I had my 2nd annual Valentine’s Party at my house today. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. I invited 8 of my friends and made them dinner. After dinner we exchanged valentine cards and gifts and we played a little game. (each person brought a picture of themselves as a baby and/or little girl and we guessed who was who).
We also passed around a journal and we each wrote a little something in it. I will add pictures to it later. We used the same journal last year and it was neat to go back and look what we wrote. Last year, we found out that **** was expecting a baby from our little journal. There were no such surprises this year!
When they left, I gave each of them a single rose with a quote tied to it with a ribbon .
Everyone has left and I am sitting here happy. We talked and laughed and just had FUN. I am sure we resembled hens in a henhouse with all the cackling and chattering we did. What I loved most of all about this night was observing my friends talking to each other and laughing. It felt so good to be together, this dear little group which has gone through so much together–mostly good times but a few bad times as well. I know we will always be there for each other. And the circle is wide. It includes everyone.
friends
(The only man allowed!)
I can’t concentrate on what I am writing because hubby is sitting on the floor next to me looking at his new purchase: a deep fat fryer. Never did I think I would own such a thing. He wants to make chicken wings. 
What a great man he is, he took all 5 of the children out from 4:30 until 7:30 while I had my party. When he got back he put the kids to bed and came downstairs and held my friend’s baby so she could eat her dessert. He’s the one who took the group pictures of us, too.
By the end of the night we all tend to get a little silly. I think SOMEONE had a bit too much sugar?
Thank you, God, for the love of friends.
Good to be Home 
I wish I had been there and I am not a party girl!
What kind of flowers are in the bouquet?
What a precious group of women! Very sweet looking party. : ) You are all very blessed to have one another!
Love and Blessings, ~Amelia
You are the best! Thanks for the party. I knew you would have your pictures up! Woah, deep frier huh?
B
I am so happy that you had such a wonderful evening. Looking at the joy on each ladies face made me smile. Actually, your pictures made me feel like I was there with you.
Looks like a nice group of ladies and what a great idea!
It’s Cathi’s, Amanda’s and Trish’s fault for giving out Chocolate!!!!But look at that form!S P … I R … I TWe Got the Spirit!So Let’s Hear it!Goooooo Team!
ohhhh….what a wonderfully grand party!! Looks like a nice bunch of ladies. Glad you had a good time.
Lovely! You know how to make people feel cherished! I have heard deep fried turkey is da bomb! LOL!
feel so refreshed…as if I had been there too
How wonderful to have such good friends near you. You have me thinking though, of doing something special for all my friends, even though they are scattered across the country, thank you.
As for the fryer…it is a lot easier to just buy them or cook them in the oven. The fryer made my whole house smell greasy for several days. YUCK!
Looks like fun! =]
What a wonderful post! Thank God for friends. Thank God for good husbands. One of my favorite quotes: Neither party of a young love ever grows old in each other’s eyes.
Shanda, first, your decor was so pretty. I know you made each woman there feel so special. I know that you and your friends had a wonderful time together. What a sweet friend you are. I love the group picture. You looked beautiful too.
I had such a wonderful time! It was so much fun to laugh and talk with everyone. You are a wonderful hostess. 🙂
that is such a wonderful idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing the idea and photos with us. I may try to do something like this for my new friends. Thanks again! What was on the menu?
What a beautiful group you all make. Looks like it was fun.
I loved this post. Your table is set so beautifully! I love friends, and entertaining, and parties, and holidays! You combined them all and created such a wonderful memory for your friends that you will all cherish for years to come. 🙂
What a most lovely party! Your gift of hospitality is so evident…whether it is a group of friends, one friend or just your family. It shines through!Your posts and photos are such a joy to read and look at.Blessings!
What a great party! You may have given me an idea……~C
I love what you did to your blog! The party sounded fun – very creative! Glad you’re husband is
such a great sport. make sure you love on him a little extra for it 🙂 that baby is amazingly
adorable.
It looks like you had a wonderful time with your friends! 🙂
I love that picture with Jen being a cheerleader. What a nut. I promise to get mine up soon. It’s been a crazy day here. Thank you again, for inviting me, and for being such a gracious hostess. I really treasured that time in your home. 🙂 Love ya.
If you don’t mind, I may steal your V-Day idea!!!
So much fun!!! I love viewing your party from your pictures. Thank You so much for sharing your life with us.It’s so inspirational. I’d like to do something like that one day. Kudos to your DH for being so helpful and taking the kiddos out for a few hours. :o)Blessings,Angie
What an awesome idea and so beatifully planned! I’m glad everything went well! Love, Lish
I had to rush to comments to see if Juls came by b/c I knew she would “die” over your table this is so her gift! I was pleased to see that not only Juls but also Janny Fanny found this post! It is so pretty, I feel like I can just pull up a chair and join in.
You put so much thought into the entire event.
The group shot where you are on the couch…you look stunning! STUNNING!
Wow! What a wonderful idea. I think I may do the same thing for my friends. Such an encouragement!
What a great party, and the things you did with the party make wonderful ideas for others to use. You certainly do have the gift of hospitality! The women looked like they were having so much fun. And your husband was gracious to take the children so the moms could play. 🙂
God’s blessings to you!
Oh, Shanda – looks like so much fun!! Every detail seems so thoughtful. What a blessing to have sweet fellowship with sisters in Christ. Perhaps one day I could join you! What fun! 🙂 Congrats to Amanda – and isn’t Jonathan precious!
What FUN and what a GREAT idea! We “local” Xanga girls have a get together about once every other month and it is just FUN girl time! Looks like a great time was had by all!
Thanks for the momeries (typo turned out appropriate). This reminded me of when our firstborn was young. Young moms with friends are a blessing from God. 28 years married now and it’s even better! Blessings -Bob
Great pictures. I love the idea of having a Valentines party for your friends. What a special evening. The table and house looked terrific and you ladies all looked so nice in your red clothes. Thanks for sharing 🙂