Valentine's Day and A Huge Prayer Request

Happy Valentine's Day to my handful of faithful readers! (and to anyone else who may just stop on by)

I thought I would share a few pictures of our Valentine's Day, but first, a little backstory. For years, we have always bought tons of "junk" for the kiddo's for Valentine's Day. Cards, candy, stuffed animals, etc.....typical cutesy stuff. It's great for about 5 minutes, then it is off to the bottom of the toy box until the next clean-out day. This year, we decided to forego all the cutesy stuff, and get the kiddos some things that they REALLY wanted.

We made the decision on January 1st that we were not buying ANYTHING for our children that wasn't absolutely needed. So, that means no more toys, no more clothes, no more last-minute, in the check-out line stuff, no more junk...PERIOD!! We started a STRICT allowance program, that is based on attitude, behavior, and helpfulness at home AND at school. 10% of their allowance goes to God, 50% goes into savings, and the remaining 40% goes into their spend account. The kids are free to spend this money however they want. They can spend it each week as they get it, or they can save it up to buy something big.

This is no problem for Chelsea. She really is just about the perfect child. She never asks for anything and doesn't have a mean bone in her whole body. Jameson, on the other hand, has gone into this kicking and screaming had a VERY difficult time adjusting.

He has been used to getting some kind of toy just about every time we walk out the door. We have also had to work on getting him to actually SAVE some of his "spend" money, so he can get some of the larger toys he's been wanting. Of course, that is if he actually even GETS an allowance for that week. He has just figured out that he still has to behave in school to get his allowance. Since January 1st, I think he finally has about $12.00 in his spend cup (and that's counting his $5.00 windfall from the Tooth Fairy). He's only months and months weeks away from that Optimus Prime he's been wanting....I just know it!

When I asked Chelsea for just one thing that she would love to have, she said "Pictures of James Marsden". (remember THIS post?) Then, she suddenly decided that Conversation Hearts are the BEST candy ever....so, that is what we got her.

Jameson was so good this morning. Even though his sister had already gotten her gifts, he never said anything. He just sat there patiently waiting....


He didn't realize that his gifts had already been set up on the kitchen table....

(BTW, the tulips in the background are MY Valentine's Day gift)

Finally, we had to point him in the direction of the table and he was thrilled!


He was so excited, he actually CLEANED UP HIS TOYS in the living room before he opened his gifts!!
Maybe this allowance thing is working out!

Now, to a more serious matter. I am asking all of you readers who do pray, to pray an extra prayer today for my dear friends Michael and Susan Brewer. They are the most precious family that I wrote about here exactly one month ago today. Susan and Michael are really having a tough time today, on the one month anniversary of their little girl Allie's death.

Little Miss Allie was born with Trisomy 13 , and wasn't expected to live more than a few hours. We were all blessed to have her with us for almost five whole months. For a most incredible display of strength and faith, go to their blog, Standing on Faith.
As a mom who has lost two little angels, I know how they are feeling right now. The next days, weeks, months and years are going to be an uphill battle. Any prayers would be much appreciated!

I LOVE YA'LL!!

I hope you all have a most FANTASTIC and ROMANTIC day!