Valentines, Romance, and True Love

We have had quite the happy Valentines here this whole month. It's a fun holiday to have the opportunity to express our sincere love and appreciation for each other. Hopefully we do it more than this once a year, but February 14th is just another reason to show people you care. I made Caleb an advent calendar this year and it proved to be a lot of fun building some anticipation for the big day. There were all sorts of fun and romantic things to do each night including slow dancing in the bedroom, making each other homemade cheesy cards, pillow talking while telling each other our favorite memories from the dating years etc. It was a really fun 2 weeks looking forward to the next nice thing we could do for each other or share in.

I also didn't want the girls to miss out in the fun, so I made them some mailboxes and we delivered love notes throught the weeks this way. Definitely a fun new tradition I think we'll keep. The girls gave out Valentines at Preschool, and to their friends while being babysat last night. They loved giving. They also loved recieving... Speaking of which they got sent some valentines from their Grandma and Grandpa "Boise". They recieved the traditional homemade card which is always a favorite, and new piggy banks complete with money to put in them.

They both already have a love of money and saving it. This was a great gift, and they both really enjoyed it. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Caleb and I decided to attend a Masquerade Ball together for Valentines. We have both been very excited for it! Originally I was planning a little party with a few of my sister-in-laws, but different plans fell into place. We made our own masks, and we thought they turned out pretty fun and fancy!
Pretty good for amateurs right? Caleb even designed his himself.
And here is the sexy couple! It was so fun and Romantic to get dressed up all fancy for each other and enjoy the night dancing in each others arms. He looked so handsome, and we had a lot of fun together. I got my "hair did", and I felt so pretty, which I am sure all of you other mothers will agree that THAT alone is a rarity! My hairdresser helped me do temporary extensions for it on Friday, and showed me how to do it for Saturday. I loved it!

When I was finished getting my hair done at the Salon all of the women were "oohing" and "awwing" at my hair, and one asked where I was going looking so done up. I told her that I was going to a masquerade ball on Saturday, and all of the other women present were swooning. I took the opportunity to gloat about it(you better believe it!) and one woman said "let me guess, you are single and still in love right?" I said "No, Married, 2 kids, and still in love." Everyone was shocked. I told Caleb, and he seemed to like my response because the next day I got this beautiful bouquet of Roses with this note. Aww! I love that boy.

At the ball there was a live band. We also enjoyed refreshments and entertainment, and even got our pictures taken like we were at the High School Prom...hehehe. I'm still on cloud 9! Funny thing though...Caleb and I aren't bad dancers, but we're certainly not the best. We bumped feet quite a bit last night, and by the end the big toes on both of my feet were worn through my nylons! :) Too cute!
We finished off the date like any good date ends by going to WalMart! hahaha. Seriously! We ran over there afterward and at 11:30 at night, pushed our cart around while in our formals and picked up a few little sweet gifts to put in the girls Mailboxes for today. They were really excited to get them this morning. We certainly do love them!

I got Caleb a little gift, and he got me one too. I just wanted to share what he got me though, because I thought it was so tender and thoughtful. I love Willowtree statues, and I guess you could say I collect them. Look at this perfect one he got me....Dancing! A perfect reminder for our perfect evening. And the title of this one.....Romance!

I had a wonderful evening, but today we had to come back to reality. Caleb was back to work today. He has been so maxed out lately, and I've been going in after hours to help him get some stuff done and hopefully eliviate some of that building stress. Wednesday we were there till 12:30 am. Today he asked me to come in again and help from 12-5. My sister-in-law Bec watched the kids so I could. I ended up helping him from 12-6. We got a lot done though, and I really was happy to help. I love him, and seeing some of that stress ease out of him is worth it. But as I thought about it, I thought you know...this is what Valentines is really about. As the years progress in our marriage I am amazed at how our love continues to grow. It knows no bounds. Last night was Romantic, and defnitely a night to remember, but I honestly feel choked up knowing that we love each other so much, so selflessly. I am happy to help him, and he appreciates that a lot. And you know what, I appreciate that he is willing to let me help, and trusts that I can do the job right. It means a lot to me. And in it's own, insignificant, unromantic, probably not even understood by many way, it shows to me just how true our love is. I am so lucky to be married to my man. I love you Caleb.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful Holiday too. Happy Valentines!

