Tag Archives: ABC’s of Love

50 Things To Say To Your Husband To Make Him Feel Great by Janel Breitenstein

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by in Practical Help

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A woman’s words are powerful, even if she doesn’t believe they are. We women are influencers (just like our sister Eve). We can use our influence for good or for evil. What ways have you used your words to build up your husband today?

Janel Breitenstein has some help for those of us who can’t think of anything positive to say!

1. Thanks for doing that. It means a lot to me when you serve me in little ways like that.

2. I am such a different woman because of the way you _____ (love me, gently lead me, make me feel secure, etc.).

3. I know you and I haven’t been seeing eye-to-eye lately. But I want to let you know that I accept you whether I agree with you or not, and I’m committed to working on our relationship so we both feel understood and secure.

4. I don’t have a bit of a headache tonight. Interested?

5. I can’t believe how _____ you are. You are so clearly gifted in that area.

6. I’m seeing lately that you may not feel very _____, but I hope you know I still respect you deeply.

7. The way you _____ is such a good complement to me. God knew what I needed when He gave me you.

8. I love it when you wear that.

9. You are my best friend.

10. I am more in love with you than ever.

11. I want to go out with you. Are you free on _____ night?

12. No matter how royally you mess up, I’ll always be glad you’re mine, I’ll forgive you, and I’ll love your socks off.

13. I got the car washed and serviced today, hoping it would just take a little of the load off of you.

14. I’m sorry. Will you please forgive me for _____?

15. It is so cool to watch the man you’ve become since we’ve been married.

16. I’m proud of you.

17. What would sound great for dinner tonight?

18. I forgive you. And I won’t bring this up again, okay?

19. Got a minute? There’s something I want to show you in the bedroom.

20. You handled that incredibly well.

21. You’re right.

22. Got your favorite snack at the grocery store!

23. Just wanted to let you know I’m praying for you.

24. I trust you.

25. Let’s put the kids to bed early.

26. Go ahead and sleep in tomorrow.

27. I had no idea you could do that! You continue to impress me.

28. What do you think?

29. Can I give you a massage?

30. To the kids: I love your dad so much. He is so _____.

31. I love being around you.

32. I got a babysitter tonight!

33. I think you have so much to offer, and I can see it in the ways you _____.

34. I’m so glad you’re home.

35. I saw this at the store, and it made me think of you.

36. Do you feel like I’m understanding you?

37. I love doing _____ with you.

38. I stayed within the budget this month!

39. You are one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. I am so humbled God gave me you.

40. You and me this evening: Game on.

41. I got tickets!

42. Mind if I hold your hand?

43. I made your favorite _____.

44. Why don’t you take the night off? I’ve got the kids.

45. You are so well-disciplined in _____.

46. You still take my breath away.

47. I miss you. Have a great time!

48. Our kids are so blessed to have a dad like you. I love the way you _____ them.

49. You make me so happy just by being you.

50. I love you so much.

One final note: Maybe you’re a woman who initiates a lot of love for your man, but tenderness is not often reciprocated. Maybe you’re reading this under the burden of a husband who doesn’t serve you or protect you or cherish you. I want to compassionately encourage you: Jesus gave without mutual gain, too—and that puts you in some pretty good company. Ask God to give you remarkable, gentle grace as you lift up your spouse in prayer, and as you meet everyday struggles against resentment and possibly even injustice. Our God is the God who sees (Genesis 21:15-21).

Excerpted by permission from MomLife Today®, FamilyLife’s blog for moms. Copyright © 2013 by Janel Breitenstein. All rights reserved.

One of Those days

09 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Homemaking, Humor, Inspirational Mama, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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Snapshot_20120904_3

The day started early and, since I was out of bed and feeling pretty perky early in the morning, the day seemed to be off to a good start. A facebook message from our eldest daughter told me she was heading over the snowy mountain pass from the furthest corner of Washington state. I prayed for her.

My husband has had an infected tooth for several days now and he has been a real bear…a bit impatient. While he calls and yells at the poor dental receptionist, telling her that he needs to get an appointment, “NOW”…I find the missing math book for the seven-year old, remind the eleven-year-old that her speech is due and double-check that the teen boys are gainfully busy with something that looks academic.

STUFF AND THINGS 165

I ignore the Spanish textbook that I need to study for the quiz tomorrow, make sure the dishes are loaded, hug the still-in-pain-and-not-being-very-polite husband and go out the door with the nineteen-year-old daughter.

