What is the big complaint of most women?  They receive romantic gifts from their husbands that miss the mark totally.  The gifts are either appliances for the house or something that the husband could use more than they can.  What is going on?  Instead of meeting his gaze and gift with a frown and a sigh, give him a helping hand.

Girls, we want him to be a mind reader, but the truth is that he will never be able to read our mind.  No matter how long you are together, guessing what we want is not going to be one of his strong points.  Cut him some slack with a romance list.

This is not just any list though.  Give it real thought. 

Think about the things that you want from him.  These should be special things for occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, and getting out of the dog house days.  Another list can be created for things that he can pick up for you to surprise you or make you feel better when you are down.  These lists will give him a great starting point.

Be specific about what you like.  Listing that you like clothes, does not give him an idea of the size, color, brand, style, or particular article of clothing.  The same goes for your husband as it does in other areas of your life - you only get what you want if you ask for it.

Men often get discouraged with unsuccessful gifts.  After a while they will stop trying and go back to the old stand by:  flowers and chocolates.  There is a book on the market called “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman.  The book lists the five different types of love languages and describes their attributes.  Knowing a person’s love language can give insight into what will make them love and show love better.

Along with the list, give him the book.  This is as close to mind reading as he will get.  If you want something deeper than just the right gift for every occasion, use this book to help him to get in touch with you as a woman.  If he uses the book as it was meant, he may not need your romance list to pick out that perfect gift you’ll love.  But, keep your list just in case.

Don’t hang your man out to dry.  Let him know exactly what you want from him and you just may be surprised at what he can deliver. 

Your to-do today: Make your lists today!! 

Romance is vital for a forever marriage. Satan has stolen romance and perverted the beauty in romance. He has made it look wrong, nasty. Even for those who do not buy into that lie, he has made it look out of reach for the Christian home. It is time to take it back!  Begin by dating your mate!

Dates are an important part of any couple’s relationship, but especially married couples. Dates are fun and add a bit of spontaneity to a marriage.  For couples with children, dates can be few and far between for a few reasons.  It’s easy for couples to forget to make time to go out together sans kids.  Then, there’s the money issue.  With kids money can get tight, especially if you have to pay not only for the date but a sitter as well. If you’re having a hard time coming up with wallet friendly date ideas, try these seven. I think you will find them doable…

Seven Shoestring Date Ideas for Couples

1.    See a Matinee
Want to go out and see a movie?  Instead of running with the rest of the crowd to the eight o’clock show, take in a matinee instead.  The theaters are less crowded and you don’t pay near as much for the tickets.  There will even be money left over for popcorn and a soda. One cup…with two straws, of course!

2.    Hit the Buffet
Buffets are not necessarily about how much food you can shovel in your mouth at one sitting, but about getting a good meal at a great price.  Find a cozy table for two in the corner and have a meal for two that costs less than it would for one at a fancy restaurant.

3.    A Walk in the Park
A change of scenery is good from time to time.  Visit the local park on a weekend afternoon to spend time together.  Watch the geese, take a ride in the paddle boats, or bring your bikes or hiking boots and explore a trail.

4.    Visit a Museum
Culture doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.  The local museum may have an art exhibit you have been longing to see.  Broaden your horizons as a couple and create new memories taking in a bit of history.

5.    Soak up Some Local Atmosphere
From big cities to small towns, there are always things going on around the community.  Sometimes you just have to look a bit harder.  Check out an outdoor concert with local bands or classical ensembles.  Many localities have community theater groups who put on productions of famous Broadway plays for as little as five or ten dollars per ticket.

6.    Night of Jazz Music
Find a nice downtown restaurant and listen to some good music.  Some restaurants may have outdoor seating allowing you to enjoy the night air while listening to the sounds wafting from the inside.

7. Movie Night at Home
We all like to turn down the lights and enjoy a good flick.  This type of date is perfect for parents of small children.  Once the little ones are tucked in bed and off in la-la land, set the scene.  Pop a large bag or two of popcorn and your favorite drinks and snuggle up on the couch or a blanket on the floor.  Take turns watching each other’s favorite type of movies.

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Women love to be loved.  The song says that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but I say that her best friend is her husband.  For those men out there who want to show their wives how they feel, here are seven free ways that won’t cost you anywhere near the price of a diamond that doesn’t really show her how you feel anyway.

