Days of Play: Dr. Suess's Birthday!

Prepare for Dr. Suess's March 2 birthday by engaging in some pre-birthday festivities!

Source

Start your Saturday morning off with a reading of Green Eggs and Ham.  For breakfast make some green scrambled eggs, ham, and dye white grape juice green for a very festive breakfast.

Then watch Horton Hears a Who as a family.  Popcorn optional but encouraged!

Source

Make a pencil Horton Hears a Who craft (Source: FamilyCrafts)

After movie and craft time, spend some time online. Go to Suessville.com and play a few games.

In the afternoon, do a reading of Red Fish, Blue Fish and then make a tissue paper fish (source Craftideas.info)

Of course, you can eat Goldfish crackers while you are crafting!

At the end of our day, my kids are going to clean up in a great big bath full of green water and some play Yertle the Turtles (and a book reading as well!).

Enjoy your special pre-birthday funtivities!

3 Way {February}

Welcome to February's 3 Way Challenge!

(If you want to know more about the challenge, click here)

My "uniform" challenge this month was to wear a brown long-sleeved T three ways.  I started the challenge off with a dark brown T but somehow it got a stain on it so I switched to this light brown T.

Good thing I have five long sleeved brown Ts, eh?

Anyhow, I paired my T with a fur vest, boots, jeggings, and gold accessories for a night out; brown tights, boots, denim dress, and pearl/animal print necklace for work; and jeans, necklace, and cardigan for a day home with sick kiddos!

Can you believe it is the end of February?  Time seems to fly, doesn't it.

For March I am going to take advantage of the last cold snap and have the three way challenge involve a sweater.

Pick a sweater, any sweater (but the same one 3 times) and mix it up in new ways.  Wear it with a scarf or bold necklace.  Layer it with a blazer ... how will you wear your sweater?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an e-book called 50 Things Every Woman Simply Must Own.  Click here to register!

Things I Love: Seeing the Horizon

I really love to go to cities to visit.  The food, the culture, the shopping ... there's a lot to be said about the benefits of city-life.

However, after a week or so in a city, I get a bit antsy.  I start to feel claustrophobic when I'm surrounded by big buildings and even trees!  I know this is weird but I'm used to seriously wide-open spaces. What can I say, I'm from the plains of Wyoming.

Now most people envision Wyoming looking like this:

Tetons from Jacksonholenet.com

Yes, Wyoming has breath-taking mountain ranges.  The Tetons, the Big Horns, the Wind River Range ...  beautiful, beautiful mountains!  However, if you aren't near a mountain range then Wyoming looks a lot like this.

Heading Towards Devil's Tower--Click here for photo source

Hello rambling plains!

I'm so accustomed to wide plains and big skies that I get a bit sketched out when I can't see the horizon.

Wyoming--not for agoraphobics!

What I Think About--Fashion Rehab {+a giveaway}

Dear Jill,

Last January I made a resolution (because I'm like that) to start dressing better.  When I was in my early twenties I didn't have car payments or expensive mortgages.  As such, I could afford to dress really well and trendy.

Then I got married, got a job, and had kids.

All of a sudden I was dressing like a teacher-mom.  I resisted quilted vests and jumpers but I was frumpy.  So frumpy my husband, who flourishes compliments on me like crazy, started referring to every outfit as "nice."

Hi, my name is Frumpy Mommy and yes, that sweater makes me look six sizes larger than I actually am. Boo!

So in January 2010 I decided to enter my own version of hell: fashion rehab.

To do this, I looked at blogs.  Most of the blogs I found had me rolling my eyes: $495 blazers for my kids to rub snotty noses on?  Right.  Stiletto heels when I'm chasing kids?  Not a chance. 

Then I found your blog--Jill GG's Good Life For Less. Right away I knew it was just what I was looking for.  You wore trendy clothes that weren't over-the-top expensive.  You mixed traditional with fads.  You're a stay-at-home-mom of two who I felt looked similar in height, weight, and coloring to me (I may be deluding myself ...).

I started stalking your blog. Everyday.

