Make an Ooops! Box for your husband's car or workplace. 

An Ooops! Box contains things like safety pins, double-sided tape, needle and thread, a small tube of super glue, and anything else that he could use when he needs to fix something.

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Mystery32: Just Say No to Control As my son would say, "take a chill pill."

The Romantic Vineyard: Are You Discouraged About Your Marriage Today? Joy rises from the sorrow!

Hot, Holy and Humorous: Yes, Kid, Your Mommy and Daddy Have Sex "It's reassuring to children to know that their parents experience a loving, and even private, relationship that establishes the foundation of their family."

This week's ebook bundle is about kitchen stewardship:

Healthy Snacks to Go (2nd Edition) by Katie Kimball
The Everything Beans Book by Katie Kimball
Smart Sweets by Katie Kimball
Is Your Flour Wet? by Katie Kimball
The Family Camping Handbook by Katie Kimball

I love questions.

So I created a little gift for y'all. It's a year's worth of questions for couples.

Free Download: A Year of Questions for You and Your Spouse

It's a pdf. You can "right click" on the above link and save to your computer or just click on the link and it will open in your browser.

Print it out, cut the questions into strips and put them all into a container (I used an almond container from Costco). Pull out a question a day to spark conversation between you and your spouse.

If a question does not apply to you or your spouse, just reframe the question so that it does. Change the “what” or the “who.”

I encourage you to create your own rules. Many of these questions are better answered if there is no limit on time, money, etc. This gives more room for options and imagination (I’d love to have advice from Florence Nightingale and live in Italy!).

When the answer revolves around people, you may want to give the option of adding “in addition to” or “other than my spouse.” And, honestly, I think it’s OK to change questions, add questions, give information not asked for, and so on.

The idea behind the questions is to give you and your spouse a starting place for conversation and learning more about each other.

Please remember to speak the truth in love and listen well.

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Image credit Lori Byerly

Safe At Home: The Best Defense Isn't Usually Helpful in Marriage Being defensive can become offensive. Instead, explain and explore.

 To Love, Honor and Vacuum: How Much Is Reasonable to Expect From Your Spouse? Some great advice on dealing with expectations.

How to Clean Stuff I found this site just mutzing around on the Internet. Nice resource to bookmark.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7  ESV

We usually hear this scripture at church when there is an offering. Certainly that is a good time and place to consider it.

However, I think it applies to everything, including our marriage relationship.

We need to consider how generosity plays into our marriage. Where and how can we give cheerfully? (Reluctant giving doesn't say love to our spouses. It actually feels kind of creepy.)

I find it easier to break my life down and look at its parts. Where can I be more generous in the kitchen? In the bedroom? In the living room? Or how can be more generous in the morning? In the evening?

Doesn't matter how you work through it. Just prayerfully consider ways of being more generous to your sweetie.

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Do Not Disturb: Third Time’s a Charm A simple challenge that can add fun and variety to your sex life.

(in)courage: I Stole A Television… And Other Lessons In Generosity A story of sacrificial generosity.

Redeeming Marriages: Does Your Spouse Pay For Your Past? Turn your past over to God so that only He has the say in how you will be formed.

Every now and then I hear a gal talk about someone (other than her husband) with a wistful tone. There is something about that someone that they hold dear and the undertone is that their husband doesn't measure up.

Well, of course, he doesn't measure up! He is a totally different person and she's holding him up to the wrong standard!

She's comparing apples to oranges. We need to appreciate people for who they are.

Yes, it's great that your first boyfriend always brought you flowers. Appreciate that someone valued you and brought you a gift you enjoyed.

Now drop it. It's not a standard that you can use with other people (and certainly not your husband).

Your husband is a remarkable person. He sings silly songs, has mad techie skills and knows when you need a hug. Enjoy him for the unique person that he is.

Don't ask him to be an apple. He's an orange.

Comparison is the death of joy.  Mark Twain

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Calm Healthy Sexy: Slow Things Down and Shake Things Up This Summer Preach it, girl!

The Romantic Vineyard: Flashlight Tag Date Could be fun!

The Forgiven Wife: Intimate Moments Finding real intimacy.

Stuff I've Recommended This Week

Over time it is easy to slip into a rut about how and when you have sex. You go through the same motions at the same time of day in the same place in the house.

Now, honestly, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Doing what you enjoy and what works for you is a good thing, but the down side is that seasons change and some of what you normally do may not work as well (I'm thinking pregnancy or growing older). Or you just might want to try something a little different. 

You don't have to make huge changes. Just little ones will do. Have sex earlier in the day (not late at night when you are both tired). Have sex in another room or in a different part of your bedroom (a love seat in your room can be fun). Touch your husband differently in little ways. Take it a little slower or a little faster. Now and then change the position.

Do something a little different.

Change always comes bearing gifts.  Price Pritchett

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Hot, Holy and Humorous: Should You Go Along with His Sexual Fantasy? "J" offers some nice guidelines to help you think it through.

Marriage4Good: Little Things Add Up Thoughtfulness makes a difference.

The Confident Mom: Summer Survival Calendar Fun Summer activities for kids and busy moms.

I realized the other day that I was avoiding something.

I didn't want to deal with the conflict. It just felt easier to ignore the whole thing than to face the issue and work through it.

Then I stopped and thought about it. I would hate it if my husband was dealing with something and didn't bother to tell me.

I needed to speak up, to be more transparent. I needed to let my husband know what was going on. I needed to approach the subject at a good time in a thoughtful way.

Do you have something you are avoiding? Think it through and share it with your sweetie.

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.  Robert Schuller

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1-Minute Bible Love Notes: 9 Ways to Learn Gratitude "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18  NIV

To Love, Honor and Vacuum: Trigger Points for Conflict in Marriage Figuring out the real reasons we fight.

The Forgiven Wife: No Guaranteed Formula Three steps for the journey to sexual health.