Back to the Grind

Sigh. Block leave is over tomorrow. It's depressing.



We had such a nice time. We started with a trip to Chena Hot Springs for just me and Eric. Our good friends kept the boys for us, and we had an awesome time! Then we went to see the new Narnia movie with friends, went Christmas Eve ice skating and to the candllelight service at church. Christmas morning-watched the boys open all their presents, and then had Christmas dinner with good friends. Then Eric and I got to go see Tron in 3D at the IMAX, which was absolutely amazing! And we did a lot of resting and hanging out! Went down to the shelter and adopted our newest family member, Moose the wirehaired dachshund, who is fitting in beautifully! We did some more resting and hanging out, went New Year's Eve ice skating and then had dinner out with friends and then went home for a low-key New Year's Eve together. We spent New Year's Day with more wonderful friends, having a delicious dinner and playing cards, and now here we are on the last day of leave.



Sigh. Back to getting up really early, running around like crazy all day and not seeing a whole lot of Daddy. And we have a month or so of that before Eric has to leave for a longish training exercise that I have no idea what to expect from. And then of course, not long after that is over will come the deployment. Double sigh.



I know you're supposed to be optimistic and excited about what a new year can bring, but thinking about the year that we are facing makes me feel tired, sad, and lonely. Just being honest! I am trying to have faith that God is in control and that that this will work for our good somehow, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't a daily struggle. I just don't want to have my family pulled apart for so long. It hurts to think about it.



But God IS in control, and He WILL use these circumstances for good! I just need to remember that. If anyone is wondering how to pray for us, pray that we will be able to remember that. Pray that God will give us the strength to get through whatever is coming our way and that we will be able to be a testimony to His love and power.