the daily matters

Isn't this the truth?!  The daily, matters.  If we live for "events", then we've missed the point and wasted valuable time and opportunity.

The better we live each day with our spouse, the more we will love and look forward to the "events" and the better prepared we will be for the unexpected.

Why don't we drink from a cup with 7 straws?  Because it's actually more affective to drink from one.  Try it. :)

With 5 kids and now a puppy, it is way more affective to clean my house throughout the week than it is to do it all on one day.  Way more affective.  (Lets not give the wrong idea here...I don't clean my house alone.  I have a husband, 5 kids and a puppy.  We all clean it.)

Speaking of a puppy.  It is kind of critical to spend time everyday in play, exercise and training.  Yeah, if we waited until she was older, we'd have our work cut out for us and we'd enjoy her less in her puppy stage...and that would be sad.  She's adorable.

When I am loving Zach on purpose, it makes the days way better and the events are much more fun to anticipate.  I also enjoy the events more when we have been better at daily loving.

Last week I mentioned in a post that Zach and I talk at the beginning of the week and ask each other what we can do to show love that week.  It is a great feeling to know that you are willingly meeting their needs and they recognize it as well.  Try it.  Ask your spouse what you can do to show love.

I love this quote by Elder Christofferson. I found it HERE.  It sums up my thoughts and is something to ponder, as today is the first day of LOVE MONTH.

"Experience teaches that in a marriage, for example, a steady stream of simple kindnesses, help, and attention do much more to keep love alive and nurture the relationship than an occasional grand or expensive gesture. That is not to say, brethren—you who are married—that your wife wouldn’t appreciate something new and really nice to wear or occasionally some other gift that expresses, with an exclamation point, how you feel about her (within the parameters, of course, of your miserable budget). It’s just that a constant, daily expression of affection, in both words and actions, is far more meaningful in the long run."

Small and simple things matter.  You matter.  The daily, matters.  

Make today a great day.

Becca :)

Wow.

Well uh, it has been a little nuts around here. Sometimes, (when I get a minute) I sit back and think "gosh, what hit me?"

It just seems like there are always those "normal" things that keep me busy and then there is "craziness" that occurs out of no where!

Sorry for the lack of writing...especially during love month!!! Gee!

Since I'm getting geared up for another week of who knows what, here are some "apples" all in one post. I hope you're ready! :)

*hide notes in their shirt pocket, purse, makeup bag, shoes, wallet, dashboard, steering wheel, windshield wiper, etc.

*use that handy dry erase marker for mirrors or windshield's or side car window's.

*if you mail a card Monday it could get to the office or home by Tuesday. It can be a card expressing love and appreciation or inviting them out for a date.

*have love songs playing when they come home for the night. dance to a few.

*write them a poem.

*make them a coupon book or better yet, put those coupon things on the calendar. Some coupon type things may include:
-wash and vacuum car
-night off for you (go with your girl/guy friends or someplace else...that isn't the store)
-Temple night
-date night (bowling, dinner at_____ or ice skating)
-i'm on laundry duty this week
-i'll do dinner tonight
-you read, I'll put the kids in bed
-you and me tonight, no interruptions
(hopefully that gets your mind working)

*candle light dinner with or without the kids, just do it!

*cut out hearts and tape them everywhere. Put nice things you love about them on them. Or just put them in one specific spot and give them "a heart attack".

*do little favors for them and leave a heart behind that says "I did this because I love you" or simply, "I love you".

*if you aren't a lovey person make a special effort to be better. Hold their hand, kiss when they leave or come home or for no reason, touch them when you walk by...

*listen to what they say and work to be a better support with what they have going on. If they aren't talking, then ask.

*call at least once a day and say "i love you".

*make a top ten reasons why I'm glad you're my Valentine.

*show up to their office or home with a gift...not on Valentines day.

*text or email everyday, something specific that you love or appreciate about them.

*tell them and show them that they are a priority to you. let the laundry go, turn off the phone or the computer and be with your spouse.

What are some "apples" you do for your spouse?...especially around Valentines Day?
Do you take turns planning a date? Do you go out or stay home? Do you do anything different?

I love any occasion that adds variety to my life! I am a big fan of holidays, they help me think outside my daily box. I hope your week is a great one!

got a present? give it!

"The loss of loved ones almost inevitably brings some regrets to our hearts. Let’s minimize such feelings as much as humanly possible by frequently expressing our love and gratitude to them. We never know how soon it will be too late."

"Someone has said that" “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward, in Allen Klein, comp., Change Your Life!(2010), 15

It's love month you know! One huge way to show we love someone is to express gratitude for them! Let's give this gift to our spouse every day! Be grateful! Everyone likes to be appreciated.

The apple? Tell them and show them you are grateful! With a note, with a song, hug, smile, words. If nice things come to your mind when you spouse does something, say them!

Love Month Baby!

I love themes! I love them because they help me focus! I LOVE that this is love month!

No need to feel exhausted because love month sounds like too much! Just start cutting hearts!

Use them:

*to write notes

*extend an invitation for a date, talking time, treat time or any other "time" you want to share with your spouse.

*put them up around the house as decoration with things you love about your spouse written on them

*to leave in random places your spouse will find them with encouragement and love written on them. -put them under dinner plates, in lunches, the toilet lid, the bathroom wall.

What else could we use those hearts for? paper airplanes?

Happy first day of love month!