We celebrated Valentine's Day last night with a love filled family dinner and sweets. Interestingly enough, I haven't been a huge fan of Valentine's Day because I love to just love on people all year round, but it's also fun to go overboard one day per year.
We've done this for the past 3 years, but I really feel like last night was the best one we've had by far.
I searched through Pinterest for lots of fun ideas and I found a ton... I picked out a few that I liked (decorations, drinks, activity) and we went with it.
We had pink soda, heart shaped pizza, and ice cream sundays... and tons and tons of chocolate.
By far our favorite thing was our "Love Book".
Earlier this week, I gave each member 5 pieces of paper that said "I love you because..." and they filled in the rest for each family member. I tried to lay low on the instructions but I tried to guide by saying this should be about the person and their qualities, not about you or how they make you feel.
SUCCESS!!!
Our household ages range from 8 to 71 and everyone loved reading what we loved most about them. I actually got a few "We need to do this again next year!" comments. That my friends, is a success in my book.
What do you do for Valentine's Day?
Friday, February 13, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Love Notes
I've been writing a note to the 5 peeps I share a home with for the past 9 days. I intend to go all the way through to 14th (Valentine's Day).
I did something very similar last year and the kids loved it. This year I added my mother-in-law and husband to the mix.
These notes take just a few moments but they reset my mind and heart. I try my best to write things that are specifically for that person. As the days go by and I continue to write the notes, I have been thinking more and more about the legacy I will leave and the way I live now.
How will they remember me?
How are my words helping them?
Do they know just how much they are loved and treasured?
Do they know that their worth is not based on what I think or you think or what they think? That's its based on what He thinks - and he thinks greatly of them.
I wonder if I'm making every single second of my time with them and here on earth count for something.
Maybe these little notes mean nothing to them... but for now, I'm going to believe they penetrate their hearts because they penetrate mine.
I did something very similar last year and the kids loved it. This year I added my mother-in-law and husband to the mix.
These notes take just a few moments but they reset my mind and heart. I try my best to write things that are specifically for that person. As the days go by and I continue to write the notes, I have been thinking more and more about the legacy I will leave and the way I live now.
How will they remember me?
How are my words helping them?
Do they know just how much they are loved and treasured?
Do they know that their worth is not based on what I think or you think or what they think? That's its based on what He thinks - and he thinks greatly of them.
I wonder if I'm making every single second of my time with them and here on earth count for something.
Maybe these little notes mean nothing to them... but for now, I'm going to believe they penetrate their hearts because they penetrate mine.
She slept less in order to love more
My Peanut got some pretty nasty scraps and cuts last night when he and the road met (ouch!). It was yucky and bloody and pretty painful. I cleaned it, put some ointment on it (all 4 areas), bandaged him up, and gave him some meds.
When he got me up at 1:30am because of the pain, we did the process over again; clean, ointment, bandage, Ibuprofen and I tucked him back in.
Before I fell asleep again, my thoughts drifted to my own mom and the nights she would sit in my bed, in a corner of the wall, holding me up against her chest so my asthma attack would lessen. She would go to work the next day and I never heard a complaint.
Hours and hours, and night and nights she rocked me, held me, wiped up my puke, wiped my tears, rubbed my back, sewed little tiny sparkles to my skating dresses... My mom was in the PTA, part of the Figure Skating Club, she fought for the things that would affect me as a student, as a girl, and as woman.
She was strict. Like really strict. And through that she taught me how to clean (like really clean), manners, me how to cook, responsibility, a work ethic, money management, and so much more. But my very favorite, is how to love.
My mom and I may not see eye-to-eye on everything, but the one thing we agree on is that above all else, loving your children is the most important thing you can do as a mom.
Mom, thank you for all the big things and all the little things that I never noticed (and might not remember). You are a wonderful parent and you have impacted my life in a positive and fruitful way. I love you more than the whole wide world and back again!
When he got me up at 1:30am because of the pain, we did the process over again; clean, ointment, bandage, Ibuprofen and I tucked him back in.
Before I fell asleep again, my thoughts drifted to my own mom and the nights she would sit in my bed, in a corner of the wall, holding me up against her chest so my asthma attack would lessen. She would go to work the next day and I never heard a complaint.
Hours and hours, and night and nights she rocked me, held me, wiped up my puke, wiped my tears, rubbed my back, sewed little tiny sparkles to my skating dresses... My mom was in the PTA, part of the Figure Skating Club, she fought for the things that would affect me as a student, as a girl, and as woman.
She was strict. Like really strict. And through that she taught me how to clean (like really clean), manners, me how to cook, responsibility, a work ethic, money management, and so much more. But my very favorite, is how to love.
My mom and I may not see eye-to-eye on everything, but the one thing we agree on is that above all else, loving your children is the most important thing you can do as a mom.
Mom, thank you for all the big things and all the little things that I never noticed (and might not remember). You are a wonderful parent and you have impacted my life in a positive and fruitful way. I love you more than the whole wide world and back again!
Friday, February 6, 2015
Life List Update
I posted this over 3 years ago (nearly 4!) and I am continually working on scratching things off. It takes time and patience and through the process, I realize that my goals have changed, my heart is molded to new thoughts, new hopes and dreams. How blessed I am.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain
Here are 50+ things I'd like to do in my lifetime. Goofy, serious, or just plain crazy - it's my life and I only get to live it once.
- Swim with dolphins
- Visit every State (USA)...
