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Thursday, March 15, 2012

My Life Is Full of Surprises...


I never like to mix my teaching blog with my personal life but this is worth sharing. For months now my husband and two daughters (who live far away) have been planning a birthday party for me. My husband told me he would wait for me to fall asleep each night (sometimes earlier than I want to admit) and he would get on the phone with the girls to work on the plans. It was so spectacular that I am still trying to wrap my head around it.
It was in a gorgeous part of Orange County and he had it outside with delicious food and wine. The daughters contacted everyone they thought I would want, including my entire grade level. They created a slide show of my life (sniff) which was really embarrassing  touching. They wrote a poem together about having me for a mom and other friends spoke about our friendships. OMG. It was a lot to take in with presents and a cake that was amazing with a gorgeous photo of my family. My husband flew in my sister as a surprise for me and my niece came from New York! At the end of the party my very quiet husband stood up and read a poem he had written about our lives together over 37 years. There was not a dry eye in the room... That is why I have not blogged this week. I am still try to take it all in...

36 comments:

Gladys said...

What a lovely surprise...happy birthday to you! Many blessings today and always. :)

hsamuelson said...

What a wonderful way to show how much you are loved and appreciated! Congratulations and many more blessings wished for your future!

Unknown said...

So sweet! Happy Birthday!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue Skies

Unknown said...

How amazing! You are a lucky lady and very loved! Thanks for sharing that with us! I bet you are just floating on all that love!!

We Teach Like A Rockstar said...

All I can say is...WOW! Thanks for sharing!!! Amber

Karyn said...

Wow! What a wonderful family you have! You are clearly very loved and so blessed! Wishing you many more blessings!

Kideducator@comcast.net

Tonia said...

Oh, I am so touched reading your story. How wonderful!
You deserve it, you are so giving and loving to even your blogging friends.Happy Belated Birthday!
Blogging world missed you
Tonia
Mrsvento.blogspot

jani said...

I am so sorry I was not able to attend this glorious event. You are a special Lady with an equally special family. Happy Happy Birthday and many more. You are wonderful.
Janis Asrat

Alessia Albanese said...

Sounds wonderful! Happy birthday!

ΡΌ Alessia
Mrs. Albanese’s Kindergarten Class

Pocketful of Littles said...

Happy belated birthday!


Pocket Full of Kinders

Glindathgd said...

Fran,

I was so touched by the wonderful tribute your family paid you. You are truly deserving! How wonderful to have your birthday celebrated so beautifully! Wishing you many many more simchas! (happy occassions)
Lisa

Camille said...

Oh Fran ... I am so happy that this happened to you! What a loving gesture on the part of your family for a wonderful wife, mother and friend. Hurrah for Fran!
Love to you,
Camille
An Open Door

Freckleteacher said...

Amazing love for an amazing woman! I am very impressed that they could "pull a fast one" on you Fran. You are one sharp cookie! I can only imagine what a special party that was and how blessed you all are feeling. Your family for having you in their life and you for being so loved and appreciated.
Thanks for sharing this special event!

Kristen said...

Oh my gosh Fran, how lovely! I agree with Tonia above, you do deserve it for all the reasons she said.
Kristen :)

Noelia said...

Happy birthday!!thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

That is wonderful! It is so nice to be surprised that way.

:) Ann

Pingles said...

I guess your report cards are done now that you have updated your blog. I think that was absolutely fantastic of your family and I am so happy you had a wonderful time! You certainly deserve it.

Now, onto school things...so what are your thoughts on this TK kinder??? Are you going to teach it? I am thinking about it but I don't know enough and it is hard to go through another person. Pam is our person to attend meetings but she does not want to teach it. It would be fun to fumble through with you!!! Let me know your thoughts it and when you get a chance....please.

Mrs. McHaffie said...

That is a such a special treat! I'm not going to lie, just reading this wonderful story brought a tear to my eye! :)

Happy belated birthday!!
Kelly
Beg, Borrow, Steal

Cindy said...

Hi Fran,
I tried to leave a comment earlier, but something went wrong with submitting....Anyway...I'm back to say that I agree with everyone here in saying you deserve such a wonderful celebration of YOU!!! Sending you an extra big hug!!

Little Food Junkie said...

You BLESSED lady!!! I am so happy you had a GREAT BDay. FYI I love the website:)

Learning with Mrs. Parker said...

Oh, Fran! What a special day for you and those you love! You deserve it! :)

Mary said...

How wonderful. You are so loved.

Mary
Sharing Kindergarten

Unknown said...

My family and church friends had a surprise party for me last month -- what a great surprise! Happy birthday to you!! So, are you going to share that poem your husband wrote??

Mrs. Lofgren said...

What a wonderful birthday surprise!!! :)

Stacy Johnson said...

Awww! I love reading Non-teaching blogs once in a while! What a great story Fran! Thanks for sharing!

Stacy
Mrs Johnson’s First Grade

Elizabeth Polston said...

What a lovely family showing what a deep impact you have had on them and all those around you. Just shows you are greatly loved! Happy Birthday!

Elizabeth

Mommy2CVC said...

How wonderful! You truly deserved such a wonderful birthday! I got teary eyed just reading your description!

Fran Kramer said...

I only wish I could have shared this with the friends I have made on all of these blogs. I am blessed to be part of this internet family. I need to live in this moment for a few more days.
Thank you for your love and friendships. Maybe getting old is not so terrible!
Fran

Rhonda said...

Happy Birthday, Fran.
I have been following (or stalking) your blog for some time now. You are an inspiration. To think you still are so passionate and have so much commitment for teaching is wonderful.

The children you teach are so lucky.

Following fantastic teachers like yourself has inspired me to start blogging. I hope I can have the same inspiration on others as you have had on other teachers.I hope your birthday was wonderful.
Rhonda

Waddell said...

Congratulations Fran on a wonderful family and birthday celebration! Sounds like a touching and memorable event! Your family sounds amazing!

Tonia said...

I absolutely love your blog. You inspire me. You gave me such a gift with your speech on Virtual Teaching expo. Thanks! I wanted to award you with The Lovely Blog award. go to my blog to see the rules.
Thanks
Tonia
mrsvento.blogspot

Annie Moffatt said...

Happy Birthday, sweet Fran! You are an amazing woman and it is evident in your daughters love for you (and your husbands!).

Mrs. Larremore said...

The same things just happened to me Fran!! It was my husband and best friend though!! They were so secretive and they planned it for after my birthday so a close friend of mine could come from out of town. I was so surprised!! I had a sweet little slide show that brought me to tears too and a fun game to see how well everyone knew me that made me laugh hysterically!!
I am glad you had a special night for her birthday!! Looks like we both have very special people in both our lives!!

Jill said...

That is AWESOME!!!

quiltmom anna said...

It sounds like it was a spectacular birthday party. It makes one feel so special, valued and loved. Happy happy birthday- Some surprises are pretty hard to get your head around. Our son who lives four thousand miles from us - just showed up in the middle of the night to visit for 10 days. I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. It has been a very special week.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

Kristin said...

You deserve this!!!! I love that your friends and family celebrated you on your special day. What a great hubby and wonderful daughters!!!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher