When Tripper first started his new job, he would find out new things that he needed for the next day. In this specific experience he needed knee pads and gloves for the next day. So after a 12+ hour work day when he came home we had dinner and it was pretty much straight to bed for him and I was going to go to the store for him to get what he needed. As I entered Fred Meyer's and walked down the isles I panicked a little when I didn't see the correct kind of knee pads at first. I finally found what I was looking for a briskly walked to the check out line so I could get home before Tripper fell asleep. When I got home I was informed that the knee pads needed to be black. And of course I bought what color? WHITE. So much selfishness filled my body as a sternly said to my husband, "I'll go back. I'll get the right ones." He apologized many times, even though I didn't think it was his fault. I was really mad at myself for not remembering he had to have black pants/shorts and black shoes. But yeah, white knee pads would be just fine. Special moments I have sometimes. Anyway, I rushed back to the store and got to the right isle and walked to the check out counter, not remembering I had something to exchange... so I had to run all the way across the store to the customer service desk. By this time I am almost in tears because I just wanted to get home and relax with Tripper for a bit. On my drive home my attitude was no different and I was going to sulk in my own mistake all night long. I walked in the house, jumped down the stairs and when I went into our room my whole attitude changed. All of my selfishness was gone when I walked in the room to my half asleep husband, kissed him on the cheek and he said in the most calm and genuine voice "Thank you so much for doing that for me. I love you so much."
Moral of the story is: Don't be selfish and do service with a smile. Especially when your husband asks you to do one thing for him after a 12 hour work day. It would have been so easy for me to be kind and just head back to the store and come home with nothing else said and a smile on my face.
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I have heard this quote about the arrow many times and it has applied to my life from time to time. But this job really has been a launch for us in more ways than one. And my wife skills have really been put to the test ;)
With all that being said our new routine is so far so good. Just takes some planning on my part which works great when I have nothing else to do at work. So far I have gotten up every morning with Tripper at 2:30 and we go up stairs while he eats breakfast. It sounds kind of crazy but I really like our little bit of time at 2am that we get to talk when the rest of the world is still asleep. This job has made me really appreciate the small and large amounts of time that I get to spend with Tripper as they will most likely be few and far between for the next few months.
The thing that has been really hard for me is the fact that I still have to go to work and fulfill responsibilities there. I have tried to adjust my schedule so that I will be home every night when Tripper gets off, but that doesn't start until August so my works days are pretty frusterating. Monday's and Thursday I won't see Tripper at all since I'll still be at work when he needs to be sleeping. So that's pretty upsetting for me, but only a couple more weeks of that schedule and hopefully things will go a lot smoother. I hate not being able to be home to make dinner or relax with him before he goes to sleep. Grrr. Endure to the end can be my new life motto.
We get Tuesday nights together, Wednesday mornings, Saturday nights, and Sunday mornings together. Days off come just when I need them. This Saturday night and Sunday morning were much needed. I'm so grateful for my hardworking husband.
He also surprised me with this beauty this week. In my heart to infinity and beyond. It's a sapphire (my birthstone) too which I love. Tripper and I are September baby's so we have the same birthstone. I love it so much!
I've come to the conclusion that this job is preparing me for when I have to cook for my kids and I have a special system down that works great!
Sunday nights I make breakfast for the whole week and put them in the fridge. Super easy if anyone else needs ideas for your kids in the morning or your early workers. I make parfaits with Greek Yogurt, Almond Granola, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, and Blueberries. I just bought 3 cup size Glad reusable containers. Cheap, healthy, fast and easy breakfast.
Dinner's are simple when you plan out your entire meal and THEN go grocery shopping. It helps to have the recopies with you in my opinion. With all our meals planned I just do a little prep before work and then make it when I get home.
I do the same thing with lunches pretty much. I have found that cutting things all at once and then putting them in the fridge/freezer makes everything a lot easier. For lunches we have stuck with Turkey and Salami sandwiches on Franz whole wheat bread (The Franz part is really important ;)), cut up celery stalks, baby carrots, apples, and water. Also, lunch coolers are super handy. I put everything in the fridge the night before and all Tripper has to do is put the lunch in the cooler with an ice pack and go.
It looks like things are going to continue going well for Tripp. He says he likes the job so far. Just going to take a little more adjusting to get used to going to sleep when it's still light out. Although I did put together a super awesome concocsion of blankets over our windows so it's very dark in our room even when it's still like outside.
Let's all try to be a little less selfish this week and do service with a smile for the people in our lives just because we love them.
