It’s almost here - 2009! A fresh start on another year the Lord has added to our lives, and what will we do with this gift?

I’ve quoted something before that I remembered from a cross stitch at a friend’s house when I was little, that goes:

“What we are is God’s gift to us, what we become is our gift to God”.

So, God has given us this wonderful gift of life for another year! What will we give back to Him this year? Will we give a half-hearted gift, or a gift with our hands still holding on to part of it - not willing to give it to Him completely?

Here’s what I’m encouraging you to do, along with myself. Make a list of your goals and desires for the year, and beside or under each one, write down what it will take to accomplish them.

Start easy!! That’s a MUST for me, or I’ll give up in discouragement very quickly!! Pick the most important 1 or 2 things on your list to work on the first week, or two weeks, or even month.

Each morning, pray and give these to the Lord - asking Him for the strength needed to complete each one DAILY!!!

For me, one of these would have to be making time first thing every morning to read a devotion and/or the Bible - either by myself or with my children. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day’s activities and forget to take time for this.

I read a note long ago, written from God’s perspective. It read something like this…

“I was so excited to see you awake this morning! I greeted you with the sunshine and beautiful flowers. I kept waiting for you to greet Me too, but you never did.

I provided you with clothes and food, but never received thanks from you before you ate your lunch - you didn’t acknowledge me at all.

The day went on, you faced trials and struggles. I was right there wanting to help you, but you never asked Me.

I kept you safe all day, met your needs, gave you of my storehouse of blessings - but even as you closed your eyes to sleep for the night, you never thought of Me. I was here, I was waiting, I love you - but you are too busy to think of Me.

I’m still here, wanting to love you, talk to you, take care of you - I’m simply waiting for you!

Your Heavenly Daddy”

Now, that’s not exactly how it went, but that’s the idea! God wants to be with us in 2009, to help us, to walk beside us - guiding and protecting us. Do we want Him?

Actions speak louder than words, and I’ve failed in my actions. By neglecting His Word (not just referring to verses here and there, but actually reading and studying what He wants to say to me) I’m saying that He’s not important enough to get my time. OUCH! That’s not what I want at all!!

What are some of your goals this year? I’d love to hear from you!

In closing, here’s a basic idea of where Heaven In Our Homes is going this next year:

“Messy Monday Miracles” will return

Thursday’s will be our new study on the “Thursday’s Top Ten” - the 10 Commandments

Saturday or Sunday’s will be “Soaking in the Word”

Have a blessed New Year!

Christmas is only 5 days away, and I’m not near ready!! But even more so than that, I’m not ready for another whole year to be gone either. As I am getting older each year, I’m understanding the Scripture verse more clearly - that time is like a vapour, here one moment and gone the next.

Looking back on 2008, was I the best mother that God called me to be? The best wife? Did I serve and honor HIM 100%, or was I serving myself part of that?

These are times past, forever gone, never having a chance to claim them again. But great is the Lord’s faithfulness and mercy, each day new and fresh - ready to forgive IF I turn from myself and to Him. He gives me a new chance every morning to serve Him for that day!

Looking forward to 2009, the Lord will be adding to my role another precious life to raise for His kingdom! Hopefully, He’ll have our home sell so we can move to the country and begin a more healthy lifestyle (gardening/ fresh eggs and milk/ etc…)

(Sidenote - I touched my first goat last night!! We visited our zoo in B’ham and the little pygmy goats were so cute and wanting attention… I will admit that there’s still a bit of ‘cuteness’ needed before I can milk one of these. But since this is all my youngest can drink, a mother’s love will do what is necessary for her baby!)

This next baby has knocked out of the way some of the ’sideline things’ that have only slowed me down in the past. For 2009, I have several goals…

1) Make a list DAILY of things to accomplish for THAT day. When I look at things ‘in the big picture’, they are too daunting at times. And what comes along with my being a perfectionist, is that if I can’t do something right, I sometimes tend not to do it at all.

When I look at things that are manageable for THAT day, I get more accomplished. The Lord brings to my mind a verse, - “I can do all things though Christ which strengthenth me”.

