A wee bit back, Stuart and our oldest two littles headed off to North Carolina to visit family. Originally, when the trip was planned, I was a zillion months pregnant and couldn't bare the thought of traveling with no less than four little ones. Throw into that decision the eighty nine animals here reliant on us for their survival (not the least of which is a bull on loan), and it made it a pretty easy decision to stay behind with half the clan and all the barnyard.
The first morning, after their departure, I woke up to make a coffee all my own. Two shots were pulled from the espresso machine. A lonely one was saved for later. As I nursed Juliette, I sat in silence – sipping the morning nectar from my mug and contemplating what I would attempt to accomplish that day.
Ya'll. I sat. In silence.
There were no four year old hobbits begging me for a sip, nor a nearly six year old wishfully requesting a cup full of maple syrup for breakfast. I just sat – stared at the mountains from the living room – and contemplated life for a few moments before the toddler awoke.
Do you know when the last time I sat in silence was? Circa 2009.
It's not like without half the family my days still haven't been plenty full. I'm in full-blown cookbook launch (have you ordered your signed copy yet?), kitchen remodel, garden harvesting, dōTERRA building, animal breeding, nursing baby mode around these parts. It's hectic – to say the least.
It's quite incredible, as a parent, how used to the noise and activity you become. Like the air I breath, I'm accustomed to changing five sets of clothes, wiping bottoms, brushing teeth, preparing a line of plates for supper, and managing the mayhem of working from home. It's part of my existence. Life with littles and chaos is… well, it's my life. As is life with my sexy beast of a husband who's not left my side for more than a small handful of days since we began dating a decade ago. To say I'm used to his company is a gross understatement. Rather, in many ways, we are as one. However.
While the husband's away…
The house stays clean. It's a bloody miracle.
And while the husband's away…
The wife eats delicious soft boiled eggs with herbs and butter and crusty bread for almost every meal because 1) it's delicious 2) it's nutritious and 3) it makes almost no dishes. Viva la clean kitchen sink!
And while the husband's away…
The wife spends far too many hours watching romantic comedies at night because 1) she can and 2) there's no one to judge her for doing so. Viva la love!
And while the husband's away…
The wife rearranges the furniture because 1) it's the only time she can move everything around without eighteen little people jumping all over it and trying to build forts at the same time and 2) she can do it any way she please without any input from someone who may or may not be able to see her vision.
While the husband's away…
The wife goes online shopping for new bras because 1) a nursing mother can demolish a bra in no time and 2) her size is constantly changing with her milk supply and 3) she's trying to remember a teeny bit of the saucy young woman she used to be. Viva la fancy bras!
While the husband's away…
The wife video chats with her BFF sitting on her bathroom floor while her little ones bathe – pink tub, ugly shower curtain, and dirty clothes be damned. This provides her with a wee bit of adult company after three days at home without leaving the house. Also – it should be noted that the wife was on her second glass of wine. Viva la friends!
While the husband's away…
The wife booby-traps the old sliding doors and windows that are too broken to lock because 1) she's afraid of people sneaking into her house at night and 2) she's super afraid of people sneaking into her house at night. She also sleeps with a loaded pistol next to her bed for 1) cougars or coyotes who may happen to find their way onto the property and 2) people who sneak into her house at night. Don't sneak into her house at night. You'll find a hodge-podge of furniture and broomsticks blocking your path and Jim Gaffigan playing on the iPad while she sleeps (he keeps her company). Viva la home defense!
While the husband's away…
The wife remembers how much she misses his company, companionship, and touch. She remembers how odd it feels to fall asleep alone after years of spooning perfection. Yes, we spoon. Erry-night. Sorry – too much information? I can't help myself. I'm a spoon with no other spoon which makes me just a spoon who is not spooning and what's a spoon to do without spooning to do? Viva la cuddles.
