It's been a month and I do have more but it needs editing. Tonight you get this and soon a couple of deeper updates

If only this paid. Sadly I have to work, and this is what I do as one of my hobbies. (Said as though I have time for hobbies LOL)

Hope it's been an amazing summer for you. We have to enjoy ourselves despite all the garbage in the world.

Into Henry's head.

Please review- they lift my heart

Brenda

...

Just a short bit of venting tonight journal.

Elizabeth is out of town and I decided to take the kids to the beach. It's hotter than hell here in Virginia this summer and the kids wanted to go to the ocean.

I wanted to wait til my wife was home so we could tag team these kids, but her trip was extended. She's been gone almost two weeks.

She's supposedly in Jordan and there is no A/C in the building where she's supposed to be working.

So she was unsympathetic when we spoke on the phone yesterday.

"Henry you are a dad to three, an uncle and cousin to I can't even keep track of how many, and you led sorties into Iraq. Our kids are all potty trained and over three. Take the kids to the beach and don't forget to have the girls braid their hair before they go swimming. When I get home I am moving to the beach. Did you know my deodorant is useless here? My children are never working for the CIA. Talk about too hot. Go swimming and send me cool thoughts."

I feel badly for her. I worry about heatstroke. I know she's going to be glad to come home and I will find ways to cool her off, none of them PG friendly.

She was right. We had a great time. We played on the beach, we swam and it was a perfect day. But we forgot about the braids. So I have two girls here with heads full of salt and sand and they are miserable.

How does hair knot up like this? How does water do this? What science class did I miss? if I destroy their hair my wife is going to kill me. I think it's actually too late and the looks of betrayal from both girls as I lift the comb again -

Stevie is almost 10 so she should be more helpful but after a day in the water and sunshine she's done. "Daddy you are mean!" I feel like the worst father on earth.

Jason was recently scalped at the barber so he's been showered and is cooling off with a freezie and an episode of Scooby doo. I can hear my wife in my thoughts "Good job super dad!"

There's only one solution and that's to call my mom. Which means that my dad will find out- so I will never live this down. We need to find a better solution than this.

We found an old bottle of strawberry detangler and that's sitting in Allie's hair now. Stevie must have used 3/4 of the bottle on her hair, and it smells like a bubblegum factory in here.

Half of me wants Elizabeth to walk through the door no matter how bad she might smell today. The other half of me wants her to stay away until my daughters have gorgeous healthy hair and have forgotten about today.

There has been crying. All three of us. Jason couldn't care less. His helpful comment was "the girls are all tangled up daddy. Mommy is gonna be mad!"

Way to help out son. I feel like this boy is going to be a challenging kid.

...

Stevie called Dolly Rasmussen and she came over with a big bottle of coconut scented conditioner. She disappeared into our bathroom for about half an hour with two girls. I heard the shower running and muttering about men.

Allison came out first- all clean and shiny and in her mothers favourite Peter Frampton T-shirt. Before I could say anything I heard Stevie shout and I went to investigate. Dolly came out of our bathroom and she was stern.

"I told Elizabeth not to worry about leaving you four alone for a couple of weeks. Now I have to eat my words. She's somewhere stressful right now and she's worrying about this house and you all. She called me the other day and asked me to check in. I said you were a big boy. McCord don't you head up a department at that University? Don't answer me. I gave Stevie shit for not remembering to braid her hair or ask you to do it.

Stevie slunk out of the bathroom looking exactly like Elizabeth - and she too was wearing a concert t shirt. This one was the Chili Peppers and it was wet from the hair hanging down the back. She apologized to Dolly and thanked her.

There was hugging. I got a baleful look. This kid is only a few years away from being a teenager and I live in fear. Dolly said we could keep the conditioner and that I owed her 6.99.

She checked on the kids, and then reminded me to clean the tub before Elizabeth came home. I felt sorry for myself and was thinking about how useless I felt when the phone rang. I was tempted not to answer but I felt a tug. I swear to God if they want to come steam clean my carpets I will lose it.

"So how was beach day? " oh that voice

I couldn't lie so I simply confessed and she laughed for a long minute. To be honest it was funny now that it was over. "Oh Henry I could pee my pants. Oh I have to call Dolly. I am taking her out for dinner when I get home. So how are my kids? I was worried you would forget the sunblock."

I can hear the drawl in her voice. The one she gets when she's been drinking. "So what's happening over there?" I want to change the subject.

"I got an ice cold shower and George and Juliet found beer. Also it was a good operation. We got it done. I can't say anymore but we got it done"

I feel a pleasant warmth through my body. It's pride. "Baby- when will you be home? "

She chuckles."we leave in about twelve hours. I just had a chance to call and I took it. I miss you guys. So much. My heart is with you, even if my job is all over the place , and I just wanted you to know that."

I feel tears falling down my face and I swallow hard "I am the luckiest man on earth. Just get back here so I can hold you OK. Even if your deodorant isn't working."

She snorts. "I am hanging up now. You are such a dork. I love you. Kiss those little monsters for me. And Henry? Make sure that if there is ice cream on my T-shirt's can you please pick up some more Mocha Fudge when you buy some Shout. "

The click made me sad but then I remembered how much fun it would be to plan her homecoming dinner

Burgers on the grill, corn on the cob and potato salad.

If it rains, greasy Chinese.

H.