us.

so...now i am going to quote lines out of  Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney. (great heads up Naomi...love it.) there is SO much GOOD stuff in this book. so much is striking me. it might not strike you...but it's my blog...and you don't have to read it if you don't want too. :)
so, as a reminder to all my married friends...here i go.

your husband comes home from work, heads to the nearest comfy chair, and pulls the newspaper up in front of his face. (now...this used to happen when he worked construction, and we actually got a newspaper...now...today...it would be more equivalent to him coming in from a hard day on the farm, he's stinky dirty, and heads to the shower...where some days i only L.O.N.G to see the shower...and dinner is ready N.O.W. not later. :) get my drift?) What sort of thoughts run through your mind? Are they kind thoughts? Loving thoughts? Or thoughts you dare not reveal?

We frequently face situations where we are tempted to think harsh and critical thoughts. Sometimes as wives we are more inclined to concentrate on what our husbands are doing wrong than what they are doing right. We are more aware of their deficiencies than areas where they excel. But if we submit to these temptations, they will only lead to the demise of warm affection.

Rather, we must choose to focus on our husbands' many commendable qualities. As we do this, we will be amazed. We'll start to discover more and more good qualities that we were failing to see because we were blinded by our critical thoughts...

As Shirley Rice writes:

Are you in love with your husband? Not, Do you love him? I know you do. He has been around a long time, and you're used to him. He is the father of your children. But are you in love with him? How long has it been since your heart really squeezed when you looked at him?...Why is it you have forgotton the things that attracted you to him in the first place?...Your husband needs to be told that you love him, that he is attractive to you. By the grace of God, I want you to start changing your thought pattern. Tomorrow morning, get your eyes off the DIRTY BATHROOM...(love you honey), or the baby bottles long enough to LOOK at him. Don't you see the way his coat fits his shoulders? Look at his hands. Do you remember when just to look at his strong hands made your heart lift? Well, LOOK at him and remember. Then loose your tongue and tell him you love him. Will you ask the Lord to give you a sentimental, romantic, physical, in-love kind of love for your husband? He will do this.

Michelle had ceased to "prize" her husband. There was a time when Peter was the most important person in her life, but over time her children and friends had become more significant. However, according to scriptures, these are faulty priorities. (Specifically Genesis 2:18 and 1 Corinthians 11:8-9).

Notice from the aforementioned verses that we were created to be our husband's helper, not our children's mother. (OUCH). Certainly, we are to love, care for, and nurture our children, but this love is to flow out of a lifestyle that is first and foremost committed to helping our husbands. Our husbands should ALWAYS remain first in our hearts and in our care...

All that being said Matt and i are extremely excited to be taking a motorcycle ride to CA in about a month. I am planning my wardrobe already. May i remind you it will have to consist of about 3 outfits only...plus my leather coat and pants. yikes. it all has to fit in the motorcycle hard bag. ugh. so...as nervous as i am leaving our children behind, thankfully with family, for 10 days while we run around the country, i am so excited to be with my man. alone. just us. i can't wait. love you so much matt.