everydayness

I'm not sure how February got away from me so quickly when January seemed to drag on. Seriously, January felt like four months and yet February only a flash. Guess I just needed to get over that gray hurdle. At any rate I feel like I've missed so much amongst the whirlwind so here is a bit of an update in photos.


Our school periodically puts on fundraisers at local restaurants where a portion of your meal goes to the school. This time it was 30% (much higher than anything they've ever given) and an opportunity for a burger so we thought we would support. It was actually a lot of fun to have the majority of the restaurant filled with the girls' friends. I'll I can say for the salad in the photos is that I was meeting up with friends later that evening and going to dinner with them so I opted for something lighter.


For Megan's valentine box we made a cat out of a fishy cracker box.


Cookies with a message. The girls and I made these Valentine goodies using these cookie cutters from William Sonoma.


FHE lesson on life's ups and downs tailored to what the girls might be dealing with right now. Ended up being a really great family discussion.


The weather has been snowy and then warm, snowy and then warm, which means the girls are out riding scooters one day and then it's buried in snow the next. Trying to help them see why we put away our toys after we've used them--not sure it's working.


case in point...


Bella and Megan grew out of their violins so we took them to Charles Liu and exchanged them both. Upgrading as you go is definitely the way to do it.


Marshmallow art. Have you ever done it?

Have a good one.
xo

sometimes it's best said with a heart

Today I've been thinking about my neighbor, a widower, who is celebrating Valentine's for the first time without his wife. I'm thinking of a few of my friends & loved ones who I imagine today to be a struggle based on their current situation. I wish there was something more I could do to ease the pain, the loneliness that I imagine is deep in their heart and felt so acutely on a day like today.

My dad's simply advice keeps coming to my mind, just love 'em. Right now I think that's all I can do and pray it's enough. So to all of you out there I'm sending you my love on this Valentine's Day & a little message from a heart....



sweet pea
u can do it
step up
say yes
reach for it
game on
love
it's time
play now
time to dance
shake it
wink wink
all good
i heart u
xoxo

g

12of12 | February

[click here to enlarge]

01. Bella and Tess showing off their Valentine boxes. They were so excited to get to school for the party.
02. Playing around with an old Kodak camera. Photo of my studio.
03. Megan was making a scrapbook and I ended up having yellow hair. She told me it was because the brown was running out.
04. Flowers Adam gave me that I looked at everyday while I laid in bed.
05. The day started out cloudy and snowy, but in the end there was blue skies and around 47 degrees.
06. Bella is rushing to finishing Lightening Thief so she can see the movie that came out the 12th.
07. Love conversation hearts.
08. Quote of the day: Megan runs by me yelling, "Mom, we're playing dogs and I'm a black weiner dog. Have you seen my black shoes?"
09. When Adam got home from work I decided I just couldn't be home anymore, I'm going on 11 days, so we hopped in the car and headed to Jill and Randy's.
10. My friend stopped by Thursday for a short visit and gave me these roses.
11. It's me getting out. Everyday gets better and better. Of course Tylenol is helping.
12. The light show while heading home from our night out.

I hope it was another enjoyable experience capturing your day. I was a little afraid of facing the day not leaving the house, but you make do right, and well, I found a way to get out. Make sure to link your post, I want to see what the 12th looked like for you.

a lovely list

i love that even though Adam had to get up early to be at his new office building, he took the girls with him.

i love that he came back just to leave me a cream cheese bagel and then left again to take the girls to the gym with him.

i love that although i woke up earlier than i would have liked, i got to lay in bed and read.



i love that red & pink get so much attention this month and I get to proudly wear my striped socks.

i love watching the big snowflakes fall softly to the earth.

i love that i get to go take photos this afternoon of a darling 8 year old who's getting baptized in a few weeks.

i love and so appreicate all the lovely comments i got from thursdays post.

i love that my girls share their valentine candy with me.



i love that conversation hearts include phrases like "do good".

i love that this story people quote,"your job is to focus on my personal happiness, she said, & I've got big plans, so break time is over," made adam and i laugh out loud together.

i love that we're all feeling better.

i love that adam and i can spend the evening together, even though we don't have big plans.

i love that our dinner will most likely include a cheeseburger and fries (I'm so in the mood).

Happy Valentine's Day!

i love vday

I thought the "love me" conversation heart would make a funny sp on Valentines, but perhaps just funny to Adam since we have an ongoing joke about it.

I've always enjoyed Valentines, I think mainly because it's in my favorite month, but also I always loved the act of giving valentines. When I was a kid we use to ding dong ditch our friends with love notes. I'm not sure when that tradition ended, but we don't do it anymore. Kind of sad I think. Did you use to do that as a kid? Do you still do it?

