It's CONFIDENTIAL

Date night invitation labeled "It's Confidential! For your eyes only!"

Is there something your spouse has mentioned that they have wanted to do for date night? or something you know they would love? Make an invitation and place it in an envelope or fold paper over your invitation and write "Confidential" on it! Place it in their brief case in the morning or on the bed before you leave for work!

Sometimes the invitation is just as fun as what you do! Even if you are going to stay home, invite them!

loved this!

Not sure if you've checked out Love Actually blog. I LOVED this idea!

Go ahead, tell your spouse they are "wanted"!

Some "Apples" are just yummy! :)

So you think you can laugh!

Laugh easier today. That's a good apple!

Even if your husband isn't really that funny! :)

totally disappointing.

Some days are just like that...disappointing.

I had been canning, doing salsa, tomatoes and jam. The kids had both had friends over and well, to put it lightly, I was tired.

I talked to Zach about 3 or so in the afternoon and as we got to talking I thought it would be best if he brought pizza home for dinner as we were still going to have friends over at that time.

He was aiming to be home earlier than normal so that was a plus. I told one of the mom's we would be eating at 5 so she could come over at 5:30. Zach's drive home is about 25 minutes.

I spoke to him at 5 and he hadn't even left yet! I was so mad. I asked him to lift my burden and he had made it worse. He had a client come in unexpectedly and well, without meaning to had ruined any chance of being superman. :)

I felt so put out. As I was making the dinner I was too tired to make, I kept telling myself I shouldn't be mad, he wanted to help and it just didn't work out. His heart was in the right place, he didn't do it on purpose...etc.

All the "righteous reasons" I could come up with just didn't help me feel any better and I wasn't calming down. Whenever this happens I really try to forgive him before he gets home so I am not grumpy to him. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. :)

He came home and I was still mad. We had dinner, consisting of fries, hot dogs and carrots. yum.

Well, the night went on and I was still bugged. He helped get Sarah in bed and helped with the other kids, he came into the kitchen and told me he was going to lay down with Sarah. I was sincerely grateful, I said "thank you" to him and to say I felt better wouldn't suffice. I honestly felt a burden lift. The difference sincere gratitude can make surprised me. I decided to keep looking for things I could keep thanking Zach for and I continually felt better.

Have you ever been mad without really wanting to be? Try to look for any good next time and say thank you for it. Test this. I was amazed that it worked so well! There is your apple!

who are you anyway? :)

THIS talk by Elder Scott was motivational for me. Anytime we draw closer to the Lord, we are happier and our influence on those around us is more positive than it could have otherwise been.

"The faculty at our three universities note a significant increase in capacity and spiritual sensitivity of students. Something extraordinary is happening. Do you sense it? Truly, as obedience and morality decline in the world, the Lord is sending more exceptional spirits to earth. As a body they excel the average capacity of their forebears. Their potential for personal growth and positive contribution is enormous. As parents and leaders, how are you cultivating that potential? As a young man or woman of this generation, what are you doing to realize your extraordinary potential? Will you nurture it and rise to exceptional heights of accomplishment and happiness? How will you avoid Satan’s efforts to undermine your potential through transgression? Only you can answer these critical questions.

With all my capacity I encourage you to discover who you really are. I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life. I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities. I exhort you to prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential."

Race Time

So.....I think it's about time!!! You can have a random running race - I think this would be best. We did this just the other day and I think it was maybe 150 yards, but WOW! Do you know how far 150 yards is when you are trying to beat your wife????

We were walking on our way back to the house from our oldest's soccer game and did this. I tell you what; I was huffing and puffing like crazy when we got back to our driveway......and worst of all - I LOST!!!

Totally random - but A LOT of fun! Good luck and let us know who wins - it's not about being humble, it is about who gets bragging rights til' the next random race.

What do they love?

Ask yourself this question, "What does my spouse love that I do for them?"

The apple for the day is: DO THAT LIKE CRAZY! Have fun!

