Happy Valentine's Day

Webster's Dictionary defines "ADORE" as: To regard with loving admiration and devotion. This Valentine's Day Tj had to work. I was able to spend the entire day focused on and with two of the sweetest and charming mini-valentines I could ask for.

When I was about eight years old I was part of a community parade with my Girl Scout troop. I don't remember what the parade was for but I do remember being asked to dress up as what we would like to be when we grew up. After thinking for quite some time I decided I wanted to be a mom in the parade. While I have spent time outside of our homes working at one point in our marriage or another I have never had the professional drive that some women have. I still am determined to decide "what I want to be when I grow up" and return to school to earn a degree. But I adore the two little boys who call me 'Mom'.

Our day started out with the boys waking me up and snuggling together. Then it was off for a special Valentine themed breakfast. My mom often shakes her head as she observes me with the boys and remarks, "Oh, you're one of those moms." I'm sure she'd be shaking her head at my antics today.

After breakfast it was off to see their Valentines from (Tj) and me. Now the dogs have a story behind them. Awhile back I was sorting through bins in the garage attempting to condense some of our storage. In the process Vance found an old monkey costume from Halloween. He was completely and sincerely heartbroken that we would be giving this costume away. He was so devastated that he asked in the most heart tugging way if he could just snuggle with it for one more night. Needless to say it lasted and lasted and lasted. And every time I would think that I had finally smuggled it into the give away bin he would catch a glimpse and be heartbroken all over again. So one day as we were shopping at Wal-Mart Vance saw this HUGE teddy bears and asked if he could have one for Valentines. I told him that if he did he'd have to give away the snuggle monkey (what the costume has now been come to be referred as). He thought about it and agreed. Long story short he decided that none of the animals at Wal-Mart were worth snuggle monkey after all but while perusing Target he found the dog that would be worth sacrificing snuggle monkey for. I told him that he would have to wait until Valentines day. I reminded him that he would need to give up snuggle monkey to the donation bin on Saturday. Of course he snuck the dog as soon as we got home and I forgot to throw snuggle monkey in the donation bin. Score one for Vance. =) (And of course because Vance got one Joel needed one too.)

The rest of the day was peppered with Valentine themed activities. Joel had his class Valentine's party today, the boys gave and got small gifts from their friends, Vance had a playdate with one of the girls from his church class and we did a Valentine's craft together. And then we had the sister missionaries over for dinner.

While the day was lacking in romance (although Tj did email me a very sweet note) it was a really fantastic Valentines day. Happy Valentine's Day friends!

PS. My computer hates me right now so pictures to come later.


Pictures As Promised:

Vance with his breakfast.
Pink Milk, Heart Pancakes, Strawberry and whip cream.

Joel and his breakfast.

Valentine Gifts & said stuffed dogs.

Joel's lunch: Heart cheese and turkey, Pretzels, Valentine fruit snacks,
pink yogurt, Valentine granola bar, and red kool-aide.

Vance's lunch was the same with his friend.