Our Happy Valentine's Day

I absolutely adore spending time with this guy. Valentine's Day is a wonderful excuse to claim some "us" time, flee routine responsibilities, and just enjoy being together! Joey finds ways to spoil me year round--he definitely doesn't isolate showing his love for me to one specific day of the year. But he claims this day, as well, to make me feel like his top and most precious priority. I love being his girl. I love that I get to show up places with him, and leave with him, catch his eye when I know he'll find something funny, feel his fingers laced through mine as we walk, talking and laughing together so easily, and being a part of his world. I am the luckiest girl! Yes, our 5th Valentine's Day together (see? we're still newly weds!) and I'm still smitten. 

I love you, Joey!

 We started out our day together by doing what I love most:

seeing Joey in his element...surrounded by our students--the reason why we do what we do. We love them so much! They have such a positive energy, passion, and contagious enthusiasm. We had a little end of term party for them to encourage them as they prepared for their exam week coming up, and give them something fun to do in the middle of their cramming. I love that I've been able to do a little bit of teaching this school year. Just 2 hrs/week, and Joe puts together my lesson plan, always giving me the fun stuff to teach, while he focuses on teaching the grammar. We have been team-teaching in this way and therefore really been able to get to know the students together, talk about their strengths/weaknesses, and tailor the lessons accordingly. Love working with Joe in this way! 

Here are a few pics from our end-of-term party: the kick-off of our Valentine's Day together! :)

 Our intermediate class

  

Our advanced class was in rare form!

 

 

After our end of term party, we slipped home to check on the kids, eat lunch together, settle them down for naps/quiet time, and then slipped away for an afternoon/evening together! The longest we've been away from the kids in, er, hmm...I can't remember! It was wonderful!

We did what we both love to do: walk, talk, and see where we end up. The result was a wonderful day of city exploration, ducking in and out of shops, and finding all kinds of cool restaurants/cafes/ice-cream shops. We ate, walked, window-shopped, repeat. x10.

Gotta watch out where we walk! Even if there are sidewalks, the motos take over the space!

 We found the stationary district! 

Love our unique city.

It's jackfruit season! Joe has really taken a liking to it's unique flavor! I'm still working on it. I saw some growing, so thought I'd snap a picture. Mango season is also here! YAY!

We discovered Toto. A beautiful little ice-cream shop (totally lacking in anything masculine, but perfect for Valentine's day!) 

the beautiful Independence Monument in the heart of the city (with a tuk tuk in front)

tacos and nachos? OH yeah!

The Starbucks of Milk Tea

 It was a beautiful day!

I also got to spend some quality time with my littlest Valentines!

We made cupcakes together (Wes likes to "dump it!" and "go stir stir!") and Briana (my little apprentice) just soaks everything in with her big brown eyes.

Of course, Wes' favorite part is the icing. We re-frosted his cupcake several times. haha

 

 Mindy and her daughter Ada a greater appreciation for my attempted layers!

A friend referred me to a restaurant supply company that also fills private orders at wholesale cost. 

GUESS WHAT I ORDERED? haha, cheese!!! Check this out! I've just gotten used to cooking without cheese, but now a whole new world opens up to me with a revived selection of recipes. For the first time in our marriage, I made lasagna! OH my goodness, it was so cheesy delicious!!

Some girls get roses & chocolate for Valentine's day. 

I got cheese. (happy sigh)

Actually, I got roses and chocolate, too! (extra happy sigh) ;)

 

Thanks for being one of those guys who's not afraid to get sappy, makes me feel like you picked me over anyone else, and is so good at making me giddy with excitement at the thought of having you as my Valentine all year long. 

Happy Valentine's Day, my love!