Valentine-ish recap and what we are up to...

I amight have said this before but Valentines is one of my fav holidays...it is about love, it requires ALOT of red, and is full of candy... what more could a girl want???

Being that it fell mid-week we didn't do too much as a couple but we shared lots of fun time with the kids, special treats etc. I love being able to spend time with family and here's what takes place when we do - laughs and twirls! The laughter during this should've been recorded - Abbi is dizzy, Taylor is dizzy (aka supergir), but both screaming for more:)
This little party at church took quie a bit of time but was totally worth it. The Lord was faithful and all were "in love" with the results. The cupcake liner pom poms were a HUGE hit! and not terribly expensive. How did styrofoam balls get to be $6 though - like a solar system science project must be worth a fortune these "many" years later.

Braden was the only one to do Valentine's for school - we did the shovels and the wording "I dig you!" on it. Just realized I have no pics of the finished project - how does that happen???

And just for kicks.. my sweet girl..growing so fast. We are anticipating some major changes with middle school on the horizon. I am trying hard to hear the voice of God with where they are supposed to be. School is supposed to be challenging. It is supposed to be about academics. Do I think my chilren will be Nobel Prize Winners - the chances are slim. Do I want them to get into great colleges .... YES! We must take this one day at a time. Do i want to be chained to a dining room table for three hours a night with homework ...NO!!!

But these children are my life... I want the best for them... if that means some changes and inconveniences on us as parents...that should be o.k. with us...Their success is our responsibility. Am I nervous...You better believe it! What if they struggle? Didn't I struggle? Sure! But it is much easier I think to be the one struggling than to watch your loved one struggle - particularly your children. Please Lord, Guide us and give us the ability to follow that guidance!

As I am typing Braden and Abbi come in to ask this "we want to take a picture. I will be in a tux and Abbi wants to wear your wedding dress." They have just spend nearly an hour giving foot massages, and he used the straightener to straighten her hair. Oh how I wish they could play like this all the time. Stay tuned for the wedding picture soon:)

Valentine's Recap

So, Valentine's is one of my FAVORITE holidays...is it the chance to unashamedly show your love, is it the sweets, is it the color RED, most likely all of the above! This Valentine's was a bit different since I had been a bit busy with birthday parties and working.

Well I did get some cute stuff together. I have had this desire for a "real" sifter but the old standards are hard to find. However, my dad went on a visit to N. Carolina and found this great one for me. Couldn't have been more excited to use it. I made banana nut bread for the kids teachers for V-day!


Here is the little tag I made with my Cricut Zooballoo cartridge - not red or pink but super cute!


I went to Bradens class and we decorated sugar cookies - they loved it!

Here is a card I made for a friend - I stitched the ribbon and then ran it through the Xyron (cause apparently I have the wrong needle for paper it it messes up everytime!)

A special shout-out to my friends (you know who you are) who check up on me when I am a bit spaced out! I love you and I appreciate your love and friendship! Happy Late Valentine's Day to you all!

Valentine Card - Version #1 (sorta)

I just LOVE Valentines but am beginning to feel like the northerners right now - instead of snow, I'm covered up with Valentines! These are our "family" valentines. I didn't do Christmas cards on purpose because they usually get lost in the shuffle (at least that's my opinion.) So, for the last few years I've sent Valentines to all the people on our "Christmas Card List" There are several different color palattes but this is the one I photographed (since the others had already lovingly been put in envelopes by my mother.) I tried to get several shots so you could see the whole thing.

Of course, my three sweet loves!

Here is the side view - it's kinda like a bi-fold turned sideways. I was inspired by a card on the
http://ellesstudio.blogspot.com blog for cardmaking day.

These cards were sent to those who aren't "involved in our day to day lives" so I included the photos on the front and a family letter on the inside.

Hope you're having fun with Valentines Day - I sure am!