Truckers Wives are Human Too

Honestly I was hoping that this first post would be more of a year in review/what we are hoping for the new year kind of post.  I will get to that post eventually.
These last couple of weeks have been pretty difficult ones.  We enjoyed our family time with the Colonel being on vacation.  Then the next week there weren't a lot of loads so the Colonel was kind of on vacation but not.  Time that was presented as family time turned into swapping trucks and doing a test.  3 trucks in less than 2 months, but that is a post for the Colonel should he so choose. 
We've been adjusting back to the routine and dealing with the inconsistencies of trucking. 
Last year I did a lot of keeping my mouth shut.  I don't know any other truckers wives and there aren't a lot of people around that I can talk to, even less that actually understand.  Sometimes it would be really nice to not have to explain everything in great detail just so someone can understand what we are going through. 
As a trucker's wife, I've got a lot on my plate.  Not as much as some I'm sure.  But it's my responsibility to handle the kids, keep the household running, often times making decisions alone that under regular circumstances the Colonel should be helping me make, and of course supporting the Colonel.  The new year began and my mind went to overload.  Even with handling one thing one step at a time it still is a lot. 
There is so much pressure from trucking companies and trucker sites for everyone to give the trucker their 100% support, to be extra understanding and all that.  Yours may not be like that, but everything I've come in contact with is.  There is very little support for the actual family that is supposed to be giving all this support plus keep everything going at home. 
We wives are only human.  We cannot accomplish the super human things that are asked of us without some support and understanding ourselves.  We are the ones on the front lines keeping everything running so that you truckers can focus on driving.  We are handling the work of two parents by ourselves.  That in itself is extremely draining.  We are keeping the household running.  And I know in my situation, I do an awful lot for my trucker as well (shopping for his food, keeping his clothes clean, etc.).  The one that gets lost in all of this many times is the wife.  So truckers my only suggestions are don't forget about those that support you.  Do not take them for granted.  Do not just dump on them about the traffic, the truck that doesn't want to work, or whatever else there is going on.  Acknowledge how much they do to make your life easier.  Appreciate them.  Make an effort to connect with them, ask them about their day, something they liked, etc.  When they need you to listen make an effort to do so and really listen and try to connect and talk about whatever it is.  If your wife doesn't know any other trucker's wives chances are you are all she has to really talk to.   We are only human.  We have hearts just like everyone else.  We can only handle so much on our plates and can only handle so much of someone else's troubles before we burn out too. 

Trucker Kids: Our Elf on the Shelf

The Christmas season has been very busy.  One of the highlights for the kids is having Thomas Elf (our elf on the shelf) back to visit.  Here is what he has been up to:

Day 1:

Day 2: Thomas was a very smart elf!  To help keep the kids busy while the lights and garland where put on the big tree, Thomas brought a little tree.  They loved decorating it and it helped keep the stress level down for Mommy and Daddy.

Day 3:  In the excitement of Thomas returning Princess ended up touching him.  So Magic Elf Dust to the rescue.  Thomas also managed to pull together the supplies for an advent wreath craft for the start of advent.

 
Day 4:  Making his Christmas list.

Day 5:  He decorated the refrigerator to look like a snowman and brought out the Christmas magnets the kids were given last year for them to play with.

Day 6:  Thomas brought a toy elf for the kids to cuddle with.  Santa also sent a certificate of health since Princess was a little nervous that Thomas was still under the weather.

Day 7:  Thomas locked himself out.  At least he remembered to wear his scarf!

Day 8: Thomas decided to spend the night in Princess' doll house.  He wanted to straighten it up some more but Princess started to wake up.

Day 9:  He brought a Candy Cane Garden Planting Kit.  Complete with magical dirt, fertilizer and seeds.  The following day 2 large candy canes filled with m-n-ms had grown.

Day 10: Thomas doesn't want the kids to lose focus of the true meaning of Christmas.

Day 11: Reading a Christmas story to the stuffed animals.

Day 12: Elf Kisses to help encourage the kids to be good.

Thanksgiving

And a special thank you to all those who were out on the road today or whose trucker was on the road today.

Trucker Thanksgiving

So it's the beginning of the holiday season.  Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we are waiting for our trucker to get home.  Even though I know better, every time I hear he has that load that will get him home in time to get plenty of rest and cleaned up before the holiday I get my hopes up.  So here we are again.  He was supposed to be home in a few hours.  But in the typical trucker life (at least ours - some of you may experience a better version of trucker life and if so I am really happy for you), the load was switched for one that takes longer to complete.  From this side of it, I always have mixed feelings.  I know freight slows down this time of year so every load he can get is a blessing.  But on the flip side, the kids and I really miss him and enjoy that little bit of extra time with him.  Fortunately, the kids are in a pretty good routine so they won't really notice the time missed because Daddy isn't supposed to be home according to that routine.  In addition to the load being changed, then something usually goes wrong which involves a call to road breakdown.  So that whole process extends the time out that much longer.  I was a little irritated by this point, mostly with myself.  I know better than to plan on him being home before he actually walks through that door.  I'm thinking that he's already been told he doesn't have a load for Friday so we will still have some extra time together.  Next thing I know I'm getting the text saying he has a load for Friday.  So what was supposed to be 3 1/2 days of home time has shrunk to 2.   1 of those days is Thanksgiving so it will be spent with extended family.  So in reality we have about 1 day of time together.   I am thankful for those 2 days and very thankful for the money that the loads will bring in, but I am still feeling that frustration of not getting that time with him. We have spent Thanksgiving apart before as I am sure some of you will be doing and my heart really goes out to you as well.  I am sure that I sound ungrateful to those of you away from your families but that is not my  intent.
What is your typical trucker Thanksgiving?  The frustrations/highlights of it?  The parts of it that you wish the non-trucker families would understand?

