Dan and Shelley

Originally I didn’t have too much planned for this weekend, but I wanted it to be nice during the day on Saturday.  That was my only wish and did that happen?  Hell no… but I get ahead of myself.

Friday night Dan got out to me about the normal time.  I had Nicky in bed and Shannon was just going to bed so no real problem there.  I had made some pepperoni bread for a change from our normal Friday night pizza routine (yes, I know there isn’t much of a difference, so shush).  We honestly didn’t do much besides talking and catching up on what had happened that day and being inseparable from each other.

Saturday morning the kids and I woke up after a rough night with the kids tossing and turning and crawling into bed and Nicky wanting to wake up at 3am.  I put on some coffee for Dan and I let the kids wake up Dan with their Father’s day cards that they had made and the lucky stones they made for him.  Glitter was all over the bed by the time that was over, but it was completely worth it.  We pulled him out of bed and I made some breakfast then we all headed out to Laurel Hills State Park with the hopes of swimming for a bit in the lake.  Well, the weather just kept looking like it was going to pour at any moment and the water was a bit cold so we decided to skip it.  There was a little play area that the kids played on for a little bit then we went for a little hike to find a little waterfall.  After a little nice hike on a soggy forest trail we found it.  It was very nice but the kids seemed to have had enough.  Right when we were going to get going Dan just had to try to walk across the waterfall.  He did it of course and was fine, but my heart was racing for a while.  I should know better than to doubt him when he does something like that, but I’m a worrier.  We packed up and was heading home right in time for it to start pouring down raining.  When we got home though, it was nice and sunny… of course.  I made some dinner and we took the kids down to Michele’s house so we could have an evening together.  After helping Michele finish her puzzle we went home to relax.  Dan taught me some more PHP, we tried to lay out in the grass to watch the sunset, and just honestly relaxed and were inseparable all night.

Sunday we got to sleep in for a bit.  By the time we rolled out of bed, showered and had something to eat it was time for the kids to come home.  Shannon was more than ready to come home and I think Nicky was as well.  We spent time with each other, played some games, but all too soon it was time for Dan to start heading back to his apartment.  This time was really hard to let him go because I knew it was going to be a long bit before we got to be with each other again.  I honestly hated to see him go and every ounce of me was crying out to either go with him or not let him go, but of course those were not real options.  I cannot wait until we are back together again… every day seems like torture without him and I cannot wait to be back in his arms where I belong.

We really didn’t do too much this weekend truthfully, but it was very nice and relaxing.   Dan was late getting out of work Friday because of the open house they had that day.  Mind you it was only about 45 minutes late so it wasn’t too bad.  He said he didn’t hit as much traffic as normal and made decent time.  I had the kids in bed by then.  Shannon hadn’t fallen quite asleep by then, but it wasn’t that long after that she did.  We had our customary pizza, conversation and then spending time just inseparable from each other.

I woke up with Nicky and let Dan and Shannon sleep in a little bit.  After some coffee was made Nicky and I woke up Dan.  Although Nicky’s way of waking up Dan is not very gentle, Dan takes it in stride and just smiles about it.  I made some breakfast and we got around to head out to McConnell’s Mill which is about an hour north of  Pittsburgh.  It also is near a lake and a covered bridge so I thought Dan would enjoy it and I knew the kids and I would as well.  We wound up getting stuck in a good bit of traffic which I have come to find out is because of the Kenny Chesney concert at Heinz Field that day so Dan came up with a brilliant idea of how to go around it all and it worked perfectly.  We even had planned a different way home because there was a Penguin game that evening as well.  So, by the time we finally got there we went ahead and had our little picnic on the lake there.  We walked for a bit, taking some pictures, then let the kids play at the little park that was nearby.  Dan even got on the swings with Shannon.  After that we made our way to the Mill part, completely parked at the wrong spot and hiked down to the actual Mill.  Dan and I didn’t get to spend nearly as much time as we would have liked I think just sitting there and looking at everything, but it was still a nice time.  We even got to walk through the inside of the Mill.  The kids were more interested in a little fountain there that they could play in, although they both slipped into it getting completely wet.  That was easily predictable that they would do that though… Dan was so very nice enough to go up the steep path to get Ella so we wouldn’t have to attempt to get Nicky back up the path.  It could have happened, but it wouldn’t have been pretty.  Dan drove through the covered bridge and we thought we were on our way home, but we were apparently going the wrong way so we turned around, went back through the covered bridge and found out what happens when you meet a car on a one lane only bridge.  From there we were on our way home after one other wrong turn and a quick check on Dan’s Blackberry.  After we got home of course Shannon went to play outside for a bit and I started dinner.  We bathed Nicky and right around on time he went to bed without too much of a problem.  Shannon stayed out with her friends a bit later because the one other girl was having a little birthday party and they were putting on these little fake nails.  While she did that Dan and I relaxed while he started to teach me php.  I have come to realize that it’s not as difficult as I once thought, but I credit that mostly to Dan and his way of explaining things to me.  He certainly has a lot of patience for my abundance of questions.  Shannon was late getting to bed and so were we that night.

