The Bakers Adventures

A month ago, this felt impossible. When we held each other in the kitchen hours before he set off for the airport, the idea of a whole month apart was too big to process, so I shrunk it down into daily tasks, school runs, editing marathons, and countdowns on the calendar. And here we are… just two sleeps to go.

The girls and I have navigated this together—some days smoothly, others more like a comedy of errors. I’ve kept the house running, the kids alive and fed (with bonus points for organic transition), and my sanity mostly intact. We’ve laughed, cried, argued over ridiculous things like who left socks on the sofa, and somehow made it to the other side.

I won’t pretend it’s been easy. There’s been the fatigue, the overstimulation, the self-imposed pressure to keep everything perfect and seamless. But the highs have outweighed the lows. Like the moments of pure joy in the ordinary. Silly dances in the kitchen, pjs popcorn parties, or hearing Erin practising her piano. I’ve been overwhelmed by love, stretched to my limits, but reminded time and time again that I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for.

It’s funny how time has shifted. At first, it dragged. Each day felt like a small mountain to climb. But then, without me noticing, it picked up pace, and suddenly we’re here, just days away from reuniting. The idea that we only have to do this two more times this year feels both manageable and slightly terrifying (we won’t talk about how the next stints are creeping closer to seven weeks at a time—ignorance is bliss).

Through it all, I’ve found humour in the chaos and gratitude in the challenge. Dan is living an incredible experience, one that’s opening doors for us as a family, and I’m so proud of him. And while this has been a journey for him, it’s also been one for me—a reminder that I’m stronger than I think.

The girls are already bouncing with excitement, and I can feel the anticipation building in my chest too. I keep reminding myself that the house doesn’t need to be perfect, the marks on the walls will still be there, and Dan will walk in and see us, not the tiny flaws I’ve obsessed over. It’s our love and our life that matter.

So, here we are—two sleeps to go. I’m ready for his motivational pep talks, for Von Trapp family car singalongs, for his soul to fill the house again. I’m even ready for him to tell me the heating’s too high..

The journey’s not over, and there are more challenges to come, but today, I feel proud. We did it. We’ve got this. Now, let’s bring him home.. I’m owed arm tickles x 30