Learning Balance

This holiday weekend was the best I have had in a long time. I spent the more time with my husband, alone, than I have in a long time. Its really tough, trying to get through daily life, deal with the four minions, keep the house in one piece, pay bills, work and find time for each other, not to mention try to take care of ourselves. We are having to learn how to balance everything and being that my life has lately been nothing but logistics, it is really hard.

My hubby works a lot. Like 50-60 hours a week, a lot. He works for us, for our family and he is doing amazing. I don't think I tell him enough how much I love him for that. We have come so far from where we were when we first had Elena. We struggled a lot those first baby years. It was a daily struggle with me at home with the babies. Now, the bills are paid, we actually have money left over for a little frivolous spending, which we never had before. Before we were always working paycheck to paycheck. The hubby becomes superman at work, I know he loves that. He always did thrive at being successful and it is really paying off. I am really proud of him.

So, What did we do this weekend? Well, for the first time, in a while, we had date night. Thank you to my niece for watching the kids!!! We went out to dinner, had drinks, did some shopping, it was wonderful. We stayed out way to late and spent way to much money, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I did feel bad for him thought, he still had to go to work the next day, I didn't. I worry sometimes that I complain to much, and that he thinks I sit around eating chocolate the next day. He would never say that, but I worry that sometimes he gets upset that I am home and he is working his butt off. So, he worked Saturday and Sunday. Sundays are one of my favorite days though, because, even if he has to go to work, its only 12 to 5 and me and the kids get all morning with him. Then he comes home and we have more time together.

I know, it sounds like a codependent relationship, but you have to understand something about us. Fred and I, have been and will always be inseparable. I know people always say they married their best friend, but in my case, I am not just saying that. Fred and I were best friends for 2 years before we even started "Dating," if you can call it dating. We were so together all the time, the relationship just kind of morphed into girlfriend/boyfriend status with ease. When we were friends, we were barely apart long enough to go to class (we meet at Sam Houston State University, we lived in the same dorm!) I think everyone around us knew the inside joke before we did. We have even confessed to each other later in life that while we were friends, other people would hint about wanting to date one of us, and oh so subtly, we made sure that didn't happen. We were protective of each other to a fault. When we finally did get together, it was forever (we had "the talk" and that was all she wrote!) Sorry, I am getting sappy but the truth is, we like each other, we don't really like other people. I get asked all the time, "how can you stand to be around Fred so much? Don't you ever just want to tell him to go away and give you some space?" To which I say, no that never happens, never even crosses my mind. We have even worked together at multiple jobs and still get along. OK, maybe we are codependent, but I don't care.

This is us back in college at a party. Don't you love my hair!! Crazy days.

So, then Monday came. Fred had decided since I had off for the holiday, that he would use his half day off on Monday morning, didn't have to go in till 2. Believe it or not, the two oldest had school (who goes to school on labor day!!!), but we decided to use it to our advantage and sent them to school and the young ones to the babysitters (Mommy guilt spread like wildfire on that one, but we needed time together.) So, we sent everyone off to their prospective places spent the rest of the morning relaxing, watching TV, which we never do, no time. It was great to be home with my husband, alone. I really miss him in this life we have now. (Man, am I confessing to much here?)  We had lunch, went grocery shopping, which if you have kids, going to the grocery store with out them in tow is a mini vacation in itself, then we went home and laid around watching more TV till it was time to take him to work.


For the first time in a long time, my three day weekend was actually a mini-vacation. I actually came out of this weekend feeling better than I have in a long time. Rested, happy and relaxed. Thanks hubby, for making this a really great weekend!!! I love you ...

More modern picture, I don't have red hair (at the moment) but I love this picture!