Okay, so this is not really a national holiday, but I bet it could be. I assume, based on my in-depth knowledge of females, that they would rather break some boy's heart after V-day than before. Because you already have those plans made and the perfect gift you bought a week or two before . . . yeah, definitely break up the day after Valentine's.
I know so many people (my 17 yr. old version of myself included) who get bitter about Valentine's Day. I used to call it Single Awareness Day in college. I personally have had some very crappy Valentine's Days. The two most memorable happened after I was married. But I've also had some awesome Valentine's Days. And lots and lots of unmemorable ones that, well, I obviously can't remember.
To combat the cynicism, I usually choose to dress for the occasion. It's amazing what a pink ribbon can do for the spirits, not to mention a well-planed, detailed outfit. But I still thought Valentine's was a big commercial crock set up by greeting card companies who just want to earn money again after Christmas sales . . . until I read a great article in, of all places, a parenting magazine I got a free subscription for.
It was written by a husband/father directed at men and it stated that while, yes, you can look at the holiday as another potential romantic failure waiting to happen, why not look at it as a day to celebrate love instead. Because while wives may prefer random flowers, or romantical outings, or spontaneous "I love you"s, husbands aren't always good about those things. So at least there is one day a year specifically set aside to remind husbands (and wives) that they can do more to show their love.
That's why this year I decided to do a little love tribute for V-day on my blog. Because I can certainly use the reminder to do more to show my husband and my sweet kids how great they are, and that I love them lots and lots. Hopefully I shared some love with you too. Because I do love you too. Because Valentine's Day is about friends and family and random acts of kindness from strangers, all of which I have.
So forget the bitter and hopeless and embrace the love that really is all around. And Happy Valentine's Day next year. (I'm getting a head start.)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
LOVE
is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it.
Take my heart and please don't break it.
Love was made for me and you
Love is all that I can give to you (over the internet).
Happy Valentine's Day!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Welcome February, I've been waiting for you
If I was a wiser woman, or slightly more in control of my life, I would break all these random thoughts into individual posts and expound on them, thus creating a week's worth of posts and happy grandparents, but alas, I'm not that woman. So here are some random thoughts on this February morning.
Joy is a ridiculous child. Some children have quirks that only come out when they're tired. For example, some are biters, or get clumsy, or start yelling. Joy wants to be upside down, but only when she's tired. It is a strange and observable fact documented by outsiders. When she starts arching her back and grinning up a storm from her view of the underside of my chin, it's time to pull out the blankets for a good swaddle and a nap.
Since we've started potty training, we've emphasized the importance of washing our hands. We've talked about things that are dirty and why we have to wash our hands. To help The Captain be a successful hand-washer, I sing the ABC song every time we wash our hands so he rubs his hands together long enough for the germs that only toddlers could collect to go away. Consequently, a week or so ago, he started singing the ABC song on his own. In fact, he loves to sing it to himself in bed instead of napping, or yelling it while running around the house. So I asked him to sing it for the camera. I didn't caption it because I have no idea what he says at the beginning. In the middle he talks about how Grandma and Grandpa love to see his trucks. Also, his sigh at the beginning kills me.
Apparently, people listen to me. This is a strange idea for me as not many people in my past did. But I've had two examples in the past 24 hours to remind me to be careful.
1) The Captain is on a name kick. He loves to tell people his name and ask people what his name is and what their name is. We've been working on introducing him to the "last name" concept. And he's doing really well. So he knows his first and last name. But I haven't worried about middle names. Apparently that was a mistake. Johnny was putting The Captain down for bed yesterday and talking to him about his name. He told him his full name and The Captain freaked out and said, "I'm not [insert full name here]. That's not what Mommy said."
2) In seminary today, we were talking about the dangers of "steadying the ark". I brought up some more controversial topics in the church (i.e. gay marriage and women & the Priesthood). They said, "women don't need the Priesthood, we're equal to men without it. That's what you taught us." Wow, the referred to lesson was the first of this year, if not last year. I had no idea they were listening. I guess my coordinator was right. You must be very careful what you say as a seminary teacher because they take everything as doctrine.
It's scary, but it's nice to know someone is listening sometimes.
Joy is a ridiculous child. Some children have quirks that only come out when they're tired. For example, some are biters, or get clumsy, or start yelling. Joy wants to be upside down, but only when she's tired. It is a strange and observable fact documented by outsiders. When she starts arching her back and grinning up a storm from her view of the underside of my chin, it's time to pull out the blankets for a good swaddle and a nap.
Since we've started potty training, we've emphasized the importance of washing our hands. We've talked about things that are dirty and why we have to wash our hands. To help The Captain be a successful hand-washer, I sing the ABC song every time we wash our hands so he rubs his hands together long enough for the germs that only toddlers could collect to go away. Consequently, a week or so ago, he started singing the ABC song on his own. In fact, he loves to sing it to himself in bed instead of napping, or yelling it while running around the house. So I asked him to sing it for the camera. I didn't caption it because I have no idea what he says at the beginning. In the middle he talks about how Grandma and Grandpa love to see his trucks. Also, his sigh at the beginning kills me.
1) The Captain is on a name kick. He loves to tell people his name and ask people what his name is and what their name is. We've been working on introducing him to the "last name" concept. And he's doing really well. So he knows his first and last name. But I haven't worried about middle names. Apparently that was a mistake. Johnny was putting The Captain down for bed yesterday and talking to him about his name. He told him his full name and The Captain freaked out and said, "I'm not [insert full name here]. That's not what Mommy said."
2) In seminary today, we were talking about the dangers of "steadying the ark". I brought up some more controversial topics in the church (i.e. gay marriage and women & the Priesthood). They said, "women don't need the Priesthood, we're equal to men without it. That's what you taught us." Wow, the referred to lesson was the first of this year, if not last year. I had no idea they were listening. I guess my coordinator was right. You must be very careful what you say as a seminary teacher because they take everything as doctrine.
It's scary, but it's nice to know someone is listening sometimes.
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