1. Make dinner for her.  There are plenty of women who work, chauffeur the children, and still make it home in time to prepare a hot dinner.  Take the responsibility off of her hands at least one night a week if you can.  This may take a bit of planning, but it will be well worth it, trust me.  Even if she gets home before you do, offer to take over and finish the meal.  As a treat, feed the kids first and save two plates for a romantic dinner after the kids are bathed and tucked in bed.
   
   
2. Run a hot bath.  Remember hot baths?  They are those warm, sudsy experiences we used to have time for before the kids came along.  When the kids are ready for a little play with dad or after they are in bed for the night, run a bath for your wife so that she gets a much deserved break from her day.  The waters will soak away the cares of the day and leave her ready to change from worker bee and mom to wife.  Add a cup of hot tea and the bath will be perfect.
   
   
3. Place notes in unexpected places.  Men are not adept at this, so it will come as a complete surprise.  Put a special love note in her underwear drawer or write it in the steam on the bathroom mirror.  There are a ton of places you can drop little notes of love and appreciation for your wife.
   
   
4. Call her throughout the day.  She won’t be expecting sweet nothings to be whispered in her ear during the day.  Tell her you love her and wanted to make sure she was alright.
   
   
5. Give her a back massage.  Picking up toys, cooking, driving, and the like take its toll on the back.  Playtime in the tub with the kids is a back breaker, too.  Use a warming massage gel to cut the pain as you soothe away the aches and pains with your manly touch.
   
   
6. Get involved in an activity that she likes.  Women like when men show genuine interest in them.  This includes their activities.  You don’t have to join a knitting circle or sewing group, but attend a meeting to show your support and love.  Ask her to explain what she does in her cooking class.  Cooking together can be fun and quite romantic when done at home.
   
   
7. Pick up after yourself.  I pick up socks and shoes on a daily basis.  I’ve usually tripped over the shoes first, though.  Women are wired to be caregivers.  Lighten her load by putting your own things away.  She can spend more time focusing on you when she doesn’t have to pick up after you.

Love doesn’t require a big production or lots of dough.  If you keep it simple, she’ll still get the message - you love and appreciate her very much.

Husbands need love, too.  They work hard for their families and deserve to have a little appreciation.  As wives, we know all about the need for appreciation.  Here are some ways that you can show that love and affection to your significant other without spending a dime.

1. Tell him that you love him.  We don’t say it near enough to each other.  For most, the words are “understood.”  The flaw in that train of thinking is that the understanding can get confusing as time goes on and there is no communication.  Tell him when he leaves and when he returns home.  End your emails and calls with a special I Love You!  Even write a note for him only.
   
   
2. Send him off properly.  Have his work items next to the door so he won’t have to go searching for them.  If your husband is anything like mine, he makes a wide grid search for his keys every morning.  Help him out by having his briefcase, keys, and cell phone next to the door and ready to go.  You will be helping him get out of the house and on his way to work on time without the stress of forgetting something.
   
   
3. Fix him breakfast in bed.  This is something we see on television but many don’t even think to do.  They sell those breakfast trays for a few dollars in most home stores.  If you have kids to get ready in the morning, then do this on the weekend.  You can surprise him with a simple breakfast of cereal (cold or hot) and juice on one day during the week.  Rotate the schedule so that he doesn’t get used to your breakfast treats on any certain day.
   
   
4. Meet him at work for lunch.  If your man works close by and your schedule allows for it, have lunch together.  This requires a bit of forethought since most people’s work schedules don’t mesh without some finagling.  Fix a picnic lunch that can be eaten outside at a picnic table or on the grassy knoll.  Choosing a few of his favorites gives him something to look forward to besides your bright shining face.
   
   
5. How about a foot massage?  Feet have a hard time.  They take on the pressure of our entire bodies on a daily basis without any thanks.  Give his tired feet a well deserved rest with a foot rub.  Contrary to popular opinion, men like that spa-like attention.  For women who are squeamish about touching or handling feet, soak his feet in some warm water and foot scrub before beginning the massage.  You can do it before bed or while you talk about each other’s day.

