O's, not X's

Are you a Careful Kisser?

How to Smooch Safely with Food Allergies This Valentine's Day

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Feb. 11 (AScribe Newswire) --

For most parents ofteens, Valentine's Day may evoke over-protective thoughts regarding their child. "I've got two daughters and I think they should never kiss anyone!"exclaimed Roger Friedman, MD, Clinical Professor of Allergy, Immunology, andPediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

All joking aside, parents of food-allergic children have even more cause to be wary of smooching. Today, 3 to 4 million children are affected by food allergies, and allergic reactions can be triggered not just byconsuming food firsthand. Kissing - ranging from passionate to a peck on the cheek - can also prompt a reaction.

"You're pretty unlikely to have anything severe happen from a kiss. But it can happen and you need to be smart," Dr. Friedman advised.
A common form of affection on Valentine's Day, kissing becomes a problem when a grandparent or date consumes an allergen before smooching afood-allergic child or teen.

"A peck on the cheek from a parent or relative will almost always only result in a local reaction such as a welt or hive; it's very unlikely to cause any severe reaction that you'd be worried about," Dr. Friedman explained.

Short of suggesting kissing be prohibited this Valentine's Day, Dr.Friedman recommends teenagers, especially, play it safe. "If you're in a committed relationship that involves passionate kissing, tell your date 'I'm allergic to nuts, please don't eat any before you kiss my face!'" he suggested.

Todd D. Green, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, agreed.

"If a date cares enough about their Valentine to kiss her or him, hopefully they'll care enough to refrain from eating the food theirValentine is allergic to that day," he said.

Kissing (and even sharing utensils, straws and cups) causes exposure to food allergens through saliva, which can contain enough allergen to cause local and systemic allergic reactions. In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, participants ingested two tablespoons of peanut butter to establish how long the peanut allergen stays in saliva. Researchers collected the saliva of the participants at different times, and also evaluated mouth-cleansing techniques (brushing teeth, rinsing and chewing gum).

According to the study, "the most effective way to avoid causing an allergic reaction, if you're going to eat the food to which your partner is allergic, is to eat the food several hours before a kiss and have a mealf ree of the allergen before you kiss - although not eating the food at all would always be the safest approach," said Dr. Green. Though the risk of having a severe allergic reaction from a kiss is small, there is always a slight possibility, said Dr. Green. "Unfortunately you can't predict the amount of protein that will be transferred during kissing, and it is difficult to predict the reaction," he said. That said, it is better to err on the safe side.

Online support group Kids With Food Allergies offers these tips for safe smooching on Valentine's Day:
- Remind your kissing partner about your allergies;
- Suggest your partner avoid eating serious allergens, if possible;
- Ask your partner to minimize allergen exposure, such as by washinghands and face, or brushing teeth thoroughly, before kissing;
- Carry appropriate medication and know how to use an injectableepinephrine kit;
- Wear emergency medical identification (such as a MedicAlertbracelet).

For more tips on staying safe this Valentine's Day, visit http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org .

Our little Flynn's milk allergy is very much like a peanut allergy in that she's so sensitive to contact (& she even has had an airborn reaction a time or two).
Even to a kiss from Papa on the cheek, after he's drank coffee w/ cream in it. Or once when daddy ate ice cream & only 'rinsed' his hands (didn't use soap) -- everywhere daddy touched Flynn, there were burn-like marks.
If you ever want to show our girl affection, first we suggest you just give her a hug; but if you feel compelled to kiss her on the cheek, please wash your hands & face after eating the unsafe food.
Her little cheeks appreciate it!

12 Days of Valentine, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

This is the photo that inspired me when making my wedding bouquet...

It's the final day, the 12th day...and it couldn't be more appropriate that this day I choose to thank you Jeff for your...

LOVE

You give it so freely, to everyone.

If this was the one thing Jesus really cared about asking us to do (appears in the NIV 551 times!), He's probably pretty pleased with you.

And the UNCONDITIONAL love you've shown me from the day we met, cannot be overlooked, nor can it be matched by anything.

This love shines through in everything you do. From the two jobs you keep, to the tireless way you come home from those two jobs & help me with the kids & the house & the chores that I should've had done by that time.

