Happy Hearts and sleepy heads

Valentines came and went at our house. Lots of love (and candy) was shared by all. Lance and I went out to dinner and a movie on Friday. It was good times. The dinner was free (maybe that is why it was so delicious!) and the movie (New in Town) was funny. Lance surprised me with a combo valentines/10 year anniversary gift of a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. I have always wanted to go on a cruise so I am so excited. We decided to bring the kids along too but we are keeping it a secret from them until we get there and they see the huge boat!! I think that keeping it a secret is going to be the hardest part! Also on Friday I helped out with JJ's class valentine party. Hannah had a class party too and was thrilled to receive a valentine from her "boyfriend" Nathan. That is all she really cared about. Asher just liked all the candy that was laying around.
Saturday we exchanged valentines. JJ spent hours this week creating special valentines for each of us. They included "lift the flaps" to reveal special messages! He is so creative! Later we took the kids to see the movie Bolt and then visited my mom.
Speaking of my mom, she finished up all her chemo this last week. It has been incredibly difficult but I am amazed at how strong she is. She is a little apprehensive to start radiation as it is again something new and different but I am sure that she will make it through this too. I think the greatest trial for her so far has been the isolation. She couldn't see the kids much the last few months as one or the other of them have been sick. I think she has been really lonely although she and I talk every day. I am really grateful to those of you who have taken the time to call and visit her. I know that she really appreciates each of you so much.
I just had to share this series of funny photos of Asher. I can't ever get him to smile or even look at the camera most days so since he has taken to falling asleep in odd places lately I have been snapping a photo here and there of him. Unfortunaly his scrapbook of this time of his life will probably consist of only photos of him sleeping or running away from the camera!
In the first photo Abby is still hoping that he will wake up and keep playing with her so she waits patiently with her toy on his leg.