have a lick of sense.

So, it’s after one in the morning, and I can’t get to sleep. It probably has something to do with the fact that I slept until ten this morning, was up for an hour, and went back to bed until two. I don’t know what was wrong with me, but I woke up with no energy. So, now, here it is one in the morning, and I’m still awake. I went to bed, but after laying there for nearly an hour, I decided to get up.

What I have been thinking about, lying in bed, is having a get together with some old friends from school. Since Chris is going to be gone for six weeks, I have been trying to think of some things to occupy that time. I thought it would be so much fun to get together with the girls from back in the day. So, Cindy, Vanessa, Rebekah, Carrie, and Misty…if any of you are reading this, what do you think? Cindy emailed me this morning to tell me that she was pregnant, which is what got me thinking of all the girls. I miss them so bad. It’s been ages and ages since we’ve all been together. I think we all need to get together and catch up with each other. Kind of like a re-run back to Vanessa’s slumber parties, eh? Oh, it sounds like so much fun.

I’ve also been thinking about changing my hair again. I know that’s, like, really abruptly changing the subject, but I thought about a lot of stuff in bed. So, anyway, I’m going to go lighter red this next time, with blonde highlights. I’ve been putting away money to pay for it, ever since I got my hair colored to begin with. I need to call and make a hair apointment. I want to have it done before Elijah’s birthday party on the 26th.

I’m taking the kids tomorrow to have Easter pictures made. I was going to do it Monday, but I put it off. Elijah got a great big bruise on his face at church Sunday, so I’m going to have to put make-up on him, or something. Their Easter outfits are so cute. I can’t wait to see them in them. I hope they cooperate. Elijah wouldn’t do what we wanted to do when I had their Christmas pictures made. Chris is going with me this time, so maybe that will make it go a little smoother. Then, sometime next week, I’m going to take Elijah to have his one year birthday pictures made. I’d do it at the same time, but I want a different outfit and lots of prints. It gets to expensive if you buy more than just the advertised package. I’m such a tightwad.

We got Elijah’s birthday presents Tuesday. We got him a little sports thingie, with a basketball hoop and a baseball thingamajig, and then we also got him a little toolbox thingie. I have got to go through their toys before his party, and get rid of most of them. They have more than they need, and they don’t play with half of them. I’ve got to get rid of them to make room for new ones. It’s ridiculous how much stuff they have. I recently went through all of the clothes that Kyra has outgrown, and I gave most of them away. A lady at church told me tonight that she knew someone who desperately needed clothes for a baby boy, so I’ll probably go through Eli’s stuff he’s outgrown, and take a bag of stuff for that little baby Wednesday.

I’ve got so many things that I really need to get done. I feel like the most unmotivated person, most of the time. I am definitely not type A. I don’t know what I need to do, but I need to do something to kick my butt in gear. I procrastinate too much. Anyway, I guess that’s it for now.

I cannot wait for spring. I am anticipating warm weather like never before. I have cabin fever, right now. I’ve not been out of the house since Wednesday. Here it is, a sunny Saturday, and I’m still stuck inside. Kyra got sick last night, and was throwing up. So, even though she woke up this morning feeling completely better, I’m thinking I probably shouldn’t take her out today. It’s bright and sunny outside, but super windy. I want to go out and play! I can’t wait for warm, spring weather. I foresee a lot of playing outside this year. Kyra loves to go outside to play, and, now that Elijah is walking, it’s much easier to take them out. He loves to be outside, too. I have a feeling that we are going to be spending a lot of time at the park this year. I wish we had a swingset. Chris isn’t too enthusiastic about buying one for them. Don’t ask me why. Just because I’m married to the man doesn’t mean that I understand his reasoning. I can’t wait to take them to the zoo this year, either. Elijah is all into watching animals on these nature shows on t.v. He gets so excited, pointing, and making sure we’re watching, too. He especially seems to like the bears and lions. So, I’m really looking forward to taking them to the zoo. And Dollywood! That will be so much fun, this year. Kyra is old enough to really get into things and enjoy them, and, now that Eli’s walking, he can ride the kiddie rides at Dollywood, too. The only bad part is that Chris will be gone for the whole month of April and half of May. That’s going to suck.