Sunday was just one of those relaxing days and I loved it truthfully.  We all slept in a bit, some more than others and just played around the house.  We talked a lot, making different plans and talking about different ideas.  Nicky did take a bit of a nap so that was nice because he was so very grumpy.  Shannon was in and out all day as she usually is it seems now that it’s summer.  All too soon it was time for Dan to head back and none of us liked it.  It seems to be getting harder and harder for us to be apart even though we know it’s necessary.  I know I don’t feel as complete without him and I truly wish to spend an eternity with him.  I love you Dan and you will always carry my heart with you and I know it is in safe hands.

I cannot tell you just how happy I was to be spending FOUR days with Dan and right after we just had a weekend together!  I’m completely spoiled now by him… well, even more so than before.  Dan had already asked the weekend before if he could have off Friday, putting him coming out here on Thursday night.  So I was all giddy on Thursday waiting for him, getting things together and all when he calls me about 45 minutes early saying he will be there shortly.  I was so happy to have him with me early, but I was also fretting because I was still in need of my shower and to get dinner started.  I was able to finish Shannon’s bath, put Nicky back to bed for the third time, jump into the shower and start dinner before he got there.  I have no idea how though truth be told.  I had made up some pirogi earlier and just had to drop them in the water and sauteed up some onions so it really took no time at all.  After we ate, we put the kids back into their beds again and were inseparable of course all night.

Friday morning after a slight interruption we got ready and went to the Carnegie Museum here in Oakland.  It was a rather lovely day to tell you the truth.  To be able to just walk around, look at everything we wanted to without stress… I know I had fun and I think they did as well.  We took some pictures and even some pictures of Shannon’s little green turtle “Turtlie” on some or near some of the different exhibits.  Afterward we all just went home and spent a nice evening together.

Saturday we slept in a little bit, Dan and Shannon more than Nicky and me, but that’s how it goes with Nicky.  We slowly got around and had a late breakfast then headed out to Frick park to where I am now calling our family spot.  Nicky of course came out soaking wet.  I do have to hand it to them, they are getting better at the hiking.  On the way back we stopped to pick up some movies and also some Guinness… we have found out that you cannot buy alcohol in PA with an OH license, just in case you were wondering.  So I went in and was immediately out of place and yes, I know you were laughing at me Dan… found out as well that they only sell cases.  Though apparently with Dan and I that is not much of a problem.  We waited for a neighbor kid to come out of Giant Eagle and rode him home as well.  We set up the hose for the kids, seeing as how the pool now has a hole in it.  I got Dan wet and then of course we were both wet.  We sat outside for a long time, drinking a beer and just having fun watching the kids play.  Later we went inside and got cleaned up and watched Twilight after the kids went to bed.

Sunday we woke up and after a little discussion Dan decided to stay home and catch up on his sleep while we went to church.  After church I stopped down at Michele’s house where Shannon wanted to stay for a bit, but Nicky wanted to come back and get his Daddy Dan.  I come home to find Dan up, showered, washed the dishes and was copying something for me on his computer.  Him and I had a little emotional talk and it turns out he had started a very sweet email to his parents about our engagement and moving.  We finally got around and picked up Shannon then took them to the mall to play because of the storm rolling through.  The lights did go out in the mall, but not all of them.  Before we left we did get some pretzels.  Again, we had a nice evening just being with each other and honestly we seem to have fallen into a little comfortable pattern that we all got used to quickly.

