I usually say "Expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed".
All these years in the Marine Corps and that works for me almost all the time.
But today, I broke my own rule and I had high expectations.
After deciding that we could not do NOTHING for Wade's 40
th birthday, like we had all agreed, I decided to cut our school day short and take the kids into town to get decorations, gifts, and a special dinner. Since we weren't planning to go out until tomorrow, it would be a surprise!
My plan: Wade and I would to eat dinner alone while the big kids were at swim and the babies were watching a movie. A presentation by the kids would follow, once they got home, and then we'd watch Wade blow out candles, eat cake, and open gifts.
Late in the afternoon Wade called and said he'd be late.
With my experience, I could have predicted that with my eyes closed.
NO
Problemo...We'd adjust and have a family dinner. I'd just have everything ready when he walked in and...SURPRISE!!!
So I took the kids to swim and let the babies start the movie I'd promised.
45 minutes from the time I was supposed to pick up the big kids, I started calling Wade, who was on his way home, to see if he would pick them up on his way in.
This way, I could have dinner on the table when they walked in and ... SURPRISE!
30 minutes out, I call again... No answer.
15 minutes out, 10, 8, 5, 4 minutes out.
2 minutes passed when I should have left. .. Still no answer!
Finally, grumbling something like, "Why in the @*! do we have cell phones anyway!?!?" under my breath, I get the babies shoes and coats on and head through the door to pick up the big kids. Wade's at the front porch!!
Food in the oven (did I mention that?), table half set, and not at all happy that my plans are crumbling all around me, I say in a tone I am not proud of,"Surprise, keep the babies, I'm late!" and get in my van.
The whole way to
Gushikawa, I pray for God to set my heart straight before I walk back into the house because I don't want to ruin what is left of Wade's birthday. It's like after 7 pm now, and the babies go down at 8.... but I am still mad. Can't I just be thankful we're all together this year? Today is about him, not me! But my plans didn't work out! I wanted to surprise him...blah, blah, blah!! Ah, selfish pride!
The big kids get in the van and can immediately tell something is wrong.
When they ask, I proceed to tell them what has happened, and how the plans we've laid out ALL day long are now ruined.
"Don't worry, he'll still be surprised by the gifts!"
"Yeah, but Jackson, I didn't buy him a gift!!!"
At this point my sweet, sincere son answers back, "But Mom, you're the only gift he needs"
I know, right?
Cue tears!
I take a deep breath, Thanking God for setting me straight, and tell him he's right.
It'll be
ok. We can still have fun.
We get home and guess what?? We still had fun!
Wade thought the dinner he pulled out of the oven , which consisted of 5 chicken tenders for Jackson, and mashed potatoes for Sara, who can't eat anything because of her sore mouth, (thanks to the orthodontist visit yesterday) was a joke!
He thought maybe it was like Jesus' miracle with the fish and loaves of bread!
The yummy sushi and orange chicken, Wade's favorite from out in town, was still in the fridge and still a surprise! The presentations were great, and the cake way good!
Happy 40
th Birthday Wade!!
Even though your birthday didn't go according to my plans, it was still "just right"...like you!
We love you so much and thank God for you every day!
And today I am also thankful for my son. He'd rather play
wii than listen to me teach, it's almost impossible for him to eat vegetables without
complaining, and even though sometimes he can't recall something I have just read to him, literally like 4 seconds before, he is still one of the smartest people I know! Love you Jacks!
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