VALENTINE DATE

Steve and I decided that instead of buying each other "gifts" just for the sake of buying each other something for Valentines Day, that we would go out together on Friday night. He made a reservation for us to go out to dinner and then we planned to go to a dance that our church was having. I spent much of the week being excited for Friday night. Monday after bowling I went shopping for a new dress.

I went to Dillards and Macys without much luck, but when I got to Penneys that all changed. I went into the dressing room with 10 dresses and loved them all. I was most excited about a red one that I had seen a few months ago when Steve and I had been shopping but it was regular price (and I HATE purchasing stuff at regular price) so I didn't buy it back then. Guess what...it was on the clearance rack today and in my size. WHOOO HOOOO!!! So that was the dress I chose and when I got to the register I was even more thrilled to find it was about 90% off...GET OUT of TOWN!!! Totally made my day. That meant I would have enough extra money to buy new shoes too!!!

Friday as we started our day, Steve showed me the shirt he had bought to wear on our date. I was thrilled to see he had bought something new to wear on our date too. He knows I like the shirts that are out there for men that look like a dress shirt, but then have another graphic on them...so he got one and I LOVED IT!!! I totally would have picked that out for him. Before we left for our evening out my parents and the kids got to see us all gussied up and took some pictures. It was a fabulous evening. We went to Madeline's and had a nice meal together and then went to the church for the dance. They had a photographer there who was taking photographs of the couples for free. So we stood in line and got of pictures taken before we hot the dance floor...which was a good thing because once we started dancing the pretty hair had lost its bounce and much of the makeup had been sweated off. We waltzed, swinged, boot scoot boogied and even chacha'd the night away. It felt like old times, having Steve lead me in a dance, hold me in his arms as a slow song played and twirled me around.
We had our 16th year of doing the 14 DAYS of VALENTINES. I made 14 different tags with a different quote on each one like, "You are the best thing in my LIFE" and then tied it to a box of LIFE cereal or "You LIGHT up my life" and tied it to a light bulb. It was a fun one to do this year. Steve gave me a card everyday that showed different sides of his personality that have come out in him since we have been together. And with each one there was corresponding pictures. I so appreciated the thought and effort that went into his valentines for me this year. I have the coolest husband that continues to do this silly tradition with me, but even more because he doesn't just show me how much he loves me during the 14 DAYS of VALENTINES, but he shows me every single day.

Last Couple of Days

Tuesday Zack and Belle both had field trips to the Hogle Zoo. Instead of volunteering to chaperon, Steve and I decided to make a date of it. We went to the zoo and walked around. We looked around for our kids. We found Zack and watched the Bird Show with him and his group. That was very cool. We watched different bird swoop down over our heads. The best part was the BEAUTIFUL bald eagle we saw at the end. They truly are a magnificent bird. After the show we left Zack with his chaperon and wen t to look for Belle, but never actually found her. We did see some neat animals: Rhinos, orangutan, Zebra, Bears, Giraffes, Meerkats, different primates...

Once we were done at the zoo, Steve and I left to go and have lunch. We found a TGIFridays and gt and outside table. As we sat there and talked, I realized how much this setting reminded me of lunches Steve and I would have when we were first dating and Steve was living in PB. It was such a pleasant lunch and probably was the best part of our date. I just love hanging out with Steve and talking about nothing specific, but sharing our thoughts.

Wednesday was an exciting day for Belle. She has had one of her front teeth that just would not fall out. We had seen the dentist a few months ago and had told us to come back if it did not fall out. So we returned to the dentist's office at 10:00am and he pulled out that stubborn front tooth. Hopefully the adult tooth will fall into place soon. After getting that tooth pulled we visited Steve at work to let Belle show off her hole. Once we left KMart I drove Belle to a nail shop and we both got PEDICURES. She was so excited. I told her she could choose the the color so we could have matching nails. She chose BLUE...HOLY COW!!! I don't think I have EVER had blue nails. We even had little pink flowers painted on there too. It was a fun thing to do with her and I think she enjoyed the Mommy and Daughter time.