Play Nice

I watched the following, and I enjoyed the humor of it. As a math challenged person, I could see myself going down the same type of trail for "logic." I knew the answer to the question in this instance, but there have certainly been a few times that I "just don't get it." I own that proudly, as that is just a part of me...just like a part of me "gets" how to have a great marriage. Watch the fun clip, and then look below for my more serious take...





Here is my take:

1) The clip was fun, but only if the husband posted it with his wife's consent, not if he was embarassing her by doing so.

2) He appears to have turned the camera off when she told him to (which was kind and good) but filming her while laughing at her logic could have felt to her like he was laughing at her.

3) A wife needs a husband to protect her and to guard her heart.

4) Even if she was laughing along with him on the outside after the fact, is he sure that she wasn't hurting deeply on the inside?

Important Lesson: In marriage, kindness sometimes needs to trump logic. Be real with your mate if something is hurting you, and listen when your mate asks you to stop. Trust is built or shattered in these seemingly innocent moments.

Date Night Ideas

Date night doesn't have to be expensive or even at night!

Consider things like:

* breakfast in bed

* taking a drive and talking

* taking a walk for ice-cream

* walking through the mall and window shopping

* putting on music and just holding each other on the couch

* riding bikes

* playing a board game

* watching a sunset and eating take-out


The important thing is taking time away from the other people and responsibilities in your world to focus on each other. If you find yourself being irritable at each other, it may just be that you have not had a lot of one-on-one time together in a relaxed atmosphere.


What are your ways of spending time with your mate?

Marriage Vows Keep Couple Together For 64 Years - Video - WTAE Pittsburgh

Want some inspiration for working out your marital issues?  Learn from the couple in this video!  Married 64 years and still going strong!
Click below, and enjoy!:

Marriage Vows Keep Couple Together For 64 Years - Video - WTAE Pittsburgh

5 Tips for Mommy to Make More Time for Daddy

1)Put the Kids in Bed at least an hour before you and your   spouse will turn in.  Even with 1/2 hour to prepare lunches for the next day, fold laundry, or put away dishes, you still end up with 1/2 hour just to yourselves.  Better yet, let the laundry wait, and take the whole hour together.  If you are too tired to do anything but hold each other on the couch and fall asleep together, so be it.  Just intentionally carve out "no kids allowed" time for the two of you.  If you feel mommy-guilt over this, don't.... just remember that a strong relationship with "Daddy" is a gift to your children.  A broken home due to neglect of couple-time would be much worse for your children to deal with than an earlier bedtime each night.

2) Before leaving each other for the day, carve out two minutes to pray (see yesterday's 5 Tips for More Time with God post), and one minute to simply hug and hold each other.  Feeling the physical connection between the two of you each morning can build couple intimacy, even when time together will often involve family life.

3) Slip a love note into your husband's lunch, briefcase, or wallet.  Just thinking about him enough to write a little something will be a blessing to him, and taking the time to think of what to write will help you to grow in feelings of love and appreciation for him.


4) Pop In a DVD for the Kids.  You may feel "touched out" by the end of the day, and with children demanding all of your physical energy, it is no wonder that you may feel drained.  However, the marriage relationship grows in pleasure and intimacy when the sexual continues to be nourished between husband and wife.  So, to do this, pop in a DVD the kids will be engrossed in watching, and slink off to your bedroom, send the kids to grandmas or to bed extra early on purpose, or set the alarm earlier in the morning, and don't forget to "sleep-in" if you get the chance on a day you are both home from work.  This is important time for you both to recharge and grow together.

5)  Go to Church at a place where the children have their own service, and spend time worshiping and hearing God's Word with your spouse.  I used to feel guilty and scared to send the kiddos off with "strangers," but when you know that the church has done background clearance checks, the kids are being taught at an age-appropriate level and enjoying themselves, and you and your husband get an hour or so to breathe, hold hands, and worship together to God, well....the benefits are huge.  Your children will see that you put a priority on your own relationship with God and with each other, they will learn to grow in the Lord and have their lives poured into by other Christians, and you and your husband can regroup for the week ahead, knowing that if you Seek First the Kingdom of God, all these things shall be added unto you!

Blessings,
Michelle (and Tim :)