What are you doing tonight?

So, it's Thursday and I'm sure you all have had your date for this week planned since 2 weeks ago, but around here.....we are a little more spontaneous than that.

That is exactly what I am recommending......be spontaneous! Do something you haven't done in a while or something you just think of as you are leaving the house or babysitters. Here are two ideas:

Drive to a nearby ski resort, or some cool overlook and make out. Well, you don't have to do JUST that when you are there, but enjoy some time alone away from the city.

After the kids are in bed go to the largest room in your house and get two brooms or sticks or toy baseball bats or even your hands and play a game of hockey with a ball of some sort (the larger and softer the better, but even a tennis ball will do). Trust me......this is FUN!!! You get a good laugh, some exercise and then you can make a milkshake afterwards.

Have fun on your date this weekend! Tell us what you did or have planned.....we would love to hear!!!

ZACH (signed in as Becca)

what's your excuse?!

My mom would say, "if you aren't sure why someone did or is doing something that is bothering you or possibly making you angry; then just try to think of a righteous reason for it."

There's your apple!...maybe to save for another day. :)

This is one that I use sometimes. I LOVE it when Zach is home. I look forward to it all day! When he tells me he will be home early or at a certain time I plan and look forward to it...especially if it's date night. So when he's late I automatically assume he is out helping some pregnant lady change a flat tire and I'm thankful to be married to such a kind man! :)

Life....

Yesterday I was quickly reminded of how blissful life can be for one person and how extremely hard it can be for another at the exact same time. I was having a great day and was driving back to my office about lunch time when I received a phone call from a very good longtime friend. As soon as I heard her voice I could tell something was wrong and she needed help - in my case it was a listening ear.....and a prayer for her family.

Her son and daughter in law had triplets about 2 weeks ago - so happy and all was great, life couldn't be better. Then Saturday she got a headache, it worsened and her husband decided to take his wife to the hospital - on the way she passed out, ended up calling 911 and soon found out that she had been bleeding inside her brain. Surgery took place as soon as possible that day and she has been in a drug induced coma since. Still very critical as of this moment. I pray that she will be able to give her husband a hug again and that she will be able to hold her 3 little babies again and that she will be able to hear and respond to her husband saying those three precious words "I love you!"

The question I have is this.......How much do we take our wife or husband for granted? Do we truly give them all that we have? Do we realize that we may never hear their voice again? Or go through a trial like this? How did you speak to them when you left for work? Is that what you want to remember?

The apple for the day today is:

Truly, truly, truly tell your wife or husband that you love them. Tell them sincerely, so that they know without a doubt that you do and that there is no hesitation whatsoever. If you need to do it with flowers, do it. If you need to take her for a walk or to dinner or whatever to be able to do it, then do it. If you need to buy chocolate......tell her First and then show her the chocolate.

My wife may have already posted something like this as an apple for the day - but does it ever hurt? What if we truly did this every day or better yet, every time we felt like we should. We have many opportunities to share it - we just need to act on it.

I am

I am? Today - I saw on old friend out at his house and he was wearing a t-shirt with those simple words, but no question mark. As soon as I saw his shirt, I had to finish it. I am happy! I am great! I am having fun with my kids! I am in love with my wife! I am so glad I married her! I am so glad that I get to see her when I get home tonight!

Today's apple is to finish the sentence 5 different times - with anything you want. I am..........

Dance with me!

Need an idea for date night? Go dancin'! I have been dancing HERE a few times and LOVED it! It is the cutest atmosphere!

If you can't GO somewhere, then hold your own! Put your favorite love songs in one spot, pull out the CD player or iPod. Invite your spouse to the dance. Pull out fancy glasses (not eye glasses) :), get dressed up a bit and dance!

If you can't find it in yourself to be as cheesy as I am, spontaneously turn on the music and ask your spouse to dance. :)

Have you ever been dancing with your spouse? Where do you like to go?

#5

A long time ago I posted THIS and I continued to post on the six B's.

