The Surprise of a Lifetime

Yesterday Tyler and Sarah and our precious new granddaughter arrived to spend a few days with us.  Our hearts are overflowing.  And for the record, she is beautiful beyond beautiful!  We are completely smitten.

After being here a few hours Tyler announced he was going to meet a fellow soldier for coffee and asked Dw to go along.   I thought {although I didn't say anything}, "That's so weird.  Tyler is not exactly the social butterfly and besides, dinner's gonna' be ready soon.  Well, okay, whatever."

Well as it was, they didn't come back and didn't come back and didn't come back and dinner was done, the dishes cleaned up and still no sign of them.  Eventually the kids were tucked in and Ruby and I were heading in the direction of bed as well.

I hadn't called to see where they were cause frankly, the whole thing was a tad annoying and I didn't want to sound like I was a bit frustrated {I figured sleep would help me feel cheerier.}.  After all, it was now going on 4 hours of coffee around the corner?  Seriously?

I decided I would just relax and enjoy Sarah and baby Charlotte, Emma and Josh {who is visiting} and Graham and Liberty.

Ruby was needing her bottle so I was snuggled feeding her.

Suddenly, I heard the front door open.  I turned from where I was on the couch giving Ruby her bottle.  I saw Dw in the shadows, but because it was so dark, it was hard to see.

But wait!

Dw was holding the hand of a little African boy!

I squinted trying to see?

My first thought was, "What is Elijah doing outside coming in the door with Daddy?"  {But Elijah is a cautious kid so I knew that it was not really him!}  THEN I realized this little guy was shorter....

My mind was reeling and racing....who was there?

Well the coffee around the corner was a cover.  Tyler had gotten his dad in the car and said, "Show me how to get to the airport, Abigail and Finley are on their way!"  Dw was like, "WHAT?"

BUT the comical thing that had happened was that Abi had booked these extremely cheap tickets to Phoenix.  Only one catch!  It was not the Sky Harbor airport, but some airport 71 miles from our home.   Only thing was Dw didn't know.  Either did Abi or Tyler.  So Dw and Tyler pulled up to the curb and asked a cabbie which terminal this particular airlines flies into.  He pointed out of the airport and said non-chalantly, "Oh, you know.  They only fly into the Mesa airport.   Tyler and Dw were laughing and laughing.  Oh, yeah, we know.  Of course we know.

They cooked this little surprise up for us months ago.  They begged Autumn and Karl to come, but they were unable. They kept begging her.  She still was unable.

But at least we have 10 of 11 kids home.  Our two grand babies are here and now every one has gotten to meet their newest sister Ruby.

A time of great joy.  I've been praying these next few days go in slow motion.  Tears at the thought of it ending.   Community water park today.  Hanging around.  Telling old stories of growing up days.  Such wonderful memories being made.

I am the most blessed mom of many in the whole world.  Sixteen of our treasures under this rental roof.  Our hearts overflow.

PS I was so glad I hadn't gotten grumpy.  That would have ruined everything.

Finn-Finn