This love shows when you take your family to church every Sunday, and if we're so lucky to sit down during church, together, you never fail to put your arm around me & caress my shoulder.

That same love that inspires you to stay awake a little longer each night so that we can pray together.

It also is the same love that has cried with me in our sorrowful times...and has gushed with joy during the happy times of our life together.

It was in the look you gave me when the doctor told us Flynn was a girl, the look in your eyes when they laid Gabe on my chest.

In the tough times we've had together, it was the one constant. And despite the worries I may have had, everything else seemed to melt away with your regular display of love.

And on this, our 7th Valentine together, I hope you never doubt my love for you. It has not only kept from fading, it burns so brightly sometimes I'm sure I'm beaming. And it's because of you...

Happy Valentine's Day Jeff, I LOVE you!

Psalm 117:2 "For he loves us with unfailing love..."

7th Day of Valentine

On the 7th Day of Valentine, My true love gave to me,



The gift of being


MR MOM.



I can't imagine that too many moms, especially of a toddler & a preschooler, are completely, 100%, fine with leaving their kids with daddy.



But I am.



I do believe that God's given us Mommas a little something extra special, even after our lactating days are over, that is the one thing no one else has.

It's probably the same as my ability to look like the Pied Piper leading around the mice (picture this, while I'm on an important phone call, going from room to room in the house, all in an attempt to escape noise).

It's the same as when I go into the bedroom to fold & put away laundry. And even tho there is ASBOLUTELY NOTHING of interest in our room, at least not to the 4 & under crowd, they want to be in there.

BECAUSE I AM.

And usually that's endearing, but sometimes also annoying, as Gabe tends to mess up laundry piles.



And Jeff, even though you don't have that unspecified God-given gift, that instinct that is a cure-all in every situation (like I'm some kind of proverbial band aid for every proverbial boo boo), you do have a talent of caring for the kids, that almost matches mine.



When I have a night at the office, or an evening meeting, or a girls' night out, and I come home to find both kids, not only have survived the evening, but have so much fun they want to talk about it the next morning, it's reassuring.

You not only do the minimum to care for them, you work hard to make it a peaceful return home. When I walk through the door to silence & sleeping kids, and a clean livingroom floor, it doesn't make me feel guilty that I had to leave. It makes me happy that if I ever walked out the door & couldn't return (sad thought!), the kids would be well cared for by their daddy.

You remember Flynn's medicine. You change Gabe's diaper as often as it should be. You don't take chances with Flynn & there's never been an episode while she's with you.
It's harmonious when you're here with them, and I never call home to check up & hear distress in the background or a plea from you for me to hurry up & hurry back.

It makes me want to return the favor.

And take a trip to Mexico.

I love you honey. xoxo.

V-Day Memories

We had such a good V'day. And it didn't hurt that it was also a SNOW DAY, so Daddy stayed home! We always have little parties, so we had a "Valentine Party" complete with card making, cookie making & gift opening!

Gabe doesn't yet know the significance of these two letters!

The baker hard at work on the Valentine cookies.

Ready for our *HOT* date at the "The Castle" (aka Whiteys).

I was trying to get a good photo of the kids for a frame I gave Jeff,

Gabe nearly had a breakdown, so I subbed in.

How sweet is Strawberry Shortcake?

So cute!!!!

3rd Way, My Valentine

Hey, did you know this is in lieu of a present?

Just FYI, don't want you getting your hopes up for nothing...

It's the 12 Days of Valentine my love, and for the 3rd day of 12 DOV, I give to you,

COMMITMENT.

110%.

Did you know I wanted a honeymoon baby? I hoped we'd have us a spring baby nine months after our wedding. It didn't happen that way. As a matter of fact, it didn't happen how I wanted it to at all. It took a lot longer than I wanted and wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination.

Nothing about the first pregnancy was easy. And when I was put on bed rest, it was the nail in the proverbial financial coffin. We had decided to not renew our teaching contracts that year but we picked a rough year to do that. Missouri did major budget cuts in education & not only were teachers not finding jobs, they weren't being replaced.

