Mike and I are celebrating our First Date-a-Versary today! Seventeen years ago we went on our first date as freshman in college in the old Big Al's snack shop at Houghton College. That date is a whole, hilarious story in itself...oh my! Maybe I'll share it someday...
I wasn't sure of the best way to celebrate with a newborn plus we're trying to pinch some pennies, too. Brainstorm!!!
I asked the kids if they would help me plan an in-house dinner date for their dad and myself! They were so excited to participate as our wait staff. I think they officially committed when I said they could use "fancy" glasses filled with soda while they ate dinner, too. Ha, ha!
We had most of the food items already at home, but needed to grab a few extras at the grocery store. My first attempt at shopping with all five kids the other day was pretty much a fail, so I was cautious about the success of this necessary trip. Thankfully, we made it to the store and back without a hitch!!! Silas slept in his car seat for another two hours after arriving back home which was such a blessing as I made food preparations!
The boys helped me set up the dining room choosing the items themselves from my limited stash of "fancy" stuff. We found a bell in our Christmas decorations to ring when we needed help from the wait staff who ate in the kitchen. Ha, ha!
Fancy waiters must have mustaches, of course!
Our menu from The Farwell Family Restaurant:
First Course: garden salad with dressing, fresh bakery bread with butter
Second Course: bacon wrapped steak, mashed potatoes with au jus, green beans with butter sauce
Dessert: mini chocolate layered mousse pie
Drinks: water, milk, soda, orange juice, apple cider
The happy guests...I swear we didn't plan to match - it's just that we're so much in love we dress similarly without even knowing it. Grin!
First course
Second Course
Dessert
An extra, yet expected, dinner guest...
I am so thankful for the way my boys stepped up and helped out to bless Mike and myself! They did an awesome job!!! It was a fun date despite all the things that went "wrong" during our meal - Sadie shattering her fancy glass, Isaac cutting his finger with a steak knife, filling our own plates, re-heating our meals, and having kids eat with us on our date instead of in the kitchen. In the past I might have called them "interruptions" and been annoyed. Today, I'd call it "Would-you-expect-anything-less-for-a-date-at-home-with-five-kids-and-Aren't-I-so-blessed-to-be-surrounded-by-such-a-terrific-crowd?"
Yes, indeed, I am blessed!!!
I struggled this year with having all these plans and ideas and no time or energy to actually carry them out. However, as 10pm rolled around on Valentine's Eve, I realized that giving my love, my time, my energy to do even one special thing the following morning is enough. Then we could carry on with our day as usual because every day has the opportunity to show love in big and small ways...
That conversation got me to thinking about how my days are generally pretty ordinary. But, in reality, each day holds an opportunity to see the extraordinary. It's there, I know it! I live it when I choose to. 
1} Cheesecake from Wegmans because I prefer cheesecake over birthday cake
3} Chili's Carside To Go - Fiesta Lime Chicken
5} Thoughtfully chosen birthday gifts: rolly ink pens, candles, peanut butter cups 
7} Fresh flowers in bright colors because they know that's what I like
8} These darling children who call me mama, who teach me more about love and forgiveness, patience and kindness, being selfless and giving than all the most wonderful people in the whole wide world. So challenging. So rewarding.
9} A surprise party in a totally decked out dining room with streamers and balloons galore
11} Happy Birthday signs
13} Worship team - the friendships and blessings that have come from being with this group of talented people
17} Time to work on a baby sized scrap quilt
21} Eensy, teeny rickrack - thrifted
24} Cozy fire and boys who know how keep it going strong
28} This man - Sorry I chopped off your legs in this picture. You're still handsome even without legs. We both know that your toes wouldn't win any modeling awards anyhow. Seriously, I'm gonna make him haul in more wood and retake these pictures with his legs intact. I was just too lazy to put on shoes and tromp out in the snow to get a better picture. Kicking myself now. But not Mike from the picture...he's not kicking...he doesn't have legs.
31} Setting out a thrifted picture...tranquility
32} Redecorating the top of the piano
35} A delicious, healthy smoothie with an umbrella for pizzaz
38} Playing outside with Sadie while the boys were out shopping. I overheard her saying, "I want to go outside. I'm going to sneak out." while she was putting on her jacket and shoes. Choosing to love her and head outside instead of enticing her to stay inside with treats and movies. (Yes, I do that sometimes...don't judge me!)
41} Unlined rubber rain boots with the cutest polka dots. Why don't I own winter boots??? Where do I live again???
42} Party feet - sparkly nail polish and hot pink flip flops - thrifted. I need that pop of color in my life everyday!!!
So glad we're friends, dear friend!!! Maybe next time we need to do a summer magic dance or something and soon because we are all climbing the walls around here just dying to get outside!!!