Valentine's Week Series: 10 Ways to Love Your Woman

Guys, this one is for you. Your wife is hard to understand? You have trouble knowing what she wants? We're going to spell it out for you . . . enjoy!

1. Give her details about the day that you proposed to her. Don't leave anything out . . . if you remember what you ate for lunch that day, tell her. How did the ring feel inside your pocket? Were you afraid you would lose or drop it? If you don't remember, do the best you can.
2. Play with her hair.
3. Plan a date night down to every detail, including care for the kids.
4. Stand with her while she prepares dinner. Talk to her, catch up with the events of the day, and just be with her (but run interference with the kids). Let her prepare a meal with your company but without interruption.
5. Flirt with her during the day; send a text, e-mail her, or call her.  She needs to know that she is wanted.
6. Bring--don't send--flowers. Go to a florist and select a bouquet specifically for her taste, and then deliver them yourself.
7. Chances are, your wife has a best friend. If you've never done so, take some time to learn about her bestie and why she's important to your wife. Ask questions and remember the answers and stories she is bound to share!
8. Make sure she's the only woman who gets your attention; she needs to have the starring role in all of your thoughts, fantasies, and desires.  Be intentional about focusing only on her.
9. Go out of your way to make her laugh (and be sure your kids get to witness those moments).
10. "Slow roast your woman!" as Mark Gungor puts it. Give her some time; rub her feet, massage her back, and cuddle on the couch . . . without an "expectation" (it will blow her mind).  Just dote on her and spoil her rotten for a day or two, and the lovefest that you really want will come. It's a win-win!

--Stacey and Andrea

In addition to parenting information, did you know that Happily Parenting also offers workshops and series on enriching your marriage? Are you interested in hosting one at your church or small group? We promise solid, Biblical teaching with a LOT of laughs! Contact Andrea at afuller@happilyparenting.com.

Valentine's Week Series: 10 Ways to Love Your Man

Continuing our series on ways to better love our loved ones, today's focus is on the men. Now, I know that we talk a lot about beauty products and recipes and laundry secrets on this blog, but we must mention that Happily Parenting has a huge male fan base . . . probably because we have a tendency to urge women to spoil their men, not their children!

So as Valentine's Day draws closer, girls, try a few of these (and add your own)!

1. Eat something manly with him. For some reason, a lot of men get a big kick out of watching a woman eat a messy cheeseburger.
2. Make his breakfast and/or lunch before work. This is huge in our house . . . and don't forget the love note!
3. Flirt with him during the day via text, cards, or email.  Let him know you're thinking of him, love him, and want him. Our big strong men need to know that they're wanted, too!
4. Sit next to him rather than across from him in a restaurant booth.  My hubby and I are often guilty of rolling our eyes at couples who do this, but every now and again we go for cheesy!
5. Ask about his day, and then really listen and ask questions. It's not always about you. Remember that the male species is the same no matter what age, so be specific when you ask about his day. This isn't a slam against our beloved . . . just truth.
6. Be bold . . . yeah, you know what we're talking about. Spontaneously get into the shower with him, or as he walks by, pull him into the hallway and give him an I-mean-business kiss. Husbands and wives only, y'all . . . husbands and wives.
7.  Thank him for the things he does at home. Point out specific repairs he's done, building projects he's completed, or even items he's purchased that have made your life easier.
8.  Don't criticize him in front of anyone--especially your children.  Rejection and negativity are detrimental to even the manliest of men.  Support them in public and at home, and provide constructive criticism in private and with a lot of love.
9. Give him an equally loving send-off every morning and greeting every afternoon. Pucker up.
10. Share in his interests.  Even when it is the last thing on earth you want to do, chances are it means everything to him!

Sending you lots of love this week,

--Stacey and Andrea

Valentine's Week Series: 10 Ways to Love Your Child's Teacher

For all they do for our children and ultimately for our families, let's show 'em some love, people!