While I laid in bed 23 hours of each day the last trimester, Jeff worked two jobs so we wouldn't have to start selling the shirts off our backs.

Then Flynn came along, early, and wasn't healthy. We had to tearfully watch her isolette get loaded into an ambulance, twelve hours old, and leave us to go to a critical care hospital.

That night, Jeff held me, sobbing...we missed her so much.

Until I was released, which was postponed due to a fever I couldn't get rid of, Jeff spent days with Flynn, then would return to my hospital at night & show me video of the baby girl I so wanted to hold.

I remember when we came home - without her. I cried as we turned onto our street. I thought that the next time I would come home, it would be with our new baby in the back seat. I still remember, like it wasn't 50 months ago, he looked at me surprised at my tears, but just as sad as me, "Oh honey."

Then, when we were blessed again - this time with a baby we'd never meet; we once again leaned on each other. I remember laying in bed the night I lost the baby, and Jeff holding me until I fell asleep. He never thought I overreacted, he never tried to get me to stop crying, he just loved me.

There were several similar instances that followed in our parenting days...

my crazy medical issues...

surgeries...

seeing me in very vulnerable positions.

He never appeared to be annoyed at what he had to put up with. He never cast it off like the problems were mine.

He was always right by me.

It took a while to get used to, but once I did, I never felt safer in my life. To have someone love you, take care of you, and to know: This person will never leave me. Ever.

When he pulled his weight plus mine. He never grumbled. When he took care of a 2 year old & a baby, while his wife was in the hospital for days, undetermined when she'd be released, he never panicked. He never complained. And never whinced.

Instead, he delivered the small amounts of milk I pumped - to nurse's refrigerators. Then toted them home in a cooler, and fed them to a hungry six month old.

He never wonders, 'What if?'. He never says, 'I wish.' He never gets frustrated because he can't watch soccer on our old tv that only gets 4 channels, not one of those carrying his favorite sport. He doesn't sound off that there are things around here that he can not fix, or add, because we don't have the money.

And he's never pressured me to return to full time work before we're both sure Flynn is ready; even though I know the lure of less debt & buying extras has to be singing loudly in his ear.

I know I'm hard to live with. Sometimes I get on my own nerves. I'm bossy & neurotic. Kinda like Erma Bombeck meets Rain Man. Seriously eccentric & just plain old odd.

It's been a roller coaster ride since the day we said, 'I do.' And it continues to be a ride.

But he just keeps raising his hands & wanting to go faster.

Love you babe, thanks for stickin' around.

I Love - I Love - I Love My Calendar Girl

I've made mention of Flynn's administrative skills. How she keeps a running "days 'til" total in her mind, for any given holiday. She was thrilled when PePaw gave her a little dayrunner & wrote everyone, and I mean everyone's birthdays in it...every last aunt, uncle, & cousin.
She carried it around & made notes in it & loved to reference it.

A couple of weeks ago, we were having a little private Valentine party at McD's with Flynn's BFF (& apparently, Gabe's "tister" too, according to him), 'Madamine', when a worker came around & handed out a ruler, a little pamphlet, along with a mini calendar.
And Flynn struck gold.

So, I hung it on her french memo board in her room.

And yesterday, sometime before 7 am, my bedroom door flung open & in came busting a very very AWAKE Flynn,
"HEY Momma!!"

She bolted straight to my bed & was pointing to the first day of spring,
"How many days 'til this?"

And so that went on until I had identified for her, every single holiday listed on her little free McDonald's calendar. Along with filling in every important date like "Dad & Me Night" at preschool.

Save for her hour at dance, she carried that calendar around most of the day.

Maybe I should start keeping my appointments & important dates on her calendar??

Some Randomness

Here is some COMPLETE randomness...

