A comforting realization

Since the "crazy orders" became a realization for Michael and I, I have been thinking a lot of how this will affect the kids. Jack has moved 7 times since he was born, this will be Molly's 5th school (going into 4th grade) and Gracie has never had the pleasure of returning to a school the following year. Kids are resilient, but there is a limit.

Michael had to leave for Italy for a couple days so it's been the 4 of us trying to survive without dad. Times like this you begin to see just how much help he is when he's home. Damn, I was hoping I would realize he doesn't do much and the time away will be a cinch...no such luck.

The three of them always hate to see him go and count down until his arrival home. They adapt quickly and go about their lives doing what needs to be done to make time pass. When I try to make jokes on his behalf to make us laugh, they ALWAYS side with him and turn the joke on me...loyal little critters!

The past two nights that Michael has been gone Jack has insisted on sleeping with the girls and they have happily agreed. At times you can hear screeching in the room fighting over Polly Pockets or Barbies, but for the most part, they get along. I have been lucky enough to stumble upon some of their bedroom conversations. One night Molly was explaining the World Wars to Gracie and Jack. I sat and took notes outside the door. She knew a lot more than me. Last night's conversation...godparents. According to Molly, if Michael and I die Gracie will go live with the Grants, she with the Rookies and Jack with Madison and Mark. I have to wonder if Amanda will mind Madison moving in to help take care of Jack or if Mark will move in with Madison:)

The girls got to come with me to pick Jack up from school yesterday. From inside the garden (playground) Jack saw the girls and was so excited he was jumping up and down and waving to them. The girls stood at the fence and waited there until Jack could come out. When he finally was able to come out the three of them hugged like it had been years since they had seen each other.

This morning the kids fought over who knows what but when we got in the car to go to school all is forgotten. I drop the girls off at school, hug and kiss them both and I'm on my way. Driving away as I look in the rearview mirror I see they are holding hands just as they do everyday when they walk into school. To me it's as if they're telling the world that together they can get through anything.

And so it hits me. They are going to be just fine. The biggest and best gift we gave them to prepare them for the next two years was not our superior parenting, but each other.