Days of Play: Lava Lamps

Okay, your kids may not have any idea what in the heck a lava lamp is since they are apparently not cool anymore.  So maybe show them this picture:

Photo Source

Making a poor-man's lava lamp is easy and fun.  All you need is vegetable oil, water, alka seltzer tab, and a clear water bottle.

Now, watch this video and then make a lava lamp with your kiddos!  Don't be surprised if you oooh and ahhh along with your kids!

Date Night {IN}--NYSDM--Roadhouse

***Deep Dark Secret Alert***

Matt loves the movie Road House.  Loves it!

Photo Source

So for some Not Your Standard Dinner and a Movie date (NYSDM) whip up a little Road House movie fun.

For starters, have a dinner of cracked ribs and black-eyed peas (<--click that link for the recipe) and smashed potatoes.

Serve sarsaparilla and root beer.

After dinner, watch the movie.

When the movie is over find a great 80s love song and do a slow dance with your man.  

Re-enacting the barn scene is a judgment call :)

Things I Love: Make It and Love It

I'm really into DIY projects.

Note, I did NOT say I was good at DIY projects, but that I liked them.

I recently happened upon the website Make It and Love It and you know what? I love it.

Love, love, lovey, lovey, love it!

Here are some tutorials I can't wait to make!

A Pleated Scarf

An Embellished T-Shirt

Hemp Decorative Balls

What to make first---I'm torn!

Check out this website. You'll love it.  You can thank me later.

What I Think About--Men and Women Being Friends {Guest Post}

This is Sarah from The Munchkin and Little Miss and I'm guest blogging today so Reagan can write a paper for her Advanced Instructional Strategies class.  I think she is actually taking a nap or shopping for her trip to Vegas but whatever.

Today I'm Pouring My Heart out over an old question that has been very hurtful and confusing: Can Men and Women be Friends?

Society tells us that if men and women are friends it will ultimately end up in a sexual relationship. I don't believe this is true. I believe that men and women can be friends. I believe that there has to be honesty not only between the two friends but also honesty with the spouses of the friends. I am going to tell you my story and in turn you can tell me what you think.

I have been BEST friends with a guy for 15 years. "Sam" and I met at the bus stop when I was 12. He is 2 years older than me so we only had one year of Jr. High together before he went off to high school. We still remained friends and when I started high school he drove me to and from school until I got my license. He became a rock for me.  At one point during the school year I was was having a really hard day and I couldn't stop crying. My mom called him and asked him to come over. He just sat there with me while I cried on his shoulder. 

When "Sam" graduated, he went into the military and we drifted apart but still remained close. From then on we had one of those friendships where we could always pick up where we left off the last time we spoke. We could always count on each other to be there when it mattered most. 

He was the first person I called when I decided to divorce my first husband. I was the one friend that he warned his girlfriends about. We watched out for each other when it came to who we dated. He wanted my approval and I his. 

After my husband and I got married and I became pregnant with our first daughter, I met Sam's new girlfriend and I honestly liked her from the beginning. This was rare as there were only a few of his girlfriends that I liked. But this one was different. I could see how happy they were together and that's all I needed to be happy for him. I think the other thing too was that she never seemed to have an issue with Sam and I being friends.  Our friendship continued like normal. Talk every once in a while. Get together for dinner.  "Jill" asked me to be in their wedding after "Sam" proposed.

After the wedding Sam and I started hanging out more. You see, Jill was sick and after the wedding spent most of her time in bed or at work. Sam was becoming angry and needed someone to talk to. Since I have been the sick wife, or rather am the sick wife, I knew where Jill was coming from. 

As an outsider I was able to get Sam to see what life is like for Jill. I was able to help him get to a place where he wasn't angry with his wife and could go home and talk to her. 

During all of this my husband was well aware of the time I was spending with Sam. My husband understands how much Sam means to me as a friend. I was open and honest with him from the beginning and I thought Sam was being the same way with Jill. 

Little did I know. 

I later found out that Jill was not happy about us hanging out or that Sam talked to me about what was bothering him. So we decided to sit down and figure this all out like adults. I apologized to her because I thought she knew and was okay with us hanging out. 

After we had our talk we all agreed on a certain amount of time Sam and I could hang out. We also agreed that I wasn't the issue. The issue were her insecurities in her marriage. We ate dinner and the next day they watched our girls while we went to Denver. I thought everything would go back to normal. 

