Love & Marriage

I love fun questionnaires like I've done on my boys here and here! So I asked Michael if he would participate in Love Games at Marriage Tales, and he kindly obliged.


1. What is the first thing you noticed about your wife when you met?
The very first thing, her laughter on the first day I was a teacher. I was captivated.

Yes, we were in a teacher meeting. I was sitting with some co-workers and having a good time. Michael being the new teacher sat in the back with other newbies couldn't keep his eyes off of me once my laugh drew him in. Soon after, I did start noticing that he just happened to be in the teacher break room when I was.

2. What is something your wife does that drives you crazy? (In a bad way, let's not get freaky on here people!)
The way she deals with stress or doesn't deal with stress.

Yes, it does. I'm working on that.

3. If money wasn't an option what is one thing you would make sure you always had done for your wife?
Fresh flowers everyday. Seasonal flowers.

He has always been so good at surprising me with flowers just out of the blue. ;o)

4. When do you find your wife most attractive?
When she is happy. She is radiant when she is happy.

I believe that is a daily goal of his! He strives to please and make me happy.

5. What does your wife do for you that you totally appreciate and would miss if it was gone?
Smiles and laughs. When she laughs our boys will come running from the other end of the house to be around her.

He makes me laugh!

6. If you had your wedding day to do over again and everything was your call, would you keep everything the same? Change something? Everything?
I wouldn't change the wedding, but I would have a better reception.

I agree.

7. What's one beauty up keep that you wish your wife didn't do? Or what's one beauty thing you wish she did do?
Use my razor to shave her legs.

He always knows too! Drat!

8. If you could go or be any where in the world with your wife right now, where would that be?
Maui. I have been there in the Navy. I would love to share it with my wife.

You know I would love that sweetie pie! When can we go?

9. What is one moment you wish you could back and relive with your wife just to get to experience again? Would you change anything?
The first date. Everything just clicked.

I didn't want that night to end.

10. What do you love most about your wife?
The way she loves me and her family.

I have the best family, so it's easy...most of the time!

Thanks honey! *smiling*

The Great Date Experiment #2

Friday night, Michael and I participated in Date 2 of The Great Date Experiment. After the death of my grandma this week, it was good to go out! This date was based around a progressive dinner where you hop from one restaurant to another. We chose to go to the Olive Garden for our appetizer (salad and bread sticks) and main entree. Then, we headed to Copelands for our dessert. Yummy!

Fresh strawberry cheesecake with a drizzle of chocolate.

Of course this date also had many thought provoking questions like: "Would you rather take a one-week $5000 vacation or go on five different long weekends that cost $1000 each?" or "One of the nicest thing you have ever done is____________." We laughed at a lot of the pet names they suggested for the husband to use that night like, "Gansta baby" or "Bunches of Oats"...um, no thanks! Ha! I got the best part, patting my man on the gluteus maximus at least two times before the night is over.

After our dinner we were told to select a store to buy your spouse a $2 or less gift... the thought is ALL that count$. We then had 10 minutes to complete this task. Well, we choose none other than this store.
Once inside we separated. I stayed on one side of the store and Michael stayed on the other. Well, for the most part. He did try to sneak a peek or two. Here are the gifts:

My gift from Michael: Sugar Babies: "Give me some 'sugar, baby'!" Trail Mix: Michael said it has healthy things like peanuts, raisins, pineapple, and bananas. (I'm trying to eat healthy) But, it also has my weakness chocolate. It's kind of like our marriage. 80% healthy, 20% needs improvement!

My gift to Michael: Duster-to keep our marriage clean and shining. I also bought the infuser to...keep our marriage spicy! Oh, yeah!

Looking a little tired and rough, but happy! Okay, be nice!

Once home, we turned up the music and danced under the *stars*....it was a great night.

To find out about our First Date, click HERE! To find out more information about The Great Date Experiment, visit our church's website.

I have to give a shout out to my awesome sister, Tara and Rodney for keeping the boys! They had a blast: Wii games, swimming, 4-wheeler rides, roasted hot dogs and made smores. They were worn out from all the fun. Thanks!

Hey YOU...yeah, I'm talking to you my friend...date your husband! It is vital to a happy, healthy marriage!

The Great Date Experiment

Michael and I are really excited about The Great Date Experiment that our church has put together. Earlier this year we decided we wanted to go on more dates. Typically we go on one a month. Now that our church offers a Friday Night Out, we figured we could go more often. I love the six dates that are planned out for us (which we downloaded and printed off) to help us get out of a dating rut.

The six Great Dates revolves around one of six essentials of marriage and focuses on communication. Wanna join in? Watch this video and learn more!



Great Date #1

We had a blast together! It was interesting to have someone else plan our date and provide great questions.

Our first stop, after dropping the boys off at my sister's house, was Colten's for dinner. According to the date "rules" we were supposed to let the waitress choose our meal. We could give her one stipulation, so we told her no seafood. Since Michael is the picky one I let him choose the stipulation. I was not nervous at all, but our waitress was! I told Michael before we got to the restaurant that we would either get someone who was excited to play along, or get someone who would be apprehensive. Even though she was nervous, she picked out great food. Michael was served a steak, salad, and stemmed broccoli. I had loaded chicken with a side of sweet potato fries. It was so good.

Before we left we had more fun with our waitress. You should have seen her face after she took our picture and asked if there is anything else she was suppose to do. I jokingly replied, "pick up the tab" Ha! We did leave her a big tip for being a good sport. We had great conversation and felt like two teenagers in love while throwing peanut shells at each other.

Michael talking during the picture! Ha!

The next point was to choose an activity to do together. We were going to go to the Razorback baseball game, but I didn't bring my coat and it was getting cold. We chose a movie instead. No, movies are not the best place for conversation, but we chose the drive-in movies where it is more intimate and asked our questions in between the movies. We watched Blindside (again), and New Moon.

There were great questions to be discussed; picking out a $2.00 dessert in a grocery store for each other; yelling "my husband is HOT" in public; kissing at every red light until someone honks; and carving our initials into a tree. So many fun ideas! We laughed and laughed because we went through many stop lights and they were all green. Finally, we started hitting a few red ones, but nobody would honk at us, even after it turned green a while. Ha!

I love dating my husband! One of my Love Languages is quality time. After last night...

My LOVE TANK is full!

Keeping in Touch

Michael as a young boy. Caden has the same hair.

The following is an e-mail I received from Michael today. Today was the first day back to work for him after being home for Christmas break. I missed him at home today. The kids are still home from school due to snow. They will be tomorrow too. Michael has always been good to keep in touch when he is away. I get several calls or an e-mail throughout the day. It shows me he is thinking of me. I asked if they were his words and he said he revised it to make it his own. I loved it. I have a great husband. Perfect...no...but great! I'm looking forward to 52 dates with my man this year.

My Wish for You in 2010

May peace break into our home and may thieves come to steal our debts.
May the pockets of our jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to our face like Vaseline and may laughter assault our lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be those of joy.
May the problems you had, forget our home address!

In simple words .............
May 2010 be the best year of our life!!!

Something to Celebrate....The Big 10!

Today, August 8, 2009 Michael and I are celebrating 10 years of marriage.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Happy Anniversary honey! I LOVE YOU!!