{ Valentine's Day... and a Birthday Thrown In }

I have always valued time with my man, but now that we have two children, I value that time to a whole new level. Being alone is a treat, and being able to talk uninterrupted is enough to make an evening spectacular. We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day the Saturday before. Tim arranged to have my parents come up for the evening and he lined up a very special evening for us.

 We ate at a Mediterranean restaurant downtown that we've been hearing good things about. The food was delicious!  We savored our meal and lingered over it: appetizer, meal and dessert.  It was wonderful just to be together and have the time to talk and to just be quiet.  I love that we enjoy a comfortable silence.

After dinner we headed to a local winery.  Tim had intended this to be a surprise.  He is always a little frustrated that he struggles to come up with original date ideas. Being in a small town contributes to that! Earlier that week, he received an email invitation to a local winery where a friend of ours would be performing with his band (he played at our wedding reception). The trouble was, my dear husband left the email up on the computer and I happened upon it! Oh well, it was the thought that counted. It worked out well in the end, I think, because it would have proved a little disappointing had that been the only thing we did. This was my first time to visit a winery and it wasn't as fancy as I anticipated it would be. It was rather cold in the building and very casual. It was a fun experience overall, though. We enjoyed homemade chocolates along with our wine.  We laughed and flirted and held hands.

The evening was still rather young when we left there, so we decided to go listen to jazz at a pseudo Irish pub downtown.  We stopped back home first to feed and put Katy Grace down for the night.  On our way out the door, Tim couldn't find his phone.  After looking for it for a few minutes, I decided to make things easier on us and call it.  It was in my purse, which I was holding at the time... oops!  We left and a little while later, when we were settling in, I decided to check Tim's phone to make sure my parents hadn't tried to call (I'd left mine with them).  I realized I had a missed call from my phone so I went outside to call them back.  They told me they hadn't called.  I was confused.  Then I realized that was the call I made to find Tim's phone.  I wish I could say this is the first time this has happened to me, but it's not!  It happens on a rather regular basis!  Oh, dear!

Then came my birthday.  My poor husband has Valentine's Day to remember, followed by my birthday a week later, but he always makes them both very special.  He surprised me with these beautiful roses.  I love them because they remind me of my wedding roses. 

We did the majority of celebrating on Sunday.  Tim helped me go grocery shopping and put up with me while I shopped for jeans at the mall.  Thankfully I found a pair so it was time well spent!  Later in the evening he got a babysitter and took me out for dinner and dessert.  Over dinner we had a fun time talking about the re-decorating we want to do in our master bedroom.  It was fun to dream and look forward to the completion of this project someday in the future. 

{ Birthdays just aren't complete without cake.  My mom had given me fun cupcake supplies for Valentine's Day so it was perfect.  They were soooo yummy! }

{ And my guys did the dishes! }

This is my last year to be in my twenties... and probably the last year I'll admit my age.  I actually received a card that referenced getting old.  *Sigh* I knew it had to happen eventually.....

{ Two Months :: Two Grandpas }

(In the next couple of days you will see (I hope) a succession of blog posts.  I'm warning you in advance because they will be in no particular order as I try to make up for a month+ of blog neglect, which frustrates me, but so it is.)

Katy Grace :: 2 Months 

You are smiling a lot these days, which melts our hearts.

You love to have your brother talk to you and sometimes you coo back.

You make little "a-goo" sounds to talk to us.

You had three baby showers in about a weeks time and now have lots of darling outfits!

You were dedicated on February 5 at our church

We love you, sweet girl

 ~~~~~~~~~~

About a week and a half ago now, my father-in-law blessed us with a visit for a couple of days.  We hadn't seen him since last spring, which was when we announced the coming arrival of Katy Grace, so this was also his first time to meet her.  The day after he arrived was also her 2 month birthday.  That evening we had my parents join us for dinner.  I realized later it was pretty special that she had 2 grandpas visiting on her two month birthday.  Unfortunately, we realized later we failed to get a picture of her and the two of them, but life with a baby is consistently inconsistent!  Here is a little peek at the visit(s).

{ Tickle wars at lunch }

{This picture cracks me up!  Our brave attempt at a group shot! }

{ Grandpa Ron and Grandpa Forest }

{ A Shower for Katy Grace }

Katy Grace and I were blessed by a wonderful shower last weekend, hostessed by my mom.  It was an open house shower.  I have to say it was the loveliest way to do a shower.  

All afternoon friends stopped in.

I was able to visit well with each friend. 

No one had to "fight" over holding Katy!

{Proud Grandma}

{Delightful PINK decor and yummy treats}

 {Balloons to welcome guests}

 There were gifts galore!  Katy's closet is bursting! It makes me so happy to see all of those adorable little outfits waiting to be worn.  

New clothes = Dress up

We did it today!  

I love having a daughter, can't you tell?

{Out little doll}

We have another shower on Sunday so we're feeling quite spoiled around here.  I'm sure I won't be able to resist posting more pictures, so bear with me!

{ Thankful }

This spot has been pretty quiet lately, not because my life has been quiet, but because it ha s been quite the opposite and I haven't had a chance to even decide what to blog about.  I hope to record our adventure to western Washington in the record-setting snow storm and the sweet baby shower for Katy Grace on Saturday.  Hopefully soon.  Right now we're still recovering from a week of sickness that has quite taken the wind out of our sails.  Adjusting to being a mama of two, comforting a teething toddler, a lot less sleep, and sickness.... well, let's just say I've reached my limit many times lately and it hasn't been pretty, I'm a little ashamed to say.  The up side to all of these challenges is that I am reminded of how thankful I am to have a husband who loves me in spite of myself and who prays me through these times when I feel like I just can't go on!

I am so thankful

... to hear my husband cradling our beautiful daughter, praying over her

... bath time with my little man

... a couple of sweet dates with my man

... snuggling after the babies are in bed and watching "Jeeves and Wooster"

... cooking with my new kitchen friend

... the return of robins and the promise of spring

... tulips brought over by my neighbor, a feast for our eyes

... catching down time, enjoying "Once Upon a Time" and "Downton Abbey"

... planning gifts for many babies arriving to friends soon

... expressing creativity a.k.a. Pinterest (that's as good as it gets these days)

... these sweet smiles everyday.  

Yes, life has been challenging lately, but in spite of it all, it is incredibly GOOD!