Valentines Day.

Valentines Day... I've never been a huge fan of Valentines Day. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade but I just hate the idea of men feeling obligated to buy gifts or flowers that are just going to be thrown away.

I hate going out to eat on Valentines Day. The restaurants are always packed full of people and the waitstaff are trying to hurry in and out as many customers as possible. I hate to feel rushed like that. I would much rather buy some really nice cut of meat so I can cook dinner at home and then have Clayton get a dessert from the Cheesecake Factory. I despise cheesecake BUT, The Cheesecake Factory holds my heart captive to the best chocolate dessert in the world- Linda's Fudge Cake. This is no ordinary chocolate cake! Its seven layers of chocolate cake and chocolate fudge frosting topped off with chocolate shavings. It usually takes Clayton and I two days to finish one slice. Now that Jett has inherited my sweet tooth, I'm sure Linda's Fudge Cake wouldn't last more than a day in my house.
Anyways...
Monday nights are my Bible Study nights. I leave at 6 and don't get home until around 8:30.  We don't eat dinner until after I get home. Clayton doesn't usually get home from work until 6 so Monday nights he usually walks in the door just as I'm leaving. Last night on his way home from work Clayton stopped at Sonic and grabbed me a diet coke and some tater tots.  He handed me the Sonic treasures and said he thought I would  be hungry on my way to my Bible study.  I was tickled pink!! Even though it was something so small as tots and a pop, to me it was so much more.  Its little things like that make me feel loved and appreciated ALL year long. Clayton is so good about surprising me with things all year long and doing such sweet things for me. I absolutely love finding love notes from Clayton all over the house ALL the time! I would much rather have sweetness and surprises all year long than get flowers and candy on Valentines Day. I know I'm very blessed to have a husband like Clayton. I'm constantly reminded how few husbands truly go out of their way to treat their spouse as the love of their life like mine does.

This morning I woke up to the best gift ever! It was a little blonde 1 1/2 year old! He was smiling and jabbering away when I went into his room to get him. Oh, did I mention he slept in until 9? That was a fabulous surprise! We made pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast and both Jett and Tucker were thrilled. Both of my little loves got pancakes for breakfast.

I truly and sincerely mean this: there is NO Valentines Day gift that will ever compare to being made to feel special and loved all year long by Clayton and Jett.

"The Sisters" and Homemade Frosting.

We used to live next to two older women who were widows and happened to be sisters. We referred to them as 'The Sisters.' Their names were Bea and Helen. Very sweet Christian women who loved my family and were lonely at times. I used to walk over there many times a week to visit them and I remember one day while I was there, Bea had just made chocolate cupcakes. She was in the middle of making a homemade peanut butter frosting. I'll never forget how both of them knew precisely how much frosting a cupcake should have. They both knew that you better not dare to skimp on the frosting- especially when its a peanut butter frosting.  Since that day many years ago I always think of them whenever I frost a cake, brownie or cupcake.  They have both past away now and I think about them frequently. I often wonder if they were to show up and try one of my cupcakes would they be happy with the amount of frosting or would they be disappointed.

Frosting will either make or break your cake.  Most people think 'Eh, its just frosting' but you couldn't be any farther from the truth.  You could make the most amazing cake but if you slather some pre-bought frosting on top you are committing a major mistake you will regret for the rest of your life. That may be a bit dramatic but seriously, once you make your own frosting and then try the pre-bought stuff, you will never ever want to go back to your old ways.  Making a homemade frosting is so crazy easy and I don't know why more people don't do it. It seriously takes less than 5 minutes to whip up an amazing frosting. All you need is a mixer, around 5 ingredients and you will be the proud owner of your very own frosting! The best part is licking the beaters once your done! Jett loves having a Mama that makes her own frosting because he gets to sit in his highchair with a big ol' beater full of frosting once I'm done!

Butter...

Some people get excited when they buy a blank canvas or a new camera. There is something about the thrill of creating your own masterpiece.  Me, I get excited when I have a pound of butter in my fridge. The excitement of deciding what yummy treat to create is incredibly fun for me.
Now, imagine my delight at having 3 lbs of butter in my fridge right now!! Braum's is having a sale where if you spend $15 in their fresh market, you get 1lb of butter free. Well, spending $15 is a piece of cake in there and hence, we have 3lbs of butter.  I've already made my Sunday Fudge Cake and an Apple Crisp.
I sincerely hope we are able to have a house full of kids because I truly look forward to making desserts and having them inhaled in less than 24 hours! Currently, when I do bake, the freshly baked treasure lingers for days because Clayton and I just can't finish it on our own. I'm sad to say I usually have to throw a lot of it out because it spoils before we can finish it.  I get so much more enjoyment watching someone else eat my desserts than I do eating it myself. That is, except for my Sunday Fudge Cake- that concoction of chocolate is absolutely AMAZING. Its hard to share that dessert- its my all time favorite chocolate dessert that I make.
Everyone wants to be known for something. Some people are known for their athletic ability, some for their photography skills, others for their humor. Me, I want to be known for loving Jesus and my ability to blow peoples taste buds with my baking.
Like most things, it takes practice. As long as I have butter, I will keep working towards my dream of becoming a fabulous baker.

Life @ 17 months

Jett is 17 months! There is so much to say about this age. Such a fun time with him.

I LOVE:
His happy feet dance.
When he says, "Mama"
Hearing him yell Bubba or Eddy across the house as he is looking for Teddy.
His giggle when Dada gets home from work.
When he tips his head all the way back and laughs.
Watching him run through the house chasing Tucker
Asking him for a kiss and he turns his cheek close to me so I can kiss him.
Watching him point out his belly button and then having to show him mine.
Being tackled by him. He literally body slammed me the other day and he was so proud of himself.
Having him play independently in his room with his tools and tractors.
His ability to feed himself with a fork or spoon at every meal.
How he gets real quiet and then knocks on the wall trying to get Tucker to bark.
When he 'woofs' at random dogs in the neighborhood.
His passion for giving the most precise and intense 'High Five's'.
His adoration for bubbles. 
How he talks all day long.

NOT LOVING:
His loud soprano scream when he doesn't get his way.
Reminding him daily that Tuckers food and treats are not meant for little boys.
Opening the dishwasher and helping himself to the knives
Watching him run from me while he yells NO, NO, NO as I ask him to do something.
The daily injuries that come with a child who is CONSTANTLY in motion and is SOOO curious.   (Not the best picture but this is the splint he got at the ER after spraining his hip)

Obviously there is so much more good than bad! All these naughty things are just signs that he is growing up and learning how to be more independent. Its bittersweet watching him change each month. I look back at pictures from just 2 months ago and he's already so different.
I'm so grateful to have such a healthy and happy child. I will gladly take all the frustrations just so we can have so many happy moments.