Trucker Kids - Our Advent Calendar

I just finished making our advent calendar for this year.  I got the idea on pinterest (Find original idea here).  I decided to incorporate the advent wreath and it's symbolism.  So here is what I came up with.

Materials:
25 toilet paper tubes
3 different patterns of purple 8x11 scrapbook paper (about 3 sheets of each)
1 pattern of pink 8x11 scrapbook paper (2 sheets)
White computer paper (roughly 5 sheets)
black marker
red yarn
green tissue paper (depending on the size of the sheet about 6 sheets)
1 sheet white tissue paper
a cardboard circle to glue everything to
hot glue
strips of paper with age appropriate readings (or stories) and activities printed on them
treats
tape

1.)  Decide what readings or books you are going to use and what activities you would like to do for each day (I keep a master list in a separate place as well)  Type them up and print them out.
2.) Create a label for each week (Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, and we added the Christ "candle" as well).
Print the correct number on the correct color paper (Joy is pink and the Christ one is white).  The first 3 weeks should have 7 each.  Peace I think worked out to be 3.  There is only one for white.
3.) Wrap each toilet paper tube in a quarter sheet of green tissue paper (except for 1 which will be wrapped in the white). Twist and tie with a short piece of the red yarn.  Fill with the slip of paper containing the reading and activity, as well as any treats you want to put it.  Twist and tie off the top.  
4.) Take each label and cut to size and tape into place.  Number accordingly.
5.) Lay out the finished toilet paper tubes on the cardboard circle.  When satisfied with the layout and hot glue into place.
I am going to put it on the table with a centerpiece probably of some fake poinsettias in the center.
Open the tubes on the correct day and enjoy.  :-)

Thanksgiving: a Time to be Grateful

This last month has been a really tough one, but I think we are through at least the illness portion of it.  Buddy really got hit hard this time around, with ear infections in both ears then the croup.  Now its time for Mommy to try and recuperate and get caught up on everything that we are behind on.  A little cleaning therapy never hurt either.

Here is what I am thankful for:

12. Food on the table.
13.  Our readers and followers.
14.  Those who truly support us, allow us to be honest and ourselves without judgment and criticism, and have enough respect for us to not try to control our lives.
15. Freight and the loads, even the ones that intrude onto family time, that pay the bills.
16. For the giving, loving hearts of my children.
17. For Pinterest and all of it's ideas that have brought inspiration to this family and saved us much money.
18.  For the ocean.  There is nothing more calming and soothing then watching the waves, feeling the wind against my face, and feeling the sand between my toes.  Also for all it's symbolism as I watch all my troubles float away beyond the horizon.
19.  For all of the wonderful things I get to see in my husband.  His generosity.  His willingness to help others without getting so much as a thank you in return.  The way he makes time to play with the kids.  His thoughtfulness to me.  His help when he is home.  How hard he works to make sure that we have everything we need.
20.  For all those trials in life that show you who is there standing with you and the way they ultimately make you stronger. 
21.  For God, who even when it seems like he couldn't be further away is actually right beside me.
22.  For all those things that make life beautiful.  A simple flower given by a child, an unexpected blessing, a kind word.
23.  Seeing things through the eyes of a child.  How much joy and excitement the little things in life bring them and reminding me to see those small things and appreciate them.
24.  To be able to experience the joy of giving.  I'm also thankful that we have been able to find ways to increase our giving without putting our limited budget in jeapordy.
25.  For those that actually take the time and ask the questions to truly gain a better understanding of truck driving and the lifestyle it creates. 

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving season?

Appreciating my Trucker

This time of year tends to be very hard for us.  Not only because freight slows down, but because we both have been going all year and are now burned out.  Trucking is a very stressful and unappreciated industry.  Truckers and their families make many, many sacrifices.  Missing important family moments, missing out on family time in general, the spouses and families can be pushed to the breaking point.  But the general public tends to look down on truckers instead of giving a thank you that they have food, clothes, and everything they need.  Everything tends to get more crazy around the holidays.  I know I personally hate driving in that traffic and am very glad that I don't have to do it for a living.
So for the 25 days of Christmas, I try to have notes of appreciation and things I love about my trucker for him to take with him on the truck.  It isn't much, but it's something to hopefully give him that little bit of encouragement in a very thankless job.  Something to help him get through that last little stretch of time until he can take some time with his family. 

What do you do to show your trucker appreciation while he is out on the road?