Through your blog I've found "my style."  I've learned how to put outfits together and how to work accessories.  I've gotten outfit inspiration and learned the "necessities."

And the payoff?  Dividends.

My husband remarks almost weekly at how great and sexy I look.

My friends seek my fashion advice.

My self-esteem has sky-rocketed.  I don't want to wrap my self-worth up into a pair of jeans or shoes but there is something to be said about feeling like you look great!

Your mission is to inspire women to look their best and to be practical and fun.  You have inspired me--I feel like I look better now than I ever have.  You are practical and fun; I look forward to reading your posts and learning from you.  If the blues ever hit you, remember, that your work has made a difference.  A part of me is forever altered because of you.

Thank you,
Reagan

What I Think About Fashion Re-hab is that it is one of the best learning experiences I've ever had!

If you are stuck in the mommy-dress blahs, please check out The Good Life for Less.  Until then, let me tempt you with Jill's e-book "The Fifty Things Every Woman Simply Must Own."

That's right--I'm giving away Jill's e-book (meaning it will be delivered online).  Interested?

Mandatory to enter (put both of these in 1 comment):

1.  Follow me (if you already follow me, let me know!)
AND
2. Go to Jill GG's Good Life for Less "Personal Style Defined") and tell me what your personal style is. 

Extra Entries (one entry/comment for each one you do):
1.  Like Where is the ME in Mommy? on Facebook
2.  Blog about this and put the link in the comment

This giveaway is open for all, US or abroad, family or not!

Giveaway ends Tuesday March 1, 2011 at midnight!

Thanks so much to Shell at Things I Can't Say for hosting my random Wednesday thoughts!

It' National Margarita Day!

Just sayin'!

Photo stolen from Babble!

Cheers!

Dear Friend

Decisions are hard to make and even though I like to joke that I can easily check YES or NO on your life's big list, the truth is, I can't.

I'm not able to fathom what you are going through and the decisions you are having to make.  I haven't been in your shoes.  But you did ask my opinion so I'll share it with you the best way I know how--with my experience.

I was completely finished with school (ha, ha, ha) before I had my first child.  I loved my job and thought I would continue working even after the Divine Miss M was born.  However, it soon became evident that I loved my child more than the children I worked with AND my entire paycheck merely covered childcare and the commute cost.  Simply put, it was more financially sound for me NOT to work.  Of course we had to move but that seemed worth it since I got to be home with my baby.

I loved being a stay-at-home-mom!  There was something to be said about being there for first steps and first words.  Sometimes, however, I got really lonely and felt like I needed something just for "me."  So I started school again and this filled a "void" for me.

Baby #2 made school a bit trickier but I made it work. And then I started working (very part time) again.  On one level it is so fulfilling to be intellectually engaged and to be using my gift of teaching but then there are times when Paxton would rather be held by Beth than me and it makes my heart sad.

Right now, as I near the end of my coursework and my degree is on the horizon, I feel this "push" to go back to work.  Why, after all, would I have this degree if I don't use it?  I keep imaging all the things I could do with a full time salary--new cars, new clothes, pay off our house in a few years ... All those scenarios are tempting--oh, so tempting!

Then I catch Paxton and M.E. playing together, giggling and asking me to join in and all of a sudden, those cars and clothes and mortgage payments don't matter.  Some day in the not so distant future my children won't think I'm awesome.  They won't want to play with me.  They'll be at school and friend's houses, and activities and I'll look back and sigh wishing, most likely, that I'd spent more time with them. I honestly can't think of one situation where I would say to myself, "Gee, spending all that time with my kids was a complete waste of time!"

So, completely ignoring financial obstacles like house payments, student loans, and possible looming adoptions, I would say, you will never regret spending time with your little girl.  In a year your college coursework will still be there but you can never get back a moment of time with your child.

As to the other child your heart so desires, this gets much more complicated.  Adoption is so much more feasible when there are two incomes to pay for it.  You don't want to finish your degree and get a job to pay off your house or buy a new car.  You want a good job to pay for a child!  So I feel like your heart is stuck--do I forsake time with my first child so I can afford the second or do I forgo pursuing adoption so I can spend time with my little girl?  This is a quagmire I can't contemplate.