• I absolutely LOVE Flynn's new hair. It makes me super sorry I didn't do this a long time ago (except, growing it out another 6-12 mos meant more to donate). It's so cute. It's so easy. And what can I say, except this girl can work a bob.
• I love having short hair. This is the shortest it's been since '85, where I had a triangular bob with some weird bang thing going. And very very curly. Well, it's still curly, but thank God for good hair product.
• Hot hubs being a teacher means we'll never be wealthy. But it does mean lots of time off for the holidays. That's great. Except, all three of us have to go through withdrawals when school starts again.
• An extra day of Hot Hubs at home yesterday, on account of ice + many many hills/backroads within his district's boundaries.
• Gabe's preschool Christmas program is tomorrow. Re-scheduled TWICE on account of weather. It will seem somewhat silly seeing Santa come in at the end. At this point, they may want to incorporate at Valentine or Presidents song.
• I got a PediEgg. Works swell. But, um, someone could've warned me about the grossness. I think I see a Rob-Your-Neighbor gift in the works (the heal shavings, not the pediegg). And it's like a trainwreck. I know it's nasty, but I still can't help but look.
• One of our awesome neighbors is being rude again. If our trashcan blows down, he runs outside & THROWS it as far as he can into our yard. Isn't it awesome when someone hates you just because you aren't like them. I certainly don't want to be friends with them, but all I can figure is that they only like their friends from their own mobile home court (literally, their 2 friends are old neighbors at their former mobile home, their BFF, a guy with a lazy eye & another friend, his mistress, a 40-something with a really damaged perm job...and she works at the gas station down the road...she's married to someone else, but hooks up with the lazy eye mullet guy). Should I apologize to them that we have never lived in a trailor? And there's certainly nothing wrong with living in a trailor... I'm just saying, sorry to them that we were young homeowners, which was one of their beefs when we were building our house. "I don't think that young kids should get a new house." Thank you for calling me a 'young' kid at 28, but working my tail off to get a couple of degrees & a job does constitute us getting a new (very affordable) house.
• I've been babysitting for a couple of months now. The little sweetie's name is Olivia, but Gabe calls her "Baby 'Lua". So her name has stuck. She is a real-life doll & we love having a baby in the house again. She's going to be a big sister soon too. And her momma has given me the honor of asking me to take care of them both. Logistics have to be figured out & lots of prayers to be sure that it's do'able. I love babies, everyone knows. And they're so fun to have around.
• I've been working hard to pass along all my frugal finds along to you over at my other site. If you know of a good deal, especially cheap & fun things to do with your family, please share so I can post it for the few families, friends, & frugal moms who read it. The info has been the same stuff I've been sharing w/ my mom, sister, & coupon-friends for a while now. Throwing them on the site is easier & then I'm able to share with anyone who cares.
• Jeff looks good at 34.
• Better than I look at 35.
• I'm still not used to writing 2009 .
• In my sleep this morning, in the wee hours, I had a really vivid dream. And in the dream, God gave me the words to a song, like a worship song. I know I sound super loony. Anyway, in my dream I was like, "Wow, this is a cool song." and shortly after I woke up, I forgot it. Man I sound like a fruitcake.
• Lately, Flynn has been driving us crazy with her new habit, constantly asking 'How long til ___?' And the blank can apply to a drive to Grammy's. A drive to church. The days until Madelyn's birthday party. The days 'til she can take out her earrings.
• I like spelling grey with an 'e' rather than an 'a'. It's always been that way. I don't know why. I just do.

/randomness

Let Me Count the Ways.... day 2

For the 2nd day of the 12 Days of Valentine, I present to you:

PERMANENT BEER GOGGLES.

Doesn't sound too romantic. And the truth is, Jeff has never had real beer goggles for me. But it's a metaphor I use quite frequently to explain how he sees me in this strange dilluted way. He really thinks I'm pretty -- like for real (totally to the max).

If I didn't have a mirror, I would think I was hot. That's how he makes me feel. The way he treats & handles me, I'm all, wow, I must totally look like Eva Longoria. Then, I walk by a mirror, see my image, and am quickly jolted into the reality of Rosanne Barr.

And it's not just lip service he's paying me. I think he really thinks that. He still acts smitten when he sees me 'diddied up' to go on a date or for something special. We still dance in the kitchen when a slow song comes on. And our kids don't even think it's weird that we're constantly kissing, they've never known anything different.

If I were an artist, I would create a picture to show how I see this. It would have a really large pair of specs on Jeff, so large & off his face that 'we' could see the image he's seeing through his glasses. But, we could also see me standing before him, in the 'real' image.

