Making Plans

Our daughter just turned 10.  It's hardly seems possible.  Turning 10 is a huge deal.  Huge.  For me at least.  I can't believe I have a child who is now double digits!  (While inside I still feel like I'm 12 sometimes!)

My kids love planning their birthdays.  The plans evolve over the months leading up to their birthdays--sometimes elaborate, sometimes simple.  I got tired of the constant talk about "my birthday" a few years ago.  So, I made a rule that no one was allowed to talk about their birthday until a month before their birthday.

However, this year, with this special 1-0, I asked Meg if I could plan her birthday.  She was very hesitant.  I asked her, "Do you trust me?"  She said something like, "Well, yes, but I want x,y,z."  I asked her again and again to trust me.  Finally she gave in.

I started planning, along with Gana, a day to make her feel as special as she is!  And all the time I had to deal with a snoopy little girl who kept saying things like, "Mom, did you remember to invite __________?"  Or "Mom, on my birthday I want to eat _______ for breakfast, __________ for lunch and __________ for dinner."

Girl!  Let me plan your birthday!

The Sunday before her birthday she started inviting all her friends at church over.  Their mothers came to me saying, "Um.....Meg just invited us over for her birthday.  I thought it was a surprise."

Her plans were fine--for a normal birthday.  But this was her 10th and I wanted it to be lovely and just slightly over-the-top, fulfilling the desires of her girly heart.  She didn't know this and so was making plans to have her friends over for dinner and a movie--only because she was sure I hadn't been on the ball and planned anything.

The day of her birthday arrived and I woke her up fairly early.  I presented her with a new dress and took her and Saraa out for a bagel and latte.  She was puzzled that we had to go out so early, although pleased with the outing.

"What are we going to do next, Mom?" she asked.

I said, "Let's drive around and find some place to take a nice picture."

We got "lost" and then I said, "Well, I need to stop and go to the bathroom."  (Perfect pregnant lady excuse to stop!)  We stopped at a little strip mall and I said, "I wonder if one of these places will let me use their bathroom."  We walked into a salon and.........

All her friends were waiting.  Meg has been wanting to go to a salon for the last couple of years.  But knew it was "too expensive." 

They got mani-pedis and had lots of laughs. 

Then it was out for a proper tea--complete with the scones and cucumber sandwiches.  As a mother of a pre-teen, let me just say how much I LOVE my daughter's friends.  What a lovely group of girls with beautiful spirits.

After we got home, Meg and Daddy went to a movie.  Coming home for a special dinner and cake. (A lopsided, albeit, cute cake.)

She was so pleased and went to bed that night with a big ol' smile on her face.

It was so tough to pull off this surprise day for Meg.  She was constantly asking questions, second guessing me, and making her own plans. 

When I was completely exasperated with her.......

Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps.

I wonder how many times the Lord has thought, "I wish she would just trust Me!  I have all this planned out and it's perfect for her.  Better than she could have planned for herself."

And all the while I rush around second guessing him and making my own plans.