Love Lovin'

Love is in the air!

We do love loving around here, and I've been sprucing up the place with touches that remind us.  

In the kitchen, a simple mason jar, wrapped with paper heart doilies, tied with a piece of raffia.

It serves as a  perfect place for a chocolate pretzel treat.

The red lantern was found in the holiday clearance section at L*wes for $3. Red is my favorite... so I know I'll be using the lanterns (I got 2) year around. The red tray I've had for years... also found in the holiday clearance section. This time after Valentines, at Wal-m*rt.

The table they rest on is actually a "plant stand", but I love it as a side table. It's the perfect size to have in the corner of the room with a small seasonal decoration. The rest of the table is used to hold paper products and munchies when we have a house full of guests. And, when it's not in use, it folds up for easy storage!

The other area I've added some touches is our mantel. For this, I used an old window from my parent's house. They had their windows replaced a couple years ago, and I grabbed a couple from them. They've been in the garage ever since. Well, I finally pulled one out to use. I love how it looks on the mantel! It was already painted white, so I just had to dust it off and put it up there.

It added the perfect light touch against the dark brick.

I had the other items, either in my holiday storage or other areas of my home...Except for the other red lantern, as mentioned above.

this is an ornament that was made by a dear lady from the church my husband

and I were married (my childhood church). She made it from a napkin from our wedding.

My Willow Tree figurines. I have only 3, but they depict my family perfectly...

I've also been scanning Pinterest for ideas to celebrate with my family. No girls here, except for myself and our dog. So, the cutesy, red and pink craft ideas aren't tremendously popular. However, food is extremely popular! Growing boys need sustenance! Here are my plans for Valentine's Day this year:

Breakfast: heart shaped cinnamon rolls

                                          Source: mudpiestudio.blogspot.com via Allyson on Pinterest

Dinner: pizza with heart shaped pepperoni

                                      Source: onecharmingparty.com via Allyson on Pinterest

And, Valentine's Day wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a valentine card. I plan on making one of these for each of my boys. The only change I'll make in the wording is replacing "you're the" with "Yoda"... :-)
Goofy and a little corny, but I know they'll love them!



                                          Source: imgfave.com via Allyson on Pinterest

I hope you're planning on joining me in spreading a little extra love this month. It doesn't take expensive or complicated to make it special, certainly none of the above ideas are.

Let's not forget to remember the only reason we know and understand love...

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent

His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

1 John 4:10

"We love because He first loved us."

1 John 4:19

God loves us extravagantly! We can also love, as He has loved us.
Have a wonderful, loving day, friends!

Joining these parties today:
Far Above Rubies
A Stroll Thru Life

Dimples

He's tenderness and rough, pressed together 'til pure sweetness oozes. Those dimples melt me every time. And now with those two front teeth missing... well, I'm a puddle of joyful mess.

My baby boy, who still finds my lap daily. Holds my thumb, contented... a habit since birth, seven years ago.

Endless energy in motion. Endless creativity spilling forth.
An urgency to run and create so powerful that you must, or you'll burst.

But when did maturity begin to show in his eyes?
How is it possible that my infant boy now dreams big dreams of serving our great God?
He was just in my arms, so small...

You tip toe down the steps and ask, "Can I cuddle with you until Daddy gets home from his meeting?"

And, how can I say no?

For a persistent reminder weighs on my heart... these years to come will certainly be a blur of motion, just like the seven beautiful past.

Blue Eyes

I call him my "Blue Eyes", all nine years of him. Curled in my lap this birthday morning, his legs so far past where they were this same morning, nine years ago. His cheeks, not quite as soft, but still so kissable. I press my face into his, breathing in the scent of his hair, and remember...

I remember the birth, frightening as it was. The awakening to God's gift of life, and the call to live it fully. Not only the gift of my Blue Eyes, but also a spiritual journey, brought to rest at the throne of my Saviour.

My Blue Eyes... he teaches me daily. How to appreciate the small, possibly unnoticed by most... those are his specialty. How to make music speak and words sing... mostly, by just listening...

Nine years have passed, and he's a wonderful boy. Ask him what he wants special for his birthday, and his enthusiastic response is "french toast".

So, french toast for breakfast it was, with a side of serenade and birthday hugs from brothers.

Mirror, Mirror

My boys and I are riding in our van, my oldest in the front passenger seat as I drive.

In conversation, he uncharacteristically responds with disrespect in his tone. His words are clouded with sarcasm, and I'm not pleased ... to say the least.

Rage staggers me, from toe to mouth, it rises and comes out in harsh words,
 anger unleashed.

Shaken, I pull over, if only to compose myself.

