We spent the day at with the kid's playgroup and had a Valentine Swap. And it was adorable. It was sweet to watch the kids exchange the valentines, sometimes they would hug and say, "I love you." Ha! They were precious, precious babies!!
I've been meaning to post this pic of the kids doing what they do best, running wild.
Today, David drew himself for me. He may be an artist, huh?
My mom used to make these cookies all the time, so it's my new Valentine tradition to make them for my kids and their friends. They are very holidayish and so yummy!
Tim came home with a new jacket for me today, some candy, and we had a candlelight dinner. Before you get jealous, we had our toddlers spilling food, blowing out candles, and interrupting any conversation we might have had! But, we just smiled at each other and soaked in our little children.
We kind of celebrated this weekend by going on a Marriage Retreat. It was Friday to Saturday and it was a christian counseling team in Marietta that came to our church. They lectured, gave exercises, individual time, couple time, and then counseling sessions. It was truly amazing and so needed. We have been through a lot together and have known eachother for 11 years. We are about to celebrate 7 years of marriage and decided to do this because honestly, it's been hard recently. Constant stress from change can wear a couple down.
Boy, was it an answer to prayer. I could literally blog forever about what we learned, ways to communicate better, tools, problem identifiers, ect.... but, I am still digesting so much. All I know is that we are on the same page. We feel unified. We feel stronger. We feel open and encouraged and ready for this new adventure we are embarking on. And mostly, we feel thankful.
One huge thing I keep thinking about from the retreat is this. It's so simple, yet so profound. I think I momentarily forgot that we are in the middle of a spiritual warfare. Our marriages are also in the middle of a spiritual warfare. Look around. Look at the media. What do they portray as a healthy marriage? Affairs, homosexuality, lying, there is no respect for either spouse, your spouse being a roommate or a paycheck, or just the father of your children.
It's really sad. And the truth is, there is an enemy. And he is trying to destroy your marriage. With all of the things above. John 10:10 says, "the thief (satan) has come to kill, steal, and destroy. I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly."
That's straight from the Word, people. Your marriage is under attack. It's God's most holy covenant to man.... of course Satan is going to attack and feed you lies.
Being reminded of this truth is a game-changer for me. It was a slap in the face of saying, Get on the same page now!!
And God answers those prayers. He'll bring you together, for better or worse. And we've had a lost of worse. For sickness and health and for richer or poorer. God knew these things were going to happen and the question is, will you fight? will you fight for your relationship with God and fight for your marriage with the man you vowed to?
I hope that your Valentine's Day was extra special this year, I know mine was!
Here is Tim and I's first Christmas together. I love looking at old photos. We laugh at them... we were so blissfully unaware of what life had ahead for us.
Happy Valentines Day sweetheart. I love you and you are my lifelong partner and best friend.
1 comment:
Feeling so encouraged by you right now...
Post a Comment