When I have tough questions to answer my "go to" thought process is: "What is the legacy of my decision?"  For example, when I stopped working, the legacy with work was that I wouldn't affect students any longer; however, I was confident some other excellent teacher could fill my shoes.  The same can't be said of my role as mommy.  My legacy staying home, however, was HUGE! 

In this instance, I feel like your legacy will be huge either way. 

I've often wondered, when we seek the will of God, if we put Him in a box too much--like there is only "one way" for our lives to go and if we mess that up then we are forever ruined.  What if He loves us so abundantly that He has many paths to His will for our lives? 

Does this thought make the decision easier?  Probably not.  But hopefully it helps you know that He loves you and when you are stuck between doing one thing to be a good mom (of one) or doing another thing to be a good mom (of 2-20), luck might have it that BOTH ways are acceptable.

It's scary but we just have to take steps of faith when we don't know what's out there.  We have to trust that all things work together for our good. 

Whatever you decide please know that you have the loving, non-judgmental support of moms who have made great sacrifices for our children.   

We understand the difficulty of your decision.  We appreciate your humble heart as you seek wisdom and advice.

I don't know what's in store for you but I know that I love you! Even though I can't make these decisions for you, I hope that by knowing I am here for you either way, your burden will be lightened.

Love,
Reagan

Days of Play: GAK!

If you want some adventurous, tactile fun, whip up a bowl of GAK! and have a gooey good time!

Source: Our Best Bites

Our Best Bites (<----Click that link) has the fun GAK recipe!

Want to play but don't have borax, click here to get my ooblich recipe (cornstarch + water = fun).

Date Night {OUT}--Around Town

Last weekend my daughter was at her grandparent's house.  Being down one kid, we decided to do a date night out.

Since it was a last minute date, we resorted to the movie idea.  But then we decided there was really nothing we wanted to see.  So Matt whipped up this fun date idea!

He wrote down six different silly challenges and put them in a hat.  We then took off driving and listening to fun music.  As he drove, I pulled out a challenge.  When we finished each activity, we pulled out another.  The challenges took us to six different locales, got us laughing, got us out of the house, and was relatively inexpensive.

So if you want a night out on the town, consider modifying these challenges (or making up your own).

Challenge #1--Go to Matt's office and play three rounds of pictionary.  Winner gets five minutes of back tickles.

Challenge #2--Go to a bookstore.  Take 10 minutes to find the following: a book your spouse would hate, a book your spouse would love BUT would never admit to loving, and the sexiest book you can find (that isn't from the "self-help" sex area).  After 10 minutes, sit down and share why you chose what you chose and why.

Challenge #3--Go to a place you've never been before and order a drink (this can be a restaurant, bar, coffee shop ... just go somewhere new)!

Challenge #4--Go to Target, Wal-Mart, etc.  Take 10 minutes to find something that your spouse would be SUPER embarrassed to buy (giant underwear, anyone?).  Don't buy it but have a good laugh!

Challenge #5--Drive to the park.  Find a song on the radio and turn it way up.  Open the car doors and share a dance together!

Challenge #6--Take $1.50 each and go into a convenience store.  Buy your spouse something for dessert.  Drive to a remote location, hold hands, and eat dessert in the car. Talking with your mouth full encourage.

Things I Love: Ballet Flats

Not so long ago I did a bit of a diatribe on why I can't stand it when people wear tennis shoes all day, with every outfit.  If you want to read my thoughts, click here.

Anyhow, one of the fastest and easiest ways to pull an outfit together is with your shoes (and accessories, but I digress).  

Ballet flats are my favorite type of shoes (and this makes my boots sad).  They are comfortable, versatile and fun!  And the best part, you can find them really cheap!  (Don't misconstrue what I'm saying, you can totally find ballet flats for $500 but why would you want to?!?!?).

If you want to a quick wardrobe fix, pick up a pair (or five) of ballet flats!

FYI--All of these flats are from Target and ALL of them are under $20!  Snap!

