In years past, it’s always been about us.

Dave and I.

Making plans.

Making reservations.

And scrambling to find the last available sitter.

This year was different.

An outpouring from our hearts that reflects Who we love and serve.

An emphasis placed on what matters.

During church service on Sunday we spent some time praying for these precious women.

Women who have seen their Valentine go to be with Jesus.

Far right is my grandmother.

After service, we visited a local nursing home.

Hope Kids passed out flowers and handmade Valentine’s.

And gave treats to the nursing staff.

Ashlyn wished ever single resident, asleep and awake:

“Happy Bahhh-lentine’s Day!”

KK diligently prepared Valentine’s for her classmates.

“Fun Dip for the girls because they are fun.”

“Nerds for the boys because, well, you know…”

I kind of hope she always thinks that way.

And stays little forever.

My friend hosted a party for the kids on Tuesday.

Shirt and cookie decorating.

Red and pink food and treats.

So sweet and thoughtful.

Thank you, Carrie!

This Valentine’s Day I was reminded that Christian love is about sacrifice.

We’ve been given so much.

We’ve no choice but to give back.

It’s not enough to have the right words.

Or perfect behavior.

But we must LOVE.

And care for God’s people.

In word AND deed.

I plead with Jesus on a daily basis for compassionate hearts in my children.

And I know they learn by watching me.

So I am continually challenged to live accordingly.

To find creative ways to show God’s love to God’s people.

On and around February 14th.

And other days, too.

Blogging.  In the dark.  With ice water.  Very standard.

Ashlyn had a Valentine’s Day Party at school yesterday.

Ashlyn also had a mini panic attack on the front stoop because she forgot Play-Doh for her speech therapist.

I’m sure Rachel was super relieved she was not left out.

A $43 Starbucks date with a friend.

I dislike Burlingame parking meters.

I dislike them more when I forget about them.

As if you’re not rich enough, City of Burlingame?

Groceries.

Lots.

My lunch.

Frozen raspberries and peaches.

A banana.

Spinach.  You can’t taste it.  Promise.

Flax Seed.

Coconut Almond Milk.

One Packet Tangerine Emergen-C.

Weird?  Yes.  Good?  Yes.

$1.99 at the grocery store = balloon artist in training.

And hundreds of requests that I adjust the balloon to fit over the puffer thing.

Which I’m sure has a technical term.

After school iPad, cartoon and cereal time.  Pantless for one.  Also, standard.

Overseeing Taco Friday prep.

Trying to decide if she does, in fact, like meat.

She doesn’t.

Opening their Valentine’s from Nan and Pops.

They play music.

Well Ashlyn’s did.

Until she ripped out the music box.

We call her The Beast for a reason.

The Office nightcap.

Stuck on the couch.

Because it takes me 15 minutes to get up.

Thanks, Crossfit.

Do you like my new Target slippers?

All comfort.  Zero cute.

In case there was need for clarification.

Whelp.

That was our exciting 10th day of the month.

How was yours?

This month I’m participating in two photo-a-day challenges on Instagram.

Because obviously my life is not crazy enough.

I feel the need to drive around in a frenzy looking for mailboxes and front doors to take pictures of before the sun sets.

Yesterday’s challenge was my favorite so far.

Because what doesn’t scream romance more than a 90s mix tape?

Last month I participated in just one.

And I’ve been meaning to post my recap.

But crafting in Kansas wrecks you.

I’m just now recovered.

Just in time to participate in my first ever Crossfit work-out.

Now I’m a little bit wrecked again.

Which I guess is good.

It probably didn’t help that Ashlyn was sitting on my back during the push-up circuit.

Anyway, back to the pictures.

Here was January’s challenge:

And my response:

See?  Cute.  Fun.  AND I took a picture a day.  Which is kind of an accomplishment in itself.

If you’re weird and like to take pictures of mailboxes.

Happy Friday, friends!

Dave and I started dating on Valentine’s Day, 1993.

Well, for the first time.

The early 90′s were a tumultuous time for us.

Summer camps.

Other girls.

Other guys.

Meddling friends.

Meddling parents.

Meddling youth group leaders.

The problem was never with us.

Obviously.

I came across my diaries when we moved last April and couldn’t help but chuckle.

September 5, 1992

“Yesterday was the best day of my life!!!  Dave transferred into my algebra class.”

March 29, 1993

“Me and Dave are going out!!!!  It’s been about 1 1/2 months now.  February 14 was the best day of my life!”

July 3, 1993

“We got in a really big fight at Hume Lake and broke up.  It was the worst week of my life.”

I had problems, clearly.

You know what doesn’t have problems?

This.

Delish.

100% Pintertest approved.

 Let’s walk through it together, ok?

Super easy.

