Celebrating LOVE

I feel like I should do a Valentine's post, although I'm a bit late! We had a wonderful family day for Valentine's Day, enjoying many of our family traditions and just being together.

Here are my four cuties before church that morning:

And, I love this picture of the big girls. (Abby Kate was her usual non-participating self)

The whole weekend was pink and red, of course...starting with pink pancakes:

and continued with heart shaped pizza...

A decked-out candlelit table decorated by three talented little girls...

Pink milkshakes (while reading for Reading Rally, of course)...

and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert...

Wow. I'm realizing how much our Valentine's celebration centers around eating. :)

Lots of cute handmade cards & crafts too...

And, an evening of LOVE as a family. We read a few different passages about love from the Bible, talking about how God shows His love to us, how we should show our love to God, and what LOVE is.

The sweetest part of this whole discussion was after we had read I Corinthians 13, and talked about each part. Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... I guess this really pierced Carlie's heart, and made her sensitive to how she had not shown love. Because, out of nowhere, she just started crying. And, said "Mommy and Daddy, I'm so sorry when I haven't obeyed you today. And, I know I have been really whiny. I'm so sorry. That was not showing love." I mean, she was REALLY crying. And REALLY sorry.

We were all shocked. And, of course, she got big hugs and reassurance that she is so loving and so kind. And, that we all make mistakes. It was so sweet to watch her little heart feel sorry for the times she wasn't loving.

She really is my little softy. And, I hope that never changes!

As for gifts, we kept it simple (as we usually do!) Mark got Kurt Warner's new book called "First Things First" (which I think my husband does a REALLY good job at already), and I got the silver earrings I wanted from James Avery, along with this sweet and special bracelet that was finally ready for me (photo courtesy of Kendyll):

My charm bracelet now has all four of my sweet babies' initials and birthdates hanging on it. I cried when I saw my fourth charm added with Chase's initials. It just confirms that someone really is missing around here. And, I REALLY liked seeing four there. :)

We thought alot about Chase on Valentine's, actually. This was the time of year when we found out we were having another baby, and although we were shocked and surprised, we were also excited to see what lied ahead. It was a little bit hard to remember those feelings from last February...

And, as Mark brought the girls (and me) each a long stemmed red rose that morning, I got a little jealous. Just as he loves on his little girls, I sure wish I was loving on my little boy Valentine this year.

We did include him in our usual way, of course. Thanks to Gammy who supplied the balloon, Chase did receive a Valentine greeting from us, along with three balloons from Kendyll's, Avery's, and Abby Kate's birthday party!

It was a Happy Valentine's Day for us, as we once again reflect on how much abundant LOVE has been shown to our family, and how much we feel His love in our lives every day.

And, I thank God for my sweet Valentine, who I have been celebrating this cheesy holiday with for thirteen years. Mark, you amaze me. Thank you for being my partner through it all...Walking down this life's road--whether it be on the highest mountaintop or through the darkest valley--it is so much better walking beside you.

(This picture was taken on our trip to Italy this summer, our most amazing vacation that was never blogged about. I love this picture because my husband is so handsome, the scenery is amazing, and because Chase is in the picture too. :)

Now, we'll be entering Birthday Phase of the blog, as Kendyll turns EIGHT tomorrow and Abby Kate comes right after her with her big THREE year old celebration!! What a busy, happy February we have!!