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Sunday, February 18, 2007

Grains of Gratitude

This morning is not starting off well at all. I just typed out a pretty long post and somehow lost it. In the past when I thought I lost a post I could click on "recover post" and it would be there, or go to edit posts and it would be there in draft form, but not this time, of course. So now I have to sit here and type it out all again. Can we just start the day all over again?

It was a long night last night, more so for Joe than me, but I didn't get a lot of sleep either. As I mentioned in yesterday's post he went it to work about noon. (I'm not even going to try and attempt to explain what they had to do with the network/computers/servers because I don't understand myself!) The point is he didn't get home until 5:10 this morning! Yes you read that right...seventeen hours later! 17!! Good grief! Can you imagine the overtime pay for something like that? Except this is the military and there is no overtime pay!

And of course I don't sleep well when he's not home, but I was up about every hour or 2 to see if he was home yet. I could only doze off for small periods of time. I was up at 7 with Kayla and now I'm trying to keep her quiet and occupied while he catches up on sleep. We're supposed to go to 2 birthday parties today; in between Kayla will have her nap and I'm taking one too!

I do actually have things to be grateful for - the whole point of this post!

1. I'm grateful I got another email from my brother. He's about 1/2 way through his tour in Afghanistan. He did end his email by saying the only "excitement" so far was being woken up by a durka (?) rocket that landed about 200 yards away. Ok did he really need to include that in his email? Especially knowing he was sending it to our mom? I'm grateful there were no injuries from that incident.

2. I'm grateful for good books to read. For Christmas my in-laws gave me the new Dean Koontz book Brother Odd that I had requested. When my MIL found out that I hadn't read the first 2 books in that series yet - Odd Thomas and Forever Odd - she told me I couldn't read it yet; I had to start at the beginning. I finally got to the base library and thankfully they had both of those books. I read them in about a week. They were really, really good. I finally started Brother Odd last night.

3. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to attend a "Ladies' Luncheon" with the 12th Air Force's general's wife. They were here for a visit and board members from the enlisted and officers' spouses' organization were invited to lunch with the general's wife. Dress was slacks or a long skirt. So I got to dress up and have an adults-only lunch!

4. Grateful that I married a genuinely nice guy. Not only did he take his lunch so he could be home with Kayla while I went to that luncheon (which meant he would have to be gone more than an hour) but he also watched a friend of ours son. Her husband had an appt and couldn't go home to watch their son (she was going to the luncheon too) so she dropped him off here to play with Kayla (and it's not the first time he's watched him).

5. Another reason he's a great guy: A guy he works with slipped on some ice about a month ago and broke his foot/ankle. His surgery was on Mon in El Paso. El Paso is 1.5 hrs away and he can't drive himself there. He's single and has no family in the area. You see where this is going right? Joe took him there, but he even got up at 3AM since he had to be there at 5:30. He told me I would do the same thing for Sue if her husband was gone and she needed to go to Willam Beaumont. I looked at him like he was crazy. At 3AM? I don't think so! I'd tell her I could take her up the day before and she could stay at lodging and get there bright and early the next day! Besides, at 3AM it's still dark outside and I don't have very good night vision. Anyway, he drove him there, walked him in to the hospital, through admissions, and to the lab for his bloodwork. He was home by 7AM and went to work. I asked him if he was going to work 1/2 day since he was up so early. He said he was going to try and come home after lunch, but wasn't sure because there is a big inspection coming up; he didn't get home until 5PM that day. Yep, genuinely nice guy.

25 comments:

TJ said...

I love your "grains of gratitude"!!
a Dean Koontz fan...I would have never thunk it...lol!!
:-D

Carole Burant said...

Hopefully you will be able to get a much needed naps in between the birthday parties!! Your hubby truly is a one of a kind guy, would do anything for anybody...have to admire him for that:-) I've read quite a few Dean Koontz books, he's one of my favourite authors!! Hugs xox

Marlo said...

I've heard a lot of great things about Odd Thomas but haven't had a chance to pick it up yet. The cover is interesting though and every time I pass by it I think to myself "I really need to pick that book up!"

I think after reading your post I may just do so. I finished the last book of his I own just a few weeks ago. Time for another bookstore run!

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

I don't sleep well when my hubby isn't home either. I hope you can get some nap time in. Your hubby sounds like a wonderful guy. You are blessed. Thanks for the book suggestions. I went to the library yesterday, but couldn't find anything to read. I'll have to see if they have those. Hope you have a wonderful week!

