Tomorrow my husband leaves for the first time in over a year. A year ago, and with one less kid, this would have been easy.  But, after having a baby during a deployment and going through numerous, month-long trainings during our son’s first year, a week away is bound to feel like one really long day.  

Since then, we have been lucky enough to have an entire year with no trainings and no deployments. His time in this school has spoiled us and I have found myself wondering just how I am going to tackle a week alone with my two boys.

To be honest, a few months ago I would have been a nervous wreck, but we are in a good routine right now. But with a PCS around the corner, three weeks to be exact, I just don’t have it in me to stress about this. Things are about to get shaken up so I really am just trying to enjoy our last weeks here before the moving chaos begins.

I have already given myself the week off from PCS related duties. I am on strict survival mode. Happy kids and a happy mom is the goal! And maybe, I will take a couple of showers for myself. That’s not too much to ask for, is it?

Looking at the week ahead, my little boys and I will keep our normal routine during the day. Sticking to the routine is the key for us all, whether it be during trainings or deployments. Bath and bedtime may be tricky but there could be worse things than dirty kids in bed.

Then, after everyone is fast asleep (I sent the memo to the kids that they will sleep through the night all week), that leaves “me” time. Do I even remember what that is like?

I can stay up a little later. My husband goes to bed early so I feel like a teenager on spring break when he’s gone. I can also clean, uninterrupted.  I don’t enjoy cleaning per say, but a clean house makes me happy and starting the day on a good note (i.e. with a clean house) is key for my sanity.

I can also catch up on my ‘chick’ shows and enjoy some peace and quiet, guilt free. And, I can shower. It might be 11 at night, but I will have a chance to shower.

See, we can do this! I can do this. 

A lot of things can fall apart, go wrong or break during the week. That is usually what happens when my Marine is away. But no sense in worrying about that until it happens.

So for now, I will curl up on the couch in my favorite spot (missing my Marine of course) and watch every chick show on cable, guilt free - with clean hair. Hopefully.