Valentine's Day 2020

First and foremost, I called my dad to wish him a happy birthday.

Simple gifts are given and very much appreciated. I've been wearing Amarige since I was 20 years old. I love it (along with Carolina Herrera. Another perfume I've been using for many years.)

Jacob took the day off so we could enjoy all day together while Riley was at school.

First, breakfast. It's cute Chick-fil-a sells heart shaped chicken biscuits on Valentine's Day.

After breakfast we went to the movies to see Bad Boys for Life. It was a very entertaining movie, we both liked it. It was fun going to the movies, just the two of us. That rarely happens.

For lunch we had Chinese food. It was so good.

My three favorite things to order are shrimp chop suey, chicken fried rice and sweet and sour chicken with extra sweet and sour sauce. I have to have the sweet and sour sauce because eating Chinese food without it is just not a complete meal. It loses that WOW! factor for me.

This was our simple way of celebrating. Nothing over stimulating ... just pretty laid back. 

Keep your heart filled with gratitude 

for all that you have and get to enjoy.

February ... here and there and home

My favorite type of outings are the ones where we're out in nature and around animals.  In this case we spent half a Saturday at Lattin's Cider Mill and Farm. We've visited for several years now for Easter. They have bunnies, peacocks, ducks, several small fowl, pigs, and goats ... and in the spring they have baby chicks. Lattin's is nestled among huge pine trees and it smells so wonderful and fresh. I love the pine smell.
I like to spend time with animals. I wish we had relatives near that had a working farm. That would be so much fun to experience.

When I was little my grandpa (my mom's dad) used to own a ranch that was acres and acres big. I have fond memories of visiting him and seeing farm animals. I remember watching my grandpa make cheese. It was quite amazing. And whenever there was a party at the ranch my grandpa used to cook the meat in an underground pit. There were a lot of parties/gatherings at my grandpa's ranch. So much fun!


Gosh, Riley has grown so much. He's still very loving and kind ... and ornery at times which is definitely draining. He's also quite funny. But we continue to have a difficult time with him regarding what to feed him. He's still picky as ever. Jacob has blended spinach in his chocolate milk but he still caught it. I just wished he ate chicken soup, grilled chicken, and veggies but he just wont. We'll just have to continue to be creative in ways to feed him healthy foods without him knowing.

North Tacoma is definitely a favorite spot for us. I love to walk along Ruston Way ... and now with all the shops and restaurants and a park at Point Ruston, it's actually an enjoyable outing where you can make a day out of it. Not to mention the pretty waterfront views and being able to see Mt. Rainier in the distance on a clear (or semi clear) day.

Riley's face, lol.

This picture of Sophie also makes me laugh. It looks like a school picture. She's sitting all straight and surprisingly looking directly at the phone camera.

We show our love for God in part by loving our spouses well.
Valentine's Day. Jacob's traditional gifts to me on Valentine's day are perfume, flowers and a card ... and he usually cooks us a delicious meal. I'm thankful and grateful for all that he does for me and our family.

We are constantly replacing burnt out light bulbs in our home and some of those light
bulbs are placed in such high and difficult areas. I wonder if burnt light bulbs is a common occurrence in other people's homes.

We got snow in mid February. I'm pretty sure I've said this before but driving in snow or ice stresses me out. I like to watch snow fall and I actually would love to stay at a cabin in the mountains in the winter but I'm not a fan of driving in it. I mean, it only makes sense since I didn't grow up in a place where it snowed. I grew up in Southern CA, nothing but sun and beach fun.

He he!!!

there's beauty all 

around us when there's love at home.

Valentine's Day 2017

This has been Sophie's favorite spot to lay down for some time now ... and just look at her arm, her pose is all human like. She sure makes us laugh. And lately Jacob has been talking to her early mornings asking her if she needs more food and water and Sophie meows back in return, and loud too. It's funny.

Someone was very busy a few days before Valentine's Day writing down all of his classmates names on each card. He had to take breaks after every third name. He was very excited about this holiday and looking forward to the Valentine's day party as well. He kept reminding us to make sure to be there.

After so many days of rain and cloudy weather we finally got an entire day of full sun so we headed out to a park along lake Washington. The sun felt so good. It was still quite cold out but the sun sorta balanced it out.