- ...and Province (Canada)
- Spend some time under the Tuscan sun
- Rock my grandchildren to sleep
Own a forever home- Scuba dive
- Spend an entire summer in Wawa
Go to Disney World with the kiddos- Take a cruise
Create life- Throw a giant just-because party for my friends and family
- Take a dance class
- Take a "girlfriends only" trip
- Get paid to do what I love
- Refinish a piece of furniture
- Make some one's dream come true
- Experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans
- Be able to see my abs
- Take a photography class
- Anonymously pay for some one's groceries
- Witness a birth
- Make pasta from scratch
- Make and can jam
- Write a book
- See a Broadway show
- Attend a Country Living Antique Fair
- Grow/maintain a vegetable garden
- Spend 3 months doing missionary work abroad
- Lead someone to Christ
- Lead a "green" life
- Take one shopping trip that mimics the people from "Extreme Couponing"
- See a professional ballet performance
- Learn to surf
- Visit the holy land
- Climb an active volcano
- Ride in a hot air balloon
- Inspire someone
- Visit the Grand Canyon
- Learn to make pottery
- Get a college degree
- Build a Habitat for Humanity Home
- Be an extra in a movie
- Consistently send birthday cards to my loved ones + on time
- Skinny dip in an ocean
- Ride on a sail boat
- See Bon Jovi in concert
- Understand politics
- Do a somersault on a trampoline
- Love to wear swimsuits
Have an office/craft room- Run a half marathon
- Go on an African safari
- Write an article for a magazine
- Retire comfortably
- Live as a vegetarian for 1 month
- Speak at a Christian women's event
Do the rip cord at an amusement park
Thursday, February 5, 2015
I cried.
I don't watch the news.
I don't search for it on the internet.
I've tried to be more aware. I really have. But I can't.
I get emails from FaithIt.com and those keep me up to speed on the good in the world.
B is the one who keeps me somewhat aware of the other stuff. He keeps it to a minimum, shielding me from most of it.
Sometimes the tiny pieces of the wrong pile up and then... I cry. Last night, I cried over the cancer taking over my friend's great-niece. I cried over the woman at church who lost her baby 30 minutes after birth. I cried over the broken relationships surrounding me. I cried over the man who was burned alive by ISIS. I cried.
I cried. I read my Bible. I lay there silent, taking it in. I cried over what we are losing because of our sins and the sins around us. I cried because sometimes, you do it all right, and still it's all wrong.
He is coming back. He will right all the wrongs. He will save us from ourselves.
He is my shelter.
I don't search for it on the internet.
I've tried to be more aware. I really have. But I can't.
I get emails from FaithIt.com and those keep me up to speed on the good in the world.
B is the one who keeps me somewhat aware of the other stuff. He keeps it to a minimum, shielding me from most of it.
Sometimes the tiny pieces of the wrong pile up and then... I cry. Last night, I cried over the cancer taking over my friend's great-niece. I cried over the woman at church who lost her baby 30 minutes after birth. I cried over the broken relationships surrounding me. I cried over the man who was burned alive by ISIS. I cried.
I cried. I read my Bible. I lay there silent, taking it in. I cried over what we are losing because of our sins and the sins around us. I cried because sometimes, you do it all right, and still it's all wrong.
He is coming back. He will right all the wrongs. He will save us from ourselves.
He is my shelter.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
The Couch of Moments
We've been in our home for 1.5 years now and we've done quite a bit. Lots of painting and updating of lights, etc.., it's been fun. We hadn't bought any furniture since we really didn't need anything right away. B's mom moved in with us and brought her own furniture. There was one room that I'd been chomping at the bit to work in... the living room.
We put our couch in the basement for the kids towreck use and we put J's in the living room. It wasn't purchased for a family of 6... and so it was small. A small couch. So we couldn't all sit on it... and it wasn't comfy or the type you can sprawl all over. So we did it. We bought a big comfy couch (was there some kind of kid show called that?).
Last night as R and I were snuggled next to B, and A was snuggled next to me... (so in essence, we were all snuggled up)... A looked around and said "This is the perfect couch for us."
It's not about the "stuff" - trust me, I get that. But it sure is nice when the "stuff" helps create the "moments". It was nice to all be together. All snuggled up, comfy, watching a re-run. Creating a moment on our very big, grey couch.
We put our couch in the basement for the kids to
Last night as R and I were snuggled next to B, and A was snuggled next to me... (so in essence, we were all snuggled up)... A looked around and said "This is the perfect couch for us."
It's not about the "stuff" - trust me, I get that. But it sure is nice when the "stuff" helps create the "moments". It was nice to all be together. All snuggled up, comfy, watching a re-run. Creating a moment on our very big, grey couch.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Learning
I'm laying in bed while B naps... the electric blanket is on "10", doing a little work, doing a little surfing and doing a lot of relaxing.
I'm gearing up for another busy week at work and as my mind starts shuffling through my to-do list, I'm taking a moment for me. To read blogs, to watch him sleep, to lay here.
It's wonderful and horrendous at the same time. My "Type A" mind is running through my endless to-do list but my heart and soul are relishing the moment.
Melting away my have-to's is a goal of mine for 2015... well... it's been a goal for many, many years but as I get older, I'm learning... sssslllllllooooooowwwwwlllllyyyyy... but it's still happening.
To be present. To enjoy laying here. Listening to the pattern of his breathing. Feeling his hand on my leg. Getting lost in my own thoughts.
I'm gearing up for another busy week at work and as my mind starts shuffling through my to-do list, I'm taking a moment for me. To read blogs, to watch him sleep, to lay here.
It's wonderful and horrendous at the same time. My "Type A" mind is running through my endless to-do list but my heart and soul are relishing the moment.
Melting away my have-to's is a goal of mine for 2015... well... it's been a goal for many, many years but as I get older, I'm learning... sssslllllllooooooowwwwwlllllyyyyy... but it's still happening.
To be present. To enjoy laying here. Listening to the pattern of his breathing. Feeling his hand on my leg. Getting lost in my own thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)