Quiet overcomes the space, and the Holy Spirit speaks, still,

but surely and straight to my heart.

"You're not helping this situation. Walk humbly.

Treat him with the love and respect I show you."

My only obedient response is plainly in front of me. So, I turn to my son, explain that while his tone and response to me was wrong... I was handling it wrongly myself.

I apologize and, with tear-filled eyes, ask him for his forgiveness.

Nearing composure, renewed in purpose, and abundantly thankful for Christ living in me, I leave the shoulder, pulling back into the traffic.

Not even 2 minutes later, my son takes my hand.

"Mommy.."

This time I turn to see his eyes full of tears. Broken, he says,

"Mommy, I'm sorry. I was wrong for talking to you like I did. Will you forgive me?"

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, mirror, of my heart

May God's reflection be

For it's not only I

Who pays the price

For sin's dark grip on me

　

May my life be Yours

God, shine freely through

That I may turn and see

Look in the mirror, at my boys

And there, Your reflection be

Lovingly

-Allyson

Joining in with Courtney and other Mommy's, at Women Living Well

Today...

A Daybook: Week 1

Today... 
I'm at ease, prepared for our home school review, and preparing for company this evening.

Outside my window...
The sun is shining, hopeful warmth. Perhaps the air isn't as numbing today?

I am thinking...
I am so thankful for the privilege of having my boys home. Our house is amazingly peaceful.

I am thankful...
..see above...
For this day God's given me to bring Him honor. I know He doesn't need me to have honor, but I don't take the privilege of being His child lightly.

In the kitchen...
The crock pot is going, smells of vegetable stew beginning to permeate the house.

I am wearing...
Comfy sweats. This sweatshirt, one of my favorites since college. And my fuzzy, purple house slippers. It's good to be home.

I am creating...
Memories, every day...
Beyond that, I'm trying my hand at a new punch needle project; as well as pondering trying a knock-off Proj*ct Life. We'll see what I come up with.

I am going...
To enjoy being with my family and a few wonderful ladies today. Each of them are such encourager's. Excited to see them and spend time with them.

I am wondering...
What this stew's going to taste like... risky attempt at a new recipe with company for dinner...

I am reading...
My Bible, currently focusing on Psalm, Isaiah and Daniel. Also re-reading Elisabeth Elliot's Passion and Purity.

I am hoping...
that the stew tastes good... at least edible! hehe

I am looking forward to...
A lovely afternoon and evening.

I am learning...
That God's voice is louder and more constant than I'd previously paid attention to. Through His power, I can hear Him more fully. Although it's a constant battle to tune out the noises of this world, to slow and take the moments to open His Word throughout the day, it is SO worth it. He is always speaking and desires communication.

Around the house...
The piano is being played, practiced on by the 2nd boy today. I love that I don't have to remind them!

I am pondering...
How much joy God's allowed us on this journey of life. We don't deserve it.

A favorite quote for today...
From one of my sweet piano students, just last night... "Fun makes quick!"

One of my favorite things...
Hearing my children laugh together...  the sincerest, deep, full-belly laughs that cause me to laugh full with them.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Weekend is near. I look forward to a restful Saturday and sweet worship with my church family on Sunday.

A peek into my day...

Sunshine streaming into my kitchen. 

And, because I couldn't resist... here is the view from my kitchen window last evening.

God said goodnight so beautifully.

If you'd like to join in the reflections of a simple day in your life, head over to The Simple Woman's Daybook to link up.

One Little Word

Choose one word to summarize what this year may hold. That's what the challenge is.

How can I choose only one? How can one word possibly comprise what God is calling me to?
I ponder, I pray. Lord, what would You have for me?

Lord, I'm here, I'm Yours and I'm listening.

Stillness and silence lingers thick.... or am I not fully tuning in?

Lord, I'm here, I'm Yours and I'm listening.

Silence so thick, my heart beats loudly in my ears.

Desperately trying to quiet the clanging voices of this world, I strain to hear His voice ... My daughter, that's just it. Listen, that is. Listen so intentally that you don't miss my warning. Listen so carefully that you don't miss My call. Listen so purposefully that you consistently abide in Me, and I in you, allowing every moment of your waking day to be a direct reflection of who I am. Don't miss an opportunity to praise Me, to talk about Me with your children. I'm here, living in you, speaking to you always. Open My word, listen and walk obediently.

I lie my head down with confident knowledge of His heeding, gently soothed to sleep by His presence.

Awake the following morning, I hasten for warmth. Fireside, with my Bible, I turn to the book of Psalm. My pages open to Psalm 78. A soothing balm to my heart, it reads, "LISTEN, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done."

Father, You are so good, so true, so lovely.

I'm here, I'm Yours, and I'm listening.