Missing Spouse?

What is missing in the house? It is the spouse.  Luke is gone overnight and I won't actually post this until he gets home.  I don't like people to know that the protector of the family is gone. You never know who you actually don't know on your FB friend list. 

The point is that one out of four changes the family dynamic even if it is for one night.  One person missing from your family even for a small time makes such a BIG difference.   He makes noise. He watches TV and he expects dinner.

I don't mind being a single parent for one night.  The second night of him being away makes me grumpy.  The first night is fun. We don't turn on the TV. I feed the kids "Old McDonalds" (Kate's name).  We read which ever number of books AJ has decided.  Tonight it was 12.  We actually only got through 11.  We lost Kate's interest at 9.  I fix the favorite chocolate milk.  It's a nice time.

But you can always tell when the spouse is away.  He makes our family go around.  I'll even wait until last to welcome him home.  I won't say that one of us is more happy to see him as he brings something special and different to each of us.  AJ loves to talk with him and make up great big stories.  Kate loves to laugh at him.  He can give her a look and she chuckles all of over herself.  Those really deep ones that make a parents life complete.  I love him.  He keeps me sane and grounded.  Reminds me of the things that I do well and the things that could use help (my cooking needs loads of help).  He takes up 3/4ths of the bed which will remind me he's gone tonight. 

The house is quiet and the only person awake is the slightly lonely spouse.