Valentine's Day

 Love is in the air.

We celebrated with the kids' Valentine's Day parties at school.

 Arts and crafts.

 (Lorelei made this card at school. I got goosebumps when I looked inside. She had decided to draw an airplane and just happened to write "United" on it for the airline. I don't think she could have possibly known how significant that was to me, but I almost cried. I grew up flying everywhere on United Airlines because my dad worked there for over 30 years. Everytime I see a United plane, I think of Dad. Yeah, goosebumps.)

 Gryffy made me this sweet thumbprint bookmark. I love his little thumbprints and that boy knows I love to read.

Secret messages were revealed.

 Gryffy made all his Valentines himself. He was so proud to hand them out at school.

 We heart attacked our house and mantel.

On Valentine's Day morning, the kids went on a scavenger hunt for their valentines. It was so much fun watching their faces light up when they found each one.

 Big cards with big love inside.

Now the kids are playing with the bunny and rolling suitcases around (they're going on vacation with Mr. Tubbins) and Fed Ex is on the way with my surprise from Mark.  (I built him a desk. He loved it.)

So blessed by my Valentines--I love Mark and the kids so much. Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Sunny New Table & Chairs

Our dining room was feeling sad, so we gave it a makeover.

BEFORE: Dark and depressing and all black. It's like it's in mourning.

AFTER: Sunny and cheery, the dining room I've always wanted.

I think I'd spent way too much time surrounded by the blackness of it lately. This 1000 piece puzzle was littered all over it for a whole month, holding us hostage to the gloomy table and chairs.

On a whim one day, I decided I'd had enough. My mom helped me drag the heavy thing outside, and I spent a whole day sanding. I couldn't feel my hands by the time Mark got home, so he got to finish off the last bit. It only took him about a quarter of the time it took me. Muscle.

(He's not very happy with me--my man dreads coming home to my projects.)

But what a difference!  Sanding, staining, painting, stapling, distressing, sewing slipcovers (from our old tablecloth!)... it was a ton of work, but worth it!

I just love those yellow lemons, tulips (perhaps my favorite flowers from our yard in Colorado growing up) and the bubble glass bottle from my mom.

I was so inspired I decided to tackle another project all at the same time (What-was-I-thinking?!).

Mark complained in his Eeyore-way we'd never have a home office after we splurged on tickets for a big trip this summer. I surprised him by pulling together this desk and building it for a wee pricetag of--wait for it--seventy dollars! Gryffy helped me carry the door (top) through Home Depot and up the stairs. Such a big help he is.

It was Mark's Valentine's Day present. He loved it.