Valentine's Day Week 2023

So this week has been crazy, mainly because Summer's sleeping schedule changed. Summer and I would knock out at 2:30 am, and she's up at 6 or 7 am when her big sister is up to get ready for school. She would get overly excited and tell her sister, "Summer going school." When McK got on the bus, she'd say, "Mommy, Summer, go school, please." When I ask, "oh, you want Mommy to take you to school?" She would automatically say, "No way, Mommy!" She's growing up faster than I imagined because she's starting to be OK with me not being around, which is excellent progress for her. (Photo: McK's first Valentine's Day - in Anchorage, AK)

Anyways, Summer has places she wants to go daily. Now that we're awake together with the regular schedule folks in our house, she's got her mind set on going to different parks that she likes. She likes going to other stores depending on her mood or what she remembered seeing the last time we were there. However, I always would say, "we got to do school work before any of that." She would usually cry, with no tears, for a minute.

Meanwhile, I am ignoring all of that and getting her set up at the computer or with her writing books. However, I am proud of her progress because there's less crying, and she's handling her emotions a little better daily. She also realizes that for any of the things she wants, she has to work for it. It has been years of working on that, but little progression wins are always welcomed and celebrated. Transitioning is still a big challenge for her, especially when it's something she loves. Still, we're slowly getting better. We have been out and about from 10 to 2 for the past week. She does not nap when she's in a GO GO GO mode… it's exciting to watch her grow and progress; I am always grateful for that.

(Photo below is of Summer's first Valentine's Day in Emeryville, CA...Daddy was stuck at work in AK)

We celebrated Valentine's Day when the kids were tiny due to school events, but now that they are older, not so much. So between my husband and I, we did not make a big deal on Valentine's Day. We were lucky to see each other due to our work schedules, and we were fortunate to be in one place when we had the girls. However, we would send videos and photos till he gets to be with us. However, McK had brought up the topic on Monday. She asked what we were doing for Valentine's Day. Of course, we had a whole discussion around it. The conversation went something like this…

Valentine's Day is a day that is set to celebrate love and primarily for couples. McK then says isn't that unfair for the single people, though? I smiled and asked whether she thinks those single people feel it's unfair!? She laughed and said hmmm, my aunties and uncles don't care. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE… hahaha! Our discussion moved into different kinds of love...puppy love, crushes, dating age, and relationships that lead to courting and marriage.

McK and I concluded our discussion of LOVE to be

• First and foremost, knowing that God lives and loves us unconditionally - when you come across the person you know is the one you want to make things right with (can deal with your crap and still love and appreciate you). You have faith that the Lord knows of your love and that you both love and want the Lord's confirmation. So imagine McK innocently saying that in her own words, and I had to add, well… it's more physical attraction first as I smiled at her, to which she yelled out…OMG, do not start, Mom, gosh...I KNOW already...don't!! So, if you have kids, you can imagine what they would say about you and your husband! YES, that…hahaha!

• Second, you become each other's best friends forever - Know that you're going to deal with everything together (good or bad), and it is always you two first before anything else. McK responded, "no matter what, Summer, you and Dad will always be my besties forever too." I smiled and agreed but explained that as she ages, things will change and that we'll table the topic and details and talk more then if she wants.

• For anything else, refer to 1 & 2.

In conclusion, Love is NOT ….

• One size fits all

• Possessiveness, jealousy, and control freakish

• ME, it is WE

• To be taken for granted

• Complicated unless you make it

Here's wishing that you enjoy the rest of your week, and may you continue to celebrate love throughout the year…Till Next Time!