Party.

The snow has been descending so lazily today...like small white confetti swirling down.  I wonder why I've failed to record our family's history on this blog for so long and then I remember.  When life hinges on Patrick passing his physical therapy boards and us finding a good job, there is little time left for blogging.  But late is better than never and a few pictures from our Valentine's party were in order.

My goal this year was to plan at least one party with my family and one with Patrick's.  We'll be having an Easter party here with the Johnsons in April and we organized a brilliantly fun Valentine's Party a few days before Valentine's Day with the Greenes.  We combined the party with the monthly Family Home Evening we do together.

The details? Just good old-fashioned family time: eating, a lesson on love, games, decorating cookies, and writing secret Valentine's.  I hope this can be a tradition for us as the days go on. 

The time we spend with family, these are the times we remember.  This is what really matters.  These times are the roses we will have in the December years of our lives.  And we're so blessed to have such wonderful family to share our lives and our hearts with.

 (Miss Maylie)

(Papa and Maylie)

(Sloppy Joes for dinner, Raspberry frappe and sugar cookies for dessert)

(The Dragon and the Hearts Game)

(Lightning)

(Me? Basketball? I know.  I can't believe it either.)

(And while this picture looks like the ball has landed on my head, it's just an illusion...although that has been known to happen...in just about every game of basketball I've ever played...which is why I shield my head whenever a ball starts coming down.)

(Laughing on the sidelines)

The End.

The Aftermath

Only a sunset on Valentine's Day could be this radiant.

Gifts for the boys were simple but special this year.  Mommy and Me journals, love letters, and three love coupons.

I had planned a Valentine's evening for Patrick, and even though my gift for him had not arrived in the mail yet, we both enjoyed the night.  Through words and service and music the Lord smiled down upon us and blessed us to grow in love and adoration--more than we dreamed possible.  And I really didn't think I could be happier.  But when Patrick gave me my gift, I was stunned and thrilled as happy tears welled in my eyes.  Wrapped in Thera-band was a can of beans...and wrapped around the outside of the can was this:

And this:

I have always been the one to plan and prepare adventures, dates, and anniversaries.  I really can't explain just how loved I felt when I opened this gift.  

Patrick, thank you for making this Valentine's Day experience one in a million.  But even more than that, thank you for just being you.  Thank you for the thousands of daily things you do for me that speak love...the kindness, the compliments, the little and big acts of service.  These morsels do add up to such an outpouring of love.  The sun shines a little bit brighter, the air smells a little bit sweeter, and my life is just so full of heaven because of you...

Dia de Amor.

I wake up happy, realizing I'm up before the little ones...even Maylie.  And I get to see their faces twinkle when they catch sight of the Valentine's baskets on the kitchen counter full of candy and love notes from loved ones.  

A few hours later, while we were wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day via phone calls, Easton asked me if he could be first to write in the "Mommy and Me Journal" I had given him for Valentine's Day.   I nodded and finished the phone call.  "Go see what's on your pillow," Easton urged, the second I hung up.  So I walk into my bedroom and see the journal lying on my pillow.

I opened to the first page and see this:

 I envelop him in a hug and he explains that this is a picture of him with a mustache and the squiggles all around him say, "I love you with all my heart, Princess."

My heart melts.

After the sun sets and all turns to night, Patrick will come home.  7:00 or even 8 is so much later than we wish but his work schedule right now is one more thing that will give us experience and be for our good.  And after we greet him with our usual hugs and kisses at the door, we'll have heart-shaped pizza, raspberry frappe, and strawberries dipped in chocolate.

So much to do to get ready for tonight, but there is this little whisper deep down inside urging me to make today more than just a day of red-glittered cards and lacy hearts.  There is something about this holiday that speaks to the spirit, urging us to focus less on ourselves and more on others...especially those we love the most.

So today I make a resolution...a determination to create just a little bit more of a family culture of love in our home.  A space set apart where all who reside feel unconditional love from family here on earth and Father up above.  I cuddle my pink-hearted little girl and give a little extra time and care to my sweet boys and I resolve to be better.  For this year I could choose to refine this holy habit...and it all could start today...

with this "Dia de Amor."

Moments on Monday. {Weeks 5&6}

This is one of my top two favorite short clips the Church has produced.  It really speaks to the heart about moments and how influential just one moment can be...whether for good or ill.  And below are my grateful pictures from the last 2 weeks:

January 30, 2012

Creamy white...how it flatters all it colors.

January 31, 2012

Nana.

February 1, 2012

Antique light fixtures.

February 2, 2012

Green tractor in the shed out back.

February 3, 2012

A nightly glance towards sparkling ceilings.

February 4, 2012

Our family album containing important pictures, dates, and traditions.

February 5, 2012

A day to celebrate Miss Maylie.

February 6, 2012
 Grammy.


February 7, 2012

All of the enjoyment we've had from our Christmastime decor...which will soon come down.

February 8, 2012

The truth of the phrase: Time spent together makes our house a home.

February 9, 2012

Using my new quilt from Mother for the first time.

February 10, 2012

Little boys all enraptured with trains.

February 11, 2012

Haircuts from Aunt Coco at Cookie Cutters.

February 12, 2012

How I love little boy toys scattered around.

February 13, 2012

A smile for big brother.

A Day of Blessing.

On Sunday we celebrated our precious Maylie's baby blessing.

My goal this time around was to simplify and enjoy the day to it's fullest.

So my thoughtful parents suggested sack lunches in pretty pink sacks and we filled them with muffins, bananas, and juice.  At first I was a bit reluctant to abandon the traditional sit-down dinner, but I'm so grateful we did.  The sack lunches were perfectly simple.  It was such a lovely day.

Dear Maylie,

     You were blessed on Sunday, February 5th, 2012...six years and one day after your your Daddy and I were engaged.  And for this reason, I will always remember this special day of yours.

     You looked so lovely in your blessing dress that long ago belonged to me...

      So many of your family members were gathered around you on this day:  Gram and Pop; Great-Grandpa Johnson; Grandpa and Grandma; Papa and Nana; Jacee and Chad (Holland, Eliza, Nelson, and Madeline); Payton and Melissa; Molly and Chris (Colbie); Nicole and Jason; Natalie; Megan and Sadie; Lynne and Gregg; Eva and Sid; and Grandpa and Grandma Lystrup visited last week.

      Daddy gave you the most tender blessing, relaying to you how you are a choice daughter of our Heavenly Father reserved to come to the earth at this time to shine as a light and a star to guide those around you.  You were blessed with the light from the Savior to shine in your countenance that you might be an example throughout your life.

      Maylie, words cannot express how blessed we are to have you in our family.  We have felt that you have been waiting to come for so long...and now you are here in all of your glorious radiance.  Your angelic sweetness fills my heart with joy so abundant that my cup is brimming.  I could not be happier.  Thank you for coming.  Thank you for the grace you have brought to our family.  Thank you for the edge of refinement you have brought to this household of little boys.  Thank you for the heavenly aura you have bestowed on our home.  Thank you for being you.  You are the ray of light that I needed...that we all needed.  And I'm so glad that Heavenly Father sent you to us.  You are Grace my little Maylie.  And I love you.

Love always,

Mommy