Valentines Challenge

I'm late with this post, but it's okay because Derreck is at work this week, so I can't really surprise him with anything until he gets home. So next week I will be doubling up! Since I haven't done the surprises yet, I'm not going to list what I have in mind, just in case he reads! But this is the challenge for this week!

This week's challenge is: be a little more creative with your praise. Surprise your husband with these 10 fun ways to praise your husband:




1. A love message on the mirror!

2. A love message packed in his lunch


3. Use sidewalk chalk and write a love message on the driveway.

4. Write a list of ten things you admire about him and then read them out loud to him.


5. Make a toast to him at dinner with friends. Or raise your glass at dinner and list the things you admire about your husband for your children to hear!


6. Buy or make your husband a trophy and engrave it with the words "The Best Husband in the World." (I found a cheap trophy at a party supplies store - the kids loved presenting it to daddy)


7. Write a poem - even if you can't write - it can be goofy. Include in it references to your favorite movies, restaurants, places to go and memories. He will enjoy the trip down memory lane and the laugh!

8- Blow up balloons and put a loving message in each one. Fill your bedroom with balloons as a surprise.


9- Take a roll of receipt tape and write a long message with the things you admire and respect about your husband - then roll it up and put it in a bottle for your husband to open and read. (I made many of these for my husband in college when we were dating long distance. I mailed them in packages.)


10. Get creative with your selflessness!


"When you touch your husband's deepest need something good almost always happens!"~ Dr. Emerson Eggerich

So I challenge you today to not just show your husband you love him but show him that you LIKE him!

My First Blog Award!

Yesterday Blog Love awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award! With this honor I have to:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.


2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

I really don't think my blog is as stylish as most, but I am really excited to know that someone thinks my blog is interesting enough to give me an award!! I like the blogs that I can learn things from and more importantly they need to be Biblical principals! Anything that helps me get closer to becoming the Proverbs 31 Woman is what I want to learn!

The blogs listed below are my favorites and are good  sources of Biblical truths!

1. Women Living Well
2. With Gratitude
3. The Sexton 3
4. Reach in, Reach out, Reach up
5. Blessings by Blog
6. Our Journey of Love
7. A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
8. Bring The Rain
9. Kelly's Korner
10. Genesis' Blog!
11. Christian Frugal Mama
12. Don't Waste Your Homemaking
13. Walk With Me By Faith
14. Jenna's Journey
15. Chapters

I love to learn new things (especially if it has to do with God!) and I love to read! So when I find a blog that does all of this, I get really excited! Keep up the good work ladies, but most importantly...

Write about how God is moving in your lives!

25 Days Until Valentines!

Courtney over at Women Living Well has been busy again! She has came up with a Valentine Challenge. I am really excited abut this challenge, because sometimes I forget to put Derreck before everyone else and he gets pushed further and further back. So with this challenge I can focus on putting Him back in second place where he belongs! (Second, because God is always first!)

Week 1 starts TODAY! Look for ways to praise your husband verbally. Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it - get praise out anyway you can! Try to mention something noteworthy he has done - in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend. If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you, then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does. Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine's Day arrives!

We don't really celebrate Valentines Day like everyone else does, with all of the cards, chocolate, and flowers. Since we got married on Valentine's we honor our Anniversary. So it is a very special day to us, even if we don't go all out for the heartsy things.

This year we will be married for 9 years!!! It's crazy how fast time is going by.

For the past 9 years Derreck hasn't always walked a Godly walk. I thank God everyday, that he does now though! I thank God that Derreck is a man that lives his life according to the Bible at home, church, work, and in town. Derreck is a great man of Faith, and I know the only way he gets that faith is by listening to the Holy Spirit. Without Derreck being the Spiritual leader of our house, we couldn't have the marriage that we have today!!!

So today I want to thank my husband for taking God serious and being the leader he should be. I tink this is what I love the most about you Derreck!

I'm Still Alive!

Derreck noticed last night that I haven't posted anything in awhile. So I thought I would post something tonight and let everyone know that I am still alive.

We have had the kids for 3 weeks and 2 days. Some days are better than others, some days are worse than others! For the most part though, it could be A LOT worse!!!

The main thing that I am struggling with right now is keeping calm even when I have to repeat myself 10 times, to get them to do a simple task. After about the 3rd time I say something, I tend to start raising my voice. I know that when I do that, it's just going to make matters worse, but the human in me just keeps doing it. I don't want to be known as the foster mom that yelled all the time! So if anyone has any tips on how to get children to listen the first time, I would love to hear them!!! (Seriously)

Since they have started school it seems like it takes forever to get all of their homework, chores, and baths done. By the time they get those few things done, it's bed time. So they don't get hardly any play time. Which makes me feel like a slave driver! I did read a blog the other day that said something about "wanting to teach her kids all kinds of things, and that kids will be kids, they are going to find time to play in between the things you teach them." This made me feel a little better, but then I keep thinking back to my childhood, and all I can remember is the HOURS we spent outside. So I am on the fence about this. I know school work is VERY important and has to be done, otherwise their grades will reflect the lack of work. But my goodness, does it have to take so long!! I don't want them to get behind on their work, I want them to make good grades, and do well in everything, and learn as much as they can, but I am finding it hard to keep their focus long enough for them to do what is required. (Any suggestions, would be greatly appreciated!!)

All of this is wrote, not to complain at all. This is how our life is right now, and I would be a liar if I got on here and wrote that they are perfect little angels, and we have time to get everything done, and we get to play every night before bed time! This is very different from what I am use too. (VERY) However, I honestly don't think I would change things. Our house isn't quite anymore. It's not as clean either! But, we have kids in it now! And that is something we have prayed for for almost 9 years! So with every obstacle that I am face with I am praising God, but I am also asking for guidance from HIM!

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1

Happy Birthday to a Great Man

Happy Birthday to a Great Man

"If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."

Titus 1:6-9

These verses out of the Bible describe my husband. I am proud to call Derreck my husband. I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to put us together. He strives to walk justly, according to God's Word.

Derreck, I love you and I just want to thank you for being a good husband and a good father. Thank you for protecting, directing, loving, and caring for me and the kids. I know things are always perfect for us, but I also know that we have a good marriage, one that is striving to honor God. You are so good with the kids, even when I can't keep it together. Thank you for being a Godly man that leads his family on what the Bible says and not societies view point. 

Happy Birthday Mister!

P.S. Since your not home for me to make you a cake, here is a virtual cake.  Just picture it saying:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE DERRECK

I LOVE YOU!!!!