Ain't Love Grand

How many husbands would mute a sports program so their wife can read without interruption?  Personally, I don't know many who would even stop to think about it.  Yet that's exactly what my husband did for me on Saturday as I finished reading (or should I say devouring) "The Preacher's Bride" by Jody Hedlund.  I paused to reflect on his sweet thoughtfulness and came back with one word "blessed."

My husband and I can't afford grand expensive gestures, but even if we could, I can't imagine any flashy gift that would mean more to me.  If I receive a gift from the man I love, I don't expect jewelry or bouquets of roses.  Often times when my husband is looking to surprise me, it'll be with a cd or book because he knows me well.  That alone is a special gift.  It's the simple acts of love that put a smile on my face and warm my heart.

I pray that my boys grow to be men like their father and that their future wives will appreciate the simple loving gestures as much as I do.   While I want a great many blessings for my children, this one is towards the top of the list....  True compassionate considerate and whole hearted love to be given and shared with one special person.

If the money is gone, when the wrinkles and gray hair have appeared, or when life hands you more lemons than you can hold...  what do you have?  Do you have love?  Real love?  A kind considerate heart by your side?  A faithful hand to hold?  If you do, count yourself blessed.  Are your heart, eyes, and mouth smiling because someone loves you and you love them back?  Tell them or show them today with a simple loving gesture.  Ain't love grand?

“A life without love is no life at all.”

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.”

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Encouragement Teamwork and Awareness

What a weekend!  My guys and I enjoyed a wonderful family outing on Saturday.  You may be jealous when I tell you that it all began with a round of injections.  Ah yes, the family that gets flu shots together...  Well, hopefully we'll be the family that doesn't get sick this year.

My boys were very brave.  O was actually a bit frightened and has the typical needle phobia, but he got through it like a champ.  M hopped up in the chair with a smile on his face...  It crumpled slightly when the needle came out.  Absolutely no tears were shed this year.  After my little men were finished, I  went 3rd.  You'd never believe how terrified I used to be of needles if you had seen me relaxed and without hesitation.  My poor husband went last and was almost as unafraid as our sons.  What a bunch of troopers we were!

Running errands and working on a halloween costume for M took up the rest of our Saturday.  As we flipped between the NASCAR race and UofM vs M State game, I felt very content.  Activities of Autumn have a calming affect on me.

Sunday brought organized chaos in our home.  Resorting and cleaning of the boys' playroom took more time that I'd care to admit.  It did however leave us with fewer toys and more space.  Everyone in the family pitched in and many hands did make light work.  The boys agreed to put their toys away in their designated places from now on.  Laughing to myself here.  What an amazing job my boys did this weekend!

It's awesome how much can be accomplished when working together as a team.  Without the help of my 3 men (big & small), it would have taken countless hours to achieve today's goal.  Encouragement and a desired reward can also go a long way.  If you are faced with a challenge, put a little carrot out in front of yourself.  Marmaduke the movie, a treat, & root beer worked for our little guys.  My reward, besides a little less work on my own plate, was "Date Night" with my husband.  Laughter and smiles all around!

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Many of you already know how important domestic violence awareness is to me.  The month of October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Domestic Violence Awareness Month as well.  If you know of anyone who needs help, please encourage and direct them to:

Common Ground Sanctuary

Toll Free

248.456.0909

800.231.1127

HAVEN

Toll Free

248.334.1274

877.922.1274

http://www.domesticviolence.org/

If you are in danger,call 911, your local hotline, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 

1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Trust me when I say that it's not always cut and dry.  Living with abuse takes a toll on the souls of the abused and those who witness it.  It's never as simple as walking away.  Have compassion and refrain from judging those who live with abuse.

"Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks (fiction) showcases a domestic abuse situation within the novel.  While every abuse victim's story is different, Nicholas Sparks was able to capture the guilt, strength, compassion, fear, and many other emotions abusers often go through.  I admired the fictional portrait that Mr. Sparks painted, but also how the reality of actual situations was woven into the canvas.  It's an amazing book to read and I encourage everyone to pick it up.