We would see some bombshell through his glasses, then, in 'real time', we'd see, well, me.

Sometimes I wonder why. Or, what's wrong with him. He comes home most days, from being in a workplace full of teenage girls, who no doubt put hours into their appearance before coming to school. They haven't a wrinkle or a post-baby body. And, being the Godly & decent man that he is, doesn't give a second thought to that but I still think, "Um, surely there's a subconcious comparison going on."

And then, I think of how long I waited & prayed for Jeff. And maybe he was praying for me. Or maybe his mom was praying for his future wife. And I think of the nights I laid in bed alone & wondered who God had designed for me. And the weddings I'd go to, or sing in, and see happy couples & wonder when I'd be blessed. I stayed faithful to God through rough times & just prayed that my blessing would come.

And it did.

And I can't help but think this might be one of them. I don't care if you think I'm pretty. Or that you wonder why I still haven't lost the 'baby weight' from Gabe. Or if you think in your mind that I should probably change out of my pj pants before Jeff gets home.

What I do care about is what he thinks. And that he looks over at me, on the way to church after I put the final touches on my make up, and he shakes his head in disbelief. Sometimes he says, "oh, those lips." Sometimes he just squeezes my hand & asks me how he got so lucky.

I guess it's love.

Solomon 1:15 How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.

12 Days of Valentine...10th Day

I know, too freakish to be funny...

On this, the 10th day of Valentines, I had to pry my sick self from the recliner but you're worth every cough I succumb to send you my love...

The 10th day, the 10th way is your easiness.

Get your mind out of the gutter! By easiness, what I mean is you're so easy going you make everything easy.

You rarely stress, I never see you nervous. You never get uncomfortable because you are new, or don't know anyone.

As a matter of fact, I think the 2nd time you'd visited my parents, you were laying sideways across their loveseat, feet dangling off the side. Probably the third time you visited my sister & her family, you got a blanket (what we fondly call the "pimp blanket" on account of its furriness) & laid down in front of the fire & covered yourself. You were completely comfortable.

And that's how you approach life.

Easy.

I love it. It's the very reason my blood pressure is high & yours is low.

Easy to please & easy to love.

And I love to do both.

xoxo

12 Days of Valentine are drawing to a close...

Jeff proposed to me, right here, literally where I sit....only there wasn't an office chair, at a computer, in a livingroom. There were plans to be, but there wasn't yet. He took me here to look at the progress of our would-be house, and formalized the way we'd felt & the plans we'd made, and asked for my hand in marriage. 6 weeks later, we were mr & mrs. Now that's romance.

11th Day, 11th Way

GENTLENESS

From how gentle you kiss me to how gentle you lovingly discipline the kids.

How when you get mad, your brow might wrinkle, and that's probably the only physical change that will take place. I doubt your heart even beats faster.

You put things together with a tender touch & hold a baby like he or she is an egg.

And I love you, the way you are.

Love in the Air

What the heck is Gabe doing in this photo? (and why the heck is that hyperlinked?)

They were opening their Vday gifts from Momma & Daddy
(a couple of clearance things I'd bought over the past few months)Getting dipped (or holding on for dear life??)

Me & Papa catch a jig

With niece, Vanessa

With my girl who looks like she has red lip gloss on

We got to enjoy a fun party at church on Valentine's night. So fun. Have I mentioned that I love my church?

VDay Giveaway

http://belovedmama.blogspot.com/2008/01/beloved-valentine-giveaway.html
Click above (for some reason I couldn't hyperlink it), for a fun giveaway!

Some Ideas for My Allergy Girl -- Snacks

Shouts out to my blog-pals who are fellow allergy moms. And I am needing some ideas...

For two things:

• In Flynn's class, their theme for Sunday is fish. For the snack, obviously goldfish are out. And as yummy as Swedish fish are, they aren't 'enough' to be the main snack. Any ideas?
• Her Valentine party is coming up (okay, it's like 25 days away, but still). I noticed yesterday that the teachers posted that snacks must be milk-free & to see ME if they'd like to bring a snack. I appreciate them doing this (& was surprised). Since there's a chance there might be a parent or two coming to me, I'd like to have some EASY, yet fun snack ideas. Preferably store bought, as I don't trust a lot of people to cook dairy-free (uncontaminated).

