A Simple Valentine

Today was a simple Valentine's day, not by my choice, but more from forgetfulness.  In the past, I've had professional Valentine pictures taken of the girls, made homemade cards, breakfast, lunch, & supper centered around hearts & pink... the list could go on and on.  

Maybe it's having three kids now, maybe it's because I'm 32.  But anyway, today was a more simple Valentine.  For breakfast, the girls ate Valentine cookies that they made last night.  For gifts, I only remembered to get them books they might enjoy, red valentine cups, and heart marshmallows.  After my initial disappointment in myself this morning, I was able to sit back and smile at the girls excitement of heart marshmallows in hot chocolate and the vegan cheesy grits that my sweet husband made me.

My sweet Valentines

A Valentine on the run

Could just squeeze her cheeks

Valentine morning...

One of the highlights of the day though was when my sweet Chloe danced with her ballet class at a nearby retirement home.  Watching her give out the bookmarks that she and Naomi made was priceless.

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

Special Times

As many of you can tell, I haven't blogged nearly as often these days due to several reasons.  Enjoying my mom's visit over the past three weeks is one of those reasons.  Once again, it has been so special.  It's been amazing to see the benefits of technology in staying in touch long distance.  As soon as Sophie saw her Nana at the airport, her hands started flapping with cries of "Nana! Nana!"  How I wish that I could have captured it on video.  I could go on and on about how incredible my mother is, but that will be saved for another post.  

January 26 - February 1

Chloe baking bread

Naomi sporting her favorite headband after ballet

Incredible book!  My first book of the year.

Quick visit to the zoo with Kristi, Ava, & Nana

Sweet Ava

Playing dolls

Our last night with Nana

Naomi snuggling with Nana

Farewells at the airport - Ezra strutting in style

Sweet memories...

Enjoying a unseasonably warm day at the park!

The girls and I made these "healthy"
Almond Joy bars.  Delish!

Gratitude is enough

January 22 - January 25

What a beautiful example of new life!  We were privileged
to visit this sweet baby boy within the day of his birth.  

My big girls playing (or watching) a computer game

Such sweet backpacks on our first day back to Prov. 22
Don't you just love Naomi's new one!  It's perfect!

Naomi, on our evening walk.  She's wearing her
fashionable new headband under her lifesaving helmet.  

As our church is currently reading through the book of Job, I have been reminded of the frailty of life and how ultimately, God is in control.  For some reason, this week has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. I cried when I read of a friend from my days in Japan, who lost their precious little girl just weeks before her due date.  I have never experienced such kind of pain.  I have three healthy little girls.  Yet, what do I do when one forgets to pick up her dirty pajamas (again!)?  Do I show grace?  Do I show gratitude for these precious lives that I do not deserve to be given the responsibility to care for?  No....  I truly pray that God will teach me and others as we read about the life of Job.  

Tea Party Time!

January 17th - My big girl, Chloe, making scrambled eggs all by herself.  She even cracked the eggs!

My sleepy Naomi waiting for breakfast to be served.

 

January 18th - Art Class?

Sophie, Naomi, and I stayed home from church Wednesday night because Naomi wasn't quite up to par, but a tea party on the kitchen floor helped make things a little better.  

(Notice the pinky... a girl after her mama's heart!)

January 19th - The only picture I took all day - my sweet husband working hard on his beloved Mac.

January 20th - My heart swells in moments like these.  Watching Marty with Sophie on the floor was priceless.  (She's getting pretty good at her puzzles.)

January 21st - Tea Party time again!  Can you tell Naomi likes tea parties?  This was her idea of Saturday morning pleasure.  Needless to say, more water ended up on the floor than in the tea cups (thanks to Sophie!) and Naomi kept running to the bathroom due to all the cups of water she had to drink since Cookie Monster and Suzie, the cabbage patch kid, refused to drink their tea.  What party poopers!

The Daily Grind

Our date night to the Melting Pot (compliments of my parents & free babysitting from Mama)

How blessed I am! (January 12th)

January 13th - My amazing mother cooking the best vegan meal I've ever tasted (Baked Tofu & gravy).  It tasted like pork chops, but better!!  This was a typical picture of her since she has arrived for her visit.  Sophie cannot get enough of her Nana.

Naomi got glow in the dark glasses for her birthday and then Nana did an experiment with the girls involving the liquid from glow sticks.  Quite exciting!

My sweet nephew, Ezra turned one on December 23rd, but we had his party on Saturday so my mom & Ryan's parents could be there.  A perfect one year old party!

January 14th - Our sweet Mama with me and my sisters, Joy & 

Kristi (who's expecting a boy too!)

January 15th - Our church's first annual chili cook-off

We had 31 teams and about 200 people attending altogether.  It really was a great time!  I fixed my vegetarian chili (which I love, of course) and was pleasantly surprised to find another team with one as well.  It was delish!  Of course, mine did not win, but it was fun anyway.  I was very proud of my hubbie for organizing the majority of the event.  He worked so hard and it was well worth it in the end.

January 16th - Mondays!!!  Today was a typical one.  Lesson plans not yet written, dishes still out from the cook-off, stayed up too late the night before, and of course, over-slept that morning!  Even though school work was accomplished, lunch served, and naps (Praise the Lord!) were still on schedule, I could not escape my Monday blues.  A trip to Kroger after rest time didn't help at all!!  Moved to tears on my way home, I was ready to give up and turn in my time card for the day.  But frozen pizzas and a forgiving family helped me to step back and remember that things really aren't so bad.  Before turning in for the night, I checked on my little ones and couldn't help but be thankful for them. 

They stayed asleep even while I took these.

January 17th - Just an every day lunch of pb & j sandwiches, carrot sticks & chips while listening to Adventures in Odyssey @ www.whitsend.org (truly a mommy blessing!)