Catching Up

So, I slacked on posting with the Summer Marriage Challenge. However I did not slack on complete the challenge each week. Here's what went on the last three weeks.

**Make him a priority. Ask him what his favorite dinner, dessert and drink are. Be sure to serve him all three one night this week. Bonus: cook his favorite dishes all week long!

I try to do this pretty regularly because I know I will here praise from him about the meals I know he likes. Where I usually here complaining from the kids...Kendall always is happy with something I thought he would enjoy. So I prepared pretty much anything you can put into a tortilla! That always makes him happy!

**Support his vision. Discuss his vision for your family. Where does he see your family in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years. Share with us how you let your husband lead.

I'd like to think I've been doing this all along since the beginning of our marriage. Kendall's always been a visionary. In recent years I've made more of a point of discussing certain topics with him to gain his perspective and guidance, input and final decision on things. I've also followed him around the country several times packing and unpacking our home in search of vision. However, part of letting your husband lead and supporting his vision is to truly be supportive. I think this means standing behind him and not grumbling or complaining to friends and family. This I have not always been good about. I've gotten better over the years. Phrases like "this was your choice" have been said often in the past. Phrases like "we made this choice together" are what I say now. Knowing that your husband is supported and that you take his decisions seriously, as his partner, will only help to strengthen your marriage and commitment to each other.

**R-E-S-P-E-C-T! No complaining, criticizing, rolling your eyes, nagging, or giving him any friction this week. Enjoy a week of peace in your home!

Oh how we as women like to think we are always right and point out flaws in the name of making things better! Amazing how simply body language can convey a huge message. I use to complain ALOT of things like laundry on the floor. It took me a looooong time to just pick it up and move on. Realizing how blessed I am, to NOT have to work and be able to stay home and care for my husband and our family, has put the daily tasks in a new light. Don't misunderstand me...I'm not saying laundry is a favorite thing for me to do. I just look at it differently now. Less eye rolling.

**Kiss Him Like You Mean It (and be sure the door is locked!)

This can often get lost in the grind of daily life and managing of kids. It can also wain after a decade or two or marriage. Rekindling the romance can take effort after years of marriage and being in a comfort zone. We also try to keep a date night at least once a month. Its hard sometimes, but worth it.



Now that the Challenge has come to an end we've been asked to Assess our marriage. Well, we just celebrated 12 years yesterday! I'm so happy to say that its better now than its ever been. Sure we're improving on things all the time. Doing the challenge this summer was a good refreshment for me. A great way to bring my marriage back to the forefront of my thoughts and really make a priority of it. It also made Kendall ask "what's up with all the self improvement?" But, he was glad to see that I was putting him and us first. Some of that weekly challenges were harder than others. But, what a good way to get out of my comfort zone and grow. Overall, the Marriage Challenge was wonderful!