1. Martin Keyes rocks. I think he was thinking of the wives of traveling husbands when he invented paper plates in the early 1900s. I bought a big ole pack of ’em before Mark left. The swirlies around the edges were really smiles to me, saying, “Hello, Kelly. Don’t worry. We know you have a lot on your plate right now, but washing us isn’t one of them.” We used the last one about 3 hours before I left for the airport to pick him up. Thank you, Martin Keyes.
2. The proverbial purse strings are a good bit looser while Daddy’s away. I spent $30 on frozen ice cream treats at BJs (FYI, worth every penny), $6 at an arcade, and several dollars on in-app purchases I never say yes to. But, when a kid comes in your room before 7am on a weekend and you know that saying yes to another $.99 will buy you a good 30 minutes of sleep? Yeah. Cave, cave, and cave.
3. The why-don’t-I-lose-5-lbs.-while-he’s-gone-and-surprise-him plan I had for a few minutes was ridiculous. I’m an emotional eater. And, I spent $30 on ice cream treats. And, a friend brought me chocolate. Whatever. My plan evolved to why-don’t-I-just-treat-myself-at-night-because-I-want-to plan. And, that plan worked out pretty well.
4. A 12-hour time difference isn’t real conducive to conversation. When he was rested and energized for another day, I was beat and ready to eat that ice cream and chocolate. When I up and caffeinated, he could barely finish a sentence. Time difference + bad connections and frozen images on Skype = a lot of frustration.
5. A breakdown is likely. Sometimes it will be the car. Sometimes it will be me. In this case, it was both. I’m not completely independent; I do need help; but, I will be okay. And, now I also know that I can install a new battery when needed.
6. The friend whose husband is away with my husband will become my best friend. There is great consolation and encouragement in all communication with a wife in the same position I am. And, when I say all communication, I mean Facebook messaging, texting, emailing, calling, late-night chats, and even a bit of an impromptu get away together (2 women and 7 children…which was remarkably easy actually). Yeah, we were kindred spirits before; we’re BFFs now.
7. I’m not ever going to know or hear enough to make me feel like I’m there. I’m not there. I’m home…with 4 kids…eating off paper plates, packing lunches, buying apps, and texting my new BFF. But, you know what, without me, he wouldn’t be there. So, yeah, I’m not there, but I know we’re a team. So, don’t feel sorry for me when he’s gone and remind me to not feel sorry for myself because we’re in this together even if we’re on opposite sides of the world.
8. There is such a thing as sympathy jet lag. I am not just tired from doing it all for 2 weeks and because it’s suddenly 95 degrees in our unairconditioned home. I promise you that we’re so intimately connected and a unified team that it is sympathy jet lag.
9. I really love my husband. I miss him when he’s gone, and I’m super proud of him for how he’s using his gifts and skills to do significant things. Martin Keyes has nothing on him.
10. I’m really excited about where God’s taking us and who He’s raising up to be part of the team to get us there. When’s the next trip?
Your blog post is the perfect diversion from my dreadful paper writing. Happy he’s home. Happy you survived. Happy to read your humorous perspective. Really happy to see where God is leading you both.
Well, I was on the other side of the world with your husband. And I know how much he missed you and his family while he was there. And I do know that without you, he would not be there doing the great job that he does. And the IECS schedule is exhausting. And you are a team & incredibly supportive of the work set before you both. Yeah team!