Blessings!

I hope all had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Of course hubs had to work so I knew to make plans accordingly. I decided to take my mother out to lunch. She seemed to be pleased with that idea and off I went. She lives about thirty minutes away if I drive the interstate and Iusually do. It was nice be able to spend time with her. There was a time awhile back that I wondered if she would ever be able to do *normal* things again. To God, I am grateful for He has restored her health.

I knew it was sorta hard on Amanda today. Actually, I think it has wore on her for the last couple of days. She had mentioned how her co-workers would be receiving the usual flower and candy expressions of love on this day and how she would not. I tried to ease the pain a little by having her Valentine gift and card ready to greet her upon her awakening. I got her the cutest, gold, heart necklace with matching earrings. She wears more silver, but it was not available. Thankfully, she loved it anyway, in fact, she wore it to work. Her dad also spoiled her with a teddy bear that held a heart pillow inscribed with "Daddy's Little Girl."

Caleb has always been the easiest to please. Knowing this, I got him the heart balloon and his favorite candy. He loves Snickers candy bars. This was his first time ever getting the "big" pack. He thought he had hit the lottery. I started to get him a box of the usual fare, but I knew it would be wasted. He doesn't normally eat too much of that kind of stuff. Grateful, yes, I am. He liked his card as well.

I did purchase Nathan a small box of valentine candy. He is a different story when it comes to eating the junk. Definite limits, but my fear was soon averted. He was hilarious. He took one bite out of each piece and as soon as he got the chocolate all chewed up in his mouth, he would spit it out. That was it. He was finished. Hmmm.... I should try this to help ease the calorie consumption. The balloon was another story. He romped and played with that about all day.

I just have to tell you about my adventure while out buying my family's Valentine's gifts. I have a few places that I love to browse around. I have mentioned my *love* for the Ross Dress For Less before and I also *love/like* T. J. Maxx. I have found some real treasures at these places in the past. In an earlier post I wrote about searching for particular tea cup. Well, I FOUND IT!!!!!!!!! It was a complete and utter suprise to me. If you knew how many times I have combed the shelves looking for this pattern, you would understand. I have found a few pieces, but that is another story I will explain later. When I rounded the end of the counter and spied not one, but two of them sitting on the shelf, I was pure giddy. I know, I should be embarrassed about that and I am. Ahem, moving along, I picked them up ever so gently and welcomed them into my family. I have asked previously about the matching teapot and was told that they get it occassionally, but it is rare. I was content for now with my delicate darlings and cushioned them carefully in the backseat for the rest of the journey.


Before going home, I decided to stop at Marshalls. I had the strange thought that I might find the matching teapot there. As I got out of the car I felt a little rush of excitement. My niece was with me and I turned to her before getting to the china area and said "If that teapot is here, you will have to scoop me up and take me home." I strolled through the doors and to the back of the store and I AM NOT JOKING WHEN I TELL YOU THIS, I had to put my hand over my mouth to keep from making a sound that would surely have a S.W.A.T. team on site. Sitting on a shelf that I had looked at so many times before was the matching teapot that had not been there so many times before!! God is sooooo gooood!!


Now some might say "What has God got to do with this?" Well, remember when I mentioned I had found a few pieces of this pattern before? Here's what happened.
On one of my expeditions I found a beautiful bowl in this same lovely pattern. It just so happened another lady was watching me admire this beautiful piece. She quickly picked it up as I sat it down. I looked past her and saw a big, red box. This is unusual because most pieces are not boxed in this area. Upon examination, I found it to be another bowl just like the first one except it had two pieces that were included for the same price and of course, missing from the first one. The same lady that had picked up the first one was eagerly awaiting my decision on the second one. Believe me, I would have loved to have had this bowl. She asked me if I was going to purchase it and I decided to let her have it. I am not sure she was expecting this as she stammered "Are you sure? You know, Finders, keepers." Again, I let her know it was her's for the taking. She placed it in her cart and got away from there quickly all the while thanking me.

When I first found the teacups, the lady came back to mind. I am fully convinced that I was blessed to *find* the pieces I have been searching for because I relinquished the bowl. It is amazing to know that God, being as great as He is would be concerned about such. Isn't He just wonderful?

Without further ado, I present my latest. And Yes, they are wonderful Valentine, anytime treasures!