One thing to remember is that Christ does give us strength for all HE’S called us to do, but sometimes we in our flesh take on more than that role. This is a huge part of getting worn down for me, when I take on things that really aren’t part of my calling in Him.

2) Put into practice more than put into thoughts. There’s so many things that I think about doing, but get sidetracked and never get to them. For instance, “I really need to start having one room picked up before I go to another”. I think this, but somehow, breakfast dishes get left on the table after breakfast, or only moved to the counter.

Laundry gets taken out of the dryer, but never makes it out of the living room. It can sit there for days sometimes before I get to it.

Last week, I tackled a huge pile of laundry and mail in my bedroom. It migrated there at Thanksgiving. Family was coming over, and I didn’t have time to finish everything. So, whatever was left undone got thrown in my room behind locked doors.

I worked for two days on going through this stuff, and it’s still not 100%. BUT, it’s wonderful how freeing it is to have walking room, and see clean areas in there! I was able to vacuum, and my son can see the dust now (HA!) - he’s better than me, he wants a rag to clean it.

3) I want to become consistent once again with my children, in teaching them discipline. It could just be long ago memories, but I remember my oldest two being such good children most of the time - until the baby was born.

That was almost 1 1/2 years ago now, and we’re still not 100% adjusted to this little guy! He’s our most mischevious one - always into something he shouldn’t be, eating anything from anywhere (yuck), and just all around - through and through - 100% boy!

I slacked off on the older two just trying to stay on the little one, and now all three run circles around me at times. It doesn’t help that I’m really beginning to slow down in this pregnancy, the 3rd trimester not too far away.

My children did so well when we were consistent with our “My Daily Duties” charts, stickers, and PRAISE!! There are times I see how discouraged they must feel, always be scolded for one thing or another - they must feel as if they can never do anything right. I know I’ve felt this way before!

For every scolding or negative comment you give a child, there should be 10 praises. One thing I’ve noticed, is that when my priorities aren’t in line with what they should be (when I’m going my own way), these are the times I’m most critical and harsh in my words.

But when I’m focused on being a mother, spending time with them, playing with them - they are completely different children!

So, in 2009, we’ll really buckle down on our charts, teaching them responsibility PLUS building self esteem as they see what they’ve accomplished each day! The fact that these are dry erase will allow me to change it up, working on different things each week.

I’m sure they’ll be plenty more things to work on, but these just give you an idea of what I’m learning as a daughter of the King.

For the next couple weeks, I’ll be taking a break from this blog (unless something really gets laid on my heart), but will still continue to post on Sonbeams blog (for parents of preschool age children) and Nine Months or Less blog (just info own my current pregnancy).

I’d like to close by sharing with you that due to the move, trying to sell our home, and having a large inventory of products at the end of the year - I’m having a SALE over at Sonbeams!! Be sure to check it out, and grab things at really great prices. It’s not all Sonbeams related products, I still have some stuff from the Products Page (when it was set up). Things are priced to MOVE, and some are a very limited quantity!

For one - the “My Daily Duties” chart is marked down to only $6.95!! Other children’s products on sale too!

PS - I haven’t forgotten to fix the new pages on the sidebar, I’ve just not had the time!! I’ll be sure and let you know when they’re restored - thank you for your patience.

May all of you have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year’s, and we’ll return in January with a new study on the 10 Commandments. What better way to begin our year by taking a look at the way God commanded us to live!

Candace

I avoided this topic last year, but since it’s come up around here a several times from various people in the past few weeks, I’m sure it’s a debate in Christian homes everywhere.

Maybe debate isn’t the right word, since it’s really not a debate for us. Yes, I grew up with Santa Claus, as did my husband. No, we don’t hold grudges for being misled. Yes, it was fun.

But in the here and now, we are choosing as parents not to include Santa Claus in Christmas. Trust me, it’s something I still occassionally think about. But what is it that we think of when we think of Santa? It’s the ‘magical’ feeling of Christmas, isn’t it….

