Unexpected Surprises

I returned home last night tired, sickly and ready for bed. I enjoyed my time away but want to get back into the swing of things at home. On the plane ride my son became “that child.” You know the one, “that child” that screams and cries incessantly for the duration of the plane ride. I blame it on being tired and ready to return home but my son sent three passengers to find other seats and a grandmother came visiting with candy and cookies in hand. While I do try to keep processed sugar away from Mekhi I took the lesser of two evils and gave him the cookies that he delightfully enjoyed. And if so much as a whimper escaped his lips? Cookies were offered again. As much as I hate to admit it, sugar was the magic charm for this trip.

I have to admit that I wondered what the people around me were thinking. But I quickly stopped worrying about it as I talked myself down from jumping out of the nearest plane door. Self – preservation was more important then worrying about other people. I convinced myself that my son exhibited the normal behavior of an overtired toddler confined to a small space. And while all was not right in my world, armed with this knowledge I was able to continue the flight stress free.

God must have been smiling down on us because the tailwind shaved a cool 30 minutes off of our flight time. Upon arrival I phoned my husband and let him know of this development and surprisingly I was not annoyed that he had planned his departure for an on time (not early) arrival so I had to wait with toddler in tow. To put this in context - I abhor waiting for people. I would just as soon leave my car at the airport for multiple days then wait for a pick-up. But today I was cool, calm and collected.

Once my husband arrived our journey was not over. We had to make a pit-stop that took us past our home and added 30 minutes to our trip. Having been forewarned I was fine with the detour and even when I hit traffic I still remained cool.

I am so happy that I did.

When I walked into my home with a now sleeping baby I was greeting with a magnificent sight. My kitchen was spotless and the floor that needed mopping 3 weeks ago – what? Was cleaner than a baby’s bottom. My master bath is clean as a whistle too. And I am ecstatic. I have been asking my husband for a cleaning service forever but it has not gone over well. It seems like he decided to take matters in his own hands and I am eternally grateful.

And you know what? There was icing on this cake. Food, glorious food was in the fridge. I did not have to stop for quick takeout. My oh so thoughtful husband stocked the place with my favorite quick cook dishes.

So hubby, this one is for you. THANK YOU for caring enough to make my life easier. I may not say it often but just remember I APPRECIATE YOU. I LOVE YOU. And you are a great father.



Comments

Now that's a GOOD man--how lucky are you?!
Anonymous said…
Renee,
What a great post - as usual!

I felt your unease and apprehension and I love how you talked yourself into a better space and managed to not add to the distress tired toddlers feel.
Your husband sounds wonderful. Congratulations to you both for finding each other.
Zee
Anonymous said…
Shameful flying moment:

Once, when my son was 3, after a long and terrible flying experience [waiting at the airport for 12 hrs, 3 canceled flights, 5 connections] on the final connection, he went into this screaming fit that was so bad that the attendant stopped the plane from leaving and asked me to calm him LOL.

Kudos to your hubby!
Gem said…
I think as parents of infants/toddlers we always fear the plane ride where they become "that child," but other parents understand that these things happen...and it's so sweet of that grandmother to offer the cookies!

And what a great hubby! Doesn't it feel great to come home to a clean house?!
Anonymous said…
Aww, what a sweet and thoughtful thing for him to do. :)
Btw, I have 2 awards for you on my site.
Anonymous said…
Now, that's really sweet! If you have a good mate, you are truly blessed.
Joanie said…
The husband is AWESOME! Can I borrow him for a couple hours? Pretty please!

Da Goddess
dagoddess.com
Barbara said…
Yay for cookies AND yay for the hubby service. See, nothing to do, but climb in bed with your laptop and fill us in.

