what is YOUR love song?

I just LOVE February. Especially when it's sunny and breezy. After a week of visitors, the house is empty but we filled it up quickly with hearts and flowers and candy and LOVE. We have two (yes, I said two!) Valentine parties planned for this weekend... Friday and Saturday night, baby!

I just added our old list of love songs to my side bar. I updated it with our song for 2010 "Love Like This" by Natasha, which was our theme for our anniversary getaway. It was the ultimate song for driving over the ocean in a convertible. If only we do could that again... tomorrow.

The big question of the hour is-- What is your LOVE SONG? Does it change frequently like ours does or has it always been the same? Whatever it is, find a copy of it, put the kids to bed, dim the lights, fire up some candles and dance to it this week with your hunny.

Happy Valentine's weekend!

Luke's baptism

Most important things to remember:
1. it was a beautiful day.
2. luke is an incredible 8 year old.
3. being a member of the restored gospel brings peace and joy.
4. being a mother is the greatest blessing in my life.
5. I want to be with my family forever.


One thing I learned after Ben's baptism: Moms CAN be involved in helping their sons dress after the baptism. I made Luke come out of the bathroom with his shoes and socks in his hands, so I could put them on him before he was confirmed a member of the church. He ran out with wet hair and gave me the biggest hug while saying, "I love you, Mom." I will never forget it.

It was such a special day, I don't have the words for it. I still tear up just thinking about how full my heart was/is. Having the Singleton cousins there for the baptism meant the WORLD to Luke. They are still playing with us, so.... no can bloggy.

happy weekend!

Remember the other day when I was complaining about not ever getting a day off? Well, today I had one. My parents came in town last night. My house was a bit of a disaster when they arrived-- wrapping paper everywhere and new toys spread all over the floor. Mom told me she would be upset if my house was clean, and I didn't want Momma mad at me.

This morning I slept in and woke up to my kids eating breakfast. Mom was shining the kitchen and Simon was a happy camper in the high chair. They walked the dog and played with the kids while I folded mounds of laundry. Dad told me to write him a grocery list and I obeyed. He also filled up my van with gas and called me on the way home to see what kind of soft drink I wanted. In the afternoon, Mom occupied Simon while the older boys and I gutted their clothes and toys. We cleaned out the game closet, donated 2 bags of winter clothes to charity, put away all the clean laundry, scrubbed the bathrooms, and vacuumed every inch the house. It was spotless.

If it doesn't sound like a "day off" let me assure you, it was. I was able to get EVERYTHING checked off my to-do list... things that would have taken me weeks to do without extra hands. At the end of a very productive day, my parents pushed me out the door and sent me on a date with my husband. They fed the kids dinner and happily welcomed my sister, her husband and their seven kids. Aaron and I were able to revamp at the temple. It was exactly what I needed.

I am so grateful for my parents. Sometimes the only person that really understands how hard motherhood can be is your own mom! She always comes to the rescue for me... If all of that wasn't enough, she stayed up past her bedtime helping Ben write his talk for the baptism tomorrow. It's going to be a wonderful day.

Hope you're feeling as blessed as I am. happy weekend!

it's great to be EIGHT!

My adorable, brown-eyed baby turns 8 today. He was born a sweetheart and hasn't changed a bit. He's soft-spoken and always agreeable. He has never ONCE in his 8 years of life talked-back to anyone or thrown a tantrum. He is easy-going and logical beyond his years. He has been such a joy to parent. We all adore Luke in our house--- it's basically impossible to feel anything but LOVE for this 8 year old.

I would write more, but we have a party to execute. Luke wanted a Kids Cafe for his birthday.... all his homeschooling friends are coming over in just a bit to make their own pizzas, work as waiters/waitresses, chefs, and customers. We have the monopoly money ready and all kinds of favorite KIDS foods prepared in our kitchen (including rainbow colored cupcakes!)


We watched a video I made for Luke on his birthday this morning. I wish I could share it with you, but it's too big to upload. If you want, you can see a sideways version of one of our favorite pledge recitals. This is Luke at age 2.... just weeks before he learned to read. He was such a darling little thing... (and still is!)

Happy Birthday to my sweet, funny, smart, artistic Lukester!

love is in the air!!

Happy February!

This is the same exact post I wrote in 2008. I would rather change the post date than write it again. The offer is still good.. I have everything ready to email you. And I am also really looking forward to throwing our 2011 LOVE party (if we can conquer this sickness before Valentine's Day...)

side note: when I went to look through my archives for this post, I searched "party" and "love". Guess how many posts came up with those two words? 141. The proof is in the pudding... I must LOVE to PARTY! Anyway, back to the original post---

Anyone interesting in hosting a Valentine's Party?

When we were first married, my wonderful MIL told me about a romantic Valentine's party that she throws every year. Naturally, being the party animal myself, I was interested in what she did. Since then, we have hosted several Valentine parties with friends in our neighborhood. Several others have been convinced to throw their own and the feedback is ALWAYS good.

Anyway, I am here to spread the LOVE and let you know that if you are interested in having your own Valentine's party, I would be more than happy to send you the invitations, outline, games, handouts, etc. They are all saved on my computer as Word documents.. so you will have everything laid out for you. It's a great excuse to meet new people and although it's a little bit of work, it's worth it!!

Let me know if you want the info. You'll have to send out invites SOON and inform the couples of their "assignments" (for example.. the men have to write love poems for their wives!! ) Which is exactly why I throw a party every year :) Aaron is going to run out of material one of these days!

I am SO looking forward to the party this year!! Lots of fun couples to get to know! If you live in Vegas, and you want to come to mine, consider yourself invited! Comment or email me and I will send you an invite with the details!

Thank you Brandy for doing all the hard work (and for being a fellow party animal!)