And while the husband's away…
Ahh – who am I kidding? The wife counts down the days until his return because as nice as the soft boiled eggs, silence, clean house, and romantic comedies are, there no match for the utter delight she takes in her favorite human.
The wife loves her husband more than all these things – times a million.
And Amen.
Kim
Shaye, I loved this post. You are such a gifted writer. You had me cracking up over here in Wisconsin. I look forward to your posts, your words never fail me. Thank you!
Elle
Amazing Shaye, I giggled away and second every “while the husband is away”… mine is away every 3 weeks for 3 weeks flying the globe… I sometimes add ” The wife forgets to shave as there is no one who cares”, and “The wife lies texting the husband all night because he’s been away far too long”. Thanks for bringing a smile to this wifes face 🙂
Brianna
SO true Shaye! My husband and I have only been married for five years. He’s been gone only one night. I would like to say that I enjoyed the peace, but I was a total wreck! Props for sneaking in some romantic comedies. ….I think 2010 is the last time I got to watch one of those in peace. Haha. *Blessings* ~Brianna
Angela, Parisienne Farmgirl
Then her BFF ruins the conversation by knocking her phone over and shattering her wine glass all over the living room floor. And good lord – I need some new bras. Somehow I am wearing ratty nursing bras from my sister-in-law….Played out, stained things with inch wide thick straps.
Will I ever have sex appeal again?
Laura
Great post. I love this and can totally relate!!
Elizabeth
Ahhh yes. Breeding animals. I was wondering how your sweet milk cow was getting along. What is the update on Celia?
Lady Locust
Oh, how I can relate. Hubby was recently gone for 10 days (6 w/ no cell svc.) I told him he was never allowed to be gone that long again! The bright side: he’s not a fan of chicken so I ate chicken 9 out of those 10 days:)
Blessings of safe travels and peaceful returns to you and yours.
Keep well.
Carolyn
This post is so sweet! Totally relate to that ‘hey I can eat whatever I want without him here, but now I’m all alone’ etc 🙁 feeling. I want to go make some luscious soft boiled eggs now.
I’ve been meaning to tell you that I just love your pictures. They look so real, like a glimpse through your eyes, the perfect moment captured. Do you just have a camera with you all the time to get such perfect shots?
Shaye Elliott
My camera is my fifth child! Ha!
Deb B
????
Meagan
I can TOTALLY relate. My husband left with his dad and brother for a three day business trip a couple weeks ago too, only I had all four kids, and I despirately missed him! Part of me was glad I had the kids as they kept me busy and my mind off him being gone, but I can relate to locking the house down, having the loaded gun nearby, and loneliness of sleeping alone. It’s very true that absence truely does make the heart grow fonder. Glad your hubby and littles are back with you, safe and sound!
Cassidy
Yes! To all of this. ????
Ashley
This is exactly how I feel when my hubby is gone! We’ve been married almost two years. He has to travel for work a fair bit so, salt, I’m somewhat accustomed to him being gone. There’s the little things I enjoy: Not cooking full meals, watching whatever I want on TV, working on projects late into the night… But really I miss him terribly and it makes me realize what a team we are! I adore his company, and his spooning me to sleep every night 😉
Abigail
Enjoyed this!!
Pat Stauffer
I love this post. It reminds me of the wonderful times I had with my favorite man. Heck, I love ALL of your stories. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Aaaahh, memories!
Paula Mueller
Wonderful post Shaye! I have a question about your new marinara sauce. Does it get bitter from leaving in the seeds?
Shaye Elliott
Not that I’ve noticed… perhaps it’s the tomatoes I’m growing?
Hana
Preach it.
Emily
Aww, so sweet! My husband has been away for almost a week and I can relate to so much of this! Romantic comedies literally every night. I got to keep all three kiddos but somehow my house still stayed cleaner than when he’s around, go figure! But oh, I am so looking forward to his return tonight!
Patrica
Great read! Thanks for the giggles/chuckles! Viva la appreciative of your whit & humor!