Experimenting

Well, I'm in the dark about a lot that this camera has going on. I'm learning about Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. Who knew there was so much to learn and understand? Anyway, I've been trying to understand as much as I can, and in my past time this camera (that I am SO in love with!) consumes my time! Here are a few pictures that I've shot. I'm no professional, and I haven't gotten the technicalities down to an art by any means, but it's fun to experiment! Trying to figure out lighting as well as blurring the background as well as freezing the subject all the while getting the perfect coloring etc. is still a bit beyond me, but like I said I'm experimenting. That's the beauty about digital...experiment experiment experiment! This was the first picture I took. Of course Adi is SUPER cooperative!

The rest of these pictures are from the other day when Adi had some of her friends (her cousins) over. We made "Peanut Butter Stripper Dippers". They are a great invention we came up with along with one of Adi's friends, Will, who we watch. So fun for the kids. You make a grilled peanut butter sandwhich, cut them into strips, and then let them dip 'em in their favorite things i.e. chocolate, caramel, and strawberry jam! Not the healthiest, but we try and even it out with some fruit too:) This one didn't turn out hardly at all. I'm really having a hard time grasping how to still frame them and get the lighting to work. (sigh) Like I said, experiment!
Getting ready to try some Peanut Butter Stripper Dippers...mmm...She likes peanut Butter!

And OH Yeah, We LOVE the chocolate!

Best buddies!

Well, hopefully next update I'll only be getting better.

My heart is breaking...

(turn your volume up for this post. FYI: I realize that this is not the "typical" post. I think this is a little bit more mature content than usual. However I feel strongly about this, and maybe the more awareness you can spread, the bigger difference you can make.)

As many of you know, after I graduated from High School I went to Ecuador, South America to serve in the orphanages there. It's been nearly 7 years ago this March that I left. It was THE MOST fulfilling, rewarding, eye-opening BLESSING I have ever had the privilege of experiencing. I never knew ya know? I never knew a lot...and I learned so much. I realize that doesn't make sense, but it's hard to put in words. Ever since then children, orphans, and adoption have held a very dear place in my heart. And they forever will. In light of the recent tragedy that has befallen on Haiti, I have been feeling particularly heavy with heartache for the children.



Today I learned of more tragedy that has befallen upon this country and these beloved and blessed children. Because of the Trauma the country has suffered, an increasingly large amount of children are being taken to the Orphanages. Parents who fear their children will starve take their beloved little ones here in hope of giving them the only thing they can...a chance of survival. To them, the orphanages are a Godsend. Yet the conditions of the orphanages often consist of concrete floors, and broken windows. There is no electricity, or running water. Due to the quake, the conditions are only worsening. More and more people are homeless and left with what they feel is no other option than to take their children to these orphanages. With this is arising more problems. Children are coming and going without paper-work etc. Because of the large numbers inhabiting and overwhelming these orphanages, authorities fear that some are taking advantage of the numbers and the chaos and selling children as servants and sex slaves. Trafficking is a multi-million dollar criminal network. It is real. My heart is breaking, I feel an actual ache for these sweet and perfect children. Sometimes I think we like to live in unawareness, and naivety, and it's OK. Other times, I think it's appropriate to realize the conditions of this world. Bend down on your knees and thank God for the life you have. And while you are there, will you please join me in saying a prayer for the Children?

It pays to Save!

I've been saving for so long for a nice Digital SLR camera. It's been quite a go too. I would save and save... and then something would come up and thank heavens we had that money saved you know? And then I would save some more, and Christmas came. Well needless to say, it's hard to save right? Am I the only one? Well, I'm here to tell you that patience pays off. (see...there's that word again!) I got my camera! WOOHOO!!!!

It's the Canon Rebel T1i. I have so much to learn that's for sure, but I can't wait to get learning on this baby! The 500 page manual it comes with isn't daunting at all! :) haha. Anyway, just wanted to share my complete and TOTAL excitement! I heart my new camera!

Waking up

I woke up this morning to Adelynn sneaking into bed with me and cuddling up. I love those early morning moments when her freezing cold toes slide under my legs for warmth and she nuzzles in closely. This morning I awoke to an even more special treat. While cuddling she told me she brought me a present. Usually it's a lego tower, but today I looked over to see she had used Emersyn's stacking cups to put some Gerbera Daisies in. Aww, what a lovely way to wake up! Here's hoping to a good week, and an early spring!