Ask and It Shall be Given

Far too often, I feel like a failure as a wife & mother. We all do, I think.

I feel like sometimes I neglect my marriage, neglect my husband. I know we are secure in our love & with each other so I fail to put in the effort that I should. I take my husband for granted (just like he takes me for granted). I get so caught up in the day to day insanity that I forget to nurture our relationship.

To be perfectly honest, we took an Anniversary trip several years back celebrating our 10 year, & I was miserable. I missed my kids. I didn’t know what to talk about. I was bored.

I’ve asked God to help me. Help me love my husband more. Help me adore him more. Help me want him more.

More recently (the past few years), I’ve started cherishing our alone time. Our mini vacations, our breakfast dates, riding along if he has to go somewhere. I enjoy being with just him.

As I was walking through the woods the other day with him to get a deer stand, I realized that God had answered my prayer.

He changed my heart & gave me a stronger desire for the one He picked out for me.

Then a strange thought struck me & I couldn’t help but giggle a little. I started looking forward to spending more time with my husband when my relationship with my teenager started getting stressful!

I immediately thanked God for renewing that love while apologizing for not praying for my kids enough.

Lord, help me through the rough days. Help me to cherish the good days. Help me to hold fast to your promises on all the days in between!

I'm Tired

I don't know about you, but I'm tired!

Yes I run wide open more often than I don't. I tend to carry more plates than I can hold. And somehow I'm usually supposed to be in several different places at the same time.

I'm tired!

Before you go comparing our schedules & start laughing at who puts on a more entertaining juggling show, let me explain.

My physical state is NOT what I'm writing about today. Even though it applies, that can easily be fixed with a little shut eye.

I'm tired on a spiritual level.

I'm not even talking about my incompetence as a Christian.

BUT I'M TIRED!

I am tired of Satan getting the upper hand on me. I'm tired of him using my loved ones to get the best of me. I'm tired of him using my insecurities, my pain, and my fears to make me question the right decision. I'm tired of him thinking that my past will trip me up the way it used to.

My husband loves me unconditionally. He's not perfect, but he does the best he can. My children bring me more joy and more heartache than I ever knew was possible. Being a wife is hard. Being a mom is even harder. I don't always react the way I should. I don't always have all the answers. I don't always show the love I have in my heart. But I hope, at the end of the day, they know how hard I try!

I have a hard time opening up. I have a hard time trusting. I allow people to get to me more than I let on. I worry about things I have no control over.

I'm NOT the person I used to be. I'm not perfect. I fall every single day. I'm no where near where I need to be, but I'm a lot farther down the road from where I once was.

Satan isn't happy with who I aspire to be. He isn't happy with who God wants be to be. He knows he no longer has me, but he wants me so beaten down that I'm no good to anyone.

I have no clue what God has in store for my life. I'm not sure why He entrusted me with all these blessings that love me. But I do know that His word says in Jerimiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil".

So yes, I'm tired!! And I intend to rely on God to help me fix it!

Be My Valentine ~ Who Needs to Breathe

This week in the Be My Valentine marriage challenge may be a little hard for some. Trust me, it will be worth the effort.

Sometime in all of our lives we find someone special. We go out of our way to catch that special some one's eye. We dress nice, we fix our hair, & we wear perfume. We flirt, we say sweet things, & we let them know how special we think they are.

We fall in love, we get married, we live happily ever after.

But when do we stop making that extra effort? When do we stop caring how we look? When do we stop pursuing those private intimate times with our love? When do we get comfortable? And why?

Every single one of us falls victim to this ageless game. Don't you think its time to break this tradition?

Don't take that man of yours for granted anymore!

Don't be lounging in sweatpants with a greasy pony tail when he gets home.

Don't neglect to tell him you love him.

Don't wait for him to make the first move. 

Put on something sexy, fix your hair, & wear that scent that still makes his pulse race. Kiss him like you can't live without him until both of you are breathless. And the minute the kids are fast asleep - seduce that man of yours like you did when you were dating!

