Here is just the sweetest and easiest idea to help build some anticipation in your Happy Homes for Valentine’s Day!
Simply cut out 14 hearts from construction paper in various sizes.
Then number the hearts from 1-14.
Starting on February 1st, hang the heart #14 somewhere in your home where everyone can enjoy its magical beauty!
I like to put ours on the kitchen cabinets!
Each day leading up to Valentine’s Day hang the next heart in the countdown.
You will not even believe how excited your Happy Buddies are going to be to help hang those hearts each day!
Happy Valentine Countdown-ing! 
If you are looking for some fun activities to celebrate each day of your countdown, check out this sweet Valentine Advent printable from Family Fun!
Author of #thekindnessantennae 
Psalm 28:7
HAPPY EASTER
This morning we woke up early for Easter service rehearsal. But one kiddo wouldn’t get out of bed, one kiddo was crying about having to wear a collared shirt, one experimented with some Easter basket goodies in the bathroom without my knowledge and there was a strange purple substance all over everything just as we really needed to get out the door, and one was dealing with an upset stomach the whole drive to church.
Meanwhile I’m yelling at everyone to JUST BE HAPPY BECAUSE JESUS IS RISEN!!!!!
I wish it hadn’t taken me this long in motherhood to learn that the chaos and mess and poop emergencies are the real stuff of life. You can wallow in the badness of it all on such a special morning, or you can remember that all the crazy is really why He came to do what He did. To offer PEACE in the chaos, JOY in the mess, a steady heart when someone’s about to have an accident in the car in their Easter outfit (that they hate anyways).
Joy comes in the morning, friends, and joy comes in the MOMENT. He died and rose again to make sure of it.
God bless you! 
The kids are at Grammie’s and we went to a wedding! Got to get dressed up, see Ryan rock it as the “professional officiant” (this is what the wedding coordinator called him), eat a free steak, and even dance a little! 
My favorite thing that Ryan said during the ceremony was that God made Adam wait for Eve. He paraded all the Mr. and Mrs. animals in front of him long enough until Adam’s longing matched God’s good gift. The timing was then right, Adam was ready to fully appreciate and treasure his Mrs. “Man”.
To be honest, I almost didn’t attend the wedding with Ryan! I wasn’t feeling great and the idea of being home without kids all day to catch up on cleaning and laundry was pretty appealing. But the little nudge in me said DO NOT MISS THIS. I wanted to hear Ryan’s message and watch him lead this precious couple’s ceremony. I knew it was important to him that I be there. So because I treasure him, I went.
And I wasn’t the only one treasuring today! Ryan thanked me for coming with him, he danced with me even though I knew he would rather die than be on the dance floor, and he let me run into the store on the way home to end the day with some chocolate.
So here’s to treasuring one another - looking first to your spouse’s interests before your own, being their biggest fan, and telling them they look super hot in the fancy suit.
I mean, after all, he is a professional. 
for dinner to live life to the fullest in Christ. He is enough and He is good and I’m so thankful for another year to serve Him!
God loves you! 
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. ”
Psalms 34:1-5 CSB
I cooked a turkey! 
And it was a 20 lb-er to boot!
Isn’t it funny how the things that scare us the most typically end up being not that bad? I confess that the amount of overthinking I did about cooking a turkey almost kept me from ever doing the thing! I mean, there are a lot of ways to cook a turkey. And don’t get me started on the gravy! 
But then God sent me a few friends and a sweet mama - all who were there for me even in the early morning hours of searching for giblets (no, I never did find them) and trying to figure out if I did the cheesecloth right. They let me borrow their roasters and fat separators and consistently cheered “You got this!” in my ears. I also surrendered that bird to Jesus and He was faithful to see me through.
Often you have to narrow down the voices and fix your eyes on Jesus to find your victory. Then our great fears can become great adventures. 
He is always happy to see us.
He is a tremendous comfort to Ryan.
He knows when one of us is sad and he looks for ways to make it better.
So simple, but SO CUTE!
Hi Julie! I’m so glad we saw you at the park on Friday. Your blog is wonderful – so positive, loving, and creative. I can tell you have a very happy home.
Thanks for stopping by, Karen! I hope we can get together soon!
Such a great idea! My kids love countdowns. Thanks so much for linking up to TOO Cute Tuesday.
Of COURSE, Kyla! I just love your Giraffe blog – adorable. And I appreciate you swinging over for a visit!
Hi Julie,
We made our mailboxes this past Saturday evening and now we will have these cute hearts to do our countdown. Thanks so much for this wonderful blog!