So we came over (for Clint's surprise birthday party, which I will give details about later on...) and Kaitlyn showed me the contest. The prize for first place is $2000 cash, a $500 gift card, and $500 each time the design is printed. Being somewhat newly-wed still and kind of tight on money, this intrigued me. A LOT. So since Kaitlyn introduced me to the contest, I wanted her to have a hand in the design. Long story short, this is what we came up with.
okay, so now that I've told you about that, now it is time to tell you about my Husband's 26th birthday (his first birthday home from his mission). I tried figuring out what to do for his birthday... I am a horrible planner and I have an extreme lack of imagination when it comes to making plans. SO... i just asked him, "Clint what do you want to do for your birthday?" He thought about it for a while and then decided her really wanted to go to the temple. So we were off to Los Angeles!
We had a picnic on Temple Grounds...
I surprised him with a little chocolate cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to him...
We did a session in the Temple...
...and then Clint and I wanted to take some pictures around the grounds. So here's a few of my favorites...
It was a good day! He really enjoyed it. Little did he know this was just part one of his birthday...
At the end of the night, we came home and had panda express for dinner. It was around 7pm when we got home. No visitors for Clint... no phone calls... just food then bed. So the next morning Clint calls me and tells me that he's a little disappointed that his mom didn't come to see him on his birthday. In my head I'm thinking :Well, you'll see her tonight...At the surprise party we're throwing for you!!!" It almost came out.. (I'm horrible at keeping secrets, too) but I kept it in. Barely.
So the game plan to get Clint to come over to my parent's house was for my mom to call me at 6:30 panicked and distraught over Kaitlyn who "broke her arm." It worked. Even though Clint was kind of questioning how on Earth she broke it... I told him she fell out of her tree house (which isn't even 6 feet off the ground) and Clint argued, "well that fall couldn't really break her arm, could it?" So what do I say? I say, "She hit the ladder on the way down." then we both visualized it in our heads and both chuckled a little bit. I was trying very hard to focus all my energy on looking upset and worried aside from the giggles. It worked, Clint kept looking over at me telling me to calm down and that my sister would be okay.
We get to my parents house and I unlock the front door. It's dark and Clint walks in behind me. Immediately I ask about Kaitlyn and my mom tells me she's in the back of the house calming down. Then we get past the first room, the lights come on, and everyone yells "SURPRISE!!!!!!!" Clint looks over at me and smiles from ear to ear. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. MY HUBBY IS HAPPY.
He wasn't expecting it, and he loved it. All his family members who live in town were there, and so was my family. My mom planned it all, and she did such a good job, especially doing it all while she was sick! So an extra "Thank You" for my mom. :)
Clint's first birthday home was wonderful. He loved it! Everyone is so happy to have him home again!
