The Surprise! Part One...

Nearly three years ago 

I began reading Karen's blog.

It is called Blue Barn Bulletin.

In one post I mentioned

that I wanted to learn to make bread.

Right away, Karen volunteered her favorite recipes

 and we made them.

In fact, we still make these breads.

Chelsea and I debate who's idea it
was to ask if Julianne wanted to be
a pen pal.  She thinks it was her idea
while I am convinced I was the genius.

I do know that I emailed Karen,
who was very agreeable,

and we let the girls

take it from there.

Ever since, long emails have been written

 on a very regular basis.
Then a geography game

was developed which

caused much thought and discussion.
As a Homeschool Mom this was
a dream come true.

Finally the girls began writing a book.

Each girl narrates her chapter as a

certain character and they take turns

writing chapters.

Who knows, one day it may be published. 

It really is that good.

Chelsea began asking if it would be

possible to meet Julianne.

Perhaps I could contact her mother

and invite them to come this summer?

I took my time getting around to it..

Finally, Chelsea quit asking so often.

Then I sent the emailed invitation.

Was there any way they

might consider

coming?

Time went by and it didn't

seem too likely...but there was

a chance.

Then one day Bandit pointed out that

there was an email just waiting to

be read....

Ok, so Bandit didn't actually have

anything to do with it, but this

picture just kind of fit the story

so I threw it in there.
She is awfully cute....

Anyway, Karen said

they could come after

they were done at their

Quizzing Nationals in Illinois.

They would then drive 14 hours

to our home in Southeastern PA.

Oh my.

And...could we keep it a secret from the

Girls???

Oh my, again.

Chelsea and I are so very close!

Keeping a secret from her is like

trying to get gold out of Fort Knox!!

Well, we would try.

And we did well, for a long time.

At first just a few people knew
our secret,

but in the last week or so I

told many friends who would

be joining us for Chelsea's party.

The planning got more intense.

My Mother in law, Georgia, and I would meet in the

back yard to discuss the details.

Karen and Clarence would be sleeping

next door in Georgia's guest room

while the girls would stay here with

Chelsea. Georgia would make breakfast

for them on Sunday morning as I would have to

be at the church quite early.

It was this particular discussion 
that got us into trouble.

Julianne and family were expected to

arrive on Saturday. On Thursday evening

we were once again in the yard. Chelsea

joined us. Georgia asked me a detail about

breakfast on Sunday.

I answered.

I mentioned the family's name.

Oh, you should have seen Chelsea's

face. She was incredulous.

I am not sure if she was more

surprised that her friend was coming

or that I ruined the surprise.

But, very quietly she said,

"I think you just gave away

a surprise..."

Oh! Was I mad at myself!

But there was an upside
to this near disaster.

It was the anticipation and fun

of chattering away as we worked

to prepare for our company.

On their end of things, Karen

was doing much better at keeping

the secret. Her girls were busy

at their Quizzing event
and all was well.

After their team took first place,

they hopped in their van and drove

many hours before stopping at a hotel.

The girls remained in the dark.

Finally on the second day of their

journey Clarence pointed out that

they had passed into PA.

Now, you need to know that Julianne

is not a clueless person, but she was working

on a project in the back seat.

Karen had asked her to crochet a border

on a baby blanket as a gift for Mrs. Rabe's

new little granddaughter. Julianne was

working diligently on this without any

idea that she would be seeing this baby

the very next day.

So, pretty soon our phone rang and it

was Julianne. She was giggling and ecstatic.

I asked her where she was...Her response

was one of sheer disbelief.

She sounded as if she were laughing
and crying at the same time,

"In Pennsylvania!!!!"

I asked her what in the world she

was doing in PA? I mean she was

supposed to be on her way home
from an exciting time in Illinois.

It was so fun....to hear her excitement.
She and Chelsea talked and talked
on the phone as Chelsea made treats
for her birthday party to be held the
next day.  Now it would be
Julianne's party, as well.
Their birthdays are just
days apart.

Finally, they pulled into the driveway!

Oh, to see in person, these dear folks

that we only knew online.

Hugs all around and then the posed

photos of shock that I posted yesterday.
Remember?

You know we just had to have those expressions, 

even if it wasn't real time. 

Both Julianne and Chelsea were

totally shocked...but that is not all.

You see, Julianne has a younger sister

named Allison. Allison was paying

attention on the road and began passing

notes to Karen as they went further away

from home. She figured it out, 

but kept the secret.

What a great sister!!!

Both of these girls are wonderful!

We are so blessed to call them friends.

Karen and Clarence should be so very

proud of them.

Tomorrow I'll share more about 

the fun we had during their very brief 

visit.  Warren and I enjoyed getting to know

Karen and Clarence...so much.

I know that if they lived close by 

we would spend lots of time together.

They are just the type of people we 

enjoy being around.

It was an amazing weekend.

Come back tomorrow for party pics.