Surprise!

Erik's sister is in Washington visiting his family for a few weeks. We haven't seen her since August 2009 and little Jamie was just born in January. I was so disappointed that she chose to come now just days after I came home from Africa and in the busiest month of my academic career. I really couldn't take the time off to go visit her.

Erik picked me up at the airport on Saturday night and then he went down to his parent's house on Tuesday to visit with Shawna and the family. I spent the week at my sister's house regretting that I didn't go with him, but I had a lab to attend and CRNE study books to purchase (and study). Erik had his nephews ask me when I was coming down every time I called and he eventually wore me down.

After trying every possible avenue to get down there, I made a last ditch effort and went to the bus depot at 10:30pm in hopes of catching the 11:30 bus to Abbotsford. This plan was only hatched at 9:30pm so it was a bit of a surprise to myself. Erik drove from his parent's house to Abbotsford and picked me up at 3:30am! We snuck into his parent's house at 5:30am and managed to catch a couple hours of sleep before we heard little voices chatting and little bodies making their way downstairs.

Erik hadn't told his sister that I was coming so he was very excited to march me into the kitchen to say good morning. When we got to the bottom of the stairs our nephew came around the corner, pointed at me, asked "how did you get here?", and then jumped into my arms. When Shawna saw me she did a little happy dance and said something or other in disbelief and then she came and gave me a great big hug! I'm a sucker for surprises. I just love 'em.

So even though it was absolutely ridiculous to travel in the middle of the night, for Erik to pick me up in Abbotsford and drive back to his parent's (he left at 1:20 and didn't get back until 5:30), and to make the trip just for a day and a half -- it was worth it. Absolutely worth it.

Especially after I had these three little boys in my arms.