All kinds of LOVE!

This year Valentine's Day was a little more fun than usual.  I usually loathe the day..it all seems kind of silly really...let's spend lots and lots of money on things that get eaten or die and have these high expectations of one another when really we should be showing our loved ones that we love them lots every day! I always disliked it very much as a classroom teacher...4th graders on Valentine's Day were never as cute in the end as one might think they would be.  Every year I spent weeks dealing with the aftermath of the first time broken hearted :( 

 I think the #1 reason it was celebrated more at our house this year is thanks to Pinterest...no seriously..I was on a mission to have the craftiest Valentines...so that in and of itself made me think about the "holiday" more than usual :0

But in all seriousness the real reason I think it was more thought of this year is because I appreciate all of my "loves" more this year...and yes there are all kinds of  "loves".  So I wanted to share with you all some of the loves I have counted so far...I'm still counting everyday :)

1.) The love of God....I've been saying it more and more..but it's true! Everything does seem easier with him in your life.  Having him to turn to has given me a lot of strength in the past months.  I am so glad that I have brought him back into my home and my heart.

2.) The love of your life...my husband, Garett.  Our marriage is by no means perfect...it's work.  But it's work I am willing to endure.  We will be married twelve years this July and together eighteen years!  I can't imagine not having him to come home to and I am grateful every day for him and the life we have. He is a great Daddy and my boys love him more than life.  As a matter of fact, they have become Daddy's boys lately (yes I do have some jealousy about that).  I really wouldn't have it any other way..little boy need their Daddies.  We are a team....most days ;) & together we will make it!

3.) The love of your children! I used to have a million reasons not to have children...hence the six years Garett and I spent alone with our dog Byron; however now I have a million and one reasons why I am so glad we decided to have a family! A mother's love is indescribable!  I would lay down my life for my two boys...they bring me happiness and make me a better me! They will always be my babies! Mommy is the sweetest name I have ever been called :)

4.) The love of your parents/grandparents!  We grow up thinking we never want to be like them..then suddenly we are grown up and realize we are so like them! You go through a lot of ups and downs with your parents and there are many different parenting styles, but still, you can't help but love them and want their approval.  I know everyone says it, but I truly do have awesome parents! 

5.) The love of your siblings! Can't live with them (or at least I never could ;o) and you cannot live without them! Funny how they can be the people you have your best memories with and be the same people you swore you'd never talk to again. I am blessed with both a brother and a sister that I wouldn't trade for the world.  They have turned out to be not only siblings but really awesome friends and fabulous role models for my boys. 

5.) The love of friendship. I have been blessed with many friends; old and new.  There is a comfort when you are around true friends that is like no other.  It feels like home.   You know how it is...you haven't seen each other in a while and yet you can pick up and carry on as if only days have past.  And let's be realistic...true friends know way too much about you for you to ever part!

#6 - ????

There are so many more to count, but I think those are the top five for me.  I am sure my list will continue to grow or at least I hope it will...I can't imagine not having a little (or a lot ) of love in my life ;)