Oh, Valentine's Day...

I feel a little uninterested in Valentine's Day this year. I don't know if uninterested is really the word I'm looking for, but I'm too tired to consider a better description. I'm sitting on my porch, looking at our scraggly yard and thinking about our crazy life. If today is a to be a celebration of love, then I should really get pumped up - because I am in love! So much in love that I think my heart might actually explode.

The man I married is the greatest man I know. He really is. We've known each other more than 11 years, and we've been through a lot in that time, together and as individuals. Our love is comfortable, sure, but it is more than that. It is where my heart and soul live and breathe. What we have built together is a home for our hearts, our souls, our dreams, our past and our future.

As we've grown, I am incredibly grateful that we still share the same goals and that we want the same things out of life. I am laughing out loud over here because that sounds so simple. But who in their right mind would want a goat in their backyard, dogs that believe they are humans, a wife (who may or may not have shaved their legs this week) that stays at home to take care of their messy, rambunctious, future world leader, only to whine about how tired and unappreciated she is the moment you walk in the door from a full day of work? Ahhh, thank you God for making that perfect someone. Thank you for giving me J.Brandon and for somehow getting him to sign up for a lifetime with me! The fact that he couldn't be happier is just a rainstorm of cupcakes in life:) I love it, I love it, I love it!!

Our littlest Valentine this year is sleeping right now. She plays very hard; therefore, I play very hard. I thoroughly enjoy every second we spend together; however, I look forward to her naptime and bedtime. Two year olds are EXHAUSTING!!! Actually, I imagine any age would be exhausting. How do people survive this?!

Everything this little girl does cracks us up!! She is so wild! Her personality is over the top. Like WAAAAAAY over the top. I'm going to post some videos to youtube in the near future. If you want a good laugh, watch them. I can't seem to find the right words to describe Em these days. No description or grouping of words seems adequate. You just have to see it for yourself. I will say this: I never thought I would be a biased mom - you know, the one who thinks, scratch that, KNOWS that their child is the most beautiful creature to ever grace your presence? Well, once again, I eat my words (my diet consists of steadily eating my own words, so this isn't too shocking). I must be biased because I believe that my daughter is the funniest human being that you or I have ever known! There, I said it. This might not be true, but trying to convince me of anything different would be impossible. Here's a teeny tiny example:



I hope that you and yours have a fantastic Valentine's Day! I guess I will celebrate by chilling on my back porch with my two disproportionate "lap dogs" and Trina-goat (who is presently sporting some sidewalk chalk on her neck), then chasing my little heathen around the yard (while carefully dodging dog and goat poo), and finally, praising God for the sweetest Valentines I've ever had.



A note for Embree:
My dearest Emme Rose,
I have a little secret I want to share with you. I don't listen to country music much, but there is a song by Diamond Rio called "What a Beautiful Mess". This is our song! When I think of us, I think of this song. Word for word, it somehow captures how I feel about being a stay-at-home-mommy. I probably need to go back to work soon and let you go to school, but... you are my sunshine, and I love the beautiful, messy little life we share.
I love you, baby.