Eight Years Ago

I've always loved Christmas.  It was the one time of year, when I was a child, that my family life seemed pretty much normal (whatever that is.)  Eight years ago, though, I got one of the best gifts I could have ever imagined.  I met my husband.  My husband and I went on our first date on Dec 16th, but though it went well, and we had a nice time, I told him that I didn't want to see him again because I wasn't looking for a relationship.  (He had expressed to my friend, that came along, that his goal in dating was to fall in love, get married, and have children.  This was about 10 minutes into our date, and it freaked me out a bit.)  So we ended our date with no plans to contact each other again.  He didn't even have  my phone number! 

The next day though, he permeated my every thought.  I couldn't get him out of my head.  The way he looked, the way he looked at me, his personality, just everything about him.  I called him 3 times from a payphone near his house, hoping that he'd answer just so I could talk to him again, and maybe see him.  He finally answered the third time, and I told him that somehow he had managed to sneak his way into my psyche, and that I had changed my mind and would like to see him again.  I visited him at his home a few times in the next couple weeks, for about 30 minutes each, and spoke to him on the phone about nothing and everything. This relationship was one where we didn't move to sex right away, and it felt so right. 

I remember on about the third visit as I was getting ready to get into my car and leave, that he held my door open for me, and I finally asked him if he was ever going to kiss me.  He said "you want me to kiss you?"  I said "well, yeah!"  As we kissed, I noticed that the poor guy's legs were shaking.  It was so endearing!!!  I was already dangerously close to falling in love.  On Dec 23rd we had our second "date."  I spent the evening at his house, and he was so romantic!!  He had candles lit, and Kenny G music going...we soaked in the hot tub, and had a wonderful evening.  I'll never forget that night, for the rest of my life.  I knew that night, that this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. 

So, tomorrow, on Dec 23rd, I will celebrate 8 years of being in love with the man that is my husband, and I must thank God for His provision.  I am so blessed!  Even during a time when I had turned from the Lord, He was still looking out for me, and providing that which was for my good.  So today I will meditate on Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 Thank you Lord for Your Provision and Care.  I can never thank you enough for blessing me with this wonderfully caring man.  A man that was made for me, and I for him.  May your name be praised above all!!

Woman to Woman: Daddy's Home by Tracy Eyster

(I received this article from my husband today, who told me I do a great job of this, and thought I might find it amusing to read. I wanted to share it with all my female readers, because it does work!)


You'll be amazed at how a mom can set up Daddy as the hero of the house in his children’s eyes ... and you'll be amazed at what this will do for your man.

Have you ever thought about what your husband’s day must be like?

The grouchy people he no doubt encounters each day, the problems at work, sitting in traffic. I bet many husbands can’t wait to get away from all that nonsense and just get home and be with the family.

So what does your husband come home to at the end of a hard workday? If he’s like a lot of husbands, I would imagine that many days, if not most, he comes home to a messy house, preoccupied children, and a grumpy wife.

Complete chaos ... anarchy ... madness ... delirious fun ... that’s our home while Daddy’s at work. I believe that a home should be a learning environment, full of activity. Sometimes that means things will be messy!

But when it’s almost time for Daddy to come home, that’s your chance to change the environment. Whenever you can, I suggest you teach your children the excitement of “Daddy’s home” and work together to ready your home, yourselves, and greet Daddy properly with unabandoned enthusiasm. The difference in your husband’s desire to hurry home from work will be swift and dramatic.

What does unabandoned enthusiasm look like? Well first, let me tell you what it doesn’t look like: It doesn’t look like Daddy walking in the door to a house strewn with toys, a kitchen laden with leftover, half-eaten food products, and a wife and children who look like they’ve spent the day in a wind tunnel.

What if your children learned from you that Daddy is so special and we are so excited for him to come home that we are going to do our very best to be ready to greet him with a tidy home, clean faces, and big smiles? You’d be amazed at what this will do for your man.


Training Your Children

God’s Word tells us that children are to honor their parents—it’s one of the Ten Commandments. Ephesians 6:2-3 tells us that “honor your father and mother” is the “first commandment with a promise”—that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth. Mom, this is your opportunity to teach and model for your children how they can honor their father … and it comes with a promise. It doesn’t get any better than that!

I’ve been fortunate to be able to stay at home with my children, and I admit I’m mostly speaking to other full-time moms here. But this idea is so easy that anyone can use it. All you need are a few large empty baskets strategically placed throughout your home, the ability to shout and encourage like a cheerleader, and one or more children eager to participate in a big surprise. And all children love being part of a surprise!