I did four of the six.

So, here is #5.

Be HUMBLE

I think Zach is such a good example of this.

The other day the sound we woke to was the kids screaming. So from the get go Zach was bugged. After I dressed I came out to see Zach, frustrated and trying to get the kids to choose the cereal they wanted.

I tagged his arm and said "tag team". He left the room without saying a word, showered, got ready, prayed and came back and told the kids he was sorry for the way he acted.

I was glad he wasn't mad at me! I was really amazed at how humble he was.

None of us are perfect but realizing that is the hard part for me. :)

The apple of the day: help each other out. Be humble and ask forgiveness.

quick and easy

The Apple of the day is:

first thing when you see them today (or talk to them, if you aren't going to see them)

give them a kiss and tell them how awesome they are and how much you love being around them!

Think about it and be sincere. :)

It's not about...

...the FROG!

When we were camping a few weeks ago we went for a hike. We passed a river and we spotted a frog. The kids were so excited to catch a frog and to watch him jump and swim!

When I got home and was looking through our pictures I realized I did not get a single picture of the kids! I only took them of the frog!

I am an analogy person so bear with me!

How often am I so focussed on what I am doing that I forget who I am doing it for? When we caught the frog, it wasn't for the frog, it was for the kids. What did they learn from the experience? Did they enjoy themselves?

The same is true with everything in life. We need to remember the purpose behind the things we are doing. Why do we take the kids to school? Are they learning that it is okay to be angry at our family when we are late or that we can yell when they can't find their shoes? It isn't about what we are doing but what we are teaching our kids when we do it.

Life is about individuals and loving and really, it isn't about the frog but what we do when we catch it. :)

Even though this was kind of more about parenting it totally relates to marriage too.

The Apple of the day is: when you are with your spouse today or tonight, stop and think about how this time could be made better. Do they need to know how awesome they are? Do they need you to tackle them to the floor and kiss them? Do they need a good laugh? Enjoy your time, even if it is for a moment!

What is your motivation?

I enjoy picking a talk to post each Sunday. I love reading them. I love thinking about the application to marriage and family life.

THIS talk by President Uchtdorf is wonderful. As you'll see as you read these quotes it applies to marriage because our testimonies provide strength. We need that in our lives.

There is no greater blessing to me than having a husband who has a strong testimony of the Savior, His church and all the blessings that come from living it the gospel. As we grow in our testimonies and dedication to the Lord and His church, we grow closer to each other. It is illustrated in THIS post. Living the gospel brings so many blessings! Our marriages will be stronger as we support each other and help each other live the gospel and enjoy being righteous.

I hope you like THIS talk!

"The testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel will help us in our lives to learn of God’s specific plan for us and then to act accordingly. It gives us assurance of the reality, truth, and goodness of God, of the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and of the divine calling of latter-day prophets. Our testimony motivates us to live righteously, and righteous living will cause our testimony to grow stronger.

A testimony provides proper perspective, motivation, and a solid foundation on which to build a life of purpose and personal growth. It is a constant source of confidence, a true and faithful companion during good times and bad. A testimony provides us with a reason for hope and gladness. It helps us cultivate a spirit of optimism and happiness and enables us to rejoice in the beauties of nature. A testimony motivates us to choose the right at all times and in all circumstances. It motivates us to draw nearer to God, allowing Him to draw nearer to us (see James 4:8).

Nephi’s testimony gave him the courage to stand up and be counted as one who obeys the Lord. He did not murmur, doubt, or fear no matter what the circumstances. When times got tough he said, “I will go and do [what] the Lord [has] commanded, for I know that the Lord … shall prepare a way … [to] accomplish [it]” (1 Nephi 3:7).

Just as the Lord knew Nephi, God knows us and loves us. This is our time; these are our days. We are where the action is. Our firm personal testimony will motivate us to change ourselves and then bless the world."

"Remember"

Today I can't get THIS out of my head!

