Let Me Count The Ways

Finn and I had been counting down to Valentines Day since the middle of January this year. Right after my Birthday (January 9th) I start looking forward to February 14th. As long as I could remember, I have loved the day of L.O.V. E. I remember being so excited in grade school to pass out my Valentines, reading into every one that a boy I had a crush on gave me. My mother always had something special for my brother and I. We would come down in the morning before school and find a wrapped package waiting for us near our breakfast plates. I, to this day, inhale at least one bag of conversation hearts and I read each and every saying. I shared a few with Finn this year and they now say things like "Text Me" and "LOL". Oh how times have changed.

I honestly have been making Valentines with Finn since he was one. I know he had no clue what I was doing for him, but I still couldn't wait to go out and buy a box of Valentines and fill them out for him. The Dollar Tree a few years ago had Harry Potter Valentines and I bought three boxes. I'm obsessed with anything Harry Potter. I didn't even open them they were so precious.

When Finn was almost two, I hosted a small Valentines Day party for some of my mommy friends and their kiddos. The girls came over and we ate sandwiches and crafted Valentines for the children's daddy's and their friends. I love any excuse to decorate and throw a party. I adore buying decorations, making snacks, taking pictures. Sadly, my little guy came down with a fever no more than minutes after everyone arrived, so poor little Finny went upstairs and napped through the entire party. Everyone had a great time though and each child went home with a personalized Valentines Day basket from yours truly. Have I mentioned I obsessed with do it yourself goodie bags? I love them.

Right before Finn turned three, I organized a little Holiday get together at New Seasons Progress Ridge. The dining section has a huge seating area and it was perfect for getting a latte and a Valentines Day cookie. The mommy's brought their kids, and I brought my newest little addition Leo for his first Valentines Day Party.  All the girls brought bags of treats to pass out and the children colored and worked on making cards. How could you not enjoy being surrounded by so much love? The kids did a great job and Finn had a blast. 



I have so many reasons to love LOVE on this day. The children in my life, mom and dad and Dallas never being more than a hop and a skip away, a husband I adore. Erhan is truly one of a kind. This man has never forgotten a Valentines Day. Not one. Every year he walks in the door with flowers or he surprises me with a wrapped package of either my favorite perfume, my favorite candy or a piece of jewelry. One year he even gave me my favorite men (On DVD of course), Billy Zane and Johnny Depp. I got "Dead Calm" and "Cry Baby" on Blu-ray. Does this man know me or what?
This year, now that Finn is a little older he is really starting to enjoy the excitement of Holidays. I think he asked me for three weeks straight when he woke up if it was Valentines Day yet. We had lightly decorated the house with red heart garland and had purchased a card box to decorate on one of our many trips to Target. We also picked out some fun treats to fill our goodie bags with and some candy. Finn worked very hard on making his Valentines special. He hand placed all of the stickers on his box and very meticulously put together each and every bag for his friends. Working on this project together was precious. I loved how he announced who every bag was for and made sure he picked out that important treat for that person. 

I am so proud of the big heart on this boy. He is always so willing to help, to be a "really useful engine" as Thomas the Train would say. He is bursting with so much love and kindness. The way he takes care of his little brother makes my insides explode with adoration. When Leo is sad he kisses his head or tries to make him laugh. He is starting to get better about sharing his toys and his personal items. Every morning when Finn wakes up, he greets Leo by turning on the light for him and then fills his brother's crib with stuffed animals. Leo absolutely adores Finn. It makes Erhan and feel like we are doing something right because Lord knows nobody gave us a handbook on raising two boys. Our days are filled with surprises, not one day is the same. The children are my constant joy, my full time job. It's a tremendous commitment raising these two souls. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Erhan and I decided to go out to dinner the night before Valentines Day this year to avoid the crowds, who unfortunately don't make it very romantic. We went to our new favorite dinning spot, The Oswego Grill and enjoyed a very (very) quiet dinner just the two of us. We sat side by side in a booth, shared uninterrupted conversation.....it was heaven. We picked up a couple of treats for the boys on the way home and I sat up in bed and finished the coupon book I was making for Finny.

The coupon book idea was given to me by my mom. She used to make them for me when I was little (the Tooth Fairy usually brought them) and they were filled with coupons for some of my favorite things. One cookie at the bakery, or a Jem Doll of my choice, a scoop of ice cream at the pharmacy. These were my favorite kinds of gifts. I still have them to this day and was inspired to make the same memories with Finn. Oh what fun this was! Finn woke up and when he got his book in his hands he was so grateful. "OH THANK YOU MOMMY! That was so KIND of you!" were his exact words. This kid.....I swear. Leo got a little toy remote because we can't keep him out of our TV basket in the living room. He is the biggest button pusher. He takes every remote out of the basket and pushes every single button, laughing in delight every time he changes the channel. It drives us crazy when we are playing a video game or watching a movie, so we thought it was high time Leo got his own device, especially one that didn't control the TV!


We arrived at Partridge House early on Valentines Day morning to hand out all of our goodies and hang out with our friends. Finn was very excited. All of the kids handed out there Valentines after making their own bags to bring them home in. Finn brought his cool new box. After snacking on cookies I took my little scootches out for Pancakes and then to "Piccolo Mondo Toys" so Finn could use his very first coupon picking out a train. He was beaming.

I pray every day to have many days like these ahead of me. I secretly wish my children to never grow up, to stay small and by my side forever and always. To be there every morning when I wake up full of smiles just for me. It's bitter sweet for me to realize that every Holiday that passes, each one of them is getting older (and so am I). I strive to make each and every day important, to make it count in some small way. I find myself at the end of the day, when I lay my head down next to my husband, hoping that my children will always remember these moments with me. That they will do the same special things for their children when they grow up. That their kind little hearts will always be this full of love for their family as mine is.  I don't think that's too much to hope for.