Last but not least...

I LOVE my hubby!!

I was going to post this on Valentine's Day, but with everything else going on that day and week, I just didn't get it done.

And I won't make this super long or sappy... he would hate that! {insert evil laugh here!}

I'm blessed that he is my best friend, the calm to my storm, (or the storm to my calm - depending on the situation!), the logic to my emotion. The one I can go to and talk things out. The one that keeps me grounded.

We will celebrate our 21st anniversary this year. That seems so weird! Time really does fly, and I'm glad that I've been flying with him.

Love you, hun!

Today I LOVE... catch up!

I seriously have fallen behind on expressing my love! Last week was a bit crazy with everything going on.

I'm not sure who to use to catch up. The obvious thought is a big group... but I have several big groups of people in my family. Maybe I'll just use them all, and call this month done! I'm ready for it to be March, anyway!

First of all... My Sisters-In-Law!
I've been blessed with some pretty amazing ones! Being the first daughter/sister-in-law in the family wasn't easy, but the 3 original Mayfield girls welcomed me right away. As each brother-in-law married, I found myself holding my breath a bit, hoping that they would make a wise choice... and they each did! It amazes me how we all get along so well. We each have talents and strengths that compliment each other. What a great pool of resources we are to each other. Although, to be honest, I think they are all much more talented and have way more to share and offer than I do. I count myself lucky that I have them in my life, and I love each one of them!

Brothers-In-Law
I have 9 brothers-in-law total. They are each as unique and different as they can be. They each, though, would do anything to help a family member, and I am grateful for the service they have offered my little family at different times.

Nieces and Nephews
I have 36 nieces and nephews, with one more on the way, and 11 great-nieces and nephews, with one more on the way. I've been an aunt since I was 4 years old, and I LOVE it!! I've been able to spoil them at different times, and totally get away with it, because I'm "Aunty Kim". It's been awesome to watch the older kiddos grow up, get married and have families of their own. I've enjoyed playing with nieces and nephews, and being a part of their life.

I'm blessed to be part of such a big family! I did not grow up around my grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins. I'm so thankful that my kiddos have been able to have such a network of family around them. We might be loud and rowdy when we are all together, but there is so much love there, too, that it makes the noise level worth it!

Week of love

It's been a busy week around our house! Not only have we celebrated Valentine's Day and my birthday, but there was a wedding to plan, prepare and attend!

Our eventful week started out last Sunday, when the baking element burned up in my oven... while we were cooking dinner. Thankfully dinner was pretty much done by the time it happened.

Monday evening I headed to Sharon's house to work on wedding stuff. When I got home, I found these waiting for me:

So sweet! My favorite flowers!!

Before my element burned up, I had planned on doing lasagna, salad, garlic bread and brownies for our Valentine's Day dinner. My day was a little hectic, and I didn't have time to run to South Huntsville to grab a new element, so I had to come up with another idea. I thought about doing heart shaped hamburgers, but then I came up with another brilliant idea... something that would be even better and less stressful to me...

Best idea ever!! Kyle was at football workouts, so he missed being with us, but we brought some home to him. After he got home and ate, Kayti wanted to dress up the table for dessert. She wanted to continue with at least one tradition, so I let her go for it. We made rice krispy treats and added in some Valentine M&M's. We lit the candles, and enjoyed our treat with Sprite and Rose Grenadine syrup. Yummy!

Friday was my birthday and wedding day! Our day started early - we were at The Lodge at Monte Sano State Park by 7:30. I took Megan and Josh with me to help. Kyle was gone on a camp out all weekend, and Kayti was busy getting some other things done. They were a great help to me! I was also very blessed to have my friend, Dana, come up and help out. She not only ran errands for me, but she also was a great sounding board... and she brought some awesome decorating elements, too. And to top it all off, she brought me some Gigi's cupcakes for my birthday! What a friend!

I was home for about an hour and a half on Friday afternoon. While I was home, the kids (hubby included in that statement) gave me my birthday presents:

Absolutely LOVE her voice! We listed to this on the way back to the wedding, on the way home, and while we were out running errands on Saturday. Great album!

And...

My very own Nerf Gun! This was Kyle's idea... and it was about time that I had one!

The wedding went off without a hitch! Sharon was such a beautiful bride, and so excited to "get the party started"! The place was packed with friends and family, and everything turned out so beautiful. I can't believe, though, that I didn't take any pictures. I even had my camera with me, but never pulled it out. Hopefully the photographer will have some up on the blog soon, and I can link up and share. BTW... the photographer was Amy Boston, and she is wonderful! So creative and sweet as she can be! I've known her for years, and would recommend her to anyone.

I didn't get home until very late on Friday night, and really wanted to sleep in on Saturday. My body was very willing, but my mind kept thinking of all the things that needed to get done, and wouldn't let me. While I was working on wedding stuff on Friday, Barry went and grabbed a heating element for me! This allowed my sweet daughter to bake me a birthday cake while I was out on Saturday. She used my favorite red velvet cake recipe. She made a double layer cake, and added a little something extra to the top. She also made up my favorite frosting recipe to decorate it with. This got a little messy, and we had to tease her about it just a little. She was feeling a little sensitive, though, and didn't appreciate our laughter at all... or my attempts to document the mess.

