Share!

Today's date idea comes late in the day because I procrastinated this post and then my internet wouldn't work until now! go figure. :)

So, the idea....

Share everything you can think of! I'm not going to tell you what specifically to do, but here are some ideas.

Share:

a plate at dinner, a shake, a bucket of popcorn at a movie, a blanket, a book, a bed...

Enjoy this date night by sharing everything possible!

So, I have totally slacked when it comes to April Fools day. Are you guys planning on doing anything fun? I might go downtown and move his car to a different parking spot at work...assuming he doesn't read this post before then! :)

Do you have any favorite jokes you've done in the past? As you can tell, I need the help! :)

oh, no reason...

the apple for the day is: buy your spouse something...

just because. Even if it's a candy bar...or a new pair of socks...:)

a love song!

The apple for the day is write your spouse a love song and sing it for them! Ha, I know it takes work but doesn't that sound fun?! I'll admit I've written a poem or two for our anniversary but a love song, I have never attempted.

I guess if you are super scared, you could get one off iTunes and lip sync. I think writing it and singing it to a familiar song would work too and would be more fun!

Isn't doing cute things for no reason fun?!

Just do it! :)

Am I the only one who has never done this?

one liner

I love "one liners". No, I'm not thinking pick up line, just a quick line that I can remember.

Over the weekend one came to mind that I am going to do better with this week....

"Be quick to compliment and slow to criticize". Susan Tanner said that.

Don't you love it!? So, because that is what I'm working on, I thought I'd pass it along! :)

Happy Monday!

a bit much

Some weeks are harder than others, it's true. If your spouse has had a rough go this week. Try taking care of some of their Saturday chores.

*Wash their car

*Vacuum

*Feed the dog...

If your week hasn't been too rough, you could even give them breakfast in bed. No need to overdo it yourself, anything small can help a bunch.

There is your Saturday Apple!

Remember when...

A couple weekends ago Zach took our boys on a father son's outing to our family cabin. They of course had a great time and our daughter and I, had a great time too.

The day they left I had a doctor appointment (no, I'm not pregnant). He called just after the time I should have been done to see how the appointment went. Small thing, but it really meant a lot to me.

Remembering the little things our spouse has going on and asking about them afterward can really go a long way. It shows you care, and with all you have going on, you are still thinking about them.

This is another reason why our planning time on Sunday is helpful. I write down things on my schedule that he has going on so I will remember and he does the same. There is less of the "you didn't tell me you had a girls night tonight! Sorry, I'm going with the guys." type of mix ups.

Anyway, the apple for the day is: call your spouse today just to check in. Ask them how things are going (and follow up on the specific things if you know of any). Just let them know you are thinking about them. Doesn't have to be a lengthy conversation and you can even leave a message. Just so they know you care.

shake it up!

To put a different spin on your date night this week:

Invite your spouse to a mysterious date by leaving them a phone message or a written invitation.

Only give them some information about the date like: what they need to wear, what time or what they need to bring. This could be a good way to surprise them with a getaway or an evening out!

For an evening out date you could recreate your first date or a favorite date.

For the getaway, plan for a babysitter and tell them what to pack for-even if you go to a nearby hotel, different is good.

just sayin'

There is something sweet about randomness. It is nice to get a card for occasions with expressions of love, but there is something more thoughtful when it comes at random.

If you are crafty, make cards for your spouse and keep them on hand. If you aren't, then make a habit of looking at the cards when you are at the store and buy them when they're on sale-or you can fold a piece of paper and that works too!

Today, make one and write your spouse a note. It doesn't have to be complicated. Just tell em' you appreciate them. If you want double points, send it in the mail! There's your apple!

what do you see?

So, you know that story where Jesus is in a house teaching (and it was probably a totally amazing sermon) and some people brought a man that was sick of palsy to be healed and they put him into the house through the roof?

You can read it HERE

I was reading a book the other day and they mentioned this account and it had never occurred to me that Jesus could have been super bugged. They totally interrupted Him you know! But the scriptures point out:

20And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are ^aforgiven thee.

24But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to ^aforgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, ^aglorifying God.

He simply saw what was good...He saw their faith! He chose to focus on what was good about the situation and blessed them for it! AWESOME!

Of course I immediately think of marriage, family and relationships of any and every kind! What if we all did this!? Follow the example of the Savior and when someone is doing something that could possibly bother us, look for the good!

The apple: is there something that your spouse has been doing lately that is getting to you? Take a step back, look for it, look for the positive. I bet you can find it! Then act on that in a truly Christlike fashion. Appreciate them and then bless them for it. Are they asking for your help? Do they possibly need your attention or some quality time? Oh, and in all seriousness, if this is hard in some situations, I am sure we can pray for help. The Lord can always help us see the good.

