Recently, I had surgery to replace a broken shunt and I am still in recovery,

but I’m pretty much back to 100%. It’s been over a month and I haven’t had a migraine—hallelujah!

Now that Zach is feeling better, I’m going on a three-night trip to California

with two of my girlfriends. Tori did a lot while I was in surgery and recovering, so she definitely deserves this.

Zach is a great dad, but being alone with three kids is exhausting. I’ve done it a few times, and it’s hard for sure. Any chance to clean would be greatly appreciated.

Josiah or Jackson is good at mopping the floors, but I have zero expectations. My clean is not the same as Zach’s clean.

We grew up in a fun house; she doesn’t even know what a messy house is. Sometimes it feels like we can’t live everywhere because she’ll clean it and then we can’t use it.

Also, I pre-wrote Jackson some notes to put into his lunch box, and Zach is going to put them in his lunch box for school.

Tori writes notes for Jackson every day, and one time, when she didn’t, Jackson wrote a note himself because all the kids had notes, and he wanted to read one with everyone.

I’ve been alone with the kids for 24, 48 hours—three kids! How long? I don’t think you’ve been alone with the three kids.

Are you ready for this? I’ve never watched all the kids overnight, but there’s no nervousness. It’s not going to be hard; it’s going to be super easy.

Are you going to miss me? Yes, I’m going to miss you. Jay, you’ve got to keep this house running while I’m gone, okay? Make sure Dad does what he’s supposed to do, and remember, no TV.

Tori left yesterday morning. The first night went well, but taking care of the kids is tough. You’re the first up, last to bed, always on.

This morning we have a tight schedule: Jackson needs to be at school by 8:00, and we need to be out the door in 45 minutes, or we’ll be late.

I’ve got to feed the kids, pack Jackson’s lunch, get them dressed, and do Jackson’s hair because it’s picture day. But we’ll make it.

I always make a big batch of scrambled eggs. Tori writes little notes every morning, and she pre-wrote some for me to put in Jackson’s lunch.

I need to remember to do that because the notes are super important to her. In my mind, he’ll just go about his day, but in Tori’s mind, he’ll be devastated if there’s no note.

After school, we’re going shopping for a couch for the new shop. I’m a quick shopper, so I think it’ll be good with the kids. Are you okay?

Do you want yogurt? Done. Do you have poo poos? Okay, have a yogurt and then we’ll change your diaper. Let me get Jackson set up.

For Jackson’s lunch today, I forgot the note. Tomorrow, I want to get a couch upstairs in the shop before we get our doors in because it won’t fit later.

Jackson and Lilah love each other but are getting to the age where they push each other’s buttons. Anytime we go anywhere, they cause chaos if they think I’m not paying attention.

Tori is good at disciplining the kids in public, but I get uncomfortable. She’s not afraid to have the whole world looking at us.

When I got back, I missed my family. Zach did a great job while I was gone; everyone’s still breathing, and the house was very clean.

I might go on more trips because he handled it so well. I forgot to put the notes in the lunch box, and I thought about it every morning, but the mornings got hectic, and I forgot. Happens to the best of us.