Things you can only say to other military spouses

True confession: I am so glad his R&R is not over Christmas break.
That may sound bizarre, but let me explain.  I would love nothing more than to have my whole family together for Christmas (and every other day).  But knowing that I only have 14 days.... no, not over Christmas vacation. Too many visiting relatives and other such chaos, I don't think we'd really have a chance to be with him.

The kids and I are done. Exhausted. We are ready to sit around in our pjs for two whole weeks and do absolutely nothing.  Maybe play in the snow, should more happen our way.  If my husband were here, we would have to do things.  Go places.  Not spend all day laying on the couch in yoga pants and a sweatshirt eating too many Christmas cookies.

We're in that month #6 slump.

Don't misunderstand, I would cheerfully do things if he were here.  But since he's not, boy, is that couch looking welcoming.  We can all rest, mentally and physically, and be ready for fun when he does get here some time in January.  Heck, I might even be able to starve off the extra holiday pounds before he arrives.

True confession #2:  Tonight, I am turning off my Skype and going to sleep early.

The baby was sooo restless last night.  I think I got about 3-4 hours of sleep.  I have had 5 huge cups of tea and 2 large cups of coffee and have remained standing all day in an attempt to stay awake (snow day- no chance for a nap).  Tonight, I am so tired, even a restless baby won't keep me up.   Normally, I sit and wait, like the teenaged girl in stories, waiting for my Skype to ring.  Sorry, babe.  I'll be in dreamland. Maybe I'll see you there.

Hark, it is nearly 8 and late enough to be bedtime. :)

Nighty-night all.

Making my baby a man

I hate Christmas shopping.  Last year I did all of it online from my couch with cup of hot coffee in hand.  I mocked those who roamed the malls searching for parking so they could then search the mall for gifts. "Unevolved buffoons!", I chortled.

So why the hell was I at Target today with that same glazed-over looked worn by all the other parents roaming the toy section?  There were nearly 4 cart crashes too, because we are all examining the toys. The toys are arranged in no particular order, btw.  Insanity.  I think I was overcome by the idea that I am actually close enough to multiple major shopping areas that I can shop in person at different malls (without taking my RV) that I actually decided to try it.  I have learned my lesson, though.  Next year, I'll be back on the couch with my laptop.

I am just about done shopping. I realized I cheaped out on my oldest kid.  He is a great kid and really wants Call of Duty Black Ops for his DS. ?!?!?!?!  Hello?  You just learned how to walk last week, what do you mean you want a first-person shooter game?  I am so not comforted by your response that the DS graphics aren't as good as the PSPs, so the blood looks less real.  (He is 12.  I know, it's totally normal.)

But how do I explain that life means something?  That when a soldier takes an enemy soldier's life that it can really weigh on them?  That even the bad guys have mothers that love them or maybe even a wife and kids?   My husband remembers flying in his little helicopter during Desert Storm (yup, he's that old) and seeing the targets he called in destroyed. He knew there were people in there and now they were all dead.  They were shooting at him, so I'm glad he did it, but I could tell it kind of made him think a bit.  If I get #1 this game (or GoldenEye 007, which looks cool too), will he be able to get that later? 

Maybe I am thinking too hard about all this. It's probably the after-effects of flourescent lighting and holiday musak.