try these apples...if you dare!

we are probably the only family who is enjoying the Olympics...the t.v. is almost always on...which is not normal here.  we just really like it.

so, i say, "try these apples...if you dare!"

in my opinion, it is hard to remember to be sweet, considerate, encouraging, loving...etc, when i am totally engrossed in something else.

August is a big month around here...especially this year.  Zach's birthday, Sarah's birthday and the angel-versary of Lily (for more on this, go HERE).  i have a lot of projects that i'm working on and that is on top of everything else.

but, i am working on acting out my priorities.  they can't be my priorities if i don't act like it, right?

so, apples.

*touch in passing as often as you pass.  touch while talking if possible or make it possible.
(that touch forms a connection, our connections need to be continually strengthened)

*write a love note, funny joke, compliment on the mirror.

*make a surprise visit to their office.  check if their schedule is clear first!

*lights out night(if you dare!)-if you have kids include them.  don't use any power during dinner or after.  go to bed without any power.  after the kids are in bed...no electronics!  play games by lantern or anything else fun you can think of! (um, this is emergency training!)

*help them with something they've had on their list to do..that they don't want to do or don't have time for...do it for them or help them.

*take a walk outside after dinner.  talk.  or don't.


"Thank God for the joys of family life.  I have often said there can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from a good home.  The sweetest influences and associations of life are there"
-Ezra Taft Benson (God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [1974], 178).

take your pick!

HERE'S YOUR PICK OF APPLES!...or at least some to get you thinking!

*give them a compliment you don't usually give.  think about it.  what is something you like about the way they dress/ make the bed/ serve dinner/ park their car/ play with the kids?  make it specific!  say it!

*when you are out and about, pick them up something small.  gosh, it melts my heart when Zach says, "I picked this up for you today".  *sigh.

*after the kids are in bed, take a gander outside together.  hold hands.  talk.

*take turns. if your spouse planned the date last week, you're it!

*call and check in during the day.  a simple, "just thinking about you and how much i appreciate you in my life", will do just fine!

*kiss em good and long when they get home...extra credit if you pop a mint first!

*vacuum their car /make the bed- lift their load somehow.

Being married has serious benefits.  One of which, "love is like jam, you can't spread it without getting some on yourself."  sticky is good. :)

here we go!

it feels good to be blogging some apples again!  here are some ideas for the week!

*flip a coin for who's planning date night for the week (that includes getting the sitter)

*do they have something big going on? -with work, with the kids?  make a point to ask them about it and give them your undivided attention while they are talking.

*make a meal that you have together even more special by making the table and food look that way.  go the extra mile and put a note under their plate or use special dishes.

*when you meet after some time a part, be sure to say something positive first. ie. "i'm glad you're home.", "i've looked forward to you coming home all day", "i've missed you", "thanks for working so hard", "having you home is a breath of fresh air".  ONLY say things if you mean it!  BUT, there is always something nice you can say!...think first.

*put a note in a random place that says something specific you love/appreciate about them. (on their steering wheel, bathroom mirror, shower wall, in their shoe..etc.)

*next time you are watching t.v. together, ask them if they'd like a foot, back, shoulder massage while you watch.

*ask them if they need you to do anything for them that day or this week.  then do it!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!  HERE'S TO A HEALTHIER MARRIAGE!

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. :)

sweet talk...

The apple of the day is: call, email, text anything sweet. "Thinking of you" type things.

One day Zach sent me a text and said "you look really nice today. I don't think I ever said that out loud." to give you an example...and also let you know that I do get ready sometimes. :)

mommy said...

"Hey daddy? Mommy thinks you're cute".

Have you ever sent compliments to your spouse via your children? You might even be able to do it over and over with them same or different children and send a few compliments their way. If you have older kids, try bribing them to take the message. Then it might just come as a shocker and probably a good laugh later! (I am laughing at the thought of those of you with teenagers! good times!)

Well, try that for an apple!