From a Christian standpoint, is Christmas a day in which we remember our Saviour’s birth, or about some ‘magic’ that a pretend character gives?

I remember my youth pastor many…. years ago and his wife facing this decision with their son. They chose NOT to do Santa, and their reasoning has stuck with me to this day. They shared how that if they told their son that Santa was real for all of his childhood years, and all of a sudden one day… he found out it was all pretend…. How would this affect the child’s belief in God and Jesus?

I was just a teen when they shared this, but it’s truth struck me, and is JUST as strong today as it was 15+ years ago! Here were parents that were SO devoted to the Lord and their child, that they were willing to sacrifice this ‘pleasure’ - so that their child would KNOW that anything his parents told him was the truth. That he would never have reason to doubt their word. WOW!

This year is the first year that we’ve really talked about Santa to our children, and mainly just our oldest son, now 4 1/2. We’ve carefully monitored Christmas shows, ones with Santa - but this year it’s a little harder to hide him.

He’s on Frosty the Snowman, Barney (which we occassionally watch due to the time change and Mom needing a little quiet time), he’s even on Word World.

I could be wrong, but from what I remember learning years ago, St. Nick WAS a real man that gave gifts to children. I shared with him that some people like to pretend a man gives them gifts at Christmas, just like this real man did a long time ago. But he’s not alive anymore, and he doesn’t give gifts now- it’s kind of like a game of pretend.

But we choose not to pretend, because we want him to know that everything Daddy and Mommy tell him is the truth. We don’t want to tell him Santa is real, because he’s not. But Jesus IS real, and God, and we want him to know and believe that. So we will only tell him things that are true.

Even at the age of 4, he understands this. He even questions why people would want to not just have Jesus as Christmas! Never under estimate how smart our children are!

Some might say that this is taking it a bit too far, but honestly, when is sticking to Scripture ‘too far’ as far as God is concerned? Think about the 10 Commandments… “Thou shalt not bear false witness”. False witness is false witness, no matter how trivial.

And what about the verse where Jesus says something about those that “offend one of these little ones”, that it’s better that a stone be placed around his neck? Would leading a child to believe a falsehood not be offending? (Don’t attack!! I’m just asking questions for thought…)

Would you be happy as an adult if you were really counting on something, all ready to go, only to find out that someone had lied to you about it? This really isn’t any different for a child. They REALLY believe in Santa, and many children are crushed when they realize he isn’t real.

“So what might be so special about Christmas to a child then, without Santa - where’s the fun?”, some might ask. Well, our children have been hearing about God and Jesus from as early as they can remember. He’s real, He’s alive, and He really does love them - unlike the dead St. Nick.

(Hmmm…. is this kinda like the images God mentions in the Bible? They can’t see, they can’t hear… but people still go to them, talk to them, believe in them….) Just something to ponder….

Anyway, here’s how we teach our children about Christmas. Many years ago, people were kept away from coming to God because they had sin in their lives. God doesn’t like or accept sin, so people weren’t able to come directly to Him.

God loved man so much, that He gave us a special gift that 1st Christmas - His Son, Jesus. Jesus came and lived on Earth, even though all people didn’t love Him back, and then He died on the cross - all because He loved us so much! He loved us and wanted us to be able to fellowship with Him, and live with Him in Heaven for all of eternity.

God gave that very special gift to man because He loved him, and that’s why we give gifts at Christmas. We give to show others that we love them, just as God showed that He loved us. In our household, this is special!

My children get excited making or buying surprises for people, and love to give them away! Sure, they love getting presents too, but when that topic comes up, I try and remind them that Christmas is about GIVING out of love, just as God did.

They are getting so excited about Christmas, even without Santa. We have a Christmas tree and stockings, which will have presents underneath and goodies hanging from the mantle. All of this because Mommy and Daddy love them, and want to give them something special just like God did many years ago.

