The Marriage Project - Day 4

Today, we took full advantage of our 30 minutes of much needed "me" time. Justin went all out this time. Not only did he spring for a massage, but it was a FULL HOUR massage! WOW he sure knows how to pull out all the stops when necessary.

The Marriage Project - Day 3 BONUS

Hubby got me a treat tonight too!  Whoop Whoop BONUS 

It's An Epidemic

When was the last time you hit the drive thru in an effort to save time & energy?

When was the last time you felt guilty for eating yet another piece of candy?

When was the last time you saw half naked women plastered all over a magazine cover?

When was the last time you felt envious when you saw a Victoria's Secret commercial?

When was the last time you looked in the mirror & liked what you saw?

If I had to guess, I would say the first 4 were sooner than the last one.

How sad is that?!?!

Did you know that the average woman is now a size 14? That's right ladies, I'm average!

I will never have the body I had when I was 16 & more than likely I won't have this same body when I'm 60. I am not that young girl anymore. I am a beautiful, confident, curvy woman who has carried, delivered, & nursed 3 beautiful healthy babies. My body will never be the same, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I weighed 135-145 all through high school. I wore a size 9-10. And I was told for years that I was heavy! 135 pounds! That's not "heavy", but according to some, it was too much. 

Yes, America has an epidemic. We make it way too easy to over eat & way too hard to be healthy. But, we also make women (& men for that matter) learn to hate their bodies! Hey, you don't like your nose? That's ok, just pay someone to fix it. Hey, you want a quick fix to loose weight? Here take a pill for that. Hey, you think you look good today? You don't look as good as that model on TV. Hey, you think you have a decent figure? Just wait till you try this bathing suit on.

We are all guilty of wanting to look good. And we are all guilty of comparing ourselves to impossible standards. Then we are all guilty of feeling inadequate because we can never measure up to Hollywood's standards.

Ladies, PLEASE quit beating yourself up because you weigh more than Katie Holmes. Or because you don't have legs to the moon like Naomi Cambell. Or because you can't dance like Shakira. Or because you aren't married to Brad Pitt like Angelina Jolie is. Hey, I bet he's just as much of a slob as most men & he probably has killer morning breath too.

I could stand to lose 20 pounds & you probably could too. But, you want to know something..... Most days, I'm ok with who I am. Most days, I would rather drink a Mt. Dew than another glass of water. Most days, (if I make an effort) I can still turn heads. But EVERYDAY, I have children that love me, a God that died for me, & a husband who thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world. Shouldn't that be enough!!!

We are in the middle of an epidemic & if we don't teach our daughters, nieces, sisters, & ourselves that we are BEAUTIFUL just the way we are, who will? Hollywood certainly isn't going to!

The Marriage Project - Day 3

I don't mind to cook. Actually, I like it most of the time, especially when I have my menu already planned & my kitchen is not a mess.

When I read that cooking a special treat for my hubby was one of the daily projects, I honestly didn't see anything extraordinary about it. I do a lot of the cooking anyway & Justin usually likes what I make.

What made this really special though was knowing that this was just for him!

He just made the comment last week that I hadn't made broccoli soup in awhile. Ding Ding Ding. I didn't have to put much thought into what I was fixing! I also decided to make him a cherry cheesecake because that is his favorite dessert.

As far as the part where he doesn't have to share......nope, sorry. Not in this house! We always share here! ;) 

The Marriage Project - Day 2

What is the single most important thing we can do for our spouses? PRAY!

Prayer truly changes things!

James 5:16 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Today was the day that Justin & I chose to pray for each other. I pray for my husband on a regular basis. I usually pray for wisdom in leading his congregation, for strength in providing for our family, for opportunities with work, for peace in decisions he has to make, for his health, but I don't always know what is weighing on his heart & mind.

Although he always needs my prayers (& yours), sometimes, I need to remember to ask him specifically if he has any requests.

Pray for your husband like you have never prayed before! Then pray for your marriage, your children, & yourself!

The Marriage Project - Day One

Mondays are crazy busy for Justin & I, even more busy than most days - at least in the evenings. Since he has fire meeting on Monday nights, we don't get to spend much time together. Since we are also in the middle of football season, that hectic pace is compounded.

After he got home from drill, we escaped out to the water stove & discussed our week & filled out the surveys for The Marriage Project. There's nothing better than sitting in front of a fire on a cold night with the one you love.

I hope your first day has gone well. Don't give up. Your marriage is worth the fight!

Revive Your Marriage - Can I Get an Ego Boost

3 down 2 to go....I'm talking about the great ideas going on over at the Revive Your Marriage blogger link up. If you haven't had an opportunity to read all the wonderful ideas flowing through cyberspace this month, I urge you to do so.

If you have read some of these posts, I hope they have been a sincere help to you.

How many parents out there praise their children for their good deeds? That's what I thought. We start at a young age telling a child "good job" & clapping our hands when they do something that pleases us. The child smiles & tries to do it again because they are seeking praise.

When we are training a new puppy, we praise it for obeying. This is the only way they learn what we consider good behavior.

Think back to when you were in school. When the teacher praised you, it made you happy & more often than not, you strived to repeat the process.

How different are we as adults? We are still looking for gratitude. We are still begging for appreciation. We are still searching for attention. We are still needing praise.

When was the last time you told your husband how good he looked? How nice he smelled? Or how he still made you a little hot under the collar?

When did you acknowledge that he mowed the grass? Changed the oil in the car? Or took the trash out?
Sounds simple, huh? But have you done it lately?

Don't think its important to thank him or to tell him how attractive he looks? Wouldn't you like for him to tell you that the house looks nice? Or that he likes your new haircut?

Trust me, he WANTS to hear your admiration, your respect, & your devotion. He NEEDS to hear it. We NEED to say it. We NEED to NEED our men.

Take a few minutes out of your super busy day & thank your husband for his efforts. Praise him for whatever help he provides for you. Remind him how you like the way he looks in those jeans. Show him the respect that he craves. I can just about guarantee that your efforts will be appreciated!