I FINALLY feel like getting ready for Valentines Day.  Decorating my house, baking cookies and making valentines with my kids.

I work during the day and sometimes I feel pretty darn exhausted by the time I get home.  On occasion, my kids get to witness a mother that is less-than-enthusiastic-about-the-upcoming-holiday.

I enjoy my children so much and I really do try to make the most of our mornings, nights and long weekends together. So naturally, I feel a bit guilty if I don’t have fun projects planned and get sidetracked by piles of laundry and dishes that need to be done. I’m feeling a little like I need to “make it up to them” for being so busy and distracted lately.

I like to decorate my home for the holidays throughout the year.  Although, I don’t always feel like decorating.  I have to wait until the inspiration hits, then, I take joy in it.  I often wait until I have a morning off work and the house is quiet. The kids are usually in school, or out on a errand with their dad (what a sweet hubby I have).

Today, when I felt inspired to decorate the house for Valentines Day…to make our home a place of joy and fun.  I really wanted to let the kids help, even though it might not look “perfect”.  I want them to be a part of the joy that I am trying to create.

Valentines day.  A holiday specifically set aside to concentrate wholeheartedly on telling those we love just how much we love them.  What a great opportunity for me to help my children feel how special they are to me. I want them to know, really know, that no matter how much I work, how tired I am, how many craft projects are due or how much laundry I have waiting, that they are so very important to me.  That they are special. That they are loved. That their opinion matters. And that I appreciate their help.

Parker,
You cried today because Marley ruined your watermelon plant.  You cried because you had to say goodbye to it.  You cried like you did when we had to take the snails back to Grandma’s house because Dad thought that they should be in their original environment. 
You don’t like goodbyes.  You have a connection to life that is so unique and beautiful.  Your thoughtfulness and insight astounds me.  I long to see things the way you do, through your eyes.  You are so special to me, dear to my heart the way no other is.  You are my boy and I love you like crazy. 
I know that sometimes I get frustrated when you get so emotional; like I did when Mr. Ted E. Bones lost a few ribs and his femur.  You cried and asked if you could at least keep his skull to remember him by.  Of course you can, don’t you see that you’ve melted my heart?  You’ve turned me into goo?  Even though I’ve promised you a new Mr. Ted E. Bones you still love your old one.  You still feel connected to him, to everything around you.
It’s not just the watermelon plant and the snail or even Mr. Ted E. Bones, you have a connection to LIFE.  You remind me on a daily basis to love life, just by being you.
Thank you for being you son.  I love you.
Love, Mom