Yesterday was Valentine's Day. A great day for florists, Hallmark, and chocolate companies. I'm not a huge Valentine's Day person. It isn't one of those holidays that I look forward to like Christmas, Easter or Independence Day. It has always been a nice excuse to go out for dinner with Jonathon and have a date night, but, really not a big deal in my book.
This year, was the first year I got my kids a Valentine's present. I know lots of parents get their kiddos a little something every year, but I never had. So, this year Savannah and Beau got a little coloring book pack and some M&Ms. Just something little, but it was so fun to see how excited they get over something so simple.
Christmas can be an overwhelming holiday for the kids. Honestly, it has gotten a little overwhelming for me too. The whole day, we spend running from place to place and we all get SO much that it just gets to be too much. For the past couple of years, my favorite part of Christmas has been the Christmas Eve program our little church puts on. It is mostly just for the little kids to say a little poem, do a skit of the manger scene, and everyone sings a few Christmas carols. I've really felt like the true spirit of Christmas is found in our little church on Christmas Eve. It is such a simple, small thing. But, honestly, it is one of my favorite moments of the year. Much like the sunrise service we have on Easter morning. When I was younger (with my 28th birthday looming, I'm really starting to think how MUCH younger), going to the early morning service was such a chore. I was grouchy and probably so awful when I had to get up at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday. But last year, I remember sitting and listening to the congregation sing a song, and it hit me. Mary and God gave their Son up to die for us. Holding my two year old son, sitting next to my husband, who was holding our four year old daughter, and knowing that our newest daughter was growing inside of me, it really hit home. It was a sacrifice I can't even imagine.
Parenting has really changed my perspective. Christmas isn't about receiving gifts anymore. Easter is more than just a day to eat a big dinner with family and look for eggs. I know that those aren't the true reasons for these holidays, but too often I forgot the true reasons. Lastly, Valentine's Day is day for all kinds of love. It is a day to be so thankful for my husband, who brought dinner home last night so I wouldn't have to cook. It is a day to recieve precious, homemade, construction paper and crayon cards and sticky M&M kisses from my babies. Thank goodness for these simple moments.
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