the essence

What a crazy weekend!

Today is Ray's 30th birthday! I think it's kind of hitting him, he's now serious about having kids & buckling down more with his business I think.

Anyway, yesterday I threw him a surprise birthday party. I tried to throw him off by saying we were having a "couples dinner" with 4 of our close friends. He gamed with the guys at Conrads place & the wives were supposedly coming over here to hang out with me & then everyone would come over for dinner.

Instead when he left the house around 1 yesterday afternoon I started running around like a mad woman throwing the decorations around (they were pretty small) & going grocery shopping, making the food & FINALLY showering. Everyone was supposed to arrive around 5 & he was supposed to get here at 5:30. Of course, in typical Ray fashion he was late. :)

He was semi-surprised. He said I didn't do anything to give it away, he just figured I would do something more than a couples dinner for his big birthday. To prove to me that he had an inkling, he typed a note out on the laptop before he left & showed it to me after he arrived at his party. It was note saying the date, time, & that he thought I might be planning a surprise party for him that evening-he even nailed down the guest list EXACTLY.

He said I played it so cool though, just lounging around in the morning, reading, drinking coffee, & not worrying about cleaning much or preparing for a party that I did throw him off a bit. I did do quite well at hiding it if I do say so myself. I was so relaxed on the outside but as soon as he left I was in a bit of a panic.

Hopefully my mom & sister will send over some of the photos they took & I can post some here.

Out of the people who were invited only 10 weren't able to make it & 23 showed, making 25 with Ray & I. I was so glad the Nunley girls were able to show up, they definitely lightened up the party. I had great music, good food, things were just a little slow in my opinion. Part of it was just some lower-key people, but I just made sure to invite Ray's family & closest friends. Towards the end of the evening there were some glowstick fights happening in my living room & that was a lot of fun. I'm so glad I had those & was able to put them out.

Anyway, today I have relaxed. Dad & Mom stayed overnight & this morning Ray & I skipped church, mom & I went for coffee, & shopped a little bit. I watched tv this afternoon, napped, & soaked my aching feet. I don't remember them ever hurting this badly. Not only are the muscles on the top & bottom of my feet sore, but the heel on my right foot is quite bruised too. Blah.

More relaxing to come tonight with lots of season premieres - Extreme Make Over: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, & Grey's Anatomy.