Jacob was off on Valentine's Day. After dropping Riley off at school we headed out for breakfast. Then we went to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory so I could get a caramel apple. Yum! After that we drove to Snoqualmie Falls to take in the view for a bit.
At home we exchanged cards and I also received flowers and perfume. He's the sweetest!

We got to Riley's school around 2:30 pm. They had already exchanged cards and were looking through all of them. It was nice seeing all the kids again. I volunteered for about three months and stopped in January. I wasn't feeling too well then so I decided to take a break. Maybe I'll volunteer again in the near future.

Riley sure loves having his daddy around.

I gave each of my kids a card and gift cards to their favorite restaurants. I bought Reagan fresh flowers for his special place. There's not a day when I don't think of him but it's double heartbreaking on a holiday. I was sad for him. For not having the chance for a healthy start at life, then my thoughts go back to that day when I saw him, held him for the first and last time. I remember every single feature. His fingers, his shoulders, his ears, feet, everything. It is so devastating.

Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter.

Who would think that those branches would turn green

again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it. 

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Valentine's Weekend {2016}

We left the house just before noon on Saturday and spent part of our day in Seattle. It was busy!

Riley looking so grown up.

So happy that tulips are back in season.
They had lots to choose from but for some reason the pink ones stood out to me.

I chose two different shades of pink. Aren't they pretty?

We also stopped by the greek yogurt shop and got myself more marionberry with lots of crumble. Then Jacob knows that my other favorite indulgence is to stop at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a caramel apple. This time I got a snickers caramel apple. It was super delicious!

Jacob was again craving Caliburger so we ate there for lunch. I'll yield to my love.
Someone fell asleep on our way back home.

On Valentine's Day we had dinner at a steak/bbq joint then we ended our evening out by the water.

I'm very grateful for Jacob. Thankful that our marriage is at a deeper level that now I know comes only from maturity; spiritually and emotionally.

Thankful for His blessings. For what He's done in our lives, for what He's doing now and for the wonderful things He's yet to do in our lives.

Our Valentine's weekend was low key which fits right with our lives. Nothing expensive just enjoying a few simple pleasures on this special day.

Valentine's Day 2015

Hope your Valentine's Day was sweet and memorable.

Valentine's Day was a bit more fun this year since it fell on a Saturday plus, the weather was nice. 

We got Sydna and Nathan take out and we rented a movie for them to watch while we celebrated Valentine's Day out in the city. We were able to head outdoors and enjoy this gorgeous brisk sunny day.

We first had a late lunch.

After we were done we walked along the waterfront. I had noticed a large grassy area during one of our ferry rides and told Jacob that we should check it out. Months later we finally did. Oh man, I can't believe we didn't know about Elliott Bay Trail and Olympic Sculpture Park until now! One can either walk on the trail or walk up stairs and admire the sculptures up close.
This picture is looking down Alaskan Way/the waterfront where lots of restaurants, stores, the aquarium and the great wheel are located.

This is looking the opposite direction towards Lower Queen Anne and Magnolia. Isn't it pretty. Being able to walk/run along the waterfront is such a prize.

It wasn't freezing but we wore out jackets because it was chilly in the shade ... and it's shady walking next to buildings.

Watching the train as it made its way through.

There's a small rocky "beach" area where we hung out for a bit. Walking on rocks uphill is like walking on sand ... my feet kept slipping. The area in the distance is W Seattle's Alki beach.

Walking on logs is fun!

I would have loved to have walked more of the trail but Riley was tired and we were already somewhat of a distance away from my car. The good thing, now we know about another awesome trail along the water. We can head back out here when it's not raining.

One of the things I like to take pictures of are trees.

I don't know what this sculpture is called ... the water is covering a young boy. Now, the man's sculpture has a very defined private area. There's really no need. Such poor taste in my opinion to have that exposed out in the open. Someone should have put a leaf on it or something.

We had such an enjoyable time celebrating our love for each other. The weather was nice and we were by the water, one of my favorite places to be. We still had one more stop to make ... at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for my ever favorite caramel apple and chocolate covered strawberries.

Jacob had gotten me tulips, a card and baked me{us} a heart shaped cake from scratch. The color of the tulips are gorgeous ... actually any color looks amazing on tulips.

We got home to Sydna's decorated heart shaped cake. She was laughing at how uncentered and crooked her writing was. It was her first time doing this so I gave her credit for trying. I don't think I could have done any better since I'm really not creative with my handwriting. Thank you Sydna!

Riley asked to cut the first piece.

