As you can probably imagine, after seven days of visiting a variety of far-flung family members, I have managed to acquire some photos. I’ve pared them down to a few (large-ish) handfuls and put them into albums for easy perusal.
Meagan did a fantastic job of organizing Nathan’s surprise party which Frank and Sheri hosted.
For part of Nathan’s present, Meagan got him cake pops which is one of his absolute favorite foods. Meagan just sent this photo of him hiding in the bathroom to eat a cake pop so the kids wouldn’t see.
The unselfish side of parenting can only be carried so far when there are cake pops in the equation.
I stayed at Frank and Sheri’s house during my visit and was so spoiled by their finely honed hospitality. I especially treasured the times Sheri and I had to just sit and talk.
On one of my evenings there, she and Frank and I sat down at around 9 p.m. for a few minutes before heading to bed. Two hours later, we were still there as we had somehow managed to take ourselves off on a tangent of telling stories from our road years. (They traveled with their three daughters for five years and, of course, Steve and I were on the road for fifteen years.)
There were a few times when all three of us stopped breathing entirely because we were laughing so hard. No one understands road stories quite like another roadie and we had plenty of stories to tell and laughs to share. Love those dear friends!
Nathan recently got a promotion at work and this was my first chance to get to see his new work area. Meagan and the kids and I also ate lunch with him in the Publix cafeteria which provides free lunches for employees and families. Steve and I are so proud of Nathan and his diligence and excellence on his job.
On the day I was flying out to Wisconsin we were all in the van and Madison said, “Are you going to your mommy’s house?” When I said that I was, she asked, “Do you have a nice mommy?” I said, “I have a very nice mommy, just like do.”
Such a dear question.
On another night, Madison volunteered to pray over dinner. She said, “Thank you Jesus, that Grandma gets to stay for four days, not just three days. And help all the people in Florida who don’t have a house to live in and help them to have a house.”
Love hearing the heart of a child.
And speaking of conversations, I was so glad that Meagan and I got a chance to snatch some moments together in the midst of caring for the kids. We had some great laughs and also some time for serious conversation. Always love the time I get to spend with that wonderful daughter of mine.
It was also a high point of my trip when Nathan drove me to Tampa to catch my flight. We spent almost two hours together, driving, grabbing lunch and talking about a wide variety of subjects. Those quiet moments with him are so rare; I love listening to all the things on his mind.
The next post will take you on a tour of my Wisconsin travels.
Tomorrow I will board a plane in Milwaukee and head back to Norfolk. As wonderful as traveling is, nothing beats going back home to my house, my hubby, and my dog.
What about you?
Have you ever given (or been on the receiving end) of a surprise birthday party? How successful was the surprise part of it?
I LOVE your photos! 🙂
Fred,
Why thank you, kind sir!
What wonderful pictures of family. This is not a good comparison, but there is nothing cuter and more precious than pictures of babyies, toddlers AND animals. The cuteness of those faces and the tiny sounds they make – oh so precious. So glad you had time alone to spend with Megan and Nathan. Since you don’t live close to them, it is those moments that are very special and to be treasured, which I know you do.. So glad you have a great relationship with Megan’s mom and dad. Yes, only those who have traveled as a ministry have a special bond. Blessings.
Sharyn
You’re so right about babies, toddlers and animals. They ALL display a billion levels of cuteness.
It was such a joy to get to snuggle with Andrew. Such a wonderful feeling to take a nap with a newborn.
As usual, your pictures are great! They make me smile seeing those happy faces (big and little). Your Florida trip looks to be a great success. I hope the Wisconsin leg was just as great. Safe travels!
I threw a surprise party for my husband on his 50th. He had been golfing in a tournament that day and when he got home he was blown away with surprise to see a back yard full of people and all of the accompanying ‘over the hill’ decorations, food, etc.! He had no clue. 🙂
Then when I turned 50, he and the kids threw a surprise party for me. I am a detail girl TO. THE. BONE. so when things started not adding up in their effort to surprise me, I figured it out. When we got to the party location I tried to act surprised. Then, a few minutes later, around the corner came my dad, mom, brother and sister in law (all from Colorado) and I truly WAS surprised!! What a wonderful day it was!!
