Our Valentine

The anticipation of Valentine's Day filled our house with questions from you-----"When....how many more days....tomorrow....?" Then, Valentine's Day arrived a day early (since our longest time with Daddy tends to be in the evenings---although, it too disappears too, too quickly)-----and continued today! 

The two of us made our first smoothie of the year together------a pinkalicious Valentine smoothie! We enjoyed every last drop and then took the extra time to write in your journal about it! I loved the ingredient list you helped me write and the illustration of our smoothies that you colored (take a peak back into your journal and you will find this moment in time captured there for you)! 

Valentine Smoothie Cheers

A balloon for Daddy---you spelled & painted Daddy's name without any help here!!!

Then after dinner last night, Mommy and Daddy presented you with your little Valentine gift-----a Cinderella doll you had been anticipating before Christmas along with heart candies, princess candy jewels and your Valentine Card. You were delighted with all of it and had Cinderella sleep with us tonight. We searched for her slippers prior to preschool so that she could visit and rest in your backpack during your morning at preschool. It wasn't long after drop off that I returned to watch you enjoy your Valentine cupcake and treats at preschool! A mailbag full of Valentine candy, cards, and treats journeyed home with us-----scattered on the kitchen table until our friends arrived for coffee, an impromptu lunch and playdate! 

Your Valentine Card & Candy Treats

Sophia & Cinderella

Evening Cheer Practice

My Little Preschool Valentine

Valentine Milkshake & Princess Girl

Naptime---and an unexpected Valentine gift from our neighbor, Mrs. Polly White, arrived for you------a balloon, mini sticker books, and a mini journal---------and sparkling heart stickers! You enjoyed the afternoon playing with those mini sticker books and an hour or more of time in the front yard running and playing until the sun set behind our massive oak tree. We soaked in the fresh air with blankets and pillows on the front porch  (I told you that it was my best Valentine ever---having received a blanket and ladybug pillow pet from you to keep me warm as we sat outside!) watching the sun disappear from sight! 

Then, it was time to come in and prep dinner and await for Daddy's arrival! At some point after preschool, you had called him to say Happy Valentine's Day! Those little words spoken into the phone were oh! So Precious!-------I can't imagine Daddy's reaction because I'm not always if ever on the receiving end of your words on phone lines. However, the other night you called me while I was returning from Kroger! Your little voice in that phone melted my heart! I can't remember what you called to tell me but hearing your little-grown-up voice in the phone was so, so special! Daddy commented tonight about you playing with your real-pretend cell phone (Mommy's old discarded phone) in the living room----how you were pretending to text----and that it wouldn't be long before you were wanting/asking for a cell phone of your own. But tonight, I'm not going to worry about that moment but I will relish the look of sheer delight on your face when you were able to run freely around the yard today--------I'm going to savor your desire to learn as you colored, read, worked on your sight words, and worked in your journal tonight-------how you sought out Cinderella prior to falling asleep-----and how, how much delight you find in all of your baby dolls! Each one has been a blessing of its own around here------filling your childhood with wonder as you've loved them unconditionally! 

 Your HeARTs

A Mosaic Heart We Created Together on Superbowl Sunday

When Daddy, walked in tonight I was expecting to see the normal Valentine flowers, chocolates, balloons, teddy bears and more! But as he walked in tonight, his hands were empty------he crouched down and pulled you into his arms and whispered to you as he handed you an envelope to give to Mommy. I accepted it and opened it to find money for Valentine treats we needed/wanted more than roses and bears this year--------Daddy listened to Mommy. Ha! We have to document this because he's always straying from the course-----at least Mommy's course for us. With the expectation of gifts, you asked about yours and Daddy reminded you that you received yours early yesterday to enjoy one evening prior to Valentine's Day. Initially tears began to form but they were quickly disappearing with attention to the gifts you were already working with at the kitchen table. Together, the three of us ate dinner and then worked with you on sight words in the living room---------and playing some of your favorite games....baby dolls, doctors, etc. And then it was bedtime.........tickles, prayers, books, a furry girl at the foot of your bed-----------hugs and kisses.

Unexpected Love Note with Money for Nails, Hair, and Running shoes------my Valentine taking care of High Maintenance Mommy----although the order of these treats will start with food on the table, paid bills, a haircut for you little one, and then Mommy's needs. There's always a priority list. Sometimes we find ourselves at the bottom but we won't always be there when we love and care for others-------our needs will always be met! My favorite part of this gift are these beautiful words and silly illustrations-------worth a million!

Little Valentine, I want you to know that you'll always be the center of our hearts. The size of a gift can't measure how much we love you but the time we invest in you and what we teach you-------may those gifts overflow from you! And they are......today, you picked little white weed flowers for each teacher at your preschool. They were tiny but beautiful in your eyes. You handed them to each teacher as if they were roses. Mommy received her share at home as we played in the yard--------the mailman even received a handful from you as you handed him a letter we had to mail out--------and Daddy received a bunch of white flowers too! We discovered poison ivy on your right arm------when I cautioned you about picking flowers from specific areas you said, "But Mommy they're so pretty!" And how can I argue with you? You see the beauty in the world around you-------from wildflowers to baby dolls to sparkly sticker hearts or conversation with strangers and friends alike! Oh! Little Valentine, we want to give you the world. You told Daddy tonight that I'm selling our things to pay for our doctor's bills--------and that I am. There's nothing here that we have that's more important than time with you or Daddy----time as a family laughing, embracing the blessings before us. Our gift to Daddy was a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital in his honor and Emma's memory (a little girl we didn't personally know). With each item from our home that is sold (bought by a stranger or a friend), we praise God for the opportunity to pay our bills with it-------knowing that we will reach our goals to be debt free, continue to let our savings grow for our future endeavors......Additionally, we praise God for the love and health He surrounds us with today! 

A heart you colored for me taped next to my EDS degree---praying your heart will embrace your own future degrees! Note: I love having all three of my degrees but having this opportunity to stay home with you------much more!

Mini Valentine Hearts we created together---taped next to the playroom door markings! Yes! You are THAT tall already!

Valentines! I loved how you covered Princess Girl with your mini pink baby blanket until it was seconds before you closed your eyes. You gave her a kiss and took your blanket back to snuggle with---yes, we still need shams and a second set of sheets when I'm washing your flower sheets----but we need new mattresses too! But it doesn't matter when you sniff Mommy's mouth and ask, "What did you eat?" You called me out on stealing your chocolatey kisses. You wanted one too but I told you would have to wait til breakfast. You laughed and pulled me close for one more hug and kiss goodnight----now that's another perfect gift that I wouldn't miss nor trade for the perfect bedding or life-----perfect!?! What's perfect? Each second and moment with you--------pure and full of life! "Mommy, I love you!" (My favorite words in the world!!)

We love you little Valentine!