Single Mom

A bit of cuteness for my oh woe is me post :)

It's hard having Rex in Texas.  I give major props to you single moms or military spouses out there.  It's HARD being by yourself.  I knew it wouldn't be a cake walk by any means, but I had no idea what was in store for me.  So early one Friday morning I found myself waving as Rex and his sister drove down our road, truck and trailer loaded down with half of our stuff and two of our chihuahuas.  I walked back into the house and went back to an emptier bed (I still have three chihuahuas with me) and Kylie sleeping peacefully in her crib. 

The first couple of days went by all right.  It didn't seem real yet.  To tell you the truth, it was kind of nice.  I could go to bed early if I wanted to (Rex is a night owl and I'm an early bird) or browse Etsy and my blog roll after Kylie went to bed.  I could make dinner with vegetables in it, since Rex is a strict meat and potatoes kinda guy.  I got chores done and laundry put away and headbands made.  Kylie and I went up with my parents to the farmer's market and to the little lake in the mountains.

Then the warm fuzzy glow wore off.  I'm working full time, and I'm there 45-50 hours a week.  My parents, who are both teachers, are back at school and also coaching cross country and can only watch Ky on Saturdays and evenings now.  So back to the baby sitter's Kylie went, not too happily mind you.  She had some major separation anxiety after Rex left, which we never had a problem with before. 

It's tough.  I work ten hour days and then pick up Ky from the sitter's.  We then head home and I unload all of her stuff and we have a quick snack.  I try to get chores done, but Kylie is especially needy right now with Rex being gone, and I can't say that I blame her.  So most of the time I can't get started on chores until after she goes to bed around 7:30.  By that time I'm ready to hit the hay too, but manage to stay up to get some stuff done. 

I'm getting worn out.  I find myself getting frustrated with Kylie more quickly now and wishing she would just behave herself for ten minutes so I can put away a load of laundry without her throwing clean clothes in the trash can or stuffing a handful of dog food into her mouth.  And I hate that.  I love my kid with my whole heart and hate myself for thinking these traitorous thoughts. 

My parents are being awesome and helping out as much as they can, but they have their school and coaching now, and my dad has some health problems going on that cause him to tire really easily.  I try not to complain to Rex much because I know that he is under a lot of stress now, getting settled in a completely new place and starting at his new shop.  And I know he misses Kylie and I just as much as we miss him.

I just feel like I need to find a happy medium somewhere, a balance.  How do y'all find balance between all the aspects in your life?