Happy Valentine's Day!  I miss writing in my blog!  Same excuses:  Full-time job in addition to the job that is parenting/homemaking, and Smartphone/Dumbperson Syndrome.  (My blog relied heavily on photos which I uploaded from our camera, but with the acquisition of a phone that takes pictures, now I can't quite get the hang of how to put pictures on the computer without emailing them from my phone to my email account to my computer to this.  I'm sure there's an easy way to do it; I just haven't taken the time to figure it all out yet!)

We're still trying to train up our kids in the way they should go, to keep our eyes fixed on Something Bigger than us and this life.  Life definitely gets in the way with its ups, downs, twists, turns, heartsongs and heartaches.  I try to remember that I can't blame life; life is being life!  We wouldn't appreciate the ups without the downs, and we definitely aren't in charge of it all.  Thank God! 

The littles are getting big.  Ally and Cy are in college (UW and UWW), Paige and Shae are juniors, and Wynne is an 8th grader.  WHAT ??!!  I guess that means Mark and I are getting older, too.  LOL

Today ever since I can remember having small children is the day of our Valentine's Day Fancy Dinner.  We get out the fine china, the fancy silverware, and the classical music; we cook up a feast and bake a red dessert of some sort; the kids make up menus, and we pour the sparkling grape juice, toasting to our love for each other as a family.  With two kids out of the house, we're not exactly sure how or when the Fancy Dinner is going to take place.  We are thinking of taking the show on the road this year to meet at a restaurant.  Now we have more schedules to navigate, as you can imagine, but I am still grateful to have these people in my life and look forward to every time we get to sit down and talk together.  Mark and I are realizing that we don't have to go on big vacations or spend a lot of money to enjoy the simple times of being around the table, praying together, and talking together.  Those truly are the most precious moments in my life...including those times with extended family who can share so many memories and talk about the new events/people in all of our lives.  What a gift!  Happy Valentine's Day to all as you think back on your loves, your gifts!

I came across a sweet little children's book by Liz Baker called I Love You Because You're You.  It's the kind of book that makes you want your children to be little so you can squeeze them and snuggle with them for as long as they'll let you.  I miss those times when things were simpler, exhausting, but simpler.  However, I know that we should cherish every season of our lives, and I do really love my kids for where they're at right now.  With a nod to Ms. Baker, I copied down her words and rewrote them for my older children.  This is my Valentine's Day gift to you, Ally, Cy, Paige, Shae, and Wynne.  Love, Mom

I Love You Because You’re You  (children’s book by Liza Baker)

I love you when you’re happy and grinning ear to ear

I love you when you’re sleepy and want to snuggle near.

I love you when you’re silly and dancing ’round and ’round

I love you when you’re frightened and hear a scary sound.

I love you when you’re bashful and hide behind my knee,

I love you when you’re brave, and from my arms you flee!

I love you when you’re curious and searching here and there.

I love you when you’re proud, your head held in the air.

I love you when you’re sick and need to rest in bed.

I love you when you’re frisky and standing on your head.

I love you when you’re sad and need a kiss and hug.

I love you when you’re playful and rolling on the rug.

I love you when you’re angry and cross your arms and pout,

I love you when you’re wild and yell and scream and shout.

I love you any way you feel no matter what you do.
I love you any way you are.  I love you because you’re you!

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I Love You Because You’re You (adapted for my teenage/twentysomething children! by Amy Siegert

I love you when you’re happy and truly having fun

I love you when you’re sleeping and look like you did at age one.

I love you when you’re silly and laughing without a care

I love you when you’re frightened and come to me to share.

I love you when you’re bashful but speak up, anyway

I love you when you’re brave and find the right words to say. 

I love you when you’re curious and research with great passion.

I love you when you’re proud with your values left unclashing

I love you when you’re sick and need to take a nap.

I love you when you’re lively, moving to your favorite rap. 
I love you when you’re sad and ask me what to do.

I love you when you’re happy and nothing’s troubling you.

I love you when you’re angry and yell and walk away

I love you when you’re crazy, and I don’t know what to say.

I love you any way you feel, no matter what you do.

I love you any way you are.  I love you because you’re you!