You don’t even have to turn on your oven.

You’ll need:

3 bags Pink Wilton candy melts

3 bags chocolate chips

Wilton cherry candy flavoring

Cherry M & M’s

assorted Valentine’s sprinkles

—————-

First, line large baking sheet.

I just discovered Reynold’s Pan Lining Paper.

A foil parchment heavily fusion.

Get some.

Next, melt 3 bags chocolate chips as per microwave instructions on back of bag.

Spread melted chocolate onto lined pan and let set in fridge for about 30 minutes.

On to the pink candy melts.

Melt three bags as per microwave instructions on back of the bag.

Add about 1 tsp. cherry candy flavoring and stir into melted candy.

Spread on top of chilled chocolate.

Quickly sprinkle with chocolate cherry m & m’s (I found mine at Target) and pink and red sprinkles.

Let chill in fridge for another 60 minutes.

Break into pieces and you’re done.

Make some for your Valentine.

It will be the best day of their life.

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What have you been up to?

Grab a button and link up!

I have decent handwriting.
And I once made festive PJ pants with Christmas tree fabric.
I never wear them because I can’t tell the front from the back.
And.
That’s about as crafty as this California girl gets.

My friend, Kim had traveling to Kansas on her bucket list.
So she put herself on the wait list for Meg’s Craft Weekend.
She was picked via random lottery.
And could bring a friend.

And that is how I ended up crafting in Kansas.

Strap on your craftalicious seat belts.
Here’s my recap.

We were scheduled to leave SFO at 7:45 on Friday morning.
Technical difficulties kept us on the runway for over an hour.
Our layover in Houston was 50 minutes.
Bad news.

We missed our connecting flight and spent 12 lovely hours at George Bush International.

We charged our phones in some interesting places.
And ate 30 United voucher dollars worth of airport food.

We arrived at Meg’s around 11:30 pm and were greeted by 12 new smiley faces.
Who were still furiously crafting away.
Serious biz in Wichita.

Exhausted, but not wanting to feel left out, I got my midnight ruffle on.
And started with my apron.
The women were sweet and friendly.
And didn’t make fun of my uncraftiness much.
Except for Karen from Houston.
Figures.

We also had some serious swag waiting at our table.

I think we finally closed our eyes around 3 am that first night.
In super comfy brand new beds.
With happy vintage quilts.
Dreaming of ruffles and bunting and lemon fabric.
Definitely delirious from our day of travel.

We were up early the next morning.
Kimberlee prepared a lovely breakfast with fantastic cinnamon rolls.
We chatted.
Ate more.
Laughed.
Bloggers are fun people.

We packed up the caravan and headed to an antique store and barn.
And I’ll just be honest, old stuff is not my favorite.
But when in Rome…
You buy hand-painted orange-shaped ceramic California salt and pepper shakers for $5.
And a Girl Scout pocket guide for Kayla from 1947.
My house already smells weird.

Also, Kansas is windy.

Quick stop at Sonic for lunch and back to our ruffles.

We also made bunting.
And painted on canvas.
And decorated totes.

We stopped only to eat.
Yummy enchiladas ala Kimberlee.
Peanut butter cake with chocolate ganache.
Which I didn’t enjoy as much as I should have because I was stressing about my inability to rethread a sewing machine.
Which is now on MY bucket list.

Chicago Jenny, sensing my troubles, came to the rescue.
With a screwdriver.
Standard.

We crafted into the wee hours of the night.
And shared stories.
And laughed some more.

We loved our Read Roomies: the very literate/no-blog 2 Karens and a Tara.

I enjoyed meeting Jade.

And chatting with Ashley Ann about their pending adoption.

And realizing that Amy and I had both guest posted for Jeannett’s special needs series.
She’s from Alabama. I’m from California. And there we were crafting in Kansas.

We shared technical skills.
Converted a few to Instagram.
And Pinterest.
My work there was done.

Overall, such a wonderful time and happy memories.
And a much-needed break for this busy mama.

Thanks, Meg, for letting crazies invade your home.
It was lovely.

Thank you, Kimberlee for the food and desserts.
It was all so delicious.

Thank you, new friends for a whirlwind, craftabulous weekend.

I loved every ruffly second.

Hello, Monday.  Hello, laundry.

Hello, spending more time in the Houston airport during one unexpected layover
than total hours of sleeping all weekend long.

Hello new canvas for Ashlyn’s room.

That I’ll probably re-do because I have crafting OCD.

Hello new burlap bunting for Ashlyn’s room.

That I’ll never re-do because burlap is an angry fabric.

And I’m allergic to it.

Hello nerd alert.

Hello new ruffled apron for Kayla.

Which was originally mine.

But she loves ruffles more than I do.

