Au Revoir Papa

Today we dropped Daddy off at the airport and he is now on his way to Brussels. We are on our own for 20 days. We had a million last minute things to do this week and not enough time to get it all done. We did accept an offer on our house on Tuesday and that has been a huge relief. The buyer's inspection was today and if all goes well, the house is sold to a very nice family. The insane cleanliness can stop and we can actually leave our toothbrushes sitting out on the counter if we feel so inclined. The first time we left the house with toys on the floor, I had this nagging feeling that I was doing something wrong. I had become borderline obsessed with keeping our house like a model home and it was hard to let go, but my stress level has decreased significantly and that is better for everyone.

Our last week living here as a family was a bit rushed and chaotic. We can't believe how quickly this day arrived. Yesterday Daddy took Nathan to see the long-awaited TMNT movie for some boy time. Hannah was devastated that she was not invited, but we played with his Star War guys while he was gone and watched the princess movie she picked out at the library. We then had dinner with a very nice couple from Mexico City who are living here temporarily on assignment with the company. We had the most delicious real Mexican food and practiced our Spanish. Today was another blur. Daddy will be wearing a suit to work in Brussels and he had to find a way to pack all of his new suits, shirts, ties and shoes to make sure they arrive somewhat presentable. He had a lot to bring with him and ended up checking 4 bags. We left the house early for the buyer's inspection and had run a couple of errands and were eating a nice lunch, when we got a phone call from the realtor letting us know the storm door had been inadvertently locked and the inspector couldn't get into the house. Daddy had to leave lunch and come back home to let them in and the kids and I were stranded at the restaurant an extra 45 minutes. I'm sure the waitstaff was just thrilled about the crazy lady with three children camped out in a booth for all that time. The kids played with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Wars guys. Hannah made Sarah cry and then after she got in trouble, began to cry herself. Somehow, we managed to get through that episode by comforting Sarah and playing Star Wars with Hannah. Then Daddy got back and we rushed to buy a GPS and get Daddy to the airport. He made it just in time for some quick goodbyes. Hannah fell asleep before she got to say goodbye and Nathan was playing his Game Boy, so not much else in the world mattered to him at that moment.

After naps the kids and I played outside and took a walk to the park. We had missed a phone call from Daddy while we were gone and realized his plane was delayed a couple of hours, but we didn't get a chance to talk to him. Not only did he sit on the plane a couple of extra hours, but this weekend is the start of Daylight Savings Time in Europe, so he is also losing an hour on this flight. We are sending him sleep vibes, even though in this house, we don't usually have many of those to spare...

Hannah had a major meltdown (as did Mommy in response--no I am not proud of that) at bedtime this evening and didn't get to sleep until after 9:30. Hopefully she will not duplicate this practice for the next three weeks and will realize that Daddy is not here to put her to sleep "in my Dora bed!" Poor baby, she just doesn't understand what exactly is going on. We read a book tonight and Hannah wanted to know why the baby's daddy in the book was putting him to bed and not in Belgium? At first, I thought she was asking me why his Daddy was not in the bathroom, but Nathan helped translate and then we explained that he was in fact going to Belgium, but he would be leaving tomorrow.

Time has been flying and somewhere in the middle of all of this Sarah has become 8 weeks old. She is smiling, but not on cue so no pictures yet. She had her first date night with Mommy and Daddy when the company took us out for a farewell dinner on Thursday night. She also has an incredibly stuffy nose that her big sister has managed to share with her, but she is handling it very well.

We hope that time continues to fly and that Daddy will be back to get us before we know it. It is so hard to believe that we won't be living here in less than a month! Keep us in your prayers...I need extra prayers for patience and sanity these next 3 weeks.