When it rains, it sure does pour!

There must be something special about March 21. Because we've gotten more invitations for social events that day than we have in the last month!

Chelley and Triple are coming down to visit for T's birthday that weekend, so that trumps everything. But we've also been invited to a friend's son's birthday party, we won tickets to a basketball tournament and we'd considered going to the Christian Book Expo in Dallas that weekend. (Major bummer when we decided we couldn't afford that!)

And did I mention I'm singing with choir and we're scheduled to work in the nursery that Sunday?

I think there's something else...another invitation that I'm forgetting...but seriously, isn't that enough?

I'm really looking forward to seeing Chelley and Triple in a couple weeks (and the murder mystery party for T's big day - fun!), so I don't mind missing the other activities at all. And I'll be honest, Mark is probably better off taking a friend to the basketball tournament anyway! But it's just weird.

Do you find that this happens to you? Do you go weeks without a social event and then BAM! have a bunch in a row or even on the same day? What's up with that?!

It's My Party, and I'll Sparkle if I Want To

A couple weeks ago, I double checked with my parents that we were on for the weekend: they'd watch Photobaby while I was at Blissdom, then we'd all come over for dinner when I got home. (I knew I'd be exhausted, but Mom said dinner was for Valentine's Day, so hello? That means presents!)

As I got ready to leave for choir practice (Mom and Dad put Annalyn to bed and stay with her while I go to choir on Thursdays), my mom said, "I've been so good, but I have to say..."

And I thought, Great, what am I in trouble for now?

"Even if you're tired, you have to come to the house, Mary."

Umm...okay...?

"Mary, are you listening to me?"

"Yeah. We're coming to dinner."

"Mary. There is a Surprise. Party. Planned. For You." (Yeah, sometimes my mom talks in staccato, too.)

What do I say to that? I mean, my birthday was two months ago! And I'm going to Nashville! And...

"Well, you didn't need to tell me. We were going. To Come. To the House."

"Well, you need to know. In case your flight is delayed or something."

Because I could stop the flight from being delayed, on account of my surprise party that I know about?

Right.

So, I shoved all my belongings into my small suitcase, so I didn't have to check any luggage, and walked straight off the plane into Mark's truck. And we drove straight to my surprise party.

I'm still not sure if my cousins and aunts think I was actually surprised or not. I spent the first half hour of the night just trying not to puke. (I'm not a good flyer...did I mention that?)

But the party really was a good time and such a sweet thing for my mom to do. After all, that birthday a couple months ago was quite a big one. And it did get a tad bit overshadowed by the holiday festivities. And who can argue with junk food (Cherry Coke, pizza, chips and cheese dip, and M&Ms), a chick flick (Mamma Mia) and a manicure from my Nana.

And yes, I picked out the hot pink. And the sparkly glitter paint. It was my belated birthday, after all.