Well, I just said, “Who wants to go outside?”, and Kyra said, “Kyra Joy does!”….”and JoJo, too!”. So, I think I’m going to bundle them up and brave the wind. Just for a little while. I’m tired of being inside!

I had a crazy dream last night. I’m glad Chris was home, because it gave me the creeps. After I woke up, though, I realized that parts of it were completely insane. Dreams are so strange. While you are dreaming, totally inplausible things make perfect sense, and then, after you wake up, you’re like, “Man, that’s crazy.”

Got up this morning with a stiff shoulder. I don’t know if it’s getting worse or what, but it’s been giving me a lot of trouble at night and then being stiff when I wake up. Ugh. I’m ready for it to get better already.

Mom said last night that Jason may come home this weekend. That’s pretty cool. I was indisposed last time he called, and didn’t answer the phone. So, I’ve not talked to him myself.

Went to the library to take Kyra for the pre-school program yesterday. It was fun. Kyra had a blast. She especially loves the craft time. That’s funny to me, because I always hated doing crafts when I was a kid. That was my least favorite part of Bible School and similar programs. Kyra is all about doing the little crafts, though. Yesterday, we made lion and lamb puppets, to commemorate the month of March. I met another lady who was very nice. She wasn’t at the first one we went to. She had kids around my kids’ ages, and she is fixing to have another one. She seemed very nice, and was really friendly. I love that part of the library program…meeting other moms with kids around my kids’ ages.

I don’t have anything to do today, besides the normal housework that I never get done. I haven’t done anything but fix breakfast, talk to Chris on the phone, and email, blog, and post on my message board this morning. I’m a lazy bum. Yes, I admit it. I should join a 12 step program for lazy bums. The first step would probably be to admit that I am a lazy bum. Done! Step 2…recognize that you are living off of your man. Okay, done! Step 3…admit that you have always been a lazy bum, and you are consciously living a lazy bum’s lifestyle. Okay…so I am. Step 4…take the initiative, and quit being lazy. Let’s not get crazy now!!! So, okay, I made it through step 3 at least.

Kyra just had me kiss a boo boo. It’s so cool…these magical healing powers that I have. One day, she fell on her butt, and made me kiss it. That was pretty funny.

I told Chris that when he leaves, I’m going to drive to Knoxville in my first step towards being a real, live grown up. He was like, “hey, now, let’s not get crazy, here.” I’m such a wuss, and he’s making it easy for me to remain a wuss.

I think I’m going to do something nuts while he’s gone. Like, lose a lot of weight, dye my hair a different color, get colored contacts, and..anything else I can think of. Then, when he comes home, he’ll be like “whoah!”. That would be fun. Of course, the fact that I am a lazy bum might imdede the weight loss. Ooh! Just had an idea. I could GAIN a lot of weight while he’s gone. Probably would be much more conducive to the lazy bum lifestyle, eh? Nah. No use being a depressed lazy bum. I probably would enjoy my current happy, life-is-good lazy bum lifestyle much more.

I just realized that I only have 22 days until Elijah’s birthday. I have to plan a party! Chris insists that I need to make it a small, family-only party. He hates these gatherings, and would much rather not throw the kids a birthday party. They are very lucky to have one nice parent, at least. So, I need to figure out what kind of theme it will be, and buy him a couple gifts. Send out invitations, etc. I love these things. I think they are loads of fun.

Also, I just realized that it is only 24 days until Easter. So, I need to find Kyra an Easter dress, Elijah an Easter outfit, me an Easter outfit (just because I want some more clothes..hehe), and take the kids to have their picture made in their Easter outfits. And, then, that reminded me that I need to have Elijah’s one year birthday pictures made. So, I really need to get on all of that.

So, anyway. Yeah. Lots to do.