My Amazing Day!

If you are having a birthday,

Steve is the one to plan it!

I warned you ladies last year not to have your husbands read my birthday post, because they will feel the pressure to make all your dreams come true. Well, he's done it again! He spoiled me like a princess, and made me feel far more special than ever. He knows me so well, and made this birthday one to remember forever. I love his surprises, and love to play along, without trying to jump ahead or guess what's next.

First, he arranged for BOTH grandmas to come over and babysit the kids--mine during the day, then his mom at night. He even arranged everything with enough time and flexibility for me to come home to nurse Alana at the appropriate time. As soon as my Mom arrived, I was pushed out the door with my birthday package in hand, and a note: "Open once you get into the car":

And this is what I found: my GPS and 7 envelopes to open at specific times throughout the day.

WHAT A BLAST!

First stop: My friend's house to pick up my next clue, or so I thought. To my surprise, I was there to pick up HER!!!! Steve knew how much more fun I have on my birthday if I share it with someone, and he was ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!

Next Stop: (Now's when you can start getting jealous, or asking hubby to read over your shoulder)...the GPS guided us to {*drum roll*} a SPA where we BOTH got massages! He even spoiled me further by getting me a HOT STONE MASSAGE, which I highly recommend.

And Then: Out to Lunch with NO KIDS! He even printed out my birthday coupon, allowing me my second joy in life--taking full advantage of free things. We spent a little too long enjoying our time away, that I accidentally missed my next appointment...I felt awful, but Steve had already made new arrangements and switched things around so my day continued flawlessly!

The UnOpened Envelope: Due to the delay, there was one envelope we had to forgo...later Steve revealed its contents...Money for Rebecca and I to go pick a favorite Treat at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! TO DIE FOR! Sorry to let you down, Rebecca! And, again, I'm baffled how well Steve knows me!

Adventure #4: After going home to nurse Alana, I went back out into the wintry Birthday weather, with only an address in my hand, and not a clue where I was going. It lead me to a familiar downtown area, where I had to park the car, and continue to find my location walking with the GPS in hand. I was so thrilled to see it lead me to a Luxurious Salon, and thrilled even MORE to find out that he had scheduled a cut/style/"whatever she wants" with one of my FRIENDS who worked there (and I didn't even know that was her salon!) I was SO SURPRISED!Angelique gave me the best haircut I've had in at least 4 years...and she's quite the stylist, too:

We had SUCH a good time talking, laughing, and sipping lemonade. I recommend Angelique if you're looking for a great cut and a fun time!

Night's End: We ended the night with me nursing Alana, then an impromptu scavenger hunt for Steve when he discovered {panic} that he lost an extremely important work package on the train. Never FEAR! After a faithful prayer, and speeding to the train yard, Steve found the right train, and the right conductor to talk to, and found his package! Yea! With that sense of relief, we were able to finish our night off with a wonderful date, Photo-since my hair would never look as good again, even though this picture doesn't even show it at its best--and a movie.

Thank you ALL who were involved with the planning and secrecy, and even those of you who had to cancel Bday plans with last minute due to Steve's sweet planning! Thank you Moms, Stefani, Rebecca, Katie, Lindsay, Mary, Angelique, Val, Jeanine, Zoe, Angelique's manager, etc...Amazing job at making me feel like an important person! You all are amazing, and have shown your love so sweetly! Thank you!

All gifts aside, what Steve gave me most of all was a wonderful gift for me to spend time with friends. I have really missed this and have scrambled to fill my social needs and manage the time being a mom-of-three demands. So even if we had sat around at home, giving me just that time to visit with friends was the most amazing thing!

The real thanks, of course, goes to my husband. Thank you thank you thank you! To which he replied:

"Wives, be jealous. Husbands, I'm sorry!"