There are a couple of other ways to tie Christmas today in with Scripture. The Christmas Tree - We can look at this and be reminded that our Saviour died on a tree. The Star or Angel on Top - This reminds us of the star God placed in the sky to lead the shepherds and wise men to the Baby Jesus, and the angels which appeared to the shepherds and sang “Glory to God in the Highest”.

Yes, I can smile and feel the specialness of this holiday! Why, because my Jesus is ALIVE, and this is a day that we celebrate His birth!

I’d like to just share with you a picture of WHY fulfilling my role in Christ is so important - THIS is the future generation of Christian women, and what I do/ how I live affects how this future is shaped! Not only am I responsible for myself and my actions before God, but I’m responsible for this life for 18+ years to Him too.

This is taken on her 3rd b’day last weekend, and I’m amazed at how ‘growny’ she already is! It’s hard to believe 3 years are gone, only 15+ left to train up a Godly daughter.

What does this involve? Teaching a servant like spirit (we intentionally named her where both of her names relate to being a servant of God), teaching practical skills - cooking, sewing, cleaning, and organization, teaching her feminine character, to have a quiet spirit, a nuturing spirit, modest appearance - allowing others to see God’s spirit in her innocence and purity in ALL aspects of her life.

To my daughter, I love you deeply, and have made many mistakes already. I pray that God would continue to mold and make me into what HE desires me to be - so that I might be a Godly example before you. May He draw you close to Him, and you serve Him with your WHOLE heart all of your days.

I Love You,
Mommy

As I mentioned last week, near the end of our ‘mini vacation’ last weekend, my husband and I decided to go back to our dating days and watch a movie. I must say we REALLY enjoyed it (aside from the junky previews they feel they must show….)

We’d heared people talk about Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron, but never really had the opportunity to go. Special thanks to my brother and his wife for watching our children, we finally had that chance.

I’ll tell you now, this is a very honest post - from our experiences, but I know that we aren’t alone, though I sure felt that way at one time.

Watching this movie was VERY intense for me - for it in many ways mirrored our marriage in those first few years. The emotional conflict between the husband and wife was very accurately portrayed. I felt her pain, could see how his anger hurt and scared her, and how it closed her emotionally and physically from him.

I was that wife years ago, and my husband was that person. Not saying he was at fault, because as the movie accurately portrayed things from her point of view, it did his side as well. DH didn’t help things, but I didn’t either. We both made mistakes, doing things in anger simply to spite the other.

Looking back, I can see how he WAS trying. It wasn’t the right way, but it was the only way he knew how. He, just as the husband in the movie, would grow frustrated and even angry when it seemed none of the efforts he made mattered.

There were only 4 or 5 couples total in the showing, and it was touching for me as a Christian to be able to ‘hear’ that we were in the presence of other Christians. How? You could hear the sniffles all through the movie. Even the grown man sitting a few seats down from us was sniffing and wiping tears before me one time.

Seeing as how we’re not at that place anymore, I can’t really say that it would touch a couple in that place - but after the fact, it was a real eye opener for me. Here it was clear how hard the husband was trying to love and show his love once he reached a desparate place, when she wanted a divorce and he found the Lord.

I can also say that in our marriage, I had gotten so hurt in those first few months and years, that I was at a place that I had NO desire to put forth any effort.

We were both in agreement with each other, that if it were not for our Christian belief, and the covenant we made before God, that we both would want to end it right then. THAT’S key in a marriage - to always keep Christ in it! That’s what held us together when nothing of our own wills did.

After the movie, my husband made the comment that he didn’t know how in the world non-Christian couples stayed together, they had NO reason to. Tempations are too hard, love is too hard at times, it’s just easier to ‘have peace’ - though it comes with a price.

One thing that touched me was the husband’s father being so concerned for his son and his marriage, and pleading with him to not give up, and to accept the Lord.

In our situation, I’m extra thankful for my husband and his faith in the Lord - for he had the opposite advice. He actually was told he would be supported if he left me. That one thing alone that he shared with me made him ’so much more’ in my eyes - because I saw how it angered him to hear that. I saw then how committed he was to me, even while receiving counsel to the contrary.

