There are times that it just seems that Michael and I are at odds more than not. It is a bit frustrating when that happens but just takes a bit of care to get righted again.

• For the next several days I’ll be intentional with my thoughts
• and actions.
• I’ll do something special for him
• and give him attention.
• I’ll be sure to speak his love language
• and won’t forget getting close

When we are at odds, it is generally because we have let something slip. Maybe we weren’t as kind in our words or maybe there was a perceived slight.

I will not think on the negative. I will think on what I can do to show love, in words, deeds, and touch.

I hope this will help you to look at what you can do to smooth out a bumpy road between you and your love rather than dwell on the negative, which will only make matters worse.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

For so many years I just expected that my dear hubby should know how to make me feel special on special days like my birthday and Mother’s Day. This is not the case. I have finally learned that I need to tell him what I want in order to receive what I want. It’s not that I’m picky but he just is pretty clueless where romantic gestures are concerned (and honestly always has been ).

A couple of weeks before my birthday I start announcing that my birthday is coming up. Yep, just a like a child does. Do you know what Michael said? He thanked me for reminding him. And do you know what he said every day when I mentioned it? He thanked me again, until the day that he remembered and had it all “sorted.”

I started reminding him a few days ago that Mother’s Day was coming up in XX days. He was a bit flustered but I just simply said, you know, in case you want to get your mom and me a card and have hers arrive in the mail before Mother’s Day.

Find out how your husband wants you to help him be successful on special days. Maybe yours just wants you to send a text or email at the beginning of each month with the special days to remember that month. Maybe he needs a gift list or a daily reminder. It’s important to only give him the help he wants.

I hope you have a wonderful week and Mother’s Day, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

I read this post over on The Generous Husband about it being the little moments that forms one’s character. It’s really interesting. It has really made me think about what my little moments say about me.

I do try to apologize and make things right when I have a moment that is not one that I want to be a part of my character.

It is definitely something to think about. Give it a read, it’s short and won’t take long and it could help your marriage.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

I was looking through my pinterest board for ideas for today’s blog post when I was reminded to truly listen when my hubby talks, especially when it is a topic where I have a very different opinion. Sometimes I am frustrated and begin coming up with my rebuttal, and sometimes even butt in, interrupting him as he is talking.

If I am not really listening to his words and following along with his train of thought, how can we communicate? The problem though is that as he talks a thought jumps into my mind, related to what he’s saying–usually in opposition to what he is saying — and it generally completely disappears if I don’t say something but that is not fair to him.

I guess what I need to do is to pray, as a general practice, that when I have a conversation with someone, but especially with my hubby, that God will bring all the words back to my mind that need to be said.

My natural instinct is to write it down so that I don’t forget it but that is not fair to him either because, again, I am not focusing on what he is saying but with my argument. If I am unable to recollect my thoughts, then either they may not need to be shared or maybe they are better left to another time.

Here is the post/article that got me thinking about this: 15 Rules for Fighting Fair in Marriage.

What are your thoughts? How do you handle tough conversations (fights)? I guess I have been more concerned with proving I’m right, than for us to come to an understanding. Ahhh, more to pray about.

I hope you have a good week.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

If you house is anything like mine, you’re having quite a bit of togetherness right now. It could be a good time to start a new habit.

Here’s an interesting idea for questions you can ask that are more meaningful than “How was your day?” I realize that you are probably pretty aware of what each other is doing, but if you get in the habit of asking one of these deeper questions each day, maybe at dinner each night.

The webpage even has a nice printable so you can have a handy reference or even put it on the refrigerator. You could put it in a page protector or laminate it and mark them off as you use them.

For a while when our kids were young, we asked what each person’s high and low were for the day. It was a good way to get everyone to talking and relating at the dinner table.

I hope you find this link helpful. I think it is; it’s nice to have help coming up with questions/conversation ideas.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

This week I thought I’d keep it simple. Hubby has been home for a couple weeks now. On a usual basis, Michael can be gone from home less hours than most husbands and we work well with that but I do NEED him to be gone for some time. Don’t get me wrong! I love my husband very  much and he loves me very much. We enjoy being home together and doing things together.

But . . . he can get a bit stir-crazy when he is home when he wouldn’t normally be home. And his antsyness can ruffle my feathers a bit. So, in light of that I have to things I try to keep in mind.

I hope this encourages you today and blesses your marriage.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

When things are a bit stressful, it is easy to have things that bother us and that can lead to complaining. According to a few websites, complaining rewires the brain towards more complaining and I doubt that is what you want . . . I know it isn’t what I want.

Here are some pages to read about this:

• Complaining rewires the brain to make future complaining more likely
• Why Complaining may be dangerous to your health
• Complaining hurts the brain (This last link has some really helpful ideas.)

There is a book about this information called The Squeaky Wheel by Guy Winch.

There is something to be said for positive confession. If complaining rewires your brain towards more complaining, then surely thinking on positive things can rewire your brain towards more positive thinking.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

I think I’ve mentioned this app before, probably when I first discovered it. It’s been a blessing to us lately.

When we first found it, Michael and I both got it and took the love languages quiz. Then we set up some reminders. One of the reminders he set up for himself was to leave me a note once a week or so.

He’s been really creative with his notes. He’s left some on my table beside my chair in the living room. He’s left some on my computer or purse and even a couple on the bathroom mirror. These  notes always make me smile. And isn’t that the point? They are not big romantic notes, just simple “I love you” and such.

I encourage you to check out the Love Nudge app and get your loved one to do it too. You each take the love languages quiz and then you know what kinds of things your love appreciates.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

Here is a challenge that I am doing this week and invite you to jump in too.

Lately it seems that I’m focusing more on the negative things. So to get my mind in the right place, I’m going to think of one positive (nice) thing about my honey and write it down. I think I will even try to write it out using the modern calligraphy I’ve been learning because you have to write slowly when you do calligraphy, which will help me focus on that good thing.

I hope you’ll try this challenge the next time you’re focusing a bit too much on the negative things.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº