100 Things I Love

The three here with me (and our extended families) go at the top of the list.


But I also love...

...dark chocolate, receiving a card or call from someone who remembered my birthday, performing a solo with an orchestra, the smell of clean laundry, making a card/scrapbook page that turns out cute, sleeping in, watching cooking shows, trying a new recipe that turns out great, driving around to look at Christmas lights, putting up and decorating the Christmas tree, playing the piano just for fun, watching Jane Austen movies, listening to Jim Dale read the Harry Potter books, sitting outside with friends watching our kids play, taking an afternoon nap, wearing knit pajama pants all day, getting a great deal, organizing my house, getting double coupon savings at the grocery store, sleeping under a down quilt, laughing with my sisters, pillow-talk with Eric before we go to sleep, reading magazines, getting a letter in the mail, getting a free sample, Cook's Country's Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake, cuddling under a blanket by a fire, going on walks on a summer's night, going to wedding receptions, eating cold cereal for breakfast, making lists :), teaching someone something that changes their life,

sampling the flavors at Jeni's Ice Cream, feeling uplifted and inspired after a Relief Society lesson, finishing a quilt top, visiting family, reading cookbooks, eating out, looking at photos, Rocky Roads, Paris, staying at a cabin, hot soup with crusty bread, family hugs, Macaroni Grill's bread and dipping oil, decorating for holidays, listening to music loud in the car by myself, being all together with extended family, bread just out of the oven, playing in an orchestra, reading a good book, learning something new, deep dish pizza, watching "Pushing Daisies," chocolate chip cookie dough, Cafe Rio by flashlight, singing in a choir, playing the flute, hot and fluffy pancakes, a free continental breakfast, hearing my kids laugh, soft cinnamon rolls, sleeping through the night, crispy bacon, receiving flowers,

getting a package, Betty Crocker Double Chocolate Chunk cookie mix, teaching Mierae how to write her name, having money saved, family pictures (having them, not necessarily taking them!), a good hair day, IKEA, Harts' chocolate donuts, Bath & Body Works Antibacterial Soaps, reading stories to my kids, hot showers, snow days, alone time with Eric when the kids have gone to bed, Michael Buble, going to concerts, spending holidays with family, roast and potatoes for Sunday dinner, watching my kids draw pictures, playdates, getting hand-me-downs, receiving hugs and kisses from Eric and the girls, wearing a pair of jeans that fit just right, new country music, milkshakes, "Twilight," baking, Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Cream, shopping at Costco, watching Mierae and Jolie play together, getting a call from Eric during the day, dinner with friends, watching chick flicks with Eric, and getting tax refunds!


To celebrate Valentine's Day this year, Eric and I went out on Friday night. We had dinner and then went to the fabulous Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream shop for dessert. Eric chose black currant and blood orange; I chose dark cocoa gelato, and a white chocolate with almonds. I did not like Eric's. :) We are always happy for a chance to go out alone, so a big thank you goes to our date night swappers, the Roberts. We were hoping to maybe watch a movie or something later, but our kids have been hard to get to bed, and then up and up and up in the night. So, after they finally went to bed, Eric was asleep before 10:00. I stayed up until after midnight reading (the kids having been up at least three times, EACH).

So, Saturday was the real fun. Valentines isn't just for couples! I woke up to pink sticky notes all over the apartment with little love notes from Eric. The kids and I surprised Eric with this valentine that I ordered online.


(Thanks again for the tip, Marian!) We had gone to Costco last Saturday, so I had Eric pick me up some flowers while we were there. :) My beautiful bouquet of two dozen purple roses is now hanging up to dry.

After getting all our errands out of the way, we took the kids to Graeters. We got in on their $2.99 pint sale and the kids (and Daddy!) got to play in their playland.




As if ice cream wasn't enough, after dinner we decided to make cupcakes to boot. The girls were more than happy to help, and taste.




After consuming as much pink frosting and sprinkles as they could, they were, of course, very hard to get to sleep. :) But it was a fun day, and I was glad I got to spend it with three very special Valentines. I love you!