Category Archives: communication

How Rude!

When our kids were little they loved the television sitcom, Full House.  We constantly had discussions about the bad attitudes displayed, including disrespect towards good old dad.  But the middle daughter was the queen of these attitudes.  Whenever anyone crossed … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Growing Strong Marriages | 3 Comments

Mark Your Calendar

Welcome to 2011. As husbands and wives, it’s a fresh start.  For God it’s simply one more day in the life He’s called us to faithfully live.  He has a plan for every day, and as married couples He has … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Date Night Ideas, Husbands, Mark Your Calendars (time sensitive) | Comments Off on Mark Your Calendar

Another Award – Happy New Year

Yesterday we discovered Paul Byerly, of The Generous Husband, picked The Romantic Vineyard to be included on his first list (maybe annual) Hot Marriage Blogs for 2010.  While this is solely his opinion, we find it quite the commendation since … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, communication, Contests, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays, resources, Spiritual Intimacy | Tagged , | 2 Comments

As The Year End Approaches…

It’s time to plan some real one-on-one time together. Asking questions is a great way to help each other understand the past year, interpret the present and plan for the new year.  We’ve shared these questions before, but they always … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Growing Strong Marriages, Winter Date Ideas | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Make Time to Take Time

This is the Eve of Christmas Eve.  We are always looking for ways to make the most of our time together with friends and family, but more often than not, the day passes without any real or meaningful conversation.  It … Continue reading

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Meekness – What It Is and Isn’t

Before we begin digging deeper into what it looks like to cultivate this fruit in our lives, we must be clear on what it is and isn’t. Nancy Leigh DeMoss is using a book by Matthew Henry to dissect this … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Fruits of the Spirit, Growing Strong Marriages, Spiritual Intimacy | Tagged | Comments Off on Meekness – What It Is and Isn’t

Marriage Bill of Rights

Have you ever had this thought about your spouse, “I have a right to be treated (fill in the blank!)?” We can enter into the marriage covenant with an unwritten lists of our personal rights and demands.  Everything is fine … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged | 1 Comment

Veterans Day – Letters Home

Today would normally be our “Meekness” post, but we’ll forgo that until tomorrow.   Something far more important is drawing us.  It’s Veterans Day.  A day set aside to honor those who have served or are serving our country for … Continue reading

Posted in communication, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays, Romance in Marriage, romancing your husband, romancing your spouse, romancing your wife, Romantic Ideas | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Project 52 – Pregnant Silence

Sitting in our favorite restaurant, we order our usual.  Life has been different, challenging and unpredictable.  But we are still US.  We talk about our day.  We talk about our calendars.  And then the conversation turns to what matters most. … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Date Night Ideas, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Romance in Marriage | 8 Comments

A Fragrant Aroma: Honesty Breeds Intimacy

There have been two MAJOR times in our marriage when honesty – the painful kind of honesty you know is going to hurt your spouse – is necessary.  The first happened during our third year of marriage when I was … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Intimacy | 6 Comments

The Fruit Of The Spirit: Meekness

Meekness is also known as humility.  It is the soil from which all the other godly virtues grow.  How does one obtain meekness?  By taking every opportunity to humble yourself before God and men (including your spouse). I have developed … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Fruits of the Spirit, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged | 2 Comments

No Stuffing Allowed

It wasn’t what we expected.  The ship was full of mostly elderly couples.  There were as many wheelchairs as walkers, yet these couples were full of excitement to be touring New England in the Fall.  As excited as we were, … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Growing Strong Marriages | 5 Comments

First Day of Fall

Today marks the first day of Autumn. This is by far my favorite time of the year.  I know many who feel the same way.  What is it about this time of year that evokes such affection? Maybe it’s the … Continue reading

Posted in Celebrations, communication, D.R.A.B., Date Night Ideas, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | 4 Comments

A Fragrant Aroma: Papa on Duty

I thought it would be good for the men to hear about my side of “Nana on Duty“. First of all, I had a very hectic week at work with a new customer.  As a result I was providentially hindered … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | 3 Comments

Project 52: Comfort Food

This weekend Tom had to go out of state for his work.  He would be coming home on Monday night – our regular date night.  On top of this our daughter was having her wisdom teeth removed on Monday morning.  … Continue reading

Posted in communication, Date Night Ideas, Project 52 | 1 Comment

A Keeper

Laid out on my bedroom floor are 32 years of memories. All taken from my special drawer – the place where I put things which are too precious to throw away. There is a plaque of our wedding invitation a … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Romance in Marriage, romancing your spouse | Tagged | 2 Comments

Freebie Friday: A Soul Filled With God

Gary Thomas has written a devotional book for couples titled, Devotions for a Sacred Marriage.  Today we want to share with you one devotion that has had a profound effect on us.  The amazing thing is – this is what … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Freebie Friday, Growing Strong Marriages, Spiritual Intimacy | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Project 52: Playing Catch Up

No, this isn’t a creative new game to play on your next night out – it’s one of those dates that are necessary from time to time. And one we desperately needed after the past two weeks. In Europe it … Continue reading

Posted in communication, Date Night Ideas, Dating Your Spouse, Dinner Dates, Growing Strong Marriages, Project 52 | 4 Comments

Freebie Friday: “Friendly” Advice

Actually we have three things to offer you today: The first is in celebration of National Donut Day, which is TODAY. Check out these Freebies: Dunkin Donuts is offering a free donut with a beverage purchase. Krispy Kreme is offering … Continue reading

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Makes You Think

I love quotes by people who are smarter than me – that’s most of the population…but let’s not focus on my lack.  🙂  There are people who say deep and profound things that reveal a level of understanding with which … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Growing Strong Marriages | 1 Comment