Surprise! Daddy's Home!

One of our Christmas surprises came a few days early.

Chuck's plane came in the middle of the night Friday night/Saturday morning. So, in all honesty, we told the children that he would be home on Saturday. Naturally they assumed we meant Saturday afternoon or evening, and thankfully they didn't ask! Chuck made it home safe and sound (despite missing one plane and being re-routed to Dallas)!

Saturday morning I got up as usual, and shortly all the children were up. I told them it was time for morning prayers, and just as we're getting settled around the wood-stove, in walks Daddy! There was just a moment of stunned silence, then poor Robert burst into tears and all the children started bouncing and talking excitedly! (I was reminded so much of the book Little Women when the girls' father came home and surprised them, and little dignified Amy tripped and wept at his feet.) It was probably the best surprise of the year for them!

So, my prayer of thanksgiving is that we are all together as we should be, and getting ready to celebrate the birth of Christ and the beginning of a new year dedicated to His service. And welcome home again, Sweetie!