Hello lots of help from Chicago Jenny because sewing machines hate my guts.

Hello cute new tote bag.

Filled with amazing swag.

Hello five pounds more to lose thanks to lots of delicious food and desserts.

And Houston layover food.

Hello 13 new friends.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

I just need to take a nap first.

Oh!  One more thing.

THIS Thursday.

Be sure to link up.

Thank you and goodnight.

Kim and I are leaving for Wichita tomorrow.

To craft.

I died my hair myself so my new friends won’t be appalled by washed out old color/hints of gray.

And I look goth.

And I’m not sure which is more appalling.

No offense, goths.

Garnier Nutrisse, your “Darkest Brown?”

It lies.

My cute friend, Keri wrote this post a few days ago.

And I can’t stop thinking about it.

How often do we do this?

Or worse, how often so we tweak our “behind the scenes” to make it look like our highlight reel?

On Tuesday night we had nachos for dinner because I was too tired to cook.

Not even fancy nachos.

Just chips and cheese.

And Dave made them.

Kayla and I started Bible Study Fellowship last Monday night.

And the first week went well.

We were able to study God’s Word together every day.

This week?  Not so much.

And I leave tomorrow.

This happy, super-fan picture taken before the 49ers choked on Sunday?

Ashlyn screamed the rest of the car ride because she wanted a gray sweatshirt like Kayla.

Kayla threw a sock at her to make her stop.

Ashlyn had show and tell yesterday.

And I forgot.

For the second week in a row.

She’s snoring next to me as I type this at 5:42 AM because that is usually when I blog.

Dave is in her room.

We’ve been trying to regulate on the musical beds.

And clearly it’s not going so well.

And you know what?

It’s all ok.

Kids scream.

And throw socks.

Moms are too tired to cook.

Or lift their kids out of the wrong bed.

Things don’t always go as planned.

And we all survive.

Because, truthfully, none of us have it all together.

We just like to make it look like we do.

Which leaves us to compete against each other’s false realities.

We gain empty, fleeting value from what other’s see of our outsides.

When our value should come from what God sees on the inside.

Hear me.

This is not an excuse to be lazy.

Or without accountability.

Quite the opposite, actually.

This is freedom to do more than we can imagine.

For the right audience.

So let’s just be real, ok?

With ourselves.

With each other.

Besides, Jesus had strong words for fakers.

It was 1984.

The Denver Broncos were facing the Cleveland Browns in a championship game of some sort.

My dad (far left) was the only Cleveland fan in all of California.

The couple he’s pictured with, Gary and Carol, bought their jerseys the day before.

I’m sure of it.

Our neighbors across the court, The Caldwell’s, were from Denver.

My parents hosted a party that day.

Wally Caldwell cut our cable line (with scissors) in the 4th quarter.

Everyone had to go to their house to watch the rest.

So scandalous.  So genius.  I loved our court.

My mom’s family is from Long Island.

They are lifelong Jets fans, especially my uncle.

But in the 80s?

EVERYONE was a Niner fan.

I have clear memories of watching the close game against the Bengals at my Uncle Bert’s house in 1989.

And I remember my dad buying our very first projector big screen for the 1985 game against the Dolphins.

Then, there’s Hometown Tommy.

Yes.  That is our grouchy baby up past her bedtime in a seedy Houston bar in 2004.

I know.

Although I’ve always been a bit confused over who I should be rooting for,

I’ve always loved the game.

It’s always been a part of my life.

And my earliest memories.

Thrilled for Sunday.

Super excited for a potential Pats/Niners Superbowl.

But this time I know who I’ll be rooting for.

Sorry, Tommy.

If you missed church on Sunday, you missed some really good cupcakes.

These were the leftovers on Monday.

We ate them for breakfast.

You also missed some really big news.

For us, at least.

Dave was able to quit his job at CityTeam, Oakland.

To pastor Hope full-time.

We are so thankful for God’s provision through His people.

We are excited, humbled and anxiously anticipate all that the Lord is going to do.

As Dave has more time, energy and focus to place on our sweet church.

Super thankful to our church body for seeing a need.

And fulfilling it so generously.

We anxiously await this next season.

It is our privilege and joy to serve you.

It always has been.

Kayla gave a speech last night.

And had great motivation thanks to a “risk taker” ice cream social that’s taking place at school today.

And a no homework pass.

Either way, we are super proud of her.

There were well over 100 people in the room.

And she did great.

Here’s the video.

She was called sooner than I anticipated and

I missed the hook.

Because I was fishing my phone out of my black hole purse.

I have a dream that I’m going to clean it out one day.

She started by saying: “Love is more powerful than hate.

Dr. Martin Luthur King changed the world so people can have more equal rights…”

In case you were wondering.