Valentine's Day Fun

          Valentine's day is here yet again, but in our house this year, we decided to celebrate things a little differently than the usual chocolates and cards. With the website and YouTube channel being built, School, the pregnancy, the superbowl and just......life in general, its been a really busy month thus far. My husband, Josh, and I discussed that I would take charge of Valentine's day fun while he worked on Today's Disciples He still had to make his own plans for me though ;) I love crafts and planning fun things for us to do so I was all for this trade! The kids are easy to plan for, Josh on the other hand, is a little more difficult as he's really stubborn and doesn't like to receive gifts. Especially for Valentine's day. "It's a holiday for men to give to their women. Men should shower their wives with affection and not receive anything in return." Yea, Yea, Yea, I say to myself. While I cant quite argue with what he says, I mean, how can I? A girl who LOVES to know shes loved and appreciated after all. But, I cant help it! I love to show him how much I love and appreciate him too! As said in Ephesians 5:33 "let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." He's getting something whether he likes it or not. Buying a gift is pretty much out of the question so the search was on to find a handmade project he would accept and love. I had recalled seeing a post long ago I thought he'd like. The project is called Two Little Lovers Sitting In A Tree. As with any project I recreate, I always try and change mine up a bit to fit us more. If your husband
is a bit of a romantic, I recommend this project for him as well. As for his gift from the kids, they of course each did their own drawings for him. Art is a big in our family, we all love to draw and craft, even the kids! I also had them each do a hand print, which I cut out and glued onto separate paper and framed with the quote "Trust the Lord with all your heart." Proverbs 3:5. Now, the only way I can buy my stubborn husband a gift is if I surprise him with it and don't spend much on it either. Him and our son had just finished a video game called Kingdom Hearts together and I was able to find a box set of Keyblades for just a few dollars using the offerup app. :) As you all will learn in future posts, my husband truly loves and spoils me like crazy. I couldn't be more lucky, appreciated, or thankful for him and all that he does. Josh is terrible with surprises though, once he has something in mind to buy he'll get it and give it to you then and there so my presents always come before the actual occasion but that's okay by me. This year he really outdid himself though, I got a full spa day! What girl doesn't love that? I got my hair done, a pedicure, and a massage! It was so relaxing, I told him I'll take the same thing next year ;) As for the kids, two of the four don't care for too many sweets (I know, weird right!?) I came up with the idea of giving them juice boxes and jello or pudding instead of a box of candy that will just sit on the counter till it gets thrown away next year lol. This got my wheels turning though, I wanted it to still be fun to open and that's where the robots were invented. With just a little hot glue I made them all their own little robots to open, enjoy, and consume. Not only was this a little healthier then the usual chocolates and cookies, it was a big hit too! I can not stress this enough to parents out there. Spend time with your children! There are so many fun things to do that even you, as an adult, can enjoy! It's so very important that you put work, your friends, and stresses aside and make time for your kids everyday to do something enjoyable with them. For, if you do not, the Devil may. Remember how easy it was for Eve to eat the forbidden fruit when persuaded to? You are your children's best and most trusted role model. To make Valentine's day fun and spend time with them we began by a special trip for donuts! Followed by

going to Lowe's Home Hardware Store for their free building class made for children where they each got to make their own Valentine's day picture frame where we let them each choose who they wish to give it to, decorate, and give as a gift. We reminded them how rewarding it can be to give to others by using the verse 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." and explained to them the meaning and power behind it. I also, found Valentine's Slime to make with them. This was really fun for them! I made it like a science experiment. They had to hypothesis how it was created, mix it together and see the reaction of the ingredients together, then get to play with it! All in all, it was a fun and rewarding day for us to get to spend together. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!