Why I haven't blogged...

My short list of why I haven't blogged in over a month:

1. I am lazy. I haven't felt like it and it seems like a big chore to download pictures these days. No I am not pregnant.

2. My computer quit! So, this isn't a really good excuse because my fabulous husband did all this crazy stuff and now it works better than ever before and he fixed it in less than a week.

3. During January I was in a "healthy living" contest that sucked away my life. Who knew it was so hard to drink 8 glasses of water a day and eat three servings of fruits and veggies? Actually, what really got me was the hour and a half of exercise required each day. I am happy to report that I did not miss a day of exercise, even though I really wanted to. I am unhappy to report that I gained two pounds, but happy to say that since resuming my normal diet of chocolate and ice cream I have lost them. I came in as the first loser in the contest after two people lost no points during the month and took home all the loot (congrats Phil and Matt).

4. Our home is for Sale. Because all I did in January was exercise, I didn't get started on all the cleaning projects I should have been doing. So, now I am busy trying to get them all done. The list goes on and on and on.... if you know anyone who wants to buy a house here let me know!

5. My life feels like it is on hold. I don't feel like writing anything, because I'm waiting to know where my life is going. Matt is busy applying and interviewing for jobs. We are hoping to know in another month or two. Meanwhile.... I am trying to be patient and wait for everything to work out - like I know it eventually will.

Valentine's Day

We had a good time celebrating Valentines Day as a family this year. On the first of the month we made heart mailboxes out of paper plates and decorated them. Then each day we would write one "love note" to someone and deliver it to their heart. Mariah really got into it and gave a lot of thoughtful love notes. One day she told me she does more around here than I do. For a punishment she had to make a list of twenty things that I do for her everyday. She made her list quickly and insisted that I let her put it in my heart. She not only made the list, but added she was sorry and that she did love me. I love having an almost seven year old. (By the way, next time she says that she has to think of 100 things - it's worked so far). Ruth learned to write I Heart U and we each got numerous notes with that written on it. Lindsay gave us the best pictures. We also had a lot of time to be creative with our Valentines. Mariah picked out a valentine to make and after buying all the stuff to make it, I decided it was going to take too much time and made her choose another one. She found this flower one in Family Fun and we got started. Ok, so it took a lot more time than I had thought, but it was worth every minute. Matt was gone for three days and we had snow days on two of them. Mariah cut out almost every heart by herself and it gave us something fun to do when we were stuck at home. Ruth made some cute dog valentines, but I didn't get any pictures.

Finally it was Valentines Day. It was kind of fun having it on a Sunday this year. We have church in the afternoon, so it was a great morning at home. I decorated the girls bedroom door with hearts Saturday night, so they woke to something different from normal. We then ate Crepes for Breakfast and opened and read all of our Love Notes from each other. For dinner we ate by candle light.

Ruthie's Fourth Birthday

Ruthie turned the big FOUR last month. She has been looking forward to this birthday all year long. (In fact, she already has started working on next years party, but changes themes daily.) We love having Ruth in our home. She has the best happy and sad and mad faces. She is a girl through and through and loves dressing up and playing with her animals. Ruth LOVES doing anything with Mariah. She has also become a great big sister to Lindsay and I often find them hiding somewhere in my house (usually not a good thing) and giggling. Matt and I talked about the fact that she has seemed four for so long that it didn't seem real that she was only four. However, there are other days that I knew she was only three in a three year old way.

To celebrate the day we started by opening presents. Thank you to everyone who sent gifts. She loves them all.

Then in was onto the "PINK" themed party. We made these fun Valentine necklaces with her friends. They took awhile and we had a few oops moments, but they took up so much time that I didn't have to stress about too many other party games. Plus, the got to take it home and eat it. What could be better than giving sugar to other people's children?

Lindsay giving it a try, but mostly just putting as many as she can in her mouth before we can stop her.

Emma showing off her work

Ally modeling her necklace and pink party hat.

I made two types of pink cupcakes for the party. Plus we had strawberries, pink M&M's, pink Lemonade and Pink Marshmallows.

Finally we opened presents. It was such a fun party and a great day. Ruthie has made so many good friends here and we are going to miss them all next year.