June 22, 2011

how to make your mom cry.....


first, let your dad come up with the idea to fly your older sister home for your mom's 70th birthday. 
as a SURPRISE. then join forces with your sisters to figure out how and when.


next, spend 3 weeks being very sneaky and lying 
while your dad makes secret phone calls from the garage. 
from his cell phone. which he never uses.


then pick up the surprise from the airport and drive to younger sister's house and pick her up, too. then travel south 30 minutes and walk casually into your parent's home while your mom is making dinner. also, bring your daughter and your niece along just to fill the stairwell, so that for a few seconds, when your mom turns around, she doesn't see that there's an extra face in the crowd. 
~
then
when she sees that face
that lives a long way away
well
let the crying and happy tears begin


here's my dad
~hugging my older sister ~
while still looking stunned that he pulled off this amazing surprise
which i'm now calling a mission
~
also
from now on
i'm referring to him as 007
*

48 comments:

  1. Okay, now I have tears in my eyes Beth! What a wonderful surprise for you mother and big hugs to your dad for thinking of it and pulling it off and the rest of you for rounding out the surprise!!

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  2. oh, that is just too great!

    007 pulls a fast one for 7-0... :)

    wish i could've been one of your sisters... just for that one night...

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  3. how wonderful, how sweet, how awesome!
    you all did good by the happy tears on your mom's lovely face ...
    birthday wishes to her.

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  4. Wonderful story, told well, perfect photographs to support it... thank you for sharing!

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  5. that is just so sweet....what a loving and sweet family you have....

    you're very lucky !!! but i think you already know that .....

    loved seeing this.

    sending love,
    kary and teddy
    xo

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  6. Beth, What a wonderful thing for your Father to do. Your post brought tears to my eyes today too:) Give lots of hugs for me too if you don't mind, if I remember right our Mother's shared the same birthday. I think it is a great thing that you all can be together, enjoy. What a beautiful family you have.

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  7. AnonymousJune 22, 2011

    That's just fabulous! My dad used to pull the same kind of stunts. He loved a good surprise.

    DI

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  8. Oh, I love this story. So wonderful that you included pics. What a beautiful and heartfelt surprise for your mother. Stunning photo, that last one.

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  9. What an amazing surprise that must have been, brought a tear to my eye.

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  10. What do you mean Mom cry? I got tears in my eyes. So glad you shared this very special family moment or shall I say moments due to all the planning, with us!

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  11. AnonymousJune 22, 2011

    How sweet! If I were your mom, I'd start asking him some questions - that was a pretty big feat to keep a secret like that! lol

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  12. Beth, I'm having a big happy smile on my face reading this post - so joyful I like stories like that ... great job agent 007!and a very happy birthday to your mom!!! love & hugs

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  13. Great job, 007 and daughter!

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  14. happy birthday to your mom... mission 007 is so very inspirational and the photos - as usual - capture the moments so perfectly! such happiness shared - thanks for including us!
    -xok.

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  15. The best, most wonderful gift a mother could ever receive! Enjoy these happy days together and make plenty of memories to last till the next visit!

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  16. Oh what fun! I love surprises like this.

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  17. Oh what a sweet surprise. Yay for 007. This is so stirring.. not shaken. ;)

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  18. just speechless ..thanks for sharing this

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  19. oh, I love when that happens :-)

    Dad, you done good!

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  20. What a thoughtful dad. I love that you all pulled off this surprise for your mom, those are the very best things of life. Family!

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  21. Happy belated 70th, Beth's mom. Awesome work from Dad 007 himself. Thank you for sharing :-)

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  22. What a wonderful gift - good for you all and 007!

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  23. Such a beautiful post and loved your pics along with it. Great joy for your family and love the last pic!

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  24. Such a heartwarming story with great pics to illustrate. Wonderful work everyone!!

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  25. that's what's up!
    big up 007!
    xo

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  26. I am all misty eyed.
    Such a sweet story and I'm lovin the pics.
    Hmmm . . . ever think about a family espionage business?

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  27. well, you certainly brought tears to my eyes.

    I stop by here to be inspired and you never fail to do just that.

    thanks for always being so positive and helping me push on.

    Claudia

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  28. awww, those are the best kind of surprises, good for you! next year, my mom turns 70, I turn 50, and my dad turns 75. we have to do something BIG!

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  29. awww, that is just too nice. How great that you guys pulled it off. And 007, awesome job.

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  30. AnonymousJune 23, 2011

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  31. AnonymousJune 23, 2011

    This reminds me of my mom's 75th birthday surprise when me and my brothers all pulled off the same type of thing. She was visiting me here in Atlanta and throughout the day my three brothers were calling to wish her a Happy Birthday (supposedly from the different states they lived in). Little did she know they were all on their way to Atlanta by either plane or car. All she knew is that hubby and I were taking her out to dinner to celebrate that night, but when we got to the restaurant the hostess led us to a private room where all my brothers and their families were waiting for us!

    Surprises are so much fun planning! The expressions are priceless when the recipient finds out!

    I'm sure your Dad was overjoyed he pulled it off!

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  32. SO great!!! i'm laughing and smiling and crying a little, all at the same time :)

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  33. What a perfect surprise! A happy birthday to your mom!

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  34. what a wonderful plan!!!

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  35. aww..now I wanna cry! ~enjoy all your moments~

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  36. okay... so that is like a Hallmark movie, Folgers commercial, or something like that. Too sweet. I love my family and they are dear to me but we do not have near that emotional connection... it is so refreshing to see that it does exist.... thanks for sharing!

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  37. AnonymousJune 23, 2011

    very clear instructions here, :)

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  38. This is beautiful!! Happy 70th birthday to your mom!!!

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  39. Good idea, 007! What a nice surprise for your mom and how fun to have your sister with you all for the birthday of your mom.

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  40. Happy, happy birthday to your sweet, loving Mom. Your Dad gets major husband points for that one. Yay, 007.

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  41. this is so sweet! i know your mom feels quite lucky to be loved so much! happy birthday to her.

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  42. How very beautiful Beth. I guess that would do it and in very big way.. Love the photos.

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  43. So glad it worked out for you. There's nothing like family!

    I did that to my Mom for Mother's day one year. My sister flew in to attend a special church supper and Mom about fell over with a huge grin and gasp when we walked in. I love surprises!!

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  44. I have a feeling that you have many more than just your mother crying at this point! What a wonderful way to celebrate!

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  45. Nicely done! Your dad made a memory that will last a lifetime.

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  46. I'm sure 007 was quite proud of his accomplishment, not to mention pretty happy to have his girls at home. He looks like a sweetheart.

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  47. Awesome post & pictures.

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth