I love my hubby — We are THAT Family

Just Because

9:46 pm Bykristen

Iwant to celebrate him just because.

Valentine’s and anniversary’s are shoo-in days when we tell our spouses why we love them.

But it’s the in-between, regular days, that make me love him most. My hubby is awesome just because he…

Fills my car with gasoline
Sets my alarm when I forget
Rubs his hands in my hair when I can’t sleep
Brings me sweet tea
Texts me in the middle of the day
Checks my writing for typos
Lovingly (and carefully) points them out
Cleans up all dog and kid vomit and poop (keeping it real)
Warms up my side of the bed
He keeps my secret stash of chocolate a secret

And then there are the big things…like him driving 19 out of 24 hours to get to his sister’s bedside when we thought she might not make it. My mother-in-law called to tell me that my husband sat by her bedside and sang to her, read scriptures, peppered her face with kisses (like he does our kids) and told her jokes, hoping it would reach her in her unconscious state. Later, when she started improving, she said she remembered every bit of it.

Y’all.

That’s my man.

What’s something little you love about your spouse?

_____________________________________________________________________

In celebration of those just because moments, here’s 20% off all regular-priced TEES at Union28:
Here are the code details:
1.Your Discount Code is: U28T4U20
2.This code is good for 20% off any regular-priced Union28.net TEES! (Simply enter code at checkout.)
3.This code is valid through 3/31/12

P.S. Union28 is on Pinterest!

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Get to Know Your Spouse: Questions to Ask

11:11 pm Bykristen

He rushed in from work, worn from a long 12 hour day. Kids met him at the door, one asking for help with math homework, the other for basketball pointers. Our youngest held onto his leg with a death grip. We quickly kissed and I worked to get dinner on the table, knowing we’d have to shorten our family devotion, so we could make it to community group on time.

Our eyes locked with a long glance over the math book , one that said, “I want to connect with you.”

We both knew we had Mercy House reports to finish once the kids were in bed.

It’s a typical day at our house.

There’s a lot of talking in our house, just not so much with each other or privately.

I think that’s why we both push everything aside to make date nights possible. But let’s face it, connecting once a month isn’t enough. We make a habit of taking time (sometimes it’s over the phone or under the covers in the middle of the night) to ask each other questions.

I’ve been married to this guy for 17 years. We renewed our wedding vows six years ago during this difficult season and exchanged these rings. His has a special inscription on it. I’ve always known it was important to him. The other day he took off his ring while working out and called me frantically because he couldn’t find it.

I asked him, “What would you do if you couldn’t find it?” He said that’s not an option. And then he said, “it’s the most important physical possession I own. It represents so much to me.”

I had no idea.

But discovering this small bit of information made me feel closer to him. I tucked it in my heart and I’ve thought about it more than once.

Marriage takes work and communication. If you don’t ask, they won’t tell you what’s happening in their heart.

P. S. I searched the house while he was at work and found the ring in his pocket. Sheer joy returning it to him.

I’m wrapping up this little marriage series–for now. Thanks for sharing your hearts and being committed to love your spouse better.

_______________________________________________________

15 days of marriage in review:

I Respect Him, He Loves Me

{Dear Mr. Welch}: On Writing Love Letters

100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Rock (pinned over 20,000 times on Pinterest and brought a dose of controversy)

Old Married People

Fun Ways to Say I Love You

{Dear Mrs. Welch} What I Love About You

The Key to a Good Marriage {Free Printable}

A Marriage Redeemed [Our Story]

Getting Along: Marriage

200+ Date Nights

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Getting Along: Marriage {Giveaway}

10:11 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Congratulations, Lauren Plummer (comment 73), you have been selected as the winner!

I love my husband. Always.

But every once in awhile, there are *moments* when I don’t like him.

Yikes. Can I be that honest?

I’ve always said the line between crazy wild love and a crazy wild anger are close.

Here’s the deal: you are probably a robot if you get along with everyone living in your home 100% of the time. It’s just not possible to agree on everything, every day of the year.

But it’s how you get along that’s key.

I’ll give you a for instance: my youngest was playing with my phone a few months ago and accidentally (or either she’s got a wicked sense of humor and she’s just way more techy than me) changed my husband’s ringtone to the “Alien” ring, which sounds a lot like, um, aliens are invading.

The next time I was searching for my phone in my own house (a weekly occurrence) I asked my hubby to call it. When he heard his Alien ringtone, he was slightly offended. I quickly explained and we laughed about it, but I didn’t change my ringtone. What can I say? I’m a simple girl and it had a ring to it (drumbeat).

He casually asked me to change it. I told him no, and I might have said, “Baby, your out of this world.”

(I’m on a roll).

So, a couple of days later, he changed my ringtone to a song he thought was romantic. And I guess it was a little, except HE CHANGED MY RINGTONE. This irritated me. Why? Who knows. But I changed it back.

And we continued this ridiculous back and forth for awhile.

The point? I have no idea.

Oh yes, the point is we could have made this a huge battle. I believe when marriages end for “irreconciable differences” it’s often probably about ringtones. After 17 years of marriage, we are still learning to pick our battles and not make everything a war.

The bottom line: we are in this for the long haul and getting along takes two. It really all goes back to forgiveness for the little stuff and the big. And usually when I’m irritated or angry at my husband, it’s an issue with me. If I step back from the situation and look at the big picture, I know my husband loves me deeply and the little battles shouldn’t become wars.

P.S. His ringtone is now a motorcycle revving up. He will be so proud.

One little way I’ve tried to get along with my hubby in the every day stuff is by thanking him for the small things he does. I married a great guy and I tend to take him for granted. So, when he fills up my van with gas or brings me a sweet tea, I’m trying to show him my gratitude more.

I saw this on Pinterest and created my own variety. It’s next to our bed. It’s fun to wake up and see a little note to each other occasionally.

You can make one too!

You just need :

pretty frame

a piece of scrapbook paper

a dry erase pen (write on top of the glass and it just wipes right off!)

velcro (optional) I attached velcro to my pen and to the back of the frame to keep up with the marker.

I created one for a lucky reader today. Just leave a tip for how you get along and I’ll draw a random comment and send you a romantic framed message board and pen.

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Filed UnderGiveaways, I love my hubby, loveletters 116 Comments

A Marriage Redeemed [Our Story]

10:28 pm Bykristen

Magical. It’s really the only word that described the week our family had just spent at Walt Disney World. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips — the kind you dream, plan, and save for — and it had been a fairy tale.

We were on the long drive home to Texas, the kids asleep in the back of our van, still wearing their mouse ears. I was tired, too, but on a high that comes from making dreams come true. I didn’t know my “perfect world” was about to end.

My husband, Terrell, and I had been married for 10 years. We were good friends in Bible college, and our friendship was one of the best parts of our marriage. After many years of full-time ministry, we had recently settled into the new roles of salesman and homemaker. Life wasn’t perfect with two preschool-aged kids, but we were happy … happy and hiding a dark secret.

Terrell and I were talking on the drive home. I don’t remember what led to his confession. It just happened. I remember thinking, This can’t be real. I must have misunderstood him. He’s telling me about a friend; this isn’t my best friend’s secret.

But it was: My hubby had just told me he was addicted to pornography. Just like that, the fairy tale ended.

I’ll never forget what I did next: I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed into the back of our van where my children were sleeping. I crouched between their two car seats, pulled my knees up to my chin, and cried. I stayed back there for a long time, until I could finally make eye contact with the stranger in the rearview mirror.

This was the beginning of a dark and painful journey that would change my entire life. Perhaps it was my naivety about men and how they are created, or my ignorance about the vast world of lust and pornography, but Terrell’s confession hit me hard. Although I never once contemplated divorce, I did suggest living as roommates at opposite ends of the house.

We embarked on a long, gut-wrenching healing process. My search was for forgiveness. Terrell’s was for freedom. We went to a marriage counselor who deals with this specific issue. He dealt more with me than with my husband, by the way; the counselor was so proud of my husband for resisting and fighting against the deviant, sinful world for so many years and offered him simple tools to resist temptation. But I was scared. I didn’t know how to trust Terrell again. I was emotionally fragile and spent a lot of time blaming myself. I wondered what I could have done differently.

Terrell and I dove deeply into recovery. It became our full-time job. We existed to overcome. I threw away every magazine and catalog in the house and installed securities on our computers and phones. We read books and online articles. We prayed, cried, begged, yelled, and tried to find each other again.

There were setbacks along the way for both of us. I was paranoid Terrell would be tempted. Terrell was tempted and paranoid to tell me. But we waged war against the enemy that tried to destroy us. Ultimately, we knew with God on our side, we would win.

In the midst of such devastation, something unbelievable began to happen just days after Terrell’s confession: With the secret exposed to the Light and focused attention on our relationship, we began to experience an intimacy that was previously unknown in our marriage. God birthed something new through our pain and began turning our ashes into beauty.

My husband learned to kill lust by starving his eyes. He refused to even glance at an image that was tempting, and in doing so, I became his only target — just the way God intends. My family (mostly unaware of our struggle at the time) mentioned on more than one occasion that we’d better be careful or we might end up with a third child.

We did — about a year after our Disney vacation. Her name is Grace because that’s what God gave us. We renewed our marriage vows and exchanged rings with a secret inscription that still fills my eyes with tears.

Forgiveness is a choice and one I made. It was instant, and it was gradual. It was easy, and it was hard. It was something I had to choose more than once. I’ve learned that forgiveness is a way of life. Trusting again is the challenge. And since husbands tend to be human, I knew Terrell would let me down at some point. The greatest lesson I learned is to put my trust in God, who has never disappointed me.

Six years later, I don’t think I fully grasp what it cost my husband to risk it all on that drive home. But he was tired of fighting, he wanted total freedom, and he was willing to lose everything — the wife he loves desperately and the kids he cherishes — to have it.

His Story:

I was 10 or 11 years old when the deep, sharp hooks first stuck in my soul. My innocence was gone, and a 25-year fight began: the battle between desiring God and satisfying the flesh. Like most young men, I was unequipped for a war like this. No one ever talked about lust and pornography, except to condemn it as sin.

I lived a vicious cycle of repentance and sin in isolation. I thought marriage would be the cure. It helped, but then Kristin and I purchased our first computer.

On that drive home from our dream vacation, I couldn’t take any more of my private nightmare. A week earlier, I had finished the book Every Man’s Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker (WaterBrook Press) and I wanted freedom. With every word I spoke, I knew that I might lose my marriage and my kids. I was scared, but I had more to lose living a lie. True repentance is a 180-degree turning from sin toward God.

I wasn’t prepared for the damage or the pain my secret would cause our marriage, but God was ready. He graciously stood by us. My beautiful, innocent wife became Jesus with skin on and offered forgiveness. I dove into God’s Word. With each day, counseling session, accountability meeting, and late-night talk, our marriage began to heal. Sin cannot live in the light.

Six years later, I can declare that God is faithful. If you struggle with pornography and lust, let me encourage you: Don’t believe Satan’s lies. Lust is not a “problem.” It’s sin. God’s Word declares, “If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Freedom is available.

Reprinted from HomeLife, January 2012, 34. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. Used by permission. Be sure to check out future articles from Kristen Welch in the February 2012, April 2012, and June 2012 issues.www.lifeway.com/homelife.

The Vintage Pearl has gift certificates for the perfect last minute Valentine’s Day gift. Just in case you’ve waited until the last minute. You know who you are.

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Filed UnderHe Said She Said, I love my hubby 50 Comments

The Key to a Good Marriage {Free Printable}

9:57 pm Bykristen

If I could go back and talk to the young wide-eyed girl who thought she knew it all, this is what I’d say:

Dear 22 year old me,

You are about to get married. You don’t have a clue. He’s going to be your soul mate. He’s going to disappoint you. Ultimately, he’s going to teach you how to love.

There are going to be some bumps along the way . There will even be a mountain or two. You will survive. You don’t need more money or more stuff. You need to live every day without regret, love hard, risk more, laugh until it hurts and for pete’s sake, stop cutting your hair so short.

Most of all, be a forgiver. Because you keep the Great Forgiver pretty busy.

Love,

39 year old me

It’s the best marriage advice I can offer-whether you’re just starting out in your marriage journey or you’ve grown old together: forgive as you’ve been forgiven.

You won’t regret it.

Enjoy this {free} 8×10 Print vdayprintable

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Old Married People {Giveaway}

10:13 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Congratulations to Jennifer H. (82), Alicia’s Homemaking (100), Emily E. (105), Lisa (191) and Kate N. (204)! You have been randomly selected as the giveaway winners.

I remember when my parents were our age.

Forty-one. Thirty-nine.

I thought they were so old.

What did I know?

When my husband smiles, his eyes crinkle. I see his father.

I have my mother’s hands.

Both our parents inching towards their golden anniversary. Fifty years.

It’s a mantle we wear proudly.

He still closes the door behind me in the closet and kisses my neck.

But his socks are still on the floor.

I love that guy anyway.

He sips coffee, tea for me. We write love notes. We grow old together.

For the Mr & Mrs in your life, DaySpring is giving away FIVE sets of the following to FIVE of my readers today:

[Each set includes: Mr. & Mrs. Mugs, Mr. & Mrs. Memo Pads, I Love You With All My Heart-Sticky Note Set, Mr. Love Notes]

Leave an answer to this question as your entry: How long have you been a Mr & Mrs?

This giveaway will end on Thursday.

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Filed UnderGiveaways, I love my hubby, loveletters 393 Comments

100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Rock

10:48 pm Bykristen

Write him letters

Go on regular date nights

Write his name on lipstick on the bathroom mirror

Revitalize the romance with intimate dates

Pray together

Hide notes in secret places

Go to bed at the same time

Listen to music together-share earbuds

Send him on a scavenger hunt in the house

Buy him gifts he will love

Hide a treat in his glovebox or desk at work

Read the Bible together

Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse

Praise your spouse to other people

Let them overhear you

Read a marriage devotional

Porn-proof your home

Be best friends

Sleep in his t-shirts

Look to him to make the big decisions (see comment section for my opinion on #20, #21)

Let her make the small ones

Don’t nag him

Put down the seat, pick up your socks for her

Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories

Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly

Fight naked

Tell him you like him

Receive his compliments

Pick your battles

Show her you love her and tell him you respect him

Go away together at least once a year

Frame your wedding vows

Her: Read For Women Only

Hang pictures of the two of you around your house

Kiss in front of your kids

Make his favorite dessert

Have pictures of just the two of you made

Make sex a priority

Spend time apart occasionally

Learn to enjoy something he loves

Surprise each other

Meet him at the door

Dreamstorm

Text each other from across the room

Be accountable to each other

Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week

Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him

Be affectionate

Him: Read For Men Only

Leave work and come home early

Wash, vacuum her car. Keep it full of gas.

Give each other romantic coupons

Engage every day in meaningful conversation

Compliment each other

Touch your spouse several times throughout the day

Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus

Let each other sleep in

Be spontaneous!

Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”

Kiss every day

Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining

Forgive quickly

Be honest.

But not hurtful

Get on the same page: plan your budget together

Look your best as often as you can

Guard your marriage

Get out of debt (and stay out)

Laugh together

Have a date night in

When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)

Talk about your favorite memories together

Tell him he’s sexy just because

Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it

Make him breakfast in bed

Do her chores for her

Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately

Read a book out loud together

Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids

Bring her/him a favorite drink during the middle of the day

Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc

Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment

Tell him a secret he doesn’t know about you

Thank your spouse just because, often

Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant

Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking

Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc

Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall

Teach your kids about marriage

Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer

Create art together

Support each other’s goals

Know when to talk and when to hush

Consider counseling (even if there’s not conflict)

Doodle his name

Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)

Wear something he loves

Share furniture-sit in his lap

Fight for your marriage

Remember your spouse rocks-even when they don’t

Does your spouse rock? Do you have the shirt to prove it? Get yours here.

*this posts contains a few affiliate links

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Filed UnderI love my hubby, loveletters, My Life 152 Comments

I Respect Him, He Loves Me {Giveaway}

9:22 pm Bykristen

I discovered the meaning of troubleshooting the other day.

For hours, I had been knee-deep in printer cords and computer cables, battling a broken modem and a customer service rep, all while trying to print 500 labels with an offline printer.

I was in trouble and I wanted to shoot something.

I’ll be honest: I don’t handle moments like these well. I get frustrated, irritable and whiny.

That’s about the time my husband walked thru the door. He took one look at the mess (me, not the technology) and went to work.

In less the thirty minutes, he had our Internet back up and everything working perfectly. When he handed me the neat pile of printed labels, I hugged him deeply.

I’m not gonna lie: I was very attracted to him.

He came in from work exhausted from a long day. But he served me because he loves me. It was the single most sexiest moment of the week.

And I simply returned the favor by telling him so. Respecting our hubbies enough to tell them when they bless us is only gonna make him want to love you more.

Today, in honor of Love & Respect, one winner will receive a Union28 Valentine’s package that includes:

Women’s “I Respect My Husband” Tee (Fitted or Non-fitted Short Sleeve or Fitted Long Sleeve) pictured above
Men’s “I Love My Wife” Tee (V-neck or Crew Neck)
4-pack of “You Rock” Love Notes (blank inside)

Union28 would also like to give a Valentine’s gift to Mercy House: Union28 will give 10% of the sales from all orders received from the WeAreThatFamily community between Thursday, FEB 2 & Saturday, FEB 8^th – simply mention “Mercy House” in the comments area during checkout.

To be entered, tell me how you show your spouse love and/or respect.

Get 15% off your order today with this coupon code: U28TFK15

P.S. what’s your favorite shirt??

UPDATED with WINNER – Congratulations to Shaunta (comment 77)

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Filed UnderGiveaways, I love my hubby 151 Comments

This Is Why I’ll Never Be The Fun Parent

10:21 pm Bykristen

See? I told you. I’m just not a hill-rolling-barely-dodging-dog-poop kind of girl. Ya know?
Who’s the fun parent in your house?

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Meant to Be

10:50 pm Bykristen

We lay tangled under a heap of quilts, enjoying the deep contentment of comfortable love.

I can hear his even-breathing, feel the weight of his protective arm. But I’m not sleeping. I keep thinking about the comment he left on a blog, a comment about me. And I think of the love letter that is hidden in the Mr & Mrs Journal I’m giving him. It’s for his eyes only.

It’s hard not to adore this man who lives counter-cultural to make our dreams come true. Even when the dreams are God-sized and terrifying.

He knows me well enough to figure out the one Christmas gift I’m giving him. He senses when the stress builds and is the first to suggest I step away. He eases my mom guilt, helping in every area. He is the lover of my soul. A friend like no other. This man.

My husband.

Seventeen Christmas seasons ago I wore white. I walked the aisle towards twinkling Christmas lights in our December wedding, towards my future.

He surprised me with a song on my wedding day. He crooned “Meant to Be” and tears dripped off my chin.

We were so young. We have grown together and I don’t know where he ends and I begin anymore.

Nothing about our marriage is perfect. We have good days and not-so-good days. Yesterday we argued over a computer cord. Today we made up. Ooo la la.

But the 17 years of ups and downs have given us this: today. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I smile-wide in the moonlight. He must sense the contentment. Joy.

He pulls me close, hot breath on my neck. I snuggle in deeper and relax against him. I can’t wait for him to read my anniversary love letter. We have a lot to celebrate.

————————

In honor of 17 years (!) Dayspring is offering my readers 50% off any item in their Mr. & Mrs. – Love Collection Set with the code: love50. Nothing screams hot monogamy like a journal you pass back and forth or awesome coupons or cute romantic mugs!

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Me & My Best Friend

10:09 pm Bykristen

oh, my. I love this man.

And even better: I like him.

We had a date at Starbucks on Friday night. We pushed two big, comfy chairs together and pretended we were the only people in the room. With a notepad and laptop, we wrote down our dreams.

Not so much our goals, but the visions we’re afraid to give voice to- we wrote those down.

My hubby called it a dreamstorming session. I like that. Because if it had been a brainstorming session, my brain would have told me our dreams are too big, impossible.

People like me don’t do this well-envision things that I can’t figure out or control.

But it felt good to say it out loud to each other.

To write them down.

We sense change coming. It’s scary. It’s exciting.

It’s an opportunity to trust the unseen hand that guides us.

There’s a sweet intimacy that comes when you acknowledge your secret dreams to your best friend.

You should try it sometime.

Source: etsy.com via lannerart on Pinterest

P.S. Two teen boys who badly needed haircuts and belts, showed up with guitars and sang loudly about two feet away from us. Everybody has a dream, some squeakier than others.

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Now, That’s Romantic!

10:05 pm Bykristen

I don’t need roses.

I don’t need chocolate.

Okay, maybe, I need a little chocolate.

But I don’t need typical romance from my man.

When he does small things that catch me off-guard, things that make me feel cared for, I swoon.

photo credit

Either I’m getting old or we’re becoming THAT couple, but I fall helplessly in love all over again, when he:

fills my car up with gasoline
programs my GPS before I head to a new address
takes out the trash, without a reminder
cleans up the kitchen just because
takes off his outer shirt during the movies because I’m freezing!
shops for me (he has great taste)
brings me a sweet tea in the middle of the day
sends me to Target or Starbucks because he knows I need to be alone
refolds all the towels in the linen closet (just plain sexy)

How about you? When do you feel the most loved?

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41 Reasons

9:00 pm Bykristen

On why I love him:

He pushes me to dream.

He lives on the edge

He is a great employee

He won’t let me manipulate him

He takes care of me

He believes in me

He takes care of himself

He still wants me

He’s cute

He would do anything for me (picture to prove it)

He works hard

He danced in Africa

He takes the trash out

He loads the dishwasher (my least favorite chore)

He tickles the kids

He has integrity

He still has a lot of little boy in him

He fought the battle of his life and won

He helps me

He rubs my aching neck

He holds our kids

He loves God

He is a family man

He is silly

He lives counter-cultural

He has a sexy voice

He makes me laugh

He still kisses me everyday

He makes every kid feel special

He listens to me

He admits when he’s wrong

He runs his hands thru my hair to help me sleep

He loves the outdoors

He takes our kids on dates

He is compassionate

He is an amazing dad

He points our family towards God

He is a “cup half full” kind of guy

He is a father to the fatherless

He is mine

Did I mention he danced in Africa?

Happy 41st birthday to the best man I know!

What do you love about your man?

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Kiss Your Spouse Today! {Giveaway}

9:23 pm Bykristen

**Updated with winners**

Here are your random numbers:

41	5

Timestamp: 2011-08-18 19:19:18 UTC

Congrats to readers AmyKay and Michelle!

I’m one of those old married people.

When people hear we’ve been married nearly 17 years (!) they are surprised–not so much that we made it that far, more that we are getting old, I think.

My hubby and 11 year old had a lot of time to talk the other day in the car. Since my hunk of man is also a great dad, he’s been reading up on how to communicate better with tweens and learned that asking questions is a great tactic.

So, that’s what he did. They talked a lot with him asking, her answering.

One of his questions: What do you think of me and mom’s marriage?

One of her answers: It’s good. (and she smiled, really big)

And then she added: But y’all kiss way too much. (said with a giggle and pride)

Which is exactly the answer old married people want to hear from their kiddos.

So, my tip: kiss often, in-front of your kids! They will act grossed-out, but deep down, they need to see it.

It helps if you’re wearing one of my favorite shirts to get you in the mood! My friends at Union28 sent me this lovely shirt last week.

I wore it to Chick Fil A. The owner came over to say hi (at this point in my life, I just have to claim the fact that I’m a like Norm on Cheers at my local chicken eatery). He commented on shirt. “That is really nice of you to wear those words on your shirt.”

It made me happy. And my hubby might have gotten kissed that day!

Union28 is giving away TWO $25 gift certificates today to two lucky readers!

We are THAT family readers can also use this code U28WATF15 for 15% off any Union28.net merchandise order.– it’s valid 8/16 – 9/30 to buy a favorite shirt.

Here’s another new one I love:

This giveaway ends Thursday.

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What I Want My Kids to Know About Marriage

10:53 pm Bykristen

She is only four.

But don’t let her youth fool you: she knows exactly what she wants.

And it happens to be my husband.

In her precocious manner my little girl stated: “I’ve decided to marry Daddy.”

“You will have to share.”

The random statement caught me off guard, but didn’t surprise me. She’s a Daddy’s Girl and strong-willed: a force to be reckoned with most days. But she was completely serious. She started talking about a wedding and instead of calling him Daddy, she started calling him Husband, referring to herself as Wife.

It was hysterical.

My husband was smitten and beaming. I was the Other Woman.

I watched her closely and what I saw moved me. My little girl was role playing me. Other than sounding a bit too bossy (I get it naturally), she was mimicking the way I love my man.

He was wooing his little girl and teaching her what to wait for in a husband.

Our kids our watching our marriages. They are learning from us, whether or not we realize we’re teaching them.

What I want my kids to learn from us:

Sometimes married people argue, just like sometimes siblings argue: My kids get this because arguing is how they work things out. It’s *how* you argue that matters. No name-calling, putting down, meanness allowed.
Sometimes married people want to be alone: time away for a date night or a weekend, isn’t just to get away from kids, it’s to strengthen our marriage. I want my kids to want us to get away because we come back more united.
Sometimes married people kiss and hug: I don’t ever want my kids to wonder if we like each other. I want them to catch us stealing kisses and greeting each other with deep embraces. I catch them from the corner of my eye and I see confidence on their faces.
Sometimes married people need a time out: when we reach a place where we can’t agree together or the tension or outside pressure is great, sometimes we just need to step away, cool off and get a better perspective. But we will always come back to each other.

Your kids are watching your marriage, too. Show them what you want, even if you haven’t attained it.

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30 Day Challenge for Wives {Giveaway}

10:02 pm Bykristen

*Updated with Winners* Congrats to Kat and reader (no blog) Jessica! Everyone else, take advantage of this great discount:

P.S. If you want to just shop, use this code: U28WATF15

It’s good for 15% off any order and is valid thru MAY 31st.

—————————————–

Every time I write about marriage, I get emails. Confessionals, prayer requests, heartbreaking stories and testimonies of second chances.

People are still reading our marriage testimony series daily and I could write a book about it. Maybe I will someday.

My marriage is far from being perfect. Some days we don’t even tip the scales to a good marriage. But we are committed for life and have no plans to stop trying and fighting for the marriage we really want.

I’m a better mom, daughter, person when my marriage is doing well.

Unknown to my hubby, I’ve decided to take the 30 Day Challenge because I have the ability to have a better marriage. We are living in a stressful environment right now and I tend to snap and bite his head off more in the tension. So, I definitely need it.

What is the 30 Day Challenge? …for the next 30 days:
* You can’t say anything negative about your husband …to your husband…or to anyone else, about your husband.
* Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband…to your husband…and to someone else, about your husband!

Day One:
“The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” Prov. 31:11-12

To help you get started, have you ever thanked your husband for “choosing you” above all other women? He found you attractive as a person, and appreciated you. Though many circumstances in your marriage may have changed, let your husband know that you are glad God led you together, and that you want to be a blessing to him for the rest of your marriage. Let him know that he can trust you to be in his corner.

One of the best opportunities to express your gratitude is first thing in the morning. How do you greet your husband each morning? Is he confident in your love? Give him a “wake up call” that he’ll never forget-a big “I love you” and an “I’m so glad I’m your wife!”

You can read ideas and encouragement for all thirty days here.

I love to partner with Union28 because they truly get the importance of encouragement in marriage. As a fun incentive, everyone who takes the challenge and leaves a comment on today’s post, will be entered to win one of two of these adorable heart tees from Union28 (fitted and non) and also this beautiful marriage worship CD!

P.S. If you want to just shop, use this code: U28WATF15

It’s good for 15% off any order and is valid thru MAY 31^st.

————————-

How to Really Have the Marriage You Want

How to Really Fight for Your Marriage

Are you in? I hope so. And remember, the victory is in the trying.

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To Know You

9:47 pm Bykristen

I know your thick, rough hands, scarred with hard work. They steady me.

I know your raspy voice, it drew me in, it holds me still.

I know your love for me, your desire. It makes me beautiful.

I know the heart within that beats for your family, your God. It is my constant.

Finding you all those years ago, was a gift.

But knowing you has been the greatest discovery of my life.

And now, we celebrate sixteen years.

-1 year of discovery

-1 year of living on love

-3 long years of infertility

-1 year of living on faith

-1 year of transition

-3 years where we grew up, apart, back together

-1 year of rebuilding our marriage

-4 years of loving a free man

-almost 1 year in our new God-journey

-16 years, I’ve loved you through it all.

_________________________

How long have YOU been married??

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[FORTY] Reasons Why I Love My Man

9:33 pm Bykristen

He’s forty!

I love my soulmate more today than I did when I T.W.I.R.P.E.D. him (the woman is required to pay) more than 16 years ago. (I took him to a place called Trail Dust, where two-stepping is required. I didn’t know how, so he taught me, of course. Who says I’m not smart??)

1. He forgives the way I load the dishwasher even though it drives him crazy.

2. He understands and supports my meaningful relationship with sweet tea.

3. And brings it to me often.

4. He is an amazing dad-and can get his kids riled up right before bedtime like any good father.

5. He sang to me on our wedding day (surprise!) and still sings me love songs in the dark of the night.

6. He still calls me KC (his nickname for me in college).

7. He wears a cowboy hat every time we visit his parents farm.

8. And sometimes chews on a piece of straw from a hay bale.

9. He helps my daughter with math word problems.

10. And forces himself to play video games with our son.

11. He lets the dog sleep in the bed with us sometimes.

12. He works hard at his secular job, even when his heart longs to work for God.

13. Most days he works for God on his secular job.

14. He cleans, I cook.

15. Occasionally, he does both.

16. He reads my blog.

17. He encouraged the writer in me when no one else did.

18. He makes every copper necklace we sell at The Mercy Shop.

19. And loves bending metal.

20. He traveled to Africa with me in spirit and let it wreck his life too.

21. He is a dreamer.

22. And encourages big dreams in me.

23. His heart is made of gold.

24. He is my hero.

25. He eats my cooking.

26. And never compares it to his mothers.

27. He is a nice man.

28. He is a good man.

29. He is mine.

30. He’s not afraid of bugs or snakes or sounds in the middle of the night.

31. He texts and calls just because.

32. He gave Maureen her first father-hug.

33. He leads our family in prayer and Bible reading at dinner.

34. He carries my purse when it’s too heavy.

35. He helped me build The Mercy House site from scratch -a huge endeavor for us!

36. He hands me a tissue when I cry for no reason.

37. He loves His Savior

38. And his family,his life

39. And his wife!

40. He pretends to be surprised when the kids pull out the silly string. And he enjoys it!

Happy birthday, honey!

P.S. I have a new post at The Mercy House site with an update from our amazing launch last week.

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Proof My Hubby is Nicer Than Me

9:52 pm Bykristen

My oldest child was born with a creative flare. She can turn a shoebox into a condominium for paper dolls with a handmade wardrobe of dresses, visors and shoes. I’m not kidding.

Some days I just follow behind her with a rag and a worried look.

The other day she was bent on painting my face. I have no idea why. She woke up and for eight straight hours asked if she could paint something on my face with craft paint. (Oh, and she started a Christmas list with FACE PAINT being the only thing on it).

I told her no, all day long. Because y’all, SHE WANTED TO PAINT MY FACE.

Her daddy walked thru the door and she asked him once.

I think we all know his answer.

Because 20 minutes later, he looked like this:

(The Joker was all her idea. I didn’t even know she knew about The Joker. Obviously, I need to get a handle on my parenting).

Yes, I agree. FREAKY.

But hysterical that he went and put on a “costume” to complete the look and then posed for pictures.

(I live in a circus, y’all).

My hubby isn’t one to do things halfway. So it’s only natural that he in turn painted my daughter’s face and whipped up a sunset scene from Africa:

Just an ordinary night at our house.

I can’t make this stuff up, y’all.

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WFMW-Ten Ways to Please Your Husband

7:00 am Bykristen

I thought I’d get a little personal and meddle in your business this week. Marriage is hard work. Just look at the divorce rate in America.

My marriage is better when I am dedicated to making it better. Here are some simple, yet thoughtful ways to please your husband:

Call him in the middle of the day and thank him for working so hard to provide for your family (even if you work too, men really feel the pressure and responsibility).
Make his favorite meal or wear a favorite outfit.
Hug him a little too long.
Pray for him.
Give him your attention when he gets home from work.
Hide a note in his lunch or in his glovebox.
Text or email him just to say ‘I love you.’
Tell him he’s a great Dad (even if he could be better).
Do something impulsive (email me for suggestions, this is a family blog).
Give him some time to himself. (send him fishing or hunting or send him to the garage without him having to ask).

Guy readers (all 5 of you), what am I leaving out?

(I’m celebrating my 2nd year of blogging with a carnival tomorrow. You can read about it here. There will be more than TEN amazing prizes for participants! I hope you’ll join me!)

What works for you?

Thank you for joining me for WFMW! {You can read the guidelines here.}

Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us! Please note that the links will close at 9 pm CST tonight, in order to keep away the spammers!

Was your link deleted? Click here.

Mark your calendars: Nov. 4th: “Holiday/Entertaining/Celebration Tips” Edition] Share your best tip for the upcoming holiday season!

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Struggling to be Stylish (Still love calendars!)

{So Wonderful So Marvelous} H1N1 Vaccine Choice

Devastate Boredom (Broke? Ways to give generously)

Many Little Blessings (Help Other Bloggers)

Miller Mix (volunteering with the kids)

Bake at 350 {Perfectly BLACK Icing}

HS Classroom (Record Keeping for Homeschooling)

Just some fall decor… (ilovemy5kids)

Green Baby Guide (Baby in a Pumpkin)

Sunnymama (blog favourites)

The Frugal Girls! {Oh – So – Cute Pumpkin Craft!!}

Kara @ Home With Purpose (FREE Budget Tool)

Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home (Kitchen Tips)

How To Eat An Elephant (The Secret Life of Kat)

Andrea (Big Cook)

Allyson – - Winter accessory bargains

Faith Food Family (Pepperjack Roast Beef Sandwich)

Halloween Cookie in Jar Craft with Free Printables

Storing Girls Bow Cutely and Inexpensively

T.G.F.S. (Thank God For Swiffer)

To do or NOT do Halloween…hmmm m???

Katie @ Favorites and Things (Diaper Rash CURE)

e – Mom (Snickerdoodle Cookies)

FishMama @ LifeasMOM (Kids Chores & Routine)

Free Mickey Ears from Facebook (& by helping me 2)

Megan@Half – Pint House (Free One – Hour Massage!)

My Little Corner (Doing laundry on vacation)

Mother Hen (Yee Haw! New Blog!)

Megan@Saving Our Cents (Homemade Drain Cleaner)

Moms in Need of Mercy (Being His Girlfriend)

Wendy (Preschool Prep with 4 tiny kids)

Alea (clean silver with toothpaste)

Ill Bite…10 Ways I Please My Hubby! From Anita

Ann Maries Musings (Music in the Kitchen)

PepperScraps / Glitter Mac n Cheese

Creative2xmom (nutritious kid – friendly dinner)

Creative2xmom (frugal pet care)

Cute fall decorations

Heavenly Homemakers (Give Boys a Haircut!)

Generation to Generation {Sharing Lunches}

TeriLynne @Pleasing to YOU {Prayer Reminders}

Halloween Trick – or – Treaters=Too Much Sugar?? (K
S)

MomsFrugal (homemade gummy halloween candy)

Se7en Things You Forget About Newborns and Mums…

Odd Mom (Homemade Slice and Bake Cookies)

Tara @ Not So Perfect – Party Game

ElizabethG (Healthier Halloween)

Stephanie (Cleaning Glass Cooktop – What Works?)

Kimberly @ Raising Olives – Autumn unit study

Supplements Actually Worth Buying

Annie Kate (Making Popcorn)

Tara @ Feels Like Home (get rid of fruit flies)

Girls in White Dresses / Make Zhu Zhu pet clothes

Trixie @ FarmHomeLife (Does Penny Pinching Help?)