He'll thank you for it!

Be My Valentine ~ Let Me Count the Ways

Have you started your own Valentines's Day Challenge?

I am having so much fun with mine!

I send my husband a text every morning to tell him I love him or miss him or I am thinking about him. I have been known to leave notes in his lunchbox. It's nice to know that someone misses you when you are gone.

I have also been looking on Pinterest for creative ideas to express my affection. Check out what I found. I will be adding many more as time allows.

I stuck a few love notes in Justin's Bible that I'm sure will bring a smile to his face when he finds them.

I'm going away for a Homeschool Mom's Retreat this weekend, so I need to come up with something to surprise him with while I'm gone as well.

Tell your husband you love him! Have fun while you are doing it!

Be My Valentine ~ I Will Praise You in this Storm

Are you joining us for the Be My Valentine Challenge?

I must admit that I am not a mushy person by nature. I don't get upset when my husband doesn't buy me a birthday present. I don't expect roses on our anniversary. I don't even like Hallmark cards.

To me, Valentine's Day is just another day. I don't need a man made holiday to remind people to tell someone you love them. I believe you should tell them all the time. I believe that you should go out of your way to make everyday special.

But, I do believe that marriage is important. I do believe that a husband & a wife should do everything they can do to make their spouse feel special & loved. I do believe that we should go out of our way to not neglect those we love.

As I was thinking about this marriage challenge & how I could praise my husband, I couldn't get Praise You in this Storm out of my head. I love this song by Casting Crowns. I love the images it invokes of God reaching down when we need him the most.

It seems that when I am at my lowest, my husband is there to pick me up. He encourages me, reminds me why I started this journey in the first place, & prays for me.

Justin is my best friend, my cheer leader, my confidante. He is my reality when things get crazy, my comic relief when things get serious, & my rock when I start slipping. He's my shoulder to cry on, my ear to talk off, & my heart to have faith in.

Justin works hard to make our dreams come to life. He's there, not only for my family, but for our friends, our church, and anyone else who might ask him to be.

I love him more & more everyday!

I couldn't ask for more!



Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge

How many of you remember the Revive Your Marriage series that we did back in September?

Well, Courtney from Women Living Well has issued another challenge.

I just came across it, so don't worry, you're not the only one late to the game.

Come join me for the next 4 weeks leading up to Valentines Day as we love on our husbands a little more.

Week 1- January 21 - Praise your hubby verbally.

Week 2 - January 28 - Praise him through more creative means.

Week 3 - February 4 - Pursue intimacy.

Week 4 - February 11 - Find out what he craves.

Let me know how you are doing!

2012 in Review

No, it can't be time AGAIN! Really, another year has already flew by?! It seems it has.

Somehow, the older I get, the faster time wants to go. Why is that? When I was young & anxiously awaiting something, it took F O R E V E R, but now that I am trying to slow down, I can't!

2012 was filled with ups & downs, laughter & tears, triumphs & disappointments. G.R.A.C.E has reached out & encouraged more people than I could imagine.  Blessed Boutique is allowing me to do what I enjoy while still being home.

In a nutshell this year we have had 1 child stop believing in Santa & the tooth fairy, 1 child lost their first 2 teeth, 1 child to take their first steps. We have bought a dirt bike, a go cart, a 4 wheeler, a truck, a new engine for the Suburban, & a new washer & dryer. We have played football, soccer, baseball, & cheer leading. We have dealt with RSV - twice, ear infections - too many to count, a gash in a head, a leg almost sawed off, bumps, bruises, black eyes, & bloody noses. We have left one church in order to follow God's will for Justin to become a pastor.

Thankfully, through it all, I can still say that I am BLESSED! God is good!

Here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year -

Hey Can You Help these Old People

Is it Really That Important  

What Will You Leave Behind

If You Never Did Then You Should. These Things are Fun & Fun is Good.

