Letters of {Love}

As part of a Bible study group that I’m with, we’re studying what it means … what it really means … to be a mother … a mother who loves her calling and enjoys every step, even when it’s painful, discouraging and tough (because, let’s face it – motherhood is not the easiest journey in the world, am I right, ladies?!).

 

This week’s topic coming up is about memory making.

Hmmmm. As a busy mom of four (almost five), I’m failing in many areas (confession: I have three baby albums that need updating – big time) and my 10,000 photos are all in a box, but not organized. I have a lot to catch up on, trust me. It constantly drives me crazy and irritates me so much {sigh} but when I came across this idea from here, I thought I could easily try this at home and create some sweet memories for the girls.
So today, I pulled out my sewing kit (okay, no, it’s my 8 year old daughter’s sewing kit- yes, she is more organized than I am) and found some felt squares that we had kicking around and spend some time this afternoon sewing. I know, to most of you, this looks like an easy project, and it WAS fairly easy (that being said, I did break one needle and had all my yarn strewn across the floor by Lovelyn while attempting this idea) for someone like me (ahem – I cannot CANNOT sew). I really wanted to add some lace but I had none so we had to make do with supplies found around the house.

 

The idea: beginning February 1st,  each girl will have a large, over-sized Valentine envelope hung on their door … and each morning leading up to Valentine’s Day, either Abby or I will write love notes – words of encouragement and affirmation to each girl – or drop in a tiny treat for each girl every morning. It’s not about the gifts – more about the love notes – we’ll write out why we are thankful for each particular girl, or what makes them special to us, or explain why we are proud of them from their actions the day before.

 

One Valentine’s Day, we’ll end with a Valentine’s Day lunch.

 

{Lovie with her envelope …}

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t wait to see how the girls react to our little love notes … sometimes we’re so busy correcting and prodding, we forget to encourage and affirm. The next 14 days will be fun.

 

Let’s face it – Valentine’s Day is a LOT cuter with kids involved!  (Like – creating Valentine’s Day themed snacks…)

 

 

“Will our children have precious memories of their childhood? Or will they be negative?
Memories provide a basis for the future lives of our children, for blessing, or for bitterness and hurt.
Happy memory making is one of the most beautiful things we can do as a mother…”
-Nancy Campbell

P.S. 25.5 weeks.

 

 

February 7, 2012 - 2:23 pm

Anna I love your ideas and photos! I hope you don’t mind.. But I shared your page with a few friends 😉

February 1, 2012 - 10:16 am

Sara Clarke Thank-you for sharing such a wonderful idea. I also have thousands of pictures in the box that I hope to one day make into beautiful scrapbooks for each of my children. I love this idea and my husband and I will be starting with the love letters today for our girls. We also do letter each Christmas to our children and our spouse to remind them how much we love and appreciate them. I love looking back at the old letter and see how my relationship with my husband has evolved. Thanks for another great blog post!

February 1, 2012 - 8:38 am

Sherri Good idea! Sort of an advent for Valentines… show the love. Lovelyn looks positively dwarfed by her envelope, but she looks intrigued just the same. xo

February 1, 2012 - 3:25 am

Chelsey You are so tiny! 🙂 You look beautiful. Can’t believe another one is on the way! And I love this idea. What a beatiful testament to you as a mother, but also to your children to have such a wonderful mum 🙂

January 31, 2012 - 10:42 pm

Laura ooooh, gonna steal this idea for my kids (hope you don’t mind) I’ll have to ‘man it up’ for J though – thanks for sharing!

January 31, 2012 - 9:31 pm

Debbie VanWyck Gillian, I always look at your pictures of the moments in your children’s lives (i.e. Lacey’s Ann party) and think “what a wonderful archive of memories Gillian’s girls will have”.

Don’t sell yourself short…between your pictures and the blog…they will never feel shortchanged in the memory keeping abilities of their mother.

January 31, 2012 - 9:29 pm

Grandma Gerr You are an amazing mom! Lovie is so cute with her love envelope! <3

January 31, 2012 - 9:22 pm

Brenda (Gillian’s Mom) WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!! Love it!!! I think it should be for Grandparents too 🙂

January 31, 2012 - 9:19 pm

Michelle This is a beautiful post….I really love the last quote you used. I think sometimes we all get to busy with the hustle of everyday life and forget that all our children need are just us 🙂 And such a fun way to show our children that we love them!

January 31, 2012 - 9:14 pm

Amanda Moore So very sweet.
What a wonderful thing to do for your children.