Nope, still don't like surprises

The year was 1976, I was very pregnant with our second child and living on the U.S. Air Force Base in England. It was great day.

Taking care of a 4 year old, and being VERY PREGNANT- I always had the deer-in-the-headlight look on my face. Don't judge me...I was very tired.

Our American furniture was finally here! We could get the base furniture that had been loaned to us back to the base. Our fridge was coming as well and we could give back the English fridge which was about the size of a cooler for a dorm room and the washer was coming as well. We had the transformers ready to plug in our American appliances. (American appliances are designed for 110 volts, whereas electricity in England is 220 volts, hence the need for transformers) All the English base furniture that was loaned to us was stacked up to a wall.  It was leaving first thing in the morning. I was so happy!

Hubby was in Spain at a shooting tournament for the Air Force and was not due home for another week! What a surprise for him to come home and see all the American furniture in our home!

Our son, now 4 years old was getting a set of bunk beds and he was so excited! So after tucking him in bed and satisfied that I was completely ready for the big day I went off to bed.

After a few hours of sleep I was awakened when the front door began to rattle.

Everything was packed. He had the guns with him! Someone was clearly breaking in and this time hubby is not even in the same country! I'm not anyplace near a phone! Cell phones didn't exist yet!

The door was now open. I could hear someone walking down the hall. I did what I know to do, protect my baby!

I grabbed hubby's night stick and as the person came around the corner I yelled and swung the night stick hitting the intruder in the gut, doubling him over and trying to breath. One hand went up and in a very rasspy voice I heard my hubby say " surprise, I'm home early"

Apparently, everyone knew I was pregnant and with all the problems we had with our son, they let him get his shooting out of the way and sent him home early to be with me.

He came in and saw all the base loaner furniture packed to one side and was worried about me so he was coming right down the hall to check on us when I surprised him first. 

I was so mad! He surely knows not to surprise me right? Didn't we have something like 4 years ago, did he forget?

Apparently not. Since he had the guns with him because of the competition he figured he was safe!  Right!?

Once again he had to learn that no matter what I will stand between whatever/ whoever and protect my child. Any danger would have to go THROUGH me first.

Lesson learned.

He started calling me when he left work to let me know he was on his way home. For a while, he yelled from outside the house that he was entering the home now!

Good boy!

They can be taught.

The photo yellowed with age, this is long before ditigal camera and keeping photos safe.  Still, I'm huge with child, don't surprise me.

With cellphones, he stills let's me know when he on his way home but no longer feels the need to announce that he is outside the home waiting to come it.

He also doesn't surprise me.