Well, it has been almost 7 weeks since Josh left and 6 weeks since I arrived in CT and I have not blogged a thing! Needless to say, life has been busy and I am loving it.
Josh left on May 27 and it was a difficult week for several reasons, but I was relieved to arrive in CT with the help of my Mom for some quality family time. Cameron was 6.5 weeks old on our car trip which took 14 hours one day and 3.5 hours the next. He was such a great little traveller.
Ever since we arrived we have been feverishly visiting with all kinds of family and friends. We have enjoyed nearly weekly lunch dates with Grandnan and Pop, lunch dates with cousin Jessie and Sam, trips to see Grammie and Grumps, a few dog park outings, ice cream outings, a family wedding, Rachel's graduation, a day with a dear high school friend, reuniting with old church friends, trips to Binney Park, long walks with the dogs, playing ball with Teddy in the backyard, and so much more.
There are also some things I have learned to do that Josh was always the one to do at home (don't get any ideas about when you return, honey! ;)) For example, I learned how to deposit a check online into our bank account, I have to turn the lights off before bed, I have to put the dvd into the player and try to figure out the remote, and more :). Yes, these things sound pitiful- it's amazing what one can take for granted. While I was having problems with the internet connection at my house the week Josh left and trying to troubleshoot the problem, Josh said "doesn't it make you feel so empowered?" and I replied "I don't want to be empowered! I want you here." Thankfully, I have been empowered to do these things temporarily but I will gladly allow him to resume these things upon his return!
Cameron is thriving. He is such a delight. It is hard to believe he is now 12 weeks old (weight and height to come soon after his 3 month appointment) and taking in the world at a rapid pace. He is such a fun loving, curious little guy when he is awake, but boy oh boy does he like to sleep! Cameron now sleeps about 11 hours at night and takes 3-4 naps throughout the day. In the morning he loves to "talk" to his animals and make all sorts of sounds. He smiles often and warms many hearts. He hasn't quite rolled over yet from back to belly but he seems to love sleeping on his side. He has begun to grab a few things in the last few days (pacifier, mobile, stuffed animal), and he seems to have noticed his feet are an extension of his body! Cameron loves bath time now, especially when it is followed by his lotion time and a Bible story from Daddy. Motherhood is such a gift.
I have enjoyed getting back into an exercise routine 5 days a week. Teddy and Cameron come along for a short run in the jogger 3 days a week. Teddy has been known to "catch a ride" in the chariot after a mile or so- it sure makes it harder to run up the hills! I guess I can call him my very own personal trainer. It is certainly helping me to shed the 37 pounds gained throughout my pregnancy! Only 6 left to lose!
The three of us talk to Josh almost every day on Skype. Although it is painful not to be together, technology really has helped us to stay connected. There have been many times that I have felt like I was sitting next to Josh on the couch just talking about "nothing" while we've skyped. Sometimes the video quality is better than others- as evidenced by Josh's comment a month ago: "oh, honey, that's so sweet. Cameron is wearing a bib with a golf tee on it....oh wait, no, that's spit up!" Josh is working very hard. He works long hours and has unusual sleeping patterns because of his job. I am so proud of him. He also has been enjoying going to the gym quite a bit!
When Josh left on deployment, we prayed that we would not just be in survival mode throughout our time apart but that we would thrive in our individual and family endeavors. On paper or in prayers, this seems easy to do, but in real life it's tough stuff. We are "better together" (our wedding song), but this deployment is helping us to see why we are "better together" and where we need to be better at being "better together" for the glory of the Lord. We have also discovered we can be "better together" while geographically separated. It is so easy to get into the daily grind and lose sight of these things. We have by no means perfected our "better togetherness" but we ache and long to be reunited as a family.
As I was driving home tonight the song "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns came on the radio. It reminded me that I am never alone. It is good we enjoy being together as a family and ache to be reunited, but it is also important to know our identity in Christ as the only thing that matters in this life. It can become easy to depend on others to meet our needs for companionship, love, and stability. The Lord is calling me to "thrive" by being satisfied in him alone- always- no matter how alone or fearful I might feel.
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth Would care to know my name Would care to feel my hurt Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star Would choose to light the way For my ever wandering heart Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours, I am Yours Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin Would look on me with love and watch me rise again Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea Would call out through the rain And calm the storm in me
Pray for me please. This is not something I have perfected. Some days are easier than others, however, I do not wish to numb myself from the pain until Josh returns, I desire to enjoy the Lord and the gifts he has showered us with.
Well, these are just some of my thoughts from the last several weeks! I will post some pictures soon. Thanks for joining us on our adventure.