Example: if your spouse is taking lots of pictures of you, it is probably because they think you are rockin' awesome. You should see that and smile for the picture!

Just kidding, but seriously. :)

Smile

Smiling just feels good! The apple for the day is smile at your spouse and your children. It will do your heart good.

mischievous smiles are good, playful is good, sweet is good.

How many different smiles can you come up with?!

Remember, by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass! Even if the great thing is that everyone is happy because you started it!

Here's to a great week!

deep breath!

Ahhh. Now that was refreshing!

It is the beginning of a new week! Our best weeks around here begin with some planning. Most Sunday nights Zach and I will plan out our week. He knows what I have going on and I know what he has going on. This planning time also gives us a chance to talk about changes we would like to make, things we'd like to implement.

If you have never tried this. It would be a good idea to start short, sweet and to the point. You definitely want it to be quick if your spouse is not a talker. It really will be so worth the little time you put to it, to make this a habit!

If your husband or wife is leery-make a treat! After the kids are in bed, have some chips and salsa or some ice cream. Talk about what you have going on. Ask your spouse if there is anything they would like your help with that week. If there is something you need, now is a great time to ask.

Give this apple a try!

Green date!

I forgot to post a date idea yesterday with it being St. Patrick's and all...

This could be easy or you can make it a little more complicated. It can also be cheep or costly. You pick. :)

Send your spouse on a search for a crock of gold!

The gold could be a bucket of popcorn at a movie theater, a root beer float at A&W or at home, or a bunch of coins at an arcade!

Make up some clues and send them to as few or as many places as you'd like! The clues could have something to do with things they like or reasons why you like them. You could also have them do something to get the next clue. Leprechauns like to trick and tease. If you want to be like that. :)

Have a great weekend! It is the end of lucky week! It is lucky to wear green and it's lucky to kiss. If you did both, you would be super lucky! Just sayin'. :)

good advice...:)

I think I took this picture before we went through customs in Ireland. Gotta love advice from the Irish. :)

There is the apple for the day! lol!

I obviously thought it was funny, that's why I took a picture of it.

The apple for the day for real is: write your spouse "the top ten reasons why you are lucky to be theirs!" OR "the top ten reasons why they are lucky to by yours!"

Sorry this was posted so late in the day! Even if you do it tomorrow it will still be fun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Lucky Smoothie

I love themes, I love occasions, I just love any reason to change up the everyday!

It is lucky week! I am thinking green okay. How about you turn off the t.v. make a smoothie and then do something that makes you both feel lucky. Spend some quality time together. It is a lot more quality if the t.v. is off! There is your apple!

I feel so lucky to married to Zach! I really do!

We have so much fun together!

I'm also lucky that my kids have learned how to use the camera!

"Take Luck"!

Here are a couple apples for ya!

Use THIS if you'd like a pattern for a four leaf clover to cut out. The apple is: color it or print it on green paper, cut it out and write tons of notes on them! Put them wherever and whenever! Seriously.

Here's another apple: if you and/or your spouse love march madness then go HERE for a bracket. Print it out or fill one out online. Place bets, give rewards for whoever has the most teams make it out of each round. ie. the winner gets a back rub, foot rub, the laundry folded, car washed, or ice cream from their favorite place. If one or both of your teams make it to the final four you get lucky! These are just ideas. Do what you want!

Even if you don't follow the teams or love basketball, if your spouse does, then have fun with this!

Last apple: watch this with your spouse if you want a good laugh! (I posted this before but you know, it's called take luck! Besides I laugh every time!)

Lucky Week!!!

I really should have dedicated all of March as "Lucky March" but I didn't think about it much before now. :)

I love it when I think about how lucky I am! What a nice thing to think!

That is really the goal of lucky week. You want to feel lucky, be lucky and make others feel lucky!

(especially your spouse!)

The apple for the day is: think or write some things about being married to your spouse or about your spouse that just makes you feel lucky. If you write them, you can give them to your spouse. Think or write until you honestly feel like the luckiest person to be married to your spouse!

I am lucky to be married to Zach because he such an awesome dad!

a fight worth fighting

Vince Lombardi had a saying, "the harder we fight for something, the harder it is to surrender"

I read this the other day and instantly thought of marriage.

One of my friends put a quote/statement on her Facebook the other day that went like this: "If you put something on the back burner it will grow cold".

I read this and instantly thought of marriage as well.

Isn't it the truth! We live in a time when, depending on where you live and who you know, you are ridiculed, belittled or sometimes people will even try and talk you out of getting married, starting a family, staying at home with your kids or providing for a family!

We MUST fight for what we want! If we want an eternal family, then we have to do what it takes to have one! This is not meant to be a passive thing! Faith is a principle of action. If we have faith in the promise that families can be together forever, then we must act like it!

