I don't remember who told me this... Maybe I read it in a book or heard somebody speak about it at a conference or in a bible study or something but it has stuck with me ever since my children were born.
The advice was this...
"One of the best gifts you can give your children is to outwardly, genuinely, intentionally, and passionately love their Papa."
It sounds simple enough but I will be the first to admit that when kids came into the mix the temptation to put my kiddos first has crept in. It's not that I don't love loving on Joey, but the practicality of the day to day tasks that my kids require of me sometimes consume me. (You know, they need to be fed and then cleaned up after, fights need to be broken up, conversations need to be had; teaching, rebuking, instructing are constant. By the end of the day I am tired!) And if I am not mindful or intentional about doing special things for Joey then he, unfortunately, gets put on the back burner. I am so grateful that that little piece of advice is stuck somewhere in the back of my head...
I try to think of little things here and there but it's not always an easy task with three small children. But I am determined to put forth the effort as often as my mom brain and body will allow me to do so.
Our roommates are out of town this week, so on Monday while I was grocery shopping I decided that I was going to rearrange the normal things we buy and pick out something extra special to make for my Joey, but still stay within our budget. I found some tri tip on sale at Trader Joes and picked up some asparagas and spinach salad on sale at sprouts.
I don't have much time to cook extravagant meals with our MSC around so I woke up early on Wednesday and put the tri tip in a slow cooker on low and let it cook all day. That evening I fed the kids PB and J before Joey got home. I cleaned up after them and got them settled into movie. Then I sauteed the asparags in some olive oil, black pepper and garlic for a few minutes. I tossed together some gorgonzolla, dried cranberries and candied pecans with the fresh spinach that I had bought with this fabulous raspberry vinergarette that trader Joes sells.
I put two plates together and set them on the table. I put a glade candle in the middle (for ambiance of course. ) And then I poured a beer in a wine glass for Joey and some sparkling apple cider in a wine glass for me (just to spice things up a little. :)
When Joey walked in the door, he was super stoked. The meat was absolutely fabulous, it melted in our mouths.
After about three minutes of adult conversation, the kids came waltzing in and wanted to sit with us. So we pulled them up into our laps and the whole thing turned into a family affair. We might not be able to have quiet romantic dinners around here but we can at least pretend every once in awhile.
I really do love you babe and I hope that more and more the Lord will give me ideas and ways to show you that I really do love that you are my husband! :)
The advice was this...
"One of the best gifts you can give your children is to outwardly, genuinely, intentionally, and passionately love their Papa."
It sounds simple enough but I will be the first to admit that when kids came into the mix the temptation to put my kiddos first has crept in. It's not that I don't love loving on Joey, but the practicality of the day to day tasks that my kids require of me sometimes consume me. (You know, they need to be fed and then cleaned up after, fights need to be broken up, conversations need to be had; teaching, rebuking, instructing are constant. By the end of the day I am tired!) And if I am not mindful or intentional about doing special things for Joey then he, unfortunately, gets put on the back burner. I am so grateful that that little piece of advice is stuck somewhere in the back of my head...
I try to think of little things here and there but it's not always an easy task with three small children. But I am determined to put forth the effort as often as my mom brain and body will allow me to do so.
Our roommates are out of town this week, so on Monday while I was grocery shopping I decided that I was going to rearrange the normal things we buy and pick out something extra special to make for my Joey, but still stay within our budget. I found some tri tip on sale at Trader Joes and picked up some asparagas and spinach salad on sale at sprouts.
I don't have much time to cook extravagant meals with our MSC around so I woke up early on Wednesday and put the tri tip in a slow cooker on low and let it cook all day. That evening I fed the kids PB and J before Joey got home. I cleaned up after them and got them settled into movie. Then I sauteed the asparags in some olive oil, black pepper and garlic for a few minutes. I tossed together some gorgonzolla, dried cranberries and candied pecans with the fresh spinach that I had bought with this fabulous raspberry vinergarette that trader Joes sells.
I put two plates together and set them on the table. I put a glade candle in the middle (for ambiance of course. ) And then I poured a beer in a wine glass for Joey and some sparkling apple cider in a wine glass for me (just to spice things up a little. :)
When Joey walked in the door, he was super stoked. The meat was absolutely fabulous, it melted in our mouths.
After about three minutes of adult conversation, the kids came waltzing in and wanted to sit with us. So we pulled them up into our laps and the whole thing turned into a family affair. We might not be able to have quiet romantic dinners around here but we can at least pretend every once in awhile.
I really do love you babe and I hope that more and more the Lord will give me ideas and ways to show you that I really do love that you are my husband! :)