Tracey @ Girls to Grow (Growing Green Onions)

Cardamoms Pod (Make Hubbys Homecoming Special)

Cindy@ValuesDriv enFamily : yogurt & soaking grains

A Busy Mom of Two (Kitchen Tools Organization)

Brilliant Moms (my cleaning schedule)

Mom Tried It (Worn Out Wallet)

TidyMom (Miss Finonas Stupendous Pumpkin Pie book

Brittani (baby and buns)

Kristen @ A Day in the Life (Creative Dusting Tool)

Online Library Catalog @ Our Busy Homeschool

Penny Raine ~ using what we have

Train Them Thoroughly

Buildeth Her House (let your husband lead)

Amy @ MomsToolbox Serving as an online missionary

UnfinishedMom (Earn More Free Gift Cards)

Life with New Baby

Extremely Sensitive skin

Growth Chart Moments (Baby Oil to the rescue!)

three boys and counting (freezer meals)

Sensitive Skin – - a link that works!

SWAP SAVERS (Grocery Delivery)

Cindy repurposes an ugly hutch for kids stuff

Adorkable : : : tea tips

Cindi @ This is My Life (Pantry Storage)

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker (cheap pizza sauce)

Mominin (Dealing with Laundry)

Frugal Creativity – Cupcakes without the Mess

pennypinchinmomm a (toy clutter busters)

Joyfully Living ~ Saving Money ~ Fall Giveaway!

Kim (Organizing RSS Feeds)

Lindas Lunacy (Kitchen Utensils)

Christi (How to get rid of your morning Grinch)

The Cozy Country Home (Pumpkin Pie Spice)

Sarah @ Short Stop (HOMEMADE BEER BREAD)

Brandi (Fluff and Freshen Fast!)

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The Bitter & The Sweet

7:00 am Bykristen

To taste bitter is distressing to the mind. It is peculiarly acidic and distasteful to the tongue.

To taste sweet is pleasing to the mind and feelings. It is delightful to the tongue.

Bitter and sweet are antonyms. Opposites.

Unless they meld together to form the bittersweet.

Bittersweet is pleasure alloyed with pain.

Bittersweet is my today.

We are NOT moving.

I am tasting the sweetness of staying near my dear family and loving friends for awhile longer, the sweetness of sameness and stability. The endearing sweet taste of comfort.

I am tasting the bitterness of an adventure I won’t take, the excitement of something new and different that I won’t experience, the bitter taste that comes with watching the man I stood by taste disappointment.

But that is life, isn’t it? Days of pleasure peppered with pain. Days of pain dotted with moments of pleasure.

And I embrace both.

Because I believe God orders my steps. The baby ones that move me small paces and the giant leaps that take my breath away.

The steps that are both bitter and sweet.

*bitter, sweet as defined by the Dictionary

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The Blood of a Warrior

7:00 am Bykristen

I like being on this side of an inside joke.

Our family has one. It’s hard to explain, you sorta ‘have to be there’ or here. Whatever.

But one line sends our family into fits of laughter. And you can’t just say it because that’s not funny. You have to scrunch up your face and say it in a barbaric voice.

The blood of a warrior.

Do you know where we heard that line?

An obnoxious re-run of Disney’s Hannah Montana two years ago, before we banned the show from our home. Ironic, huh?

That one line is the best thing that ever came from that show. You can quote me on that.

All that to say, we spent a good part of a day last week, hunting down the warrior who left a large trail of blood on our kitchen floor.

My daughter informed us in a worried voice, “Someone in this house is bleeding!”

And no one acted surprised (note blog title. ahem).

I checked toes and fingers, feet and hands, even paws. (I’m pretty sure if my cat wasn’t already scarred for life, he is now. The search insulted him). I followed the trail of blood through the kitchen and into the living room.

It led to my hubby.

I held out my hand and he produced a foot. Sure enough, it was him.

Me: “How can you have glass in your foot and an open wound and leave a trail of blood and not even know it?” (And it’s not the first time I’ve asked that question).

Him: And I quote, “Shoulder Shrug.”

I cannot tell you how many times this man has dripped blood and not known. I, on the other hand, need a sling for a paper cut.

Most of his injuries are acquired while he works on the car, repairs a broken appliance or digs a lost toy from behind a dresser. He nicks a knuckle helping me with a DIY project, scrapes arms climbing trees with a daughter, gashes a leg teaching a son to ride his bike.

Most of his injuries occur while he’s serving his family.

He is a real man. I am honored to be his wife.

Today he turns 39.

He is our warrior.

So, in honor of his day, I asked all three of my children to tell you how we say the blood of a warrior:

(One of them was a little reluctant)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmMKIIq5niY]

Happy birthday, honey. I hope it’s a scream!

And good luck on the interview!

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Stand By Your Man

5:00 am Bykristen

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a city girl married to a country boy. My hubby slips into a dashing suit everyday to provide for our family and talks intelligent medical lingo, but he’s really just a hick.

He taught me how to two-step on our first date. He actually whispered in my ear when I donned my first pair of western jeans “Wrangler butts drive me nuts” and he chews and spits sunflower seeds if he drives more than 30 minutes in the car.

He’s a good ‘ole boy. (My interpretation: He’s a very fine man).

For the last three years, every time a position out of city limits opened in his company, he gave me the look. I’ve always had a reason to say no: a challenging pregnancy, a baby on a heart monitor, a need to live very close to my family, a great elementary school, etc.

My hubby honored my wishes with out regret every time.

Another opportunity opened a few weeks ago. It was hours from our home in a city I knew nothing about and would be a major move, but still in Texas. I went to my reservoir of excuses and begin assembling them.

We talked it over for a couple of days, the pros and the cons. At one point, he looked at me and said, “Just say the word [no] and I won’t apply.”

So, I said yes. I said yes because I don’t want to have that kind of power over my hubby. I don’t want to manipulate our future and miss out on something even more wonderful because I’m afraid. I said yes because it was time for me to stand by my man.

We prayed for the door to open if it was God’s plan or to shut if we needed to stay put. I knew the job would be a long shot, with dozens applying.

Today, he has his third interview. It’s been narrowed down to two.

I don’t know the future.

We may be putting our house on the market next week. We may be pulling our kids out of school mid-semester. We may live a part: me here, him there. We may have to keep our promise about getting the kids a horse.

I may be having a mid-life crisis online for your viewing pleasure.

Or life may just stay exactly the same.

Either way, I will be relieved and excited about both.

Because I stood by my man.

I’ve learned a lot about me over the past 3 weeks in this process:

I am not patient.
I am comfortable in my life.
I have a great support of local friends (Cheryl, Amanda, Karen, Sandi, and Kimmy, Bridget) and of my family.
My hubby has better interview skills than I expected!

