Today

Sometimes I like going back to my journal and seeing what I did on a certain day. Since this blog is our family journal, here is what happened on 2-14-11. Tony and the boys had different breakfasts (Tony's is always a to-go breakfast) but they both had red orange juice. The boys had heart-shaped pancakes. Max was really sweet and kept saying, "I hope you have a happy Balentine's day, mommy". Ryan is congested and has a hacking cough. He coughed so much a few times that he threw up. Poor baby. And then there was an incident in the bathtub that involved uninvited floaters. Ewwww. So, Valentine's morning was fairly hopping with clean up and laundry. We made a card and decorated cookies to take to daddy at work. I did some office work and did some phone calls. I have a temporary, mini-job where I'm the appointment secretary for a therapist. I make reminder calls from home. It's very easy money and an extra help for our family. After Ryan woke up, we drove to Tony's work to spend a few minutes with him after school and before he started work. Tony's boss let us drive right into the shop since Ryan is sick and I didn't want to get him out. I got to meet the co-workers I haven't met yet, and...Tony surprised me with flowers. We were just going to do service for each other and he went and got me beautiful flowers. It made my day.

From February 2011

Then we had heart shaped sandwiches and nap time/quiet time. I used that time to prime a corner of our utility room.

From February 2011

We took out a shelf that was falling apart and we're going to put in a free-standing can organizer from Shelf Reliance. I also made up some milk from our powdered milk to incorporate with our regular milk. It tastes fine and it saves money. I wish we'd known about this earlier. Then came play time, dinner, more laundry and the sweet littles are in bed.

From February 2011

From February 2011

I love those faces.

Max and the Slippery Hearts

I read Max a story during quiet time and then I wanted him to "read" me a story. He wanted to tell me one "from his head". Here it is:

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Max and he wanted to get hearts and his mom didn't want him to have the hearts and then his mom said he could have heart cookies. Max said, "okay". But the hearts said, "We don't want to get eaten" and so they slipped off the cookies and slipped away. But the Valentine lollipops said, "We want to get eaten" so they jumped off the counter and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Max".

The End!

Our Valentine's Day

was celebrated early with a date to the church Valentine's dinner/dance. It was fun because they even had a floor show before the dance started.

From February 2011

I got to realize yet again why Tony is my perfect valentine. He helped me do prep work yesterday so I could do some painting this week. He let me do some extra deep-cleaning projects even though it required some work on his part and he didn't complain. We have taken the time to serve each other this valentine's day which has made it even more special. I remember when Tony and I were dating, a my friend Jenn (who may see this post--and I hope still loves me afterwards) telling me that she was more in love with her husband after several years of marriage than she ever was in the beginning phases of their relationship. I thought that she was a little crazy because how could it possibly get ANY better? We were SMITTEN! Well, she's been proven right. After our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 9 weeks, we grieved together and I saw a new depth to our relationship. As we've learned to maneuver life's journey together, had kids together, gone through different trials together, spent happy vacations together, spent time in the temple together, our love has deepened, matured and we are even more smitten than before. Last night Tony wrapped his ankle brace as tight as he could so we could dance the night away. He was so fun that it reminded me of the 70's, 80's, 90's dance that we first danced at as young single adults. His hair was tinted blue and mine was in an awesome side ponytail. ; ) I was smitten then and 7 years later he means more to me than I even knew possible.

Being Mailmen

Max and Ryan loved having a playdate at the church where they could ride bikes and deliver valentines.

From February 2011

Here's Max's friend with a mailbox.

From February 2011

Lots of little people on the go

From February 2011

Opening their mailboxes that night

From February 2011

Max was a little more excited than Ryan

From February 2011

Valentine's Day at Joy School

I had so much fun teaching joy school today. We learned that Valentine's Day is for saying, "I love you" and that you can show love by helping others. We learned about the letter "H" and the number "18". We read John 15:12 and sang, "As I Have Loved You". We learned about the Good Samaritan and we played a game. Whenever I said something that was an act of service they would run and touch their hearts (taped to the window). We frosted cookies, made valentines for mom and dad and "secretly" delivered valentines to each other. I love these kids.

From February 2011

From February 2011

This little one tried to instigate a "cushion fight" during free time but I still love him.

From February 2011

Enjoying some of their Valentine spoils

From February 2011

And here's some artwork too

From February 2011

Baby-Sitting

While our friends are vacationing for a month, we are baby-sitting for them. Max REALLY loves baby-sitting this go-cart--

From February 2011

It takes serious concentration though ; ) and Ryan just loves being outside

From February 2011

Hopefully the neighbors don't mind

From February 2011

We've also been baby-sitting this little froggy. Ryan loves frogs and comes in to look at him and talk to him, "Bibbet, bibbet"

From February 2011

Froggy's in the bottom right corner just saying hello!

From February 2011

I was lucky to have...

Combat Carl spend some time with me tonight. He's usually tired even with an afternoon nap, but tonight--not so much!

From February 2011

I love this kid. I was sorting the kid's shoes and going through which ones would fit them now and Ryan found these jobbers and he found a little medal that looked kind of like a war medal to complete the outfit.

From February 2011

"Aren't I cute? It's okay that I'm not tired, right?"

From February 2011

These boots were made for walking!

From February 2011

And Combat Carl gave me lots of kisses!