A Weekend of Love

L.O.V.E.

With all the cold weather "snow days" we had, I started early on the annual Valentine's we create for our family.  We started with pictures of these 2 cuties blowing kisses.  On another rainy day, we painted hands.  When I realized we were heading home to Alabama the week of Valentine's day, I grabbed all the supplies and assembled them on the way home.  

Blowing Kisses Your Way

Inside of the card!

It was a special surprise to get to hand deliver Valentine's to our loved one's this year.

The boys missed their Valentine's party at school but we did were back at home for Valentine's Day. I love that it fell on a Friday so the boys and I got to have fun all day.  Justin had left for work by the time the boys were up, but they loved their special breakfast.

And my morning coffee never tasted sweeter :-)  They could not wait to give me my "toffee tup" as Beckett said!

On Friday's we have gymnastics and they had special Valentine's day games and gave out treat bags.  

my heart

We had a special date planned and spent the afternoon at The Woodlands Children's museum.  It is one of their most requested places and we had a blast as usual.

making hearts

When we got home, we started the long anxious wait for Daddy to get home from work to get his special gifts.

We finished off a perfect day with a family candle light steak dinner.  

lighting the candles for our special dinner

For Valentine's day this year, Justin and I did things a little different.  One of the ministries that Justin and I feel called to support is Love146.  It's an organization that fights to abolish human trafficking.  We first learned about it when the founder came to speak at our church.  On Saturday night, they were holding their first ever fundraising gala, a Portrait of Love,  at Minute Maid park.  For our Valentine's day gift, we purchased a table at the event.  We were able to invite 4 other couples to sit at our table.   It was an exciting night seeing so many people committed to this cause and funding the fight for freedom.  27  million women, children, and even men are in slavery all over the world.  We heard from survivors.  We heard from people on the front lines working to rescue victims.  We were honored to be a part of the night and educate some of our closest friends. 

For the event, I tried out Rent The Runway for the first time.  It was an awesome experience.  My dresses (2 choices) arrived a day before the gala.  My fabulous friend Tiffany accessorized for me and I loved my dress! 

The boys loved seeing their mom and dad all dressed up.  As we were getting ready, Beckett said "Eli.  We have to get ready for the ball." and Eli said "no, Beckett. We aren't going. There are adults there and dancing and its waaaaay boring."  Ha!  

my best friend Leah in her RTR dress too!

I took every advantage to soak up as much love as I could that weekend.  Beckett still asks me every day "Mommy. Are you still my Valentine?" And I say "of course" and his smarty pants brother brings us back to reality and says "It's not Valentine's Day anymore." It's not, but everyday its a love fest around here!

Love, 

The Riley's