Lee Anne,
So nice that you truly were surprised on birthday, even though you’d figured out the party part of it. To have family show up from out of state is one of the best surprises there is. Kudos to your husband and kids for putting all that together.
I threw my husband an awesome, if I do say so myself, surprise party for his 30th, he went golfing with a friend and meanwhile about 50 of our friends and family members gathered in our backyard and he almost fell over from the surprise!! When my sister turned 40 her husband threw her a surprise party at their club, I was living in Kansas City at the time, they were in NJ and when she saw me, she burst out crying, we hadn’t seen each other in awhile….the hardest part there was hiding out at my Mom’s for 2 days, hoping she wouldn’t stop by unexpectedly! So glad you had such a good trip, there is nothing like visiting family.
Dale,
Bringing in a sister for a surprise guest is the best! I can only imagine the tears. And I can also imagine how fun it was “hiding out” in the days leading up to the party. It’s so much fun to be a part of a big surprise.
Oh my goodness — seems like I don’t have time to look at your blog like I used to, but I’m glad I did so today. These pictures are just simply cuteness times four! What a sweet, beautiful family!
Karen,
Cuteness times four. Perfect description!
I so enjoyed looking at all your wonderful pictures! Two of my favorite were Nathan “hiding” to eat his cake pop and the one of their family walking between the cubicles at Nathan’s job. How nice that Publix’s cafeteria feeds them. Sounds like you had some wonderful times visiting with both the Hawley’s and with Meagan. I hope you have an easy, safe trip home and I look forward to the pictures and stories of your visit to Wisconsin.
Sue Ellen,
Yes, that cake pop picture was a hoot. He is VERY serious about that particular dessert! 🙂
Great pictures. Looks like you had lots of fun with the grandkids. Publix is a great place to work based on what I remember from Tampa. Also a great place to shop. I miss Publix here in Kansas sometimes. Don’t envy you that trip from Nathan’s to Tampa on I4 though. That road is always busy.
We did a surprise party for my dad’s 90th three years ago. My cousin and her husband came up on Friday night as they couldn’t come on Saturday. He was pretty surprised about that. Saturday his two sisters and niece from Springfield came up. He was surprised about that. Unfortunately don’t think he was too surprised about my younger brother and his family and older brother and his daughter as my older brother had made some comment about seeing him that weekend. And they say women can’t keep a secret!
Phyllis,
What a privilege to be able to give your dad a 90th surprise birthday. That must have been such a joy!
And yes, I know that it is difficult sometimes to keep words from slipping out in the days leading up to the surprise. Amazing the things we all can say without thinking!
Godspeed my love
Steve,
Thank you for being my drop off/pick up guy!
What an awesome trip you’ve had! And your grandchildren are all so cute! My daughter threw a surprise 50th birthday party for my husband and me a few years or so ago. We had absolutely no idea, as it was between both of our birthdays. My in-laws flew in and so did our son and daughter-in-law and the house was packed! We were both completely and utterly surprised and speechless. To my recollection that is the only surprise party I’ve ever had, although I’ve been involved in many surprises for other people. It was a fun day. I’m so glad you got to be there for Nathan’s surprise. Safe travels back south!
Gayle,
How fun to get to do the surprise birthday along with your husband. Double the surprise; double the fun!
And it sounds like you really and truly WERE surprised which makes it all the more exciting.
LOVE all of the pics! I especially love the pic of the new Smith’s…party of 6! They need just 2 more girls to make it even =)
It’s always so nice to get away for a bit and visit with family. And all of the chats, I know, were so special.
No surprise birthday parties, but a surprise housewarming. I had just moved in to my own place when I was 22ish and my family got a bunch of friends to come over. I opened the door after work and was startled out of my skin! It was so fun, tho.
Praying for safe travels.
Krista,
A surprise housewarming is a GREAT idea! I know it must have meant the world that they did that for you. When you’re young and just starting out, every bit of encouragement and help is so appreciated.
Jim gave me a surprise birthday party one Wednesday night at church after prayer meeting. Really nice. Love traveling but as you said always nice to get back home. Love the pictures. Enjoy your day today and safe travels back tomorrow.
Ann,
Good for Jim! I know he had a lot of fun getting all that organized for you. 🙂