Love doesn’t have to be expensive to have meaning.  Sometimes, the simplest things have the most lasting effects.  Trying even just one of these suggestions to sure to help your husband feel more appreciated and loved.  Who knows he might just start returning the favor .

Our daily schedules are so jam packed with activities that we hardly have time for ourselves let alone our partner.  Romance often ends up on the back burner.  Here are some quick romantic ideas that anyone can do to keep in touch with their mate.

Sometimes we have trouble carving out fifteen minutes for any more activities, so five minute intervals will be right up your alley.  But, beware - these five minutes can be tantalizing enough to keep you tied up for many minutes more.  That being said, use caution when deciding on the time of your romantic overtures.

Start early in the morning.  Take a shower together.  At worst, you conserve water by turning it on only once that morning.  At best, well, I think you know where I’m going.  A shower together is a great way to say good morning.

Shave your man’s five o’clock shadow.  This takes a lot of trust and a steady hand.  Men like it when we take charge once in a while so give him the shave of his life.

After a hard day at work, we all have a bit of tension in our joints.  Sit your partner down and give them a neck massage.  Remember this is no ordinary neck massage though.  Be sure to take advantage of the entire five minutes. 

Start by unbuttoning a shirt or blouse for your love and easing it off of their shoulders.  Use a warm lotion or gel to work out the kinks in the muscles.  Try alternating deep muscle massage with gentler strokes to loosen them up.

In our homes, we often pass each other without a word.  Many couples live in the same house but act like nothing more than roommates, sometimes worse - strangers.  The next time you pass him or her in the hall, give them a big surprise.  Pin them against the wall and shower them with kisses for five minutes.  Hopefully, by the end of the five minutes they will join in the fun.

Aphrodisiacs are supposed to make us feel in a romantic mood.  Serve up a before bed snack of chocolate covered strawberries and other fruit.  Add a bit of bubbly for even more romance. 

These romantic ideas don’t take a lot of time, but the effects will last beyond the moment.  They add a bit of spontaneity which is missing in the busy lives of most couples.  Take back your romance five minutes at a time.

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How we look is important to us.  If we feel good about ourselves then we see the world in a different light.  Men feel that way, also.  Help your hubby to look and feel sexy no matter where he is going.  Here are some gift ideas to keep him feeling his best.

1. Standing Valet - This little item will keep his suits freshly pressed from dry cleaner to wear.  The valet is useful in the office as well as at home.  He can stay looking neat and tidy all day long.
   
   
2. Skin Care System - If your man suffers from acne or hair bumps after shaving, there are products that can help.  Skin care systems like ProActiv provide cleansers, clarifiers, and toners that restore the natural balance to the skin.  They clear up acne for good.  Spas offer skin care products that can be used at home to give the same results as a professional facial.  His face will be as smooth as, well, you know.
   
   
3. Smoking Jacket - This is a fun gift.  He probably doesn’t smoke but the smoking jacket offers a classier way to relax from his day than the traditional robe.  Soft fabrics will pamper his skin as he props his feet up and settles back into his favorite chair.  If nothing else it will be a conversation piece or a private joke between the two of you.
   
   
4. Clothing to Fit the Man - Every well dressed man needs to have a decent wardrobe.  Give him the gift of a few custom made suits.  Take him to a tailor and have him measured.  Let him choose his suits but you pick up the tab.  A man in a good suit exudes sexiness.
   
   
5. Gym Membership for Two - Staying in shape is one way to have a long and healthy life.  Show him that you want him around for a long time to come with a membership to the local gym.  Some have couple’s memberships so that you can go together to work out.  It’s also sexy and healthy for you to be in shape as well.  Working out with a partner increases success and you two also get some couple time.
   
   

Don’t underestimate the power of looking good.  Your man will be the talk of the office or anywhere that he goes and it’s great for you because he belongs to you.  Talk about a win-win situation.

Just because you are married doesn’t mean that you can’t go out on a date - with your spouse that is.  Dates keep the romance fresh and alive in a relationship.  Here are seven date ideas that don’t even require leaving home.

1. Have a Picnic on the Floor.  This is one place where the weather won’t change.  The conditions in your home are perfect for a picnic anytime.  Spread out the traditional gingham blanket and let the fun begin.  Turn off the television and turn on the environmental music sounds to achieve the full effect of the outdoor atmosphere.
   
