Happy Valentine's Day!!

I've almost finished the Saving Money post {almost!}.  I'm going to try to finish that up today so I can share it with you on Monday and get the Saving Series started.  

I just have a few Valentine pictures to show you and then I must be on my way.  I've got a busy day today.  How about you??  Actually, what makes today so busy is what's happening Monday - Monday is going to be hard - more on that later. 

Friday night our oldest boy went on a special outing with his gal.  They looked so nice so I did what moms do best --took pictures.

They are a sweet couple and bring us lots of joy.  

This morning we had our Valentine party.  

Daddy made a trip to Dunkin Donuts which made everyone very happy.  

This little girl kept watch over the donuts while her brothers were getting their showers (and taking sooooo long!).  

She was very ready to get the party started.  

Our Valentine Party is a special tradition we've had for many years.  Everyone looks forward to it - especially me!  The kids were very sweet this morning and gave us homemade cards and our favorite candies.  

What really encouraged me was the little things they did for each other.  One big brother bought some very special treats for his little sisters and it almost made me cry.  We have a busy little seamstress in our house and this big brother bought her the neatest little organizer for all her sewing notions.  We love his heart.

We're thankful for moments like this morning as we know how quickly the years are passing.  It's so good to have all the birds in the nest right now and I know it won't be that way forever.  I love days when we can celebrate LOVE.  God's love for us and our love for each other.  

What have you got planned for Valentine's Day today?  I'd love to hear!  

Now that our party is over we are getting our Saturday underway.  Our two oldest boys have left for work.  The rest of the kids and I have a long to-do list...laundry, housework, laundry, errands, laundry, and some cooking.  I'm planning Tacos for dinner.  I don't have it in me to try a restaurant tonight as everyone in our city is probably planning to do just that.  My honey and I are going to slip away for a special date for two one night soon, but not tonight.  

I'm working hard today to get ready for Monday.  Our calendar for Monday is packed.  First thing Monday morning we have to have one of the cars taken in for an appraisal.  One of our boys was in a minor accident recently.  The other driver ran into the back of him so the entire rear bumper must be replaced.  Early Monday morning one son has to be dropped off at college for his 8 a.m. class and then we are on to the garage.  We will be back to pick up our college student at 12 noon when he finishes his classes.  Also at noon one of our daughters has an AWANA reward party.  The party is from 12 to 2 p.m.  She has worked hard for this and is very excited about it - in other words, it can't be missed.  At 1:15 another son has an appointment with a specialist.  He's been very sick and doctors are trying to get to the bottom of exactly what is going on.  His white blood cell count is high - indicating infection, and his liver function test came back high.  What we know right now is that there is an infection in his liver but so far the medicine of choice is not making him better, in fact he's getting worse.  He has finished a ten day round of the medicine that was supposed to cure him and we are taking stool samples in regularly.  Waiting is not easy and I'll just go ahead and tell you I'm getting pretty worried.  We were originally scheduled to see the GI doctor in March but our doctor called yesterday and said we need to go on in Monday.  I think we have it worked out for my husband to go to the doctor's appointment with our son and I will finish up at the party with our daughter and our oldest boy is going to look after the rest of the kids.  We have to dart out of the party a bit early because that same little gal has sewing lessons from 2 to 4 p.m. (on the complete other side of town).  Hopefully after sewing lessons we can all meet back at the house for a few minutes before my husband heads out the door.  He is participating in a 3 day revival with a Prison Ministry he is involved with.  Oh, and did I mention one of the boys has soccer practice Monday evening?  Yeah, he does.  Early Tuesday morning we will start the madness all over again with several members of our family having to be out the door early and my husband heading out of town for work.  He will hopefully make it back just in time to get to the revival.  My goal for today is to get ahead on my normal housework and laundry and to cook and freeze meals for the next several nights.  This is my feeble attempt to be organized and to help next week run as smoothly as possible.  We will see how it goes.

I hope whatever you are doing today is warm and cozy.  Do something special to make it a memorable "LOVE day".  It doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant.  Write a little note, light a little candle, give a little treat...anything sweet you do will be noticed and appreciated by your family!

Happy Valentine's Day!