...When Every Day is Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is March 14th.  You may recall this day to be "Pi Day," and if you're still a student, you're especially excited to gorge on pie in math class tomorrow.  For me, however, tomorrow is the one-month anniversary of Valentine's Day.



February 2014

Now, before you think this is going to progress all lovey-dovey, let me briefly tell of some of the affectionate happenings in our household today.  Don't worry, I'll leave out all the common hitting/pushing/kicking incidents.

First Instance
Noah begins crying in pain.  I run over.  "Miri, what did you do to Noah?"  She responds, "I forked him."  Thankfully, the stab wound on his bare back was only minor.

Second Instance
Noah points at my stomach and says, "Big belly," with a big grin.  Then promptly leans over and bites it. 

Third Instance
At bedtime, we prepare the kids' toothbrushes with toothpaste, then they independently brush their teeth and, finally, we do a final thorough brushing.  As Nick was brushing Noah's teeth, he notices that he is, in fact, brushing his teeth with soap.  I shoot Miri a glare, to which she confesses, "Yes, I did put soap on Noah's toothbrush."  Oh, and please picture her saying this with a huge smile, almost as though she's fighting back giggles.

So, why does every day feel like Valentine's Day?  Because Miriam has been entirely obsessed with Valentine's Day ever since February 14th.  Every day, she gleefully approaches me with a "Happy Valentine's Day, Mom!" and hands me a "Valentine."  Today I got a Payless shoe ad.  She explained to me how my Valentine was special because it had lots of shoes.  Yesterday I got a toy or two that she pulled out of a purse.  Often, I get scribbles and drawings and "letters" that she reads to me.  And Mr. Copy-Cat is always just one step behind, holding up a random object to me saying, "Valentines!  Valentines!" 

My kids have been delivering these sweet Valentines to me nearly every day for a month, usually while I am preoccupied with a chore, annoyed with misbehavior, or exhausted with life.  It's been awesome to have that big love delivered by such little hands in a very real way every day.  What an image of the way God must be holding up Valentines to us in every moment of frustration.

Family Day at the Aquarium
March 2014

 P.S.  A daily Valentine from Husband would be quite the mood changer, too, wouldn't it?  (Hint, hint)

P.P.S.  Tomorrow isn't the 14th, is it?  Oops, one day off.  Time for bed.