I NEED IDEAS! Thank you!!!!

Days of Valentine - 6th way

This way is one of my most prized:

GOOD LOOKS

Otherwise known as:

• eye candy


• hot


• very attractive


• not-so-bad-on-the-eyes


• quite the looker


• gorgeous


• yummy


• cute


• beautiful


• sexy


• striking


• handsome

That's him alright. I wouldn't go so far as to say he's my trophy husband. But I would go so far as to say that I proudly wear myself on his arm when we go places and I've always been proud to introduce him to acquaintances he's never met.

Did you know that before he knew me, I saw him & inquired about him? My niece Hannah was in third grade at the school which he taught at (which I later taught at). He taught second grade, two doors down from her class.

I took Hannah to school a couple of different occasions, late, & "needed" to walk her to her class. I tried to be nonchallant while getting a good 'gander' into his classroom. You know, it's not often that elementary teachers are men. And even more rare that they're worth a second look (let alone three, four, or five looks).

Later, I asked Hannah about him. She giggled & was excited at my interest. Before I knew it, she'd told one of her friends who supplied her with a bunch of "facts" (which weren't very factual).

He never knew a student's aunt was hot after him. And I don't think he actually saw me until a year later when I subbed next door to him. And even then I'm not sure he 'really' saw me (the monumental moment was a month later when I subbed for him).

How often do people get to marry someone who took their breath away at first sight? And even less often than that, those people continue to stay smitten with their spouse.

I'm glad I'm one of those few.

King of Hearts

So my funny valentine had too much heat to really be romantic yesterday, he still came through with some goods.
The photo above shows three prints just like the one I got...same line from Target. I got a single, square shaped one, with the exact colors, but more of a sprig/leaf design.
I had been lusting after it for quite sometime & Hot Hubby knew this.
I've been a fan of decorating green for years now. I keep thinking it will go out of style, but green never does...just changes shades. Back in college I was into that hunter & burgundy stage. Then, when we built this house & I was afraid to PAINT ANY WALLS becuz for crying out loud, that SERIOUS COMMITMENT, I agreed to paint the basement walls. We chose BITTER GREEN with, you guessed it,shades of sunburst orange. I love it downstairs & it gave me the courage to used those some colors in Flynn's room (a post about my children's rooms forthcoming).
Anyway, back to green. I tried to be non-thematic in the kitchen & totally neutral in the livingroom. It's worked in the livingroom, as our couch is camel & creme & has a very faint pattern. And the wood (not real wood) furniture is blond wood cubes. I also have a piece like a chest, that I got from a garage sale. It was only $20, was in great shape, is 'real' wood & is the same shade as the rest of the livingroom family. It has pier 1 stamped inside so I thought it was a definite score. The rest is hodge podge, but it always ends up being fairly inconspicuous.
The kitchen as I said was just very mix & match. On the cabinets, I put old glasses, bottles & pitchers & an old cookie jar that I found at a garage sale (looks just like the one my mom had growing up that my sister now has). Then, I found some great buys at a little garage sale at a really old house in town. It was a little old lady, she was so sweet, & seemed so surprised that I drooled over the old porcelain partridge & melamine cups she had for sale. And a swatch that is in the process of becoming a throw pillow for Flynn's bed (post on that project, also in the near future).
SO...
Those few pieces all shared a common hue. Can you guess what it is?
Yep,
Hello Lover.
So, I gave in. I decided that it was God's will for green to be the kitchen's color.
Soonafter, I saw the lucious silk print that I showed Jeff at Target. He agreed that it would tie in the different shades of green & be a good piece to flow from the part of the wall that is kitchen, to the wall which is livingroom (not easy with the cathedral ceiling).
Yesterday, when he was bringing Flynn home, sick as a dog, he had her deliver the gift to me. "Close your eyes" & she took credit for the great surprise.
He even went so far as to hide the gift as Grammy's & pay with cash so I wouldn't notice the deduction when online banking.

