Things I Love - Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!
February 14th, 2010
14 things I love...
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1. The smell of my children's breath.
2. When all three kids want to sit on my lap at the same time and somehow we get it to work out so everyone is happy.
3. When my husband suggests we eat out at our favorite burger joint after I've put off making dinner because of a hard day.
4. Watching Pride and Prejudice with my sisters.
5. Really good fruit.
6. The sun.
7. Comfort foods like cream of wheat, warm soft pretzels, and homemade bread and jam.
8. Watching movies with my husband after the kids are in bed.
9. The burn of a good workout.
10. Soft beds and down comforters.
11. The sounds of my children playing well together.
12. The satisfaction of a do-it-yourself project done right.
13. Date nights with my hubby.
14. Slippers and a warm robe and a cold night.

The roses Rob had delivered to me.

For our Valentine's date Rob arranged for the babysitter then took me to dinner and a movie. He also gave me a package with some of my favorite things, like Cadbury mini eggs (mmmmm!), a new water bottle and sweat towel for my work outs (I think I sweat more than normal), Weight Watcher candies, gum, etc.

He is so thoughtful. Guess what I did for him - nothing so far. What a lousy wife.

Here's the Valentine Addie and Maycie did for us. Flowers on a tray with a card, $5, and soggy fruit loops.

For Family Home Evening the kids made Valentine's for the grandparents. Unfortunately, I was sick and lazy this week, so this may be all the grandparents see of their Valentines because I haven't mailed them yet. Sorry. Not my best week for showing my love.

The Middle Child

My dearest cousin recently posted on her blog how the middle child is always there but never quite the center of attention. How true that is for my Maycie. She's always trying to get noticed, whether it's by drawing an amazing picture or by peeing on the floor after I've watched her do the potty dance for a half hour and told her to go four times. My middle child who always chooses the name "Danger" or "Kill" for her pretend play. My middle child whose love for potty humor is never far from her mind. My middle child whose vivid imagination makes it difficult for her (and me) to determine what is reality and what is not. My middle child whose raspy voice and incredible lung power makes her the loudest thing in our house (or store or church). My middle child whose love of discovery and exploration always seems to leave a path of destruction in her wake - whether it's permanent marker on my new leather couch or experimenting what with various household objects that will float and sink in her bath. My middle child whose daring sense of style always has me wondering (with some nervousness) how she'll dress as a teenager.

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My favorite child rearing book "Siblings Without Rivalry" suggests not to refer to your children by their birthplace in the family. So from here on out my middle child is my amazing Maycie. I love you, my amazing Maycie. You keep things so interesting. I love your sweet hugs and kisses that are reserved just for me. I love your ability to make me laugh. I love to watch you explore the world around you and how you fit into it. I love your sweet angelic face and shockingly blue eyes. My amazing Maycie, I love your creative songs and sweet prayers that tell me what a strong and passionate spirit you have. I love your appreciation of comfort and the good things in life. I love your patience with me when I can't seem to break away long enough to play your favorite game, "doggie".

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Thank you for being a part of our family. I love you, my amazing Maycie. You may not always be the center of attention, but you're always in the center of my heart.

Love, mom.

Are you straight?

Addie to Rob: "Dad, you're kind of straight but not very straight."
Rob: "Straight? What do you mean by straight, Addie?"
Addie: "You know. Some people are straight."
Rob: "I'm still not sure what you mean."
Addie: "Dad, I'm trying not to call you fat because that's not very nice."