What a Dog!

          We have navigated our way through the roughest days of this separation.  Well, these first days are always emotionally the roughest for me.  Who am I kidding, though?  We anticipate other rough days, but they'll probably be rough for other reasons (like mommy is too tired or kids aren't listening).  I feel like I've been dropped to the depths and carried back out again, and it is so good to be able to breathe.
         Audrey and Claire continue to adjust, too.  The best part for me?  They are still sleeping at night!  The last time Matt left for his five week TDY, both girls woke up multiple times throughout the night for the entirety of his trip.  I think I got one or two nights of uninterrupted sleep.  Needless to say, I was a bit worried about that this time.  God hears our prayers, though, and the girls are sleeping great.  Audrey has talked to Matt several times on the phone or via skype, she looks at her book of photos (Daddy book) and listens to her CD of Daddy reading stories, and she talks to me about what Daddy is doing and when he'll be home.

          We've made this week fun, too.  Hanging out with friends, playing at the park, and playing in our own back yard keeps us all distracted.  I had to laugh today, though.  At nap time, both of our dogs came in to Audrey's room while I was reading to her.  Audrey really wanted the dogs to stay with her so, in her words, she wouldn't be lonely.  I agreed to let her try nap time with Buddy (our lab) in her room.  He is great with her and wouldn't mind as much if she did decide to give him a check-up using her dr's kit.  After 15 minutes or so, I hear her talking to Buddy and decide to peek in to make sure he's not begging to leave.  What do I see?  Buddy has a pillow on his front paws and a small blanket across his back.  Audrey has also given him one of her stuffed animals to keep him comfortable!  I asked Audrey about it, and she told me that Buddy was cold and needed a blanket.  He just stared at me for a second and put his head on the pillow!  That dog has quite a life.