Love my Husband Journal

Do you ever wonder what you love about your husband?  Maybe you are struggling in you marriage or just want to add a little bit more to it.  My advice would be to start a "Love my husband journal."  It might seem a little bit strange but why not give it a try.  Each day write down one thing you love about you husband, or one kind thing he did that you really appreciated.  I just printed off a cute weekly journal and then on each day wrote something down.  I didn't expect it to really change anything but decided what the heck.

Here is a sample of my journal.  The main thing I noticed about doing this is that I really do have a great husband.  Yes he does things that I don't necessarily agree with but he still is great. I don't think my marriage was suffering of anything when I started this, I just wanted to strengthen it a little more because so many people I know are struggling.  In all honesty when I started I din't expect anything, however I got an new appreciation and a deeper love for Brian.  I don't notice the negative things nearly as much.  I definitely notice the good things more because that is what I am looking for.  I love Brian with all my heart and I tell him all the time I am so grateful that he choose me.  I am also grateful that I choose him.  I am also grateful that I am taking the time to notice the good things he does for me.  I would issue all of you this same challenge.  Start your own journal about how great your spouse is.

Family Home Evening?

Have you ever started a family home evening laughing so hard you had to leave the room while the prayer is being said?  Well that's definitely what happened at our last one.  When Brian asked whose turn it was to say the opening prayer out little guy said, "Let me put on my super vision and look" as he put his hands up around his eyes like binoculars. Oh my heck!! It was so funny. None of us could keep a straight face.  In fact, a few of us left the room so the prayer could be said without a bunch of giggling.
The evening went on pretty much this same way and I can honestly say we didn't learn one single gospel truth.  We didn't discuss scriptures, or ponder life.  We laughed and we joked.  We talked about life and our favorite memories. We debated about the things we should do this year before my oldest leaves the home.  We all cuddled together on the couch and watched a movie and ate treats.
I don't know that this can really qualify as a family home evening, however it was great bonding time for my family.  Through the laughter and fun, we all felt the love that exists in our home.  My kids know that Brian and I, as parents, will listen to them and their crazy stories.  They know that they are loved by us.  My kids know that we are always there for them no matter what outlandish things that they do and want to talk about (even if it includes hitting beetles with a baseball bat, or acting like a bull when you get angry). They have a family that is there to support them and love them dearly.
So maybe we didn't really have a family home evening as we are suppose to, maybe it was something a little bit better than that.  One thing I truly believe is a two part thought: #1 A family that PRAYS together (even if it's from another room) stays together.  #2 A family that PLAYS together (like our crazy night) stays together.
May we all take the time to not only pray as a family but to step out of the box and play a little bit together also.

Home Sweet Home

We all need a place to go that we can just be ourselves, where we can laugh or cry.  We need a place where we feel safe and loved.  That place for me is my home.  I love to go home after a long day at work. I even enjoy spending the weekends at home just relaxing.
I don't have a large house but it's perfect for me.  I enjoy all my family cramming onto the couch together to watch a movie. It's a great way to be together as a family.  In fact we are kind of stuck once we start, our legs all intertwined with each other.  It makes is safe and cozy for all. Who could forget about the comfort of cuddling up with a good book on a rainy day? It feels like time has just stopped for a few moments and you can imagine infinite possibilities. Who could pass up the hours spent in the kitchen cooking, eating, or just visiting with loved ones. That is what my home is, a place of refuge where we find all the comforts we seem to be seeking.

Perhaps my favorite thing is to sit out on the porch and admire the beautiful world we live in. I enjoy watching a nighttime lightening storm and knowing that I have the safety of a home to go in. I especially enjoy watching the sunrise and sunset from my front porch and pondering the new beginnings we all face. It's a way to see the world in all its glory and still feel the safe comfort of a place I love.
Jane Austen hit it right on when she said, "Ah! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."
May we all find a place where we can just be ourselves and enjoy the beauty and comfort in life.