Well, it kind of "sucks to be the Bjorkmans" again. If you're Tom anyway. Tom is dang busy these days and because I'm the official whiner of the family, I'll whine for him. We've had quite a few people ask us how Seminary is going so here it is.
First, the good side. All in all, Tom really is enjoying his calling and in my opinion is doing a fabulous job! He works so hard to make it both entertaining yet have really meaningful lessons. He only has 3 students right now but is really hoping to activate some more. He teaches about 20 minutes away in an older part of our city while majority of the kids in our ward go to a newer high school and a different seminary building close by us (there are almost 40 students in that one).
The bad side isn't really seminary itself, it's the combination of that and the test Tom is studying for. It's another accounting certification other than the CPA---the CMA (Certified Managerial Accountant). So really, he gets home from work, eats dinner, plays with the girls for a sec, then is off for the rest of the night studying for the CMA and preparing for the next day's Seminary lesson. He maybe has a 1/2 hour of down time before heading to bed. Then he wakes up at 5 am the next day to start all over again. Saturdays have been spent studying for his test and Sundays doing majority of his Seminary preparations.
Maybe that doesn't sound that bad, but let me just tell you that it kind of is. Especially week #1. Tom's been busy before, but never on this little of sleep. Week #2 really wasn't any different schedule wise, but for some reason it just felt better. For me anyway. A large part of that was that I was less of a brat about having no Tom time and no break from the girls. I guess I just knew better what to expect.
Don't go feeling too sorry for him though. He's still been able to fit in a couple fun things. Fantasy Football for one. There are some days that I feel so bad for him, but then I just remember that he is still doing Fantasy Football and my sympathy ends. Just kidding kind of. He's definitely entitled to some fun. And besides, he needs to defend his fantasy football league champion title of 2 years now as he goes for a turkey. Wait, that might be bowling.
We're still trying to keep our regularly scheduled dates too. This last Friday night though, I thought since we hadn't had much family time that it would be fun to have a Family Date Night instead.
We headed to the drive-in to see Despicable Me, complete with treats and a yummy Del Taco dinner.
Claire was a bit, shall we say crazy at times (way past her bedtime).
But overall it was so much fun! I love the drive-in!
If all goes well, Tom will be done with all of his testing at the end of October. So the end is in sight and I think only having to worry about Seminary will feel like a treat. The end for now.
11 comments:
We all know that when hubbys are busy Mums are busy without a break ... and that is hard so hang in there.
Oh how I wish we had a drive in near us - this looks like such a great family activity.
OHHH, I understand!!!!!! I feel so many of those similar feelings. For some reason I think It's a curse for marrying such a great guy. D is ward mission leader right now and he's commuting an hour to and from work and I NEVER see him. (or it feels like) It feels like there is always someone else that needs him and takes him away. Meetings on Sundays, Missionary correlation meeting on SATURDAY!!!!, going out with the missionaries, calling to check on investigators, etc, etc, etc, etc. . oh ya, and he's doing some consulting on the side.. . so most of the time it's our 4 kids and ME doing everything!!! o.k. sorry to vent on your blog! :) Just, I understand. I'm trying to have a good attitude and realize we will be blessed, but It's hard without him so much. :) :) If it's any consolation, you have SUCH a cute family!!!!!!
I'm right there with 'Hmachine' - ready to vent on your blog. Anthony has been pulling 12-16 hour days for the past 2 months - ever since my trip to your house - coupled with 3 week-long travel trips and 2 or 3 more to come in the next 2 months. THEN it should let up. I feel only slightly bad for him. Mostly I'm grumpy for me. I want those evening breaks and weekend breaks I used to enjoy so much. At least he gives me a good 3 hours of Sunday night to myself! I have never run a marathon, but I certainly feel like I'm at mile 13 and the mental game is kicking in. I thought life would get easier when Austin started preschool and it actually got worse! Austin's aggression has kicked up about 5 notches - either due to a new schedule or lack of afternoon rest or mommy's fading energy or all of the above. Well, there's my big vent. Apparently many of us are in the same boat. That makes me feel a little better I guess. As always I'm glad you shared your story.
I feel your pain. My husband commutes an hour and half or more to work (so he ends up being gone about 12-13 hour days). And he's getting an MBA right now, the classes are Friday nights and Saturday mornings...plus all the studying etc. And he's our ward's executive secretary. He's a busy guy and we don't see him a lot. Every single morning my kids get up, daddy is already gone for work, school, or church meetings. It can be tough, but I'm glad I'm married to a good guy. One way I get through it is try to do fun things with my kids and create some little traditions and memories. Like on Friday nights we have a pizza picnic in the front room and watch a movie...my little boy especially looks forward to those, even though daddy is gone. Our end (at least for school) is next summer. So there is an end. And it's always worth it. Eventually:)
oh ya, I forgot to say D travels for his job about 30-40% of the time, about 1-2 weeks out of the month. . . But, it's nice to hear of some others going through the same things. It was nice reading your blog as well as others comments. keep planning fun things. :)
I sometimes feel the same way (although after reading some of the other comments, I realize I have it a lot better than others!!) It would be nice to have our husbands around more, but I guess we just make the most of it. I do like to get one break per day when I utilize my gym's daycare. Perhaps that's why I'm such a workout freak!!
I hope all the craziness ends soon! It really isn't all that fun when your hubby is so busy and is hardly ever around. One of my friends told me that sometimes she feels like a single mom but with an income. I definitely get feeling that way sometimes. But, we are lucky to have awesome husbands who are always working so hard for our families!! Okay, I'm done with all the sweet talk now!
Wow, I feel like such a slug posting about my fall TV line-up then reading this.
I have to say, you really seemed to have it all together, fancy lunch and all. Hang in there both of you!
I LOVE the 500 pillows in the back of your car. So comfy! BTW, I took Hailey to see a drive-in one night and it was the most fun at a movie I'd ever had. You could talk and not worry about anyone caring. You could be in your pj's and no one cared either. So fun!
BTW, I also adore the picture of the girls wanting candy. Claire & her chipmunk cheeks & Reese with her typical pose. Such adorable girls!
Aaaahhh, the drive-in movies. Haven't been to one of those since I was on a date with Dave. :) Didn't know they really existed anymore, but glad to see they're still going strong and you're taking full advantage of it. Love all the padding going on in the back of your vehicle. Way to be thinking, RAchel. I'm sure your girls were pampered in style at the movies. Sorry to hear of Tom's crazy schedule. Now, having just seminary will feel like a welcome break, huh? Good luck and hang in there! It won't be too much longer...
Wow, you've sparked quite the dialogue. For what it's worth, I NEVER wish Curtis could be around more, I mean please, taking care of two babies all day is a piece of cake. ;) Especially when one of them is collicky with no signs of letup until he's maybe a year old...
No, I just say, go on Scout campouts, work late, sure, take care of all your CPE credits...I've got it covered!
I mean, aren't we ALL superwoman? I'm pretty sure you are! I hope to grow into the title myself...
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