February Surprise

Before I start this blog entry, I just wanted to announce that we FINALLY got a new computer. The monitor is soooo awesome and nothing like our last one. Our new one is THIN and WIDE. Our other was THICK and MONSTROUS. It took up the whole desk (well, the back of it did). Ignore the dust.....(This picture was taken in one of our kids' bedrooms, because it was there while we did our basement).

Side View

Front View

And here is a picture of our NEW one....sleek and clean! (And downstairs on our much nicer computer desk)...


Pretty cool, eh?

Now onto the real reason for this blog today. A couple of years ago, I did something called "The 14 days of Valentines" for Todd. It's when you do something nice on each day for your spouse the first 14 days in February. I got the idea from an old friend of mine, who faithfully does it every year for her husband.

It was fun the year I did it.....I left balloons in his truck one day, little love notes on the bathroom mirror, "10 things I love about you," and other similar things. The problem for me was that I had to be nice for 14 WHOLE DAYS.....IN A ROW! (That's a stretch for me). (mostly kidding).....

Anyways, the next year, I told Todd it was his turn to do it for me. (Which by the way is not how it's SUPPOSED to work.....I'm supposed to do it EVERY year....willingly even, but alas, I've only done it once.

It's been a couple of years for Todd's turn now (yes, I've been holding out) and on February 1st, Todd gave me a jar (which looked oddly familiar---I had given it to him a few years back) with a bunch of little notes inside.

I exclaimed, "You're doing the 14 days of Valentines for me?" Todd said, "Not exactly." (sigh). "But, it is similar." He went on to explain that I get to pick out one little paper each day for THE ENTIRE MONTH of February. (That's longer than 14 days, isn't it?)

Well, we're almost half-way through. And I've got to say it's been so fun! Although this is the easier route of the two, right? I mean, he only had to come up with (well, okay 28 things), but only at one time.....which means he only had to be in a giving/loving mood once and then he just got to reep the rewards. Hee, hee....I'm only kidding, honey.

Here are a few of the notes inside:

1. "You try to follow spiritual promptings and you encourage me to do the same." I asked him when have I ever done that? He got a funny look on his face and said something like, "You DO do that, don't you?" Kind-of funny.

2. "You help the kids with their math homework. What a relief!" Very true!

3. "Even though you dated all of my friends, I can say that I'm the one who finally got the girl!" True also!

4. "Our home is a place of peace, comfort, and beauty. I owe all of that to you." This one I questioned. I'm not the easiest person to live with and I wouldn't say I'm full of "peace" all the time. He responded, "No, I meant that our house is nice and you've decorated it well, so it's peaceful and comfortable and beautiful." That definitely made more sense. I knew it wasn't because I radiated "peace." :)

5. "You are the Queen of Bargain Shoppping! The deals you bring home are nothing short of amazing! Sometimes the stores pay us!" And I didn't even think he was paying attention. Usually his eyes gloss over when I tell him about the "great deal I just got!" BUT, this one is VERY TRUE and it's nice to have him notice!

6. "I know that I can always lean on you. You support me even when it is not easy." I would say that's true 90% of the time. I have my moments where it gets hard to have him gone so much, but I do know that he's exacty where he should be and I really do try and support him as much as I can.

7. "My life is like a Charlie Brown comic. I've always been in love with the little red-haired girl." Aaahhh, that is soooo sweet. Melt my little heart.

8. And my personal favorite so far? "You say the darndest things! It's a sheer adventure waiting to see what will come out of your mouth next!" DEFINITELY TRUE! I'm missing the filter between my brain and my mouth and it gets me into trouble more than I'd like to admit. But it definitely keeps life interesting, that's for sure!

Aren't those so fun? Thank you, Todd, for giving me this little gift. It really means a lot. Everyday (except that one when I kept fogetting to open one), I look forward to hearing what you have to say. You are a sweetheart and I love you!

But does this mean you're off the hook for the "14 Days of Valentines?" Is the ball in MY court now? AND do I get a couple of years to come back? hhmmmmm......