Flats by Mossimo

Yes, those are my black, bow Target ballet flats.  I love them.

Things I love--BALLET FLATS!

How about you?

What I Think About--Birthdays (Please join me for a pity party)

While I was doing my LOVE IS challenge a monumental event came and went with little attention.

No, I'm not talking about Puxatony Phil (although the days are the same); I'm talking about my birthday.

Source

When I was growing up my parents made our birthdays special.  Of course I mean "special" in the 1980s fashion (read: you pick dinner, open a present, and eat cake with family and 1-2 friends) and not the millennium fashion (read: $300 parties with 50 guests and a gazillion presents you don't have to write thank-yous for).  I always felt special and loved on my birthdays, no matter how "minimalist" they were.

When I became an adult everyone told me that birthdays were somehow less important--less hullabaloo, less cake, less attention.  I guess with all the distractions of work and kids and bills there just isn't time for grown-ups to feel special, even for just one day.

I understand busy.  I even understand aging not being a big deal (although the more I celebrate my 30th birthday the more I love it!).

But this year, my birthday went by without much attention at all.

I had to commute and work and go to school until 7; Matt had business obligations until 10:30. 

Before I left for my commute, there were no "birthday breakfasts" or silly "happy birthday" songs. 

Aside from Facebook well wishes and a text or two, there were no birthday cards (unless you count the one from an insurance agency that I don't use) and no birthday phone calls--not even from my family.  

Around 5:30 pm I briefly toyed with the idea that a surprise party was in the making. When I came home at 7:00 to a dirty house, I realized that there was no surprise party.

I had a Samantha Baker moment from Sixteen Candles.  No, my birthday wasn't forgotten; it was just unacknolwedged.  And somehow, that felt worse.

Source

To be fair, when I got home (after I cleaned up the house and did the dishes) I found a Glee DVD set and my friend Sarah (who I did go to lunch with that day) brought me cheesecake so I at least got to spend the evening with Mr. Shue and 4 homemade, different versions of cheesecake.

When Matt came home I could tell he was dripping with guilt.  He tried to "make up" for it with gifts but I'm not a gift person and I balked at feeling "bought off."  I understand he had to work; I understand people are busy; I don't understand not taking a bit of planning to make even 10 minutes of someone's birthday special.

And I really felt this "birthdays aren't a big deal when you're an adult" mentality is just an excuse to not have to exert time and attention anywhere besides work/finances/hobbies.  When really, shouldn't we go the extra mile for those people ... not matter how old they are?

I'm generally quick to get angry but this time, I just cried--because it felt bad to not to celebrated.

Out of that pity party came a super-strong resolution: birthdays do matter and the people we love are worth celebrating (at least once a year).  So no matter how busy we get or how far he travels or how early the day starts or how sick the kids get or how tight money is, I will always acknowledge and celebrate the people I love.

What I think about birthdays is that they matter.

No one should be Samatha Bakered (or worse).

Even if you've had seventy-five birthdays, they still matter.
Even if you stopped counting how old you are at 27, they still matter.
Even if you hate being celebrated, they still matter (we'll send you a card).

As long as people matter, their birthdays matter.

Source

*DISCLAIMER* On Feb. 10th I saw that is was a friend's birthday on Facebook.  I decided to tell her happy birthday in person ... and then I forgot.  Dear friend, I apologize :)*

DISCLAIMER #2--My husband is amazing.  He loves and cherishes me.  This is just one of those "oh crap" moments in his life that I'll let him forget in 30 years (see, if he did stuff like this more often it'd roll off my back). ILY, Matt!


Thanks to SHELL at THINGS I CAN'T SAY for always hosting my random Wednesday thoughts!

When the Valentine's Day hoopla is done ...

I still love my husband.

Not for what he did or didn't give me (and we focus on the didn't gives at our house); not for dates we've gone on (or may go on soon).

I still love my husband for who he is--my perfect provision.

This journey of learning what Love is and how I can better give and receive love has been exhausting.