Glad that you and baby made it back with nothing more than a few annoyed fellow passengers. At least you had a wise grandmother on deck =)
Vodka Mom said…
There is NOTHING better than coming home to a clean house. nothing.....I hope he got lucky....:-)
Anonymous said…
That is a very nice welcome home surprise!
Amazing_Grace said…
Goodness! Do you loan him out? :)
Dawn said…
Sorry about the rough trip. It's so much easier to be that person staring at the mom with a crying baby than to be that mom and I'm sure we've all been there! It sounds like you handled it very well! And what a bonus to come home to a clean house & food!! Did your husband hire a cleaning service or clean the house himself?
Anonymous said…
Awesome! what more can I say?
Anonymous said…
The way I figure it ....if people HAVE kids they understand and if they DON'T have kids, they'll never understand until they do!
Sugar is not the evil it is portrayed to be.
What an incredibly thoughtful hubby you have! Wow; I'm impressed AND happy for you. What a catch!
Anonymous said…
Um...my son goosed a flight attendant once. And, trying to nurse on a crowded plane...not fun! I feel your pain, but I'm glad you figured out that all that matters in those moments is your sanity and your child's happiness. And, as for your man...if only my six-year-old could do that! Welcome home!
Anonymous said…
Isn't that the best? that was karma in action right there! I'm glad you had such a great homecoming! It's no fun getting to go away if you have to pay for it when you come home.
MarciaG said…
What a plane ride.....but you did all you could do to keep your little man happy. No shame in that!
Way to go hubby--I ask for a cleaning service every Christmas-- no deal yet!
Have a great day!
Anonymous said…
Your husband sounds like a great man! I'm proud of you for keeping your composure through a series of even that likely would have made even the best of us crack - me included.
A magical wandering Grandma with cookies in hand AND a thoughtful, loving husband to took care of bizness so you could come home to peace and calm.... YOU are the luckiest Mama I know!
Ali said…
I am not above bribing kids myself:) Desperate times call for desperate measures! What a considerate hubby you have! I always make sure I clean the house thoroughly before we go away for a weekend because I hate coming back to a messy house!
Jennifer said…
Awwww Kudos to dh!!!
Anonymous said…
This is a great reminder of how much I need to show more appreciation..
Anonymous said…
Kudos to you for keeping your cool on the airplane. And thank God for awesome husbands...they definitely make life easier. Yours sounds like a gem.
Anonymous said…
Sugar is your friend...use it when necessary.
Carrie and Jim said…
Wonderful, what a great husband. There is something about a man who loves his woman. That is a great post and so encouarging. Just remember this nice deed the next time he frustrates you. Remember!
Unknown said…
that's beautiful. :-)

like you, i am not fond of waiting for someone to pick me up. yet, i find that when i make the decision to just be where ever i am and stay in the moment, it's not as bad. then again, i've never had to wait with a restless baby either, lol! :-)
Anonymous said…
that is awesome my friend!
Kristen Andrews said…
Now that is a good man!
Anonymous said…
Now THAT is a great way to return home! Glad you made it back safely
CaraBee said…
What a wonderful surprise to come home to! I came home from my trip to an empty fridge and a huge pile of laundry. Wanna trade?
Sara said…
Love the new look of the blog!
Sweet hubby! Didn't that just make your night! Clean floor and groceries! Score!
T.Allen said…
All's well that ends well-thanks, Mr. Cutie Booty!
Sooooo sorry about the flight?! Yikes, eh?

But...Yay for a clean house to return to.

I never get the house cleaned when hubby is away. And he never DOESN'T get it cleaned when I'm away...course I always seem to take the kids with me, and he never seems to!
Anonymous said…
I'm so jealous!
Anonymous said…
What an awesome return home!
anymommy said…
These kind of gestures make me fall in love all over again. And you bet a clean kitchen is romantic!!! Rawr. Sad, but true.
Good stuff girl, can't beat it when a vacay gives the the calmness to try a different response. Plus, your man misses you so much that he pretends to be you by scrubbing things silly. He's a good and smart man, and I'll bet you gave him a big reward!
Dori said…
Wow, you have a wonderful, wonderful husband Renee. :-)
That is so SWEET!!!!!!!
Hurray for your Hubby!!!
!!!BTW
I am hosting a TOY HUNT where u can post a Toy every week ,, we've got a theme to follow.. for sure you'll enjoy this ,, if ur interested feel free to visit my site for details http://whenmomtalks.com/2008/10/come-and-join-my-toy-hunt.html
Thank you ,, hope to see you there...
That is so SWEET!!!!!!!
Hurray for your Hubby!!!
!!!BTW
I am hosting a TOY HUNT where u can post a Toy every week ,, we've got a theme to follow.. for sure you'll enjoy this ,, if ur interested feel free to visit my site for details http://whenmomtalks.com/2008/10/come-and-join-my-toy-hunt.html
Thank you ,, hope to see you there...
Unknown said…
Hmmm...I'm not usually one for all of the mushy stuff but... I did crack a big Kool-Aid smile when my wife told me she wrote this post. I LOVE and APPRECIATE you too, baby. You and Mekhi are my special gifts from up above.
Kathleen W. said…
Doesn't a clean house (that you didn't have to clean yourself) make it all worth while?

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult flight. I haven't flown with my 6 month old yet, but when he is tired, he becomes loud and cranky. I think the other parents on the plane must have sympathized with you and your little boy.
Unknown said…
You're a lucky woman, Renee. Hooray for your husband!
Glad you had a good trip and isn't it great to be home?!
Love,
Jlo
Justice Fergie said…
WOW! A+ for hubby! Aren't you glad you held your tongue at the airport and on the way home? It's so nice when the men surprise us.
That's an inspiring testimony and what a beautiful welcome from your husband. I love hearing this good stuff. Welcome home!

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