1. Find out her favorite coffee drink or breakfast treat and randomly surprise her with it.  Nothing shows some love like an unexpected warm cheese danish from Starbucks . . . mmmmm.       
2. Take her a bottle of 500 mg chewable vitamin C tablets and some hand sanitizer along with a Walgreen's gift card. You know--Plan A and Plan B during flu season.                   
3. Say nice things about her in front of your children. Not feigned flattery, but genuine complimentary acknowledgements. Children always know when you're being real; so do teachers.
4. Send her a pack of smiley stickers . . . because . . . stickers!
5. A handwritten card or note to just say thank you or to recant a specific impression she made on your child always warms the heart. (We are total suckers for old-fashioned cards and notes.)
6. Support her in front of your child, period. You will instantly become the most favored parent in all the land; teachers from far and wide will speak of you and call you by name as you pass through the hallowed halls.
7. On special occasions, give her a gift that she'll appreciate as a woman, not as a teacher. In other words, she'd probably rather have a gift card to a fun store instead of yet another coffee mug with an apple on it.
8. Crack a joke every now and again. Remember that she does have a life outside of school (and we teachers aren't always so starched.) Teachers are some of the wittiest folk around! Get 'em to open up. You won't be disappointed! 
9. Ask her how you can pray for her this week. A teacher is always "on" for your little one, and often the burdens are great, but they smile right on through. Genuinely pray for her.
10. Let her teach. She's a professional, and she definitely didn't go into the classroom for the money. Rest assured that she knows what she's doing. If she needs you (or your advice on how to run her classroom, teach the material, interpret curriculum, or handle the "other kids"), she'll call you.

***We love our male teachers, too! Insert "him" as needed!  No hate mail, please.

--Stacey and Andrea

Valentine's Week Series: 10 Ways to Love Your Pastor

Our pastors. Oh, how we lean on them. We call them in the middle of the night to rush to the hospital with us. We e-mail them our prayer requests. We sic them on our unsaved loved ones. We go to them with head-scratching moral dilemmas.

If yours is anything like ours, he responds to all of these requests with a smile on his face and a response something to the effect of, "YES, and what else can I do?"

We can LOVE them. That's what we can do!

During this season of love, we're listing ways that we can love on our people, and our pastor is at the very top of our list. Here's hoping that you'll use these tips, add to this list, and then go bless your pastor.

1. Make him laugh. When his phone rings, he's probably getting a complaint or a request to visit someone in the hospital. Take a few minutes to tell him something hilarious that your child did or e-mail him a funny story. 
2. Pray for his wife . . . you'll probably never fully understand her stress and personal burdens. Pray that she'll have moments of pure joy even today.
3. Even if you aren't a note-taker, take notes from his sermon and then make him a copy of them. He will love a real-life example of what you took from his message and how his teaching is personal to you. (PS--If your pastor is a book lover like ours and if he recommends a book, read it and tell him what you loved about it.)
4. Make him a cake or some kind of special dessert one week before his birthday; that way you don't interfere with his private family time, but you let him know that you remember his special day. While you're at it, find out what his favorite snack is (ours loves black licorice) and bring it to him on random Sundays.
5. Tell him thank you! A note, a call, a text, or an e-mail just to say thank you means more than you know to those shepherding their flocks 24/7.
6. Find out when his study time is; then sneak in, put his favorite coffee or tea on his desk, and get out.
7. Ask him what he would be if he weren't a pastor. This question would be a great way to get to know him better and to realize that he has other hopes and dreams.
8. Buy him a gift card to a car wash--or, better yet, ask several families to chip in and have his house professionally cleaned.
9. Don't bother him with anything on Saturdays and Sundays that can't wait until later in the week. Most pastors' wives will tell you that these two days are mentally and emotionally intense for your pastor
10. Ask him to give you three of his prayer requests--and pray fervently for them daily!

 --Stacey and Andrea

A Real Barn Burner

Don't get me wrong: I hate seeing retailers stocking the shelves for Christmas before I've even enjoyed my 4th of July BBQ.