The following weekend Sam and I were supposed to hang out. It was the last time. Jill decided that she still didn't like us hanging out. By this time I just wanted her to make up her mind. She went from giving me a key to their house to not trusting me around her husband despite knowing that Sam and I have never even kissed!

The final straw was when she decided that she wasn't comfortable being around me in any setting. I told Sam I couldn't take it anymore.  He would always be my best friend but I needed to take a huge step back from all of his wife's drama.

I felt like I was being portrayed as a home wrecker, which I'm not. He needed to work on his marriage.

That was November 17, 2010 and we have not hung out since. There have been two instances when we have spoken since then and other than those two times there has been no communication but that's it!

There are days that I miss my friend, but this has given me new insight to the whole men and women being friends. 

What I think is that men and women can be friends.  However, marriage changes the dynamics of that friendship. I think that it's okay to hang out just the two of you as long as your being honest with yourself, your friend, and your spouse. 

But then I think of this experience and I don't know; maybe I am just deluded. Maybe all of this is a shining example that men and women can't be friends. 

Can men+women=friends?

What do you think?

And the E-Book Giveaway Winner is ...

Shelly C.

YAY Shelly!

Please send my your e-mail and you'll get a link to the e-book!

Congrats and thanks every one for entering!

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

M.E. has been asking some tough faith questions lately.  "Who made God?"  "How is God God and Jesus?" "Are there dinosaurs in heaven?" and "When Bailey (her uncle's pug) died, did she go to heaven?"

I sort of want to throw my hands up in the air and go "Geez kid, I don't know!"  How do you answer these tough questions? (The egg and tree example did not help explain the trinity).

In the meantime, my brother-in-law sent me these photos. At least I'm not the only one struggling!

FYI, these churches are across the street from one another.



















Hope you enjoyed this spiritual nonsense.

Now really--how do you answer the "tough" questions?

Things that Make You Go Mmmmm!

What do lemons, garlic, milk, cinnamon, and chicken have in common?  Nothing, except for making the best darn chicken EVER!

I know I generally don't do food posts because though I love to cook, I'm better at following directions than making stuff up.  But, I just HAD to share this recipe.

The History:
When Sarah and I forced our husbands did our Iron Man double date, I was looking for recipes that combined chicken and cinnamon.

I found this Jamie Oliver recipe for Chicken in Milk. (<---Click that link to get the recipe. I'm not into stealing!)

Chicken baked in milk with lemons.

If you just got the heebie jeebies, I don't blame you.  It sounds weird.  But I kind of like weird and couldn't wait to try it.

The Experience:

So, I browned butter, which the recipe doesn't call for but I like browned butter and it was my chicken so I did what I wanted.  Brown the butter, season the chicken VERY liberally with kosher salt and pepper and toss it in a pot.  Brown the chicken all over until it is a delightful golden color.

When the chicken is golden, remove it to a plate and toss out the rest of the butter.  Leave the caramelized goo (yes, that is the scientific name) at the bottom of the pot.  Return the chicken to the pot and add the remaining ingredients.

Now, here are some changes I made to the ingredients: I used a 5.5 lb. chicken, the zest of three lemons and the juice of one (next time I'll use the juice of 2!), 2 T. dried sage, a full cinnamon stick and I used 8 cloves of garlic (unminced).

Put a lid on the chicken and pop into an oven pre-heated to 375'.

The original recipe did not call for the chicken to be covered but I thought it would make it more tender.  So, I baked with lid on for 1 hour and with the lid off for 45 minutes (I adjusted the time for the chicken size).

The smell of this chicken baking was totally groan worthy.  I could hardly stop myself from climbing into the oven just to soak in the smell.  Mmmmm....

The Result:

I'm not alone in saying this was the best chicken I've ever made/eaten!

The meat practically fell off the chicken and the gravy was not white but more closely resembeled a thinner chicken gravy.

But the taste, oh the taste!

Let me be honest.  I literally ladeled a few spoonfuls of the gravy into my mouth.  And when gravy is good enough to drink plain, it is G.O.O.D.!

My kids ate it.  My husband devoured it.  My dad and I had seconds (or maybe thirds), and my mom cleaned her plate!  It was DIVINE!

The Pros:
The best thing about this chicken was how amazingly easy it was to make.  If you can zest a lemon you've got it made because that's the hardest part.  Brown and bake.  Done.

I served this with mashed potatoes.  I do wish I would have had bread to spread the soft garlic cloves onto but I didn't so I just ate them with bits of chicken.  That was good, bread is better.  Serve with bread, potatoes, and a green veggie!