If you'd like to read up on what we (as a church) believe; what we are counseled to do and the blessings that will come if we follow the counsel of Prophets, go HERE.

I will admit...

So, that marriage seminar? I will admit, I went to a class called "come on baby light my fire"!

I will also admit I was a bit nervous about what they were going to talk about!

Here is a quote from the marriage therapist who was teaching...(gives you an idea of the class. :))

"is a peck a kiss? NO! In order for a kiss to be a kiss, it has to be juicy! -There has to be bacteria exchanged!"

There you have your "juicy" apple for the day! :)

a very important date

I sat down to make a post this morning and what comes to mind, but the rabbit from Alice and Wonderland. I tried to get a picture of it and my computer wouldn't cooperate. So, maybe later.

As you well know, I am an advocate for the "little" things. But I am a believer that dates are very important. I know life happens and we can't do big things all the time. If you haven't set a specific day for date night, that is a good place to start. I knew a couple once that Thursdays was there day. He worked on weekends and Thursdays was best. The plus for them was they could always get a babysitter. It wasn't mutual night and they didn't have much competition. :)

What to do this weekend?

Here is a free one: go to the library/book store or an art exhibit. About 3 years ago Zach and I went to an art exhibit and it made the biggest impact on us. The artist had traveled to Africa and had painted various pictures of the people. Oh my, I will NEVER forget it! Incredible.

I thought the library one sounded fun. Look at books of places you want to go or find a recipe book for the country your spouse served their mission, check it out and try something. The library is super fun! I could spend hours there!

so much fun!

So, Saturday was our 7 year anniversary of being engaged! Do you remember when you were engaged or are we the only ones? Our oldest child was due on March 5th. (the day we got engaged the previous year!) Yeah, we thought it was pretty crazy!

I didn't remember at all which was surprising. Zach actually sent me a text saying happy anniversary. Because it was our anniversary I was super glad I had found a fun date for Saturday. We went to a dance lesson and a dance with a live band at Weber State. We honestly had a blast!

I totally should have taken a picture because we looked good! The kids were so excited when we walked out. It was cute to see their reactions to us getting dressed up. We decided we needed to do it a lot more. :)

Zach and I haven't danced much together in that type of setting. We have taken lessons for swing once and that was several years ago. (that was way fun too!)

Can I tell you one thing I noticed? His confidence increased when I encouraged and complimented him. I also noticed that I point out the obvious too much. You know, by saying things like, "you messed up", "that's the wrong step" and lame stuff like that. Even though I laughed after I said it and wasn't trying to really be rude, it still wasn't necessary to say it.

Throughout the night I tried to be more aware of what I said and noticed the effect it had.

The thing with compliments is they have to be sincere and not said merely to get the result we are looking for.

The apple for the day: focus on building your spouse up with compliments and tone down the criticism, it doesn't do much good. :)

try really hard. :)

The apple for the day is: write notes! Hide them, post them around. Tell your spouse how awesome they are! There doesn't have to be a reason!

Have I mentioned I love conversation hearts?

bittersweet.

Did you know the Ogden Temple is closing for renovation? Yeah. That is our Temple.

It makes me kind of sad to think about it actually. For the almost 7 years we have been married, that is where we have gone. I have loved it. It makes me want to go everyday until it closes.

The new one will be beautiful. I am excited for it. It is just a weird feeling to know the Temple is going to be taken down. That's our Temple. It is weird to try and put it to words.

I love this picture and I love that I can see Zach's shadow. :)

I love the Temple. Here are some reasons why:

Vaughn J. Featherstone: Temple Promises

"He promised if members of the church spend half a day in the temple each month the following blessings would result:

1. A man would become mighty and a woman powerful.

2. It would serve as great "insurance protection" for your marriage.

3. The blessings of the eternal God will be called down upon you, and great spiritual growth will be yours.

4. Unseen angels will watch over your loved ones when Satanic forces tempt them

5. Your families will draw close to the Lord and there will be no empty chairs in the Celestial Kingdom.

6. Your children will go on missions.

7. Your children will get married in the temple.

8The veil will be thin, you will have spiritual growth, and many spiritual experiences will distill upon you.

9. You will be prepared for exaltation-with a celestial body, a celestial mind and a celestial personality.

10. You will be receptive to divine guidance and receive spiritual perception to help you grapple with your problems and cares.

11. You will see clearly how to make critical decisions that weigh heavily on your mind."

I know it is easy to make excuses and to be too busy, and I also know, with the above blessings in mind, that the adversary will do just about anything to keep us from going as often as possible.

The apple for the day is: schedule your Temple time! Go as often as you can. Only you know how often that is. Put it on the calendar and make it happen! :)

what we all want...

Did you ever see that movie with Will Smith called "The Pursuit of Happiness"? I did. I watched it because the title intrigued me. If we made a list of what we wanted in life, I think right at the top would be, "to be happy".

