Surprise!

Well, I pulled it off. I managed to throw Chuck a surprise birthday party today and he didn't figure it out!

I sent Chuck for a massage this afternoon and while he was gone some friends and I got the house ready. He came home to a house full of people. Yay!!

For the sake of the boys, I had to keep the guest list small. I pretty much limited it to people he hangs out with on a weekly basis and then some good friends. And of course I missed people. Like you, Terri. How could I forget to invite you?! I put the guest list together and sent out the Evite last Saturday while nursing Tristan. Chuck kept coming into the room so I had to keep shutting my laptop. So, while I feel terrible that I missed people, I have grace for myself given the circumstances of my planning (or lack there of...). That, folks, is growth for me.

Anyhow, there are some very special people I need to thank. Co (that's Nicole to those over age 5) picked up the cake and some forgotten items for me. She showed up early and stayed late and kept Tristan for most of the party. She also did the dirty job of clean up - and who likes to clean up after a party?? Thanks, Nicole. You showed me love and service today. The fabulous Austin's came early and helped me set up. Poor Billy had the task of de-spiderwebbing a table. Dominique and Erwin also showed up early (without even being asked to!) and helped get things set up. Dana stuck it out with Nicole after everyone left and helped clean up. She also left her cream cheese and pastrami dip and crackers (which I'm presently munching on!)

All together we had 24 adults and 19 kids. Yeah, and that was on a very limited guest list. I can't imagine what the totals would have been if I had invited everyone I wanted to invite. Last November we had a party with 70-some people and thankfully it was nice out and we could go outdoors. Today was pretty cold so we were all crammed inside.

Today was fun, but now I am exhausted. I'm so thankful we have friends we share life with.