Valentines day....

Before the Christmas holiday is hardly over, the stores are stocking their shelves with all manners of teddy bears, heart shaped chocolate boxes, fake roses, heartzy this and heartzy that.

I think this holiday is seriously overrated in its commercialism. Then again, which one isn't??

I'm thinking of this... how many ladies got a doz roses yesterday who never get them any other day of the year? Who's relationship isn't really all that great, but who got a box of chocolates cause its the "thing to do".

How many women wished yesterday for a TRUE LOVE. A relationship that is solid. Trustworthy.  A love that would last for more than a day.. or a week, or until after their skin has become wrinkled and their figure less slim. A sacrificial love... an enduring love.

This kind of love goes deeper than a doz roses, a piece of heart shaped chocolate, and a fuzzy teddy bear holding  a red (heart). 

Thank God that there are still men  and women who know that kind of love. Its very very beautiful.

The last year has changed us in many ways, but one exciting one is the way we have been enjoying each other. The little ones and I put together a little party for when Jess got home from work. It wasn't without its challenges... after all, it was to cold for them to go outside and run off energy, and organizing a party with littles is a ripe field for some lessons in working together:)

obviously, we didn't dress up. It wasn't THAT formal:)

 

 

 

 

 

But it was fun. In Abby's words " this is the best night ever!"

My girls will look back and say " mom! the napkin isn't right!" I don't care. the table was set with happy hearts.

 

 

 

 

and here, are my roses. These little gifts that came home with my man last night mean more to me than 3 doz roses would have. 

 

 

 

avocado and a DOUBLE coconut egg

 

 

 

 

My life is blessed.

Here is to another year of loving better, growing in grace, and to a stronger marriage and family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pondering....

Moments.

They turn so quickly into minutes.

Minutes. Into hours.

Hours into days.

Days into years.

And years, into a lifetime.

There is this dash between the day we are born and the day we die. So short. I often often think of the song:

 

Hold tight to the sound Of the music of living,
Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;
Hold my hand as we run through
The sweet fragrant meadows,
Making mem'ries of what was today.

Chorus
We have this moment to hold in our hands
And to touch as it slips
Through our fingers like sand
Yesterday's gone
And tomorrow may never come
But we have this moment today

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling
For Daddy to hear just what she has to say
And my little son running there by the hillside
May never be quite like today

Tender words
Gentle touch and a good cup of coffee
And someone who loves me
And wants me to stay
Hold them near while they're here
And don't wait for tomorrow
To look back and wish for today

Take the blue of the sky
And the green of the forest
And the gold and the brown
Of the freshly mown hay
Add the pale shades of spring
And the circus of autumn
And weave you a lovely today - Gaither

 

So I have taken steps back  in the past months... Sometimes you have to look back to see clearly, it seems.

In a world where we think we have to "keep up" (and it has never been easier) I am looking at life through different eyes.

We don't have to keep up.

"Normal is just a setting on the dryer"- that's true!

less is more. (can I shout that?!)

 

 

 

 

I am thinking that my word for the year:

S.I.M.L.I.F.Y.

is going to be an amazing discovery.