Kiss Him Goodbye

I talked with a man once who was recently divorced and asked him what happened. He couldn't pin point any one thing but he said one of the things that hurt him the most was that his wife had never seen him off or greeted him when he got home.

Wow! That seems like a small thing and yet it hurt him the most. He said he felt like she didn't care if he ever came back and when he did come back he felt unappreciated and unloved.

Strive to see your husband off to work, go to the door tell him you love him, tell him to be careful and kiss him goodbye. No matter what you are doing it can wait 2 minutes while you do this. Is your husband not more important than any chore?

For some of you your husband may leave while you are still asleep. Set your alarm, get up and see him off. How he will appreciate knowing how much you care. 2 minutes that's all it takes then you can go back to bed or get a head start on your day. It will be worth the effort.

I always think what if the unthinkable happens will I have to regret not making time to tell my hubby I love him and send him off properly. So many people wish they had told loved ones they loved them one more time - don't take that chance.

Here is a good time to mention another key to a happy marriage that fits in with this. Settle arguments right away. Don't let them stew and ferment and turn into something bigger and uglier than they should. It is so important that you and your spouse do not leave the house without settling things and parting on good terms. If you do then it just carries on. It taints both of your days and when you come together at the end of the day it's become harder to resolve.

Now when he returns home stop what you are doing, get up and go to him. Let him know you love him, that you missed him and give him a hug and a kiss. Ask about his day, be sweet and loving. He will always look forward to coming home if he is greeted this way.

I'm sure that the couple I mentioned earlier had a lot more problems than this but it would only have taken four minutes out of her day to make her husband feel loved, appreciated and cared for. Who knows the difference that could have made.

Blessings,

Liisa

Respect your Husband

Respect is so important to a happy marriage. Many women don't respect their husbands and it shows in everything they do.

When you don't respect your husband you are likely to talk down to him, treat him like he's an idiot or one of the children.

There is a stereotype of the poor stupid man who is not capable of the simplest task without the explicit instructions from his wife which he usually messes up anyway. This stereotype is promoted in most sitcoms and commercials and even children's programs' and story books.

There is also the phenomenon known as man bashing. Women get together and discuss the faults, mistakes and shortcomings of their men. I used to join in wholeheartedly much to my shame. I also used to make derogatory comments about my husband in front of him and others all in the name of humour. How hurtful those comments can be and how I regret every one I made.

It is important that your husband receives the respect he deserves. Make him feel he's special and important because he is.

You may be thinking that your husband has to earn your respect. His position as the man you chose to be your husband entitles him to that respect. Believe me if you always tell someone they can't do anything right or point out their faults they will eventually start to believe you and act the way they are expected to. But if you build them up they will live up to it.

If you build up your husband and make him feel respected and important then he will not be so susceptible to comments from other women that stroke his ego.

One comment I've heard from men who cheated or left their wives is that they got no respect at home. So when a woman comes along, perhaps at work who tells him he is great, appreciates his work, tells him he can do anything, has confidence in him and treats him with respect he is seduced by that if he is not getting it at home. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves.

Another helpful reminder is to not attempt to boss your husband around. He is a grown man, not a child. He is fully capable of completing tasks and making decisions. Take a look at how you and your husband interact. Do you bark orders at your husband? Do you explain things to him like he is a child? Do you always tell him what he can and cannot do? Do you try and control all his free time - do you tell him how he must spend it?

Treat your husband as he deserves to be treated. Let's build our men up and not tear them down. In turn you will gain a husband that lives up to your respect and loves you even more than ever before.

Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Blessings,

Liisa

My Little Helper

I had some "help" this evening when I was sewing up a new apron........







Blessings,
Liisa

Stepford Wives

I must live under a rock. I say that alot and sometimes I am glad that I have no idea what is going on in the world, but I say that now because I never realized that Stepford Wives was a feminist book. I know, I know, like I said I must live under a rock. ~smile~

I have this book and the original movie and I always thought it was the complete opposite. I thought it showed the unhappiness that results in husbands when their wives neglect them and their home. I am not saying that what the men did was right in any way shape or form but I always thought about why they did it. What drove them to a place where the thought of this seemed like a good idea?

When you see what the women were like before you see why the husbands are so unhappy. After they are stepford wives you see what the husbands felt was lacking in their marriage.

I think that to spite the weirdness of it all there are lessons to be had here. What things would your husband like to see you do? Are you neglecting your home in favor of other activities? Are you neglecting him? Are there things he asks of you that you just don't do? Have you let yourself go?

I admit I am overweight and in the evening you will find me in comfy and not so attractive clothes but during the day I make the effort to dress well and have my hair and makeup done though I am at home most of the time. I am also trying to lose the weight...however chocolate is just so tasty! ~wink~

I make the effort to have the house clean and organized for my hubby but I have fallen short in this area lately with too much going on. So I need to get back on track there as well.
This falls under neglecting your home in favor of other activities. I have also resorted to convenience foods more and more often as I am busy and to be honest sometimes just lazy. I am commited to preparing meals and snacks myself and stocking up the freezer for those times when I just don't have the energy to make it.

I have also failed to always be there for my hubby and look after the things he asks me to. ~sigh~ It is hard to admit when you fail but I think it is important to be honest and therefore be accountable to get my act together.

Perhaps because I live under a rock I learned things from this story weird and creepy though it may be.

Blessings,
Liisa

These Days

Just thought I'd give a little glimpse into life in our home these days....

Yesterday I had 10 + teenagers in our home after school so that they could practice for the "Coffee House" at the high schol last night. The coffee house is an opportunity for students to perform for others while raising money. They can play music, read poems, read stories, do a skit, dance etc. My son was playing guitar (an acoustic set) with two of his friends as well as playing guitar for several girls who were singing. So that led them all here! I was making a double batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and by the end of the evening there was not a cookie to be seen! It was like being invaded by cookie monsters! I am so glad that they feel comfortable in our home and enjoy the cookies I make ~smile~ I love to have the house full of life and it doesn't get much more lively than teenagers!

I went with my nephew to watch them all perform since my husband had to be with my mother in law for the evening. I am just blown away by the talent of these teens. (Not just my own since ofcourse he was the highlight of the entire evening!) but all of them. Wow!

This morning I was folding up all the clothes from the wee boy that stayed with us so that I could send them on to him when I got a phone call. He was to come back and stay with us tonight but now we just found out that he and his sister are off to a group home for the night instead. Pray for them please. We were so hoping to be able to keep him but I am just praising the Lord that they are out of danger and will be cared for wherever they end up. God is faithful and He hears and answers prayers.

This morning I had my annual safety inspection, review and contract renewal for the agency I work through. I am licensed for childcare so there is alot of paper work, inspections etc. So that was a busy time getting ready for that and making sure everything was in order.

I only have one little monkey today since my others are siblings and are away due to one of them having strep throat. I am praying it misses our home and the wee one I have here now. He is teething and I can't imagine what strep throat would be like on top of that, especially for one so young.

It has been rainy and sleeting here today so we didn't get out for our walk this morning. I will take some time to do my errands on the way to clean the church tonight.

Tonight we are having barbecued smoked pork chops left over from last night, macaroni and cheese and peas.

All in all it has been a good couple of days, emotional but good!

Blessings,

Liisa

In Chirst Alone

This is one of my favorite songs. I thought I would share the lyrics......

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands for victory

Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

'Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Blessings,

Liisa

Broken Hearted

The little boy that stayed with us overnight had to go home this afternoon. My heart breaks for this wee one and his sister. Please pray for them.

Blessings,

Liisa