The Generous Wife

January 27, 2012

Happy 27th!

Filed under: from me,to pray — Tags: celebrate, generosity — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

OK, here's the deal. Today's my 27th wedding anniversary and I'm taking the day off. My husband was self-disciplined enough to put a mess of posts in pending, including one about our anniversary, so I'm swiping his post for today. There are pictures of us kissing in it. Um ... lots of them (we really like each other).

Twenty Seven Years and Counting

If y'all need something to do, you can pray for the January marriages and kiss your husband (a lot ... because you really like each other too, right?).

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (8)

January 26, 2012

Share a Meal

Filed under: to do together — Tags: date, intimacy — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

© Simone Van Den Berg | Dreamstime.com Just a bit of science ~ when you share a meal with someone you tend to "bond" with them. Oxytocin gets released (that's the same hormone that bonds you to your nursing baby) and voila! you are likely to feel better toward your dinner companion. That is just one more reason to have family dinners and date nights that involve eating.

My sweetie and I had a lovely meal at a Greek restaurant in Seattle ~ Kokoras Greek Grill. If you are in the neighborhood I recommend it ~ lovely atmosphere, friendly folks running it and incredible baklava. My husband and I had a leisurely lunch and, of course, some friendly chatter with staff and customers. It was a relaxing, enjoyable and yummy meal. Great time. Great memory.

Build today on yesterday's special moments ~ Strengthen Your Marriage with a Video? Scrapbooks? Photo Albums? (from Assume Love)

Marriage Gems has more ideas on Oxytocin ~ How to Naturally Increase Oxytocin, and Why This May Help Your Marriage

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (0)

January 25, 2012

Real Marriage

Filed under: to do together,to learn — Tags: communication, resource — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

Last Sunday my husband and I happened to be in Seattle, Washington so we Googled Mars Hill and set off for the nearest church. Turns out Mark Driscoll was speaking and sharing from a chapter in his new book Real Marriage. ^{(aff link)}

My "to read" pile is really, really tall and, honestly, there are times when I feel overwhelmed by the number of marriage books out there. However ... I was really impressed with what Mark (and his wife Grace) had to say so I sucked it up, bought the book and read it.

Wow! It's a good one.

If you are going to read a marriage book, I recommend this one to you. Even if you don't agree with everything they have to say, they cover all kinds of subjects and it's bound to make you think. I think it would make an absolutely marvelous study and discussion book for a couple. My husband and I have already had several great discussions that bounced off of what we've read in the book.

I'm in the process of creating a "marriage book library" page and this book made the cut. It's current, relevant and very brave. You go, Mark & Grace!

Coasting is not cool ~ Why OK is So Not OK This is a fairly hard hitting challenge from Journey to Surrender.

I love this encouragement from MarriageWorks! ~ Do the Right Thing

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (6)

January 24, 2012

Rise and Shine

Filed under: to do,to say — Tags: appreciation, encourage, kindness, respect — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

Help your husband start his day off right.

I don't know about y'all, but the first moments of my morning can significantly effect the rest of my day (waking to chaos is not my favorite thing). So give it some thought. What can you do or say that will bless your husband? A little kiss? A soft word of appreciation or encouragement? Help him find his glasses without rolling your eyes?

Give him a warm and caring start to his day.

Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself. Elbert Hubbard

We Fall Down, But We Get Up ~ a solid encouragement from Marriage Works!

A lovely and challenging perspective from Michael Hyatt ~ How Differences with Your Spouse Can Make Your Marriage Stronger

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (4)

January 23, 2012

Romantic Reminders

Filed under: to consider,to do,to learn — Tags: practical, romantic, sexual — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

Congratulations Mary, you won a free copy of The Self-Centered Marriage ^{(aff link)} for being the 78th poster in the Valentine/Romantic Idea contest. Ladies, do check out all the comments ~ Valentine's Day is just 22 days away!

Set a reminder or two to do something romantic or sexy for your husband. It can be as simple as a sticky note on your bathroom mirror with the word "kiss" on it. Or you can have your Google Calendar remind you to send a romantic email or remind you to initiate sex later that day.

Take the time to think it through. What do you want to do? What kind of reminders do you need? Don't let the distractions of life keep you from reaching out to your husband.

Life is a romantic business, but you have to make the romance. Oliver Wendell Holmes

Here is a collection of even more Valentine ideas from generous wives everywhere ~ Valentine’s Day Ideas

Wise words from Patty of Assume Love ~ How to Get Your Mate's Attention

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (0)

January 22, 2012

Prayer for Wisdom

Filed under: to pray — Tags: his needs, practical — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

Pray for wisdom for your husband. He has responsibilities, relationships and more. Having the wisdom to know how to handle all the bits of his life would be a great gift.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV

Making time for your sweetie ~ More Margin (from CoupleThings)

While we're on the subject, I highly recommend Richard Swenson's book Margin. ^{(aff link)} Everyone needs a little balance and rest in their lives.

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (0)

January 21, 2012

Movie Break!

Filed under: to do together — Tags: intimacy, play, romantic, sexual — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

Here's a creative tip from a generous wife who is making the best of one of life's more challenging seasons (thanks, Jamie!).

I'm a mama of five young children, so date night usually consists of watching a movie after kiddos are in bed. Unfortunately, I usually fall asleep. Not so much fun for either of us. Last time, however, I came up with a plan. Every fifteen minutes or so, we would pause the movie and have some smoochin' time. My husband was instantly game and oh my goodness! we had so much fun! Not only did we make it through (barely hee, hee) a cute movie w/out falling asleep, but we had some amazing couple time. Hubby was thrilled and I was so excited to bless him like that.

Great idea!

A friend (thanks, Sandy!) sent me a link to this post ~ Sexual Health Pictures Slideshow: Surprising Health Benefits of Sex Slide 18 is pretty awesome. (MedicineNet.com)

Bahahahahahahahaha~ Bedazzled, Bothered, and Bewildered (from Hot, Holy and Humorous)

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (0)

January 20, 2012

Read a Book

Filed under: to consider,to do,to learn — Tags: resource — The Generous Wife @ 1:30 am

I think I mentioned that one of my new year resolutions was to "read 1/2 hour a day" (this is reading on top of Bible/devotional/study/etc.) I can read more if I what to, but this ensures that I'm regularly challenged by ideas and that I'm actually finishing books (something that I occasionally struggle with, it's so fun to find a new book and start reading).

Then I read 12 Reasons I Have Decided to Read One Book Per Week on Becoming Minimalist. I was so impressed by his list of reasons (do read) that I am doubly determined to continue to read. (I especially liked 10. Books lead to greater relationships with the people around us.)

So what does reading have to do with being a generous wife? A quick read through of the 12 Reasons post will give you 12 great reasons, but let's just say "a growing you" makes for an enjoyable you. Happy, excited, passionate, curious, generous people are wonderful to be around. Reading can be a great building block in the process of growing and learning and building a wonderful life with the people you love.

Different season's of life allow for varying amounts of "free time" for reading. When my kids were small I would have to leave a book by the rocker or on the toilet and read in snippets of time. Don't be overwhelmed by the "book a week" or the "1/2 hour a day" goals of others. What would work for you? What do you want to learn? What inspires you? Do you have a library near you?

Pay attention to who is influencing your marriage – for the positive. Who influences you? (from Encourage Your Spouse)

A reminder to minimize distractions and enjoy your sweetie ~ Me? Distracted? Did You Say Something? (from CoupleThings)

Be generous! Lori <><

Comments (4)

Older Posts »

Avatars by Sterling Adventures