Our Valentine's Day in Pictures

I realized recently that I can be a bit of a Scrooge about holidays since I think they are overly commercialized - a fact proven by the way that the Valentine's aisles were cleared out and Saint Patrick's Day which is in a few weeks that has little market-ability was skipped right over in lieu of Easter stuff. I was thinking about it this past week and decided to spend the day showering my kids with love. They woke up this morning to "I Love You" spelled out on in candy hearts on the island. I had made their favorite chocolate chip pancakes and warm syrup - so we got them all sugared up. They ate and listened to Natalie Cole. It was a fun morning.
Later, I made this incredible cake that I had once at my friend, Kathie's house four years or so ago, and have thought about it all this time. There are a lot of steps - but it is SO worth it. Kendra said she wants it for her "wedding cake". I also made heart shaped pizzas so the day wasn't totally sugar. It has been a nice day. I know it sounds like it was all about the food, but we spent the whole day loving on each other. That truly was, in spite of all the sugar, the sweetest part.

Flaming Hoops

Note to self: change ringer on your cell phone alarm clock so that it is distinctive from husband's special ring tone
My husband tried several times to call this morning on his way to work to tell me he loved me and wish me a Happy Valentine's day. He said he was sorry he forgot to leave a note. I reminded him that there were no more flaming hoops to jump through here - but evidently I was wrong. You have to call two or three times and have your wife continue to hang up on you thinking you're the alarm clock and she's hitting the snooze button.

Valentines Schmalentines - Take Two

Okay so let me first wish all my cyber-friends a happy Valentine's Day. I have already posted my mushy-gushy thoughts about the holiday here last year, so I won't belabor the issue. I did make this little token of my affection for my husband for a little "newsletter" we did at our co-op where people could buy ads to send to their loved ones. I thought I would share it here to let you know I am as sentimental as the next girl. I showed it to him today and he loved it.

Better than that, my husband had half of a day off because he had to go to the doctor for blood work, and he called me on his way there and asked if he could take me out to eat this afternoon since he wouldn't see me on Valentine's Day. I am telling you the God's honest truth, when it really really mattered to me, when I braced myself for utter disappointment and had anxiety over whether or not he would remember - he could let the day come and go with nary a word. The fact that he cared and wanted to do something special with me was terrific. We went to the new restaurant in town where Kendra works for a nice lunch. We asked for her to be our waitress, and so they sat us in the only table available - a table for six - at lunchtime - in a crowded restaurant. We felt selfish, so we told the hostess she could sit the older couple that we had been chatting with at our table, if they wanted. They did and it was awesome. We enjoyed the company and conversation immensely. It was a very nice time. I am learning that letting go is so much better, cause the truth is I can't make it happen my way anyway!

Enjoy it For Now

The girls went to a high school Valentine's party at a friend's house tonight, and the girls are staying to sleep over. Kullen is also friends with the brother, and was invited to come, hang out, and spend the night there. (He was totally jazzed about this!) The girls were dressing up - and they looked so beautiful I just had to take some pictures. I'm sharing a couple, but you can see them all here.
It has been so quiet here tonight. I did have some quiet time alone snuggling with Travis until he passed out from the long day at work.
I have really enjoyed the quiet time to myself - but at the same time I miss the kids. I hate going to sleep without them in the house. I know the day will come when all too soon, they won't be coming home to sleep - and I do not look forward to that day.
When I saw them tonight, all dressed up it just took my breath away. My baby girls are growing up so fast, and so is my little boy. I wish I knew how to always be present in these days - to truly enjoy every moment. It seems to elude me.
Right now they're probably listening to loud music, laughing with friends and creating memories and new inside jokes, eating junk food and drinking soda. Kullen just called to tell me goodnight - but he didn't seem very interested. For the first time ever, it seemed he thought I hugged him too long before I left him at the party.
Oh well, I won't dwell on this right now. I'll drink my hot tea, read a book, and go to bed knowing that I will wake up to a nice, quiet house tomorrow morning! For now, I will enjoy it!