Sideways Saturday: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a week away, and I'm in planning mode.  The Bestie will have all 4 kids the night before for her middlest daughter's birthday sleepover (you should read that:  I get to sleep in and have nookie as loud as I'd like on Valentine's morn...) but when they return, we are going to do a Family Valentine's Night.  A special dinner, and family games.

I posted to my birth board group and one of the mom's there (J) said that a few years back she made every one of her guys (she's the mom of 4 boys, plus the hubs) their own personal dinner!  They each got their favorite food.  She says they still talk about it.  I'm all in.  I LOVE this idea so hard.  I'm making out the grocery list, and mentally preparing to cook 5 separate dinners on one evening.  I got this.  

Our dinner will consist of:

One's favorite:  Green Bean Casserole.  Yep.  Just that.
Two's favorite:  Bourbon Chicken over mashed potatoes
Three's favorite:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob
Four's favorite:  Spaghetti (this is my fav too.)
The Punk's favorite:  Ribeye w/sweet potato.


It won't be that hard to pull off, and I'm happy that the mashed potatoes and spaghetti will be double duty.  I intend to make a meatloaf "cupcake" for Three, since he'll be the only one having that.  Green Bean casserole is my 2nd favorite thing to eat, so I'll just make a standard size serving of that and we'll share (The Punk really likes it too.)

For an afternoon snack, we will be making a batch of heart shaped soft pretzels.  I will be making the dough (she has a recipe link in the post to make your own.)

And for dessert:  Easy Heart Shaped Cake

I saw a V-day idea where she put together a photo album except it wasn't pictures it was 1 date a month for her and her partner.  Each month had a date plan sealed in an envelope.  I love this idea, and I can easily pull that together in the next week.  Swing on over to my "Marriage" pinterest board or just google "date ideas" if you need some ideas to fill those envelopes.


Here is a link to my Valentine's Day board, so you can look at other ideas that I like!

Wordy Wednesday

5 ways you are unkowingly destroying your husband and killing your marriage

This post is inspired by this article.  Now, here is my disclaimer.  This article has a Christian slant.  I'm not a Christian, but I find many of their principles to hold true (just be good to people...it's not that hard.)  So know, going in, that it comes from that perspective.  IMO it doesn't alter the value of the points.  Also, it applies to husbands as well as wives (and there is a disclaimer to point that out at the beginning.)  I will just add MY thoughts to the points, read them together. ;)

Point 1:  If you are constantly living above and beyond, it's a source of stress for EVERYONE in your household.   You are stressed.  Your spouse is stressed.  Your kids are stressed.  It's a trickle down effect.  Just stop.  If you are in a one-income household, living above your means will make your spouse feel inadequate, and that really will cut the legs out from under anyone and that's not something you should knowingly do to the person you have pledged to love and honor.  Now that you know, fix it.  

Point 2:  This applies not only to your marriage/relationship, but to ALL aspects of your life.   Life isn't happening TO you, it is REACTING to you.  What you think about, obsess about, bitch about...will multiply in your life.  Constant complaining only breeds more BAD.  Change your thought patterns.  I know that not everyone has an easy life.  Not everyone is having a great day, every day.  But, dwelling on how bad your life is, and how much you wish things were different isn't helping ANYONE.  And bitching about it....constantly, to anyone and everyone who will listen....isn't helping ANYONE either!  I'm not saying don't vent.  Especially to your significant other!  I'm saying don't make it the ONLY thing you have to say.

Point 3:  I see this ALL THE TIME.  I know you all love those little beasts that came out of your body.  And, Lord knows, I love mine too!  However, allowing them to take over is a HORRIFIC PLAN.  I'm not saying put them at the bottom of your list, but don't put them above your significant other.  Your 'other half' should be numero uno 95% of the time.  Now, not every waking minute needs to be about them either...but they should hold priority.  When they constantly feel like other things are more important to you, they will look for someone/something to make them feel like top dog.  That's just truth.

Point 4:  I can sum this up with one sentence:  Have sex with your spouse.   Even when you don't feel like it.  Physical closeness (like negativity) will work its way into other aspects of your daily life.  If you feel closer to your spouse, your communication will be better.  Petty things won't get on your nerves as much.  Like Nike, just do it.

Point 5:  True that.