my suprise gift

Last night I came home to a present on the kitchen counter - wrapped in Christmas paper. Todd was outside and the kids were inside playing games and had locked lips. Threatening them and bribing them with money got me no closer to finding out who the gift was for or from and whether or not it was to be opened then or at Christmas. Okay, so Paige did mouth the words "It's yours", so I had my suspicions.

When Todd finally did come in he confirmed that it was, in fact, for me - and I was to open it that night.

Let me just preface this story with some background. Todd is not generally known for surprises or his gift-giving talents. For my birthday one year, he got me a bubble frisbee (a frisbee that blows bubbles when thrown) and some backyard children's toys - and our first Christmas I received pots and pans, which would have been fine had I asked for them (I don't cook). Or the gift will be some sort of nightie or oh-so-cute bedroom game that, REALLY..., is that for me... or him? :) Honestly, I don't want to receive expensive things, just something that maybe says "I was thinking of you, specifically".

So, we sit down with the present and the kids are busting at the seams. I'm not even sure who the gift is from and I KNOW it's not from Todd because, try as he may, he just does not know how to wrap a gift and this was wrapped very well. So, Paige tears into the gift and this is what we find:

!!!!!!

!!!!!!

!!!!!!

I was truly shocked. Sadly, Todd did not get his much anticipated reaction. I did not jump up and down screaming and crying and praising him for the great gift. I mostly just stared at it, mouth open. I, being the payer of the bills, was first concerned over where the heck he got the money - it's been a super tight year, people. Well, as it turns out, my dear, thoughtful hubby has been saving for over a year to get me something he absolutely knew that I wanted. (If you know Todd, you know that saving is not his strongest attribute) THIS is a big deal. He wanted me to have it before the holidays so that I could record all of our memories beautifully.

It was then that I could openly gush and be amazed.

It's not often that he surprises me, but when he does, it's good. Thanks, baby!