Before we became parents in 2008, I thought I was well-prepared for motherhood. My primary job during my teens had been babysitting. I even babysat entire days for a homeschooling family with four kids, ages ten down to 8 months. I helped the kids with their school, made snacks and lunches and suppers, and played […]
Discovering the 5 Love Languages at School
I’ve been a fan of Gary Chapman’s teachings about the 5 love languages ever since I first read his book early in our marriage. His ideas about the way we receive and show love have helped my husband and I to better communicate and love each other. I’ve often wondered what my daughter’s love languages […]
Day 23: The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted
I’ve mentioned Dr. Gary Chapman a few times in writing this series. He is one of my favorite marriage experts because he gives straight-shooting, practical marriage advice. He recently released a new book, The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted, which I’ve been reading this month (and stealing quotes from). It’s a slender book, yet as usual, […]
Tips for Dealing with Conflict in Your Marriage {31 Days to a Happy Husband}
When I got married, I was unprepared for dealing with conflict. The arguments we had during our first year of marriage devastated me. How could picture hanging or cooking together be so hard? I’d end up in tears—or on the phone with a friend of mine, telling her what had happened and wondering if I’d […]
Accept Your Husband for Who He Is {31 Days to a Happy Husband}
It’s a bit of a joke that we women tend to fall in love with a man we think is perfect, but as soon as we marry him, we start trying to change him. We want him to dress better or clean up after himself or quit a bad habit or get a better job […]
Learn Your Husband’s Love Language {31 Days to a Happy Husband}
When my husband and I were first dating, showing each other our feelings was easy. I knew just by the look in his eyes (long before he said the words) that he loved me. When he opened the truck door for me or put his coat around my shoulders in the rain, that said “love.” […]
The Best Books of 2012
How the year flies past! Here it is the end of 2012 once again—time to take a look at all the books that made it onto my reading list this year, and see which ones still stand out as being worthy of a second read (someday!) and a place on my bookshelf. As always, the […]
Book Review: Life Promises for Couples by Gary Chapman
Ask my husband or me how we’re doing these days, and you’re likely to get an answer along the lines of “we’re busy.” We’re trying to juggle the tasks of parenting two little girls while we’re both in school plus volunteering and working part-time. In the midst of all that busyness, I’ve come to realize […]
Happily Ever After by Gary Chapman
Whether or not you’ve read Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages, you likely know about his ideas that each of us has a specific way of showing and receiving love. Dr. Chapman’s book has become a classic, recognized even by secular counselors. I read it a few years ago and appreciated his advice, so […]
