Valentine's Day is just around the corner (9 days) & then comes Easter in April (74 days) and Mother's Day in May (95 days).
Yes, I am already thinking about Easter & Mother's Day...for so many reasons, but the most exciting is that it will be Olivia's 1st Easter (and her favorite animals are bunnies & lambs so I just know she's going to love it!), and it will be my 1st Mother's Day since V was born.
Last Mother's Day I was 36 weeks pregnant and V was born two weeks later. I remember celebrating with a really big belly and a really big piece of my favorite key lime pie with my loved ones surrounding me (including my Mama & My Grandma Bea); it was very special, in that I was a Mom because I was pregnant but that I hadn't experienced Motherhood because Olivia wasn't born yet. Kindof teetering in between two worlds.
A few nights ago, my husband and I got to talking about upcoming holidays and things we're looking forward to. He was asking if I had anything on my Wish List for the spring holidays, being that one of my love languages is gifts (a 4-week series on the Love Languages is coming up this spring!).
To be honest, I used to feel so guilty about loving to receive gifts and part of me thought having gifts as one of my love languages meant that I was materialistic. I couldn't figure out why, until I thought a little bit deeper about the world's views on materialism, money, consumerism, etc. I talked with Dustin about it a few years ago and I figured out that it isn't the actual gift that matters to me, it's the thought that is put into the gift. It's not the cost of it, or the popularity of it, it is the heart behind it.
One of my dearest friends, Natalie, celebrated my birthday with me two weeks ago and as a gift, she had written down 24 things she loves and admires about me. She seamlessly combined my love language of gifts & my love language of words of affirmation and it was truly one of the best gifts I have ever received; I know that piece of paper -- that list -- is something I will cherish the rest of my life. (And something I reread over and over & cried as I did so).
So, now I no longer feel guilty about loving to receive gifts. I feel loved when someone has taken the time to think about me, to think about something I would enjoy and to make it or buy it -- using their time, energy, resources, and effort. When I read, or look at, or use a gift someone has given me, my heart fills & overflows all over again. It's kind of like a photograph to me, in that the sentiment lasts long after the experience of receiving the gift. And being that you often give love in the same way you feel most loved, I LOVE to give gifts to others!
Now that I've shared way more than I planned and you learned way more about me that you probably thought you would today, here is a fun spring 2014 wish list I put together for us mamas out there. Of course it had to include a little bit of pampering, a little bit of jewelry, and a few unique finds that aren't really necessary but really, are totally necessary!
I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can never have too many beautiful dish linens, purses, pillows or prints. It's really the little things that make a house a home. (Plus it doesn't hurt that our initials are already on the pillow!)
Enjoy!
No comments :
Post a Comment