FIFO Life Misconceptions

FIFO- Fly In Fly Out. This is the life we lead now, meaning my husband travels for work. That also means I'm solo parenting the kiddos for a certain amount of days at a time while he's away working. This lifestyle isn't for everyone BUT it works for our family. That's the beauty of life and families. We're all different and have different living situations. What works for one family doesn't work for another, and thats totally OK!

However, one of the frustrating parts about FIFO life is the amount of negative comments people like dish out about the situation. 

"I don't know how you do it" 

"I would never be able to do that"

"I love my husband too much to be able to do it"

"I would live in a cardboard box before I'd live that life"

"Aren't you worried about cheating?"

There's many different reasons why families chose FIFO Life. Maybe it's financial, lack of local employment, to care for a sick loved one, whatever the reason is...that's your business! 

YES it is hard. Being the sole care giver for days/weeks at a time isn't easy but you find a routine and after awhile it's just second nature.
YES is gets lonely (for both of us). Thankfully technology is in our favour and we can talk/ Facetime. YES I love my husband more than anything and YES we still have a great relationship. NO I'm not worried at all about cheating, that can happen living in the same house every single day. Trust me, if your unhappy in your relationship it will likely fail regardless of where you live. FIFO isn't going to end your relationship. If anything for me I feel it makes us stronger. Absence makes the heart grow fonder type of thing. 

Do the kids miss him? Absolutely, but again here's the thing. They get to see him and spend more quality time with him then they would if he worked a typical 9-5 job. We get multiple days off at a time to do things together as a family, and we definitely take advantage of the time we have together. 

At the end of the day, all families are different. Just like people, we come in all shapes and sizes. No 2 families are the same and no 2 situations are the same.
You do what you need/want to do and what works for your family. It's nobody else's business. As long as you are happy with your situation, thats all that matters. Keep doing your thing!

Do you life the FIFO life? Leave a Comment below on what you wish people knew about FIFO! I'd love to hear from you :)

Valentine's Day Is Overrated

I've never liked Valentine's Day. It's one of those weird "holidays" that I just don't get. I love my husband and we tell/show each other all the time. I don't need a holiday to force me to buy overpriced chocolates and flowers.

I remember when my husband and I were approaching our first Valentine's Day together (14 years ago!). I told him not to buy me anything and not to plan a night out. He of course thought I was lying but I was totally serious. So when Valentine's Day rolled around and he bought me diamond stud earrings, I was actually a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the earrings were beautiful and I still wear them 14 years later, but I really meant it when I said I didn't want anything. Since then we've "skipped" Valentine's Day. Let me explain why.

To me, Valentine's Day is so overrated. Flower prices shoot through the roof (trust me you can get them the next day half off), chocolates, jewellery, romantic getaways. While these are all wonderful, I would much much rather receive them as a surprise on a totally random day through the year, not on a forced holiday. I mean, I don't want my husband to feel like he has to buy me something or take me to dinner just because its February 14th (and vice versa since love and relationships aren't one sided).

Has your husband ever gone to the grocery store on a random day during the year and come home with surprise flowers?? Now those are the BEST! When it's not expected it feels so much more meaningful for me. Or have you ever been shopping and found something you just knew your husband/partner etc would love and totally surprised them? It's such a great feeling!!

Don't get me wrong I love chocolate and flowers just not when they are expected on a commercialized holiday :)

Check out this photo of us from way back when. We look like babies!

My Family's Favourite Casserole

I'm a huge foodie. I love to cook and I love to eat (probably why I still haven't lost my "baby" weight LOL)
One of my favourite things to cook in the winter is casseroles. Comfort food at it's finest, quick, easy and super budget friendly as well.

A few years ago, my Aunt gave me this recipe and it has become my family's favourite casserole. Both my daughter and husband ask for this all the time. I usually make a big batch and freeze some for hubby's lunches when he's away working.

Here's what you will need:

1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey if thats your thing)
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced (I add whatever colour peppers I have on hand)
A few mushrooms diced
A couple celery stalks diced
1 pkg Egg noodles
1 Jar of Spaghetti sauce (any kind whatever your fave is)
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cream of Tomato and Parmesan Soup



Cook ground beef with vegetables.
Boil Egg noodles. Mix everything together. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melty and delicious. Voila! One batch will feed 4-5 people.

If you make this, don’t forget to comment below and let me know how your family likes it :)