33 years

In many ways it was just an ordinary day. I was surprisingly okay with that. Must have been because I scheduled a dentist appointment for myself that morning. Wasn't so bad though, they offered cookies, candy, and a happy birthday candy bar. (Does anyone else think that is bizarre by the way?)

I was planning on doing something out of the ordinary that afternoon, but when I saw how disappointed Hannah was that no one would be at her school program that afternoon, I quickly changed my mind to watch her. Glad I did. She was a hoot! and it was super uplifting as well. I've always LOVED that I share my birthday with George Washington and it was a privilege to watch the children of her elementary school honor him and the amazing men and women who fight for our freedom every day since. I may have shed a tear or two.

I snuck away with Abigail once her program was over to my favorite little place for a treat. Red Mango. Yum! Abigail is most thrilled to tag along with me anywhere that treats are involved!

Aaron had to work late on my birthday so we opted to celebrate Friday night with dinner and a movie. Best gift ever!

Hannah had another program that evening, so it was back to the school to watch her again. This time cousins, and Aunts and Uncles were in tow. She was thrilled! My sister Nikki invited us over for bananna splits afterward, since it is her husbands birthday as well. Made for a late night for the kids, but a great way to end the day. Aaron showed up at Hannah's concert at the end and was able to join us for dessert. I was happy all day even if it was pretty much a typical day. I feel so grateful to be a mom, and to have a hard working husband. And the good thing about not really celebrating your birthday on your birthday is getting to celebrate for days on end. It started last weekend when Suzanna made me a yummy cake and ended last night when we had our own, family cake. Life is good!

Parowan, UT

Don't blink or you might just miss it on your way to Cedar City or St. George. But tucked back in this little town, is a beautiful home that was cozy and big, with lots of fun "toys" for anyone to enjoy for several days on end. It's even more fun to enjoy this place with good friends. And now that I'm sitting at this computer writing about it, I realize I need another little getaway just to sleep. I'm tired. We had such a good time enjoying the beautiful surroundings, watching the wild turkeys and deer tiptoe around the house, reading books, watching movies, playing games, laughing, eating, watching the guys play hours of pool, listening in on giddy little girls playing with Ken and Barbie, playing in the snow, enjoying sleepovers, seeing Nathan beyond thrilled to have another boy to 'hang' with, staying up way too late, riding in a Polaris, spending every single minute with those I love most. And now it's back to reality. Abigail has already had her fair share of crying this afternoon because she misses daddy. I miss him too actually. It was so nice to have his undivided attention. One morning he spent playing with all of the kids throwing them on a huge bean bag and climbing underneath it and taking them for rides. I also caught him playing barbies with Hannah one day. I think they were getting ready to go to a wedding or something. Melt my heart, I love him. She does too. A lot. I took very few pictures. Wish I had taken more, like of the yummy strawberry whopper cake Suzanna surprised me with for my birthday, or of the kids playing Twister, or the guys playing pool, or of all the wild turkeys. I certainly will think differently of Parowan the next time I drive on by.

Love and Hearts

I LOVE that we have a day set aside to recognize those we LOVE. To pay them special attention and to show our LOVE to them and to receive their LOVE as well. The kids are no dummies and know that when there's a holiday there's going to be lots of goodies and fun activities. So, my LOVE and I woke up together and made the kids heart shaped pancakes and to die for syrup to top them. Yum!

I had so much fun helping out in Hannah's class today for her Valentines Party. There are some pretty darn cute kids in her class. Now, it is a well known fact that Valentine boxes are a big deal in the public schools. I am no good with crafty stuff, so I left that task up to Hannah's pops. He's the creative one. I was so impressed with some of the boxes I saw today. Like this one:

Or this one:

And look at this little clever thing:

Too cute. Well, you haven't seen anything yet. Look at what Aaron whipped up for his little girl.

Pretty impressive huh? I laughed out loud when he showed me. Apparently they don't make Valentine Boxes in schools in California. He's never made one before and had no idea the stiff competition he's up against in our neck of the woods. I told him this would suffice for Kindergarten, but he has to step it way up for next year. Hannah didn't care. She loved her box just the same. And come to find out, her class didn't even participate in boxes. They decorated their own paper bags. I think that's a perfect idea!

There was a darling heart shaped braid in one of Hannah's classmates hair. She was ever so kind to let me take a picture of it. Especially since I tried and tried to do a heart in Hannah's hair this morning and couldn't make it work. Next year I will try this.

Hannah in action.

We continued our LOVE party with our traditional heart shaped pizza and some goodies for my LOVE.

It never disappoints! Poor Nathan spent much of his day like this,

After writing in my previous post about how grateful I am for good health, Nate was nailed with a horrible cough and high fever. He didn't get to enjoy much today, but we've got plenty of LOVE to shower him with when he's feeling better.

As much as I love these munchkins, it's my Valentine that I LOVE so much. I found the perfect quote that sums up exactly Aaron.

And he is; quite perfect for me.

Thankful Saturdays 2/11

I haven't written what I am thankful for in a while and this morning I have a slew of things I'm thankful for so I want to write them down before I forget. :o)

- I am thankful for good health. Winter time always brings sickness and we've been relatively healthy considering all the junk that seems to keep circling around the ward/school/neighborhood. That said, we've also enjoyed our small share of the sniffles and coughs to remind us to be grateful.

- I am thankful for a couple of blogs I follow closely. They share such great and uplifting experiences regarding motherhood, God, education, things that really matter. They also aren't afraid to share things that are hard too and therefore I feel I can relate to them better. In short, they inspire me to be a better mom, wife, daughter of God, and friend.

- I am thankful for sacrifice. A book I recently read ("To Destroy You is no Loss") has left a lasting impact on me. I wish everyone would read it. It is life changing.

-  I am thankful for the month of February. It's my birthday month, many of my friends birthday are this month as well. I also love to focus on things we love about those we love.

- I am thankful for the comforts of my life. For two running cars, a furnace to heat my home, plenty of clothes to keep us warm, for our food storage which I've been making good use of lately, and the freedom to make our life as good as we want.

- I am thankful for my calling in Primary. I really love working with the children of the ward. I am touched by the simple gospel that teaches profound truths to all ages.

- I am thankful to my sisters who lighten my load by taking their time out to visit with me. We laugh a lot when we do this and although we don't get together very often, I always enjoy when I'm with them. I also love the deep discussions we get into regarding all kinds of stuff.

- I am thankful this winter has been so mild. My kids have played outside nearly all winter long so far. I too have enjoyed the fresh air more than usual at this time of year.

- I am thankful for the gifts and talents God has given me to bless my family and others around me.

Abby's Prayers

Are about the sweetest thing ever! Today's prayer, on her lunch, was no exception. It went as follows:

"Dear Heavenly Father, please bless the food and please bless daddy. Bless him, bless him, bless him. And please bless that I can go poop and potty in the toilet someday so I can be a big girl and get a yummy marshmallow. And please bless that I don't cry anymore when daddy goes to work."

Oh there was more, but I can't remember all she said. It was just so cute. She's been blessing her daddy a lot lately. Aaron works just 14 steps away, but Abigail cries most days that he goes down to work. She's trying to be so brave and not cry these days. I think her prayers are helping her. Sweet little thing.