Let us Love One Another

"Behold, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

John 4: 7-8

The annual Family Valentine's Day celebration is one of our favorite family traditions. We set the mood with candles, decorations, a pleasingly prepared dinner, a scrumptiously decadent dessert, and games/activities that increase relationships and get the LOOOOVE flowing. We try to make a big deal for Valentine's Day, for God is love; let's celebrate loving one another!

One of the few times we get out the fine china.

Ready to eat...close your mouth, buddy (blue shirt)!

The kids love making name tags and we have to have candy on the table. This is a great opportunity to teach them how to properly set a table.

Love those fun and free printables

Course #1

A certain sentimental soul got out the goblets from our wedding...

Love that these brothers love each other

Happy Valentines Day to my Valentine

I love taking pics with my kids. Note the Christmas cards still up in the background.

Love this crew! We enjoyed a meal of Swiss Steak!

Our son had his own idea for Valentine's Day - so he ditched out early...

...for a fun Valentine's Date. Love the Pink!

Texas Sheet Cake: Sam+Julie = N.A.O.B.S.B.J.A.

A sweet Valentine gift from my son!

Gotta have flowers for the day of LOVE!

Yes, you are sweet!

This event is not one where Mom does all the work. That doesn't fly at our house. One year the boys help to prepare and serve the meal and the girls help to prepare and serve the dessert. The next year we switch. It's a group effort so everyone feels a part of creating a tradition of love. 

I love my family so much...they are everything to me. Each Valentine's Day I give a special Valentine to my husband and children. It's become another tradition - one I started when our oldest was 6 or 7. I specifically list the qualities I love about them. I hope they are saving these Valentines and will be able to look to them for an assurance of the love their mother has for them. 

A few of the cards over the years...

I feel it important to tell your kids and spouse you love them every day. Don't be afraid to speak these words because they will ring in their hearts for years to come. However, I firmly believe it is vital to leave a written record of your feelings for those you love. It's something tangible they can look back on for their lifetime. These records are important family history documents as well. I cherish the "love letters" I've received from my parents and grandparents and hope my children will have the same experience. 

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Hunger-Hint Leads to Spontaneity

spon·ta·ne·i·ty (noun)

1.the state, quality, or fact of being spontaneous.

2.spontaneous activity.

3.spontaneities, spontaneous impulses, movements, or actions.

(www.dictionary.com) 

Spontaneous Moments. You just have to throw one into the mix once in a while. The children love them, and they really do become a permanent memory.

Saturday night we were watching the usual....LHO(t)P. It was 10:45 PM and we had 15 more minutes of an episode. Teenaged son is hungry so he brings it up to Dad. Dad probably wouldn't have "been hungry" too if it wasn't for the hunger-hint.  Dad suggests a frozen pizza in the freezer. Son can't eat pizza due to gluten intolerance. Son suggests a protein-burger (ie hamburger wrapped in lettuce) from In 'n Out. So what do you know? The whole family finishes the episode and drives to In 'n Out at 11PM. I was tired and ghetto-looking so don't judge...

I have never heard so many hoots and hollers of excitement. They acted as if we've never been to a burger place before. Taking no thought that everyone's attire was PJ pants and slippers, we loaded up for a late-night burger/fries/shake snack, along with some arm-wrestling and stimulating conversation. I just thought we were going to go through the drive-through. But NOOOOO, we had to go inside for a true experience. So we did...

 

What made it different than any other time we stopped somewhere for something to eat? It was the spontaneous, out of the blue, unexpected moment. So, mix it up....be spontaneous. Create a forever memory!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Positive Attitude with Six Canines and a Flat Bed

 Romantic sleigh ride? No.

Memorable winter adventure? Yes.

 
I was recently chatting with my married daughter about church. She told me that her friend's sister is in her new ward (congregation) which makes her happy so she won't be bored in Relief Society (the women's meeting). I gave her some of my profound (?) advice:

"Whatever situation we're in will be what we make it to be. Housework can be extremely annoying or we can make it enjoyable with a change of attitude. Going to church can be arduous and boring or spiritually uplifting. Folding laundry can be tedious and monotonous or we can enjoy ourselves by playing music or talking with eachother. Employment can be grueling and status-quo, or a blessing because we have the money to support our family. Our attitude determines the outcome."

I used my own advice in February when Sam and I went away for the weekend to Ogden Canyon. This was our 2012 Christmas present...very enjoyable and long overdue. After all, it had already been 6 months since the Alaskan Cruise! 

As part of our trip, Sam surprised me with a winter sleigh ride in Liberty, Utah. I was imagining a romantic, cute little sleigh with warm blankets, hot cocoa, and a little old man driver. The driver part was correct, but the other details did not match up. Instead of a rustic, antique sleigh (like something you'd see in a historical romance movie), we were presented with a large, cumbersome flat bed trailer; something you'd use for a hay ride. 

As soon as we climbed aboard, six huge dogs jumped up, surrounding us with their panting, slobbering selves. They didn't just sit on the end of the flat bed. No, they got right up on the hay bales with us, warming us up (literally) with their dirty bodies. 

At first I was not happy. 

You're kidding me, right? The driver didn't bother to ask us if we wanted his furry friends to accompany us. I guess they're just part of the gig. I remember thinking, "OK, I can let this really bother me and ruin our sleigh ride, or just go with it and enjoy myself." I chose the latter.

We enjoyed the picturesque mountains covered in snow.

 We watched our little old man driver feed his elk. There he is...see him?

We went up and down snow covered trails. The sunshine kept us warm and the fresh air was glorious. 

Our new canine friends were not so bothersome as time went on. It was actually kind of ironic that we'd have a sleigh full of "extras"....kind of felt like home, although our children are a lot louder than the dogs, but definitely more fun! They even get right in between us, just like our little people at home. :) (Note snout in below photo)

We held hands and linked arms...

...and enjoyed being together -  Dogs and all.

Yes, I find myself regularly needing to take my own advice. In this case, I'm glad I did. What was supposed to be a romantic winter sleigh ride turned out to be the most random and funny winter adventure that we continue to laugh about. Sometimes those unique experiences are more memorable than they would have been under "normal" parameters. Liberty, Utah, little old man, six friendly canines, two European horses, and a flat bed hay trailer provided a day we'll always remember...All because we chose to make it that way.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Last 6 Weeks

"Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage"

So this is what I've been doing for the last 6 weeks...

All in preparation for this:

More Details Forth Coming - but until then, Stick-to-it!