Loving One Another

 

February is normally a busy month for us and the week that holds the 12th and 14th kicks it off. This month we celebrated an 8th wedding anniversary and Valentines day.  Since Brad and I have our anniversary two days before Valentines day we normally only do one celebration and do not make a big fuss over the ‘love day.’ I normally just make it special for the boys from me and hopefully as they get older they can be a little extra thoughtful towards me on this day.  I remember getting flowers and chocolates sent to me at school or work from my dad growing up so I do find it sentimental. I want to teach the boys to be romantic men that are guys guys all at the same time.  Yes, I believe the two can exist together.

I have this verse on my fridge I have been really trying to focus on lately.  As Valentines Day approached and normally we can get annoyed with this holiday as a cheesy Hallmark ploy, I thought this verse made it a good reason to emphasize this love day.  There definitely is a Godly and spiritual way to love so why not embrace the holiday and throw some Jesus reasoning into it.

1 Peter 4:8-11 says, “Most of all, LOVE ONE ANOTHER as if your life depended on it.  Love makes up for practically anything.  Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless- cheerfully.  Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it; if words, let it be Gods words; If helps, let it be God’s hearty help.  That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the one mighty in everything – encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”

This verse has really opened me up a bit when at times it may seem easier to be all the other things that are definitely NOT  love.  Whether it be something big or small that anyone did or did not do to me or for me. Really all I want or anyone else wants is simple.  To be LOVED. To be CARED about.  When you don’t feel these things than you don’t feel good so I try to put myself in others shoes and make sure I am doing my part to make them feel these two things and that starts with my family.  This is why this verse adorns my fridge :) Love makes up for practically anything!  It is so true because when I choose to love people in spite of things I forget what those ‘in spites’ even are most of the time.  If we give love it can make up for things that other people are going through and if we receive love we can feel its power making up for our hurts we hold.  God is good and healing so I definitely loved this new reason to celebrate Valentines Day.  When we focus on agape love (God given love through us) rather than Hallmark love it is, well, lovely!

Onto our Anniversary….

15 years we have loved one another

2 months engaged

8 years married

And three blessings made!

I love you Brad Woodward!

Liz and her mom watched the boys for us so we could go out to dinner to celebrate.  We really are going to have to think of something big for 10 years.  I say that but we shall see!

They had lots of fun too…..

 

Two short days later was Valentines day and the boys celebrated with parties at school.

The boys valentines to girls as school.

Gavin’s for the boys.  I don't know why but it always bugs me when boys give boys lovey dovey saying cards to boys.  So, I distinguish between the two and this year both the boys have little crushes so I wanted to let them have “Be my Valentine” cards for the girls. 

Valentines treat from me. I wrote them each a love note on the heart and they got worms and a sticky spider.

Bradley looking at all the cards from his classmates.

Heartbreaker over here! This was a perfect Valentines shirt.  Thanks Aunt Wiz.

Testing his spider that crawls down the wall. Since then these are all practically not sticky or in the trash.  Boys are so destructive and rough.  All the more reason to teach them to be loving and romantic.

My wee Valentines.  I heart these three so much.

 

My funny Valentine.

 

The house was quiet for a second and Brad and I snuggled together.

Later that night since Brad and I had already been out and Mike was away, Liz and I had a girls date.  We saw Les Miserable's and it was breathtaking and beautiful.  We went to a neat little local theatre.  We had some wine and popcorn and just sat and watched.  Always a welcomed combination and throw your bestie in there with no kids and its even better.

That is about it.  Another great, fun and tiring week we had filled with LOVE!