Incredible Surprise!

October 11 was supposed to be a girls' day with Laura, Cami, Angela and me going to Gardner Village for lunch and walking around enjoying the colorful fall/Halloween decorations and festivities there, but my DEAR children really had other plans in mind, like giving me a Surprise 60th Birthday Party!!!!!!!!! My real birthday is October 15.

It's taken me 2 weeks to try and assimilate the day in my phyche (look that word up in the dictionary). INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, THOUGHTFUL, LOVING, OVERWHELMING, MEMORABLE, and HONORED are just a few words that describe my feelings surrounding the SURPRISING event that still brings tears to my eyes and a swelling in my heart!

Apparently, the party was in the planning process for the past 9 months! My family and friends can either keep secrets better than I thought, or they are all accomplished liars, or both....who knows?! After attending at least 3 surprise 60th birthday parties this year, I announced to my children not to even think of giving me a party, that as nice as the parties were, I'd had my fill of the 60 theme! How did I get to this age??? While I look my age, I certainly don't feel my age, at least in my head, as my body begs to differ!

Cousins Mike, Liz, and Becki, and Nelda and Laura worked tirelessly gathering pictures of my life, my parents, and grandparents for an INCREDIBLE slide show (by Laura) and a BEAUTIFUL Heritage Quilt (with pictures, pieced by Cami and bound by Laura) that were presented to me. The time and talent it took to accumulate and put together these AMAZING gifts are beyond my comprehension, and I am forever GRATEFUL to everyone involved!

The party itself at the Dalton Home was EXTRAORDINARY! Angela did LOVELY centerpieces of pink roses for the tables. She also made the favors (my favorite peanuts, M&Ms, party mints) and YUMMY punch and tossed salad, as well as hostessing along with Laura and Cami. The violet, yellow and white balloons were soft and festive, too! Ed and Nelda brought DELICIOUS honey roasted turkey breasts and dutch oven potatoes all the way from Price, much to everyone's delight! We had a FABULOUS lunch, needlesstosay, and Cami's pasta salad (a family favorite) was enjoyed by all. The cake was PRETTY and TASTY! If I left out anything else that was served, I'm sorry.....everything was INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL!

Being surrounded by LOVING and FOREVER family and friends warmed my heart and soul! Everyone took time out of a busy Saturday to celebrate my life with me and words can never express my total APPRECIATION and LOVE I have for my family and friends who sustain me daily. I was HONORED to be in their presence and to have each one in my life!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED!

Family:
Curt, Angela and Nolan Cloyd, Suzanne Izatt
Laura, Jeff, Ella, Ty, Crew Dalton
Cami, D.J., Hazel and Violet Gardner
Nelda, Ed, Stefanie and Blake Grundy
Uncle Joe, Aunt Betty Harvey
Sid, Linda, Linda's Mom and Marie Harvey
Clay Harvey and family
Carol and Natalie Harvey
Liz and Katie Kourianos
Carr and Shawn Harvey
Sharon, Dick and Eric Grotepas and Shantell
Becki Mangus
Vivian Stamatakis
Misty and Alexis Mathews

Friends:
Pam Conover
Terri Tubbs
Robynn Fausett
Karen Marshall
Fay Wrathall

I was given a VARIETY of lovely gifts and cards, and I TREASURE each one.

I also received cards and phone calls from those who were unable to attend for various reasons, and I've been so touched by their SWEET sentiments!

Hopefully Laura can do one more thing for me, and that is to help me post pictures to go along with this blog!

I am INCREDIBLY BLESSED! I thank my Heavenly Father daily for giving me such a LOVING, CARING, AND AMAZING support group here on Earth! I receive far more than I am able to give to my Lord and to my family and friends. THANK YOU DEAR ONES!