Do I have you convinced or are you still totally grossed out at the thought of milk and chicken?

CSN Stores

CSN Stores is a conglomeration of 200 online stores where you can find anything from Herman Miller chairs and funky lighting to kitchen gadgets and diaper bags.  

I go crazy looking at everything on their website and my "wish list" is several pages long!  Have you ever browsed or purchased anything from CSN stores?  CSN has graciously offered me $40 to review a product from their website.  I'm so excited! 


Be on the look out for my review!

Days of Play: Dr. Suess's Birthday!

Prepare for Dr. Suess's March 2 birthday by engaging in some pre-birthday festivities!

Source

Start your Saturday morning off with a reading of Green Eggs and Ham.  For breakfast make some green scrambled eggs, ham, and dye white grape juice green for a very festive breakfast.

Then watch Horton Hears a Who as a family.  Popcorn optional but encouraged!

Source

Make a pencil Horton Hears a Who craft (Source: FamilyCrafts)

After movie and craft time, spend some time online. Go to Suessville.com and play a few games.

In the afternoon, do a reading of Red Fish, Blue Fish and then make a tissue paper fish (source Craftideas.info)

Of course, you can eat Goldfish crackers while you are crafting!

At the end of our day, my kids are going to clean up in a great big bath full of green water and some play Yertle the Turtles (and a book reading as well!).

Enjoy your special pre-birthday funtivities!

3 Way {February}

Welcome to February's 3 Way Challenge!

(If you want to know more about the challenge, click here)

My "uniform" challenge this month was to wear a brown long-sleeved T three ways.  I started the challenge off with a dark brown T but somehow it got a stain on it so I switched to this light brown T.

Good thing I have five long sleeved brown Ts, eh?

Anyhow, I paired my T with a fur vest, boots, jeggings, and gold accessories for a night out; brown tights, boots, denim dress, and pearl/animal print necklace for work; and jeans, necklace, and cardigan for a day home with sick kiddos!

Can you believe it is the end of February?  Time seems to fly, doesn't it.

For March I am going to take advantage of the last cold snap and have the three way challenge involve a sweater.

Pick a sweater, any sweater (but the same one 3 times) and mix it up in new ways.  Wear it with a scarf or bold necklace.  Layer it with a blazer ... how will you wear your sweater?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an e-book called 50 Things Every Woman Simply Must Own.  Click here to register!

Things I Love: Seeing the Horizon

I really love to go to cities to visit.  The food, the culture, the shopping ... there's a lot to be said about the benefits of city-life.

However, after a week or so in a city, I get a bit antsy.  I start to feel claustrophobic when I'm surrounded by big buildings and even trees!  I know this is weird but I'm used to seriously wide-open spaces. What can I say, I'm from the plains of Wyoming.

Now most people envision Wyoming looking like this:

Tetons from Jacksonholenet.com

Yes, Wyoming has breath-taking mountain ranges.  The Tetons, the Big Horns, the Wind River Range ...  beautiful, beautiful mountains!  However, if you aren't near a mountain range then Wyoming looks a lot like this.

Heading Towards Devil's Tower--Click here for photo source

Hello rambling plains!

I'm so accustomed to wide plains and big skies that I get a bit sketched out when I can't see the horizon.

Wyoming--not for agoraphobics!

What I Think About--Fashion Rehab {+a giveaway}

Dear Jill,

Last January I made a resolution (because I'm like that) to start dressing better.  When I was in my early twenties I didn't have car payments or expensive mortgages.  As such, I could afford to dress really well and trendy.

Then I got married, got a job, and had kids.

All of a sudden I was dressing like a teacher-mom.  I resisted quilted vests and jumpers but I was frumpy.  So frumpy my husband, who flourishes compliments on me like crazy, started referring to every outfit as "nice."

Hi, my name is Frumpy Mommy and yes, that sweater makes me look six sizes larger than I actually am. Boo!

So in January 2010 I decided to enter my own version of hell: fashion rehab.

To do this, I looked at blogs.  Most of the blogs I found had me rolling my eyes: $495 blazers for my kids to rub snotty noses on?  Right.  Stiletto heels when I'm chasing kids?  Not a chance. 

Then I found your blog--Jill GG's Good Life For Less. Right away I knew it was just what I was looking for.  You wore trendy clothes that weren't over-the-top expensive.  You mixed traditional with fads.  You're a stay-at-home-mom of two who I felt looked similar in height, weight, and coloring to me (I may be deluding myself ...).

I started stalking your blog. Everyday.