The speed at which holidays seem to blaze through gets faster and faster every year . . . but . . . Valentine's Day . . . it is MY FAVORITE!

We just celebrated Christmas, but for whatever reason, I am all over Valentine's 2016! It started yesterday as I was perusing a catalog that was very reminiscent of Current (is that still around?) Anywho, it seemed that every page had something to offer in the way of X's and O's, not to mention Easter and St. Patrick's Day. Those three always seem to be a bundled package. It got me thinking about my mom, which I do every day since her passing ten years ago, but more so than usual as I thumbed those pages. You see, my mom was that mom who decorated for every single holiday (including the lawn on my parents' anniversary). I'm pretty sure she coined the phrase "craft room," well before HGTV started cashing in . . . heck, before they were even a household name! Such was the place so much was housed and created, but I digress . . . .

I have fond memories of little wooden figurines and perpetual holiday decor all year long. These are the kinds of memories that wrap you up like a warm blanket. My mom was awesome. Our home was always a home. For whatever reason, I never did this beyond fall decor and Christmas decorations in my own home--until today.

Just last week, I was still plugging in my Christmas tree every night and enjoying the glow. Re-enter the Current-like magazine. Most of our Christmas decorations are red and white, sooooo, with a little adjusting (and 10 to 12 business days for delivery on certain items), I decided to embrace Mom's enthusiasm and holiday homemaker sense of style (minus the 80's touch) and turn our home into a love shack--complete with heart-themed tree!


The surge of desire for such a plan is really twofold: the first, obviously came from my mom, and the second came from an old tradition in my family surrounding Valentine's Day. You see, we celebrate pretty big: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. The story goes (round and round the table every year) that when my father and his siblings were children, they put all of their just-received Christmas gifts (which weren't many but did include a go cart for the four of them to share) in "the barn." It is still a matter of debate as to whom, but someone burned down the barn, gifts and all! Fast forward through the "way they each remember it" to my grandmother. Not having money to replace any of their gifts at the time, she managed to save enough money to get them each a little something special by the middle of February, and so began the first Valentine's Day Breakfast Celebration. She carefully wrapped these small tokens and placed them at their seats during the special "breakfast for supper." It wasn't about recreating Christmas, but bringing a bit of joy to her children during the winter months following this childhood heartbreak.

Every year since then, for nearly 50 years, our family has continued this celebratory event. To our family, the celebration is all about our love for one another--because we all know that so much more could have been lost in that fire. As an extended group, we share breakfast for dinner on the closest Saturday. We even exchange small gifts! Last year, I was so stoked to find ceramic BARNS--and just enough for each aunt, uncle, and my dad! LOL! I couldn't help myself! Each individual family has clung so tightly to the tradition that we each have a special breakfast ON the14th--no matter the day--which means some very early school mornings some years! But nevertheless, it is complete with fun plates (mine are passed down from my mom - shell shaped china plates that we only used for that day), fun cheapy decorations, and of course little gifts for everyone from mom.

Now don't get me wrong: I certainly don't advocate the ridiculousness at which so many have become accustomed the celebrating non-events and gifts for simply breathing. This is a long-standing family tradition, one that started well before every person became a trophy-holding "winner."

I love this holiday for so many reasons. I love the doilies, the HOMEMADE cards, recollections of

Valentine boxes created by my kindergartners from years gone by, and being extra girlie dressed in pink. But nothing compares to the love shared and passed down by these two mothers. These images are forever ingrained and, as a mother, I pray my children, too, will cherish the value of tradition born from a mother's love for her family; the gift of warmth wrapped in sweet memories that they can hold long after I'm gone.

PS - My hubby is totally loving the festive atmosphere. He got a little giddy as I was decorating and asked, "So does this mean 12 days of Valentine's gifts?!?!" (See our November 17th blog.)


No, my love . . . don't get crazy.


XOXO!

--Stacey