Valentine decor around the house...

I put out a few Valentine things before surgery.

 I didn't realize how tired I really was until everyone left the house Monday for school and I was alone.

I love my family, but I’m also enjoying the peace and quiet while my body is healing.

My energy has been completely zapped and I've actually been napping (something I never ever do).

I haven't felt like reading yet, but I've been making lists of books to check out later. Many of you have been sharing your favorite reads.  Thank you.

A box of Valentine ornaments arrived from Sarah at Makin Projects.  I always participate in her holiday swaps and bowed out this year knowing I would need to focus on other things before surgery. 

Thank you, ladies for your generosity.   Totally unexpected and much appreciated.

 I also need to thank everyone who sent get well cards and special Valentines too. I'm definitely feeling the love.  

On Thursday, I'll have a very special Valentine post.  I took the pictures well before surgery when I was allowed to climb through mounds of snow and strategically bend my body in odd positions to get the perfect shot.  Stay tuned. 

Post surgery updates...

Thank you for all the sweet comments regarding my surgery. It helped knowing that I had friends and family praying and thinking of me on Friday.

I've spent the last few days resting, trying to move carefully and staying on top of my pain medication. You don't realize how much you use those stomach muscles until you've felt like a herd of elephants had a dance party on them. 

Speaking of dances, Emma attended a winter dance at her high school Saturday evening. Doesn't she look fabulous!

I'm sure I'll be spending this afternoon doing some blog hopping. Cheers to feeling a bit more human. There's definitely something very healing about a warm cat cuddled up next to me on the footstool.

 Let the healing begin!
 

Taking a blogging break for surgery...

I didn't want to disappear without letting you know that I will be taking a mini blogging break. I’m having surgery on February 7th. I have been putting this off, but it’s time to start feeling good and I'm certainly not needing those female body parts anymore.  I've said this before, but Josie was the biggest blessing with secondary infertility. 

I have a few valentine posts ready to share, but I’m not sure whether I’ll be up to publishing them.

The first week, I might not be up to reading or commenting on blogs either.  Please know that I'm not ignoring you.

I’m really hopeful that this recovery will be easier than my foot surgery.

 I’ll be back.

 Pinky swear.

Don't have to much fun without me.

Celebrating "Year of the Horse" in Josie's classroom!

I've been blessed that every year since Josie was in preschool, she's been allowed to share her special holiday with her classmates.

This year, we watched a couple of short videos provided by Panda Express, read some background information on Chinese New Year customs, and then each student was given time to decorate a horse for their paper lantern.

They all did a fabulous job.  I brought my hot glue gun and helped attach a googly eye and a long black feather as a tail for their horse.

I also found a "horse" mask at this link which I cut out and attached to a cardboard handle.

Aren't they cute!?! 

The red envelopes, chocolate gold coins and fortune cookies are always a hit.  But the most favorite part of the CNY lesson is the bubble wrap "firecrackers".  We closed the door to the classroom because we were having so much fun making noise with our firecrackers.  

On Friday night, we celebrated the start of the CNY with a feast of Chinese food and letting off a single sky lantern from our very snowy backyard. 

Wishing you a Happy New Year!  Kung Hay Fat Choy!
 

Mail call and mini house goodness!

Our mailman has been busy lately.  Tammy from "Tammy's in Love" sent me the sweetest Valentine card. 

Tammy and I share a special bond with our international adoption connection.    Thank you for my sweet card!

Erica from Golden Egg Vintage and I exchanged Valentine houses.  You can see the house I sent Erica on this post.

Isn't the Kewpie doll just the sweetest little thing!!

She always makes the fullest decorated mini trees.  It's just perfect.  In addition to the little house, she made the sweetest Valentine Bingo card.

She also filled a huge box with all sorts of special goodies.

She even included a paper Chinese lantern which is just perfect for our CNY tree.

To top it off, she also included this dollhouse decorating kit.

 Thank you, Erica.   I've said this before, but blogging friends are the most generous friends.

Isn't this weekend is just speeding by?  I'll have more Chinese New Year pictures to share on Tuesday.  If you enjoy watching the super bowl (I'm all about the commercials) have fun.  I'll be sneaking off to watch Downton Abbey during the game.