Family Time

I came home from work at about 2 this afternoon and Chris had just woken up an hour before as he got to bed at 5 this morning. I have no problem with his sleeping in- it's literally part of his job. And that's why I go to work on Monday mornings- because he is always asleep. But I got home, and he was on the computer doing his homework. Not only does he work about 48 hours a week, but he also goes to school on Monday nights from 5 to 10. What a trooper. But with his schedule, and with us having Bible Studies on Tuesday nights (which happens to be Lily hanging out with her Grandparents night), making quality family time is an art form for us.

So Chris was working on his paper, and I suggested that he watch Lily while I ran to the supermarket to get some Hamburger Helper and apples (two things I started craving since earlier today). He kinda grimaced, which made me grimace, cause none of us wanted to have to 'deal with the baby'. Not that she's bad, and not that we don't both adore her. Obviously Chris wanted to focus on his work, and I just didn't want to lug our 17 lbs baby around to the supermarket if I didn't have to. Getting her in and out of the Jeep is one of my least favorite activities. It's right up there with ironing, unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry... you get the picture. Anyhow, Chris suggested we all go to the supermarket TOGETHER as a family. I was so taken aback. This man HATES anything that has to do with shopping. He goes into a mall twice a year- once to get me a birthday present in January. And one more time in December to get me an Anniversary and Christmas present. Oh wait, now it's three times- cause he also got me an amazing Mother's Day present this year, and will continue to do so- cause I keep having his kids! Anyway, the man hates shopping. Because you call it 'grocery shopping', he hates that too. He automatically started to retract his words, but it was too late. I was already too happy.
But to make life nicer for him, I suggested we go to the supermarket that's a half mile from our house, and that we walk with the dogs. That did it for him- he was not going shopping- he was going to walk the dogs and spend time with his family!

This is the first time we have gone for a walk with the dogs and with Lily. She LOVED it! I walked Meeklo while pushing the stroller, and Chris walked Mally, who is now about 130 lbs. Man, did we have a great time! Lily was all alert in her stroller- she did not want to lean back in case she missed any action. She just stared at Meeklo who walked so obediently beside her. Mally was strutting her stuff toom which is so cute, cause being as long as she is- she doesn't so much 'strut' as she does 'slink'- like a ginormous Slinky. And Chris and I just chatted and laughed at the dogs and the baby, and I could not have been happier.

I have been fighting a losing battle with the dogs lately, and we were finally and happily co-existing! I have had such crazy guilt about the dogs because I don't spend nearly enough time with them now that Lily is around, and Chris can't spend as much time with them as he would like because, well, he's never home! And what with the insane summer heat- walking the dogs is NOT an option for me. I had mentioned to Chris that I thought we were bad dog owners and that we should give the dogs away. He was not happy about that. Then when I found out I was pregnant again, the thought of having to take care of Lily, then the new baby, and my original Big Baby (yes, Chris), AND the two dogs, and we have 10 fish, and it's my job to feed em- it was all a bit much to say the least. But Chris did not want to hear any more about getting rid of the dogs. He was actually really very upset that I kept bringing it up. He said he would try to do more with the dogs, and that once the weather got better that we would be able to walk them. And we did. And so now all is well in the Watson Home, and a new Family Time tradition has been born.