Marriage – Page 2

Day 8: Date Night ~ 31 Days of reflections from a pregnant mama

October 13, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 31 Days, Marriage, Pregnancy 2 Comments

Store up your love bank – take as many date nights as possible while you’re waiting for your new bundle of joy. Date nights will be few and far between for the first few months once the baby arrives.

~~~

I needed this reminder today. Dad came home and said, “Let’s go out tonight.” I was still in my workout clothes from my 6am walk. My eyes were bloodshot and I politely declined his invitation so I could plop myself in bed. It took all about ten minutes for me to realize what I had just done – dissed my husband for no good reason. I give thanks for His grace to help me see things clearly – I have a husband who wants to be with me!

Deo gratias!!!

We had a short and sweet date night to the movies. We had plenty of conversation. Nonetheless, we’ll be certain to take our Date Night Questions the next time we go out.

Gift cards are one of the best gifts to give a couple with a handful of children. They make date nights an easy option without the guilt of spending money. Dad and I love gift cards!!!

~~~

This is day 8 of my pregnancy reflections. I realize that I am a few days behind, four days to be exact. I’m trying to own it and fight the urge to account my absence to placenta brain our sleep deprivation.

You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.

Sharing the LOVE

February 15, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 02 February, 02 February Saints, Family Night, Marriage, St. Valentine, St. Valentine's Day

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

~~~

My family sought to share our Love of Christ with others on this special day – the feast day of our 2012 Patron Saint, St. Valentine.

~~~

The day started with breakfast delivered in bed. I couldn’t stand to be away from my loves so I took my breakfast downstairs. My family ate together and shared our love.

Dad presented me with his homemade chocolate dipped strawberries and apples. He was so thoughtful in buying the supplies and sneaking them in the house without me knowing. He even used gluten-free chocolate chips. Dad stood up late to make the treats with the help of Sparkles. They were delish—much too good for children!

~~~

“What is the mark of love for your neighbor? Not to seek what is for your own benefit, but what is for the benefit of the one loved, both in body and in soul.” ~St. Basil the Great

Then my family went for some fun and fellowship on this blessed feast day ~ bowling & pizza in the park.

~~~

We exchanged St. Valentine’s treats.

St. Valentine’s Prinatable ~ Sanctus Simplicitus

Heart Rosary ~ Catholic Icing

Holy Card Printables ~ Holy Reflections - Heart Rings ~ Family Fun

We shared some St. Valentine’s Mini Sweet Pizzas.

~~~

It was a blessed day shared with others, in thanksgiving for God’s love and the Love in which we have for Him.

Dad and I are looking forward to a in-home date night this evening. We will bring out the Love Envelope, open a bottle of wine that we purchased from our getaway and share some sweet treats.

“My Jesus, fill my heart with so much love that one day it will break just to be with you. My Jesus, you know I have placed you as a seal on my heart. Remain there always.” ~St. Bernadette Soubirous

St. Valentine’s ~ ora pro nobis

~~~

The Search for St. Valentine

Love Quotes

Love Envelope

February 11, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Marriage, St. Valentine's Day

I wanted to share a collection of Date Night Questions* that Dad & I have been using since our getaway.

I decided to refresh our collection of date night questions but I didn’t want to start from scratch. I went searching online and found a blog that listed numerous questions. There were approximately 100 questions, categorized into six categories. I’ve listed the categories and a sample question.

- General date questions
  - If money and time weren’t an issue, what would you most like to do?
- Getting to know one another
  - What one thing have you learned about God (or yourself) this past year?
- Honoring one another
  - Some qualities I see in you that I would like to cultivate in my own life are…
- Sin
  - What is your greatest source of frustration right now? How have you achieved victory in your attitude?
- Marriage and family life
  - As a demonstration of my love for you, I would like to improve in the area of . . .
- Home schooling
  - How can I support you as you work so diligently as an educator of our children? Where are you defining education in a way that brings undue hardship on yourself?

I copied and pasted the questions into a Word document for easy access. I even color coded the questions. I printed and cut the questions into strips. Then I placed them in an envelope with a cute cover.

I had planned to use the questions sporadically over the weekend. Things didn’t turn out as planned, Dad couldn’t wait. He initiated the dialogue within eight miles into the trip. The file never got a rest.

I randomly selected a paper strip from the envelope. I read the question. Dad and I took turns answering the question for ourselves. Then we took turns answering the question for each other. We answered majority of the questions. I kept a journal of our answers. This exchange was very edifying for us as a couple and as an individual.

The Love Envelope is what we now call the date night questions. It was Dad’s favorite part of the trip. He has requested that I bring the envelope along every time we get a chance to be alone (dinner for two in the kitchen while the kid’s occupy themselves, shopping trips, gas runs, Adoration, etc…).

The time we had away, to enter into dialogue and be fully attentive to each other, yielded a beautiful refreshment and intimacy. That intimacy has helped to sustain us through some recent trials.

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD!

*the Date Night Questions we found on a non-Catholic website. Some of the questions were altered.

Little PEACE of Italy

November 26, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Birthday, Marriage, Retreat

we escaped for the weekend in celebration of dad’s birthday. it was a last minute getaway that came together within four days and managed to stay within our very limited budget. praise God!

we traveled to a near-by getaway that seemed like we were in another country—Castillo de Amorosa in Napa, CA.

it was a first for us, on many levels. we haven’t taken a weekend getaway (without kids) in 6 six years, first trip to napa as a couple, and first wine tasting.

we were a king and queen for the weekend while rose manned the home front.

our trip started with sun. Mass (in the Extraordinary Form)at the castle’s chapel.

then we ventured on for a full tour and wine tasting. we were blessed to have a semi-private tour. there was only one other couple in our group. dad and I did not want to leave the authentic, medieval castle.

we laid low after our visit to the castle. we had no plans and winged the rest of the trip with whatever our hearts desired–simple food and relaxed days.

we thoroughly enjoyed discussing our date night questions.

it was a blessed weekend. we give all thanks and glory to the GOOD LORD!

Happy Birthday, my love. May you continue to seek the intercession of the Holy family and surrender to His will.

Top 10 Facts About My Love and Me

March 30, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Birthday, Dad, Marriage

i was inspired to do this post by betty beguiles. it’s the perfect birthday reflection for me!

ALL FOR!

~~~

my husband and i have been together for longer than we’ve been apart. we were high school sweethearts and have been together ever since, 19 years!

because we’ve been together 19 years, we know every cross and weakness of one another. we also know the great gifts that He has blessed the other with.

we did not always practice our faith, despite the fact that we were both cradle Catholics and in a Catholic high school. but one yes was our saving grace. that yes turned 16 on tues.

we have a secret longing to form a Catholic homestead community.

he takes care of the bedtime time routine (while i’m pregnant or nursing). i’ve been pregnant or nursing perpetually for roughly the past 7 years. : )

he gives a blessing to me and the children every morning and night.

we have three angels in heaven and long to be untied with them.

we have been stripped of our material wealth and health. we trust that He is refining us.

we are in our final year of LMC formation and God willing, we will be starting a local community.

The spirit of the LMC is one of total abandonment to God’s holy will, child-like trust in His Fatherly care and readiness for service in profound humility after the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Slaves to Jesus through Mary.

10.

we trust that we were designed for each other and we give thanks to the Good Lord for bringing us together and offering us the graces to persevere through our own failings — to lead us to a life that glorifies Him.

“To me Jesus is the Life I want to live, the Light I want to reflect, the Way to the Father, the Love I want to express, the JOY I want to share, the Peace I want to sow around me. Jesus is my everything.” ~ Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

~~~

our song

Subscribe to our Newsletter