Happy Anniversary!

Today....today Hubby and I have technically been married for 5 years! I say technically because if you’ll remember in last year’s post, I revealed our big secret about having been married a little under a month before our wedding! 5 years do not come without their ups and downs. A perfect marriage does not exist in the sense that everything is unicorns and rainbows 100% of the time. In a real marriage, you disagree at points, you fail each other and yourself at points, and you are soared above cloud 9 at points. What makes an okay marriage become great is how you handle each of these situations.

 

I’m not here to make you think we’ve got it perfect, but to tell you there is a handbook that does have it all printed out!

7 Prayers for Your Husband

I told yall that we were going to be spending some time in February focusing on Loveand Marriage! And I don’t mean to let you down!

Today, I want to focus on a huge aspect of our marriages. Probably one of the most important things you can do for your marriage! Last week, we discussed the Purpose of Marriage. God is our purpose....He is the focus and the glue that holds our marriages together!

So, probably the most essential thing you can do for your marriage is...Pray! Specifically, today I want to focus on praying for your husband!

I believe in seven as a holy number! I believe in using the power of that number! So....I am giving you 7 prayers!

Sunday Inspiration: Love

clairsentient1.wordpress.com

Saturday Funny: Valentines Day

www.nobleworkscards.com

Purpose of Marriage

I brought to your attention over the weekend that I’m going to be focusing on February as a Love Month! Okay, I get that this seems cliché, but I want to go deeper!

I want to get into true love....not the lust that society has convinced us is love. I want to talk about the details of marriage, the purpose of marriage, the pitfalls, the ups, even....the bedroom! ;-)

What is great about this is I think all of us can join in this month! If you’re single, that is totally okay...hopefully, you get some new insight and become comfortable and secure in your status right now! You can learn what marriage means and get an idea of how to start a relationship off right....for success!

Sunday Inspiration: Marriage

In keeping with our Love Month theme, I bring you the Word of God on marriage...

applesofgold.com

February Love Month Introduction

Valentines Day walks a fine line in my heart and in my mind. There is a cynical side of me that says why must we have a specific day where we celebrate love? Is it not condescending to a relationship to do something on a specific day because we feel we have to?

Then again when these questions start popping up, I start to wonder then is it not hypocritical to celebrate anniversaries? It’s kind of the same concept! Doing things that “show” love simply because it is a day to remember....that sounds familiar. I also then start to say well, if I can’t show love on a specific day because it is condescending....is it not the same to celebrate Easter? Should I not be living out every day celebrating Christ’s resurrection just as I should be living out every day showing my love?

Lil Mister is officially 3!

My Dear Lil Mister,

Today you have turned three! It's hard for me to grasp that so much time has already passed and yet you still have such a long future ahead of you! 

You were so adorable this morning when everyone was telling you Happy Birthday! Since your party was on Saturday, you can't quite grasp why you're being told Happy Birthday again....but today is the big day!

LJ turns one: Happy Birthday!

www.hdwallpapersdj.com

My Dearest LJ,

I can't believe that a year has passed already. Last night as I held you in my arms, I could just see that very first moment I held you! It all happened so quick and before we knew it you were born!

3 hours after birth

Sunday Inspiration: Ten Ways to Love

www.howgodprovides.com

XOXxx

Shana Danae..

Wordless Wednesday W44

XOXxx

Shana Danae..

Wordless Wednesday W41

Sometimes my heart just swells seeing the love for Lil Mister in LJ's eyes!

XOXxx

Shana Danae..

Here's to four years....

You might have read previously about how Hubby and I were actually married about 20 days before our wedding.

Today, however, we celebrate our anniversary. The anniversary we publically recognize that is!

We planned our entire wedding in less than 2 months! I will do a short series on this soon.

TT- Things that I Love

It becomes all too easy to focus on the negative things in life. I was always told by my grandma to decide how I want the day to be and what I want my attitude to be for the day before I ever got out of bed in the morning. She said that if I did this and focused on it, then that is how it would be. It's hard to be negative if you are focusing on the positive.
Jenn asked us to talk about the things that we love in life. Not the people! So here is mine:

* the smell of rain on a summers afternoon
* the sound of my childrens laughter first thing in the morning
* getting flowers for no reason
* hot cocoa under a duvet on a cold winters night
* colored pens
* scary movies
* romantic movies
* a good book on a Saturday morning
* that first cup of coffee in the day
* coffee at 3 am with MIL
* random texts just to say I hope you're having a good day
* glasses of wine with my girlfriends
* music blarring through my ears as I run
* running
* exhaustion from a productive day
* Hubby's love for me
* Hubby's support for my desires
* cooking (and Hubby loving my cooking!)
* baking with Lil Mister
* spinning in circles with my son till we're sick
* watching Lil Misters face light up from pure innocent joy
* random acts of kindness
* an understanding smile in the grocery store (when you're kids are pulling out your hair!)
* kisses....lots of kisses
* a new purse/scarf
* an old purse/scarf
* listening to an elder tell a story from the 'old days'
* helping an elderly person
* giving to orphans (their joy is priceless)
* the smell of fresh cut grass
* sitting on the river bank with my family
* camping
* a late night full of close friends
* a lekker braai
* the silence of my house at 2 am when everyone is asleep
* looking at the stars with my family
* tickle fights
* being held by Hubby Dearest in the night
* surprises
* reality TV :-/
* board games
* bedtime stories
* shopping with girlfriends
* a hot, bubble bath
* long talks on the telephone
* handwritten letters
* the ocean/the beach
* sunsets/sunrises
* afternoon photo sessions with nature
* getting to watch the wild animals

Okay....this is addictive! As you can see it becomes quite easy to think of all the things that bring joy to your life! Why don't you try it?!? Link up with us and read what others have to say too!

* OOOHHH....and ALL OF YOU!!!! I love you....sorry Jenn had to do it!

Shana..

Monday Mingle!

Welcome to the Monday Mingle!

Hosted by

Funny Postpartum Lady & Story of a Girl

This Week's Theme: LOVE

 This Week's Questions:

 1. Who was your first love?

I had many infatuations during school and there were a couple of times I would have sworn I was in love. But the ONLY time I can truly say I've been in love was and is with my husband. He was the first and the last.

 2. Do you remember your first kiss?

 Umm....no is that bad? It's been so long ago and I'm sure it was a meaningless thing. I know it was years later before any relationship developed past kissing. I was very innocent for a very long time.

 3. What are your plans for this Valentine's Day?

Nothing. We aren't big on V-day. I'm baking heart shaped cookies with Lil Mister! ;-)

 4. What do you love most about your Significant Other? If you're single, what quality do you look for the most?

His determination. Hubby Dearest will never give up. He can get down sometimes but he will always move our family forward.

 5. What would be your DREAM gift for Valentine's Day?

Honestly, a pearl necklace. I LOVE pearls and think this a perfect gift for me for ANY holiday! 

Okay, now it's your turn. Grab the button and questions and repost on your page!!! Link your post up and mingle with other bloggers!!! No rules, just meet new people!

Next week's theme: KIDS

Shana..