We join new friends at Oh So Sweet, a nice little bistro restaurant that has some amazing salads. I order a Beatnik; beets covered by a bed of greens, pine nuts, feta, tiny slices of Jicama and slathered with the house dressing. I figure I get a full months worth of antioxidants in one meal and enjoy it to boot! Running off to fun little restaurants in the middle of the day is not usually on my agenda so I justify it by telling myself I am eating such healthy food.

After lots of wonderful girl talk with a little doctrine thrown in, my new friend and her daughters say goodbye.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig for two hours of junior speech taught in my home. While I teach in the basement, our 15-year-old son practices upstairs on his duo speech in preparation for an upcoming tournament in Idaho. His duo partner arrives and there is the sound of thumping feet and loud teenage voices overhead. As I struggle to keep the ten students downstairs from being distracted by the noise upstairs, I remind myself that we are hearing the sound of creative learning :-) .patrick with tattoo

After class, second eldest daughter who lives away from home calls asking advice for a bad sinus infection. I tell her the protocol for using echinacea/goldenseal and, yes, it tastes like dirt but it knocks it out better than any antibiotic. Stick with it, girl!

Husband comes in the door. He has found an extremely competent dentist who did the quickest root canal known to man on his tooth! While waiting to get into the dentist he called the previous dentists receptionist and apologized. He also apologizes to me and the kids.

It is late afternoon and I begin the laborious effort of making my mind focus on Spanish. It is hard. It is March and my mind wants to lay in the sun and listen to ocean waves some place balmy…preferably Hawaii. I take this class with our 17-year-old and it makes my brain hurt. While I work on Spanish, seven-year-old son finishes his math work. P1020471abby on books

Nothing looks appealing for dinner and I have waited until the end of the day to think about it(not a good strategy). We finally decide what to have and husband has to run to the store. Dinner will be late.

The day is sinking to a close, a day full of learning, friendship, frustration, anger and forgiveness. It has been a good day.DSCF1864

Three Unseen Benefits of a Wise Mother at Home (a Repost)

04 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in becoming a stay at home mom, Changing the next generation, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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We’ve all read those intricate financial compilations by economic experts trying to prove that a homemaker really does have financial value. Because they can put a dollar amount on what a woman does in the home, they clap themselves on the back and point out that a homemaker is not really a parasite…she is worth something! She contributes!

Well, I’ve put down my box of chocolates, clambered off of my couch, turned off my soap operas and done a little thinking… *DING!* (thinking!) and I have come up with quite a few instances of how a woman in the home benefits her family and the world at large.

These are all hidden benefits of a wise woman at home and they are worth far more than money. There are so many benefits to having a wise, loving woman watching and caring for her family that I am only listing three here. Please leave a comment and share the ways that you benefit your family!

1. She pays attention. She walks by bedroom doors and listens to her preschoolers arguing and decides it’s a good time to talk to them about kindness, forgiveness and doing the right thing. She notices her discouraged teen and prayerfully waits for the right moment to find out what is going on in his life.

She watches, protects and builds.

2. She discerns…areas of weakness in her children that need to be strengthened such as poor work habits or sinful attitudes.
She takes the time to address those areas as well as bring them to her husband’s attention and to pray over them.

She is also quick to discern areas of growth when her child does what is right. She encourages and applauds. Her family feels loved and blessed because, in this huge world of ours, there is someone who loves them enough to pay attention!

3. She prepares. She knows that life is full of good times and bad so she leaves enough time and energy in her day to address the hard issues in life. She understands that she is building her marriage by guarding her schedule so she is not all “used up” when her husband spends time with her. She leaves a little extra space in her life… because life happens and somebody has to deal with it!

Read the interesting responses to this post here.

What do you think about this list? What would you add?

Marvelous Marriage Monday

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Holy Bible, Marvelous Marriage Monday, Praying for our husbands, Thoughts and Prayers

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Lord,

images prayer
Give our husbands peace and joy so that it permeates their spirits and testifies to the world of You.
May they be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that they
may walk in a manner worthy of You, to please You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of You; strengthened with all power according to Your glorious
might for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience: joyously giving thanks to You, who have
qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col. 1:9-12)

We thank You and praise You and have confidence that since You have begun a good work in our
husbands, You will complete it. (Phil. 1:6)

Give us the faith to continue to stand on Your Word, trust in Your powerful name and continue in prayer.

We ask these things according to Your will!

Amen

Of Nanny Goats and Carpet Shampooers

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in creative ways to show love, Inspirational Mama, Valentines Day

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images.jpg goat
The Day is almost upon us and a woman can hardly enter a grocery store or florist shop without bumping into a man with his arms full of flowers.

