valentines

With the start of baseball season falling in February every year, we have to super flexible with any Valentine's plans.  Honestly we are happy to go on dates anytime and don't make a huge deal of it falling on a particular day, but lots of rain this season meant that B got home early the night before.  Our sweet friend, Mandy, had already thought ahead to surprising our hubbies with a nice dinner out, so we were set to go.  It was so fun to tell B on his way home that we had a sitter and dinner plans :)

A great time with them and yummy food too...

The next morning...I knew the kids had been extra quiet and even happy to stay in resttime longer than usual the day before.  Since I was getting everything ready to go out with B and have everything ready for the sitter, I didn't really think much about it.  Apparently, they spent time getting Greer's chocolate flavored playdoh she had gotten from co-op, putting it all together to make a big heart, carving "Happy Valentines Day" into it and coloring it with markers to make it red.  I woke to this on my bedside table. It is quite possibly my favorite valentine ever! :)

Once we were up and going, we met up with a group of families from co-op to take valentines to the veterans.  Honestly, I can't think of anything sweeter and am so thankful for that opportunity to spend time with them.  We are so grateful for all they've done for us and our country!

He is from my hometown!

Later on, we dug into the kids' valentines from us...

Lots of sweetness this year...makes me stop to thank the God who is Love.  He has blessed us immensely!

baby sick day

Poor Garn woke during the night with fever and ear pain, got so upset that she lost her dinner all over our bed and then spent the rest of the day falling asleep wherever we were.  We snuggled and napped off and on at home until Dr. was able to see her.  She slept on the way there, in the waiting room, the exam room and again on the way home.  So sweet and sad and thankful for a quick diagnosis and meds to make her all better.

We got back to normal life the next morning and were "behind" on everything of course, but I wouldn't have traded that sweet time with her for anything :)

mama of 6

For a weekend in February, I got to play mama of 6 to my three plus the Rucker three while Chris & Jennifer headed out of town.  Our kids thought it was the best thing ever and it's hard to imagine having an easier group of 6 kiddos.  They match up so well and have been brought up so similarly (mainly because we've copied their parenting ;)), that is was seamless.  Love listening to them together and can't help but pray that our kids always love having their friends over as they get older...

 

We split up for most of the day Saturday.  The girls and I stayed around the house and started with some Valentine's Day baking and treat-making...

...enjoyed a fun girly movie...

 ...and fixed up "Sarah's" hair and makeup :)

Meanwhile, the boys spent the (whole!) day with B at the baseball field...super fun and sure to help them sleep well that night :) 

The night before, I started wondering if it would be a little challenging to get to church on time with so many to get ready at once, but honestly it was great.  It's so nice when all the big kids are self-sufficient and so quick to listen and obey.  All ready in the car and on time...

Then we spent the entire afternoon playing outside, enjoying awesome weather and soaking up the remaining time with their buddies.

Truly such a pleasure...makes me wonder if we could do 6 all the time ;)))

super bowl sunday

As if he were a teenager Gehr asked one day, "Hey Mom, can I have a few friends over to watch the Super Bowl?"  We did and they ate, watched some of the game and spent most of the evening playing "kill the man with the ball."  (Couldn't we say "get the man..." or "tackle the man...???" Sometimes, B has to keep me from interfering. :))

It was such a fun night!  Sure do love these sweet boys...they did not fuss one time, even while playing so rough with each other and were sweet to the girls too.  Now...if we can just get Gehrig through the next 6 months until football starts again :)