And now we’re on Day 4 of N’s trip to Colorado with me at home with Boo and the Troll and Riley. Still not sure who got the better end of that deal between the delay leaving, dust storms, missed exits, etc vs toxic diapers, cranky baby and the neediest dog I have ever owned. On the bright side things seem to be going well for all concerned. Only 5 more days to go.
So to back up, it’s been a while since I posted. In my defense it has been a little crazy like I said before. After our vacation we got back just in time to start helping plan our annual congregational 4th of July party. One of the joys of being a bi-vocational pastor (even a co-pastor) is that weekends don’t really mean time off from work, you just switch hats. Anyway, we managed to get that off without a hitch but when it came time for the city fireworks show we all discovered, Boo included, that Boo does not like fireworks exploding…anywhere. Whether she can hear them or not. Neither does the dog for that matter.

As a result, instead of a fun-filled night of hot-dogs, fireworks and fun with the family we ended up running around like chickens with our heads cut off taking the baby and the dog back home before curling up on the sofa to a nice episode (or three) of Cat in the Hat Knows That on Netflix. Ah…. The joys of parenthood.
The next week passed by in a bit of a blur as we readied ourselves for N’s trek to Colorado. It’s not the first time I have taken care of Boo by myself while N is out of town, nor is it even the first time I have been a single parent. But it’s been a loooooong time since I had to watch a toddler 24/7 without a break except for work and I had forgotten how exciting and how exhausting it can be.

Since N left, we have gone to the city water park, survived church, built and played in our new water table, helped daddy do laundry and cook dinner and thus far at least…not burned the house down or gotten injured. In my book, that’s a win. I’ve even managed to get the child to eat some meat which, honestly, how does anybody get picky eaters to munch on stuff they don’t like (i.e. MEAT….I can’t believe I’m raising a vegetarian)
I did manage to avoid one major daddy snafu the other day fortunately…mostly thanks to the grace of auto-correct. I know I know… grace isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind when we discuss auto-correct but in messing up my text to N about how we were all doing I managed to avoid unintentionally insulting her by telling her Boo wasn’t missing her. As I have heard from a number of mothers since, it’s a good thing the text didn’t go or I might not still be breathing…or married. Fortunately N has a pretty good sense of humor so when I tell her this story…well… if more than 8 weeks go by and you don’t hear from me, I’m not saying anything HAS happened, but….
Like I’ve said before, we’re together until I die or she kills me, and now that’s true for both N and me and Boo and me.
