a replacement

I love my garden.  I would stay there all day if it never got hot and mosquitoes never came out and I didn't need to eat...and then there's my children...
Aw well, I still enjoy the time there when I get it.  I was pulling weeds...which after I had done so I thought I should have taken a before picture because you could barely see my flowers!  The weeds were taking over.

So, the thought...  Weed after weed was pulled and I was so grateful we had wood chips to put there because I was tired of weeding!
This applies to marriage and any relationship, really.  If we don't like something, we need to get rid of it and then put something else in it's place or it will come back.
This takes practice and often, takes work but its better than letting the weeds take over!-then it's hard to even see the good stuff!

So, at the beginning of this here month, lets all pick something we would like change and decide what we can replace it with. (remember to focus on what you can control!)

Maybe it is as simple as trying to be patient with our spouse.  I am so quick to see Zach's shortcomings when I don't feel awesome about myself.  So, repeating in my mind, "you're not perfect either and he's patient with me!" helps a lot.  What helps even more is to think of what he IS doing that is positive.  I'm the boss of my mind, if I don't like the thought, I replace it with a better one!

Here are some specific Apples for this Independence day week!
*watch fireworks together (cuddle would ya!)
*share an ice cream or popsicle on the porch after the kids are in bed
*ask them about their 4th of July memories from before your time
*chill out.  if you have somewhere to be, remember to cherish the time you have together.
*tell them they're a hottie and kiss em good.

oh and i'm back to bloggin'.  this should help me focus.  that's a good thing.  enjoy your week!