Twenty-Five Days and Counting... Again

This time last year, I was uber pregnant. It was fires of Mordor hot. My two oldest were climbing the walls. And my husband was hired for his fabulous new job and was sent for a 28 day training. Fast forward a year. I'm no longer pregnant (even though one might still make the assumption from my ever present lump-ish-ness- I am still working on it!). It is still Fires of Mordor hot, unfortunately, but at least I'm in air conditioning! And my husband has been sent to training for something new. Again. And I've got an actual house to hold down (I'm actually very excited about that!) and three kids to maintain this time. Insurmountable task? I hope not. I've known for a few months that this was coming and I've made lists, checked them twice, researched a few fun things in the area that are kid-friendly and, well, let's be honest, FREE, and I've attempted to make peace within myself and center my resolve that no matter what happens, I am going to maintain a peaceful, Zen Jenn. Let's see what happens in REAL life... My husband left midday. I directly called my mother to join us for a jaunt to the local farm for some ice cream for the kids- ok, again, let's be honest, also for me -so I could fill in the rest of the day (I have come to find that departure days are ones that need to be filled with chocolate, and treats, and anything I can find to keep my children- *ahem* AND MYSELF -from flipping out or having a complete breakdown because it's not easy to have this kind of revolving door in life). So after my mother left from our wallow- I mean, ice cream fun day- it was time for dinner and a walk to story time and then home to bed. Whew. I've made it. To the beginning. So, Wallow- I mean, ICE CREAM FUN DAY!- has come to a close and Day 24 begins tomorrow. Tomorrow is the town fire works... at 9:30pm. At night. After a whole day. Of kids. Three of them. And then we go out late at night to see things blow up in the sky. So this time tomorrow- and right now I'm propped up by four cushy pillows in bed in my inviting dimly lit bedroom with The Furry Buddy next to me and books and am practically nodding off- the right NOW of tomorrow is when I'll be standing with my ten month old and my 4 year old and 6 year old at the fire works as they JUST START. I think my planning has two flaws. 1)I'm not very bright. 2)I have not purchased enough coffee yet to propel me into the next 24 days. All joking aside, I am learning at the ripe old age of 31 that life actually IS short *gasp* and that it actually DOES go by fast- who knew?! -and my children will not be little forever *chokes back silent sob* so, living in each and every moment has taken on further meaning, more than it has ever before. But, again, let's see how the reality of the situation comically plays out in my life over the next three weeks shall we? And the countdown begins...