The ones I love the most!

I've always thought Valentine's Day is kind of a silly holiday! Why should we have a day that focuses only on love? Then I thought more about it and thought: Why not?! Why not have a day to show extra love and attention to the ones we love the very most? So after celebrating Valentine's day last week I decided it wasn't such a silly holiday but rather a fun and special day to celebrate LOVE! We told the kids all day "Oh no teasing or fighting today is a special love day!" And it was! There truly was extra love in the air!

To celebrate Valentine's Day Grandma and Grandpa Lewis came down and stayed with us. What a treat to live so close to family and feel their love! Nate and I went out on a date to a fun Stake (don't be confused with steak) dinner! It was fun to be with other couples from our ward and mingle with friends. We had yummy Mexican dinner (I think I would take steak any day!) and then listened to really neat Latino music. The kids loved being with their grandparents and thought it was so cool to have a movie night with Grandma and Grandpa!

Sunday felt like a special day with a delicious breakfast of waffles, strawberries, and whip cream! Then for dinner nothing says I love you more than a delicious Sunday dinner complete with BBQ pork spare ribs, red potatoes, blueberry jello salad, bean salad and not to forget Erica's famous mint brownies shaped into hearts with pink frosting!
I kept teasing Nate about getting me flowers all weekend and when he took the boys to the store I whispered in Ty's ear "Don't forget to remind daddy to buy mommy flowers for Valentine's day!" When the Valentine's day came and went and no flowers I figured "oh well--it doesn't really matter anyway! Ty must have forgotten to give daddy the message!"

Monday Nate had to leave for Salt Lake for training all week. I was bummed he had to go and a little sad that he would be leaving me for so long but glad he could get the training he needed for his job and maybe with any luck my mom would be able to come down and stay with us. Well after I had my pitty-party and said good bye to Nate I fixed lunch for the kids, got them down for naps, and went in my room. And to my surprise there were the flowers I had been waiting for all Valentine's weekend with a darling card that made tears come to my eyes and I started laughing out loud!
So I just wanted to say I love you to those people in my life who I love the most:

First of all Nate: I love you! I'm so grateful we are married and that we are best friends. I love being with you and never have felt lonely since the day we met! I think you are the greatest man in the world and grateful my kids have you for a dad! You make me laugh and we have had quite a wonderful journey together thus far!

My three beautiful children: Ty, Mara, and Caleb! I think I must be the luckiest mom in the world for having these three kids! I never in the world would wish to go to work and have to leave these children. I feel very blessed I have the opportunity to raise them and take care of them. These little cuties make me smile and I love to hear them giggle and laugh. I love playing with them and being just being silly with them.

My Parents: I love you Mimi & Papa! I am thankful for their willingness to serve their kids and grandkids! They are always there when we need them and willing to help whenever they can. I am grateful for their love and support and so glad to be living closer to them.

My Family: What a great family I have! I love them all so much! I love my two sister-in-laws and grateful for their addition to our family. I look forward to a fun trip with the entire family in May and hope we can strengthen our relationships. We always have such fun times together.

Oh my brothers! I love you three! I hardly tell you enough, but I really do! I'm grateful to be your one and only sister! If I ever have a question--I know I can ask my brothers and they will have an answer--maybe not exactly the answer I was looking for but non the less they usually have good answers and good advice!

My wonderful in-laws! I love them so much! I couldn't have asked for a better family to marry into! I am thankful for all they do for my little family, for their love and generosity. I must say my kids are pretty lucky to have such awesome grandparents and aunts and uncles who show them so much love! I look forward to fun camping trips and good times this summer with all of them!

I have two beautiful nieces and one darling little nephew! I love them so much and I have loved getting to know them better. They have such cute personalities. I am grateful my kids can know their cousins and be friends.

And to all my friends I love so much! I couldn't name names because this blog is too long already! But thank you for bring my friend and thank you for keeping in touch and being there for me! Life would be too hard without good friends and I am grateful for great friends throughout my life!