14 Days of Love: by Emma

Today's post comes from Emma. My husband was a boy scout leader in the last city we lived in. Emma's 13 year old son was in Dan's troop. The kid was hilarious! Every time he was over at our house he was polite and hilarious and darling. A few month's later I met Emma and I instantly knew why her son was so wonderful--he was JUST LIKE his mother. Emma is very funny and honest and talented! She can plan a party for 5 kids or 300 adults--with food, games, and a theme that will blow your socks off. She is a wonderful mother, great friend, and she's recently gone back to school--so a smart girl is getting even smarter. Emma is just one of those people that can dig in, get it done, and make it fun. Whatever it is. Go pay {Emma} a visit.

14 . That split second after I’ve finished sneezing and realize I haven’t peed my pants. Truly a celebratory moment!

13 . Biting into some dark chocolate, confirming I’ve made the right candy selection.

12 . Hot Irish men with accents… (have you seen “PS, I LOVE YOU"???)

11. Finding just the right tune from John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Keane, or Jamie Cullum, etc. that sums up how I am feeling right then and there, and then downloading it to my iPod, setting it to repeat and listening to it 200 times in a row until I know every word, every breath, every ooh and every ah… (What do you mean, “compulsive”?)

10. Cheese! Glorious Cheese! (get a “big” brie wheel from Costco, bake on sheet of foil @ 250, 10-15 minutes and delve in with triscuits… Oh.My.Gosh.Gooey.Goodness!!! You won’t regret it!)

9 . Making late night runs for Mexican Food… yumm-o! (Washed down by a Diet Coke, of course!)

8 . (something I have NEVER told ANYONE till now) Caltoy Hand Puppets that I secretly started collecting a few years ago from thrift shops. Seriously – they are so stinkin cute! (I only have 6 so far…no clue what I am gonna do with them… I may just have to blog about this.)

7 . Finding a decent smelling bath gel for like a buck and then pouring HALF of its contents under running hot bath water for a luxurious long soak!!! (Now, if only I had a deep-enough tub to actually submerge the girls!)

6 . Massages… they are like crack-cocaine. For reals. If you haven’t had one, get one.

5 . When my kids look at me, talking with their mouths full, telling me I am like the best cook ever and can I please, please, please make this again?

4 . Improving my time on the treadmill or running trail… It’s empowering!

3 . Vintage Spoon Rings. This is a new obsession… totally cool. Best ones I’ve seen are on Etsy, for reals!

2 . That moment leading up to like the best kiss ever… A little nibble on the ear, face to palm, mouth to tongue…. Whew! Is it like getting hot in here or is it just me???

1 . That moment when I realize that I *AM* on the right track, and that I *CAN* do hard things, and that my Heavenly Father *DOES* love me… and that in the end, no matter what happens… I *WILL* be ok. Yeah… I love *THAT* moment.