A little life, a little love.

Our lives have been HECTIC lately. I mean, make sure you're wearing two socks that match at, oh, say 2:00 p.m., because that's when you finally got to it on your mental post-it, hectic. Or, better yet, eat the breakfast sausage that is burnt to small little charcoal fingers because a) you weren't paying attention when you cooked them as you juggled the scrambled eggs, keeping tiny little fingers out of the ketchup and unwrapping the tuft of your hair he has seemed to tie in a knot (didn't think you could actually tie hair in a knot? Guess again.), all while, say pouring juice and milk simultaneously, and b)you seem to have forgotten to eat today, and now at 7 p.m. are STARVING, so charcoal fingers, look, well, finger-lickin' good.

So when Valentine's Day started creeping up I tried desperately to push it back. To hold on to each day approaching V-day's last few minutes trying to make more time for myself. Drew, lovely husband that he is, made is SUPER EASY for me this year. I say that with sarcasm (insert it here.) As many of you know, I LOATHE easy gifts. I like to spend time picking them out, so when Drew announced that he wanted a battery for his motorcycle I was so excited that I nearly yawned. The problem was though, that this "let me hand you my present so you can hand it back to me" always makes me feel guilty, and then I feel like I have to find something to get him anyhow...

A week before V-day I was plagued with nay-sayer encounters. Now, I know that some people don't like Valentine's Day, but those love-less sticklers that insist its a "Hallmark Holiday" make me want to smush their little heads. I mean really? Is it that bad to share the love? Don't you think the sad state of affairs our country is in could use a little more love? No one said it had to be romantic. Going to work I heard some acquaintances tell me just how much they dislike having to "buy-in" to all the "crap". Who says you have to, though? Can't you make it about what you want,like, oh, say, the people you appreciate? Nay-sayers, pessimists, Negative Nancy's- you bug me. Fill your half-empty glass up! Enjoy life for 5 minutes or so. Geez.

Then there was Collin. The little bundle of love that I couldn't help but want to squeeze with hugs and kisses all day long. I couldn't skimp and not get something for him... I mean, HELLO, he is one of the two leading men in my life. So, as hectic goes, it was Saturday, and I had NADA. I decided to get Collin some books and Drew, well..., still nothing. Overcome with guilt I threw in the towel. There just wasn't any TIME! Where on earth does it all go?!?
I made a list of errands to run and was nearly out the door when Drew announced he and Collin wanted to go to (okay, I asked politely, assuming they'd say NO. But, of course they said YES, which foiled all my plans!). Away we went to do "errands" (read: undercover Valentine's day shopping). When we go to the bookstore we reasoned that Collin's memory won't ever bring him back to 8 months, and so we took him right over to the book section and picked out what we wanted with him in Drew's lap. Turned out to be 'real special'. ha ha. But, he did get two fantastic books: Shell Silverstien's Where the Sidewalk Ends- at Drew's request (he loves these poems) and Snuggle Puppy for the Sandra Boynton fans. Okay, for me. I am the Sandra Boynton fan.
As a little bird walk, we also have the Snuggle Puppy song, on the Boynton CD Philadelphia Chickens. Its ADORABLE and Collin loves it. You can click HERE to hear the song.
Anyway, back to Valentine's Day. So Collin got his books and he loves books, as you can see when he reads them:

But he also got some surprise love from afar. Grandma and Papa Wackerle sent him a box filled with lots of love, including this puppy that barks, some cute clothes and a beach towel for our upcoming trip to Susie and Chris's in Vegas.

On our shopping adventure Drew made me aware of the fact that he hadn't bought me a card yet. I thoughts YIPEE! I'm not a total LOSER. So, I told him he'd have to make me a card. P.S.- I LURVE homemade cards. They are so freakin' adorable. All the while I was thinking: I still have nothing for you, and you're still in the car, so I can't exactly go shopping for you. Boo to that. So home we went.
Valentine's day came. Sunday morning was filled with Sunshine and I woke up to Drew, holding a cute cute CUTE baby saying "happy valentine's day", and you know what? That was totally enough. I was happy. When your hottie husband comes to your side of the bed holding your baby, both smiling like you're the best thing since sliced bread- you can't help but feel incredibly content. And I was.
Then came the cards. And boy were they cute:

Drew and Collin also gave me some Klean Kanteens because I, being the genius of our family, managed to explode my Sigg water bottle, so I needed something new. I love the Kanteens. They are perfect. At this point I told Drew he had to wait for his card and "gift" until dinner because it was LAME-O. So, he patiently waited. Thats right, I did get him a card- I'm not that LAME-O. We spent the day being a family, hanging out, reading books, snuggling, and it felt really good to be happy, content, and satisfied in life.

Once Collin went to bed we ordered in from a local place- we had agreed to this weeks before so that would wouldn't need a sitter and we could be comfy-cozy at home. I had a fantastic steak and Drew has a steak salad meal that was also de-licious. (With lots of DE). I gave him a cute card nestled between sugar- Dots candies and Sour Patch Kids, because nothing can woo my husband like sugar. Then we watched one of the funniest movies I've seen in awhile. It wasn't even listed on Netflix as a comedy, but we loved it! Have you seen it? Its called Away We Go. Maybe it was so funny because we know people just like the ones in the movie. But the absolute most funny part was this cute little skit:
I pretty much fall on the floor laughing every time we watch it. Its HIlarious. So, we thoroughly enjoyed the movie, we enjoyed each other and spent time being happy. Pretty darn happy actually. As it turns out a little bit of love goes a long way, and this year on Valentine's Day we didn't need anything but each other to feel our hearts collectively smile.
So happy Valentine's Day.
Spread the Love.
Fill your cup until it runeth over!