Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Supercalifragilisticexpialidoscious

the alarm was set to wake me at 5:00 a.m. the kids and i had a school field trip planned for Monday. we needed to arrive at the Monterey Bay Aquarium by 9:30 a.m.. we were allowing 3.15 hrs to make our way there (3 hrs drive time, and 15 min.= the time it takes to get a fully caffeinated caramel latte from Starbucks, and to make a pit stop at Casa de pee pee).

the kids were tucked into bed early, lunches were made, clothes were set out. everything was ready to go.


i hit the sack at 10:00 p.m. Sunday eve. ready to consume 7 hrs of shut eye.
then it happened, my mind came alive! aghhhhh! toss, turn, toss, turn, toss, toss, toss!!!
i pleaded with my mind to just fall asleep already!
eventually though i gave in and began planning next fall's vacation, Christmas presents, my next 3 blog posts, how to inspire world peace, and strategies for overcoming the economic downfall in the U.S.

after i was done doing all that i was sure i'd conk out! i didn't.

i decided a lullaby would take me to Sleepville. i sang (to myself of course). my kids always fall to sleep with a lullaby. i had no such luck!
i contemplated counting sheep, but had the word "Supercalifragilisticexpialidoscious" on my late night mind. i decided to spell it. i think i spelled it 100x. and i was still awake, aghhh!
meanwhile, as i lay wide eyed, Michael was snoring beside me, tormenting me with his sleeping skills. agghhh!
by midnight i was up and watching an infomercial on t.v. (i think i will get Michael a
Jawhorse for Christmas).
around 1:00ish i decided it was time for drugs, the "sleep aid" Tylenol P.M.... Dear Tylenol P.M., i want my money back!

after the Tylenol P.M. didn't work i resorted to beating up my pillow (sorry pillow), and a few self-pity tears.

i finally dozed off somewhere between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m.
needless to say when the alarm blared at 5:00 a.m. i was exhausted.


i stumbled out of bed determined to put on a happy face, survive with graciousness (and a good dose of caffeine) field trip day, and 6.5 hrs round trip of driving.


and then the most wonderful thing happened. Michael.


Michael woke up, but instead of waking the kids to help get them out the door, he began to get ready to go.

"what are you doing?" i asked.
"i'm going with you."

"what? you don't have to come. what about work?"
Michael replied, " i'm not going to work, you didn't sleep, i have to go with you."

i love my husband.

It was a breezy, sun-filled day on the central California pacific coast, a pleasant day to be in Monterey. The aquarium was filled with wonder; sea anemones, octopus, otters, sting rays, penguins, and my favorite the jellyfish.
As we headed for home, driving along the coastline, looking over the great Pacific Ocean, i considered how my eyes see only miles of roaring ocean waves. They do not see the magnificent creation and life that lies beneath those waves. God is an awesome God. I love His mysteries. Driving home with Michael, my eyes should have been heavy with sleep, but my heart was too full to sleep. just as i miss the great beauty and mystery of the ocean, i so often dismiss and do not marvel, as i should, my husband whom God has so wonderfully written into my life.

I am blessed to be married to a man who loves me and gives himself up for me every day.
May God help me to see the magnificent creation that he is.

9 comments:

  1. i think i now that guy. he came into my life 35 years ago and stole by heart too. he was always a love, considerate, compassionate and so thoughtful of others. we are all blessed when we are around him. gotta love him. mom

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  2. I love it!! Tears on your pillow to wonderful sweet dreams. :)

    And yes, God's mysteries are so amazing!! His creation is so diverse and wonderful.

    And... that hubby of yours deserves a special date!! :)

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  3. We have great guys, don't we? I LOVE IT when John surprises me with a "no work day!"

    Your aquarium looks much like ours! I love touching the starfish and urchins, the rays and little sharks. I've always loved studying about the ocean. It's a whole world, unknown to me. It's amazing to think that God sees it all...

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  4. That was one of your best blogs ever! You had me at the beginning with your humor frosted with the truth that we have all experienced at one time or another... but then the bit about Michael... aw... I will pray along with you because you are blessed indeed and I am so happy for you to be married to someone like him. So glad God makes the hard stuff easy sometimes.

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  5. What a beautiful post!
    I agree- God's creation completely blows me away! So amazing.

    I totally laughed at your "Tylenol PM- I want my money back" comment.

    Oh, and how sweet is your husband!?
    You are, indeed, blessed!
    You two look so adorable in that picture :)

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  6. i LOVE this story.

    and I love monterey. might be my favorite place beside yosemite. =)

    miss you and i get to see you SOON!!!

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  7. the pictures of your field trip are amazing.

    what a wonderful experience and so sweet of michael to go with you. what a great family day.

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  8. This is such a sweet story. I love it. I also love that last pic. But I don't love when I have those kinds of sleepless nights...hate it...ugh!!

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