(And this is where you encourage me about my uncertain future and tell me everything is going to work out).

*Updated* His interview was just moved to Monday, also my hubby’s birthday!

I need a nerve pill.

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My Hubby Rocks {Even When He Doesn’t}

7:00 am Bykristen

So. Sometimes, my hubby irritates me.

{WHAT?? Oh, the SHOCK!}

Yep, it turns out I’m human.

I hope you’re not too disappointed.

My hubby and I love each other. We are deeply committed to one another. We’ve faced some harrowing battles in our 15 years and fought against Hell itself to be where we are today.

We are in a good place. But we still get on each other’s nerves at times and even push one another’s buttons.

The other day my hubby made me furious before he left for work. It wasn’t a big deal. It was just one of those little idiosyncrasies. And I was grumpy. Lethal combination.

Later as I dressed, without thinking, I put on my pink shirt.

Everywhere I went, people commented. “Wow, you must really love your husband.” “What a great shirt.” Several women even said, “I would never wear a shirt like that. My husband is a jerk.”

I thought about our rocky morning, laughed at the irony of my thoughtless dressing and thanked God.

I am not perfect. My spouse isn’t either. But even on the tough days, I can be thankful.

There is always something to be grateful about.

I have a man who loves me. He loves God and our children.

He is a hard worker, selfless in so many ways…..

He rocks.

Even when he doesn’t.

**********************************************

One of the top searches that leads people to my blog is

help me love my hubby

a love letter to my husband

love wife and husband

There are so many women living in unfulfilling marriages. I don’t know whether you find yourself content or confused in your marriage today. At some point, you’ve probably been both.

Marriage takes hard work. Don’t give up. FIGHT. Woo him. Pray.

I truly believe that my marriage isn’t any more remarkable than yours. One day I will tell our story in full. But today, know that it is only by God’s grace that we are thriving.

Let me encourage you to choose love. Choose the road less traveled, the one that doesn’t pick him apart, tear him down, destroying his confidence.

Because your hubby rocks. Even when he doesn’t.

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I May Have Created a Monster

9:37 pm Bykristen

Well. Who knew that a getaway was exactly what we needed?

Okay, me.

I cannot believe how much my hubby and I crammed into our 2.75 days alone.

First off, my kids survived and thrived. We are picking up my oldest from camp first thing Thursday morning before heading back to Texas. I know she will be smitten with her own getaway, even though the camp nurse called to tell me she lost her mouth appliance.

Good thing I missed her so much.

My mother-in-law survived the toddler and called her a delight.

Whew.

(Because this is the key to another getaway….) Although, I will be the first to admit that it didn’t take our 2 year old 10 minutes to throw a humdinger of a fit. It makes me feel proud that she welcomed us home so vocally.

And my son didn’t even know we were gone. He filled his days with boy cousins and dirt.

Our getaway highlights:

My hubby and I watched THREE movies at a real-live movie theatre. We ate at very kid-unfriendly places. We shopped during nap time. I fell in love (like the rest of the world) with a bunch of vampires (I’m on book 3) and didn’t mind at all that my hubby drove around Tulsa in circles without asking for directions, while I read. Oh, and my hubby had his first pedicure with me.

(I’m pretty sure I’ve created a monster on that last one. He wants to know when we can go again!)

Oh, and we reignited the spark for at least another 15 years.

My suggestion for you: If a getaway is completely out of the question for you and your spouse, plan an entire day to getaway. From 9 am to 9 pm on the first day, we discovered something we’d lost along the way: each other. Our kids demand so much of our attention and we could feel the stress melt away…Make it happen. You’ll be glad you did!

P.S. There’s a little contest going on over in my forum. Just introduce yourself and you’ll be entered to win a $25 Target gift card. Reply to others and you’ll be entered multiple times!

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When Words Fail

12:01 am Bykristen

For the first time, words fail me.

I cannot express my love for you with a few measly adjectives.

I cannot explain my deep respect for you with several crafted sentences.

I cannot exclaim my joy in having you share my life by just putting some letters together.

I cannot exaggerate my praise for you as a father to my children in a poem.

I cannot eloquently describe my heart that beats in rhythm with yours with a pen and paper.

Words fail me.

You do not.

Happy Father’s Day, honey.

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My Guide to Country Vernacular

7:00 am Bykristen

I’m a southern girl.

I grew up in the heart of Texas and have lived here most of my life. (Except for some missions work in another country= Arkansas.)

My father raised me saying things like ”pull my fanger” and let’s go “wersh the car.” My Mom brought us up always ’fixin to go somewhere’.

So, yes, you could call us Upper Class.

The South is a good place to be raised (except for the pulling of the finger part).

But I married a man who was raised in the country.

Turns out there’s a big difference between southern and country.

A dictionary would have been very helpful. But I’ve had to create my own in order to communicate with my darling man:

six one half a dozen the other-things are pretty much equal

dinner-lunch

supper-dinner

spell me-take over for me

yard bird-chicken

fish or cut bait-hush and make a choice

a coon’s age-a long time

chewin the fat-catching up and talking about nothing

plum wore out-tired

like white on rice-sticks together

he’s happier than a dog layin’ under a bread wagon-now that’s happy!

spit in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up faster-wishful thinking

it’s comin’ up a cloud- it’s going to rain

So, if I ask my hubby how his parents are doing when he gets off the phone with them, I might hear something like this:

“I haven’t talked to them in a coon’s age. My Mom says thinking I’ll call her is like spittin’ in one hand and wishin’ in the other. But now, she’s happier than a dog layin’ under a bread wagon! We just chewed the fat. They are fryin’ yard bird for dinner. They were working in the garden but it’s comin’ up a cloud. My dad was glad for the rain because he’s been at it like white on rice. I know he must feel like he’s plum wore out.”

See what I mean?

I know there’s a lot more to the world than just the South and the Country, what are some of the sayings from around your parts?

Because I’m wondering if things are six half a dozen or the other………………..

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Riddle Me

7:00 am Bykristen

I have a riddle for you:

What do you call a man who entertains his toddler with her blankie in his back pocket for safe-keeping, while you shop in an all-girl store with your 9 year old who wants to spend her birthday money on a fancee dress like the one you bought for Blissdom this weekend?