4 Traditions 4 Valentines

4 Traditions... Issue: Happy Valentine's! In This Issue Love Muffins How We Met Hidden Hearts Valentine Quilt Pray for LOVE Michelle Fozounmayeh A joy filled wife and mom that enjoys writing, praying, speaking at women events and being an Area Coordinator with the ministry Moms In Prayer International.   Want a quick prayer encouragement on the first of every month? Click "Join our Mailing List" and start recieving Michelle's iPray eVotionals! iPray eVotionals... iNeed a Reminder iFinish Strong iThank God for That iFollow iWork Out iReminisce iPray 4 Protection iPray 4 Purity iSmell a Stain iEmbrace iPraise iLove Deep and Wide iPray 4 Newness iTeeter-Totter We live in a world where we wear many "hats".  Even though we all have many parts of ourselves trying to survive... Many Parts of Me (click link for "hats" script) Traditions do not have to make our world even more hectic!  It's not about doing more... it's about doing less!  It's about doing what matters! Make sure the traditions you do are one's that promote values and have a purpose.  Maybe it's time to say good buy to the ones that keep you so busy that you don't have time to connect with your loved ones. Greetings! Throughout the years I have come to have a deep respect for the role family rituals and traditions have on the healthy state of our family. For many years I worked as a Family Consultant with Once Upon A Family and picked up a few ideas.  Although traditions in our home have had seasons of success and seasons of rest or have had to be modified and/or changed to fit our families needs, they still exist!   Each issue of 4 Traditions features ideas I have gathered that you can use or modify to fit your family's needs.  The BOLDED Traditions are close variations to traditions my family has experienced. Valentine's Love Muffins For the bakers... It is as simple as baking muffins from a boxed muffin mix to show your loved ones how much you care.  On Valentine's day, write little love notes on pieces of red and pink construction paper, fold them in half, and attach a ribbon to the top of each message.  Bake your muffins, then insert your special heart-felt notes into the tops, leaving the ribbon exposed.  When the muffins have cooled, wrap them up in a cute little basket or festive heart fabric, and deliver them to your "love muffins".  They will cherish your special notes as well as the tasty treat.  Valentine's Day will not be complete with out these traditional muffins, and your loved ones will ask for them year after year. How We Met For the Sweethearts... As a couple, put together a special book detailing the history and story of how you met and fell in love.  Include photographs from when you were dating, along with any memorabilia from the past.  You may even want to include pictures from your wedding, or letters that you have written to one another.  As you reflect on your past, this book will bring you closer as a couple and will include your family in this very important part of your life.  Children love to hear stories about their parents, and by sharing this book with them, you are teaching them how valuable and sacred a loving relationship is.  This story will become a family favorite and your children will ask to hear it over and over again. Hidden Hearts Loving Kindness... Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show someone you care.  The night before the big day, compile a list of all the reasons you cherish your special someone.  Don't forget the small things, and honor their uniqueness ("I love how your nose wrinkles when you're frustrated" or "I appreciate it when you make your bed without me asking")  Next, cut two identical hearts out of a variety of fabrics, and sew the two sides together.  Before you have sewn your last stitch, add a bit of stuffing to make them puffy.  Make sure the backside of the heart has a slit to slip your note in (a big button hole would work.) Make as many hearts as you have notes. (The notes alone are even enough to show your Valentine how much you care.)  Then chose random spots to hide these handmade hearts.  Your sweetheart will surely be touched when they come across these cherished notes isn unlikely places (a coffee mug, a briefcase, a cereal box, or the car). The Valentine Quilt Creating an heirloom... Every year work together to create a heart that represents your family.  This heart will symbolize things your family has done or accomplished through out the year.  Ask family members to choose fabrics and trims that are meaningful to them.  Use these materials to make an embellished, patchwork heart.  If brother's soccer team won the championship game, use a piece of his jersey.  If sister started a new job, use a button from her uniform, or if a new baby arrived, use a piece of her blanket.  Once you have assembled your family heart, attach it to a blanket or piece of quilted fabric.  Each year when you add another heart you will be creating a priceless record of your family's history.   A Prayer 4 U Blessing you with God's LOVE... Celebrate Valentine's Day this year with a love that points your family and friends towards God.  Set this day aside to honor God and love on others.   Click the link below to see how God's LOVE is deeper and wider than a once-a-year Valentine's love... Deep & Wide LOVE   All 4 HIM,   MICHELLE FOZOUNMAYEH My Blog