Secrets of Survival

Since Andrew deployed many people have said, "I don't know how you do it."  Well, the shortest answer is, "Well, I'm not sure how I could NOT do it!?" I mean, what exactly is the other option!? That being said. I've learned a few things since Andrew left and I thought I'd share them tonight.

1. You will not get it all done. Choices will have to be made, so choose wisely.

2. In the spirit of choosing wisely, showering is optional (to a point...), eating is not. Drinking water is also not optional. Choose to do those things first.

3. Sleep is super important to happiness. Do whatever will ensure you sleep. No one will walk through the door and offer to let you nap, so just be happy sleeping however works in your house.

4. Cook dinner at naptime. Yes, this means you're cooking dinner at 2 in the afternoon. So what. It means you get to eat dinner. The alternative is trying to cook dinner while holding your child. Trust me, the reheat of dinner after cooking at 2 is easier.

5. Weekdays are awesome, weekends are not. Yes, I know. Everyone can want to hurt me later. But when your spouse is deployed, you dread the days when everyone else is doing their family weekend things. It means your friends are tied up, having fun, building family memories and you're doing the same ol' same. It also means that TV stinks.

6. It's okay to make friends with, and look forward to seeing each day, the Good Morning America co-hosts. If it makes you happy, savor it. I actually saw on GMA yesterday a lady who confirmed this one for me. She was a stay-at-home mom who looked forward to her buddies on GMA each day. I. get. that.

7. Take lots of pictures and videos. It makes Daddy happy AND reminds you of all the things you need to tell Daddy about kiddo's day.

8. Play outside. It's where other people are. You'll meet fun friends outside! I have the best neighborhood friends. And I was SO WORRIED when we moved here because Kennedy had the most wonderful group of babies to grow up with in VA, and I was worried that she wouldn't have anything remotely the same here. We still miss our VA friends and hope we'll get to see them sometime soon, but we are so lucky with the people we've met here.

9. Give yourself permission to relax...even if it means there is less getting done. The bad news is that no one is coming home to help you put away the groceries, unload the dishwasher or take out the trash. The good news is that no one will judge you if the box of cheerios sits on the table for another day, and the clean dishes wait for tomorrow to be unloaded.

10. Enjoy all the little things. Both with the kiddo and the deployed hubby. Phone calls, emails and ESPECIALLY games of Ruzzle are wonderful signs of affection. When the dog jumps in the bed with you and your daughter at 6 am and she starts to giggle because he woke her up giving her kisses, give up on sleep and giggle too. After all, they're super cute.