Have you ever noticed that a man holds a bouquet of flowers up and out from his body, kind of like an Olympic torch? Take a good look at the next man you see who has just purchased some Valentine’s flowers and see if you don’t catch a look of triumph and pride on his face.

That look of victory is there for good reason. After surviving the stress of Christmas, here come the Valentine’s Day ads. These ads are targeted at women but the pressure is on men. The message to men is clear, “Men, if you really love her you will buy her something…and that something will be very expensive.”

In the back of every good-hearted man’s mind there lurks that niggling question,
“Will flowers be enough? What if she is thinking jewelry?” Oh help me Lord!

Men have good reason to worry because, let’s be honest ladies, Valentine’s Day is a big deal for women. It’s a big deal for us because, way back in our minds we have this niggling little worry,
“Does he really love me? Is this love that we have ‘it’?”

We want that sweeping, swooning, love like we see in the movies (that’s why most marriage books are read by women and the chick-flick industry is going strong).

We also like foo foo and candy and sweet little nothings written on cards and carved into chalky tasting candy hearts and (if we’re honest with ourselves) we love the envious looks our friends and relations give us when the man in our life makes some crazy, creative, romantic gesture.

Valentine’s Day is fun. It’s romantic. And it puts a lot of pressure on our men.

As a younger woman, I put a lot of pressure on my husband.

I thought I knew what love looked like and the flowers he picked out of the New Mexico State University Agriculture garden for free did not look like love!

While I was busy getting my feelings hurt, I failed to notice all the ways that he showed real love to me.

He’s always defended me. He’s really good at that.

Over the years he’s worked at jobs he hasn’t particularly liked just to provide for us.

He gets angry and blows it…and apologizes.

He’s put his jeans back on in the middle of the night to go hunt up something at the store to make my pregnant stomach feel better and he’s done this more times than I can count.

He’s rented a carpet shampooer to clean baby vomit off the couches and ended up spending his one free weekend doing the entire house because I insisted.

He once brought home a pregnant nanny goat in the back of our mini-van because I got it into my head that our little acreage was The Little House on the Prairie except I forgot we didn’t have a truck or a trailer to transport the brainless mother-to-be. I’ve never forgotten the look on that poor man’s face as he drove up our driveway with the van full of excited children and a bleating goat. He had that what-has-she-gotten-us-into-now look…

He says those magic words to me, “What would you like me to make you to eat?” and then he makes it…better than a restaurant.

He thanks me, often, for giving him eight children. That really makes my heart go pitter pat.

My husband has also gotten really good at giving special gifts and beautiful cards. Those are fun and wonderful and sweet but they don’t really prove his love like all the other things he does.

We have that swooping, swooning, epic kind of love but it looks and feels different than the movies. It is better. Real love means commitment and forgiveness and sacrifice and being there.

So what if he buys you a new set of dish towels for a gift and doesn’t bring you a soppy card or a box of chocolates? I’ll just bet that the man in your life is doing an awful lot of things right.


“When over the years someone has seen you at your worst, and knows you with all your strengths and flaws, yet commits him or herself to you wholly, it is a consummate experience. To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.”
― Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriageimages.jpg old man kissing old woman hand

Give him a big kiss and tell him that out of all the men in the world, he is your hero.
Choose to have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

25 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Couples from Family LIfe Today

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in creative ways to show love, Fun and Easy ways to Celebrate, Gifts to Make, Practical Help, Valentines Day

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25 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Couplesby Mary May Larmoyeux from Family Life Today
helpmeet_verseIs it more important to love … or to be loved?

Most of us would agree with George Eliot’s words, “I like not only to be loved, but also to be told I am loved.”

Valentine’s Day is the occasion when you can experience both. We asked FamilyLife Facebook friends and Marriage Memo readers to share some of their favorite Valentine’s Day ideas.

With a little help from our friends, here are 25 creative ways to tell your spouse, “I love you.”

1. On small pieces of paper, write down every kind of kiss that you can think of (examples: passionate, on the cheek, etc.). Then fill an inexpensive red felt bag with your “kisses” and give it to your spouse. Ask your spouse to pull several pieces of paper from the felt bag, and then give your sweetheart whatever kind of kiss is described.

2. Make a book about why you love your spouse and why you are thankful for him/her. The woman who sent this idea wrote, “He loved it! Said it was the best gift he has ever gotten. And it helped me to focus on the things I love about my husband and not his shortcomings.”

3. Take your sweetie on a scavenger hunt. Ask him/her to answer riddles to find the clues to items that you placed somewhere around town. The last item should give instructions that lead to your Valentine’s Day activities.