Something More

Happy Birthday Austin

The End of an Era

My Sweet Logan is 1

When Did He Grow Up

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Part 1

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Part 2

A Higher Calling

Tales of a Homeschool Nothing ~ School Pictures

Reviving Your Marriage

The Marriage Project

20 More Years

Whose Dream is This

The Elf on the Shelf

Here's to the close of 2012 & the promise of 2013!

The Theory of the Little Gold Band

Last night, while getting ready for bed, my wonderful hubby looked at me & said "You're the most beautiful woman in the world" (again). I laughed & said "You're crazy" (again).

Now, before you start throwing tomatoes at me - let me assure you that this is a funny story!! I know that many women are saying "I wish my husband thought I was the most beautiful woman in the world" & some are probably saying "I wish my husband just told me I looked pretty once in a while" & some are no doubt even saying "You're his wife, he's supposed to think you are beautiful".

I know all of this - bare with me & my humor. I promise you will at least chuckle at it!

So I looked at him & said "I've got it! I know what the problem is! Your wedding band is too tight & its cutting off all the circulation to your brain. It's making you delusional."

He laughed & said "Nope, you forgot that I haven't had it on lately thanks to this job." (He can't wear it to work for safety reasons.)

I said "Well then, you're not used to it being off, so therefore now all the oxygen rich blood is rushing to your head & making you delusional."

Wait a minute - If you think this theory doesn't apply just because your wedding ring isn't gold, think again buddy! This proven scientific theory transcends ALL shape, size, color, material, & symbolism. It's even certifiable!

HAHAHAHA - I'm just full of smarticles!

Now, smile, you know it was funny!

The Marriage Project - Major Project 3 - Group Date

I'm really not sure which "date" to count for this one. Thursday, we went haunting with friends. Friday, we had a HUGE cookout at our house. Saturday, we went to Lazy 5 Ranch with the church group. Today, we had dinner with friends. So, I think we have this one well covered.

The Marriage Project - Day 21

I LOVE getting text messages in the middle of a seemingly normal day just saying "I love you".

The Marriage Project - Day 20

I love my husband all the time. BUT, I don't always like him! I'm sure he feels the same way. Sometimes we need to be reminded just what we do like about each other.

The Marriage Project - Day 19

Our role models change many times through out our lives, but hopefully many of the things we look for in them do not!

The Marriage Project - Major Project 2 - Blast From the Past

I have enjoyed haunted houses since I was 13 and horror movies since way before that. Pre-children, Justin & I went to several spooky events every year. Post-kids, just like everything else, is a little harder. A little more planning is now neccessary. Tonight, we went to Woods of Terror in Greensboro with some friends. We even took Austin with us! It was AWESOME!!! Completely worth the extra drive out of town!

The Marriage Project - Day 18

One of my biggest pet peeves with my husband & my kids is their obliviousness as to where their shoes belong. For some reason, shoes tend to accummulate in my bathroom & other random places. I CANNOT stand this!!! Mainly, because I WILL trip over them!

The Marriage Project - Day 17

Ugh, do I REALLY have to watch hunting on TV? Maybe, I can get my head rubbed or something. Turn about is fair play. At least I get to snuggle.

The Marriage Project - Day 16

Can I just say that a fire builder I am not? I usually leave then fire to the fireman. But, practice makes perfect. After all, it was the little engine that always thought he could.

The Marriage Project - Day 15

Does my TV time count if we both want to watch the same thing???

The Marriage Project - Day 14

A good foot massage can erase a day's worth of drudgery. Justin & I have always enjoyed giving & receiving massages. After a particularly long day, we like to lay head to toe so we can both benefit from a foot massage at one time.

The Marriage Project - Day 13

The laundry monsters are always on the loose at my house. It seems that I can never get them under control, so I appreciate all the help I can get! :)

The Marriage Project - Day 12

There's just something about candlelight that makes a meal taste better. It also seems to bring about peace to an otherwise stressful day.