Tonight the guys got together to cook dinner for the ladies. They got together, decided on an Asian theme (which fits cause 2 of them are Asian), searched recipes, shopped AND cooked the 4 course meal! We had sushi and wontons, miso soup, kabobs and rice and ended the evening with malasadas and ice cream. Everything was so delicious! They even cleaned up the kitchen.
It was a perfect evening...
Yesterday I took the girls downtown for a sleepover. We had a great view, ate good food, played games, swam, walked to Yo My Goodness for a treat and stayed up late to watch a movie (and snuggle in our king bed). It was fun to relax, just the girls.
Carsyn took over the second we checked in. She was always in charge of the room key, where we were going and how to get there and she put everything in its place when we got to the room. As we got on the elevator she even held the door and asked, "Is there anyone else coming?" (there was a group standing outside the elevator door.) She is getting so big. I am so proud of my girl.
We had a lot of fun!!
our view...
Yesterday, like any other day, was filled with challenges. I'm not sure why I thought it would be different. I guess I assumed that since it was valentine's day my family would be full of love, kindness and a self-less spirit. I had high hopes of the perfect meals, fun parties and lots of hugs and snuggles. We experienced some of that fun but other "junk" crept in.
We did, however, start our day discussing God's love for us. We have been reading through the book of John each morning before school. Yesterday we talked about Jesus' all-encompassing love. And how God loves each of us so much that he sent his only son to die so that we might live forever (John 3:16). It is a privilege for us, as Christians, to share God's love with everyone around us.
I wish I could say that those words stuck with us throughout the day. We struggled through the afternoon. Apparently 7, 8 and 9 year olds have difficulty with the practical side of love (oh, and 30 somethings too). There was bickering, arguing and whining. I stayed calm until dinner. Right before my perfectly planned, delicious, kid favorite meal- I broke. Thankfully not in a "screaming mom" way but more in a "I am at the breaking point and you better stop this instant" calm way. The love was harder to find. I was unhappy with them, unhappy with Dale (for not being home) and unhappy with myself. After we all ate and the kids cleaned up we relaxed and I put them to bed. Not kidding. Bed for them, relaxing and tv for me.
It may not have been a perfect day with perfect attitudes however, God is not looking for perfect. He is looking for me, just as I am. His love covers the rest.
Today was the big day at school. 3 valentines parties! I popped into the girls classrooms at party time to catch a few photos.
