Valentine's Day 2011

Leah and her Lovebug

Hannah at her Valentine's Day party this afternoon

Sisters playing with a Valentine gift from Daddy

Valentine's Day is a fairly low key event in our house. It's not that we have anything against the holiday, but we don't like to spend lots of money on things that we don't really need in an attempt to say "I love you." Don't get me wrong, I would never begrudge a bouquet of roses or some delicious chocolate. Instead we do things like make homemade Valentine's Day cards, have a meal together, give a small gift to the kids, and make a point to tell each other why we love each other.

Mike and I did have some special Valentine's Day celebrations in the past, however. I remember one year when we were dating, we dressed up in our fancy duds and went to see the Oklahoma City Ballet's performance of Dracula. Another time, in our dating years, Mike took me to a very swank restaurant at the top of a tall building with 360 views of the city. The restaurant slowly spun in a circle as we ate. It was quite romantic. My favorite Valentine's Day, though, was in 2000. It was our first Valentine's Day as a married couple and we waited until the day of to try to make a reservation at a few nice restaurants in the area. Of course, everything was booked, so Mike went to pick up a pizza instead. While he was gone, I spread out a tablecloth on the floor of our small apartment, got our our nice china (that we received as wedding gifts, but had yet to actually use) and lit several candles in the room for ambiance. I remember we sat eating our pizza just as happy and content as if we were in some expensive restaurant.

What are some of your favorite Valentine's Day memories?

Sleepy Sunday Boy

Sundays are for falling asleep in Daddy's lap.

Hope you had a restful day today too!

My Favorite Time at School

I look back on my elementary school days with a lot of fondness. Junior high years? Now, that's a different story. But elementary school is just so innocent and fun and sweet in my mind's eye. From kindergarten through fourth grade, I attended Woodland Elementary School in Graham, Texas. The summer after fourth grade, I moved to Oklahoma City and attended fifth and sixth grade at James L. Dennis Elementary School. But whether I lived in Texas or Oklahoma, my favorite time of the day in any grade was when my teacher would read out loud to the class. I'd go to lunch, play outside during recess, then come in to find my teacher sitting on a stool at the front of the classroom, book in hand and ready to read.

I remember when my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Brown, read Beauty by Bill Wallace. She cried at the end when Beauty, a young boy's beloved horse, has to be put down. I remember it was the first time I had ever seen a teacher cry. It really touched me because I felt like crying too and it was good not to be alone.

And then there was the time my third grade teacher, Mrs. Mersiovsky, read the book Skinnybones by Barbara Park. What a funny book! During one particularly humorous chapter, she started laughing so hard she couldn't finish the sentence she was reading. In fact, I remember she cackled so loud that she covered her mouth and then dabbed at her eyes. I still think back to that moment. I remember laughing right along with her and several other students in my classroom. It was like we had shared in our own little joke.

Then I became a teacher. I couldn't wait to read with my students! When I was student teaching my fourth grade class, we read Sarah, Plain and Tall together. I still remember how quiet it was in the room as I read how Sarah came all the way from Maine to hopefully be Anna and Caleb's new mother. And then when I had my own classroom, I had so much fun choosing which books I would read to my kids. I remember reading Holes, Small Steps, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Tuck Everlasting, Walk Two Moons, Where the Red Fern Grows, A Long Way From Chicago, and Freak the Mighty (just to name a few). After reading a chapter or two, I would close the book and instantly someone would ask, "Just one more chapter? Pleeeaaasssee?" Then more students would chime in with, "Please, Mrs. Galloway? Just one more?" Usually, I would give in, reading one more chapter. What good memories I have during those times!

And you know what else? Like my sweet sixth grade teacher, I also read Beauty every year. And every year, I cried too.

Reality

Just thought I'd share a piece of my reality today. There are days when my kitchen is one big mess of dirty dishes. And that laundry basket over on the table? Yeah, that would be one of SIX loads that needs to be folded and put away. Then there are the three loads that need to still be washed, and the girls' room that got completely destroyed during a major all day play session.

BUT, we had yummy, homemade food all day with lots of leftovers. We have plenty of warm, clean clothes to wear (even if we have to dig through a basket to find them...ahem). And the girls spent the day engrossed in creative play instead of sitting in front of the television. So, there really is a silver lining to all the "mess" that comes with our day.

Time to go tackle that kitchen now.....

In Sickness and In Health

Earlier this month my parents celebrated 41 years of marriage. You know that line in the wedding vows where you promise to love each other "in sickness and in health"? Well, I am seeing that vow lived out in their lives right now. My mom came home from the hospital on January 24th. She was home for a week, then went back into the hospital for eight days, and is now home again. She has had open heart surgery, pneumonia, two bacterial infections, a collapsed lung, and a stricture in her esophagus which prevents her from eating or drinking anything. She needs physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy. She needs her wound vacuum dressings changed every other day. She needs help with her peg tube feeding and even help getting herself to the restroom. She is tired and she is weak. But in all of this "sickness" I have seen my dad's steadfast love for my mom shine through. He logged countless hours at the hospital when she was admitted back in November. Even when there wasn't much for him to do or when she was just sleeping all day, he wanted to be there. Now that she is home, my dad is playing the role of full time nurse. He is putting his job on hold so he can care for her 24 hours a day. My mom's sister helps out quite a bit too, relieving my dad so he can run a few errands. And of course, I try to stop by when I can. Lately, though, illness and bad weather have prevented me from seeing her. But I know my dad is right there to cover her with a blanket, change out her iv medication, or just keep her company. He is her rock, and she has told me many times that she is so grateful for the wonderful care he provides for her. It's the same kind of loving protection that he gave me, and continues to give me.

I am so blessed.

PS-- The above photo of my parents was taken in 1970 soon after they got married. Actually, it is a painting of a photo that they had taken. My mom says the artist took some liberties with the brightness of Dad's purple shirt and tie. Cause I don't think in my entire life I've ever seen my dad wear a purple shirt/tie combo. :)

Another Snow Day

Bundled and ready to play

Daddy and the three amigos

Lucas wasn't too sure of the snow.

Nothing like a warm bath after playing in the cold snow

And some hot chocolate to warm your insides too!

Yum!

Just another snow day at our house! I hope you are warm and cozy wherever you are!

Snow Ice Cream

We just went through a record-breaking blizzard here OKC, and tonight we are preparing for "Blizzard: The Sequel". Yes, another foot of snow is set to fall during the early morning hours. The girls' school is already closed in preparation. So I thought I'd show one fun thing we did during the last blizzard. The girls and I weren't feeling well at all, so we didn't actually get out and play in the snow or build a snowman (much to their dismay). But we did manage to make some snow ice cream.

First, gather 8 cups of fresh snow.

It's chilly!

Next, add a cup of milk.

Then a cup of sugar.

Finally add some vanilla to make it taste extra sweet. (This recipe called for two 2 tablespoons, but I thought that was way too much.)

When it was all said and done, it looked a little like oatmeal.
But it sure tasted sweet!