It goes something like this. Explain to your husband that it is very important for you to know his exact arrival time and request that he give you at least a 15-minute warning call. At the appointed time yell, “What time is it?” The children shout back, “It’s almost time for Daddy to be home!” That’s your call to action—you announce, “Okay kids, let’s see how fast we can get everything ready for Daddy!”

This is where the empty baskets come into play. The children are charged with scurrying around and placing all the toys and clutter in the baskets. Don’t worry if things get “mixed up”—you can sort it out after the little ones are in bed. (And let’s face it—it’ll just be mixed up and back on the floor tomorrow.) You concentrate on cleaning the kitchen.

As a team, scamper from room to room and be sure “all systems are go.” Shout, “to the bathroom” and everyone gets a quick wipe of the face, comb of the hair, quick change of a shirt if it’s laden with strawberry stains and various unknown substances. And if you’ve spent the day in a sweat suit and pony tail, now’s the time to put on a decent outfit, run a comb through your hair, and pull yourself together.

Be sure to talk to your kids about how much you love Daddy and that you want to look pretty and give him kisses when he gets home. They’ll giggle, and you may get a few “gross” comments, but trust me ... they love that you love their Daddy! And you are teaching them something about the marriage relationship and meeting others needs and expectations.

Then it becomes a “waiting by the window” game, much like waiting to go check out what’s under the Christmas tree. When Daddy opens the door you all scream, “Daddy’s home” and you all run and smother him with kisses and hugs and tell him how much you missed him and how happy you are that he’s home. All the day’s strife will melt off of him and he’ll glow. And your children have just honored their parents.

In less than a week, they’ll have the routine figured out and be expectantly waiting to hear you yell, “What time is it?” Yes, this can be done daily; they won’t tire of the process. Remember, these are the same children who want the same book read to them fourteen times a day. If you teach your children that it's a big deal when Daddy comes home, then it will be ... for all of you.

I double dog dare you to try it!

For My Wonderful Husband

Many of you know what a great relationship my husband and I have. Many of you know that he also reads my blog everyday, and often adds a quip here or there to tease or encourage me. So far, I have not made a point of bragging on my husband, and I'm sure that there are times when he might wonder why. Though bragging on him is not the purpose of my blog, having a great marriage is one of the aspects of this blog. So today, I want to tell the world why I think my hubby's the best. Please don't hate me, because my husband's beautiful. :)

He has the most beautiful green eyes that when they are uncovered (he likes his sunglasses), causes even the most faithful of women to want to stare into them, and drown in their depths. I suppose that could be a stumbling block, but I don't mind. They are beautiful, after all.

He has a magnificent body that he does not have to work at (I'm kinda jealous of this fact, because I DO have to work at any semblance of a nice shape, but oh well.) I like to look at it, so we're even.

He takes me on a date night almost every week. He takes me to dinner or a movie, and some date nights, we just sit and "park." We're married, so it's allowed. I love that we still desire each other even after 7 years. I know that's not a long time, but for a second marriage, complete with four kids, that IS an accomplishment. Thank God for healthy marriages!!!

He sends me flowers just because. And just to say he loves me.

He cooks (sometimes better than I do); he cleans, and he loves to be alone with the kids, while I have time away.

He goes to work everyday (even when he's sick) so that I don't have to go to work anymore. He works at a job he doesn't like (though he is grateful for it), building things he has no liking for (miniature trains) and he does it all pretty much without complaint.

He sends me music videos of love songs all the time, and sometimes he sings to me. He won't sing in public, though he has a nice voice, but he sings to me. I am so blessed!

He encourages me in everything I do, even when it isn't pleasant for him (my blog). He tells me I am a great writer (that's arguable). He encourages me to sing in the choir, though I'm not a great singer- only ok. He tells me I was born to act, though I only get to do it at church. He is my cheering section.

He knows me better than I know myself sometimes. He knows when something is bothering me, and holds me when I need to cry.

He's one of the few men I've ever met that actually likes and wants to cuddle. Yes, he really does!

He joins Women's Health Forums, so that he can get information and answers for me. He takes better care of me, than he takes care of himself, I sometimes think.

All these things I mention are not to make you covet what I have, but just to let my husband know that all the little things he does are BIG to me. I love you so much, My Love!! God blessed me beyond measure when he gave you to me.
Your Forever Love.

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