Don't get me wrong, it's been totally beneficial.  Reflecting, journaling, reading The Word, and praying have done wonders for me. 

But it's come at a cost--namely that I realized how far I have to go. 

When it comes to love, I'm not good at giving it unconditionally.  I'm quick to hold grudges, slow to forgive, and quick to distrust.

I'm not good at receiving love without cynicism. I distrust the motives of people; I'm waiting to be let down.

Examining my heart and letting it affect my actions for 15 days has altered the way I look at myself and my family. 

Most importantly, it's altered--possibly forever--what Love is.

Love Never--Day 15 {Valentine's Day Finale!}

Love never fails.

FOR YOU
Get out your journal.  Now watch this video and reflect on it.

Do you believe what it says?  Do you believe that love never fails?  Do you feel like love has failed you before?  If so, reflect on that--was it love?

Ask God to heal your heart and to show you that love, His love, never fails.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE
Plan a special evening for your spouse.

Invite him to spend the evening with you by using a Candy-Gram. 
Spend some time with a quiet, date night in.  If you want a date all planned out for you, may I suggest:

• A Couple's Massage theme
• A Twilight themed date (you know, if you married to someone who likes Twilight)
• A Kiss themed date
• A Rated R date

(Yes, you can click those links for some ready-for-your touch date ideas!)

FOR YOUR KIDS
Make your kids a Candy-Gram so they know how much you love them!

Love Always--Day 14

Love always perseveres.

FOR YOU:

In your journal, define what "perseveres" means to you.  Are you good a persevering?  Do you have a hard time finishing what you start?  Why?

Of all of the Biblical "love" qualities, persevering is perhaps the hardest.  I mean, it's just so easy to give up, throw in the towel and walk away.  It takes considerable more strength, discipline, and patience to fight the good fight, walk uphill, and endure.  

Pray that God would give you a spirit that is willing to love continuously--to love when it's good and to love when it's bad, to love when it is deserved and to love when it is undeserved. Pray that God gives you the heart to persevere in your love.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE

Have you ever felt like giving up on your spouse? Your marriage? Your sex life? Your "dating" life?  With your spouse, write "married" vows.  In these vows, promise to persevere in your marriage.  Share your vows.

If you want to really "walk the walk" make a date book and promise that you will, at least 10 times this year, pursue, woo, and date your spouse.

FOR YOUR KIDS

Let's be honest, sometimes I'd rather be deep-fried than play another game of tag or Candy Land.  But today, I'm going to persevere in playing with my children.  I'm going to show them I'm steadfastly interested in spending time with them.   

 

Love Always--Day 13

Love always hopes.

FOR YOU:

Make a brain web today of the things you hope for.  What are your heart's desires?  What do you hope will happen?

Think of a time when you felt hopeless.  What did "hopelessness" feel like?  How did it turn out?

"Hope looks beyond a cure for disease, a solution for a problem, an escape from pain, to an assurance from God that life has point and meaning in spite of disease, problems, and pain. Hope looks to the promise of the final victory of Jesus Christ over all that hurts and kills. This is the hope that gives us courage to praise today and face tomorrow with expectancy even when we do not expect the problem to be solved." (Lewis Smedes, Love Within Limits, p. 103)

How do we draw on that kind of hope? It comes from being filled with the Spirit. We ask for the gift of the Spirit which Jesus came to give us. We open our hearts and minds to receive that which we need, when all things seem to be hopeless and we are tempted to despair. We believe that God who loves us, will give us the hope we need, to sustain us.

Pray for God to give you a spirit of hope.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:

Today, write a hope list.  Each of you should have an individual piece of paper.  On that paper, write down 3-5 areas where you have given up hope in your marriage.  Write 3-5 areas that you still have hope in.

Pray together for God to deepen your level of hope and encouragement in your marriage.  

