Glorious snow!!!

Today is the most beautiful day we have had in a long time. It is a balmy 25 degrees, there are three feet of snow on the ground and it is sunny. Everything is glistening, fresh and beautiful. Since it is such a nice day, I dragged my three offspring and my husband outside to play.

When we first went out, it was just me and my little guy. He decided we were going on a nature hike to look for tracks. We traipsed through the feet of snow around our whole cul-de-sac looking at tracks. Any mark in the snow is a track when you are four and he was so creative. We saw panda tracks, lion tracks, polar bear tracks and bird tracks! All in my little suburb in NE Ohio! I just followed behind him wishing I had my new flip video camera because it was so fun and cute.

After we were about 2/3 of the way around our trek, CDub came out. He promptly climbed onto the mountain of snow left by the plow and said "I'm the king of the world" complete with Titanic hand motions. DH looked at me--"Has he seen Titanic?" "No!" "where did he learn this?" "School? The Bus? who knows? It is pretty cute, though!" "Yeah..." and then he decided to pelt CDub with a snowball to show him who is really king of this world!

Finally Bean decided to join us. She had been experiencing high levels of drama today as she woke up at 6:15-- ON A SATURDAY!!! We have found that if we just ignore the hysteria, it stops. So we went about our business and just kept playing. She got her act together and we made a tunnel through the plow mountain, we made snow angels and attempted a snowman, but the snow was just too fluffy! There was a bit of crying because her snow angel wasn't perfect. She seemed to get over it quickly, though, and kept playing!

The kids are all snuggled into their beds now after a warm mac-and-cheese lunch and mom is ready for a nap... and to go play more this afternoon!

Longest year of my life

So, one year ago today- give or take a week- my husband was laid off from his job. At first, it was a fun idea- we did lunches together, spent more time as a family than I ever thought possible, took a few extra family vacations and really enjoyed our time together. Spring became summer and he was still here. I gained twenty pounds because everyday seemed like a Saturday. Not only was he here, he wasn't really looking for work. In the fall, he promised to either start his company or start looking for work. He didn't do either. I have fought to keep it together as we slowly become roommates. He is always here. It would be one thing if he participated in the daily mom-shit that I have to do. I can count on one hand the number of times he has gone to the store or made dinner. He constantly yells at the kids because they aren't his perfect idea of what kids should be. There are days I can't stand the sight of him because he.is.always.here. It is like when you have a new baby and someone is always touching you. Some days, you just can't stand to be touched by one more person.

I don't know what to do. Today I feel like I am circling the drain as I hear him yelling at our four-year-old because he squirted toothpaste on the counter. He wasn't around to see the other two do the exact same things when they were four and, frankly, I liked it better.

The thing that worries me the most is that he will never look for a job and will always be here. Forty is WAY too young to retire. There is no way I will last for 40 more years of marriage if he doesn't get a job soon. I really feel like our marriage is dying a slow death every day he is home. I find this so depressing that I start to shut down. The only thing that keeps me from completely shutting down and/or leaving is our kids. And that I really do love my husband- very much- I just don't like him right now. I kind of wish someone read this blog so I could get some feedback... So unsure of what to do...