Blogging Hiatus

Have you been wondering where I've been? Well, my computer up and died on me last week. My friendly computer doctor has retrieved my data, but the computer has breathed its last. After a suitable period of mourning I'll get a replacement. Until then, my few and faithful readers, you'll have to catch me on facebook or come and pay me a visit in person. Hopefully I'll have lots of good stuff to say upon my return, since I have all this extra time to think!

Wordless Wednesday

Valentine's Day love. I think maybe there's a reason I keep calling the baby by this particular sister's name! And note the Valentine's barrettes I linked to on Monday--the girls each made their own and I made Abigail's, and we had so much fun. It's an easy project and good for working on those sewing skills.

Tips for a Happy Marriage--#5: Be Thankful

I've always told people who were getting married that my second-best piece of marriage advice is to remember why you are marrying your spouse, because the things you love right now will one day annoy you to no end. You love that he's spontaneous, but a few years from now it will drive you crazy that he leaves everything till the last minute. You love that she always looks so put-together, but a few years from now you will wish she weren't quite so particular about what the kids are wearing. You love that he is a man's man, but someday you'll wish he didn't spend quite so much time at the gym. You love that she is so warm and compassionate, but you will someday wish she didn't invite people over quite so often.

You see, every positive trait has a negative side. And most negative traits have a positive side. The problem is, we often focus on the negative side because it is inconvenient to us, but we ignore the positive. But you can't have one without the other. You can't be spontaneous at all the times your spouse wants spontaneity but stifle that trait at the exact times they want you to plan ahead. It doesn't work that way.

So here's marriage tip #5--be thankful for everything you can be thankful about in your spouse. You can start by looking back at all the reasons you married them. Write those things down, or tell your spouse all the things you love about them. And then look at the things that are irritating you about your spouse, and find the positive side of those traits. You wish she didn't plan ahead so much? Be thankful that she's so good at budgeting--which requires planning ahead. You wish he didn't work such long hours? Be thankful that he is a hard worker and that he provides for you. Find something to be thankful for, and express it in some way, either in a journal as a reminder to yourself or out loud to your spouse or on a nice Valentine's Day card.

The more you focus on those things you can be thankful for, the less the negatives will bother you. And the happier you'll both be, because your spouse will feel loved and appreciated and you will realize all over again how wonderful they are.

And since it's Valentine's Day and I love my husband, here's a picture of him. If you don't know him, you're missing out, because he's pretty great. I'm so thankful for all the things that make him who he is, and I'm thankful that he chose me. I am truly blessed.

Mondays with Martha and Valentine Links

Well, people, it's been one of those weeks. I have some paying work, which is a wonderful blessing, and it's thrown me for a bit of a loop. And it's Valentine's week,

so we've been doing classroom mailboxes, valentines, and crafts for a class party.

My big goals for the week are to find the bottom of the laundry basket and put away the last few Christmas decorations. Clearly I'm not the one to give you great ideas and inspiration for your home, but Martha can help you out. And I've got a few bonus linkies as well.

If you've been wondering how to get those pesky wrinkles out of your sheets, Martha is here to help. When my oldest daughter was about 6, she saw a play ironing board and iron at the Ikea playroom and didn't know what they were. Clearly I don't iron my sheets. Or much else, for that matter.


Here are some cute free Valentine's Day printables.


Here is a darling idea I hope to make time for this afternoon. They're barrettes. The link has more detailed instructions.


Also on my agenda for today: red velvet cupcakes. I don't expect mine to be quite this pretty, but I think the picture is inspiring.