BLESS HIS HEART (it's been a while!)

Every once in a while - a long time ago - I'd write an entire blog post devoted to bragging on my husband ... but I haven't done it in a while - not because I have nothing to brag about, but for several reasons:  (1) while I tend to be a rambling open book, my husband prefers to keep his life and activities private, (2) because I sometimes think people don't really want to read the mushy, gushing details about MY husband when they've probably got their very own great guy at home - or even worse, if they don't, and (3) the things I think are WONDERFUL may not be what others consider too exciting ...
HOWEVER, I've been following Rochelle for a while now - and she posts DAILY about how she is attempting to encourage and honor her husband - and it motivates ME to focus more on the most important person on this planet to me:  my husband!  :)

AND SO:  in sharing about my Labor Day weekend, I *will* tell you what a wonderful husband I have!!  Let me preface my ramblings today by stating that we have lived in Missouri over 10 years now - and have had - by default - season tickets to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri for at least 8 of the 10 years.  Most people would think we were pretty fortunate to have family (my in-laws) living in Branson (a vacation area in the Midwest) and be able to go there on a routine basis ... but for me, it has become just that:  routine.  Silver Dollar City (SDC) is nice - and I do enjoy seasons of it (Christmas time is MY FAVORITE!!), I really am getting to where I dread the parking lots, the cramped tram rides, the crowds, the lines to shows, etc ... SDC isn't even THAT bad - but I'm getting crankier in my old age, I guess!!?
So, this weekend, I had high hopes that my little family of 5 would be able to do something JUST US ... However, my in laws called and invited us to Branson/Silver Dollar City.  Now, I am not shallow enough to say I won't go ... right now my father-in-law is facing open heart surgery in the near future - and we really need to spend as much time as possible with him.  It isn't about ME - it's about my kids being with their grandparents & about the grandparents having us there for them.  So, after our afternoon service on Sunday, we drove the 2 hours to Branson. 

And this is where my husband becomes my HERO!  He knows my feelings for SDC - and when my in laws started planning their earliest-possible start to go to SDC on Monday morning to avoid the Labor Day crowds, I felt my anxiety levels rising.  THANKFULLY, my husband suggested that I could just stay home with the baby.  PHEW.  And stay home, I did. 

After a very NOT restful night of Miriam not settling down until after midnight while everyone else snoozed and snored, I finally slept fitfully the rest of the night - and got up long enough to say good-bye to everyone as they happily left for SDC - and I went back to bed!  Later, Miriam and I went to Target so I could use a slew of coupons I had for laundry detergent, diapers, cleaners, lotions, make-up, gum, and so much more!  I also found a 50% off a school back pack for Andrew (so glad I waited to get one!!) - and sweet little dress shoes for Miriam that were $1.99 off.

The Bible teaches not just that the wife should submit to her husband - but that the husband submit (as such) to the needs of his wife.  Dan knows by now that sometimes I just need a day OFF from activities that his family thrives on.  Some day maybe I'll write a post contrasting my family (all night owls & slow starters) vs. his family (morning people & doers and movers) - and how we make it work!  It takes a little extra understanding and acceptance - and thankfully, we usually all get along just fine.  :) 

Today I am so thankful that my husband submitted to my need to just do something low key.  It reminds me of the MANY things my husband does for me - subtly - that help me so much!  Of course, he also knows if Momma is kept happy, EVERYONE is happy.  ;)