A Merry Change of Plans

So my mother-in-law calls this morning. She and my father-in-law are gone for the weekend, so her call was a bit of a surprise.

"Hey Nicole! We're at the Lights of Christmas on Camano Island. This place is just amazing! We've got a hotel room, and John and I were wondering if you guys wanted to come up today and stay with us? We have two extra tickets and Caleb would just love it!"

She goes on to tell me about the petting zoo, the trails all lit up with lights, the dinner theater, the Polar Express train rides, and the Victorian Carolers. I listen and drool.

But then I say, "Kim, I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure we can't come. Jason and I were planning to paint Caleb's jungle gym today."

[This is where the I-don't-handle-change-of-plans-well part of my personality surfaces]

But I do go on to say, "I will talk to Jason and see what he says; I'm not sure we can swing it, but I'd really like to come."

[Enter the I-would-really-like-to-come-but-I'm-positive-my-husband-will-say-no-so-I'm-not-going-to-get-my-hopes-up attitude. I'm sure Kim could hear it in my voice].

I hang up the phone (or rather, I hit the cancel button on my cell) and march down the stairs to Jason. I begin to relay to him what his mother has just told me.

"Well, would you like to go?" he asks. I look at him. One of those looks. A look that says Please don't mess with me. He smirks at me and says "I guess I already know the answer to that."

"The real question is, is it worth it? To put all our plans on hold?" I'm a planner type of person. I don't feel comfortable changing plans rapidly; it kinda scares me, actually. And if I leave work undone, I feel guilty.

But. I do want to go. This place sounds amazing. And after all, it is Christmas. :) So goes the internal struggle.

That's when I brought up the website for Warm Beach. We started watching a little video presentation on these Lights of Christmas, and after 3.6 seconds, Jason says: "Ok, I've seen enough. We're going."

I sure love that man. I do. :)

And not because he agrees to take me fun, beautiful, amazing places. But rather because he allows room for changes and isn't bothered by putting off work and chores when something unique and special comes along.

So today and tonight, instead of painting, we will be caroling and petting animals and riding trains and eating freshly fried doughnuts. :)

Merry Christmas!