Mommy Gossip

Nothing like party planning when you're sick.

Troy turned 40 on March 13. I turned violently ill on March 9--a resperatory flu that lasted 10 days. Thanks to family, friends, and strangers, I walked out of my room at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 to 15 guests, a beautifully decorated house (thanks to my mom), and a table full of appetizers (thanks to a neighbor and many guests) and complete with a personalized birthday cake (thanks to Jamie Moesser). We were ready to surprise Troy!

Guests continued to stream in while Troy finished his "errand." When he finally re-entered the party scene formerly known as our house, all of the guests were hiding downstairs, and he came walking in with empty boxes of beer and cigarettes, saying "Jyl, we can start the party now!" Everyone cracked up, because they knew Troy would never just walk in quietly, without doing something funny. In fact, several people were betting on just how creative he would get with his entrance.

The party, as it turned out, wasn't a surprise to Troy. The night before the party, he had run into one of his friends at Blockbuster. The guy had let his beard grow to his chest. Anyway, the afternoon before the party, I took Chase into my confidences and told him that I had a secret for him, but that he had to promise not to tell anyone. I then said, "We are throwing a surprise party for dad tonight" He quickly replied, "I already know all about that. I heard dad telling Jesus at Blockbuster last night."

What was surprising to Troy was how many friends came--about 30 of the 48 I had invited. Marsha flew in from the Bay Area. Sallie drove down from Boise. People from various phases in his life came--from elementary and high school, from BYU, people he worked with at ZCMI, and other friends and family. Most of those who couldn't come, sent regrets.

While we had pool and ping pong set up in the basement for people to play, most people stayed upstairs, mingling with each other. It was fun to catch up with so many friends, but difficult to not be able to spend as much time as we would have liked with all of our friends.

I am putting together a book for Troy as a birthday gift. I had guests write funny stories about Troy and we took pictures of everyone at the party. I am not designing the book online and will have it ready once I get all of the stories. I have spent many hours at the computer laughing until I cried over the funny tales people tell about Troy.

What a fun birthday! I love you, Troy!