Kids

Well it's been a week today since I left home, a week away from Tyler and Sydney.  The first two days when I arrived were difficult, more from guilt from leaving then anything else.  I have been able to Skype with the kids every few days but what I am noticing is that they're not as interested in talking to me as they are with seeing themselves on camera and making funny faces.  I have to say it's made me laugh and in a way I don't feel so far away. 

When I was telling the kids about my assignment, Tyler said to me, "You can take Buddy with you to keep you company."  Buddy is one of Tyler's luvies and I gave Buddy to Tyler when he was about 6.  Buddy is small and doesn't take up too much room and it is safe to say he's Tyler's number 2 luvie.  The sweet thing about Buddy is that whenever Tyler and I are separated, whether I go for a work trip or Tyler goes over for a sleep-over somewhere, Buddy sleeps with me.  Tyler will tell Buddy to keep me company so I wont be lonely, it's his way for us to stay connected and being here in Ukraine, I don't feel so far away from Tyler while I have Buddy here.  Of course it did raise eyebrows when one of my team-mates saw that I had to stuffed animals in my room.  The "why does a grown woman have two stuffed animals" look came across their face and I explained who they are and that made all the sense in the world to them.  Yes they're real to my kids so stop laughing.

Lambie is Sydney's luvie.  Not sure I can call her a luvie because Sydney has about 80 luvies; she hasn't met a stuffed something or other that she hasn't absolutely fallen in love with and of course - had to have.  Lambie was one of Sydney's first luvies, I think my brother gave her to Sydney, but Sydney never really latched onto one or two luvies like Tyler did.  She's a more - this luvie tonight, another luvie tomorrow, oooh here's one I haven't seen in a while kind of girl.  But even though luvies get recycled in the attic boxes or donated to charity, Lambie has stayed and been re-stuffed at time or two.  Of course, like any good little sister, as soon as Sydney saw that I was taking Buddy, she insisted I take one of hers as well, so Sydney chose Lambie to come with me and Buddy.  Most nights they sit on the nightstand next to the bed, but once in a while I'll grab them and chuck them (nicely) onto the bed when I'm climbing in so I can not feel so far away.

Love you Babe, Love you Momma!  Buddy and Lambie say Hi!