While reading the scriptures today I was falling asleep. I am sure none of you have ever done that but, I would nod off and then pick up where I left off and nod off again. It was really quality scripture time let me tell ya. :)

But then something woke me up. "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness". (2 Ne. 5:27)

When I read that I did, I really woke up and started searching and pondering how they did that. I absolutely LOVE that we know what true happiness is and how to have it!

This was a time in Nephi's life that was full of change and I would imagine, was rather traumatic. His dad just died and now his older brother's are trying to kill him and so he packed up his family and they left. This is super sad!

This happiness isn't mentioned at the beginning of this chapter in his life, chapter five tells what they did to achieve it.

What I got out of it is that he "cried much unto the Lord",(vs. 1) (the Lord did not solve His problem but He gave Nephi direction)(vs.2) Nephi followed His guidance,(vs. 5, 6) kept the commandments in all things, (vs. 10) then they worked, studied the scriptures, they prospered,(vs. 11-13) prepared for emergencies, (vs. 14) learned new things and taught each other, (vs 15) built a Temple,(vs. 16) worked some more and encouraged his people to work,(vs 17) elected righteous leaders,(vs 18) recognized the fulfillment of prophecy,(vs. 19-20) ordained teachers (to teach)(vs. 26) AND then, "they lived after the manner of happiness"!(vs 27)

Nephi wasn't the only one who was happy. His family was happy too.

President Monson said once, "prayer isn't a substitute for service" or action. If Nephi had just prayed and listened and had not done anything, he would never have known such blessings. We must be "doers of the word and not hearers only".

I hope that I will be happier this week because I act on the promptings of the Spirit and follow Nephi's example. I'm glad I have a place to share this stuff. :) Have a great week!

the pantry...

...for more than just food.

The apple for the day is: lock yourself in the pantry with your spouse. AND don't just talk while you are in there! :) (walk in closets work as well. :))

Happy Friday!

when the goin' gets tough.

This is a lesson from our two year old. He has been different in a lot of ways from our other two kids and has forced me to be creative with him. (hence the loaf of bread to himself and the orange to do with what he chooses. :))

Well, he has been saying "stupid" which is the "s word" at our house, among throwing tantrums, saying "I don't wanu" to about everything, etc. To try and smooth things over with him one day I tried something that shouldn't have been and epiphany.

I did what he loves. We played basketball. I am not kidding, we played for about an hour, with bouts of kicking the ball and playing catch and then basketball. I only enjoyed his company. What a delightful time we had. I think that was a huge deposit in his love bank. He apparently needed it.

What I learned from this is probably obvious. If we are having a rough time with our spouse, then we should probably take a step back and play. Think about something they love to do and express your desire to do it. Whatever it is. Make it your point to just enjoy them, especially if you don't enjoy their activity of choice. Enjoy your spouse and just play! There's the apple! Heck, make it your date night!

So this weekend if I wanted to make a deposit by doing something Zach loved, it would be watching college basketball while eating caramel popcorn. But then again, that isn't really playing, it's watching other people play. I guess after that I will beat him best out of three in ping pong. Then he'll want to play best out of five. :)

him vs. her

Okay so Zach and I are going on seven years. Can you believe that!? So awesome!

We were still newly weds when we became pregnant with our first baby. We had Ben 10 months after we were married.

I quit my job two weeks before the due date, we had Ben, I was young women's president, newly at home and struggling to adjust. New mommy hood didn't come naturally to me. Zach was finishing his B.A., teaching seminary part time and working full time. We both had a lot going on, but very different things.

At that time I still remember sitting in Relief Society on Sunday -I can't remember the lesson, I can only remember one of the comments that was made. This cute sister said, "there is no use comparing. You are both totally different and your roles are so different. Just don't compare, it accomplishes nothing". Okay, that might not be the exact words but I have never forgotten the message.

I have found that when I am comparing what Zach has going on, to what I have going on, I have no sympathy for him. It's true! He says he's tired and I automatically start thinking, "you're tired, you don't even know what tired is! I have nursed this baby a million times in the last 24 hours! Not to mention taking care of the other two kids! Don't start whining to me buddy!" :)

I am sure you can relate! I tell ya though, when I get a handle on my thinking and I remember that his responsibilities are different than mine and just because I'm tired doesn't mean no one else can be! It doesn't need to be a competition. We can really both be tired and I can resolve to help him get to bed earlier and that means I can get some more z's too.

The apple: don't compare! or at least stop comparing when you realize you are. Look at where he is coming from and forget about you.

"I Do"

The apple for the day is: sometime tonight after your spouse gets home, dance to this song!

Not too long ago Zach bought this song for me off iTunes. I had never heard it before and I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. It is four minutes long. You can spare that. :)