Through your blog I've found "my style."  I've learned how to put outfits together and how to work accessories.  I've gotten outfit inspiration and learned the "necessities."

And the payoff?  Dividends.

My husband remarks almost weekly at how great and sexy I look.

My friends seek my fashion advice.

My self-esteem has sky-rocketed.  I don't want to wrap my self-worth up into a pair of jeans or shoes but there is something to be said about feeling like you look great!

Your mission is to inspire women to look their best and to be practical and fun.  You have inspired me--I feel like I look better now than I ever have.  You are practical and fun; I look forward to reading your posts and learning from you.  If the blues ever hit you, remember, that your work has made a difference.  A part of me is forever altered because of you.

Thank you,
Reagan

What I Think About Fashion Re-hab is that it is one of the best learning experiences I've ever had!

If you are stuck in the mommy-dress blahs, please check out The Good Life for Less.  Until then, let me tempt you with Jill's e-book "The Fifty Things Every Woman Simply Must Own."

That's right--I'm giving away Jill's e-book (meaning it will be delivered online).  Interested?

Mandatory to enter (put both of these in 1 comment):

1.  Follow me (if you already follow me, let me know!)
AND
2. Go to Jill GG's Good Life for Less "Personal Style Defined") and tell me what your personal style is. 

Extra Entries (one entry/comment for each one you do):
1.  Like Where is the ME in Mommy? on Facebook
2.  Blog about this and put the link in the comment

This giveaway is open for all, US or abroad, family or not!

Giveaway ends Tuesday March 1, 2011 at midnight!

Thanks so much to Shell at Things I Can't Say for hosting my random Wednesday thoughts!

It' National Margarita Day!

Just sayin'!

Photo stolen from Babble!

Cheers!

Dear Friend

Decisions are hard to make and even though I like to joke that I can easily check YES or NO on your life's big list, the truth is, I can't.

I'm not able to fathom what you are going through and the decisions you are having to make.  I haven't been in your shoes.  But you did ask my opinion so I'll share it with you the best way I know how--with my experience.

I was completely finished with school (ha, ha, ha) before I had my first child.  I loved my job and thought I would continue working even after the Divine Miss M was born.  However, it soon became evident that I loved my child more than the children I worked with AND my entire paycheck merely covered childcare and the commute cost.  Simply put, it was more financially sound for me NOT to work.  Of course we had to move but that seemed worth it since I got to be home with my baby.

I loved being a stay-at-home-mom!  There was something to be said about being there for first steps and first words.  Sometimes, however, I got really lonely and felt like I needed something just for "me."  So I started school again and this filled a "void" for me.

Baby #2 made school a bit trickier but I made it work. And then I started working (very part time) again.  On one level it is so fulfilling to be intellectually engaged and to be using my gift of teaching but then there are times when Paxton would rather be held by Beth than me and it makes my heart sad.

Right now, as I near the end of my coursework and my degree is on the horizon, I feel this "push" to go back to work.  Why, after all, would I have this degree if I don't use it?  I keep imaging all the things I could do with a full time salary--new cars, new clothes, pay off our house in a few years ... All those scenarios are tempting--oh, so tempting!

Then I catch Paxton and M.E. playing together, giggling and asking me to join in and all of a sudden, those cars and clothes and mortgage payments don't matter.  Some day in the not so distant future my children won't think I'm awesome.  They won't want to play with me.  They'll be at school and friend's houses, and activities and I'll look back and sigh wishing, most likely, that I'd spent more time with them. I honestly can't think of one situation where I would say to myself, "Gee, spending all that time with my kids was a complete waste of time!"

So, completely ignoring financial obstacles like house payments, student loans, and possible looming adoptions, I would say, you will never regret spending time with your little girl.  In a year your college coursework will still be there but you can never get back a moment of time with your child.

As to the other child your heart so desires, this gets much more complicated.  Adoption is so much more feasible when there are two incomes to pay for it.  You don't want to finish your degree and get a job to pay off your house or buy a new car.  You want a good job to pay for a child!  So I feel like your heart is stuck--do I forsake time with my first child so I can afford the second or do I forgo pursuing adoption so I can spend time with my little girl?  This is a quagmire I can't contemplate.

When I have tough questions to answer my "go to" thought process is: "What is the legacy of my decision?"  For example, when I stopped working, the legacy with work was that I wouldn't affect students any longer; however, I was confident some other excellent teacher could fill my shoes.  The same can't be said of my role as mommy.  My legacy staying home, however, was HUGE! 

