Five Loves on Friday

Happy Friday, friends!  I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Valentine's week!  I'm looking forward to sharing a handful of loves from mine.  Let's get right to it!

{Today's Loves are listed chronologically.}



One  //  Celebrating Family

My Aunt Ednah hosted a party in honor of my mom and another aunt who also turned 60 recently. We enjoyed a sweet evening in together over a buffet of comfort food she’d prepared, followed by the highlight of any party for me, chocolate cake!  I don’t see this side of my family all that often so it was nice to catch up and share a few laughs!

Two  //  I’m grateful that my dad is safe after his vehicle caught on fire. 

To make a long story short, which as many of you know, is not one of my strengths ;) ... 

As my dad was driving home from work this week his vehicle was running really hot, and began smoking.  He pulled over, put the hood up, & found that it was on fire!  While waiting on the fire department's arrival he used snow to slow it from spreading.  A roadside assistance truck just happened to be traveling down the interstate in the opposite direction, saw the smoke, and came to my dad’s aid.  He was able to use the equipment on his truck to extinguish the fire quickly.  I am so grateful he received almost immediate assistance and that it didn’t become a much more serious situation!  This daddy’s girl is praising God that my dad walked away (or rode away in our car while his vehicle was being towed, rather) safely! 

Three  //  Olympic Fun

We have really enjoyed watching the Olympics this week!  The highlight for me was seeing Shaun White cry in his mama's arms after his gold medal earning final run!

If you follow along on Instagram, you heard what sport I'm currently training for...

 

...a girl can dream, right? ;)

Four  //  Valentine's Day 2018

Valentine's Day got off to a sweet start with my favorite breakfast, chocolate iced donuts!

I still play with my food ... Hidden Mickey!

The girls and I were invited to my mom's daycare Valentine's Day party.  We enjoyed pizza and goodies, crafts, and plenty of cuteness while swapping valentines with the little ones there!

We returned home for an afternoon of Hallmark movies and sweet treats!

A Dash of Love

Valentine Ever After

Jason + Brenda + Chocolate = Happiness!

It's hard to believe this was the 20th Valentine's Day Jason and I celebrated together!  He is still fighting illness, so we enjoyed a cozy night in comfy clothes, savoring our favorite Thai takeout by the glow of the television.  I've come to realize even less than ideal holidays are an absolute gift!  I'm so thankful to have had 20 happy heart days with my Forever Valentine, in sickness and in health!  

Not the best pic, but trust me, it was scrumptious! 

I surprised him with something reminiscent of gifts I often gave him in our early days of dating and marriage.  It didn't cost a dime, but this "book of love" came straight from the heart.  Here's a peek at the cover page:

Inside the "book" I gushed over my man and talked about things we do each day to show each other love.  While perhaps sometimes overlooked, these are the traditions that are ours alone and make us "us".  I loved creating every last page, and thoroughly enjoyed the smiles that spread wide across my Love's face as he read it!

Five  //  The Steadfast Love of God

There is a lot going on, both in the world and perhaps in our own personal lives too, that can stir up feelings of hopelessness and despair.  If you are dealing with devastation, whether on a small scale or a completely overwhelming one, I urge you to look to the One whose likeness you were created in.  The Bible says you were knit together in your mother’s womb, and God knows how many hairs are upon your head.  He is the giver of life, and the only One who can grant you complete peace in the the midst of ever changing circumstances we face in life.  He is faithful, unchangeable, and bids all who are heavy laden to come to Him and He will give you rest.  To learn more visit: NeedGod.com.  I, for one, am grateful that in the midst of uncertain health situations, unexpected emergencies (like my dad’s vehicle catching fire in what was expected to be a typical drive home), and with all the chaos seen any given night on the news, that one thing remains steadfast, the eternal hope I have in Christ alone.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit my lit'l nook of the web!  I'd love to hear from you while you're here!  

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Join me in the adventures to come!

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