4. After enjoying a candlelight dinner for two at home, give your spouse a massage and watch a romantic movie. The woman who suggested this wrote, “Last Valentine’s Day when I got home from work, my husband … had our bedroom set up with a candlelit table for two. He is NOT a cook but he made an awesome meal … grilled steak, sautéed shrimp in lemon, garlic, and butter, a vegetable, and [he] bought a chocolate fountain that was flowing—surrounded by fresh fruit for dipping. After dinner he led me over to his homemade massage table. … We ended our special night with a romantic movie.

5. Surprise your spouse with a special getaway together. The man who suggested this made reservations at a bed and breakfast, arranged for childcare, asked for time off from work for himself and his wife, and packed his and her bags. When he asked his wife to go to lunch on Valentine’s Day she was in for a wonderful surprise. “The little bit of effort I put into that weekend paid off huge for weeks to come.”

6. Give your wife a dozen roses. On each stem attach a note for a future date—to do something that she would enjoy (example: Go to the symphony).

7. If possible, go on a date with your spouse to a restaurant that you enjoyed when you first met. After you order your meal, take some time to write down favorite memories from the past year. Then share your lists.

8. Have 11 roses delivered to your wife, and then give her a 12th yourself while reading her a love poem.

9. Fill a large box with helium balloons and special gifts for Valentine’s Day. The woman who suggested this said that her gifts included “new sleep shorts for him and a new nightgown for me, a box of chocolate-covered strawberries and red napkins … some new candles, and a romantic CD. He got the hint. And loved the weekend.”

10. Create an intimate Valentine’s Day evening at home, without the children. The woman who suggested this idea said that she and her husband “enjoyed planning the menu, shopping for the meal, and ultimately preparing the meal together. Cooking to soft, romantic music can really be a turn on! While dining, the same soft, romantic music is a wonderful mood-setter. Dinner was followed by just the two of us having the whole dance floor, our den, to ourselves. I won’t say what all this led to, but it was a truly romantic night that would not have happened at the local restaurant!”

11. Order food from a take-out restaurant and have a picnic for all the Valentines in your family on your living room floor. The person who suggested this said, “The kids look forward to this every year. When we tried to change it, they wouldn’t allow it … it has become a tradition. The kids see the value of family and a loving marriage.”

12. Privacy and weather permitting, watch a romantic movie on your deck or patio.

13. If you are separated across the miles, send a care package filled with things that are red.

14. Make a meal with symbols of love. Examples: Write I love you with string beans, make a tart in the shape of a heart …

15. Hide little heart candies in your spouse’s shoes, coat, car, etc. The woman who suggested this said that she’s been doing this for decades. “Now a couple of the grandkids help me with delight.”

16. Wives, show up at your husband’s office before lunch. Call him from the parking lot and tell him you are going to take him for a lunch rendezvous and that you will be waiting for him whenever he can take a break. Wear a nice outfit and tell him you have something sexy on underneath for when he gets home. Take him to a nice place for lunch and back to the office. Give him some great kisses telling him how glad you are to be married to him, and tell him you will be waiting for him when he gets home.

17. Fill a jar with Valentine candy and notes for your spouse. Examples of notes are: Good for a backrub, 10 kisses, etc. Notes could also express your love and respect: “I am so glad that God blessed my life with such a great husband like you.” Individually roll each note and tie it with a ribbon.

18. Surprise your spouse by taking a vacation day from work and enjoy Valentine’s Day at home. Have a relaxing morning together on the porch, deck, or patio. Then go to a favorite restaurant for lunch. The man who suggested this idea had also reserved a spa treatment and tanning session for his wife. “While she was doing that,” he says, “I went home and made her a special dinner.”

19. Write a poem for your spouse and frame it.

20. On individual note cards, write why you love your spouse. Insert these cards in a small photo album. The woman who suggested this idea began her album with a honeymoon picture and introductory note card, and ended it with a love note.

21. Surprise your husband when he comes home from work on February 14. Place a welcome sign on the kitchen table and leave a trail of red foil-wrapped Hershey kisses to your bedroom.

22. With roses in hand and permission from your wife’s boss, go to her workplace and read a love poem to her. The woman who shared this idea said, “I am a teacher in an inner city school. Last year my husband dressed in my favorite suit and tie, came to my school with roses in hand. He got permission and assistance from the office staff to open the speaker system into my classroom and proceeded to read a long and beautiful love poem to me. He then came to my classroom and presented me with the bouquet of roses which I received while wiping my tears of joy and love for this wonderful man whom I have been married to for just under 30 years.”