#1 Wait	Don’t talk right away about your list of how your marriage could be better. It is not meant to be a list on how bad your spouse has been! To be honest, some of you might never have an opportunity to share this list with your spouse.
#2 Confess	When you have fallen into temptation to giving up, you need to confess your sin to God. It was not God who wanted you to doubt His plan.
#3 Ask	Ask the Lord to restore hope to the very areas that you have given up hope. It might be something so simple as your husband expressing his gratefulness for your hard work. Or it could be the ability to live with your selfish spouse in love and kindness.
#4 Anticipate	Give God the opportunity to answer your prayer in His time and way. We do this by telling Him and yourselves what you want, why you think your marriage should have those things, and a willingness to do what is needed for it to be done including waiting a long time. Wives must not nag, hint or manipulate to get what they wish. Husbands must refuse to commandeer their wives into what they want.
#5 Share	It is natural to want to share your list with your spouse. If your spouse asks to hear your list, then you are free to share it with him or her. If he or she does not ask, then just keep it between you and God. Remember you ‘two,’ God and you are a team working together in hope. Each day you will seek Him for these things and watch for how He begins to accomplish this work.

 (Table Source)

FOR YOUR KIDS

Spend some time examining your children.  How naturally does hope come to them?  Where does their hope come from? Pray with your children.  Praise God for their childlike faith and ask that He fill you with hope as pure as theirs.

Love Always--Day 12

Love always trusts.

The more I look at the scriptural aspects of love, the more I realize how bad I am at love.  Reagan does not always trust.  In fact, Reagan almost never trusts.  ANYONE. 

FOR YOU:

In your journal, make a list of who you really trust.  Once you have your list, pick one person and make a list of qualities that makes you trust that person.  What are the qualities you trust in people?
 

Now think about a time when you trust was broken.  What happened?  What was your response?  Were you ever able to re-gain trust in that person? How?

FOR YOUR HUSBAND:

Take your husband for a trust walk.  Blindfold your husband and walk him around the house.  Make sure you keep him close and safe.  Now, reverse roles.

Discuss trust. Was it easy to physically trust your spouse?  Is it easier to trust someone with your physical being or your emotions?  In what ways do you need to start trusting one another more? 

FOR YOUR KIDS:

As a family, do a trust fall.  Have kids stand on a chair and fall backwards into your arms.  Let your kids know they can trust you! 

Love Always--Day 11

Love always protects.

FOR YOU:

What comes to mind when you hear "protects"?  What does protect mean?  What does it look like?  Do you feel protected? 

 

Infidelity is a huge marriage killer.  What makes people unfaithful either physically or emotionally? How do you protect your marriage?  Your family?

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:

Talk with your spouse about times you've been uncomfortable or misunderstood a relationship.  What made you uncomfortable about the situation?  What made you feel insecure?  

Discuss as a couple what you will do to ensure neither of you falls into emotional or physical infidelity. 

FOR YOUR KIDS:

Have a series talk with your kids today.  Explain stranger danger or the "no touching where your swimsuit is" rule.  Perhaps come up with a "code word" and tell your kids that they never let anyone into the house or get into a car with anyone who doesn't know the code word.  P.S.  When I was a kid, our code word was "Uncle Tom." 

 

Love Is {NOT} ... Day 10

Today I'm sharing my "Love Is" challenge with Shell at Things I Can't Say. I really just feel like pouring my heart out about the lies I believe!

Click here to learn more about the LOVE IS Challenge

Love does not ... delight in evil but rejoices in truth.

FOR YOU:

Take a moment to get real with yourself.  In your journal, make a list of "things" you believe about yourself--good and bad.  For example, I'm a hard worker or I'm fat. 

Look through your list.  Circle all the items that are true.  What's left?  Look at the lies.  Why are they lies?  What affect do the lies hold on you?  How do the lies of this world hold you back and defeat you?

Pray for God to show you how you look to HIM so you will know the truth and be free to walk and enjoy in who you are in Christ.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:

Play a game of True or False with you husband.

For each of these statements write True or False.  If the answer is true, give examples to prove it!

