Valentine's Day Recap

Valentine's Day turned out perfectly.  Kaden and Coach Keane won their first basketball game.  The team really deserved and needed that win.  My parents and brother brought their good luck with them as they attended the game and were there to see Kaden score his first two baskets this year and a free throw.  So far this season he has made 9 points, 2 baskets and 5 free throws.  He is 50% on his free throws.  In the few short months of basketball season, the team has really progressed and are learning how to work as a team and play out their plays.  Kaden has been aggressive on defense and is taking more chances to shoot from the block, even when he's being guarded, and this proved true last night.  Way to go, United Security.

Keane and I had our Valentine dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  During the dinner, Keane pointed out a man two tables away handing his girlfriend a rose.  I turned around, pointed out the action to the girl sitting behind us so she could watch too, as he handed her a second rose.  Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out a black box and got down on one knee.  She cried, they hugged, and we all clapped.  It was the sweetest thing to see.  I assume she said yes as she was proudly wearing the ring on her left hand.

We passed some time before the movie, Safe Haven, began.  One of the most exciting things about going to the movie was that we were able to purchase beer there.  How cool is that?  I nestled next to my man, sipped on a Bud Light, and enjoyed the romantic movie. 

Thank you, darling, for a wonderful Valentine's Day. 

My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day.

Today, without question, my Valentine is you, baby. 

You and I have been down many roads together, and the one we are on right now is my favorite this far.  I love all the memories that we've made, the team that we have become, and the love that we have.  I love watching our weekly shows, gaining weight during our biweekly brownie nights, and having our daily chats.  I love beating you in PIG and losing to you in Knockout.  I love you, and I love Kaden and Kylie, too.

Please continue telling me that you love me, playing songs for me on the guitar, and pretending to always listen to what I have to say.  You have taught me to have a sense of humor and to appreciate each step in time.  You have helped me grow into a woman that I am proud to be.

 

I love you, my Valentine.  And I hope your new Valentine's Day boxers are keeping your tush comfortable today.

Thank you to Kylie who helped me make Valentine cupcakes last night.

And for showing me her love, too.

xxoo!

Happy Birthday, Dad

Happy Birthday, Papa.  As of last weekend, you gained a new name, just in time for your 52nd birthday.  You are "Papa" to your grandson.  How sweet it is to hear him call you by name.  How sweet it is to see you as a grandfather. 

Naturally, most of the photos I currently have on my phone of you are with McCoy, and they make me smile.  You are such a proud papa!

 

 

 

 

The saying holds true that daughters seek to find a man with the qualities of their father.  So thank you for providing me and Kimberly with true, genuine qualities to look for in the men in our lives.  We look to find support, and to have the answers to any random, complicated, off-the-wall questions we may have at any given time.  We hope to have someone in our lives who will drive countless miles to our rescue, without question, whether it be to unlock our vehicle or bring us our left-behind ID, and we always hope the last slice of dessert is left for us to eat.

 

 

 

 

Your family loves you.  Growing up I saw you put a lot of time and dedication into your work, and although there were times that I felt you were gone too much, I always knew you were putting your family first and doing what you needed to do.  Most of all, we were always cared for, loved, and supported.  You were quick to address what you didn't agree with and were involved in our ever-changing worlds.  You were there for us.  And you showed us what love truly feels like.

Today, I am so very thankful for you, Dad.  I am happy to always have you there to lean on for knowledge and support.  I love seeing you there for Kollin and playing all the sports that he has found interest in.  You are such a neat, intelligent, and thoughtful man, and I know that everybody who knows you, thinks the same thing.

And I can't not mention the same birthday blessings to your twin.  I know, I know, that you two have had to share every single birthday together, but at the same time, I'm positive that you're thankful for the 52 birthdays that you've had a brother, a best bud, to share your special day with. 

(Birthday photos from two birthdays ago)

Happy Birthday, Dad!  And Happy Birthday, Uncle Dale!

Turquoise

I have discovered my color.  I have always, and I mean always, struggled with a favorite color.  When I was a young girl, my first favorite color was blue, then it was orange (which was the favorite color of a boy I didn't like in my kindergarten class), then it was hot pink, and then it was green and yellow (which were my best friend's favorite color).  Now I like orange colors, burnt orange and tangerine, and I appreciate browns, and I really love mustard yellow.  I love greens but more specifically sage green or jade green.  I also love turquoise and aqua, but I don't like blue.  I like deep purples, but not mauve.  I cannot figure out why it is so hard to choose a color I like.  When Kylie asks me what my favorite color is, I say, "Ummm, green, purple, orange..."  It depends on what you're talking about.  Is it the color of a wall, a shirt, the color to put on my nails, the color to decorate my Christmas tree, etc.?  It matters what you're doing with that color.  To generally have a favorite color is absurd.  I cannot do it.

But as I was browsing through my Pinterest pins, I discovered my favorite color.

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You probably get the point.  For now, I'm really happy with my favorite color.  And when Kylie asks me what my favorite color is now, I can proudly say Turquoise.  When she asks me what happened to purple and orange and green, I'll probably tell her that I like those too.

A Day in the Life of Lenox

Lenox wakes up when Keane and I do during the week.  He moves from our legs to our chests in the mornings, purring loudly, requesting some petting.  He's the sweetest during this time.  He hangs out in the bathroom and on our bed while we get ready for our work day.  On weekends (the very few days we sometimes sleep in), he tries to wake us up by running around the bedroom, up and down the hallway, on and off the bed, and meowing.

Hiding in Keane's pants.  Lenox's favorite thing to do in the morning is run into pant legs or shorts if you hold them open for him.  He begins to purr instantly and lays inside them.

Helping me water plants in the kitchen sink.

Playing in boxes, bags, or anything his little nose will fit inside.

Following me from room to room, and always wanting the most attention when I'm in the kitchen and can't touch him or play with him.

Napping in his favorite place.

Being held by Kylie.  I don't think he would let anyone else hold him the way she does.

Playing King of the jungle.

Hiding under blankets.  This cat loves to hide!

Getting ready to pounce at me.

Relaxing on a blanketed lap during TV time.

Napping, again.

Checking for bugs on the ceiling.  He loves chasing moths and bugs during the summertime.

Chatting with Natty through the door.

 

Chilling on the living room coffee table. 

 

 

 

Helping put laundry away.  Or making a bed in the laundry, rather.

 

 

 

And giving kisses.