23. Make a special “14 Reasons I Love You” Valentine’s Day breakfast for your sweetheart. On his/her plate, leave a letter or card listing 14 reasons that you love your spouse.

24. If possible, send a card postmarked in a town that has a romantic name such as Loveland, Colorado; Valentine, Texas; or Romance, Arkansas.

25. After your spouse goes to bed, tape notes to his car’s steering wheel with reasons that you love him, or decorate the bathroom mirror with lipstick kisses or Valentine’s window clings.

Have fun on February 14, and remember: Love is not meant to be given and received on just Valentine’s Day. Instead, it’s to be practiced every single day of the entire year.

©2013 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.

Marvelous Marriage Monday

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Inspirational Mama, Marvelous Marriage Monday, Praying for our husbands, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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Lord,

We pray for our husbands today. We pray for their vision, their goals, their hopes and their dreams

at_work_01 clock Picture credit

We pray that they would be known as men who have great hope in a holy God. We pray that they would set their minds on Your word and that they would live according to Your truth.

Give them a vision for what You have created them to accomplish in this life. Thank you, God, that You have a specific purpose for each man in this world. You have created our husbands with unique gifts and talents and You have a plan for their lives. We pray that You would guide them into their specific niche so that they would find great satisfaction in knowing that there is a reason why they were put on this earth.

We pray that they would be men of deep peace and great joy as they live and work in the calling and vocation that You have put them in.

In Your son’s name,

Amen

Marvelous Marriage Monday

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Inspirational Mama, Marvelous Marriage Monday, Praying for our husbands, Sticking through tough times, Thoughts and Prayers

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images silly

Lord,
We pray for our husbands. Show us ways that we can deepen our love for our husbands every single day of our lives together.

We pray for our husbands hearts and minds. May they renew their minds in Your word so that the burdens of this world do not overwhelm them. We pray that they would focus their hearts on You so that they would be peaceful men even when life is hard. Give them a deep sense of Your presence all the days of their lives.images beach

Lord, You have given us the covenant of marriage. Enrich our marriages, flood them with Your love and romance! Thank you for the Song of Solomon that teaches us Your view of marriage. Help us to romantically love our husbands all the days of our lives together.

We pray in the name of Your son, Jesus,

Amen

February LOOOOOVE!

01 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by in Crafts, Gifts to Make, Holiday, Practical Help, Valentines Day

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yourock
It’s time to get a bit crafty but, never fear, this mother of eight is not going to overwhelm you with Martha Stewart projects! I’ve scouted around and found some fun ideas that most of us can do quickly and inexpensively (do I hear a “yipee”?).

Head on over to Keeping It Simple to find out how to put together the cute “You Rock” Valentines in the picture.

Join us at the Romantic Vineyard and commit to romancing your hubby! It’s a fun challenge!

images.jpg valentines double hearts

In the midst of all the fun and fluff and sparkle, don’t forget to read last years post to learn all about The Legend of St. Valentine.

We’ll be having a romantic month here at Generational Womanhood. It doesn’t matter if you’re single, married or in-between, everyone loves a little bit of romance in their lives!

What are some ways you tell your friends and relations that they make your life sparkle?
Share it with us!

Why I love My Husband

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Marraige, Praying for our husbands, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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Why I Love My Husband

I’ve joined the linky party over at The Happy Wives Club because it’s an awesome site that reminds us there are many wives in the world who really do love being married.

Almost 32 years ago, two gawky, skinny, immature people got married and began to grow together. I was 21 and Doug was 25. Here are just a few of the reasons why I love my husband…it’s a never-ending list!

1. He makes me laugh. He has a really funny soft-shoe tap dance that he fakes and it is really good!
2. He loves children. He adores his own children even when they drive him crazy.
3. He has awesome blue eyes with a dark ring around them. They were one of the first things I noticed about him and now 5 of our 8 children have those eyes (mine are brown).
4.He is the most amazing Chef. He can make our tiny kitchen sizzle and pop with delicious smells and tastes.
5.He is a technical genius. He thinks so far outside the box that I’ve been told by many very smart engineers that my husband is a genius. I already knew that but its good to have smart people recognize it as well.
6. He always seems stunned by what I write. Really.
7. He gets absorbed and fascinated by things…like a little boy. The kids love it.
9. He is generous. Very generous.
9. He is very kind and patient with his 86 year old father who calls 8 times a day to talk about nothing.
10. He makes me laugh…really hard…did I mention that already?

Join the party at The Happy Wives Club and brag about your husband!

Or, why not start celebrating Valentine’s Day a little early and leave a list of some of the reasons why you love your husband? Then send him a link and let him know you’ve bragged about him here? I double-dare you!