Another BIIIG Surprise

What do you do when you have too many blessings to count?

On Saturday we went out to visit Devon’s family for the weekend.  They live about two hours west of us, and going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house is always a special treat for Seamus and Grace.

We had asked a few weeks ago if we could bring out a cake and have a little early birthday celebration for Seamus, since we will be in NYC on his birthday.  My mother-in-law, Terrie, and father-in-law, Wade, thought it was a great idea, and sent invitations and made all the arrangements for the party.

When we got there, I couldn’t believe how beautiful everything looked – the huge garage was set up with long tables and balloons; toy dump trucks filled with homemade candies in the shapes of racecars and motorcycles decorated the tables, and a table full of party favors sat waiting for the kids to dive into them.

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The guests started to arrive, and it was wonderful to see so many family members that I had not seen in a long time.  There were also members of our extended family (let me tell you, Devon has a BIG family!) who had not seen Devon since he was a little boy, and I felt like a very proud mom introducing myself and the kids.  I couldn’t believe how many people were there to celebrate our little man’s birthday.

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Terrie came up to the front of the room, carrying in her arms a huge blue envelope.  She told Devon and I how she had been working on a big surprise with the rest of the family.  She and Wade had written a letter, telling everyone in our extended family about Seamus, and how we wanted to take him to the LPA convention this year.  They included a copy of Our Story, which details the events leading up to his birth. 

We have some very amazing family members, because what culminated from Terrie and Wade’s hard work was the presentation to us of a fund for Seamus. 

A fund that ensures that we will have an incredible first convention in NYC, and also be able to attend our SECOND convention in Nashville next year!  Something we did not think was going to be possible! 

Needless to say, the tears started flowing, and I couldn’t stop for the rest of the afternoon.  I even cried all over Seamus’ baseball cake as I was trying to slice it and serve it!

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Terrie made a scrapbook containing all the details of the surprise, and included many of the cards she received from family.  It was wonderful to read through those cards and know that Seamus is loved and cherished by family members who have never even met him!  And for them to know how much it means to us to be able to take him to the conventions and provide this lifetime support system – my heart is truly full with happiness.

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We are so thankful to everyone who contributed to this big surprise.  I never could have dreamed that my life would be so full of blessings.  My children have the most wonderful role models to look up to, and continuous love and support that will guide them through life.  My wish for them is that they will grow up to be as loving and giving as the family that surrounds them.

Terrie, Wade, great-grandmas, great-grandpas, aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, second cousins, third cousins…all of you who helped make this possible…

Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!  We love you!