Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: In Sickness & In Health

One thing that I can say about my husband is that he loves me in sickness and in health.  That was one part of our wedding vows that I knew he truly meant and would uphold without him evening having to say it.  He’s nursed me through the flu twice, food poisoning, morning sickness and a slew of common colds.  He’s even gotten sick a few times because he was nursing me back to health.
And when he found out that breast cancer runs pretty common in my family, I will have you all know that every so often he checks in to make sure that I am doing my daily breast exams.  Not only that but he also went so far as to get cancer insurance with his job.  “Better safe than sorry,” he said.  Now, to me that’s real love.
I just want to say that if you aren’t encouraging your spouse to take measures to prevent breast cancer then you should start today.  Don’t wait for a doctor to stumble across it or for them to get sick.
Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: I Promise Constitution

A few months back my mom got me a marriage book called I Promise You Forver by Dr. Gary Smalley.  It’s an amazing book and I recommend that every couple pick it up and read it.  Anyways, the first page of the book is the I Promise Constitution and I thought that I would share it with you all for Romance Wednesday.  Hopefully, this constitution will inspire you to change a few things about how you participate in your marriage.
I Promise Constitution
PREAMBLE: When we wed I committed to love and cherish you all the days of my life, and I affirm that commitment today.  I love you dearly, more than life itself.  I honor you and place you above all other people in my life.  My goal is to create in our marriage a place of safety and security in which you and I can share everything without fear and grow together in deeper love and intimacy.  To confirm my commitment to this goal, I willingly make these five solemn promises to you.
I PROMISE to conform my beliefs to God’s truth.  I will gain control of my outlook, emotions, and happiness by continually examining my deepest beliefs and striving to make them consisent  with  what God’s Word says.  I take sole responsibility for my beliefs with the understanding that they, not you, determine my emotions, expectations, and actions.  Thus I lift from you the burden of being responsible for me.
I PROMISE to be filled by God.  I will keep God in my heart as my source of joy and love.  My love for you will be His love flowing through me.  And I will receive your love as overflow from Him.  I will base the security of our marriage on making Christ my boss.  I will strive to conform to His image and follow all His commands, especially the one to love you and care for you all the days of my life.
I PROMISE to find God’s best in every trial.  I give you the security of knowing that the negative things that happen in our marriage will not destroy my love for you.  I will not expect perfection from you, but will use even the irritations between us as opportunities to see my blind spots and foster my personal growth.  I will call on the power of Christ to root out my weaknesses.
I PROMISE to listen and communicate with love.  I will value every word you speak as a window to your heart.  I will honor your opinions, feelings, needs and beliefs so that you will feel free to speak honestly and openly will full security in my love for you.  I will be open with you in communicating my heart and will consider your feelings and needs in all my words.
I PROMISE to serve you all the days of my life.  I will fight all tendencies toward selfishness in me and focus on keeping you, your needs, and your goals before me at all times.  I will serve you willingly and wholeheartedly, just as Christ served His disciples not only in small, humble ways but also by giving His life for them and for us as well.
PS: Don’t forget to check out Plum District.
Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: Couponing

You know how they say that a family who prays together stays together?  Well, one of my new mottos is that a  couple who coupons together saves forever.  There are so many different things that I love about husband and one of those things is that he’s always been supportive of my couponing and helping us to save money.  And as of late he’s been taking an interest to learning how to coupon as well so that he can do some of the shopping.  
There are times when I don’t feel like going grocery shopping.  So, it helps to have a husband who will pick up that slack and do it for me.  You don’t have to try to be like those extreme couponers but if you use a certain brand and there’s coupon in the Sunday paper for it why not save money on that item.  Over time that money adds up.  You could use that to take a second honeymoon or even plan a vow renewal ceremony.
Whatever the case is, just know that money issues are the number one cause for marital issues.  And if you’re both on board with saving money then you’re minimizing your chances on arguing over money.
Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: Couponing

You know how they say that a family who prays together stays together?  Well, one of my new mottos is that a  couple who coupons together saves forever.  There are so many different things that I love about husband and one of those things is that he’s always been supportive of my couponing and helping us to save money.  And as of late he’s been taking an interest to learning how to coupon as well so that he can do some of the shopping.  
There are times when I don’t feel like going grocery shopping.  So, it helps to have a husband who will pick up that slack and do it for me.  You don’t have to try to be like those extreme couponers but if you use a certain brand and there’s coupon in the Sunday paper for it why not save money on that item.  Over time that money adds up.  You could use that to take a second honeymoon or even plan a vow renewal ceremony.
Whatever the case is, just know that money issues are the number one cause for marital issues.  And if you’re both on board with saving money then you’re minimizing your chances on arguing over money.
Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: In Sickness & In Health

One thing that I can say about my husband is that he loves me in sickness and in health.  That was one part of our wedding vows that I knew he truly meant and would uphold without him evening having to say it.  He’s nursed me through the flu twice, food poisoning, morning sickness and a slew of common colds.  He’s even gotten sick a few times because he was nursing me back to health.
And when he found out that breast cancer runs pretty common in my family, I will have you all know that every so often he checks in to make sure that I am doing my daily breast exams.  Not only that but he also went so far as to get cancer insurance with his job.  “Better safe than sorry,” he said.  Now, to me that’s real love.
I just want to say that if you aren’t encouraging your spouse to take measures to prevent breast cancer then you should start today.  Don’t wait for a doctor to stumble across it or for them to get sick.
Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: I Promise Constitution

A few months back my mom got me a marriage book called I Promise You Forver by Dr. Gary Smalley.  It’s an amazing book and I recommend that every couple pick it up and read it.  Anyways, the first page of the book is the I Promise Constitution and I thought that I would share it with you all for Romance Wednesday.  Hopefully, this constitution will inspire you to change a few things about how you participate in your marriage.
I Promise Constitution
PREAMBLE: When we wed I committed to love and cherish you all the days of my life, and I affirm that commitment today.  I love you dearly, more than life itself.  I honor you and place you above all other people in my life.  My goal is to create in our marriage a place of safety and security in which you and I can share everything without fear and grow together in deeper love and intimacy.  To confirm my commitment to this goal, I willingly make these five solemn promises to you.
I PROMISE to conform my beliefs to God’s truth.  I will gain control of my outlook, emotions, and happiness by continually examining my deepest beliefs and striving to make them consisent  with  what God’s Word says.  I take sole responsibility for my beliefs with the understanding that they, not you, determine my emotions, expectations, and actions.  Thus I lift from you the burden of being responsible for me.
I PROMISE to be filled by God.  I will keep God in my heart as my source of joy and love.  My love for you will be His love flowing through me.  And I will receive your love as overflow from Him.  I will base the security of our marriage on making Christ my boss.  I will strive to conform to His image and follow all His commands, especially the one to love you and care for you all the days of my life.
I PROMISE to find God’s best in every trial.  I give you the security of knowing that the negative things that happen in our marriage will not destroy my love for you.  I will not expect perfection from you, but will use even the irritations between us as opportunities to see my blind spots and foster my personal growth.  I will call on the power of Christ to root out my weaknesses.
I PROMISE to listen and communicate with love.  I will value every word you speak as a window to your heart.  I will honor your opinions, feelings, needs and beliefs so that you will feel free to speak honestly and openly will full security in my love for you.  I will be open with you in communicating my heart and will consider your feelings and needs in all my words.
I PROMISE to serve you all the days of my life.  I will fight all tendencies toward selfishness in me and focus on keeping you, your needs, and your goals before me at all times.  I will serve you willingly and wholeheartedly, just as Christ served His disciples not only in small, humble ways but also by giving His life for them and for us as well.
PS: Don’t forget to check out Plum District.
Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: Getting Pampered

