valentines mems

****************************

lainey beth made all her valentine's for her class this year. she actually had wanted to write a poem for each person. we had checked at book out of the library several weeks before and it proved to be quite inspirational. i have to say she was very ambitious. i didn't want to "rain on her parade" so to speak. but the thought of writing 24 poems and 4 more for her teachers seemed a very large task. it was fun to hear her come up with all kinds of rhymes with her daddy, master rhymer/rapper. but as valentine's eve approached the 24 poems did turn out to be a few too many. but there were a handful of girls who did get a very fabulous original poem and all four of her teachers. the rest of her class got a wonderfully handwritten, "happy valentine's day" which was still a very large creative accomplishment. lainey beth did an incredible job!!!!

********************************valentine's 2010 was marked by an impromtu cookie decorating time. lainey, mer, millie, beau, maddie prims, aunt alli and mom-mom made some gorgeous cookies:) emily has taught us how to do the "royal icing" such a fun way to do sugar cookies. maddie got to spend the weekend with us while her parents were visiting our team in amman, jordan. valentine's morning we did a special "love scavanger hunt" i was actually inspired to do the scavanger hunt by our sweet friend sarah. it was so much fun! lainey and maddie really got into it, beau basically just followed them as they moved from clue to clue. we started with the clue "the place where we worship/dance as a family" so lainey immediately knew "living room" so the activity was "worship/dance as prince and princesses before our king" so mike played the guitar and we all worshipped and danced together. we went all throughout the house, even to the garage with various clues/activities. the two favorites: the "globe" (they also got a little treat at the different places) and the "table" i think it was so great to see how just a little bit of prep (honestly it only took me about 10-15min. to plan the scavanger hunt) provided such a fun activity for them and great opportunity to talk about so many different aspects of love and our Father's Kingdom.

mike spoke at celebration that night. he spoke on faith. hearing about faith is always so stirring and mikey did an awesome job! it was so fun to hear him pour out his heart. overall valentines 2010 was pretty sweet:)