A Rare Weekend

This past weekend was a very special weekend for me. Not because anything major happened, like a birthday or anniversary. Not because I went on a big vacation or anything like that. It was special, because Jordan had both Saturday and Sunday off of work. Might not sound like a big deal to most people, but I don't think he's had an entire weekend off since he's worked at Home Depot (started in February of this year), other than when he actually asked off when Rylee was born, and when we went on vacation back in October. He's always off on the weekends from UPS, but he's usually always scheduled to work at least one, if not both days of the weekend at Home Depot. This past weekend, they just happened to schedule him off both days. I was so happy, and I know he was too. He finally got to sleep in an entire weekend, without having to worry about getting up and going to work at Home Depot after already working long and hard all week at both UPS and Home Depot.
I tell you, I am SO blessed to be Jordan's wife. He works SO hard to provide for our family so I can stay home and take care of Rylee. Sometimes I can't help but feel guilty that I don't have a job of my own to help provide financially, but Jordan always assures me that this is the way he wants it to be (me staying home with our daughter), and we both know that this is God's will for us right now as well. I'm so thankful that the Lord has provided two jobs for Jordan to earn the money we need to get our bills and other expenses paid, and I'm thankful that they are both jobs that Jordan excels at and enjoys doing. It's just so hard to see him on the go all the time, not getting the rest he needs, and not getting to spend time with his family. I don't want him to miss out on all of the special milestones that Rylee will hit as she continues to grow. So far I don't think he's really missed anything, but I'm afraid he'll be at work the first time she says "Dada", or the first time she crawls or takes her first step. I don't want him to miss those things.
Rylee's only 6 months old, but I can tell she misses him when he's not home. I always try to wait with her by the front door if I know Jordan is almost home, and she always gets SO excited, smiling and squealing and squirming in my arms when she sees him drive up and get out of the car. When he gets inside, she always wants to give him kisses. It is just so sweet. She loves her daddy, and I just wish he could spend more time with her. This season of her life is going by so quickly, and I just hate that he's missing out on so much of it. However, we know that this is just how it has to be right now, and Jordan's ok with that. We know that in God's time, He will provide one full-time job for Jordan so that he no longer has to work two part-time jobs. Sometimes it is hard to be patient and wait on God's timing, but we know that His timing is perfect, so we do our best to remain optimistic and thankful for all that we have.
Anyway, I wanted to share what we did this weekend. Saturday morning, after waking up and feeding Rylee, we turned on some Christmas music and made breakfast in the kitchen together - all three of us. Jordan held Rylee while I made some muffins (strawberry for Jordan; chocolate chip for me), and when I got them in the oven to bake, I took Rylee, and Jordan cooked eggs and bacon. It was so nice to just be together on a Saturday morning, singing and dancing around the kitchen with our little girl as we made breakfast. Moments like those are so precious to us, as they are few and far between.
After breakfast, we just relaxed around the house for a few hours until about 12:30, at which time my mom came over to watch Rylee for us so we could go on a date! It was only the second date we've been on since Rylee was born six months ago, so we were both really looking forward to it. We bought tickets to see "Peter Pan: The Musical" at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and when it was over, we went to Steak 'N Shake for burgers and milkshakes. The play was excellent, full of great sets/props, beautiful costumes, and talented actors and actresses, and our dinner at Steak 'N Shake really "hit the spot" since we hadn't had hamburgers in probably at least two months (sad, I know). It was a nice evening out, and I'm really thankful we were able to have that special time together.
On Sunday, we woke up and went to church for the Christmas cantata performance by the choir. After church, we went back home and spent another relaxing afternoon around the house with Rylee. That evening, my mom came back over to watch Rylee for us again so Jordan and I could go to the Christmas party that Home Depot held for its employees. It was nice to meet some of Jordan's co-workers and interact with them outside the work area. Jim 'N Nicks catered, so we enjoyed some barbecue, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and cheese biscuits for dinner. Afterward, all of the employees played "Dirty Santa" which was entertaining to watch, especially when someone stole a gift. Jordan ended up with a weather radio/flashlight (I had been wanting one of those, too, so I was happy), and a pack of stainless steel thermoses, which he can use when he goes mountain biking or kayaking.
When we got home from the Christmas party, it was already getting late, and we were both ready to go to sleep. I actually felt a little sad at the end of the night, because I knew my weekend with Jordan was coming to an end, and I wasn't ready to go back to "reality". I got spoiled that weekend with time with him, and I wasn't ready to give that up. I'm definitely looking forward to Christmas, when he'll be off the whole day, and we can spend more time together and with our families.

at church on Sunday morning