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.
Oh my goodness, Linny! I can just imagine your JOY!!
Enjoy this time, may it go in super slow motion 🙂
Awwwww…. Tears
How wonderful for you and your family!!! Have lots of fun and may the time crawl.
That is soooooo awesome!!!!!
That is TOO MUCH FUN!! You guys have lots of fun and know that this is a sweet gift from the Lord – via Tyler and Abby 🙂
Simply Beautiful:)
Oh Linny…what a blessing to have so much family under one roof. Dwight must be over the moon as well. Enjoy this sweet time 🙂
What a cherished time!!! BEAUTIFUL surprises!!!
So wonderful! So happy for you!!
Blessings,
Rebecca
So glad you are able to have this special time together. God gives us such perfect gifts.Your family is so beautiful and Ms. Ruby is getting so big, has to be the yummy food but also all that special loving.
Leveta
I don't know why, but I scrolled down to that last picture of Dw with your granddaughter and just got all choked up. SO precious. Sharing in your joy over these precious times with your family.
YAY YAY YAY Linny! How much fun! I'm so excited for all of you to be together. Maybe you can Skype with Autumn and Karl. Have a great time!
What a wonderful surprise!
What a wonderful surprise. So happy for you!
Oh, goodness…that is one of the best–posts–EVER!!!! : ) I love it, and that last picture is positively priceless.
oh what a wonderful surprise!!! what amazing kids you have!
Oh my goodness! You are so blessed! What a fun surprise!
Simply beautiful. May the time be slow and overflowing with his goodness. Love L
Yay!! So happy for you… we almost went to the water park today too, but decided to make a trip to see Grandma instead. 😉
Oh my goodness I am so happy for you! What a blessing.
Love the photo of the four of them with their backs to the camera! Yay! Yay! Yay for you! 😀
And we just had that airport mix-up happen last week with my father-in-law. Usually you have to book through the Allegiant site to fly that airport, but I guess there's another airline there that also does Priceline, etc. Craziness. So glad for your surprise!
Wahoo!!! So happy for you all! Will be praying that your time together is so sweet!
Ahhhhhh….BLISS! My heart is just full as I read this and think of the joy you must feel. 🙂 Enjoy every moment.
tears of happiness. I had been praying that all would meet up! Such a shame about Autumn and Karl. Beautiful pictures. What a busy home you have, but I think that is just how it is meant to be. Have fun, thanks for sharing the pictures it has made my day. Love, hugs and prayers to you all XXX
I'm so glad I came over to read your blog just to see what was going on today. 🙂 What a wonderful, wonderful surprise your kids gave y'all! Makes me happy just reading it.
Love all the pictures of your treasures but esp. the one with the 4 kids surveying their "domain"! Looks like they're sizing up the situation with all confidence. haha
God bless your time together.
Yeah – you see those sweet babies and can't help imagining them going to prom, enjoying summer, playing at the pool – etc. Home from work now after a 15 hour day. Hard to relax.
Many blessings, may time go slooooowwww and may you enjoy every minute of it together!
love Adriana
Oh Linny what a wonderful surprise. I cried reading this post! What a joyous time for you. So sad that Abigail and Karl couldn't make it.
How exciting!! Enjoy your time together! 🙂
Absolutely a wonderful surprise! We love you all.
A delightful surprise! I love all the pictures, but especially the very last one of the little sleeping princess. Her position, her little bald patch from where she sleeps — everything looks just like a picture of our four-year-old when she was that age. So precious!
Crying here. Seriously. So happy for you all!
Oh Linny…absolutely in tears…what an incredible surprise…I would have been crying ugly tears 🙂
*Oh, the tears* I am so incredibly happy for you! I know how very very special this visit is for all of you!
Love all the pictures of your Precious Treasures! I am glad too that you did not get grumpy! What a wonderful surprise! ENJOY!!! Janet
Thank You Father in Jesus' Name. Amen. Blessings from Liz B.
What a beautiful surprise! Love the pic of DW and Charlotte…so peaceful!
have a wonderful time with all your treasures!!! I love the pictures!
heather
What a great surprise! Happy for you!
Oh Linny!
How wonderful!!!
yay!!! So happy for you!!!
wow! what a great surprise!!