Which leads me to my next thing. Some of you asked about the valentines I made yesterday and how I did it. I took a picture and cropped it to 2x2. Then I created a 12x12 document in photoshop and copy/pasted 36 into the file. Looks like this

I printed it at costco and cut them all out. Then I printed "happy valentine's day" onto pink card stock, cut out to 3.5x2, and taped the photo onto the card. Hope that makes since. Super easy.

I finally finished a little vday book for Adam. It's not his gift, but will act as the card. It's a simple book with five pages I sewed together. Each page has a photo of us and a reason why I love him.





I forgot to take a picture of the cover, but it's just red patterned paper. Keeping it simple with my lack of time.

The picture I'm showing in the book, this picture



my now favorite picture of us, was taken by my sister-in-law while taking other family photos for my parents. When I first saw it while flipping threw photos on her camera I started to tear up. It was strange the way it brought back so many memories and how it reminded me of the way I was feeling at that moment...utterly in love and completely happy.

morning, afternoon, evening

My morning was spent consoling this emotional girl. I knew the minute she woke up today it was going to be a rough one. She cried about almost everything and unfortunately for the both of us I lost it a few times. She even asked, "Mommy will you stop getting made at me?" I had a great explanation then as to why I was getting upset, but now it just seems futile...even the little ones can have bad days. I should have been more sensitive to her needs as the day wore on. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

shown with out the candy attached

My afternoon was spent making Valentines with Tess for the girls classes tomorrow. Why do I leave everything to the last minute? The valentines we're mailing are already going to be late. Oh well, at least they'll get there eventually.


My evening was spent worrying about Adam and our family stuck in random places during this crazy snow storm. Luckily Adam made it home, but I'm not so sure about the rest. I hope you all make it home soon.

Happy Valentine's Everyone!

I don't know what I was thinking having my annual doctors appointment on Valentines and so early in the morning. I wasn't thrilled about it, but the weird person in me likes to go and make sure everything is ok. I am happy to report all is well and I was there for a totally of 30 minutes. Nice!

Getting out the door early, to say the least, made for a very crazy morning and sadly I wasn't able to do a fun valentine breakfast. I am hoping I can make up for it with some green pancakes on St. Patrick's Day. Of course my kids had a very busy fun day ahead of them so I wasn't too concerned they would notice the no heart pancakes. They were able to get yummy treats from their grandma this morning (she watched the kids for me...Thanks mom!) & their Nana is coming over later to decorate cookies. They don't know this and will be so surprised to come home from school and find her here. It's good we're going to do something traditional today. Decorating heart cookies is always a favorite.



Despite this morning it has been a great Valentines. I have received several valentine wishes the last couple of days. Kristi sent a very cute valentine and heart. I don't understand how she has the time to make these cute things. I love it, thank you. Hannah sent me a very cute verse on love. It was so thoughtful of you and so beautifully made. Thank you so much. Michelle sent me the most beautiful valentines card. She always has the most unique wonderful creations. It is one of a kind. Thank you. I loved it. Jenn sent me a package of Valentine goodness. First of all I love the letter "A". I am collecting A's so it's perfect, but on the bottom it has my 2007 word DO on it. It's such a beautiful reminder. Then she sent yummy goodies. Did you make them? They were so good. Not to forget amcraft ribbon, pencils, a sweet note, and other fun valentine stuff. Thank you so much Jenn. Thank you to everyone who sent me a Valentine. It has been such a treat to go to open my mailbox as see the goodness.

Tonight Adam and I are going to dinner. Something I always look forward to. Our dinner plans fell through so I think we will be winging it tonight which is never a good sign. The last time that happened we waited 2 1/2 hours to eat. Valentine's Day + restaurants = insanity.

To me the holiday is just another excuse to let someone know you love them. Whether it be friends, family, kids, boyfriend, husband, etc...


Today that is what has been on my mind...the numerous individuals in my life that I love. That have touched me and showed me what love is. How blessed I am to have them in my life. The photo above just happens to be 3 of them.

I hope you all have a fabulous day full of love and goodness.

Valentines

I always look forward to the day…mainly because I am a sucker for romance. This year was different. Due to what is going on at our house (move) the only reason I remembered Valentine’s was because the girls took them to school. We had made valentines to send out, but alas they are still here. Just one of those things that usually happens. I always have the best intentions but my follow thourgh isn't the best.

I woke up this morning knowing what was in store and not really caring. Not that I didn’t care about what this holiday represents, but I felt I understood what we are up against this week and know a gift or no gift does not define our relationship. Luckily Adam and I were able to get together for lunch and that was all I needed…some time together. Acutally I saw him later in the day and we installed the microwave. GOOD TIMES!