Pretzel Kisses

Aren't these so cute!?

My work is having a Valentines Sweets Potluck tomorrow morning. I was trying to think of something yummy to bring. Awhile back I made these Pretzel Kisses for a baby shower I threw for our neighbor. I made them with the regular milk chocolate kisses. Well I saw these recently on Pinterest using the stripped white chocolate kisses and red and pink M&M's for Valentines. They are super easy to make, the hardest part is unwrapping all the kisses! Place them on pretzels on a cookie sheet with wax paper. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees and stick them in for approx. 3 minutes. You don't want them to melt completely, take them out before the kisses start loosing their shape.

Then press on some M&M's (I couldn't find pink ones, so the red and orange ones from the original mix had to do) and stick them in the refrig to cool and harden. And that's it!

I hope my coworkers like this salty sweet snack!

The past 2 days I've been helping the kids make lots of Valentines with Madeline's scratch'n'sniff cards, and James' 3D sports cards for classmates and neighbors. They passed some out early this evening at church. Tomorrow Madeline's class is having a Valentines party. And Mrs. Kate is taking James and her boys to meet with her mom's group for a Valentines gathering at a local Senior Home. The kids should have a fun Valentines Day. I just picked up some Dollar Tree toys and things for the kids Valentines gifts. And Stephen and I are going simple (or so we agreed) with a card and chocolate so we can spend our money to go out this weekend when my best friend is in town.

I look forward to spending my Valentines at home tomorrow evening with my Ohana. I love my husband. And I love my kids. Nothing could be better than spending time with My Valentines.

Our Lovely Weekend

We had a really nice Valentines weekend. Our cousin Braden is leaving tomorrow for his 2 year mission in Southern Mexico near the Guatemala border. So we attended his church service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints yesterday to listen to him give a talk about leaving for his mission. He did a good job and brought me to tears when he spoke of his mom. The men all got up and sang him a farewell missionary song, it was neat to hear. Afterwards we headed over to Uncle Steve and Braden's home where they cooked up some lunch for all of us. The kids were excited to spend some time with Braden, especially Madeline, she's grown quite fond of Braden.

Uncle Steve has a whole bunch of really cool trees in his backyard so the kids where all over climbing up them.

And of course one last wrestle session with Braden after lunch.

When we were getting into our car and leaving Madeline had to run back in the house to give Braden one more hug. She was really sad on the drive home, had some tears. She understood she wouldn't see Braden again until she is 9! We'll miss Braden, and pray for a safe journey while he is on his mission!

This weekend Madeline had Mia sleepover. So James asked his friend Aaron over for dinner too. I made the kids spaghetti and meat balls. Every time I make this meal it always reminds me of the movie the Lady and the Tramp, one of my favorites as a child. I love seeing how kids eat their spaghetti, they seem to always get it all over their faces!

Stephen surprised Madeline and I yesterday with our early Valentines gift, he got us both a certificate to get a manicure and spa pedicure at our local nail salon. This was Madeline's first time! And she really liked it a lot. A girl can get used to this sort of pampering.

We had a wonderful time together and the nail ladies were so sweet. Of course they all raved about what a nice guy Stephen was, I guess he talked with a few of them when picking up the gift certificate and made a great impression on all of them.

One of the ladies told Stephen she was going to decorate Madeline's nails with pretty flowers. She did, and they looked so cute! Madeline is really excited to show her nails to her teacher and friends today at school. Thank you Stephen for this very thoughtful gift, you really spoiled us!

Love To All

"Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other. Let them love each other in God and in God in each other." ~ Saint Valentine, The Patron Saint of Lovers

...

Love is Patient and Kind,

It doesn't envy or Boast and it's never proud,

Love is not rude or selfish,

It doesn't get angry easily or keep track of wrongs.

Love doesn't delight in bad things

But it rejoices in the truth.

Love always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.

Love never fails.

~ St. Paul to the Corinthians