A Near Birthday Disaster

So, March 9th was Rhett's birthday, and since his family has never been terribly big on birthdays, I wanted to do something really special for him. I had been looking online for presents for a month now, and had been secretly checking the mail and hiding them in my sock drawer so Rhett would not find them. I had Assassins Creed III, A new set of scriptures, and phone covers on the way for him. With the phone cases and games hidden, the scriptures were scheduled to arrive on his birthday, which I knew would be especially tricky to hide, but had my plans, so presents were good to go! I was really excited, and figured I wanted to go farther than just some awesome birthday presents, few as they were. I wanted to make Rhett his favorite dinner and dessert. Here, I ran into a major road block.

Rhett and I have only one car, one car that he takes to work every day. And, even if I found a way to tell him I needed the car without him guessing I was birthday shopping, I don't know my way around even with a gps. I would be lost very quickly. The other problem? I know but 2 people out here; a marine wife with 3 kids who lives on base (30 minutes away) and a missionary couple (and they are always busy!). I thought I'd try my luck though, and two days before his birthday I contacted Kymm, the lady on base that I know. She was very willing to help. We coordinated a time to meet Friday, where we would go, and made sure we'd be back before Rhett was.

Friday morning rolled around and very first thing in the morning, my stomach dropped as Kymm contacted me and told me her car broke down and was in the shop for the day. I already had the recipes and what I needed, and I was determined to make this work. Kymm posted on the Relief Society facebook page, but no one there could help me either, since I live so far from base. I was at a loss for what to do. My heart sunk and I was ready to give up on the special dinner and birthday cake.

Suddenly, an idea struck me. They may be busy, but call the Johnsons! (the missionary couple) I had nothing to lose, so I found their card and gave them a call. They were volunteering at a hospital, but could come pick me up at 1:30 and take me to Wal-Mart! I was really excited I was able to do this, but nervous at the same time. Walmart is 40 minutes away, and shopping would take at least 30 minutes. That would be 2 hours total time at the minimum, and Rhett is released early on Fridays. I was sure he would get home first, and was afraid of getting caught with shopping bags. I told him the Johnsons were taking me to visit the relief society president, and my backup plan was to also buy a cute, large, girly gift bag with some candy to disguise my birthday purchases and tell Rhett it was from the Relief Society, since I'm new and that's something they would do.

As fate would have it, the Johnsons knew of a closer Walmart, one that was only 20 minutes away! I was able to quickly get my merchandise and hide it before Rhett got home. Everything was going perfectly! I would make the dessert while I made Rhett's birthday breakfast, since he had to take some classes for work and would be distracted, and then I could surprise him with the news of his favorite dinner! Everything was, once again, perfect. Yay!!

The next problem I ran into was my own fault. To try and hide the fact that I had already purchased presents for Rhett, When he got home Friday I told him how sorry I was that I was unable to buy him birthday presents. I had already spend most of my "secret" money, and had only $35 left. Rhett then, to quell my "sadness" said, "...well lets go to the mall and you can find me something and I won't look while you buy it!" ...well crap.

Off we went, right away to the mall! Rhett walked right into Game Stop, and pointed out the games he wanted to me. Then he said, "You know, since its my birthday, I'm gonna spoil myself!" I then watched as he picked up not only the game I had bought him, but the game my mother had bought him as well. I then turned and saw one he had mentioned he wanted and lo and behold, only $30! I could afford it! I picked it up and said, "what about this one? Didn't you want this one? I can afford this one!" He said, "well sure, but I want these games more, so I'm going to buy them for my birthday." The only way to get him not to buy them was to spoil the surprise, but he was still able to spoil himself with some other games, and I wasn't too disappointed, because I knew I had other surprises in store, and it would still be a good day. :)  

Morning rolled around and I was informed that Rhett's final birthday present (scriptures) would be a day late, but that was okay. I'd just show him a picture. He started his classes, and I started breakfast. I had almost made the entire dessert and a few pancakes, when Rhett decided to come see how breakfast was doing. He saw the almost finished dessert, and was like, "what the? How did you get this stuff??" I had him totally baffled and surprised! I then told him about dinner, and it was just the perfect surprise and reaction. Turned out to be a perfect birthday!