Annie's engaged!

We had all been waiting for the day when Zack would propose to Annie.  I thought for sure it was going to come at Christmas, and then New Years, and then her birthday.  When it didn't happen at any of those times, I knew it was bound to happen soon.  I got a text from Annies BFF Kathryn the night before Valentines Day asking if I could talk and I knew then that something was up!  Kathryn was calling to let me know that Zack was going to propose the next night (Valentine's day) and that he wanted Kathryn to be there so she wanted to make sure it would be okay to stay at the house.  Of course I said yes!

I went through the next day trying to keep the HUGE secret from Annie.  She mentioned that she wondered if it was going to happen that night, but really didn't think it would because they had late dinner reservations and Zack had to be back that same night.  I just agreed with her and kept up the act!

I heard from Zack around 3pm that day and he wanted to know if I could somehow get Annie out of the house around 6pm so he could come in and set up things in her room.  Turns out he wanted to propose at our house in the bonus room.  I told him I would try my best to think of a reason to get her out of the house.  We hung up and I thought about it and I just couldn't come up with a single idea of how I could ask her to leave without it being obvious!!  That was going to be right during the time when she would be getting ready for her Valentine's Day date and I was supposed to ask her to go to the store for me?  She may be my nanny, but she is FAR from "the Help".  She knows I would NEVER ask her to do something like that unless it was an absolute emergency and I couldn't figure out how to fake an emergency.  I just thought it would be too obvious. 

So...change in plans.  I called Zack and told him I'd ask Annie to help me give the kids a bath and that he could sneak in while she was in my bathroom with me.  In order to make this work, we had to stall a bit because we were waiting on Kathryn to make it into town.  Zack texted Annie and told him he had something come up and wasn't going to be here until later. Annie was certifiably PISSED.  She was storming around mad and even said "He better not be asking me to marry him tonight because my answer might be no!".  It was hilarious to witness knowing what was happening!  I said I would be pissed too (I had to make it believable afterall :)) and tried to calm her down without making it obvious. 

It came time for baths and I got word that they still weren't close.  I tried to prolong the bath and then asked Annie to blowdry Madison's hair (stalling, stalling, stalling).  I asked her to help me put Madison Claire to bed and Madison even helped with the stalling, asking to read 2 stories and just being cute talking.  I heard some noise in the hall and realized that Zack had made it and was getting things set up.  He put some things on Annie's bed and then went down to the playroom and was down on one-knee.  I had Ryan come in to finish putting Madison Claire to bed and Annie went into her bathroom to get ready.  I noticed her room and saw Zack on one knee through the crack of the bonus room door.  I ran down to tell him hi and let him know she was out.  He was so nervous I thought he might faint!  He told me that Kathryn had just gotten there so I ran downstairs and let Kathryn in.  Zack wanted both of us to be there, so we went back up to the bonus room.  It seemed like forever and Annie still hadn't come in, so I went to check on her.  She was still in her bathroom getting ready!  She hadn't even seen her room yet!  So I went back and told Zack/Kathryn and asked if they wanted me to get her in her room and Zack frantically said yes.  So back I went to Annie's bathroom and told her she should look in her room.  She went in and saw the bed and said "is he here?!  Did Zack do this?" and I said, "just read your card" and then left and went back to the bonus room. 

Before we knew it, Annie was coming in the bonus room.  She saw Zack on one knee and just cried and cried.  Zack was really sweet and Kathryn and I were just hovering in the corner not really sure what to do.  Kathryn took some pictures and I basically just hid behind her!  It was really sweet and Annie was thrilled once she realized what was happening.  At some point she said "I was SOOOOOOOO mad at you!!".  Zack knew she had been upset about him being late and was freaking out about it. 

Ryan and Madison Claire had been lying on the floor in her room looking under the door down the hallway to see it all happen and she was so confused!  I think she didn't know why Annie was crying.  It was precious.

They had to rush out to their Valentine's Dinner, so I went out and bought Annie some wedding magazine and we just sat around waiting for them to come back.  They were both on cloud nine when they came back...too cute! 

We are so excited for Annie and Zack! The date is set for June 22, 2013.