Thirty Day Challenge- Week Two

So here we are at week two of the Honor Your Husband challenge and I'm two days late. Sorry about that. We just got back from our trip to Salt Lake City last night, so I'm behind on everything.
As for my goals from last week, to be honest I haven't been as conscious about my efforts/successes/failers this week as I would have liked to have been. I'll blame it on the chaos of planning and going on our trip, but that feels like a lame excuse. Actually, a road trip is just the formula to bring out some of the struggles I mentioned last week. But here's what I can remember:

Goal #1: Don't use sarcasm!
I feel like I did okay with this, meaning there is no specific episode of sarcasm I can remember, but I want to be more consious of it this week, so I'm keeping this goal.

Goal #2: Suggest a free time activity for him to do and provide the opportunity for him to do it.
I actually do recall a specific time I did this! This weekend, I was needing Travis to be on duty with the girls several times while I went to pre-wedding events, like the bachelorette party and girl's breakfast. Needless to say, he was feeling a bit jipped out of "vacation time". So on Monday, the day of my friend's wedding, I suggested that he go meet up with some of his paragliding or school friends for the afternoon until the wedding. He took me up on it and came back obviously refreshed. I think I'll keep this on my goals list this week too however, because I think it really feeds his spirit and makes him feel honored.

Goal #3: Say good things about him, both when others are around and in private
I remember a specific time this weekend when I told him what a good daddy he is when we were at the pool on Sunday. He had both girls in their floaty toys, swishing them through the water, fixing hats, calming fears, just being a wonderful dad. I commented alowd what a great dad he is and I could see him beeming. And you know what, I'm going to keep this goal as well, because I know it speaks love and honor to Travis and that I need to do it more, and genuinely of course.

I'll try to get my update up on Monday next week, sorry about the delay. This accountability is wonderful!
Sarah

Thirty Day Challenge

I just had to participate in this wonderful challenge, courtesy of Christine at Fruit in Season.

As easy as it is to know in my head how important it is to honor and respect Travis, it's much harder to put that knowledge into practice on a daily basis. And while I'd like to think Travis feels honored and respected most of the time, the truth is, I fall short in my efforts more often than I'd like.

What do our husbands need from us? What does honor look like? Christine gave some great answers to this question and I'll try to add a few more. The best reference I have is my own husband, so here are a few things I've learned make him feel honored and respected:

1. When I whole-heartedly support his goals for our family, specifically financially. That means, not only that I understand the value of good stewardship, but I act accordingly, staying within our budget, discussing purchases with him, telling him what I buy on a given day and entering the amount into our budget sheet right away.

2. When I talk to him without sarcasm. I mess this one up way too often! I find it so much easier to make a point using sarcasm, but it is so ugly and only creates defensiveness.

3. When I make an effort to give him down time or free time, without asking for help with the kids 24/7. Along with this, he appreciates it when I don't make him feel guilty for taking that free time.

4. When I cook a delicious meal for him, something I know he likes.

5. When I "brag" on him, both in front of him and when he's not around.

6. When I pursue quality time with him, and for him that means, doing something fun together that we both enjoy.

7. When I make the effort to have good relationships with his family, biting my tongue, thinking before I speak, and creating peace with an attitude of grace and humility.

8. When I show genuine interest in his work, hobbies, struggles, thoughts, desires, all of who he is.

I'm sure there are many more I could add to this list that are not coming to my mind at the moment, but the point is, I know what makes him feel honored and respected, now I need to go about prayerfully increasing those things in our relationship.

So, my goals for this week are:

1. Don't use sarcasm!

2. suggest a free time activity for Travis and create the opportunity for him to do it.

3. Say good things about him to others, in front of him and when he's not around.

I'll keep it at three this week for more focus. This will be great accountability when I report in next week!

Happy Anniversary My Love!

Happy Anniversary Travis!Four years ago today, our two lives became one.
The beginning of our adventure, the happiest day of my life!

Here's to decades of kisses from my best friend in the whole wide world!
Always, Your Bride

Can't wipe the grin off my face!!!

I can hardly believe it myself after four years without a car, but this mama now has some wheels of her own!!! My precious husband, for a killer anniversary gift (our anniversary is tomorrow), bought me a 2004 Honda Odyssey EX-L! It is simply beautiful. Low miles, a gorgeous pearlbrush sage color, leather interior, I'm just speechless. We had been looking for a couple weeks now and found this one yesterday for a great price. At a little after 1:30pm today, I was handed the keys to my new car, and I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face since. Thank you, thank you, thank you Travis! Words just aren't enough my love! Happy anniversary! There's no way I can match your gift, but I'll do my best to make tomorrow special for you. And THANK YOU Lord for this amazing provision! I, in no way, deserve this tremendous blessing.

Chloe is Crawling!!!

That's right, my little "Baby Moses" (that's what we call her) is CRAWLING!!! She's been scooting and crawling backwards for several weeks now, but for the very first time this morning, she figured out how to put it in first gear and is crawling forward! Here are a couple samples, mama is so proud! I think our first order of buisness this evening when Travis gets home from work will be buying a baby gate for the top of the stairs.