Thoughts on Husbands

Everyone talks about how women need compliments about their appearance so their confidence, self esteem, whatever, is boosted.  I personally love it when my husband says something nice about me.  But do you ever, as a wife, say nice things about your husband's body to him?  I'm not talking sexual things...I'm talking compliments. 

The other day, my husband and I were getting ready for bed, and he was trying to see his back muscles in the mirror.  He said, "Back muscles are kind of annoying.  You can't look at them and enjoy what they look like."  I replied, "Well I certainly enjoy them.  You look great."  The look on his face was just so eye opening for me.  He looked so pleased and happy that I would say that.  He was like, "Really?  Ok, well that's good, I suppose,"  and smiled wide.

We as wives need to be encouraging our husbands by telling them things like this.  We aren't the only ones who appreciate a compliment on our bodies.  They need to know that we love and admire their bodies, just like they do to ours.  It encourages them, and makes them feel good. 

Especially if your husband is into working out and fitness.  He needs to hear that he is making progress, or that you appreciate what he's doing.  Even if you already thing he looks amazing, he may be insecure. 

Now for a little husband bragging on my part...

I never noticed my husband had gotten quite large after our wedding.  He decided he wanted to try a Tough Mudder obstacle course in 2014.  I thought he was crazy, but he was determined.  He started working out to prepare, and he lost about 33lbs.  Looking at old pictures one day, I was astounded that he was so big at one time!  I had never noticed, and I thought he was always my Hot Guy.  In all, he has lost 55lbs. and even so, he steps on the scale and sighs because he isn't losing the weight he wants to.  I always tell him to stop obsessing...he looks great, and it will come off with all of the hard work he puts into his fitness. I love my man, and appreciate all he does! 

What I'm Thankful For This Year

It's Thanksgiving!  The day of the year where we gather with family and friends and thank God for all of the blessings He has given us in the past year.  So, here are the things I'm thankful for this year.

1.  My God

2.  My Faith

3.  My Husband (Bram)

4.  My Children (& our dog, Dixon)

5.  My Family

6.  My Friends

7.  My Job (wife & mother)

8.  My Hobby (crochet)

9.  My Health (even though it's been rough)

10.  My Blog Readers

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!  

Christmas in November!!

I am SO excited!!  My dear, darling husband has given me my Christmas present early this year!!!  We are going to see the Seattle Seahawks play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in December!!!!!!!!!!!  AGH!!!  I am SO, SO, SO excited! I'm already planning a trip to the local mall to get a jersey and a hat (it will be COLD here in December...), and a blanket at Fanzz.  I might crochet myself a hat, and a scarf or cowl to keep myself warm.

I am kind of a CRAZY football fanatic.  You should see me at home when I'm watching a game.  My husband laughs at me all the time.  I jump, I scream, I dance,...yeah.  The NFC Championship game in the 2014 season against the Packers that went into overtime...CRAZY!! (NFC Championship game SEA vs GB) The Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings last season where the Vikings kicker MISSED THE GOAL POST that was about 22 feet away...INSANE!!!!  (Wild Card game SEA vs. MIN 2015)

Anyway...yeah.  So this is a glimpse inside my crazy football fanatic self.  (I will post pictures and do a post after the game!!!!) 

Ahem!  Ok...back to school and housework and THM!

Major Happenings!!

Wow!  So many things have been going on over here!!

1.  The most important news is that

WE ARE EXPECTING #7!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

WHAT???  Yes, you read that right.  I am pregnant once again.  It was a complete shock, only discovered when I took a pregnancy test in preparation for a midwife visit for ovarian pain.  We are thrilled, albeit somewhat nervous. 

2.  We are getting ready to start our second year of homeschool! 

Which means lots of planning, making lists, and making sure we have everything we need from our curriculum. I still have to get K's kindergarten workbooks, but other than that and a few other necessities, we are mostly set! 

3.  My 8-month-old is crawling!

That means she is getting into lots of trouble!  Having 5 older siblings also helps with that, unfortunately.  But it is so much fun to watch her explore and discover new things.  Her favorite thing to do now is eat yogurt snacks. 

4.  My husband and I are getting ready to celebrate 8 years of marriage!

I can't believe it's been 8 years since I vowed to love, honor, and obey this amazing man.  I pray God gives me 80 more years with my beloved.  

What fun/important things are happening in your life?  Please share below! 

My Top 10 Books for Wives and Mothers

I'm sharing with you all my top 10 mommy/wifey books I absolutely LOVE and recommend!  I have a TON of these books, and each one is unique in it's own way, opening my eyes further to the truths of motherhood/wife-hood like never before.  So, here they are:

1.  Desperate:  Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe ~ Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson

 I needed this book so much after my 4th baby was born!  It is so beautiful, so true, and so uplifting.  (There is an accompanying DVD as well.)  It's a refreshing read when you're just feeling so overwhelmed with motherhood.

2.  Having a Martha Home the Mary Way ~ Sarah Mae

 Oh, Sarah Mae!  She gets me.  She speaks to my heart.  This book is fabulous!  I love that at the end of every chapter there is a Martha challenge, and a Mary challenge.  It speaks to the spiritual and homemaking aspect of our lives. 

3. The Excellent Wife ~ Martha Peace

 This was the very first wifey book I ever read.  I read it cover to cover every single year.  It has such wisdom in it!  My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, friend and SIL's mother did a Bible Study on this book many years ago (when I was pregnant with my second!)

4.  Idol Lies ~ Dee Brestin

I had the priviledge of hearing Dee speak at a women's conference this past April.  She has such heart for women and ministering to them!  Sometimes we can have idols in our hearts we aren't even aware of, and this book brings them to light. (This isn't exactly a mommy/wifey book, but a Christian womanhood book.)  

5.  Mission of Motherhood ~ Sally Clarkson

God has blessed Sally with the ability to speak His truth about motherhood so eloquently!  I  hung upon every word in this book.  It really opened my eyes to what my goal as a mother should be.

6.  Ministry of Motherhood ~ Sally Clarkson

How do we minister to our children?  Pick up this wonderful book and read the truths spoken within it's pages.  Sally becomes your mentor, your spiritual mother while you read.

7.  Longing for Paris ~ Sarah Mae

This was the book that woke me up.  It resonated deep within my soul.  Sarah's words are so raw, so real.  It's ok to dream, but we must never let those dreams steal our joy and contentment with the life God has blessed us with in the here and now.

8.  Own Your Life ~ Sally Clarkson

I am owning my life, owning my faith thanks to this beautiful book!  It has stirred my soul and created a yearning for God's Word in my heart! 

9.  The Life-Giving Home ~ Sally Clarkson & Sarah Clarkson

This book has made me rethink the workings of my home, and how I run it.  I'm still learning, but I know now that I want my home to be a life-giving home that helps my husband and children thrive.

10.  The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex ~ Sheila Wray Gregoire

Now, you may be a tad shocked at this last book, but I'm telling you...it's a fabulous one! I came into my marriage timid, shy, and pretty much completely uneducated in the sexual realm of married life.  I thought sex was scary, rather nasty, and something naughty.  I was NOT sexy for my hubby AT ALL.  Reading this book opened my eyes to the beauty of marital intimacy.  It is good, it is blessed of God!  Just think:  Your husband is the ONLY man you will EVER have sex with the rest of your life...makes sure it's the greatest fun you'll ever have.

*You can find all of these amazing women on their websites here:  Sarah Mae, Sally Clarkson, Dee Brestin, Sheila Wray Gregoire, Martha Peace.