Monday we again slowly go around and I could tell that we both were dragging our feet just a little to go to my Mom’s house… we were going to tell her about the engagement and the move as were not sure how she was going to take it.  Shannon had her dibels test that morning then we eventually did go.  Before we left he sent the email he had wrote up to his parents.  Dan went ahead and took Henry over so it would be easier when he had to leave… though none of us wanted to part.  It took us till the time when he was about to leave for me to tell them what we came there to tell them and honestly they took it all rather well and I know they are happy for us.  They love Dan and honestly how could they not?  Dan’s Dad sent a very wonderful email to him that made us both very emotional… After Dan left I left a little bit later… the kids wanted to know where he was and when he was coming back… and it’s honestly really hard not to cry and be melancholy without him with me, but I trust him and I trust us that this will all work out.  I cannot wait until we can be together all the time.  I love you Dan, with all my heart and you will always have my heart.

Yes, our next weekend together and we are celebrating another birthday.  This time mine.  Dan and I had went three weeks without seeing each other and honestly that is just way too long.  Any amount of time away is dreadful truthfully though.  Earlier that day I had received two dozen beautiful mixed roses in the mail from him and they made me cry when I saw them.  (I can still walk by them now or look up at them and they bring a smile to my face.)It took me a while to get them in the water and calm down enough to call Dan to let him know they were here.  Turns out he had received an email right after I got them saying they were delivered.  I could not wait for him to get out of work and back into my arms so I could thank him.  When he got here, I was still having a bit of fun getting the kids to realize that it was bedtime.  Nicky in particular was having one of those nights where he was simply rejecting my idea of bed.  He gave me my presents.  The one from him was the Seven Deadly Sins on DVD that the History channel did which I absolutely love and cannot wait to watch since I missed just about all of them in their entirety.  His Mom and Dad had sent a present as well, a huge candle from Yankee Candle that smells lovely.  Then we had pizza and just talked for a long time, spending the night inseparable from each other as usual.

Saturday we woke up and I cooked breakfast.  Then we headed down to Michele’s house with the kids.  Dan finally met everyone there.  Michele, Erik and Amy were taking the kids to the zoo giving Dan and I a bit of a free day which we used to go hiking in Boyce Park.  We hiked around in there for a good while, managing to get lost and find our way back without really trying too much.  It was a wonderfully secluded area.  All in all we saw three bikers and two of those were coming out as we went in.  We kinda called it a shorter day because of the threatening rain though so we left and after not being able to find the nature center we caught a small bite to eat at Wendy’s.  Right after we came home to load up our pictures and see how they turned out we got the call that the kids were back, but when I texted Kathy (where they were staying the night) she wasn’t quite ready so we finished the pictures then went down, got the kids and took them to her house.  Dan and I came back home, got dressed and went to see Angels and Demons.  The movie was excellent and Dan held me just about the entire time.  Afterwards we went to see if he could beat me in a racing game, but it ate my quarter and we will just have to see about that next time.  It was raining when we left so we played around just a little bit in the rain then went to Vincent’s for some pepperoni and hot pepper pizza.  We came home and had a nice evening together, just the two of us.

Sunday morning was supposed to be a day for sleeping in for us, but I got a text from the bio father at 0810 that the children were awake, Nicky was grumpy and to basically come and get them.  Dan and I got dressed and went to rescue the children.  Nobody had had breakfast so we stopped at Eat ‘N Park before going to the store to pick up a few things for dinner.  Honestly we just spent a fun relaxing day here at home.  He pretty much dominated at Blink, called it a draw in Checkers… Nicky was so very grumpy though but would not just fall asleep.  Too soon though it was time for Dan to leave, but I don’t think this time was as bad as others because we know we will be together again in four days… So, to sum up everything, it honestly was my best birthday ever and I owe it all to my sweet Dan.  Thank you so very much Dan and I will always be yours.  I love you completely.