I was thankful for his commitment to the Lord, since that was most of what held us together - though we were in different worlds. HE was the one wanting, pleading to see a counselor - I was the one fed up and against it. I was far from being a submissive wife, but his actions and words seemed to justify things for me.

We went through several counselors - and I must say, you have to be very careful! Not everyone is Christian, and even those that say they are… well, you must be sure they are living a life pleasing to God. Just to say you’re a Christian, and be a Christian counselor, doesn’t make you right.

We were finally led to a small church close to home, where the Lord used the pastor and his wife there to finally bring me to where He wanted me. Here was a man that struggled with some of the same things in his own marriage and family, just as we were.

Here was a couple that listened to each of us separately, and together, and shared FROM SCRIPTURE what God created marriage to be - for both spouses. I wish I could remember the name of the book he shared with us, but it was a real eye opener for us.

If someone recognizes it, please leave the name in the comments - but basically the couple took a ‘pill’ that made them receive the other’s mind. So the wife now could see the temptations her husband faced, and how much he needed her love and attention. The husband could see how emotions played a part in the wife’s thinking. It was humorous to read, but full of truth.

I wish our marriage was healed as quickly as the movie - less than 2 hours (ha) - but it took time, and a lot of work and trust. We had to cut ourselves away from many things and people, focusing on the other’s needs, learning to trust one another again with our hearts.

As we sat in the restaurant afterwards, I shared with DH that I am grateful now for that rough patch in our marriage in one way - it has drawn us much closer to each other and the Lord.

I see now the hard work, love, and effort he puts into our marriage - and truly appreciate it, not just take it for granted. I see his selflessness - willing to put me first, to ask my opinion, to work together as a team.

Do we ever still hit a rough patch? You’d better believe it! But now it’s a short lived event, a rare event, and usually happens when we are so dead tired that we can’t think straight. Even the next day after our trip and the movie, I fell apart as I’d had a tremendous amount of pressure on me that day - and ’someone’ didn’t even seem to notice or care.

“Didn’t he JUST watch that same movie I did, how could he be so inconsiderate??” - were my thoughts. My reaction was quick to jump back to old times - grow cold and resentful. Yes, I still struggle with things at times.

BUT, the next day I received an e-card from him during the day, showing his appreciation for all I’d done the day before, and telling me he loved me. This followed by him coming home with a dozen roses (he DID watch the movie!). My heart was softened, not because of the roses, but because he showed he cared!

I don’t want to share too much of the movie, but there were several great pieces of advice - counseling type advice. One being that you NEVER leave your partner in a fire, another talking about how you have to treat a wife like a rose. Treat her gently and carefully, tending to her needs, and she’ll bloom. Force things upon her and she’ll dry up and crumble apart.

For anyone reading that might be living this right now, I would be more than happy to share how God turned our hearts to HIM and to one another with you - as well as praying for you, or simply listening. My email is candace @ heaveninourhomes.com (no spaces).

Marriage is a wonderful, sacred thing - a covenant we make before GOD - something not to be taken lightly. There are many things that can lead us astray from caring for this relationship - many of which we had to abandon for a time, some others permanently.

Wrong friendships, relationships (so… grateful I left the workplace, and now my husband is no longer the only male in his department), wrong time fillers (obviously this was way…. before we had children, for now we have no time to fill!)….

Some things that the world will think you’re crazy for, thinking things are harmless - but we found that’s not the case, that’s just being ignorant. Wouldn’t the enemy try and deceive us everyway possible to tear apart the special union God created? Or really any good thing we try to do for the Lord?

Things for us such as a simple football game, or so you’d think. My husband loves to watch football, but no sooner than you turn on the game, then do they flash up images of the cheerleaders with little clothing on.

This came up just last month, with ‘THE’ Alabama/ Auburn game, which is like life to some around here. He had turned it on, with our son - when I walked in and mentioned that I’d rather our son not watch that (simply because of the cheerleaders).

I guess just the time it’d been since we’d watched football, he’d forgotten what it was like. He quickly reassured me that as cold as it was, they’d be wearing clothes for this game.

