Blog Posts
All the posts - FUN - FAITH - FOOD - FAMILYBook Review: Your Marriage Today and Tomorrow – How will it impact those around you?
Marriage today and tomorrow. What does your marriage look like today? And more importantly, what will it look like tomorrow? And the day after that, and after that, and in the next decade or four... Your marriage today and tomorrow. Who cares? Some may believe that a...
Making your vehicle do MORE for you and your spouse.
Your vehicle can do more than be a box with four wheels to take you from point A to point B — here are 3 ways our truck is doing more for us!
5 Things to Include for an Extraordinary Marriage
Do you have an ordinary marriage? Or an extraordinary marriage? What's the difference between the two? Just a bit extra... for an extraordinary marriage. We can all have an extraordinary marriage - really! It just takes a bit of extra: HOPE There's an extra dose of...
Anniversary Gifts You Can’t Buy – Encouraging Words
What would you give your spouse, if you could? Maybe your gifts – for an anniversary or any other occasion – are anniversary gifts you can’t buy.
Vision First. Then Goals.
Vision first. Then goals. Many couples use the beginning of a calendar year, or an anniversary as a stopping point to reflect and create goals. But sometimes goals by themselves cause more strife than they're worth. How do you know if your goals are working for you?...
Leading Something New – 10 Ways Encourage Each Other
Are you leading something new? Do you need ideas on where and what to encourage your spouse in this something new? (Even if what’s “new” is the New Year?)
Thankful Life Thanksliving – Encourage Your Spouse to Live Thankful
A Thankful Life Thanksliving 2018. Encourage your spouse to live thankful with 365 days of noticing all the blessings the Lord provides in your life. As husband and wife, Rob and I are going to focus on being thankful - in all circumstances during 2018. THANKFUL will...
OneWord365 – Thankful – Encourage Your Spouse
OneWord365 Thankful. Have you heard of OneWord365? Summed up, it's the act of choosing one word to represent your focus for the year ahead. 365 Days. One Word. For 2018 we're going to focus on the word "thankful". And to this end, I've been doing some research on...
Family Reflection and Stories – Doing “Plates” to finish the year.
Family reflection and stories are a way to slow down and share from the past year. Here are 3 options to do this – and photos from our family tradition.
3 Easy and Simple Gifts when Finances are Tight
Sometimes distance and finances impact what you can give those you love. We understand, so we did a little brainstorming and found 3 easy and simple gifts.
Make Memories in 2018 – Don’t add to your stuff!
Make memories - don't add to your stuff. Living in 282 square feet for more than three years has taught Robert and me that we don't need as much stuff as we might believe we do... but the memories we've made over the last years are priceless. I encourage you and your...
Celebrate Today – Anniversary Words to Encourage
Celebrate today. Even if it's not your anniversary today, do you still have something to celebrate... today? 😉 I'm guessing you do! Every decade has been a very different ride for Rob and me, and so far, our third decade of marriage has had a few more downs than...
We Make It All Work – Anniversary Words to Encourage
We make it all work - together! With God's help and grace, of course. Alone - without God - it's a hit or miss thing. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 God doesn't...
Happy Anniversary – You come first!
Happy Anniversary - You come first! Could you say your spouse gets your best without her or him snorting or guffawing with derision? Does your spouse have the best of you - before any other human being? Before the children? Just consider - children grow up and go to...
Anniversary Words to Encourage #2 – A Thankful List
Anniversary words to encourage. When you two met each other, only God knew what your spouse would mean to you. Take a moment to focus on how thankful you are for each other! Married life is hard. Not every year of our married life is champagne and roses. Am I...
Encouraging Words for your Anniversary – or anytime! #1
Encouraging words for your anniversary... Is it always easy to find those encouraging words? Some years you may have many wonderful words to share with your spouse. However, there may be other years when you need a little help. (This is true for Rob and me too!)...
Words Matter – What words surround you and those you love?
Words Matter - your words, the words you read, and those you hear. Words matter to your spouse, to your children, to your guests and everyone you love. The message you give to those in your home shapes their day - their view of life and their understanding of what is...
Chai Tea Comfort Date for you and your spouse.
Chai Tea comfort date - it's a comforting drink for you and your spouse in autumn and winter. (It's comforting in spring and summer, too, of course!) Have you ever tried STASH Chai tea? You'll see it in the grocery store... but only one or maybe two varieties of...
New Experiences – Give a Gift of Wine
New experiences (the Value of Discovery) have played a huge part in our 33+ years of marriage. Whether they're small discoveries, like a new restaurant... or big experiences like our time in the RV parked in beautiful places... ...they've all created good memories we...
