And we're off...

This has been a whirlwind of a week and I will be glad when it's over.  Ryan found out on Tuesday morning that he was going to be going back to work...in Southern Illinois!  He starts on Monday and had to move today.  We are relieved that he is back to work (he's been off since the end of September and has been off for more than two years of the past three), but it's going to be very, very hard not having him here.  Ryan and I have been together for 16 years and we have never been apart for longer than a week.  We both know that this is what is best for our family at this point and this time away will be for the best in the future.  We are guessing he will be there for about a year unless something miraculous happens in Michigan and the economy picks up again.  I don't see that happening.  So for now he will live in Belleville, IL and work in Wood River, IL, just outside of St. Louis. 

His first trip home will most likely be in April for our birthdays and then again at the end of May for his annual fishing trip and Matthew's birthday.  We plan on meeting a few times this summer in Chicago and possibly Indianapolis with the kids for an extended weekend.  I'd love to visit St. Louis and I might take a trip down there with the kids too, but don't know how they will do on the 7 hour car ride...maybe a night drive is in store?

Matthew doesn't quite understand; he just knows that Daddy is at work and he can talk and see him on the computer and talk to him on the phone.  Drew will also notice his absence, but won't really know it.  Luckily he is staying with our friend Gary and we can Skype until we can get Ryan his own laptop.  It's going to be hard, but I know that we can do it.  We have a wonderful family and a great circle of friends that will help us out, I just need to know when to ask for help.

I know my job will consume a lot of my time and keep my mind focused on other things.  Hopefully the next two months will fly by so we can see Ryan again.  Thank you to everyone who is helping and supporting us in this journey.