A Call to Love More

I'll start off by saying the hubs and I aren't super sappy on a day like today. And, what to do with a day like this? Yes, you want to show your love like crazy, but shouldn't it just be a small extension of your daily love, in and out, on the other 364 days of the year? Why does it have to be such an ordeal and so expensive? I could have bought 4 dozen eggs with what I just spent on a piece of cardstock from the drugstore.

Don't call me a Valentine's Day hater, but I prefer little bits of love sprinkled throughout the year. It's like the no-brainer holiday for a man (or woman). Where's the effort there? Where's the thought? It's easy to pick out a card about love on a day like today. (Unless you just went, because they might be a bit picked through,  or so I've been told.)

 

I would love a card on a random day, that I know my husband had to search for in the Hallmark aisle. Or better yet, a hand written note! Be still my ever loving heart!

Today has challenged me to look Valentine's Day straight in the eye and decide to live out "Valentine's Day" on a more regular basis. And when I think about showing love on a day in day out basis, I can't help but think of the word gratitude. It's not good enough to let Hallmark tell your spouse how grateful you are for them, once a year. I want my husband to know that he's loved and appreciated all the live long year! And when you sit, and think about what you are grateful for, you can't help but feel more love and have a desire to work harder in your relationship. Because, really, it does take work.

While I generally think of my spouse on a day like today, I can't help but think of the one who gave up His life, so I may freely live! My ultimate love and the one who loves me more than I can fathom. Today feels almost more like a spiritual journey, than an emotional one. Everything I said above, is how I also want my relationship with Christ to look like. I don't want to only express a sincere gratitude on Easter or Christmas. I don't want a holiday kind of love. The more I sit silent and think about what God has done in my life, the more my heart overflows with love for him. And, the more I desire Him in my life, the more I can love others freely.

All this to say, we're still celebrating the holiday. I'm even sporting a t-shirt with a pink heart on it. I'll still get dolled up tonight for dinner alone with my husband. And, I totally appreciated the love that seemed to fill the air when I ran to the bank and grocery store. I think today has given us Midwesterners a little brightness in the midst of this crazy and depressing winter. But, I guess I'm just challenging myself  and anyone else who is listening, that we can show love more than once a year. I want my husband to sense that my heart explodes for him all year long. And ultimately, I want God to feel that, on a much deeper level too.

* wink * wink *
Happy Valentine's Day!

The Banner That will Change Your Life

How is it really the 6th already? Valentine's day is right around the corner, and I haven't given it the slightest thought as to what to get my hubby. Hopefully we're going easy and cheap this year. Maybe just dinner and a movie will suffice.

Anyway, I whipped up this super easy banner today, dedicated solely to me and my significant other. I honestly feel silly to even call this any sort of tutorial, because it's so easy, but for the sake of blogging I'll act like it's so complex, like you can't even wrap your head around this! First off, just grab some supplies and coffee. I went into this having no clue what I was going to do. As you can see, I didn't end up using half the stuff in this picture.

                                              You will need:  Black Cardstock

                                                                         Twine

                                                                         Old Sheet Music or Scrapbook Paper of your Choice

                                                                         Chalk

Cut out 3 black hearts, and then layer an extra heart on the back with whatever paper you choose. Punch some holes and string your twine through.

Write out you and your hubby's initials on the black hearts. Kindof reminds me of the early days when we actually carved this into a tree. And, now we can't find that tree. Someone must've cut it down. I'm glad our love didn't die the same day that poor tree did.

I hung it in our bedroom across the ole picture frame that is still empty. This banner could really stay up beyond Valentine's Day, considering we are in love and this is our bedroom.

That's it folks. Can't get much easier more amazingly difficult than that!

Should I have showed how to fold paper in half to cut out a heart? Maybe I made this too difficult. E-mail me if you need a better step by step!

Countdown to Valentine's Day

I love the anticipation of a countdown – whether it’s celebrating the Advent at Christmastime or checking off the days before a vacation, the joy of what’s to come makes me as giddy as a child. And it doesn’t take much to get a child excited about each new day… mine, at least!

When something as practical *wink* as a Valentine’s countdown can double as decoration for my dining room, I’m all about it! So here is how I created my Valentine’s bunting/countdown.

My supplies: cutesy scrapbook paper and stickers from Hobby Lobby, a handmade crocheted heart garland from my sister-in-law, vintage postcards collected from antique shops, mini clothespins and vintage Air Mail envelopes from Etsy.

This year, while continuing in our tradition, I decided to stray away from the extra clutter and sweets that I tend to fill my daughters’ advent gifts with and instead make our countdown to Valentine’s Day more about the experiences.

I wrote down 14 different things for us to do, while looking at my calendar and planning things that would realistically work for us and around our schedule.

I used the number stickers to easily add the 14 days leading up to Valentine’s Day, from February 1^st when we’ll begin our countdown, to the envelopes and then filled them with the activity cards.

I should also note that I didn’t seal the envelopes so if something comes up and I have to switch things around, I don’t have to do much work. Also, I made myself a “key” so that I’m not surprised with something like “making marshmallows” without having the ingredients ready to go.

With a few pieces of tape, I strung up my garland and added in all the goodies to fill it out. 

Is it February yet??

Enjoy!

Jessica

Free Valentine's Day Printables

I've always loved February.

 Possibly, because it's my birth-month, and there is a small glimmer of hope that winter is nearing it's end, and spring is soon to be here!

Chevron Valentine's Printable

After the heavy Christmas decor is put away, and the house gets a mid-winter scrub, I like to throw a splash of red and pink around the house with glittery hearts here and there.

Pink Chalkboard Printable

The house always feels so fresh and clean and is just begging for a pop

of color here and there.

Chalkboard Printable

One of my favorite ways to freshen up the house is to add a little seasonal art to a frame.

Here are 3 free printables just for you!

Just click on the title you like, and it will lead you to the print page! 

Print all 3 for yourself, or give some away!

Prints may not be sold for profit, thank you!

Enjoy!
Ann