Good Morning Valentine!

Marco and I love to make every possible holiday special for our children. 

It doesn't take a lot of money to make someone feel special and to show your love for them.

I made each of the children their own mailbox designed just for them, got them a pair of fluffy dollar store pair of house socks, and a little thing of chocolate. Then their dad, who was also planning on spoiling them, had picked up some inexpensive chocolate for each of them.

For My Little Guy Marco

For my sweet Naomi

For my "Directioner" Taryn

For my all-grown up Hannah Joy

Marco and I prepared breakfast for them before school/work.

Yummy Valentine Pancakes with Strawberries and Whipped Cream, bacon and sausage.

Celebrating our 23rd Valentine's Day together. <3

Take time to show your love to those around you. All it takes is a little bit of thought! 

You'll never regret it!

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action.” ~~Mother Teresa

Happy Valentine's Day to you from Me!

My first date with my husband Marco was to the Sears Tower on January 26, 1990.  Then we attended our Valentine's Banquet at the college shortly after that. We got married after we graduated in the summer of 1993 and this year we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. 

I love him more today than I ever have before.

In this house, we love LOVE.

I love hearts of all kinds, especially deep red folk hearts, but I especially love to find surprise hearts in nature.  I often see hearts in the clouds, trees, leaves, flowers, rocks...everywhere. My children are great at noticing them for me too. My little guy found this heart shaped rock for me. I love it.

One of my new favorite things to play with is chalkboard paint and chalk markers.

I think Valentine's Day is one of the Best Day's ever because not only am I blessed and get showered in love, but it's a day where I can really make a big deal for my loved ones.  I know some people don't like the commercialization of it and I agree that it can go over board - but I think you can make your loved ones feel special any day, and today is extra-fun for us.  I will share a post later on today to show you what my husband and I did for my kiddos.

 

I Corinthians 13:4-7, 13~

 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Simple Woman's Daybook :: Week 7

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it's a chilly February morning here in Southern California.  It's probably only going to get up to about 64* today and that's fine with me. That's our "winter". lol We have been getting little bits of very needed rain here and there and I like that too.

I am thinking...that this is going to be a great 4 day weekend!  I love it when my kids have a day off from school.  We probably won't do anything big - I just like being together.  =)


I am thankful...that perseverance and faithfulness pays off.  I'm not going to lie, my faith has had it's weak moments, but I am glad that I've learned to push through!  It's so worth it!

In the kitchen...we will be having tilapia, asparagus and wild rice for dinner. Yum!

I am wearing...a nightgown that I haven't worn in a while.  It's long and white and has smocking at the top.  When my little guy came to give me a kiss good night, he looked at it and said, "Mom, this is for a wedding day!" haha.  He cracks me up.  I guess it looked "fancy" compared to my other pajamas. By the way, I am typing from the warmth of my bed right now.  The kids all got ready and are off to school, but it was so chilly that I stayed in my bed for my Bible Study and regular "check ins" on line. 

I am creating...some new items that I'd like to add to my etsy shop.  I continue to make my mailboxes and jumbo clip bookmarks - those are my most popular items, but I would like to try some items that I've sold well in the past and I've kind of forgotten about them.  Time to "DO" some things that I've got on my OLW list.  Also, I'm creating a Princess Name Banner for someone.  Those are always fun!

I am going...to be doing laundry forever. haha. I usually pride myself in staying on top of the laundry, but we got busy and ran out of detergent and I just let it go...  Now, it's out of control!!  Well, you know what the Bible says... Pride goeth before destruction... LOL (Proverbs 16:18)

I am wondering...why I've been so tired lately.  At first, I thought I might be getting sick, but now I feel like it's not that.  It doesn't matter what time I go to bed or wake up, I just feel like I'm dragging.  I still do all I need to do, but there's a constant feeling in the back of my mind that I want to just go back to bed. *sigh*

I am reading...my Bible (thoroughly enjoying the Ephesians Bible study), the first book in The Hunger Games (finally trying to get started on those) and lots of blogs.  I am trying to purge through my lists in my Google Reader so that I don't miss the blogs that I actually care about.  My tastes and interests have changed some, so I need to re-evaluate...

I am hoping...I get my "to do" list tackled today.  Like I said, I've been dragging.  I think I'll feel better once things are back in order around here.  I rest better when I know that things are in their place.  That may be the problem!

I am looking forward to...seeing my grandmother and aunt soon.  They live several hours away and I don't get to see them that often.  The kids have spring break coming up and we are planning on driving up there to see them.  It's really cool 'cause we also get to visit San Francisco while we are up there!

I am learning...that I am truly a home-body.  I don't mind going out and really need it sometimes, but there is nothing like being home - especially with family. =)

Around the house...there is much to be done! Oh, my...  The two little ones' bedroom is simply out.of.control.  I am catching up with laundry and I also feel like I just need to "deep clean" everything.  We've had lots of get-togethers, company and activities here at the house and lots of regular chores have just been put on hold.

I am pondering...the importance of staying true to my beliefs.  I like having an optimistic outlook on life.  I get excited when there is something new that I learn (or can learn) that will improve my life or the lives of my loved ones in some way.  I like to believe in people and causes and I usually believe DEEPLY.  I can get totally wrapped up in something, but I've realized that I have to be careful.  I get so caught up in the excitement or new thing that I actually waver from my true self.  I've got to guard my heart and the hearts of my family.  That's most important.

A favorite quote for today... this is a long quote...but I can't stop thinking about it.  This is what ministering to others is all about.  I am in the ministry.  I love it.  Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it's frustrating and sometimes you just want to give up...but guess what?  It's worth it all.  I hope I never complain or whine about anything ever again.

