My Dad

Thank you for you comments and support regarding my last post. I believe it's difficult being a SAHM, but believe it or not, even harder for a SAHM who works part time. Because my hours are not regular and truly are part time, I don't have a regular paid babysitter. Seriously, who would want a job that doesn't have set hours? There are some people (mostly other mothers) who are fortunate enough to have their parents' help. In my eyes, they are the lucky ones. I hope those people don't take their parents for granted. My prayer for them is to realize that not everyone has what they have. If I sound bitter, I guess I am. Before my father died, he adored his grandchildren. He never met Monkey Girl, she was born later that year when he passed away.

My father, Richard was such a generous, kind and loving man and father. He would do anything for his children. I didn't realize it when I was young, but I did when his first grandchild (the Mayor) was born. After her birth, my father evolved into an even more loving and generous man. He was so in love with her. He wanted me to be able to work (sing) and dropped everything so he could help me. Because he was always "my first call" for babysitting, the two were very close and had a strong bond. When Computer Boy was born my dad was thrilled at having two grandchildren. He loved his grandson as much as he loved his first grandchild. Unfortunately, as my son got a little older, my dad started to succumb to living with type II diabetes for 30 years. It got harder for him to control his blood sugar and started insulin regularly. He was able to manage his diabetes first through diet, then medication and diet and finally with insulin. My dad worked very hard to stay healthy--he even went to the gym every other day for many years. However, in the end, diabetes got the better of him. I do think my children extended his desire to live and so his last couple of years were not of the same quality as the rest of his life. So, am I thankful to have had his help? Definitely! But, even more so, I am extremely thankful that he was a part of my life and my children's lives.

10 years

This August, my husband and I will be married 10 years. I was hoping to *get away* for a long weekend - just the two of us. However, there is a potential issue that may prevent that from happening.

Babysitting. Need I say more? I'm sure you're thinking there must be someone you can ask. And, yes, I can. Honestly, I was hoping one of my sisters would help. It would be easier if hubby and I didn't have to split the three kids up and the person would come to stay at my house. That's probably NOT going to happen. My youngest sister (the CPA) is not married (and no children) and is the perfect candidate for the *job*. However, caring for all three children, she finds to be a daunting task. Then, there's my sister (the military wife) who's husband expected to be on leave around the time we'd want to go away. The problem: they want to be here to celebrate my Mom's birthday but then, they also want to take a short vacation. So, where they're concerned, precise planning would be required (and, of course, the military could always change those plans). Then, there's my oldest sister, (she has red hair, so I'll refer to her as Red). She's more than willing to take the girls, but is apprehensive about my son. My son can be a handful (a boy with a multitude of issues) but he can also be an absolute delight and pleasure to be around.

Please know that I am not complaining. I love my children. I would never change a thing about having them. I am fortunate to have sisters to ask to help out. My guess is that my hubby and I will shorten our weekend and hopefully something can be worked out with my family. After all, we have eight months to work it out.