Treasure Hunt for Memories - A Birthday Surprise

Happy Birthday, Da!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." 
Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)

I've spent the past several weeks starting to go through all our stuff as we prepare for our move to Texas.  Because our rental in Dallas is fully furnished, we won't need to take much with us.  That means we will need to get rid of almost everything we've manage to "store up"!  Sometimes I think that stuff multiplied in the attic!  I often read this verse from Matthew as I try to remind myself that these "things" are just things.  I want to start storing up heavenly treasures, and I want my kids to understand the importance of doing things that will have eternal effects.  I want them to understand the value of forming deep, lasting relationships and the importance of giving rather than receiving.  Instead of contantly hunting for earthly treasures, we need to invest our time in sharing God's love and gathering memories that are theif-resistant!

The kids and I had the chance to make one of those memories yesterday when we gave my dad a special birthday surprise.  After a conversation with my mom last week, I decided to bring the kids down to Florida to help celebrate my dad's birthday.  We decided to keep it a secret from my dad.  The next day I told Kieran about our plan and he asked me what we should get "Da".  I asked him what Da liked and he said, "Well, he likes to see me.  He likes to play with me, and he likes to fish."  From that answer, we came up with a plan to give Da a present he would never forget.  Kieran decided that he and Elyse would hide in a box and jump out (they practiced saying "surprise" and "boo" all the way to Florida). 

When we were almost to the house, I called my mom to make sure my dad would answer the door.  We got out of the car and put the box in front of the door.  The kids jumped in.  I rang the doorbell and ran to hide behind my parent's van with my camera.  It took a while for my dad to answer the door, and I really can't believe the kids stayed still and quiet that long!  As you can see from the video, my dad had no idea what was going on.  We was so surprised and excited.  The only thing that would have made it better is if the other 4 grandkids had been hiding inside, too! 

Birthday surprise memory complete and stored away!