Pleasant Surprise

Today started out like any other day...hitting snooze several times on the alarm clock, bidding Scott farewell as he walked off to work, taking care of Micah, checking some e-mails, doing some work for Breakthrough, etc.

Sometime mid-afternoon Micah and I hopped in the car and drove off to the grocery store. I had some items I needed to pick up because we're having our good friend Luke Patin over for dinner.

I took my sweet time roaming the aisles at Dominick's, and checked things off my list one by one...milk, cheddar cheese, apples...

Micah and I wheeled our way into the check-out line and watched as our friendly cashier beeped all of our items, making the dollar signs climb. A bagger or two enjoyed saying hi to Micah, and seeing what his response would be. Sometimes he smiles, sometimes he whines, sometimes he ignores. This time he just lazily glanced there way and kept sucking his pacifier - it was nearing nap time.

After swiping my credit card, the cashier handed me my receipt and an upside down piece of paper. As I began to exit the store, I flipped over the piece of paper and was pleasantly surprised to find a coupon good for one free beverage at Starbuck's, which was conveniently located near Dominick's doors. Could it be, I thought to myself, that this is actually 100% free? Sure enough, Micah and I made a stop at Starbuck's and greeted the barista warmly, I just got this at the register! I told her. Hmmm...would you recommend the Pumpkin Spice frappuccino? I inquired (I had been eying this beverage last time I saw a Starbuck's menu, but couldn't justify buying it).

With frap in hand, and baby in cart, Micah and I headed toward the car where I took my first sip of the frothy goodness. Wow, it sure was delicious...and absolutely free. I enjoyed the ride home more than I thought I would as I savored the sweet, cold beverage. Micah enjoyed his own beverage of choice (a 6 oz. bottle, revving up for nap time).

Upon arriving in the back of our apartment building, I finished up my drink (good to the last drop), and started loading up for the 3-floor climb upstairs - baby, diaper bag, groceries. I realized that one of the reasons I had enjoyed my beverage so much (aside from the sugary goodness), was that it had been free of charge. God knows how much I like a bargain, and this one I hadn't even seen coming.

I arrived at the back door of our apartment building winded but content. God is so sweet to give us little joys in our day. Today mine happened to be in the form of a Pumpkin Spice frappuccino.