Adjusting to a Hard Working Man

So it's been about a month since Chris' work has really picked up and kept him busy. During that time we're ReallY lucky if Chris is home by 6:30 (mainly only Monday nights). The rest of the time it's either right before the kids go to bed or just late. The kids probably see him two out of the five nights of the week and occassionly three. At first when this routine started I honestly didn't know how long I'd last. Can I just say that having an amazing husband/father makes it way hard to not see him, especially the kids! They adore Chris and would often cry/complain when I told them he was coming home after they went to bed (this is mainly Jared). And lately Jared has been sleeping in til after 8:00 so he doesn't see him in the morning either.


The first week I was really worried how long I could last. Quite frankly I disliked it and I know Chris did too (as far as not being with his boys) But the good thing is the boys and I have adjusted quicker than I thought. Jared doesn't complain near as much and is able to cope with what I tell him better. I've learned to just expect a late evening so I'm not disappointed. Another good thing is Chris is sensitive to both the kids and me. If I sense that Jared needs more dad time I just tell him tonight you need to be home for dinner and he comes, and if I've had all I can have then he comes and rejuvinates me.

As much as it stinks not having our dad/husband around as much we are so grateful he does have a job and for the most part enjoys it. He doesn't come home complaining (yet) and still makes a valiant effort to be with us when he is able to. I guess now we've just hit "real" life! I know tons of other people who do this and have done this for years. To excel in anything you have to put in the hours, do the grunt work, and be a hard worker to reap the dividends. I love him dearly and so grateful that even though he's busy he still comes home and makes me happy and smile. I don't know how I got so lucky to have him!

Off to Work and On with Life!

Chris started orientation Wednesday! I'm loving him getting all dressed up and it's going to happen now six out of seven days of the week! I'm in heaven, he's so handsome! Right now the majority of what I hear from him is he's bored and ready to work.


Now that he's off and I'm home with the boys I've started back in to a routine. I went running for the first time since the marathon on Wednesday and my knee felt okay but not great. What I've been reading is to slowly get back into running the first week only running 5 mins and add an additional 5 mins each week. The good thing is my knee hasn't been hurting as much when not running and I really think running will help it.


So Wednesday I ran the boys to the zoo and then we walked around the zoo. Mornings are definitely the best time to go. No one to compete with! All we saw were people doing their daily walk or run through it and an occasional mom and kid. Also the carousel and train are not going and no popcorn stands are open. Everything we have to pull Jared away from.


We got some action out of the lion. They say the lion at Lincoln Park Zoo is known for being one of the more active and vocal lions at a zoo. It was pretty fun to hear the three lions roar and kind of bark at one another. The only down side to going so early is none of the building open till 10:00 and we got there after eight and left right before 10:00. Then headed to our neighborhood park.


Thursday it rained all day! We're not use to a constant downpour. Luckily a girl from the ward called and invited us to go the nature museum with a group of moms. It was really cool. They have a room where the butterflies fly all around you. There were some big ones and colorful ones. One landed on my leg, all the kids were jealous.

Some of the kids from the ward that we went with.

I've learned that Spencer loves slides! He loves to climb up, go down, or just sit on them and climb from slide to slide. I didn't take the boys out much in Utah because it was soooo hot so I had no idea how much Spencer loved parks. Below is a clip of him. I had to put him at the top then run to the bottom to get the clip so it's not the greatest but it shows he likes it!

I've found Jared to be so much happier when we get out. We have a lot more to explore so Chicago here we come!