Anonymous said...

I am so inspired by your Sunday posts I was going to start them this week ... but I could not muster a real post today :(

Sounds like another great week!

Linda said...

Yes he is. He has a servant's heart. I believe the Lord is very fond of those :-)
I haven't heard of those books, but they sound fascinating. When I finish the pile I have on my nightstand, I'll look for them in the library.
Always enjoy these sunday visits. I hope you get that nap!!

Dori (Aviva's mommy) said...

WHat a great guy you have there. I understand about not sleeping well without DH. Mine does overnights, it does get easie.

Great list this week.

HUGS!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry your day started outso bad :-( Wow Joe sure is working some long hours! Michelle, you don't know how proud it makes me to have a son like Joe when I read the wonderful stuff you have to say about him. I could never find the right words to explain how much it means to us to have a son like him.

Kari said...

Your husband sounds like a real nice guy:)
Congrats on the "grown ups only lunch" must of been nice to talk to grown ups and not have a little girl to chase for a while!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Joe is a great guy and a great "best-friend-in-law" too. He really does go above and beyond doesn't he? I've said it before- his mom raised him right. I hope you all catch up on your sleep today. :-)
love you.

Anonymous said...

Wow - that is a nice guy! You're very lucky.

Has Kayla seen her enhanced pic yet?

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

I'm glad that even though it's been a rough day - you still have some good things to be grateful for! I'll have to check out Odd Thomas - I've heard good things about it.

Anonymous said...

I have a hard time sleeping if Gary is not home either. We fall asleep in each others arms, so when he had to go to a conference for 3 days I didn't get any sleep.It's funny how you mention those books. I'm reading them now. I had the first book then my sister-in-law gave me the other two.
Anyone who reads your blog can just tell what a wonderful husband and father he is.I know I've told you before but you did find your soul mate. You have such a wonderful life with him and your sweet daughter.I have never seen you happier then you are with Joe.
Mike should of not sent that email to your Mom. I know that has to scare her and make her worry. I'm sure she is counting the days until he comes back. Being a Mom myself that would for sure scare me. I hope your Mom is okay!
love,
mimi

Beck said...

Your husband sounds WONDERFUL. If mine has to be out of town for some reason I make my mom stay over. That's how big a suck I am.
And I'm going to say again how envious I am of your social life - I want to go to a dress-up ladies luncheon, too!

Michelle said...

Hi! I just found your blog, and I wanted to tell you that your daughter is absolutely adorable!

Michelle

Jessica said...

Wow, I hope you got a nap in! I don't blame you for being tired!

Your hubby is such a nice guy and I've never even met him! You're a very lucky woman!

Sandra said...

Wow I totally understand the military overtime and the long hours. It's amazing the long hours these guys have to work.

I love Dean Koontz, hubby and I have most of his books, huge collection and we still keep adding to it :)

Hubby loved Odd Thomas, I haven't read it yet though...let me know how you liked it.

Hugs,
Sandra

Catch said...

Your husband is a gem! Everyone should have a friend like him, every little girl should have a Daddy like him...and wouldnt it be wonderful if we all could have a husband as caring as him??? You are very lucky Michelle, but then so is he..he has you!

K.T. is Mommatude said...

Sounds like he is a wonderful guy.


I understand that frustration with losing the post,I myself have done that many times.....unfortunately.

L. Noelle said...

Good for you for being able to stay grateful, even though you had a rough night/beginning fo the day! That's always the best way to be!

Eden said...

Awesome list, Michelle! You have wonderful gifts in your life to be grateful for!

S. said...

It sounds like you have a gem of a husband there--that is awesome.

I just read The Kiterunner--most of which takes place in Afghanistan. I hope the time passes quickly until your brother comes home!

Calico Sky said...

What a lovely man! Does he have any friends? ;-)
Love your post, your gratitude truly inspires me!

Anonymous said...

hats off to genuinely nice guys!

Barb said...

Now that you've read the first two Odd books, I'm sure you know your MIL was right. The story flows. Krissy got the third one for Christmas, too. From me. And I'm dying for her to read it so I can borrow it.

Yep. You really are married to a genuinely nice guy. And I'm glad you got to go out for a luncheon. What a nice break for you!