For the Dads... especially our guy!

In the homeschool circle, it's easy to focus on the kids or the mom who seems to run the show, but we sometimes forget to notice the guy behind the scenes: the dad.  We forget how hard he has to work in order for us to enjoy this privilege of teaching our children at home.  Instead of noticing all the things he's not doing, let's praise and focus on all the ways he's an amazing dad and husband!

So, on this Valentines day, we (our girls and I) say Thank you!  

- for giving in silent, sometimes unnoticed ways so we can pursue the path God has called our family to take.

- for supporting me as their teacher without question, yet holding me accountable when I doubt.

- for desiring most of all to train our girls in God's word.  

- for cultivating a love of the world, both geographically and spiritually.

21 Valentine's later... our love is sweeter, our commitment to each other more strong, and our selfies crazier than ever. May we continue to love adventuring, learning, and growing alongside each other more and more everyday!

Our Love Story... (& what love's got to do with it)

Even though it's been a couple of days since Valentine's day, the memories of years past still sit fresh and new.  18 years ago, we went on that first Valentine date.  But what I remember the most is the first time we met.  As a gawky 15 year old with permed hair clear down my back, I was faced with another new set of faces (and American faces at that.) Nervous and shy, I remember this cute, older guy with glasses who introduced himself as soon as he stepped in the door.  "Hi!  I'm Marty."  I'll never forget how welcomed I felt (which is rare in a teenage Sunday School class).

We were friends, more like brother & sister for at least the first eight months.  Our short lived relationship as boyfriend/girlfriend lasted an entire two weeks and three days, which included that first Valentine's day.  Our friendship remained, not the same, but still there.  But we knew later that summer that our friendship would last forever.  

He is my best friend who knows me better than I know myself. When I cry uncontrollably, he gives space, yet comforts when the time is right.  He patiently puts up with my hair-brain ideas and never says "I told you so..."  He accepts me when I fail again and again.  He lets me dream when laundry should be folded and the bathroom needs cleaning. He buys me "Hallmark" cards (even if they are from Walmart) and roses to remind me of our dating days.   

He has given me three of my favorite people in the world. These girls make any day a special day.  I may not always respond with their same enthusiasm each day, but their thrill for life inspires me.

But now that Valentine's is over... what's love got to do with it?

I always thought that the opposite of love was hate.  Yet this is not the case.  Really the opposite of love is selfishness. When we choose to love others, we sacrifice some of ourselves (sometimes more than others.)  When we choose self over anyone or anything else, there is no love.  

So when it's his turn to make the bed, pull up the covers with the pride and choose to love.  When meetings go longer than planned, shower him with kisses when he walks through the door, knowing he's working hard as an act of love.  All week the song by Warren Barfield, Love is not a Fight, has been mulling through my head.  

Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight, but it's something worth fighting for

Fight for your marriages.  Love is a choice, not a feeling. Choose to love your husband above all others, including yourself.

"The success of loving is in how we change because we kept on loving - regardless of anything else changing.  The value of loving is in the value of being like Christ." - Ann Voskamp

A Sweet Valentine's Day...

Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I have vivid memories as a child (in boarding school) getting a package in the mail every February with a card from my parents and a chocolate heart.  I would savor that heart over the entire week of Valentine's Day.  I remember another Valentine's Day, sweet sixteen, yet not so sweet when my boyfriend broke up with me three days later.  Heartbroken!  One year, I received (from that same boyfriend!) the biggest stuffed white gorilla holding a giant Hershey kiss and a bouquet of red roses.  I am sure I blushed...  Since then, Valentine's Day has held many more memories.

Last year, I posted about giving my husband the 12 days of Valentine's.  It was so much fun!  But to be honest, this year I cheated and found on Pinterest (of course!) some printable tags for the 14 days of Valentine's.  Here is her link and a glimpse of a couple of the Valentines that I surprised my hubbie with from February 1 through Valentine's Day.  Most of the items I found at the Dollar Tree.  The bouncy balls were a God-send the morning he found them, entertaining our girls for a good hour downstairs while I madly threw together the Valentine cards needing to be mailed to out-of-town family.  The cupcake was free from GiGi's Cupcakes (used the free Thursday code!  Woo hoo!)  My card to him was also found on Pinterest, but adapted to the dying scrapbooker in me.  He is always so appreciative of anything I make for him and saves all of his cards in a box, which makes it worth anytime I spend on them

The girls made simple valentines from blank white cards, foam bookmarks (both from a previous year's leftovers), and the printable glow stick idea from Pinterest.  The glow sticks were perfect this year since my 8 year old has become very conscientious about what boys think.  Great valentine for boys or girls!  On the other hand, Naomi, my six year old, could not understand why someone would give her a Star Wars valentine.  "I don't even like Star Wars, Mommy!"  The day before Valentine's, they made their cards for their daddy by stamping with pencil erasers, thanks to.... Pinterest.  I know I should really give it a break.  

I'm coming to realize that my expectations of these holidays are affecting my girls more and more.  Chloe was so upset when she realized that Daddy had to work on Valentine's Day, the mail lady had to work on Valentine's Day, and we had to do school work on Valentine's Day.  What is the world coming to?  

Favorite parts of the day:

• Their giddy excitement of their simple gifts
• Heart shaped doughnuts given by a friend 
• The girls giving each other a gift, picked out at the dollar store
• Visiting & giving cards to the residents of our local retirement home 
• Lunch with Marty and my surprise rose bush
• A lovely cup of coffee while reading Valentine books with my girls
• Supper as a family with heart bread from Stick Boy Bakery
• Movie at home with my dearest & best friend

12 Days of Valentine

Back in December, I had read of an idea on one of my favorite blogs, www.passionatehomemaking.com to do something special for my husband by giving gifts for the 12 days before Christmas.  At the time, I didn't think I could add anything else to my plate, and thought, "Maybe next year."  But after hearing one of sisters do it for her husband and loving it, I thought, "Why not the 12 days before Valentine's?"  

Day 1 - One Krispy Kreme Doughnut

Day 2 - Two Mountain Dews

Day 3 - Three Cliff Bars

Day 4 - Four McD's gift certificates (they were $1 each)

Day 5 - Five love notes from the past (I kept all of them from high school.  It was really fun to read them together.)

Day 6 - I was a slacker and didn't make the six firestarters that I planned to and gave him six sweet tarts instead.  But he surprised me with a note that on the sixth day of Valentine's, I could have a six minute massage.  I should have thought of that!

Day 7 - Seven Praises

A sweet trip to Asheville for a wedding

Being the coolest daddy!

1.  You never hold a grudge.  (You say it's because of a bad memory, 

but I truly think that God made you this way for a reason.)

2.  You are always faithful.  I know without a doubt that you'll be by my side till the day one of us goes to be Jesus.

3.  You are so thoughtful.  Whether it's washing the dishes or a simple "I love you!" text message, 

I know that you've thought about me at some point during your day.

4.  You are the best daddy our girls could ever dream of having.  It's because of you that when our girls enter a Hallmark store, they proceed to push every single plush toy that plays music (all at the same time!)

5.  You are the funnest person in the world to be with.  Vacations are not the same without you!  

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd want it to be with you.

6.  You love our Lord and Savior with everything that's in you.  

How blessed I am to have married a man who loves God and lives that love out in his ministry.

7.  You are my very best friend!  With each season of life, I am even more thankful to have you by my side.

I love you, Marty Middleton!

Marty holding our precious Sophie Joy