Powdered sugar EVERYWHERE... check out the floor, cabinet doors, clothes... even some on the stove top.

The tears!

The final product... notice the little heart on top!

And just in case you are wondering why it's green, I am really into green right now.

We took the kids to the stake dance on Saturday night, and Barry took me out on a date. We went to the movies and saw, "This Means War". It was a cute, funny chick flick - just what I needed!

I've had lots of people asking me if I had a good birthday, and I really did! Maybe it was because I spent the day helping a dear friend, and celebrating her special day, instead of thinking about myself. Maybe it was because I saw my daughter make something special for me. Maybe it was because my hubby was so willing to do what he could to help me out, even though he has been sick most of the week and really only wanted to stay in bed. I'm betting that it was all of those things wrapped up together.



Another Definition

You may remember my friend, Sharon, from this post. Today she is once again redefining her life as she says, " I Do!" to a wonderful man. I am so blessed to have been asked to help her with wedding plans and preparatons. I'm excited to see her so happy, and share this special day with her.

Congratulations, Sharon and Joe! Couldn't be happier for both of you.

Cupid is at it again...

After a rainy and dreary January, I had to get some fun, bright Valentine's decorations up. My garland from last year disappeared, so I had Kayti help me make some more. I still want to do something to hang from the mantel, but I don't think it's going to happen any time soon. I had fun making a few new things for this year, though.

We made this banner during Stamp Club this month, and I knew it would be perfect in the entryway

The full view of the mantel

Candy! And Kayti made the "artwork" in the frame

Candles, and fun fabrics

I saw this idea, or one similar to it, on pinterest, and had to make my own version. It is all stitched... the lines on the sewing machine, the lettering and heart by hand

Kayti made the fun heart chains

L-O-V-E blocks... made from a 2x6

More heart chains, hanging in the dining room

What fun decorations are in your house this year? What are your plans for Valentine's Day? We will have our traditional family Red Dinner. The kids have requested lasagna this year. Happy Heart Day!

Today I LOVE {10 & 11}

I have 2 wonderful older sisters, Carol and Kathy. They are 18 and 15 years older than me, so we really didn't "grow up" together, but they have always been a big part of my life. I'm so grateful for both of them and all the things they have taught me. They have always been there when I needed them, and I love them both so much!

Kathy lives in Idaho, and only makes it down to visit once a year, if we are lucky. She came last year and helped take care of me after my surgery, while also taking care of mom and dad. One Sunday morning when we were all getting ready for church, daddy couldn't find an empty bathroom. He was grumbling and I told him he should be counting his blessings... he would have NEVER been able to get into a bathroom at all if all 4 of us girls had grown up at the same time! Wow... what a wild ride that would have been! :)

Today I LOVE {9}...

My father-in-law! He is such a gentle, soft spoken man. I appreciate his thoughtfulness. I see a lot of him in my husband, and I'm grateful for that.

Today I LOVE {8}...

My mother-in-law! I'm blessed to have a good one.

When Barry and I got married, she told us that she would try really  hard to be a good mother-in-law and not butt into the middle of our marriage. She has been wonderful, and I'm so lucky to have her.

She is a wonderful Granny to my kiddo's too. Even as old as my kids are, they jump at the chance to go spend several days with her. She spoils them rotten, and they love it!!

Today I LOVE {6 & 7}...

Oops... I fell behind a day.

Today I LOVE my younger sister because she is so willing to serve others. She has lots on her plate, but she is willing to "add another helping" and take care of our parents, too. Love ya, sis!

Today I also LOVE my mom! I appreciate all the things she has ever done for me. Some days she may not know who I am, but I'm grateful for all the memories I have.

Today I LOVE {5}...

My daddy, and the twinkle in his eye when he is up to no good!

My daddy is mischievious, and loves to rough-house and poke and pick on people. Today in Sunday School we were talking about 1 Nephi 17, when Nephi is commanded to build a ship. His two older brothers are giving him lots of grief, and finally have to be chastened by the Lord. In verses 53 and 54 of that chapter, the Lord tells Nephi to stretch forth his hand and shock Laman and Lemuel, and I can't help but wonder if Heavenly Father didn't have a little twinkle in his eye at that moment, too.

Month of Love

I've stated here before that I try to make Valentine's Day a day of love for me whole family, not just my sweetheart. This year I had the idea to dedicate a different post each day of the month to stating things I love about each of my family members. I'm running a little behind, so I have some catching up to do...

These are some of my favorite people... and some of the things I love about them.

Kayti
I LOVE that she loves sappy chick flicks and will watch them with me!

Josh
I LOVE that he loves little kids. I think he is going to make a great daddy one day

Kyle
I LOVE that he gives such great hugs. He's such a bit teddy bear.

MeganI LOVE that she is so artistic and free-spirited with her art. And she has a great sense of fashion, too.