Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Holding Down the Fort

This is me this week:



Only without the hefty paycheck that I'm sure Michael Keaton got for this 80's gem.

Angela is in Washington DC with her best friend / mentor / prayer partner / former sunday school teacher, Anne. They went to see the sights and spend some time praying for our country. Angela has NEVER been to DC...so I was so excited for her to be able to go. She is having a great time. They are coming home late Thursday night.

I am home alone with kids, and we are having a pretty good week. It's 9:30, and everyone is in bed...including me. That is a miracle right there. I have only had the smallest bit of resistance; apparently Angela's snacks are "better," whatever that means. As I am walking out of Lily Kate's room a few minutes ago, she was coaching me on exactly how to pack their school snack, and what to pack.

Oh, and Levi told me that Mom was "nicer" than me. Obviously he is still bitter about the candy incident. So guess who is basically getting the royal treatment now? And who is laying here with one foot in my side? That's right. I am not about to be out-niced.

: >)

The kids? I can handle the kids. I can handle the house...and the laundry...and the food. But it's the HOMEWORK. Lord, help me. THE HOMEWORK. HOMEWORK. I do not remember 3rd grade being so brutal when I was there. For crying out loud.

Really, we're doing good. Enjoying some special things. And praying that Mommy has an AMAZING time during these days away.

28 comments:

Sarah said...

Every dad should have a Mr. Mom week. That was an awesome movie, btw. The Wubby. Ha.

Good luck! Sounds like you're doing great!

sdshaw said...

okay so i confess to bursting out laughing when I read this. I am sorry but it does sound like you are trying more to convince yourself than the rest of us that you are doing great without Angela there doing all the Mommy things.

Anyway, I will be praying for you my friend. Only 48 hours more to go :-) Awesome memories lie ahead. And thanks for the reminder of the candy incident. I had forgotten. LOL!!!

Holly said...

Praying for your Girl in DC!

Now I understand the connection you and my Chris have--he is the 6th baby of a 38 yr old mom and 43 year old dad. It seems clear that these babies of older parents get spoiled and needed WAY more spankings than they got! :) You boys definitely get by with your sassy-ness more than you should! Blessings on you!! Praying for your fam.

Holly

PS Mandisa just BROUGHT IT in Denver this past weekend!!

Lindsee Lou said...

Way to go, Mr. Mom! I am sure Angela will come back refreshed from her time away.

Until then, I am glad that you can get some coaching from Lily as you pack their snacks. Mom's do have that special touch, though. There's just something about it. And, goodness knows none of us want to be out-niced. You better nice-up!

Have a great week with them!

Lindsee

Adam said...

Same here. If Karen is away and I have Madison she always asks me if we can stop for "drinks". Apparently (from a 3 yr old) they stop at every fast food place and convience store to get something to drink....and I don't. Oh well but every once and awhile we will stop @ Sonic and then she is really happy with me.

Profbaugh said...

Hang in there Travis. Michael Keaton has nothing on you!! Just don't feed them chili, okay?

~Cheryl

Anonymous said...

My Mr. Mom week has lasted almost five years, and I love mostly every minute. I have to agree though now that one is in 2nd grade and the other is in 1st grade, the homework is ridiculous! I still thank God every day for blessing me with absolutely, the best job I could ever have!

Leah Adams said...

Sounds like you are passing the Mr. Mom test with flying colors!! I know Angela is having an awesome time. Washington is a great place to visit!!

Leah

Kelly S. said...

GO Angela!! What an awesome trip. My husband and I did that for our 10th Anniversary.

AMEN on the homework. 4th grade science is killing me, and 2nd grade is no cake walk.

You better get those snacks right, that's important! How is LK's hair going? My husband's biggest challenge is the hair-do's.

Unknown said...

I thought I was going to have to go back to school just to help my kids with homework. It's brutal!

The kids are older and now I'd have to hire a tutor if they need homework help!

I'm sure Angela's missing all of you but hopefully having a great time.

Anonymous said...

just wait, the homework gets worse! i quit being able to help mine once they hit 5th grade. I have 2 older boys in college, 1 in 8th grade and 1 in 5th grade. My 8th grader had almost 4 hours of homework last night!! WAY too much. i'm going to have to have a chat with the teacher if this keeps up!
i'm so happy for your wive to be able to run away with her friend. It does wonders for us mothers to be able to get away once in a while. this past winter i was able to go to Hawaii with my best girlfriend. We had a blast! it was a much needed time away! my husbands comment to me when i got home was, how do you ever get anythng done? i start on something, then i have to pick someone up and take someone somewhere or help someone with something! I thought it was pretty funny since he only has to deal with the 2 younger boys, the 2 older ones are in college! He never got the joy of being Mr. Mom while ALL of the boys were little and living at home!

Cindy said...

Hey there Mr. Mom!

That is so great! My hubby gets to enjoy those Mr. Mom times every now and then, especially when you and Beth are nearby. Actually I think he is better at it than I am. I found out not too long ago that he actually lets the girls put together their own snacks/lunches. There's no telling what they put in there!

And I know plenty about having feet in my sides, back, face. My husband works 24-hour shifts at the fire department and I have always let the girls sleep with me when he is on duty. But they are now 9 and 10 years old and, in case you don't remember, I am slightly on the short side so they are almost as tall as I am. Even though we have a king size bed we are definitely running out of room but I can't bring myself to kick them out just yet. They are pretty wild sleepers. I usually end up on the couch at some point. I wouldn't take anything in the world for our girls nights and I know my husband loves having them all to himself whenever he can.