This one took a little bit of prep and work, primarily just because I really wanted to surprise Dan this weekend.  It started back in February around his brother’s birthday.  Dan and I were talking and Dan had said something about not really wanting to have a birthday party this year like they usually have for him.  I had told his Mom this and me and her started talking.  I knew I wanted to surprise him by me and the children coming out so we went from there.  I went through the whole week leading up to it trying to make sure he thought I would be there on Saturday and not Friday and having the kids constantly ask when we would be able to go out there to him.  It was completely worth it though.

Friday I had everything packed up (actually all our bags had been packed on Thursday) and in the car with me and the children on the road by noon.  Anxious to be there wouldn’t quite describe how I was feeling.  The trip out was uneventful, but we did get there early so I stopped at Burger King to let the kids have a stretch and eat something.  They hadn’t had really anything to eat from being excited and I knew that the earliest they would eat would most likely be around 1800.  We got to his Mom’s house to find his Mom and Dad there.  There was much talking about where we should go… we had had his brother Tim and his girlfriend Devon talk him into going out to dinner with them two that night.  Though, the way it worked out because of Tim’s schedule was that we just had Dan come out to his Mom’s house.  Me and the kids were trying to wait patiently in the living room and his Dad took the car to a neighbor’s house while we waited.  Next thing I knew I heard Dan coming down the little hall saying hey… I got up and went to him where we just stayed for a few moments.  After that his Dad came back and they ordered pizza which he went to get.  When dinner was finished I got the kids ready for bed while Dan went and got his clothes… we had tried to hint that maybe he could bring them with him, but that didn’t work obviously.  We just spent the night talking and being inseparable.

Saturday we woke up, got dressed and headed out to Hocking Hills in Henry.  It’s was simply beautiful and wonderful at the same time.  I have seen all his lovely pictures from there, but to see it myself made it all the more special.  The kids and I loved the hiking, though it’s going to take a bit for them to really get used to it I think… especially Nicky, but he will.  I took some nice pictures, though not nearly as pretty as his.  We stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and went back to his parents house.  He changed the oil in Henry, but the wind was blowing so much that the oil did go a bit wild and all over him.  The kids and I played outside for a while before taking them inside at Nicky’s request to get washed up in the ‘big tub’.  Dan got Nicky dressed and he fell asleep shortly after dinner truthfully.  The wind finally calmed down enough so Dan could make up a rather nice bonfire using the oil splattered cardboard and the old oil as a starter.  I know, it goes against everything I know as well, but it worked well.  Shannon loved it and we even made some smores.. not many, but some.  I took Shannon to bed and Dan’s Mom went to bed, leaving us out there for a bit by ourselves.  It honestly was quite nice.  I wish we would have thought about taking a blanket out and just laying there, but it was still a nice evening.  We did drink maybe one too many beers though…

Sunday we woke up and got dressed for church.  I let Dan drive the Mazda to show him just how bad it really was, which I was correct by the way.  He didn’t like it.  It’s slow even for a 4 cylinder.  My Ella has more power to it.  Church was fine then we went to Wendy’s with his Mom because she wanted to take us to get a bite to eat.  After that we went to a park, but it was closed so we went to another one that was quite nice.  Honestly we had beautiful weather this whole weekend.  The kids loved the park.  After we went to Mejier’s to get the kids some medicine and then to a little ice cream parlor.  Now, the line was quite long and the kids were  a bit hard to control but the ice cream was completely worth it.  We went back to his parent’s house and played outside for a bit.  I gave him a decent massage and he laid in the grass for a bit.  Again, Nicky wanted to go in early so we repeated the ‘big tub’ procedure.  Dan’s Dad cooked out on the grill and the food was excellent.  Nicky went to bed early again… poor thing was exhausted.  We all then went outside while Tim and Devon did a bit of archery and Dan even tried once and was rather good at it.  Of couse, him and I started playing around and wound up wrestling in the grass.  I would call it a draw between us… believe it or not we are pretty evenly matched or I would say well matched in everything about us.  Honestly though, he’s a scrappy thing… It was really fun though.  Shortly then Shannon went to bed and we both cleaned up a bit and I packed up the car.  We knew it was our last night together and neither one of us liked it.  We talked for a while and then decided to just head on up to bed.