It took so much effort, he had to then stumble into bed & not get up until today.

But it was worth his effort. And it's already hanging.

How Do I Love Thee? Let me count 12 ways...

It's the 12 Days of Valentine. And I'm going to lavish my love in gifts of words.

In case you haven't gathered, I'm totally nuts about my hubby. He doesn't do much wrong in my eyes & speaking of my eyes, he's totally easy on them.

Mmhm.

So today, the 12th way that I love Jeff (kinda like a top ten, but there's 12 & they're all about how wonderful Jeff is):

Number 12 means never having to say you're sorry.

What's that mean exactly?

Well, it means, as wrong as it would be, I'd probably never have to say I'm sorry. It means that's how forgiving this guy is.

Last night, we were at a staff party, and our game was to write on an index card, a trait that you admire in 'that' person. So, when I came to him, I wrote FORGIVENESS.

I don't think I'm cocky when I say that I don't do much to him that would merit an apology. Am I perfect? No-sirree-Bob. Not even close.

But, outward actions to hurt him.

Almost non-existant.

Do I underappreciate him, take him for granted sometimes, boss him too much, and expect too much from him?
Yes-sirree-Bob.

Does he get mad at me over those things? Maybe. Does he demand an apology? No. Does he forgive me without me even asking him to?

YES.

Have I sat in awe & admired watching him being wronged by different 'friends' & family members, then watched him be hurt, or mad... then having that offense wash away, down the drain like the bathwater? Yes. And I LOVE that about him.

There are people who have hurt him who don't even know it.

And they never will.

He's so like Christ when it comes to that.

And he doesn't get passive-aggressive. Or hold a grudge. Or act one way to their face & another to their back.

As a matter of fact, sometimes I bring up one of those offenses (sound familiar, like the serpeant? Are you calling me satan??!)...and friends, HE DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER IT.

Poof! Just like that! In the 'sea of forgetfulness.'

I like that about him.

I love you Honey.

xoxoxo

9th Day of Valentine

You're even good with a bow & arrow.

Thank God I only did 12...I'm starting to wish I'd just done 3. Oy.

Alright honey, I'm worn out here, but I'll try not to let it show in my writing, because, you're worth every keystroke I type.

And I thank you for

Your Skillz

That goes for everything, from what I wouldn't want our mothers to read to the fact that your soccer talents paid your way to a teaching degree.

No matter what we do, I never have a doubt that you'll not only do it well, but will be the best one at it.

• Last night, you made soup. Not just did it sustain our growling tums, but it was downright tasty y'all.



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• At the park, you do upside down flips on the monkey bars.



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• In the snow, you know just how to handle the slick spots.



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• You can open a jar of pickles like nobody's biz.



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• You colored my hair, thus saving us $50 & it looked fab.



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• You deliver a lesson at church & keep the kids coraled & informed & entertained.



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• You're getting pretty darn good at the cha-cha-slide, almost as good as me.



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• You've mastered all the wii games at Nana's.



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• You can hook up any electronic gadget & do so, for our 'bigs'.



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• I've previously discussed your Mr Mom mastery.



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• You shovel the drive with speed & finesse.



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• You put together marble works waaaay better than momma.



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• You are the 'go-to' guy for any iTunes questions.



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• You are pretty good at helping a prego momma put her socks on.



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• You're tops at changing poopy diapers.



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• You know how to warm my heart (& my feet).

I love you sweetie pie & am happy that you're darn-right great at everything.

xoxo

Happenings of my Five Year Old

...that still feels weird to write, even weirder to say.

Since I've been up since 5-something, on account of the fact that Flynn "can't go back to sleep", I figured I'd write some funny stuff that's been coming out of her mouth.

