The day started with Gabe getting up early and making me breakfast. He and the kids delivered it to me in bed and sat with me while Gabe read "Happy Birthday to You" by Dr. Suess. Quirky little tradition we started thanks to Clark and Lynnsey Peterson.
After that the kids and I got ready to go to REACH, our home school co-op that we attend on Fridays. I noticed at 7:15 that Gabe was still around (he usually leaves for work around 7:00) I asked if he was going to be late and he said that he had "made arrangements". So I assume that he meant arrangements for him to come in late. Little did I know!!
At the end of REACH I was sitting in the lounge talking to a friend when in strolls my sweet, wonderful husband in shorts and sandals... definitely not work clothes! When he left to go to "work", he actually went to waste time while he waited for us to leave. Then he went back home and spent the morning cleaning the house and decorating it for my birthday.
So after REACH, Gabe swooped the kids and I off for a picnic at one of our favorite parks. I opened gifts and played with the kids. It was blissful. For my gifts (by the way I had told him NO GIFTS - he didn't listen!!) he cut out the shapes of shoes and clothes from construction paper. He wrapped them in a big box and at the bottom was a gift card for Kohl's. YEAH - I get to go shopping for me! I can't tell you the last time I actually bought something for myself. He also bought me some perfume, something else I just don't buy for myself.
We could have stopped the day right there and it would have been perfect, but Gabe had more surprises. We headed home after the picnic and I actually got to lay on my bed in the middle of the day, read my book, and even snooze a bit while Gabe and Julia made me a cake and Isaac worked on a special project. Did I mention blissful?!!
Isaac came in my room later and presented his gift for me. He had wrapped it himself as well. Isaac made me bracelets with pipe cleaners, streamers, and stickers. The most precious things I have ever seen. Definitely a lifetime keepsake. He was so proud that he was able to make something for me. He told me later that he had asked Gabe if he could get me some sparkly jewelry from Wal-Mart, but Gabe planted the idea of him making me a gift instead. I would much rather have custom designed jewelry from my son any day!
When the kids and Gabe finished decorating the cake, they brought me in and sang happy birthday to me. I even had candles to blow out!! It has been a long time since I have blown out candles on my birthday!! We did the unthinkable and had cake before dinner! (Isaac and Julia especially enjoyed this little perk of my birthday)
After that we headed out for dinner at Macaroni Grill. I was craving some mushroom ravioli. As we were headed that way, Gabe missed the exit. There was a lot of traffic on the other side of the highway so I thought we would be stuck trying to get back in the right direction. But as I looked over at Gabe he had a twinkle in his eye. He knew exactly what he was doing. Another surprise!
He gave me a few hints:
*the number three
*I love you 1st
*silver
The silver hint made me think it was jewelry, but I was thrown off by the other two hints. We ended up at James Avery. I was given a charm bracelet by Gabe's brother and his wife a few years back. They had given it to me with an "I" and "J" on it for Isaac and Julia. Later Gabe added a heart with "I love you 1st" engraved on it. Since before Caleb was born I have been saying that we need to get a "C" for Caleb. That was my surprise! Gabe had my bracelet in his pocket when we got there and we bought the newest charm.
From there we finally went to Macaroni Grill and was told it would be a 45 minute wait. It was already 7:00 but we decided to wait it out anyway. The 45 min. wait mysteriously turned into a 5 min. wait and we were seated immediately. We had a wonderful and relaxed dinner together. Children were well behaved and pleasant. Scrumptious food. It was great!
Gabe and the kids effectively spoiled me rotten yesterday. I jokingly told Gabe that I would wake up today and be depressed because it is not by birthday anymore. Not depressed today, but definitely filled up. Gabe and I talk a lot about our love tanks and when someone loves us the way we feel loved, then our tanks get filled up. Well, my tank is filled and overflowing. I feel very celebrated, loved, and adored all thanks to my sweet husband and precious children. Thank you God for blessing me with them!
3 comments:
WOW! Tears in my eyes reading of the love your family showed you yesterday...so special. I certainly understand how it was your favorite birthday ever! You are one blessed woman and they are even more blessed to have you and they really demonstrated it to you!
Aw, what a sweet birthday treat!!! :)
Dear, dear Cheryl. I love you five so very much. What a wonderful story.
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