The Last 2 Weeks in Review

The last two weeks have been filled with baking treats for kids classes, volunteering at school, Grandparent's Day, sick kids, Valentine's Day celebrations, school parties, stomach flu, playdates, a super fun primary activity, babysitting 6 super active but really fun and sweet kids, house cleaning, catching up with friends, birthday parties, followed by the stomach flu again! 

But my favorite memories include ...staying up late to help Cardi bake Pueblo bread for her class followed by a frantic search for her recorder sheet music for "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" that she needed the next day for a concert for grandparent's day.  We finally ended up finding a couple different versions on line.

Ice Cream and Movies:

I love when I get the chance to have one on one time with my kids.

On Friday, Bella and Cardi each attended a sleep over.  John and Meredith were asleep and so I got to spend some one on one time with Jackson.  He is so fun to watch movies with.  He has such a hearty laugh for such a skinny boy!  I loved just sitting next to him eating icecream and soak all his sweetness in.
Lessons on Love:

In the midst of all the humdrum that fills my days, my sweet friend Linda, died from a rare form of cancer a little over a week ago.  She was a beautiful, vibriant person who left her mark on everyone she met.
She passed quietly in her home surrounded by her family.  Her funeral services were at 7:30 p.m. on Valentine's Day ... something at first I was sad about... I was sad that her 5 beautiful kids would always associate Valentine's Day (a day about love)  with their mother's death but after attending her service I left feeling that this was a  perfect day to remember Linda's life. She loved her husband and her kids, she loved her family, and everyone around her and she was deeply loved. I left with a renewed appreciation for temple covenants and the knowledge that  families are eternal and with a secret vow in my heart to love more.

To My Valentines

*** (Warning:  This is a sappy post...)

Valentine's Day has never really been a huge deal at our house. Sure, we buy flowers and candy (who doesn't like a holiday where you are encouraged to eat chocolate?) and cute little stuffed animals for the kids. But this year, we spent more time focusing on showing our love for each other and less about ... I can't believe I am saying this ... but less about chocolate. 

We spent time focusing on showing each other how much we care.  We wrote  on paper hearts that we posted in the dining room all the things we love as well as the things we love about each other. (I'll admit some of the kids were resistant to writing nice things about their sister but in the end even the stubborn ones managed to find something they loved about their sibling). 

We still bought balloons for the kids and candy and of course the traditional stuffed animal that Daddy buys them every Valentine's Day and yes, those are flowers in the center of the table but this Valentine's Day we remembered everyone that we love both far and near (even if we didn't call or send a card).  So, Happy Valentine's Day (a little belated) Dear Family and Friends!  We love you!



Can't you just feel the Love?



Valentine's Day morning!  I baked mini orange cranberry muffins as requested...but the kids decided chocolate sounded better for breakfast.  Yes, I am one of those moms who lets their kids have chocolate for breakfast on Valentine's Day...oh and Christmas!

Some people only say "I love you" once a year  or occasionally but I am blessed to have a husband who says it everyday.  So, in honor of Valentine's Day this year I will bore you with 20 things I love about James (although I could think of at least a hundred more...)

I LOVE THIS MAN!  The one with the great smile that melts my heart even if I'm mad at him.  He is wonderful, kind, and sweet, and oh so handsome!  He is the love of my life and my best friend.  He makes me laugh and keeps me sane (well, mostly sane).

1.  I love that when I climb into bed with cold feet he snuggles up next to me anyway and lets me put my cold feet on him.
2.  I love that even when I (or usually the kids) accidently wake him up in the middle of the night and he can't go back to sleep, he is never angry.
3.  I love how he interacts with the kids teaching them all sorts of different fun facts from exotic bugs to how things work.
4.  I love that he likes sci fi and fantasy movies and books (so that I always have someone to watch them with).
5.  I love how he will watch a movie with me even if he doesn't like the movie.
6.  I love how he can see the beauty in any place any where.
7.  I love that he expresses how much he enjoys watching movies with me even though I talk to the     characters in the movie as if they could really hear me and would actually take my advice if they could...a trait unfortunately for him our kids have inherited.
8.  I love that he has  a strong testimony and when I want to play hooky from church, he doesn't let me get a way with it.
9.  I love that he wakes up early with the kids and makes breakfast and lets me sleep in (even if he hasn't gotten a lot of sleep).
10.  I love that every Christmas and birthday he makes me a homemade coupon book for free massages, hugs, and kisses, and I usually get at least one free coupon good for anything...now I wish I hadn't spent it on the Chinese food...I sure could use a good camera.
11.  I love how even when he has worked all day he will still come home and help with the kids and sometimes cook dinner.
12.  I love how he always encourages me.
13.  I love how we can laugh together even at the most awkward moments.
14.  I love that he is my confidant.
15.  I love that because of him, we have 5 beautiful, smart children.
16.  I love that he rarely complains. 
17.  I love how he encourages me to have "me" time...but secretly all I want is time alone with him just talking and laughing.
18.  I love that when I am sick just being close to him makes me feel better.
19.  I love that he makes me a better person.
20.  I love being his ... and I quote his "One True Love."

I also LOVE these 5 little people who make our lives so much better.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, VALENTINES!  I LOVE YOU!!!