Sometimes I think I took my children’s literature teacher too seriously. She said, “A good mother has one blind eye and one deaf ear.”
This past weekend while we were gone to the scrapbooking retreat, Calvin added a storage room onto the house. Just. like. that. Everyone in the family knew it was coming; everyone that is but the one with the blind eye and the deaf ear. When we pulled into the dark yard Saturday night, I saw a set of lights on the grass and thought with a Grandpa Hoops’ humph, “Huh. I didn’t think Calvin was going to grill supper tonight so that’s why he suggested I bring pizzas home. He must have changed his mind.” It took a few moments for me to see that those lights were shining on a whole new addition to the house. When I got out of the car everyone called, “Did Dad keep the surprise?! Did you see it coming?!”
Trevor and Calvin
Oh indeed. Calvin did surprise me. He had Trevor come and help him build the food storage room while we were away. Trevor came the day before we left for the retreat, but I didn’t notice the extra dog in the pen or the car behind the house. Calvin stockpiled supplies and money for the project, but I hadn’t noticed that either. Ray even slipped once, but since it was in code I missed that too. All I know is that this was one grand surprise. Calvin and Trevor are meticulous builders and now we will have a cool, dark place that will store our food much better. Calvin is a great one and I appreciate the way he provides for us.
Last night as I was crawling into bed, Calvin came back into the bedroom in this paint suit. The goggles over his glasses especially made me laugh and I said, “I’ve gotta show you to Rachel and Grace.” Even though they were already in bed I turned on their light. They laughed and Rachel pegged it: “You look like an Oompa-Loompa in Willy Wonka’s factory.”
I hope his giant oompa-loompa, white footprints that are all over the sidewalk don't wash away for a little while. The storage room will always remind me of him, but the footprints remind me of his funny personality.
14 comments:
What a keeper. You've got yourself one good man. And I love that everyone else was in on the surprise!
A storage/fruit room (that's what my grandma called hers), how nice!
What a great surprise! Especially for someone so deserving. Way to go Calvin and Trevor and, and, and for keeping the secret.
I love picturing your 'Huh' as you drove into the driveway.
The BIGGEST miracle of this though is that he kept it a surprise. I believe the last time he successfully kept a surprise from you was when you got engaged. The funny part is that it isn't you being especially sleuth like and finding out... it's him being so excited he just HAS to tell you about it.
Can't wait to see it.
Cali
oh, I forgot. When I saw the title of this post, I'd hoped you'd tie in the "Footprints" poem... something about, "it was then that he carried you." Ha ha ha ha ha.
Cali
You are one blessed woman!!! Calvin is the best...but you know what? You deserve the best!
I immediately thought of oompa loompa!! Calvin dropped off the baby gift for Chrissy and I found out about the surprise. I might have to venture down and see it. and you. and grace. and calvin. and maybe anyone else there.
WOW. Way to go Uncle Calvin!!! Where's the picture of the room????
The family all agrees, he does look like an Oompa Loopa!!
Yeah for Calvin...he is one smooth man!
Amazing! I want a giant oompa loompa to help around my house. Although I did get a few muddy footprints through the kitchen while Tyler was planting sod lol maybe I should be content with my fixer upper :)
That is an awesome surprise! My brother Keith tried to do a surprise like that (but smaller) for Kelly a long time ago, but it didn't go so well. She came home to a mess!
Awesome! How exciting. You will have a great time reorganizing everything. When it's all moved in, we need pictures! Your oompa loompa is a keeper for sure. That's a big suprise to keep. Steve get's too excited and tells me every time too. Maybe someday...
What a wonderful surprise! I could use an oompa loompa around here to get some projects done...
How exciting for you!!!
Love that picture of Calvin in his paint suit, and it cracks me up that you didn't have any idea...I don't think it would be that easy to surprise me.
The last photo is so funny!
What a great guy to undertake a project like that and to keep a surprise as well!
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