No sooner had that come out of his mouth than here are the cheerleaders in their little shorts, doing a very provocative dance for the cameras. No words were needed, he turned it off. He was angry, with me I thought, but as we talked it over, he was very considerate of my feelings, and was simply angry that this world has fallen so much that he can’t even enjoy a game of football without having temptations to ’commit adultery’ thrown in his face.

Oohh… Isn’t that a bit harsh? No, in the Bible (Matthew 5), it says that adultery is when a man looks on a woman and lusts. Another reason I’m grateful for my husband, he’s open and honest with me. He doesn’t try and cover up what the Bible clearly says is sin - and try to slide by in saying he doesn’t notice.

If we could really understand how men are wired, we would know that a man can’t ‘not think’ about something he sees that is of this nature. I don’t understand or see it all, but that’s where his honesty to me has been a factor in my trust and respect for him.

To end, again, I HIGHLY recommended this for couples - each for the other to allow the Lord to speak to their hearts, to see the other’s perspective. But mostly, with one of the strongest lines in the movie - ‘how can you give something you don’t have?’. Meaning, if you don’t have the TRUE love relationship with the Lord, how can you truly love your spouse?

Blessings and my happiest wishes to those of you that have never had to go through marriage struggles, but for those who have/ or are going through them - you are NOT alone. Other’s have gone through this and survived - but mainly you’re not alone because GOD still loves you and is right there to listen and take your pain upon Himself. Go to Him first, and you’ll find peace that can’t be found anywhere else.

Thanks to Cheryl for passing along this email. I don’t always like this kind of thing, but when I stopped and thought about it - I am guilty of this very thing much too often.

This was JUST in time for me, since my daughter is turning 3 tomorrow (Friday). Since I read this early enough (and got convicted), I tried to get all of my ‘work’ out of the way today, so tomorrow I can celebrate and enjoy her special day WITH her!

Love isn’t always what we do, but the time we spend with and for others - this shows our love to them. She doesn’t see love in cleaning the house for guests at the party, especially if I get so tied up in it that I snap at my children simply being children. It’s easy to do, isn’t it?

Read, and really think about how we should show our family’s that we really love them this season…. (Emphasize below in bold/ italics is mine - mental note to self!!)

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - It profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails.  Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust.  But giving the gift of love will endure.

As you know, we are selling our home, and will be moving to our new land as soon as it sells. We will be going from our home down to a trailer - probably much smaller!

For cleaning out purposes (showing our home), and lack of space once we get the trailer (until we save up to build in a few years) - we are HAVING to sell some stuff.

I’m placing a page here with items for sale, please feel free to look and see if anything would interest you, and then send me an email for more info. The items will be posted here. Scrapbook items are limited, and I can send in time for Christmas gifts if you’d like!

Candace

I saw this at the bottom of a post entry I just read, and WOW - it’s truth really hit me.

“Oh young person, you want to wear the Christian T-shirts, and sing the Christian music, and hang around with Christian friends, but how many of you will wear out a Bible and say “I must know this, else I die?”" - Paul Washer (I don’t know who this is??)

…Dear Lord, it’s my prayer that in my life, that you would place such a deep desire in my heart to spend time, quality time in your WORD, and not just in ‘works’ - for this is how and where I’ll truly come to know, love, and serve you!

Candace

WOW - can words describe HOW wonderful it was to have 29 hours just me and the man I love! We got a late start on our weekend, and I admit, I teared up twice after my sis-in-law pulled away with our children. The youngest looked so confused and concerned about why I was telling him bye bye so much, giving lots of kisses - and why I was OUTSIDE of the van when he was inside.

But, once we arrived at our destination, I was so loving our time ‘just the two of us’. We spent the day/ night at Lake Guntersville, in north Alabama - still a couple of hours from the little ones - but not too far either.

We drove around the state park (LOVELY!!), spend a ‘little’ time out on the water and on the mountain - but with me being 22 weeks pregnant and it being in the 40’s with wind blowing - we mainly did our sightseeing from inside the car.

