Dates

Just wanted to survey how many of you regularly go on dates with your husbands.

For no good reason we rarely do and I've been thinking for awhile that that needs to change.

Cheap Dates

I don't know how many of you have already read this article, but I thought it had some good ideas for inexpensive dates. We get most of our babysitting for free through a co-op, but when no one in the co-op can take a sit our dates are really costly. Once when we had a sorority girl babysit for us, the babysitting cost twice as much as what we spent on the date, which didn't seem right. With gas so expensive and the economy so bad, we've all got to cut corners where we can.

All for one, one for all... or evey man for himself?

I have been thinking a lot about chores lately, I don't know if it's because I am still on bed rest, or just the simple fact that things are not getting done around the house... The obstacle I have run into is:

Do you make sure everyone is in charge of their own stuff, i.e. the kids book bag, shoes, socks, dishes, mail, etc.... their own responsibility, or make it universal, if you see it lying there... pick it up, it doesn't matter who's it is, we are a team and with that, we all need to work together?

Or are there limits to what we should be expecting our children, and I'll say it, our husbands to do? Maybe Because I've had to do it by myself for 5 years, I might be more aware now, but come on.... Do I really have to be in charge of EVERYONE'S stuff?

Is it wrong to give our Kids and Hubby's chores, and at what age is it OK for our children? My daughter is 6 going on 7 and I expect a lot from her.... but with the new baby coming.... can I give her more, should I? And what about Hubby, does his load increase too?

~Help!~

Valentine's Day

So how do you all celebrate Valentine's Day with your hubbies? (I'm talking pre-bedtime). Do you give gifts? Go out on a date? Who is in charge of planning it? How about some ideas for us that are on a budget. I'm thinking a sweet love note would be nice.

Love Your Situation

I have been kind of bugged lately because my husband is going to the Dominican Republic to do some service (work in hospitals, dig ditches, etc., Peace Corps. type stuff) with some students with the university. The trip is in March and my 30th birthday falls within the time he will be gone. I wanted so badly to go with him. I felt like it would be awesome to do some real good out in the world on my 30th birthday. But we couldn't find anyone to watch the kids. Everyone in the family was booked. We considered paying a friend, but then decided we didn't feel good about that. So I am not going and I was feeling bad about it. I felt like some of the things I want to do with my life are just not going to happen, ever. Sometimes I feel like I have a boring life. It is good and normal, but lacks in excitement. Occasionally I wish things could be different or better. 

BUT NOT TODAY!

Today I am so grateful for my amazing, wonderful, handsome and hardworking spouse. I am so glad my kids are my kids and that they all have the same dad. I am grateful that I get along with my in-laws. I am grateful that my husband feels like our money is ours and not his. I am grateful that we make major decisions together. I am grateful that there is love in our home, that our kids feel safe and don't doubt that their parents are going to stay together. 

Last Sunday we ended up sitting near the front on the chapel because we were a few minutes late. I noticed a new family sitting on the other end of the pew. I am going to call them the the B family. Sister B (who looks about my age) got up and bore her testimony. She was wearing a really stylish outfit, had a cute haircut and a cute (TALL) figure. She sat back down by Brother B and their son Little B. We introduced ourselves to the B family and I offered to show her around town a little bit. We exchanged phone numbers. 

Sunday night all my kids were sick. I was sick. We spent a feverish Monday in my bed napping and watching cartoons with breaks for eating popsicles or barfing. Tuesday my oldest went to school but my middle and littlest were still crabby, feverish and barfy. I was crabby and achy. I really didn't feel up to taking Sister B around this week. I was still sick. Wednesday comes along and my littlest is still pretty sick. But I kept having this feeling that I should take Sister B around. So I pick her up and we go to the Farmer's Market. We walked around and bought our stuff and I decide I am going to take her home, but then this thought pops into my head (take her to the library). While sitting in the library parking lot she starts to tell me her whole depressing life story and we end up back at my house so I can make cookies for the Cub Scout Pack Meeting tonight while she vents.

She ends up telling me how Brother B is having a midlife crisis and wants to buy himself all kinds of unnecessary things that they can't afford (sports car, designer suits, etc.,). Brother B has also been having an affair for a year. Little B has been raised by Brother B, but is not his birth father (he was 10 months old when they met) and now Brother B is acting like he could care less if he has Little B or Sister B in his life at all. He travels a lot and Sister B never knows whether it is truly for work or if he is seeing the other woman. They have separate bank accounts and the Bs each pay for their own stuff. Brother B told Sister B that he likes to flirt because it makes him feel attractive. Sister B doesn't know if her marriage will work out and doesn't know if it is worth saving. I feel so terrible for her. I can't imagine being in a situation that feels so hopeless and out of control.  

Ladies, BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE! Love your life. Realize that what you have is precious. People envy your happy marriages, beautiful children and most of all stability. 

My older sister's marriage didn't work out and she is now back in school so she can get a job and support herself. We were talking on the phone the other night and she was telling me how she still goes to concerts and on spur of the moment trips, etc., and I said something like, "what would that be like?" She said, "I can't believe you just said that when you are living the Mormon dream." She went on and basically counted my blessings for me and they were numerous. 

So read your kids that extra book tonight and later make out with your husband. Your life is good. Live it and love it.