I still remember what I was doing, where I went and who I talked to about it.

I still remember I was at work that afternoon and President Bush came on the radio and asked all of America to turn to the Lord and get down on our knees and pray. I was so moved and still am! He is a good man and the perfect President for the time! HERE is the video of you want to watch it.

We spent some time talking to the kids about why there was a flag in our front yard and how a lot of mom's and dad'd, grandma's and grandpa's died that day nine years ago.

We went to the park this afternoon and while the kids played, I watched and thought. One thing kept going through my head.

"Show that you remember the lives that were lost, by the way you live yours."

My heart aches for the many losses that have happened since and because of that day.

I hope and pray that all of us will live in gratitude for all and WHO we have been given. We are so blessed!

What were you doing that day? What are you grateful for?

mmmm.

Today is one of those days I just want to make soup, bread and cuddle up in a fort with the kids and read books. Love days like today! Yummy.

So, thanks for the comments and emails. Really! I appreciated them and enjoyed the laughs too!

The apple for the day is: hold your sweetheart. It doesn't have to be date night to hold your love. Ask for 15 minutes of cuddle time where you talk about your day, have some hot chocolate or just cuddle and don't talk at all. Enjoy some time together. Life is good. :)

Oh and if you're looking for a great date idea, check THIS out!

you should know...

I love to make smores and eat them (it is an art you know) AND...

that I am sentimental. :)

I get teary thinking about life and all it is. I love it!

Today is my birthday.

I am telling you this because I want a present. :)

Please leave a comment or send me an email and tell me what you like about this blog.

Tell me an apple a day you do. Give me some ideas to make this blog better.

I know people read this blog. I know some and others I don't.

I am glad.

Although I write this blog for me, I also write it for you.

Someday's I sit at the keyboard blankly and have no idea what to write. Give me some ideas!

For your apple of the day today: Give your spouse a huge, sincere smile and tell them they are awesome! Because they are!...and you are too! Have a great day!

taught by a child

We went camping this weekend. The kids went to sleep well in the tent and slept the whole night. Zach and I LOVED our time by the fire before we climbed into the tent. We kept the rain fly off and enjoyed looking at the stars before we fell asleep. Sweetness.

That night when we were roasting mallows with the kids Sarah noticed a boy walking past the camp. Zach and I had observed that he and his family were likely homeless. She called about to the boy, "boy, boy!" He didn't turn to look and then she told us as she picked up a marshmallow that "I wanted to give him a marshmallow.".

So, Zach took her over to their camp with the bag of marshmallows and watched as our sweet little girl gave this stunned boy a marshmallow. Seeing the look on his face, Zach then gave him two hands full of them to share with his family. They were shocked and so thankful. Zach overheard them talking as he and Sarah walked away and their daughter said "I feel like a little kid again".

We felt grateful, and yet like we've been ungrateful for what we have.

Sarah taught us something about acting on promptings we receive. Children are so fearless about that! They think something and say it or do it. They don't miss a beat! From a talk I listened to by Elder Scott a few weeks ago, "Let us act on the promptings of the Spirit with courage!".

Because I am still learning how the Spirit speaks to me, I am trying to just act when I think of something good to do and not look for reasons not to do it. As I do this I hope to develop a real relationship with the Spirit that I will always follow when He tells me to do something.

The Apple of the day: watch/listen for the promptings of the Spirit and act on them with the faith and confidence of a child.

MUST READ!

I was able to go to Womens Conference at BYU with my mom and sisters in May. Julie Beck the General Relief Society president spoke in the first session on Thursday. When she finished her talk we all looked at each other and said "well, we can go home now!" We felt like everything we needed to hear was in THIS talk! She is an amazing leader who I love and admire! This is a talk that has changed my life and I hope that as I keep trying to follow her counsel and inspiration that I will keep changing. After hearing this talk I felt like I had so much more direction for my life. I really hope you do too. It is a long talk. Follow THIS LINK and print it. Read and re-read this talk!

