Valentimes

I love Valentine's Day. I think I might even love it more than  Christmas. Now hang on a minute before you start blasting me for trivializing what most people deem as the Holy Grail of all holidays. I love Christmas, for its true meaning, but it is over commercialized, we tend to make it all about presents and not about the birth and life of Christ. So I love Valentine's day because it is all about the love.

I love getting sweet, homemade Valentines from my little guy. Just look at this sweet piece of artwork he created for me at preschool:

And then this morning, I got this from my wonderful, thoughtful husband. (who ordered these a month ago when he thought he wouldn't be here for V-day) So sweet and they smell so good. And they arrived just in time to replace the flowers he bought me for my birthday which, sadly, had to be thrown out today.

Notice Koko in the back ground. He loves my new flowers. Unfortunately, he likes to eat them.
I love Valentine's Day. It's a day to simply express your love to the people that... well, the ones that you LOVE!
I bought everyone a little treat and decorated a cute bag with their loot in it. The kids love their "Valentimes". And I had the opportunity to write a love note to all my kids and my husband. I think we should do that more often, not just on Valentine's Day. And this is the reminder that I got this morning.
Remember when I first revamped my blog and I mentioned Natalie? This is what she posted on her blog yesterday.

this weekend,

for me. . .

give your heart.

your time.

your kisses.

and giggles.

lots and lots of giggles.

and the great big gasps of air that come with the territory.

give hugs,tickles,

and hops, skips and jumps.

offer praise.

forgive.

tell stories.

sing lullabies.

"you are my sunshine"

might be nice.

and definitely, definitely,

end the day with a

"happily ever after,"

and a prayer.

thank God that you've got them all

here in your day ins and outs.

thank him for you full arms. . . and heart.

You just don't know how blessed your really are.

Happy Valentines Day

my sweet Gavin Boy.

xx.

Mommy

You see, Natalie just lost her sweet baby boy Gavin in January, He was only 3 months old. (You can read her story here)She has been a huge inspiration to so many people. Including me. She has offered comfort to others, while she herself was tormented with tremendous grief. She has brought hope to others when her life seemed hopeless. And she is inspiring others to love their little ones a little more. To hug tighter. To give a few more sweet kisses. To read a couple more stories at night. To enjoy every precious second you have, because you don't know how truly blessed you are. I know I was grieved just reading her story. And it has helped me appreciate my little ones a little more. Even on the days when the permanent marker is found all over the walls and floors and cars... even when the bickering and fighting never seem to end. These days are numbered. And in ten years, we're going to wonder where our snuggle buddies went. So snuggle them while you can. And thank God for one more perfectly ordinary day.