Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 7

Every year for Valentine's Day, Jim buys the girls each a little, heart shaped, box of Valentine's Day candy.  He has done this every year since they were just teeny tiny....too little to even eat chocolate.  The boxes are nothing fancy, just plain cardboard, heart shaped, boxes of chocolates usually from the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart.  If Valentine's Day falls on a weekday, I always give them their gifts from us in the morning.  But, they are always anxiously awaiting for Jim to get home so that he can give them their heart, and kiss,  from him.  The year before last was the first year that Jim had to mail Morgan's heart to her and it about broke his heart.  And now, Morgan doesn't like chocolate so Jim has to go on the hunt for something sour or gummy in a heart shaped box.

  It always touches my heart, because no matter what their Dad and I purchase them for Valentine's Day, they act like this little box of candy, from their Dad, is worth a thousand dollars.  Actually, it is worth a lot more than that because no matter who they date, or who they marry, their Dad's heart will always belong to them.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  I John 4:12

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 6

Jim has gotten me flowers, on numerous occasions, but lots of times for Valentine's Day.  These are from long ago, probably before we were married.  One Valentine's Day will always be my favorite.....I got "flowers in a box".  I will always remember this!  The UPS man came to my work (at City Hall) and delivered a long box for me.  I couldn't imagine what was in that long, brown cardboard box, as I hadn't ordered anything.  Inside the cardboard box, was another long box with the logo of....... flowers.com.  I remember thinking how sweet Jim was and cracking up at the same time.  In the box was a glass vase, a packet of plant food, 12 tulips, and instructions on how to trim and strip the stems, mix the water, and arrange your flowers.  Hahahahahaha!  I have laughed about this numerous, numerous, times through the years.  The thought was was very sweet, but prepare and arrange your own flowers.....I'm cracking up right now just thinking about it.  This was before he really even knew how to use the computer, so I'm sure it took him alot of thought and alot of time to prepare for that Valentine's Day.  I wish that I had a picture of them, because they are probably the most beautiful flowers I have ever received, and they lasted the longest.  But, he did know that tulips are my favorite! 

On to today's happenings.....Maci went to Morgantown with the King's to take Trevor back to school (she's killing her Dad a little at a time).  Jim and I went to church, then to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  It was delicious!  We stopped at Wal-Mart then headed home.  Tonight after church we are going to a Super Bowl Party at the Riffe's.  I'm sure I will have pictures tomorrow. 

And he has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother.  I John 4:21

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 5

 My favorite Valentine's Day candy is JuJu Hearts.  Mom got these for me each Valentine's Day, and even continued to mail them to me after I was married and living in Hurricane, Ceredo, and Gassaway.  I still hunt for them each Valentine's Day and buy a bag or two for myself.

Today was the West Virginia American Choral Directors Association Annual Conference.  What that actually means to us is that Maci tried out, and out of a group of hundreds of High School Chamber Choir members, was chosen to be one of 52 high schoolers to perform in the High School All-State Chamber Choir.  She has stayed in Charleston since Thursday morning practicing with the choir. She performed today at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia.

 (Following is not the entire choir.  I only took my 55-250mm zoom lens with me and could not capture the whole choir from where I sat.)

 Below is conductor, Alferd A. de Jaager.

 Trevor went with us to watch Maci perform (and I'm sure it brought back memories for him, because he has been chosen, and performed with this honor before).

 We are so proud of Maci.  She does, absolutely, have a beautiful voice.  We love to listen to her sing.

My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you. 

John 15:12

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 4

1983 Sweetheart Ball

Ripley High School

This is how it all began....I don't know why it took me so long to realize who the cutest and smartest guy at RHS was.  Once I realized it, it didn't take me long to make a move.  I asked Jim to the Sweetheart Ball which was held around Valentine's Day(that is the way it worked, the girls asked the guys - I promise).  This actually wasn't our first date though, because after I asked him to the dance, he asked me on a date to a RHS basketball game.  I said yes.  Then he asked me on a date to go to the movies to see 48 Hours.  I said yes.  Then was the Sweetheart Ball. The rest is a love story that continues.....

This dress I saw in Teen magazine and loved it.  I can't remember where I got the dress though.  The Town Center wasn't there and we never went to Parkersburg shopping.  We shopped downtown Charleston, in and out of little specialty shops, and to Stone and Thomas.  I just remember how excited I was to be able to find the dress I wanted and to be able to get it.   Before the dance, we ate at Shoney's.  I do know that the dress did not cost in the hundreds of dollars, nor did we drive out of town to eat at a high priced, fancy restaurant, nor did we rent a limousine to get to the dance, nor did I have my nails and hair done professionally.  But, I DO know that I had a very good time and am very, very glad I asked Jim to the dance!

