Surprise Party Week

It was a great weekend! We had a great suprise party for Harvey and it turned it out almost perfectly. I can't even <i>begin</i> to tell you how hard it was to gather everything during the week with two tired little ones after work/school every day, but it got done! I seriously can't believe the wealth I have in friends and family! People high and low, ready and willing to help with whatever they could to make the day special. My neighbors opened their home to storing all the groceries and party supplies, a Lifegroup friend, Amy, picked up the humongous cake for me and got helium balloons blown, some other friends brought kitchen supplies (Alexandra), and still more family cooked and prepared ALL of the food (Harvey's brother Gary, his mom, and my sister-in-law Lisa all helped). I had no part in the legwork--I had the "tough" job of keeping Harvey from being suspicious and we went shopping while it all came together at home without his knowledge. I had "arranged" for his parents to come babysit while we had an afternoon date, and when we returned, everyone was to surprise him. Well, Harvey got a little carried away with the shopping (go figure!). Believing that this was the only downtime he would have with me, he squeezed as much time as he could out of the trip (and his parents!). I had to finally say, "We've got to go...now! (I made a promise to your parents...yada, yada, yada...haha!)" to get him out of Macy's! We finally started home, an hour behind schedule (imagine my nerves in the passenger seat!). I was texting friends on the way there and couldn't be more relieved when we pulled into the driveway. I had my camera with me and told him to just let me out first, so I did, and walked into the house. That's when I found everyone was at the wrong door! Everyone quickly moved over to the kitchen door where he would be entering, and I quickly switched off the lights and got my camera ready. Harvey came in, the lights came on, and everyone yelled SURPRISE! then burst into "Happy Birthday to You". It was majestic--Harvey was so red and speechless--he didn't know what was going on and was truly surprised at all the people. The rest of the night and the next day, we rode the waves of feeling loved by everyone that came and helped out. We loved it; I'm so glad I did it!

Some pictures from that night!

Well, his birthday is so special and I'm so glad I have God to thank for him. He is a great man of love and faith and it has been an incredible journey with him and I am looking forward to the rest of this life alongside him. I look at our children and they are such a blessing to us--he is overflowing with love for them and for our life. It has been amazing!

Here are some fun pictures of Harvey with our baby Lathan having fun in the pool ;)

The Lord God knows my heart like no one else and He has been faithful beyond belief! I praise the Almighty One and am joyful in His wonderful and amazing presence! I know He has a plan for me, for each of us, and I am so glad to be counted in His kingdom...there is nothing else I know or want to know! Without my Lord, I am nothing. He teaches me to live for others and to and love them until my cup is emptied to be filled with His Spirit again. Thank the Lord for the heaven He has in store for me; I am created for a place I've never known!

May your week be blessed with His Goodness, Love, and Grace. He will show you the way!