One of my favorite things...is the GRACE line of body products and perfumes by Philosophy.  My husband just got a gift set of Amazing Grace for me.  It smells soooo good.  The whole line is very clean, fresh and subtle.  I have to laugh though, because I have a dear friend that I told about this line.  I thought it might be something she'd like.  I even thought she might say, "Oh, yes, I already use that..." or something like that.  Instead, she thought I was joking. haha. She said she had a bottle of Blessed Assurance or she's got to get a dab of the Old Rugged Cross.  haha.  Comedians. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Well, we have a four day weekend for Presidents' Day so that's nice.  This Saturday is a double baby shower for Stefani and her cousin.  They are both due within about a week of each other. Sunday of course is church and that's always something I look forward to doing...

A peek into my day...

I surprised my family with a Valentine's Day breakfast party.  I decorated the table,  had little goodies for them and made pink heart pancakes and bacon.  It was great to send them off to school with big smiles.  I told them that dad and I wanted them to know that they were loved more than anything, but that our Savior loved them even more than we ever could. =)

Linking up with Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook Blog

Real Love...

Diary of 5 :: Week 6

I am seeing... my son play with a handful of plastic little dinosaurs. He's got them all set up on the bed here next to me. I love listening to him as he uses his imagination.


I am hearing...the news and the speculation about Whitney Houston's death.  I was sad to hear about her passing even though it seemed that it was bound to happen. She was publicly spiraling out of control before the media for many years now.  She was an icon - not an idol for me - but her music was a part of my life my teen years and up.  I sang several of her songs in high school for different events such as "One Moment In Time" and "Greatest Love of All".  She sang the very best National Anthem performance I've ever heard in 1991 Super Bowl.  Very sad...

I am smelling...absolutely nothing.  My allergies have me all stuffed up.  blech.

I tasted...some throat spray.  Yup.  Those allergies I mentioned?  Drained down my throat so that I woke up with a sore throat today.  I know, not very pretty to talk about my blog - but I never promised you pretty. hehe.

I am feeling...tired and a little draggy, but I'm really looking forward to this week.  Valentine's Day is tomorrow and I really hope to make it special for my family.  Hoping to try some pinterest heart themed foods and fun for them.

Won't you come in and have some coffee? Stay and chat with me for a bit!

A diary of 5 was created to give your senses a gentle work-out in helping you to become more aware of those little moments around you. To join in with others that are participating, you can click on the picture link below.

Received another magnet swap!!

I just recently received my magnet swap from Sarah Whitmire's SoulJournaling group on Yahoo. I am so glad I participated in this one. Here's what I got:

This one is from Carol Z. and this tag was amazing. Bits of leather, bling, chipboard, glitter, charms...there was so much thought put into this! Here is her blog.

This magnet is really fun and kinda makes my mouth water! It was made by Mady and her blog is HERE.

This "fat free" cookie is adorable! This was made by Lisa and you can find her blog HERE.

One of the very cool perk's of being in a swap with Sarah is that she likes to send everyone who plays some goodies. This was Valentine themed, of course, and it was just wonderful. I especially love the card in the bottom right hand corner with the Lilies of the Valley. Lily of the Valley always reminds me of my Great Grandmother. Thank you Sarah!!

Here are the 3 magnets I sent in and then a small one for Sarah. I'm learning and loving the experience. Thanks ladies!!

Be My Valentine...

I used some of the ephemera I received from Sarah's swap. I also used my Martha Stewart Lace trim punch. I am so in love with those!!

Did some masking in the corner with ... oh what's that thing called?? The plastic thing with the holes in them...lol. Anyway - then went over it with my favorite Uniball Signo white pen. I pieced the black paper (6.5") with the red (6.25"). I made the black just a quarter of an inch bigger and folded that part over and taped in the red. I like the little book binding look it made.

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!! We've got a nice banquet planned for our church family. I'll post pictures later!

Sweetheart Magnet Swap

I joined a magnet swap on my Yahoo! Soul Journaling group. I love these swaps because they challenge me to try something that I normally wouldn't do. I recently made a set of magnets for my Altered Art group also - they were made out of little Altoid tins were a lot of fun. You can see that post HERE.
The other reason I join these swaps is because it's always fun to see what you're going to get back. I will be sure to post what I get in return! I'm not gonna lie. There have been swaps where I've received things that weren't quite my style and that's okay. The only time is "bothers" me is when I receive work that is of a low quality, falling apart, sloppy, etc. That's only happened to me a few times and it was from an old scrapbooking message board I used to frequent. Anyway, because of that, I quit swapping altogether, but now I'm giving it a go again with these new groups.
Here are the magnets I made. I wanted them to have a homemade look because of the nature of the group. I have made adorable magnets with glass beads and such that actually look store bought - but the idea here is to look hand-made. =)

I cut hearts out of chipboard and then covered the front with quality printed scrapbook cardstock type paper.

I adhered the paper doily halves with gel medium, lined the edge with Aleene's craft glue and dipped it in vintage chunky glitter (I've had it since 3rd grade...that's vintage enough. LOL)

I then started layering on the embellishments like Prima flowers, vintage buttons (my great-grandmother's buttons), ribbon and then I added the stamped words.

The back is covered with book text from an old beat up copy of Pride and Prejudice. There was still glitter on the back when I took the picture, but I brushed it off before I sent them out. Of course with glitter, it will get everywhere no matter what. lol

Here is a little extra one that I made for the swap hostess. This was a wooden heart that I gesso'd and then painted.

The back is also covered in book text.
So, I had a good time with these. I will be posting some of my other magnets that I make for my Etsy shop - those are really great as gifts or for your own office. Have a great weekend!! - I'll be back with my 3 in 30, One Little Word Captured, and Simple Things updates through out the weekend. "See" you around. =)