I was amazed at how wonderful it was to be ‘free’ from the computer (I love working on here!), being able to eat a meal peacefully, go to sleep at a decent hour (we were asleep before our kids were Saturday night we were told!).

I was a bit selfish on part of the trip - I’ve always wanted to stay at a B & B, so we did. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but since there was only one other family there - it was good. We didn’t have to share the sitting room or bathroom with anyone else. It was even nice having breakfast with everyone - although strangers - it was all adults.

We ended our mini-vacation by coming through B’ham - and watching “Fireproof” at a theater there. Amazing is all I can say. I wasn’t impressed as it started, but was in tears many times (along with the other 4 couples - as I could tell by all the sniffles).

I’d like to share more on this in the next day or two - it was awesome! After that, we dined at the Macaroni Grill. We ate there 7 years ago tonight - You see, he proposed to me on this date in 2001 - and it’s also his b’day. So every year, we return to eat there on this day - just the two of us. (We might’ve missed one year)

We arrived back home to only one child being awake - the baby - and boy was I ready for some hugs, kisses, and smiles! He talked our ears off, though we had no clue as to what he was saying most of the time - we can understand some things.

The other two woke up telling up adventures at Uncle and Aunt’s house - and as talking went on, they shared how they missed us (is it bad to say this made me feel good - to know they missed us??). Our oldest said how he “had a little fun, but not too much - because he missed his mommy and daddy, cause he only has one mommy and daddy, and he loves us”…. awww…. melted my heart!

I loved our time together, having time just to sit and enjoy each other’s company, talk, hold hands, just relax! It also helped rejuvenate me as a mom - realizing how much I DO love my children, and they love us.

Next time, it WON’T take us 4 1/2 years to do this again - and if you haven’t taken at least one night with your spouse - DO IT - It’s wonderful!!

Special thanks to Uncle S. and Aunt S. for taking such great care of your niece and nephews - it meant the world to us!

The time is finally almost here…. My hubby’s b’day is this weekend, and if you recall, I’m taking him on a surprise destination trip this weekend. This will be our first time alone for more than just a few hours in 4 1/2 years!!

I will admit, I’m starting to already worry about my little ones, especially the ‘baby’, who’s almost 16 months. I know, he’s not so much a baby anymore… BUT, his little world is going to turn upside down for a while and he’s not old enough to prepare for it. (I’d better stop, I’m making this harder on myself!!) He’ll be in good hands with my brother and sister in law watching them for us (and making a Gingerbread House!!).

I also will admit how excited I am to have one on one time with DH! We’re going to try and throw in the movie “Fireproof” while we’re out on Saturday - at least I’ve heard it’s really good for Christians and marriages. We haven’t been to the movies since we dated I don’t think - you know, the handholding or arm around the shoulder times.

The only handholding now is of little ones, and arms around the shoulder most of the time too - except when I’m beat and mentally exhausted, falling on his shoulder for help!

Before we ‘rejoin’ our children on Sunday, we’ll go out to eat in Birmingham at the Macaroni Grill. That’s where we ate 7 years ago on that date - the evening he proposed. It’s our once or twice a year eating out date that we make - since it costs so much to eat out, plus the long drive there… But it IS nice to pamper ourselves for this occassion (and his b’day).

YES - I’m THRILLED at the time we’ll have just to enjoy one another again. We’ve talked and dreamed about having more than a few hours alone, or even a bed to ourselves at night (without 1 or all 3 children joining us at least once). Do you know how excited I am about sleeping through the night?!?!

I know you’re supposed to make a date night at least once a month, but we just can’t do that. How is this possible when babysitters cost money, and food does too? I’d love any suggestions that any of you could share, because seeing how excited we are about this weekend - it’d be great to take time together more often than 4 1/2 years!

Share away - I’m sure I’m not the only one that could use a little help for making time for our husbands. I can only imagine how excited he must be to not feel like one of the children (yep, I’m guilty of that sometimes…) - wouldn’t all men?

Candace