Great Expectations!

I've never read this book, but I'm thinking maybe one day I should.  Afterall, it is a "classic" so it's got to be good on some level, right????  Anyway, after some self reflection this year I've come to the epiphany that 90% of my frustrations & disappointment in life come from my own "great expectations".  I was blessed with a grand imagination fueled by romantic fairy tales, and picture perfect children, all with the "flair" of Martha Stewart.  Now that I've identified this "flaw" in my character I'm working on making my expectations a little more realistic.  But, it's a little easier said than done. (for me anyway...) 

Let's take last night for example...  Jarred and I had our first date in about 6 months.  It was not either of our intentions to go that long, but with the reality of our move, his job travel, the holidays, kid commitments, and babysitter issues, that's just how it went.  Anyway, the hopeless romantic in me thought all day about what I should wear... I based my entire outfit around the pearl earrings & necklace Jarred bought me for our 10 year anniversary (seeing as this would be the first night we would get to "celebrate" it together).  Thoughts of a photo opportunity came to mind, and then when Jarred said he needed to run to town and was vauge about the details, I actually let my head entertain the idea that he might be planning something special or better yet, buying me something sentimental or romantic.  

Thankfully I reeled in my thoughts and focused on getting to spend uninterrupted quality time with my husband.  I removed ALL the "expectations" I had for the evening because that thought alone was enough to make me happy, seeing as it's become a competition between the girls who can love on Daddy the most when he's home.  It's just too precious and I wouldn't dare come between that priceless relationship that is so so important between a daddy and his little girls.  Anyway, we had reservations at Perini's (THE steakhouse in these parts... apparently George W used to fly the owner of this steakhouse in to cook his steaks while he was in the White House, and it's rated the #3 steakhouse by Texas Montly).  It was DE-licious!!!!   Honestly I've never had a better steak in my life!!!  Unfortunately we were so full, we didnt' save room for dessert.  Guess that means we'll have to just go back again! LOL!  After dinner neither one of us had any ideas of what to do so we went into "town", and ran a few errands (of which I was grossly overdressed for, but I didn't care... I was getting to spend time with my man!).

The old me would have been disappointed that for our first date in over 6 months it took Jarred less than 20 minutes to get ready (with no real thought as to what he would wear), there were no surprises, we didn't take a single picture, and it included a trip to Best Buy, the gas station, etc., BUT the new me was just happy to enjoy life and our time together!  There are so many things in this world that can change our life in an instant and I for one have taken too many things for granted for a long time.  I'm going to make a daily effort to enjoy the people and blessings in my life as they come and save all the "great expectations" for Hollywood to put on the big screen.