On to today's happenings........Morgan called today to thank me for the package.  I love to hear her voice.  She was in studio making a gigantic Spirograph out of PVC pipes.  I hope that I get to see the finished project.  I asked her again to see a picture of the drawing that is downtown and she again said Nah!  I told her that it wasn't fair that another students parent got to see it and she said....the other student's parent came to TN.  Ouch!  I really do wish that I could go and visit her more.  Maci is still in Charleston practicing for the performance at the Clay Center.  Molli went to eat with Jim and I this evening at Fat Albert's.  Tyler is skiing. 

I'm so glad the weekend is here!

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  John 15:9

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 3

Wow! 

This pictures was taken on February 11, 1995 at the Gassaway Baptist Church Sweetheart Dinner.  Some of my friends and I got together and made all these frames, and when you arrived at the dinner, someone took your picture with a polaroid camera and inserted it in the frame, so that you could take it home with you that evening.  The sweetheart dinner is held each year for Valentine's Day and the men prepare the food for the women.  It was for adults only, which meant that we had to get a babysitter (I am sure that it was my Dad and Mom) for the three girls.  I remember, one year I was sick, and Jim went anyway to help prepare the food.  When it was time to eat, he had planned on coming home, but then an elderly couple made him sit with them and eat.  He still brings that up from time to time.  He even remembers what the entertainment was that night.   

We attended this dinner every year that we possible could while we lived in Gassaway.

Again, all I can really say is....Wow!

On to today's happenings......Maci is in Charleston practicing and preparing to sing at the Clay Center.  She was chosen to be a member of the All State Chamber Choir.  It has been a long week!  Gidget is feeling much better.  Morgan has a drawing in downtown TN, which everyone gets to see, and I asked her to please send me a picture of it, and she said.....Nah. 

I'm dying to get to see that drawing.  I hear that it is very good. 

There is an individual that my heart is breaking for tonight.  She was not raised in a loving home.  Did not have parents that looked after her nor took care of her.  The did not protect her.  She is close the same age as our older girls.  But, her life is very, very different.  My only condolence is that I know she attended church as a child where we went when our children were young.  My prayer is that something, anything, that someone did to reach out to this child caused her to believe in Jesus and to accept his grace and mercy.  That is the only way that her life can be tolerable and that she will one day live like she has never lived before.  Free and loved.

If you love me, you will obey what I command.  John 14:15

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 2

 This picture was taken Valentine's Day, February 1994.  Molli was five years old and in Kindergarten,  Morgan was four years old, and Maci was born five months later.  Mom made their dresses to wear to church on the Sunday before Valentine's Day.  The girls always made valentine's for their friends in their Sunday School Classes and took heart shaped cookies for a snack.  They had slept on curlers the night before, and I made their bows.  They have on red heart earrings and a Valentine's Day pin.  If you look closely, they are wearing their Barney watches (although you can't see Morgan's).

My heart is bursting.......I. Loved. Those. Times!!!

 And, I. Love. Now. 

They have grown in to beautiful young women and I so enjoy spending time with them.

On to today's happenings.....I picked Gidgy up from the vet today on my way home from work.  She had a little procedure done today.  She just looked so pitiful I couldn't hardly stand it.  I warmed a towel in the dryer to wrap her in and rocked her for a while.  Jim met me at the car when I got home with her, Tyler texted me three times, and Molli called once to check on her. We aren't even dog people but have become quite fond of Gidgy.  Oh my, what are we all going to be like when there's a baby?   

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  Deuteronomy 6:5

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 1

I'm joining Molli on her Valentine's Day Countdown. 

 Each day, from today till Valentine's Day, you are to post a picture of something relating to Valentine's Day,  that means something to you.

So, today is a picture of our three sweethearts. 

This picture was taken for Valentine's Day in February of 1995.  Molli is six and in 1st grade, Morgan is five and in Kindergarten, and Maci is eight months old.  It was taken the Sunday before Valentine's Day, before church on Sunday morning.

The girls had slept on curlers the night before (which they did almost every Saturday night).  I had made their bows especially for Valentine's Day, and they were, of course, wearing red.

These girls stole mine and their Dad's heart the day they were each born.

Back to our everyday happenings....Molli is very sick today.  I think she must have a 12 or 24 hour stomach bug.  I got to check on her and take her some "feel better" things today on my lunch.  I am so very thankful that she lives close by!!

I got to talk with Morgan today on the phone - I love to hear her voice!

Maci brought her report card home today....a 4.167gpa!! 

 So proud of her!!!!

But showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.  Exodus 20:6