Monday is Dan’s early day and he had to be up and out the door quickly.  I was up with him and we said our goodbyes… promising not to cry and for me to trust him.  (I kept my promise Dan.)  After he left, slowly his entire family did and I did with the kids shortly after.  The kids complained, whined and cried about wanting to stay.  Not that I could say much, I wanted to stay as well and felt like doing the same thing.  Besides us being tired and missing Dan I suppose we are fine.  If it was possible I know we would be packing now to go back.  It was a wonderful weekend and we cannot wait to be able to be there everyday.  Dan, I honestly cannot wait until we can spend every night in each others arms and though I know we will be together forever, forever cannot come fast enough.  I will always love you.

Is it possible to keep falling deeper in love with someone?  At this point in my life, I do believe so.  I keep falling deeper and deeper in love with you Dan.  You keep finding little ways to make me so very glad that you have chosen me to stay by your side forever.

So, Dan got out of work just a little late on Friday, but that was fine.  As long as I get to be with him, that is all that matters.  Nicky was in bed but Shannon wanted to stay awake to show him a picture that she had colored.  They were so excited about having ‘Daddy Dan’ (as Nicky now calls him) to be back home with us.  I walked out a little bit into the rain to wrap my arms around him… I would have ran out to do that, but as the sidewalk was wet I could just picture myself slipping and falling.  We came back in and put Shannon to bed then had the pizza I had put into the oven.  Then as is our tradition it seems, we spent the night inseparable from each other and slept soundly that night.

Saturday morning we all woke up and slowly had breakfast.  We had decided that we would try Geo caching… without the GPS unit at first.  Now, we knew it would make it harder, but I figured it was worth a shot to see how things went and if the we would like it.  So, we packed up and headed to Frick park where roughly there was supposed to be three of the caches.  Well, we wandered around the park for a long while in the mud (much to Nicky’s amusement by the way as he ended up covered from head to toe in mud) but didn’t find any treasure as the children called it.  It was fun though just to get out and search for them so we think we are going to pick up a little GPS and try it again.  After stripping Nicky before I would allow him back in Ella we came back home.  It did teach me on what to bring next time though… so I suppose that’s a good thing.  Though we were all worn out, mind you we spent over 4 hours walking around looking in the park.  We came home and had some cinnamon buns for a snack then I made some stuffed green peppers and mashed potatoes for dinner.  Dan showed me how and set it up so that I can load modules onto Moonlight and somehow incredibly fixed the laptop.  I’m still laughing about that one truthfully… The kids fell asleep quickly as did we after we snuggled on the couch for a while.

Sunday we woke up… well, forced ourselves out of bed to go to church. We all were dragging more than just a little.  After church we all went to Cici’s to have some pizza then came back home.  Shannon played outside as is her usual and we played with Nicky inside as it was a bit chilly and really muddy outside.  We looked around a little bit on the Internet for a house or town home that we all could live in together and different jobs around and that sort of thing.  Yes, we are ready to put behind us feeling lucky to see each other every other weekend and be able to be with each other every day.  We set a date for our wedding, September 4, 2010.  So, yes, we are going to move in together most likely a good year before we marry but that doesn’t bother us obviously.  However, this time he did have to leave and go back so he could go to work.  I didn’t want to let him go and he didn’t want to go, but such is the way we are right now I suppose.  Honestly I cannot wait until it’s not like this, but it won’t be too much longer I suppose.  I love you my sweet Dan, more and more every day and there is nothing that will change that.

Before I end this post though I want to add that somehow he snuck something onto the laptop.  When I booted it up a message from him popped up on the notepad.  I was confused when I saw the message box pop up until I read it and then I just started to smile and cry at the same time.  You truly are the sweetest man in the world Dan and I’m so very glad that I get to be yours.  I truly love you.

