Notice the slightly stunned look on my sweetie's face...that's because I surprised him with an early birthday party last night (he'll be in Europe on his "real" birthday). Twenty or so of our friends (plus some huge number of children!) came to bless him with their loving wishes and share in a grand "dessert buffet"--just cake would NOT have cut it for a crowd that big in our modest house!

Needless to say, all of my sneaky baking (Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, carrot cake, brownies, New York cheesecake), shopping, and plotting didn't leave a lot of room for blogging last week. Not to mention, that dh occasionally stops over here and I was afraid that I would spill the beans! Oh, and there was also the small issues of my son's birthday, and the baby contracting pneumonia (!) and my back going out from holding him so much.

Obviously, I don't get all the credit for making this evening happen. My older two children helped to "erase the evidence" of baking by cleaning the kitchen and hiding the party goods the other night when I was preoccupied with back pain and with holding the feverish and wheezing little one. Our best friends rustled the kids (including the sick baby) and decorated the house while I took my husband out to dinner. They also provided most of the drinks for the evening. Others brought fruit to share, lifegaurded while the kids were in the pool, or brought amazingly thoughtful, generous and unexpected gifts. We were surrounded by so much love and support that I found myself overwhelmed by the feeling.

It's funny...we never planned on living where we live for as long as we have (almost nine years now). It's not what we would have choosen, and we have continuously pursued jobs closer to "home" with every door being gently closed in our faces. But we've put down deep roots in this dry and arid land...and I'm grateful for the changes He has wrought in our lives and in our persons over the past eight or so years.

It put me in mind of this beloved passage:
Psalm 16:5-7
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

I guess the hubby wasn't the only one who was "gotcha'd" last night.

Happy (very early) Birthday, Sweetheart. I love you. I'm so grateful my lines have fallen around you.