As I was blow drying her hair last night, with the new round brush we bought for her new 'do, she looked at the brush. She looked up at me. And said, "Hey Mom, I saw something on TV. It was this thing you could buy...you put in on your eyelashes, it kinda looked like that (gesturing to the round brush). You hold in on your eyelashes & it makes them pretty."
Then she looked up my eyes (tired, rubbed several times thoughout my tired evening), and said,
"YOU should get one of those mom. And try it."
{this supports our decision to get rid of our tv, can you imagine if she was the object of marketing all the time? -- she'd have me signed up for plastic surgery!!}

Flynn has been begging for a baby brother or sister lately. I think some of this has to do with us having "Baby Lua" 2 days each week. She's so cute, she gives us Baby Fever. And it probably also has to do with the fact that Baby Lua's Mom is about to have another baby.
And it could have something to do with the fact that I look like I'm going to have a baby.

When she asked why we won't be having another baby, I explained that we decided that two is perfect. And that this way Daddy & I are able to spend time with each of them... and money on each of them (ha-ha)... and that we'd probably not go on vacation or to dinner if we had more (we can't do these things as it is!).
"Mom. I still want you to have a baby."

Yesterday she got 2 vaccines (of the I don't know how many they wanted to do) & was so very worried about getting them. I, echoed by the nurse, informed her that it wouldn't hurt as bad as getting her ears pierced, but she was so concerned.
Which seemed funny as when the needles went in, she never even flenched.
I love having tough kids.

She loves getting the mail.

She loves checking books out at the library.

She loves church. And reports to me when someone is missing, "Mom, Sophie hasn't been in our class for a LONG time." with grave concern.

And still begs to go back to her old preschool, "Mom, Grammy said she would take me to Holy Child to visit. I'm going to stay the week with her." Uh, I think you've gotten a little confused on the time frame there, but I'll go with it.

She is a walking PDA, with times & dates etched into her petite noggin. "Mom, what happens after Valentine's Day?" and "I can NOT wait until July!" (our vacation) She has a little datebook/planner that PePa gave her & has everyone's birthdays written into it.
It's nice not to be the only administrative one around here.

She & I have been doing lots of snuggling lately. Not sure if it's her need or MINE. And when she lays across me in the recliner, the very place I used to feed her, I am reminded of how quickly time goes by. As those little feet (still little) that used to barely make it past my side, now hang off the side of the chair, and then some.
The stark reality that soon she will neither fit on my lap, nor will she want to... it hits me. And I work as hard as I can to relish the moments & not wish them by.

The Friends

I should've posted this a few months ago, as it seems since this picture was taken, Flynn has almost outgrown her infatuation with her "friends".

In the picture above, see her friends, Tiger, Duck, & Bunny. These three never left her side. She could not sleep without them. She didn't leave her room without them. She loved them & treated them like they were real. Sometimes they sat at the table with us & often, Tiger went places with us. Namely Florida. If we were headed somewhere, I usually restricted her companionship to one. And he was the choice.

Tiger was her Valentine gift from us. Just a cheap beanie baby from Target. Duck is a TY from Miss Heather & boys... given to Flynn before she was even born. And Bunny, I believe is from Aunt Judy, a few Easters ago.

What's funny is that I limit the amount of plush that we keep. Sometimes the kids get them as gifts, and no sooner do they open them, then I am taking them aside & holding them for donation.

Thank goodness I let her keep these guys.

Her next obsession? Her birds. You'll hear more about that later.

Days of Valentine - 5th Way

GODLY

When I was growing up, playing "M.A.S.H." & planning how many kids I'd have & what I'd name them, I doubt this was on the top of the lists when it came to character traits in a husband.
Hot
Rich
Drives a fast car
That's about the maturity level of my thoughts back in those days.

It wasn't until I was closer to reaching spiritual maturity that I realized that Godliness was something I'd want my partner to have attained.

Here's why:

1. Priorities. To keep them in the order God wants them, just happens to be in the order that a doating wife would.
2. Fathering. What God wants him to be, is most likely what the kids would want. Esp at this point in their young lives. Someone who's home when he can be. Spends time with them. Is 'present' when he's here.
3. Loyal to me & our marriage.
4. Eyes for me. In the world in which we live, it's so hard for men to keep their eyes on their prize.
5. Sharing a common interest with me. And that's Christ. (among several others)
6. Prayer. It's the first thing we do in times of trouble. It feels so good to have him pray with me each night before we go to bed.

So, thank you honey for following Christ & working hard to be like Him.

Song of Solomon 1:17 The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.