I typically have their Valentine's treat bags ready the night before but I completely forgot about them since I had hidden the candy. So, after we had cake I hid and put their treat bags together. I didn't buy a lot of candy for them like I used to but the candy I did get I knew they would love so all three were happy.

I bought Sydna and Nathan religious calendars. I love what they say ... very touching.

It was a great day. At 18 years of marriage I feel that our love has gotten stronger. We're more in tune with each other and we have definitely learned to be selfless with one another ... and that right there has made a big difference in having a way less challenging marriage. I give all the glory to God. It's because of Him that things are possible.

Jacob

Thank you for such an enjoyable Valentine's day. Going on a date made things feel like old times.

And yes, we should do this more often.

Riley ran up to us at the last minute, reason why it's blurry.

To Be One With Each Other

What greater thing is there for two

human souls than to feel that they are joined

together to strengthen each other in all labor, to

minister to each other in all sorrow, to share in each

other in all gladness, to be one with each other in the

silent unspoken memories.

I love you.

Sweet Surprise

Like all holidays I like to make Valentine's day fun for my kids ... no matter how young or how old they get, I like to decorate, make yummy treats, a fun dinner and give each of them Valentine's cards and a few inexpensive surprises in their treat bags.

I like to celebrate about every holiday whether it's a major holiday or not. I want my children to partake in them all. To stop and enjoy life and to have fun in these celebrations we have throughout the year. Plus, it feels good to do things as a family. It brings us closer and we create memories along the way.

I was planning on staying home all day long. Icing the cookies, make heart shaped rice krispie treats {which by the way I didn't get the chance to make}, heart shaped pizzas and put their treat bags together.

A week before I had told Jacob if he could get off work early on the 14th but you see, my husband is a bit forgetful. So as the days went by I also kept forgetting to ask him if he got approved and he didn't bring it up. It wasn't until the day before v-day that I remembered. We were having a conversation and he ended up spilling the beans and said he had the whole day off on v-day. That was a nice surprise.

Jacob did have one request, that I get ready early and to be ready to leave by 8:00 am. He took the kids to school and when he got home from dropping Sydna off at the college he arrived with the most beautiful tulip bouquet I've ever seen.

We had breakfast at our favorite hole in the wall {the best kind of foods you know}.
Once we were done we had to make a run to the car because it was pouring. We keep forgetting to bring in our umbrellas wherever we go. Doesn't do anyone any good leaving it inside the truck all the time.

Jacob continued on the freeway and I knew where we were headed ... to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store.

It was a lot windier here. I was cold.

I got my caramel apple, sliced. Jacob got a chocolate chip cookie and Riley got a chocolate covered graham cracker.

We made a quick stop at Target to get a few more things for the kids treat bags and headed straight home. Jacob took Sydna to the high school and also had to stop to pick up pizza dough. I opened the card he gave me, I read it and it made me tear up. Very touching.

I prepared their treat bags ...

... put icing and sprinkles on all the cookies ...

... and made heart shaped pizzas.

Riley even wanted to spread the love to Libby but she didn't seem to feel the same way. Whenever she gets that look on her face I have to tell her to be nice and she ends up looking away and puts up with him a little longer. If I didn't say anything she would have smacked him on the head.

After dinner Jacob asked me what movie I would like to go see at the movie theater. I was like, what? Seriously? You know how long it's been since we've been to the movies just the two of us at night? Years. Try since 2006. I immediately felt nervous because I wasn't totally comfortable leaving Riley with his siblings at home but I know I can count on Sydna and I know Nathan would help if she needed extra help.

We sneaked out of the house and once on our way to the movies I texted Sydna to check up on them. Everything was fine.

We saw Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit upon my request. I was in the mood for an action movie. It was good and nervewracking. I want to buy it when it comes out. And what's up with Kevin Costner coming out in a lot of movies lately. It's good seeing him again. He had been out of the lime light for a long time.

The best part about our relationship is that we have a lot of things in common. Usually, what I like he likes. This day was a lot of fun for the two of us.

This Valentine's day definitely was nothing like I'd expected. I am so used to making things fun for my kids that having Jacob plan our entire day really took me by surprise. For Jacob's sake {and his wallet} I'm glad I'm easy to please. Aside from spending the entire day with him the other best part of my day was that I didn't have to give him ideas on what to do. He did an awesome job {all on his own} at making my Valentine's day a special one.