Decorating the tree and a Surprise!

On December 4 we did something we had not ever done before as a family. We brought home a real, previously alive, Christmas tree! The smell was amazing.

It was the perfect Christmas tree for are home. Tall enough to reach the ceiling (Karaia's request) but not too wide as to crowd the already fought for living space (My request).

Let the decorating begin!

At least they are all looking in this one.

Sanders loved the little book advent calendar

By the end it was heavily decorate on the bottom and in the middle. It wasn't anything fancy, but we'd done it as a family and we loved it.

Later that day, Kevin had said he was going to take me out to dinner for my 31st birthday (my birthday is on the 9th but there was a TON going on that day so this was going to be the only we had). He said his mom was able to squeeze us in but she didn't have much time. She would be here at 5 pm and but she needed to leave at 6:30.

"You only set aside an hour and a half to celebrate my birthday?"

"It will be OK."

"But only an hour and a half?"

"Emilie.....it will be OK."

The knowing way he said it made me stop in my tracks. It was my first glimmer that there may be more. But I wasn't going to jump to conclusions. I was already a little bummed that we only had a short amount of time to spend for my birthday and I wasn't about to get my hopes up only to set myself up for disappointment.

Besides, the day had gone really smoothly. Kevin didn't seem extra stressed. He wasn't doing any extra cleaning. We were just having a really low key, decorate the tree and the house for Christmas day. Other than that, it was pretty normal.

I was trying to get in the mood to make the most of the time we did have. About 20 minutes before Candace showed up my suspicions were peaked again when Kevin pointed to something on the island, sadly known for always being a bit cluttered with my stuff, and asked if I was going to put the one lone thing on it away. This way only curious because he NEVER asks if I am going to put anything away. He knows I work hard with the kids and he knows if it hasn't been put away yet, there is a reason. AND only ONE thing on the island is fantastic for me. So for him to notice let alone say anything made me rethink, but not totally commit, to the idea that there was more than I knew about going on.

We went to dinner at Lonestar. We had not been in years and now we remember why. It didn't really help my mood that I was trying to create. Not only did I have a limited amount of time to enjoy with Kev but now I pick a restaurant that was not worth the money.

The one good thing was we were out of there fast so we had some time to window shop. Many of you may not now this, but Kevin is not a shopper. However, he will shop with me and is very pleasant company. He never rushes me and feigns honest interest in what we  are looking at.

As we were in Pier One Kevin's phone started ringing, and ringing, and ringing. Which is in of itself not super unusual. What is unusual is that he would walk away from me every time it rang.

Hmmmm.....

Finally, the appointed time to return arrived. I told myself not to expect anything. I told myself all the curiosities could be explained. I told myself not to ruin this for Kev.

As it turns out, I have a pretty amazing husband. And all thought I was not totally surprised, I was totally overwhelmed.

A surprise Birthday Party for me! My first one ever. Of course I cried. That's what I do.
Thank you to everyone who helped out or where able to come!! I felt very loved and very special. I know Kevin had been planning this for weeks and most of that time I had no idea. (plus, I've always been very good at solving a mystery)  It was a wonderful way to start celebrating my 31 st birthday. THANK YOU KEVIN!!!!

And as my dad pointed out, 31 candles makes a lot of light. That means I'll only get brighter as the years come and go. I don't see that as a bad thing when I have all these people to share it with.