the Word

hello sweethearts

I love Valentine's Day.

I love any excuse to decorate with pink things, cut out hearts, and mail little love notes.

This year, life is a bit busy. I knew that little heart day was just around the corner, but it arrived without me noticing.

So, no little love notes went out in the mail. My sweet husband didn't get a

Valentine. I didn't even wear pink.

But I did appreciate the adorable birds on our grocery store windows.

fear vs faith

you never know who might show up!

we flew home to surprise Mom & Dad for their 30th wedding anniversary

all it takes

Someone hurt my feelings. And I didn't really handle the situation well. I felt like a victim and probably could convince you of the same. Instead of letting it get the better of me, I wrote an apology note.

Yes. An apology note.

When my husband heard that I planned on writing an apology note to someone who had wronged me, he was flummoxed. But the truth is, I needed to take responsibility for my actions and thoughts (even if they didn't see them).

That note was healing. For both parties.

We all make mistakes. We all have the ability to say something unkind or let our mind be filled with unsympathetic thoughts.

I wonder what the world would look like if we all took a bit more personal responsibility, even when it minimally our fault.

first time for everything

In all of our years of marriage, Eric has always won Monopoly.

Until now....I have finally won!

It was a very close game, but he spent a lot of time in jail which gave me the opportunity to pull ahead. I'm not sure when we'll play again because I like being able to say "The last time we played, I won."

I <3 llamas & my birthday

sent to me from my wonderful husband