Sometimes the stress and pressures of being a mommy to two busy bees, a wife, brand builder and all the other hats I wear takes a toll on me.  It’s hard to feel romantic and sexy when I’m running off of five hours of sleep or less.  I’m not even really talking about being sexy and romantic for my husband, but just being able to feel that way about myself personally.
I’m firm believer in the logic that before I can expect someone else to feel or think a certain way about me, I need to feel that same way about myself first.  It’s all the energy I give off.  And I need that energy to be real and natural not fake or forced.  This is why I enjoy indulging in the simple pleasures of life when I feel like my self morale is going down.
I don’t know about you but I need that ‘pick me up’ from time to time.  Lately, my favorite morale booster has been pampering myself.  I take great pride in my skincare and love trying out new products.  As a fan of EdenFantasys for over a year now, I’ve discovered that they have some really great bath and skincare products.  Most recently I decided to try out a few items from their Dona by Jo Collection.
Let me just say that if you enjoy products with mostly 0r 100% all natural ingredients, then this is the collection for you.  Anyways, here are some of the goodies I ordered:
Dona Body Polish (Mangosteen)
I like the term body polish as opposed to body scrub.  Sounds more luxurious and spa like.  The combination of sea salt, natural oils mixed with shaved chunks of passion and mangosteen fruit exfoliates the skin without making it feel like I’m being rubbed raw.  And the smell is so exotic! I love it!  The oils also work to make sure your skin isn’t drying out from the combination of the exfoliation and the water.
Dona Body Wash (Pomegranate)
Best lathering body wash I’ve ever used!  Trust me bar soap has nothing on this.  One pump goes a long way. Again the smell is heavenly and soothing.  Another thing I like about this body wash is that in addition to natural ingredients like pomegranate, green tea and goji, it also has benzyl alcohol.  Benzyl alcohol is often used products to help fight acne.  So, you’re not only giving your body wrinkle fighting antioxidants but helping to get rid of and potentially prevent body pimples in the process!
Dona Shave Gel (Acai)
Due to my sensitivity to shaving I’ve tried a lot of shaving creams and gels.  This makes my top 3 list! I have shaved twice with this stuff since I got it and no irritation or anything. No lie (in my Drake voice).  And it doesn’t leave you with that immediate dry and tight skin feeling that shaving can give you.
Dona Massage Oil (Acai)
This is the last product I put on.  My skin is very dry so traditional lotions don’t work for me. I have to use oil or petroleum based products to make sure my skin stays hydrated and I don’t end up spots of ashy skin before noon.  The massage oil works really and so far the only places I’ve had to touch up during the day have been my legs and my feet if I’m wearing sandals the rub a lot.  And not to sound like a broken record, the smell is nice.
Overall, I’m very happy that I took a chance and ordered these products as a gift to myself.  It’s not often that I spend money on myself.  You know that mommy/wife guilt kicks in sometimes.  Thankfully, I was able to push it to the back of my mind.  When emerge from my spa (ok bathroom), I feel do feel refreshed, sexy and more romantic about myself.
So, to all you other moms, wives, girlfriends and even single ladies, take the time to pamper yourself for you!   Guilt be damned, we’re worth it!
Do you pamper yourself?  What are some of your favorite products to use?
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.  I sincerely enjoy trying out products from EdenFantasys!

Posted on Leave a comment

Romance Wednesday: Throwing Down

You know the saying “The best way to a man’s heart is through is stomach?”  Well, that’s true.  Now, I know we all can’t get down like the Neelys but I’m here to tell you that a little effort goes a long way sometimes.  Over the years, I’ve learned that my husband really appreciates and notices how much I appreciate him when I make his favorite dishes.
Corn w/ green beans, my secret recipe hot wings, French bread topped with  fresh mozarella, baby tomatoes and onion, plain wings (for the kids) and rice.
More importantly, I’ve worked hard to perfect the dishes and make them to his taste preference.   For example, I like my homemade macaroni to have a little onion in it with bacon sprinkled on top.  However, my husband is not a fan of onion and he has to watch his bacon intake. So, most of the time I’ll leave out the onion and if he’s had bacon for breakfast, I’ll leave that off too.
There’s no one key to a successful relationship or marriage.  It takes a combination of things.  And food is one of them.  I always say that love is more of an action than an emotion.  So, I show my love for my husband by throwing down in the kitchen.  
Granted I throw down harder some days more than others but at the end of the day, he knows that part of the reason I cook on daily basis is him.  And likewise there are plenty of times that he goes out of his way to cook for me.  I have to admit that he has all my favorite dishes memorized and executes them to perfection.  
And then there are times we cook together.  Yep, we get all Pat and Gina Neely every so often.  It’s part of what keeps our marriage strong, interesting and moving forward.  So, I’m saying you have to be Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart but surprising your wife/husband with one or two of their favorite dishes every so often could have it’s benefits.
Do you cook for your spouse? Does your spouse cook for you?