So we got back into a “regular” schedule of our getting together every two weeks.  Friday I cut out of work a few minutes early and headed straight to my Shelley.  I drove as fast as I could and truly could not wait to be back in her arms.  I got there a bit earlier than normal, mostly because I left early.  We had decided to keep the children the whole weekend.  Nicky was fast asleep by the time I got there but Shannon was still awake.  After we put her to bed, we had some dinner and a couple of beers.  We then spent the rest of the night inseparable from each other.

Saturday the church that Shelley goes to had a children bowling event in the afternoon.  We decided to leave in the late morning and spend a few hours walking through a local park, skipping stones on the creek, and just having fun.  After becoming rather exhausted, we left for bowling.  Honestly it was a blast bowling as well.  It was wonderful to be able to bowl with Nicky and to watch Shannon.  I think that we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  After bowling, we headed home.  Nicky took little time to fall asleep and Shannon wasn’t all that far behind.  Shelley and I “watched” Harry Potter (I fell asleep and missed most of it) until rather late then headed to bed.  I was so tired I know I fell straight asleep.

Sunday morning we woke up early and went to church.  The children had their Sunday School and Shelley and I had ours as well.  After the service we headed to Bob Evans for something to eat.  We had a little wait but it wasn’t bad.  We ate then headed home, still a bit worn out from the day before.  Shannon went to play outside for a while before heading with Nicky to their grandmother’s house for a little while.  When they got home, Shannon went back outside and Shelley and I had a little dinner.  As usual, we weren’t all that hungry on Sunday afternoon.  After saying our goodbyes….I unfortunately had to leave.  As is custom, leaving was very hard to say the least.  On the drive back to Ohio, I was sad, quite sad actually.  I just missed my Shelley so very much.  After I got home we had our usual phone call then I headed to bed.

Shelley, I will never be able to tell you this enough, I love you.  I know that those simple words don’t even come close to saying what I feel, but I haven’t a better way to say it.  I love being yours, I love being with you, I love everything about you.  Being with you is the highest of honors.  I love you Shelley, I truly do, and nothing will ever change that.

So, it took us a while, but we were finally able to have another glorious weekend together.  Not because we didn’t wish to be together (quite frankly we could never spend enough time together), but because of Tim’s birthday.  His birthday dinner was the Sunday after Valentine’s Day (so, yeah, there went Valentine’s together), then his family party the next Saturday…  I don’t explain it, I just accepted it.  That’s the way their Mom likes to do their birthdays.  Now, this made me feel like I was going through withdrawal from Dan because we were apart for so long.  I cannot tell you how happy I was to finally see him walking down the steps to see me… We were actually really lucky because there had been a possibility that he wouldn’t have been able to come out for having things to finish up at work.  Needless to say I would have been a touch more than miserable if that would have happened.

So, Friday night, Dan literally ran out of work early and drove as fast as Henry would let him to come and see me.  I had taken the children down to Michele’s because after that long apart I felt like we really needed some alone time and I was right.  We were completely inseparable that night and into the morning.  Dan did get to try on the new Spongebob pj’s that the children (namely Shannon) picked out for him and I had some new pj’s as well.

Saturday we eventually rolled out of bed and got dressed.  We even had time for breakfast and started a game of chess before Michele called.  It ended up that we got Nicky for the afternoon but Shannon went with Michele until later that afternoon.  The three of us went to Best Buy and Dan helped… well he picked out a camera for me and later on set it up completely and showed me how to use it.  Then we went to Elmer’s and Giant Eagle.   After that we just spent a nice evening at home with the children and another night together.

Sunday we woke up early after my alarm on my cell phone nearly scared everyone.  We got ready and went to church.  After church we were invited to brunch with the pastor and his family.  The brunch went well.  We didn’t get back home until mid afternoon and spent the time barely letting go of each other.  We did take turns giving each other back massages that we desperately needed for our sore muscle.  We gave both kids a bath and just ordered some pizza because I had forgotten to take out the chicken for dinner.  Honestly I was a complete mess when he had to go and it took all I had in me to let him go and not run up to his car and refuse to let him go.  I don’t know why this time was worse than the other times, but it was.  Usually I can keep him from seeing me like that and wait until he leaves, but this time it was just too hard for me to keep back.  Yes, I was one step away from a temper tantrum… I’ll admit it.  I do say this, when we can finally be together everyday and not have to be apart like we are I will be a much happier person.  I cannot describe just how much happier, how much more complete I feel with him, how at peace I am in his arms or with my arms around him, how much better I sleep at night and possibly twitch less… I just know that life with him next to me is the most wonderful thing.  So, my sweet Dan, just know that you will always have my heart and in fact own me.  Simply, I love you.