In this instance, I feel like your legacy will be huge either way. 

I've often wondered, when we seek the will of God, if we put Him in a box too much--like there is only "one way" for our lives to go and if we mess that up then we are forever ruined.  What if He loves us so abundantly that He has many paths to His will for our lives? 

Does this thought make the decision easier?  Probably not.  But hopefully it helps you know that He loves you and when you are stuck between doing one thing to be a good mom (of one) or doing another thing to be a good mom (of 2-20), luck might have it that BOTH ways are acceptable.

It's scary but we just have to take steps of faith when we don't know what's out there.  We have to trust that all things work together for our good. 

Whatever you decide please know that you have the loving, non-judgmental support of moms who have made great sacrifices for our children.   

We understand the difficulty of your decision.  We appreciate your humble heart as you seek wisdom and advice.

I don't know what's in store for you but I know that I love you! Even though I can't make these decisions for you, I hope that by knowing I am here for you either way, your burden will be lightened.

Love,
Reagan

Days of Play: GAK!

If you want some adventurous, tactile fun, whip up a bowl of GAK! and have a gooey good time!

Source: Our Best Bites

Our Best Bites (<----Click that link) has the fun GAK recipe!

Want to play but don't have borax, click here to get my ooblich recipe (cornstarch + water = fun).

Date Night {OUT}--Around Town

Last weekend my daughter was at her grandparent's house.  Being down one kid, we decided to do a date night out.

Since it was a last minute date, we resorted to the movie idea.  But then we decided there was really nothing we wanted to see.  So Matt whipped up this fun date idea!

He wrote down six different silly challenges and put them in a hat.  We then took off driving and listening to fun music.  As he drove, I pulled out a challenge.  When we finished each activity, we pulled out another.  The challenges took us to six different locales, got us laughing, got us out of the house, and was relatively inexpensive.

So if you want a night out on the town, consider modifying these challenges (or making up your own).

Challenge #1--Go to Matt's office and play three rounds of pictionary.  Winner gets five minutes of back tickles.

Challenge #2--Go to a bookstore.  Take 10 minutes to find the following: a book your spouse would hate, a book your spouse would love BUT would never admit to loving, and the sexiest book you can find (that isn't from the "self-help" sex area).  After 10 minutes, sit down and share why you chose what you chose and why.

Challenge #3--Go to a place you've never been before and order a drink (this can be a restaurant, bar, coffee shop ... just go somewhere new)!

Challenge #4--Go to Target, Wal-Mart, etc.  Take 10 minutes to find something that your spouse would be SUPER embarrassed to buy (giant underwear, anyone?).  Don't buy it but have a good laugh!

Challenge #5--Drive to the park.  Find a song on the radio and turn it way up.  Open the car doors and share a dance together!

Challenge #6--Take $1.50 each and go into a convenience store.  Buy your spouse something for dessert.  Drive to a remote location, hold hands, and eat dessert in the car. Talking with your mouth full encourage.

Things I Love: Ballet Flats

Not so long ago I did a bit of a diatribe on why I can't stand it when people wear tennis shoes all day, with every outfit.  If you want to read my thoughts, click here.

Anyhow, one of the fastest and easiest ways to pull an outfit together is with your shoes (and accessories, but I digress).  

Ballet flats are my favorite type of shoes (and this makes my boots sad).  They are comfortable, versatile and fun!  And the best part, you can find them really cheap!  (Don't misconstrue what I'm saying, you can totally find ballet flats for $500 but why would you want to?!?!?).

If you want to a quick wardrobe fix, pick up a pair (or five) of ballet flats!

FYI--All of these flats are from Target and ALL of them are under $20!  Snap!

Flats by Mossimo

Yes, those are my black, bow Target ballet flats.  I love them.

Things I love--BALLET FLATS!

How about you?

What I Think About--Birthdays (Please join me for a pity party)

While I was doing my LOVE IS challenge a monumental event came and went with little attention.

No, I'm not talking about Puxatony Phil (although the days are the same); I'm talking about my birthday.

Source

When I was growing up my parents made our birthdays special.  Of course I mean "special" in the 1980s fashion (read: you pick dinner, open a present, and eat cake with family and 1-2 friends) and not the millennium fashion (read: $300 parties with 50 guests and a gazillion presents you don't have to write thank-yous for).  I always felt special and loved on my birthdays, no matter how "minimalist" they were.

When I became an adult everyone told me that birthdays were somehow less important--less hullabaloo, less cake, less attention.  I guess with all the distractions of work and kids and bills there just isn't time for grown-ups to feel special, even for just one day.

