Surprises...

I have had a few surprises that really take the cake for me. And interesting enough they were given by my daughters. Have you ever been so surprised that your mouth just hangs open? Recently my daughter Paulette talked me into flying to her in Bullhead city for a surprise that she would not tell me about. When the special night arrived, and they had kept everything from me so I could not see any advertisement, or anything. Pauli and James took me out to dinner, at a casino which was on the river edge. (I don't usually go to places like that) Dinner was very nice, and we had a picture window from celling to floor. We sat next to the glass window and watched the water Jet skis in the river below. After dinner, Pauli and I went to a concert hall, where tables were set with lit candles on them. Pauli could hardly contain herself and asked if I wanted to know what my surprise was? I said yes! She should me the banner over the stage....And it said "The Australian BEE GEE" !!! The BEE GEE are one of my very favorite singing groups, I play their music all the time. Needless to say I was bouncing up and down for a good 2 hrs. through the whole concert.

Another wonderful surprise given to me by Paulette, was the time when she schedule a day for me to spend with her. Then she drove me to someplace in Salt Lake City. There the folks were setting up model train displays. (another one of my great loves!) Even though we had came on a day when they were putting things together, I just loved it. In a way it was kind of nice because it was not crowded. I bought my first N scale train there.....I ran it under our Christmas tree, in our new house. A little later we had lunch at a "Macaroni Grill" house, which was very good. And even found a Barns and Noble next door, and enjoyed browsing time.

Pauli and Jennifer were invited to play a musical number in Sacrament Meeting in Stansbury, where James parents live. Lynn and I were invited to come and hear them play. When the time came for them to preform, they had another lady playing with them. the music was very nice and I was surprised that they could find someone who could play so well to match the way Jen and Pauli played......Music was over and we were listening to the talks starting when I received a tap on my shoulder, I turned around and to my great shock......there was Jodie... my youngest... She had flown in from Arizona, and came and played with the other two. Its real sad when you don't recognize your own children.

About 3 years ago one of the neatest gifts I received for Christmas, Was a surprise Train trip, on the Verde Canyon Railroad, spent with just Jodie and I together. It was a lot of fun. The 1st of January, and we were frozen in the air of the open car we were riding in. We would buy cups of hot chocolate just to keep our hands warm. We saw a lot of beautiful Arizona scenery. And watched Balled Eagles fly, even saw where they were building a nest on the side on the mountain. I will never forget the time spent with Jodie, on the blue diesel train, with a Eagle painted on it.

Many years ago, about 19 years, My oldest daughter wanted me to spend a Saturday with her. She wouldn't tell me where we were going, but told me to wear walking shoes, and plan on spending the whole day with her and a few of the people she works with. I figured we would be hiking somewhere at a park maybe in northern Arizona.
Launie picked me up early in the morning while it was still dark. Instead of driving north, we went south...to the airport! In about a hour we were landing in California, and looking for a bus that went to Disneyland. I had never been to Disneyland, and had wanted to go my whole life. Launie paid for everything. I remember how shocked I was, and I kept telling myself "What am I going to tell Lynn where I have been?" and that "I was out of the state" of Arizona. I usually have a good sense of direction, but I felt lost in Disneyland, and kept a close eye on Launie. I loved every minuet of it, and I have stored memories with fun recall of the day. Alot of the neet rides of that time no longer exists. Computers have taken over, and rides have been updated. As old as it is, I was surprised to see how clean the workers kept Disneyland. I have never had the privilege of going back. This was the only time for me. I cherishes every memory, with a thankful heart.