How to Show You Value Your Spouse – 10 Point Marriage Tune-Up
Show you value your spouse using these 10 marriage tune-up ideas. Your marriage needs attention! (as much as your vehicle or career does!) Don’t wait. Act now!
Good Questions Lead to Great Conversations
Good questions equal great conversations. But what if you’re a little lacking in the “good questions” department? We have resources for you!
Trust in Marriage – Consistent Truth Built Every Day
Let the truth of your days build the trust in your marriage. Plan your weeks – together – as husband and wife to see how trust grows organically. What will you include?
Worry No More – 3 Ways to Move Past Worry
Worry no more – here are 3 ways to move past worry and use love and loyalty to make this middle of marriage have a greater flow than even at the beginning!
Encourage and Motivate – 21 Things to say to your husband or wife
Encourage and motivate your husband or wife? Sometimes words (alone) won't motivate or encourage, but they are a place to begin... 21 things to say to encourage and motivate your spouse... Below are 21 ideas for you to say or text or write in a note to encourage...
Important People – They Need Your Attention
Plan to spend time with important people in your life – they might not be the loudest voices crying out for attention, but they have the greatest impact.
Be Kind – Do Kind – Kindness is a joyful legacy!
To be kind,,, Are you kind to your spouse? What about those around you? Your view of kindness might be different than your spouse. Ideas to consider.
Making Choices – Do you have a plan?
When making choices don’t take the obvious route – have a plan B or C. And when we’re talking the mundane parts of life, try taking another option for fun!
Be thankful. Share your Gratitude.
Be thankful. Demonstrate gratitude. That’s how to get out of the rut of mid-marriage blahs. Be proactive – reach out to tell others about your thankfulness.
Consider JOY? Well… It’s our 33rd anniversary and we want to give you a gift!
Consider joy? What joy? Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4...
United Response – It’s how you demonstrate respect.
Why is it important to have a united response as husband and wife? Here are some ideas on why and HOW to make that happen.
It’s Touching
Make touch a priority! We can all get out of the habit of touching our spouse – but never forget how important and fun the sense of touch can be.
Feel Free – Retire some of those hobbies.
Discover ways to let go of some of those hobbies and the stuff that you need to DO those activities with. You’ll be surprised how you’ll feel free!
Ways to Reduce Friction and Resistance in Marriage
Are you dragging? Maybe there’s too much friction and resistance in your life. And it’s probably not about the size of your space or your spouse.
Dealing with Decisions in the Middle of Marriage
Dealing with decisions? Mid-marriage is filled with options, so how do you decide what’s the best for the two of you… now?
Values Drive Experiences at Seasons52 in Raleigh
When your values drive experiences, you’re on the right track. We had a beautiful experience at Seasons52 restaurant in Raleigh that highlighted this concept.
Recharge – Make time!
Have you made time to "recharge" - gather energy - lately? What about supporting your spouse if they need to recharge? We talk about how introverts need to recharge in the 7th mid-marriage encouragement video... Time to Recharge Susan Cain - who we referenced in this...
Infertility – A Walk with Love and Faith
Infertility, special forces and the love and faith to get through it all. Love. + Hope. + Faith. + Prayer. + Action. = Encouragement. The guest post below has it all!
Be Thankful For The Annoying Things Your Spouse Does
A thankful spouse can see the annoying things the other does, and translate the irritation. How? Looking at the flipside! Robert gives you ideas…
Focus on the Good Stuff
Good Stuff - What's that? Marriage and life itself is filled with both good and not-so-good. Where are you focusing? We talk a little bit about what to do when faced with the bad stuff... In the video we speak of strengths, and focusing on strengths in each other. Do...
Lemon Cake – Celebrating the Good Stuff with the Sour
Lemon cake – sweet & sour – just like life. Not everything in your marriage will be good. At times you need to take a breath and celebrate. Regardless.
3 Ways to be Sure Your Online Legacy is Appreciated
How will you be sure your online legacy will be valued and appreciated? A few events this week has make me ponder and come up with 3 suggestions.
Plan to be a Dream Team
As a husband and wife dream team, planning is a powerful tool. Planning brings you together & addresses those mid-marriage “yellow caution sign” statements.
While You’re Both Waiting – Love
While you’re waiting for purpose -God’s revelation for your meaningful life as husband and wife, what can you do? Proverbs 29:19 has some insight.
Talk about Time – What are your shared priorities?
Talk about time as a couple. We give you ideas and strategies in the best way to make it happen in our 4th Mid-Marriage Encouragement Video.
Get Excited About Your New Spouse
Your new spouse. What do we mean? We all change through the years. Be excited about meeting this next version of your spouse and welcome her/him!