I understand busy.  I even understand aging not being a big deal (although the more I celebrate my 30th birthday the more I love it!).

But this year, my birthday went by without much attention at all.

I had to commute and work and go to school until 7; Matt had business obligations until 10:30. 

Before I left for my commute, there were no "birthday breakfasts" or silly "happy birthday" songs. 

Aside from Facebook well wishes and a text or two, there were no birthday cards (unless you count the one from an insurance agency that I don't use) and no birthday phone calls--not even from my family.  

Around 5:30 pm I briefly toyed with the idea that a surprise party was in the making. When I came home at 7:00 to a dirty house, I realized that there was no surprise party.

I had a Samantha Baker moment from Sixteen Candles.  No, my birthday wasn't forgotten; it was just unacknolwedged.  And somehow, that felt worse.

Source

To be fair, when I got home (after I cleaned up the house and did the dishes) I found a Glee DVD set and my friend Sarah (who I did go to lunch with that day) brought me cheesecake so I at least got to spend the evening with Mr. Shue and 4 homemade, different versions of cheesecake.

When Matt came home I could tell he was dripping with guilt.  He tried to "make up" for it with gifts but I'm not a gift person and I balked at feeling "bought off."  I understand he had to work; I understand people are busy; I don't understand not taking a bit of planning to make even 10 minutes of someone's birthday special.

And I really felt this "birthdays aren't a big deal when you're an adult" mentality is just an excuse to not have to exert time and attention anywhere besides work/finances/hobbies.  When really, shouldn't we go the extra mile for those people ... not matter how old they are?

I'm generally quick to get angry but this time, I just cried--because it felt bad to not to celebrated.

Out of that pity party came a super-strong resolution: birthdays do matter and the people we love are worth celebrating (at least once a year).  So no matter how busy we get or how far he travels or how early the day starts or how sick the kids get or how tight money is, I will always acknowledge and celebrate the people I love.

What I think about birthdays is that they matter.

No one should be Samatha Bakered (or worse).

Even if you've had seventy-five birthdays, they still matter.
Even if you stopped counting how old you are at 27, they still matter.
Even if you hate being celebrated, they still matter (we'll send you a card).

As long as people matter, their birthdays matter.

Source

*DISCLAIMER* On Feb. 10th I saw that is was a friend's birthday on Facebook.  I decided to tell her happy birthday in person ... and then I forgot.  Dear friend, I apologize :)*

DISCLAIMER #2--My husband is amazing.  He loves and cherishes me.  This is just one of those "oh crap" moments in his life that I'll let him forget in 30 years (see, if he did stuff like this more often it'd roll off my back). ILY, Matt!


Thanks to SHELL at THINGS I CAN'T SAY for always hosting my random Wednesday thoughts!

When the Valentine's Day hoopla is done ...

I still love my husband.

Not for what he did or didn't give me (and we focus on the didn't gives at our house); not for dates we've gone on (or may go on soon).

I still love my husband for who he is--my perfect provision.

This journey of learning what Love is and how I can better give and receive love has been exhausting.

Don't get me wrong, it's been totally beneficial.  Reflecting, journaling, reading The Word, and praying have done wonders for me. 

But it's come at a cost--namely that I realized how far I have to go. 

When it comes to love, I'm not good at giving it unconditionally.  I'm quick to hold grudges, slow to forgive, and quick to distrust.

I'm not good at receiving love without cynicism. I distrust the motives of people; I'm waiting to be let down.

Examining my heart and letting it affect my actions for 15 days has altered the way I look at myself and my family. 

Most importantly, it's altered--possibly forever--what Love is.

Love Never--Day 15 {Valentine's Day Finale!}

Love never fails.

FOR YOU
Get out your journal.  Now watch this video and reflect on it.

Do you believe what it says?  Do you believe that love never fails?  Do you feel like love has failed you before?  If so, reflect on that--was it love?

Ask God to heal your heart and to show you that love, His love, never fails.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE
Plan a special evening for your spouse.

Invite him to spend the evening with you by using a Candy-Gram. 
Spend some time with a quiet, date night in.  If you want a date all planned out for you, may I suggest:

• A Couple's Massage theme
• A Twilight themed date (you know, if you married to someone who likes Twilight)
• A Kiss themed date
• A Rated R date

(Yes, you can click those links for some ready-for-your touch date ideas!)

FOR YOUR KIDS
Make your kids a Candy-Gram so they know how much you love them!