1. I can name three of my spouse's closest friends.

2. I know my spouse's favorite TV show or movie.

3. I know what turns my spouse on sexually.

4. I know what has been stressing my spouse out lately.

5. I know a special time in my spouse's life.

6. I know my spouse's "love language"

7. I know how my spouse likes to spend his/her free time.

8. I know where my spouse would like to travel to.

9. I know my spouse's favorite meal.

10.  I know three of my spouse's hopes, dreams, or goals. 

Spend time chatting and learning about one another.  It's a win-win game (but if you are the competitive type you can always wager foot rubs).

FOR YOUR KIDS:

Help your children know the truth--that God loves them for who they are! Affirm your children at least once today.  Affirm a character quality (not external quality like "pretty" or "handsome").

Love Is {NOT} ... Day 9

Click here to learn more about the LOVE IS Challenge

Love is not ... a record keeper of wrongs.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I totally struggled with unforgiveness.  It feels so powerful to be in the position to forgive someone--or not.  But unforgiveness is not healthy for us!

FOR YOU:

Examine your heart.  What people/instances cause you bitterness or pain?  Reflect on a particularly painful memory and ask yourself, "have I forgiven them?"

If you harbor resentment and an unwillingness to unforgive, consider what it is costing you.  Does it make you bitter?  Do you think about the person/situation over and over?  Does it cause you to be angry? Do you feel burdened? Hurt? Betrayed?

These feelings are the bad fruit of the sick weed of unforgiveness. 

It is hard to forgive.  Sometimes it feels impossible.  If you are in a position where you feel you simply can't forgive, then say a little prayer "God, help me to forgive."  He can and he will, if you are willing to be open.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:

Ask your spouse to share with you a hurt you have caused him.  Don't defend your actions; don't justify bad behavior; don't belittle his feelings.  Ask to be forgiven.

FOR YOUR CHILDREN:

Today model forgiveness for your children.  If they are disobedient and require correction, discipline them but be quick to offer forgiveness.  If you do something wrong, seek out your children.  Apologize and seek their forgiveness. 

Love Is {NOT} ... Day 8

Click here to learn more about the LOVE IS Challenge

Love is not ... easily angered.

Honestly, anger is my emotional drug of choice.  It feels good to be angry, doesn't it?!? That "ha, I got you!" feeling isn't healthy, though!

FOR YOU:

Set a time for three minutes.  Get your journal and something to write with.  For the next three minutes,  write down things/people/situations/events that make you angry.  Don't think--write.  Fast.  Let it out.

Now pray through the list.  Pray that you would not be easily angered.  Forgive the people who make you angry.  Forgive yourself.

If anger is your drug of choice, consider spending some time examining "roots" of your anger.  Are you really using anger to cover up another emotion (like I do)?  Is something deeper, like unforgiveness, going on?

Pray.

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:

Ask your spouse how he knows you are angry.  What is the "fruit" of your anger?  Are you quiet?  Do you sulk?  Are you demeaning? Do you stomp about?  Get to know what anger looks like from your spouse's perspective.

Seek his wisdom on how you can more appropriately handle your anger as it concerns him.

And don't get angry when he tells you this :)

FOR YOUR KIDS:

Commit for one day to NOT get angry with your children.  Be calm and mild-mannered toward them. 

Love Is {NOT} ... Day 7

Click here to learn more about the LOVE IS Challenge

Love is not ... selfish.

FOR YOU:

Think back to the last time you were called (or felt) selfish or self-centered. What were the circumstances?  Were you actually being selfish and self-centered?

In your journal, comment about what selfish looks like to you.  How does selfish act?  How does selfish sound?  What are "things" selfish does?  Does selfish worry?  Insist on being right?  

Is there a common thread that causes you to be selfish?  If so, pray today for God to reveal it to you and to help you overcome it!

FOR YOUR SPOUSE:

Today, commit to being generous toward your spouse.  Think of him before yourself.  Do something special for your spouse.  This could mean getting him a small gift, making his favorite cookies, or letting him sleep in.  Whatever you do, do it with a generous and self-less spirit.

FOR YOUR CHILDREN:

Do the same activity for your children.  Is there something they love to do that you hate to do (like play with playdough or go to McDonalds)? Today, be generous to you children. Don't be selfish with you time.  Do something THEY want to do for as long as THEY want to do it.