Here are some highlights but honestly I hope you just read the talk! It is wonderful!!! Oh and I know it was given at womens conference but it is NOT just for women! :)

"I have felt every time I meet with the sisters of the Church—is an emergency meeting and a training meeting, a time for us to learn. I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift not only themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards, but also the world. I feel that the sisters in this Church who know and understand their covenants will be a significant force in helping this world, which seems to have lost its moral moorings.

Each of us is a daughter of heavenly parents, and as part of the house of Israel, we come from royal blood. When we choose our mission, we have power and influence in that royal house and in the Lord’s work. He is depending on us.

All priesthood power has order, boundaries, and limits to its use. In our personal lives, we are only limited by our faithfulness and desire to receive the Lord’s Spirit and to have it work in our lives. The Lord’s power can be powerful.

Education is wonderful, but being able to feel the Lord’s power and Spirit upon us is the highest education we can achieve. With that, we have power and influence. Without it, we will not be able to navigate in this life. The adversary will pick us off one by one, and we will be drawn off course by the many, many voices that are out there distracting us. With the Lord’s Spirit upon us, we are strong and solid and will be able to walk with Him.

Never at any time in the history of the world have we needed stronger families and stronger homes. It is out of those homes and families that the next generation comes. As each of us walks out of our own home every day, how strong is that home that we are leaving?

...women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her.

I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight.

I have great faith and trust and confidence that Heavenly Father’s daughters will learn and recognize who they are, that they will know their mission on the earth and fulfill that. I leave my great love and testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

"I love you this much!"

Yesterday our five year old was riding his bike home from school and I was walking a ways behind. Well, he stopped, turned around, came up beside me and said "hey mom, I want to tell you something. I love you over the houses and all the way over the mountains". Then he gave me the sweetest and cheesiest grin! He melted this momma's heart!

How often do we stop what we are doing and tell those we love how much they mean to us? I think it was the randomness of this that melted my heart so much.

The Apple of the day is: when you think of it, whenever it is, tell your spouse and your children how much they mean to you. We are blessed to have everyday together!

need a favor?

Sometimes I just feel needy. I feel bad for asking favors of Zach because maybe I have asked a lot of him. But I do need his help and sometimes it isn't just help but love too.

What about making an exchange for the favor? If you do this for me, I'll do this for you. :)

There are days I just want to lay on the couch after the kids are in bed and have my feet rubbed. (sorry if feet gross you out. :))

This is always something you could just say but what if you make a cute note with a little poem explaining your dire need?

There is this man that I dream about

No cause for worry or pout

You are so sweet and so very nice

You add to my life a whole lot of spice!

I know you love shakes that is true

If you rub my feet I'll make one for you! :)

Nothing complicated but different. It doesn't seem as demanding to ask in this way does it?

Try that Apple! :)

Back to school night!

There is a totally cute idea on the Dating Divas blog (links on the side. for some reason I'm too lazy to link it. :)) for a date that will totally take you back! You should check it out!

Zach and I went to the nearest Elementary school with the kids and we had a blast playing tether ball! Good times! For your date night if the weather is nice and you can't get away from the kids just go outside and have some fun.

If you have kids, you probably have sidewalk chalk. Play hopscotch! Play jump rope with a regular rope you have lying around if you don't have one. Sometimes it is nice to just play and not talk about the day to day but about memories. :)

Have fun this weekend!

"He went about...

doing good"

This is a description of the Savior. We can do the same and should. Most of us have an assignment or calling in church but how often do we talk to our spouse about the needs of those around us and do something about it?

The apple of the day is: pick a family, couple, friend, family member or neighbor and do something nice for them for no reason or for a reason.

*Ask if you can watch their kids while they go for ice cream.

*Take them dinner

*Take them cookies and a movie of yours they can borrow.

*Visit a widow together

It doesn't have to be huge, stress you out or take a lot of time. Just enjoy serving together. Enjoy doing some good and we'll find we feel good too. :)