Let's not even get into the homework. Sometimes they will start to ask me a question about their homework and then they will stop mid-sentence, smile, and say 'I guess that's a daddy question'.

The other day I was stolling through K-Mart and I stopped dead in my tracks and listened for a minute. I heard your song 2000 years playing. I thought, now how cool is that...Travis singing in the big K! Then I realized it was my cell phone ringing...you are my ringtone. I just cracked up. How cool is that? It's happened several times because I am still trying to get used to having you on my phone.

Praying Angela and Anne have some wonderfully blessed girl time. Praying for you to survive the homework. I know the rest will be a piece of cake for ya.

Cindy in Weaverville

Anonymous said...

Oh Travis, I love, love, love this post! I could not agree more about the homework. My nephew that lives with me is in the 3rd grade this year. It is absolutely awful. I do not remember it being that bad either.

Hope Angela has a great time in DC. I'm praying for you all!

Amanda

ocean mommy said...

Go Angela!!! That sounds like a wonderful trip!!

Have fun with the little ones!

Amy said...

Glad to know that I'm not the only fan of the movie "Mr. Mom" -- what a classic!

Boy, I can relate to that HOMEWORK dread. I think it is just as much a punishment for the parents as it is for the kids. What a drag ....

I'll be praying that all goes well for the rest of the week. Have fun being fun!

Darlene R. said...

Oh yes, the HOMEWORK! I didn't realize that I would be going back to school when my kids finally hit school age! Brutal IS a good word for it!

You are so sweet to do this for your wife. My husband is equally as sweet because he does it for me so I can enjoy some much needed time away. Some dads don't see the need, so bless you for seeing it.

I've always thought you were a good guy! ;)

Mary said...

Dear Mr Mom, AKA Daddy Daycare, AKA Kindergarten Cop:

Just a little advice: make sure the house is cleaned, kids are fed and in bed, homework is done, and soft music is playing when she gets home. I'm telling you, she'll think you're Mr. Wonderful....and that beats "nice" and "better" any day!

Daniel Semsen said...

Looks like you are doing a better job of being Mr. Mom than I did!

Fran said...

I call for a nationwide homework strike. 6th grade is killing me Travis. Killing me!!! Well, and so is 5th and poor little 2nd grade too. :)

Enjoy those kiddos. Mom will be home soon.

Hugs,
Fran

Unknown said...

just wanted you to know i had my first hobby lobby experience today. it was all i ever dreamed.

Nesha said...

Mr. Mom!

When I went to TX for siesta fiesta, my husband had the kids of course for 4 whole days. My 7 YO asks 50+ questions a day for any and all subjects. That Sat. my husband said "How do you deal with this every day? He is driving me crazy." Welcome to my world. I won't tell you the oatmeal story-hehe, the 7 YO only eats one flavor, poor dad.

Angela, I hope you had a wonderful time in DC! We live North of Richmond and the boys love to take the metro in for the day.

connorcolesmom said...

LOL - Ok I admit it, I am totally laughing at you but I am so impressed really I am :)

It is HARD being a parent and especially when we are told that one of us is better at something than the other

And homework STINKS that is why I LOVE homeschooling NO HOMEWORK!!

I hope you enjoy the next few days they really are to be treasured :)

And I pray Angela has a Blast in D.C!
Blessings
Kim

Anonymous said...

3rd Grade is causing me to re-vamp a lot of things and its kicking your NC butt !!!!!

Prayers for mom and the family,

God Bless, thanks for your ministry, praying for you all !!!

Raleigh Girl

Anonymous said...

What a blessing for the kids to have Dad all to themselves for a time. Plus, it's good for Dad. Yes, that homework stuff sure is different the second time around. Just wait until it's time for Algebra again...I've been know to read that textbook when my daughter's sleeping - just hoping something will look familiar. :)
Have a beautiful day.

http://seekingmethroughhim.blogspot.com/

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

By 6th grade, my husband and I, who both have Master's degrees, have given up on homework help. Call in the tutors. My son is taking dual credit courses this year---3 college courses in his junior year of high school. We helped him on the first history paper and he did really bad! Travis, you write so well. I enjoy your blog immensely. But more than all, every day your music so brings God to me! You will never know! Never know! Makes me rend my heart - Joel 2:12-14

Irene Weeks said...

that is so funny. I just got back home from the Women of Faith conference in Atlanta and my husband had to do the homework/kid thing by himself on Thursday. When I talked to him later that night, he said he had the worst time helping my daughter with her 3rd grade math! They were still doing homework past bedtime! We do appreciate our husbands being so willing to give us time away and stepping into that role! I'm sure your wife had a nice, refreshing time!

Ashli said...

My son is in third grade, also. I am telling you, homework is almost killing me/us some days.

My prayer group is praying for us every day.

I am not even kidding.

How do people home school?

I can not get through spelling, math, science, and morning work review.

It is too much!

Poor boy has to sit still all day and be quiet and listen, then he comes home for an hour or so of homework.

It is harder than I ever thought it could be... did I mention it is brutal?

Because I can so relate...

Can you tell?

Everyone says it is the hardest year. Good thing I have a second grader, so I can look forward to it again next year!

So glad you are joyful about your wife's escape. Good husband points!

Jennifer Goodwin said...

You are soooo not kidding...my third grader does stuff I KNOW I didn't have to do when I was his age. Love your blog....just found it today, in fact. I love the Incredibles tshirts you all have, on as well. That was my son's fav. movie EVER. And mine....I sometimes think I'm Elastigirl. =) Blessings!!! Ps. COME TO MEMPHIS PLEASE!!! Or Desota Ms!!! I would LOVE to hear the Christmas concert!