So at this point I think I’m getting spoiled by all the time we have been able to spend together.  Dan had had two weeks of really long days at work and we didn’t know if we would be able to spend this weekend together at all.  It all rested on if they got everything at work done or not…. needless to say I was extremely happy when he asked me if he could come out for the weekend on Thursday.  Like I would ever say no, honestly….

Friday night I had the children bathed and in bed when he called and said he would be there soon.  Then of course Shannon woke up just a little bit.  I tucked her back into bed and she asked me if I would ask Dan to come out for the weekend so she could play games with him.  I just simply smiled and told her I would ask him just that.  (Just a note here, I usually let when he’s coming out be a surprise to the children, they seem to really enjoy waking up and seeing him there and also that way they aren’t trying to stay up way past their bedtime just so they can see him that night.)  When he got in we had a simple dinner of shrimp garlic noodles and then just spent the rest of the night in each other’s arms.

Saturday I let Dan sleep in just a little while I washed up the dishes then did Shannon’s lesson.  After her lesson I went and woke Dan up and we had breakfast then watched some movies.  Dan then I got cleaned up and we decided to take the children to the mall to play.  Of course they loved it but Nicky the little escape artist he is kept trying to get out so we decided to take a walk around just a little.  Dan had to get a link removed out of his new watch anyway (which I’m still owing him a poke for because that was going to be a birthday present from me but noooo then he goes out and buys one…).  I let them ride the Merry-go-round in the mall and they loved that one.  It was slowly getting late so we decided to go out and get some dinner.  I had already planned to take Dan to Vinnie’s but when we drove past the little one by the house it was packed.  I decided then to drive just a little bit further to the other one.  It’s only about 15 minutes down the road.  I am so very glad we did.  It was so much better looking than the other one and the pizza was just as good, which Dan loved and that alone made me so very happy.  It’s also Shannon’s favorite pizza place so she was happy when Dan liked it as well and later on asked me if we could take him there again, just so she can go back again maybe but still… We got home, bathed up the children and got them into bed.  Dan was right there with me as I did their normal bedtime procedure and honestly I didn’t realize he was there when I was singing to Nicky, but it was still really nice to have him there wanting to be with the children as much as I do.  After they were asleep we watched The Dark Knight, well, correction I kinda nodded off half way through it and Dan said that he thinks he did a little as well.  We are going to have to try and watch it again another day.

Sunday I let Dan sleep in a little bit longer this time.  I washed up the little bit of dishes, but Shannon wanted a day off of her lessons for the day.  I said that she could.  When it was time to wake Dan up I let the children come in with me and I honestly think he enjoyed that, I know the children and I did.  We spent a just relaxing Sunday at home truthfully.  We let Shannon go out and play since it was a nice day outside and had to fight with her later a little bit to get her to come back inside.  Nicky played inside with us.  For dinner I decided to make a Velveeta kind of dip.  Dan helped me make it which quite honestly was really, really nice.  After he tried it he said it was the best he had ever had and I told him there was no way, but secretly I was just so very happy he liked it.  I sent the leftovers with him when he went back home.  Which brings me to when he had to leave… by now anyone reading these would know just how bad we hate to leave each other’s side and this time was no different.  The only different was when he left Nicky came out on the porch with me and started yellling ‘I love you’ to Dan which by that time he couldn’t hear because he was at his car, so I called Dan so Nicky could tell him.  Nicky was visably upset about him leaving just as I was and Shannon was upset, but she just expresses it differently.  She just wanted to know when he would be able to come back and if we could go out to his house to see him instead.  All I could do was tell her we will see.  I honestly do love you my sweet Dan, more and more every day and the children love you as well.