   
2. What about a Movie Night?  We all like to turn down the lights and enjoy a good flick.  This type of date is perfect for parents of small children.  Once the little ones are tucked in bed and off in la-la land, set the scene.  Pop a large bag or two of popcorn and your favorite drinks and snuggle up on the couch or a blanket on the floor.  Take turns watching each other’s favorite type of movies.
   
   
3. Game Night.  What are your favorite games?  Mix it up a bit between board games, video games, and kid’s games.  Yes, I said kid’s games.  You and your husband can play hopscotch, Twister, or I Spy. Try a game of Scrabble–strip scrabble!   The night is about laughs and getting to know each other again, so have fun with it.
   
   
4. A Night of Karaoke Fun.  You may not sound like a professional songstress, but that shouldn’t stop you from having a good night of laughs singing your heart out.  Sing romantic songs together that you enjoyed when you were dating.  Go one step further and dress the part before the performance.  Take turns singing love songs to each other.
   
   
5. Spend a Winter in the Mountains.  If it’s cold outside, find warmth around a cozy fire.  In the absence of a fireplace, light some candles for a romantic mood.  Make a cozy pallet on the floor and serve hot cocoa with marshmallows.  Enjoy some wine, cheese, and fresh fruit together to help you keep warm.
   
   
6. What about a Spa Night?  Dress up in terry cloth robes and fuzzy slippers.  Give each other manicures and pedicures.  Men aren’t too practiced in this area so your handiwork may look better than his, but it is the thought that counts.  Finish up with massages.
   
   
7.  Night at the Strip Club.  For a bit more seductive living room date, take it all off - literally.  Leading up to the date, pick out your outfits and practice your “routine.”  Don’t take it too seriously though.  Have some fun with it and each other.

You don’t have to leave your home to have an interesting date.  Turn your living room into any locale you can imagine to make it fun and out of the ordinary. 

Some of us are married to businessmen.  They spend a lot of time at the office making deals and earning promotions.  Keep him in style at the office with a few gift ideas.  He’ll be the most put together chap in the office and yummy to your eyes as well.

1. Talking picture frame.  Remind him of how you feel each day he is at the office.  A talking picture frame can record a sexy message for his ears only that he can listen to while gazing at your photograph.  It can also be an uplifting message of love to keep him encouraged when things get rough.
   
   
2. Personalized name plate for his desk.  Has he just gotten a promotion?  Celebrate his good fortune with a custom made name plate complete with the title of his new position to be handsomely displayed on his desk.
   
   
3. Paintings and other artwork.  For some businessmen, the office is a second home.  He should have something worthwhile to gaze at.  Paintings replace the cold and impersonal feel with a more relaxing atmosphere for clients as well as your man.
   
   
4. Business card case.  Everyone will be talking about his gold case when he pulls it out to flash a business card.  Companies will spring for the basic business cards, but you can provide a more elaborate one along with the case.  He’ll appreciate you helping him to put his best foot forward.
   
   
5. Briefcase.  One can never have too many briefcases.  The traditional type of case has been replaced with more fashionable styles.  If he carries a laptop computer, find a briefcase that doubles as a computer case and a place to store his important documents.
   
   
6. Watch/timepiece.  Being on time is important for a businessman.  He may need to know the time in this time zone and others as well.  Give him a watch that is as keen as his mind.  Brands like Seiko, TAG Heuer, Fossil, and Movado make excellent timepieces for the wrist.
   
   
7. Paperweights.  The good old paperweight never goes out of style for those who work at a desk all day.  Especially if you have kids, he’ll love a paperweight they make themselves.  You can find cute paperweights at the dollar store or you can make your own with a little thought, creativity and a lot of love.  
   
   

If he must spend time at the office, he should have the best that you can give him.  Show how proud you are of his place in the business world with a gift that expresses your love and respect for him.

Traditions are special things that we do each and every year that are unique to our family.  Traditions that we learn in childhood can be passed on to our own children when we become adults.  What are your Valentine’s Day traditions?  If you don’t have any, this year is the perfect time to start.

Take a family portrait.  Remember each Valentine’s Day with a picture to commemorate the moment.  Choose to wear clothes that reflect the day.  Everyone’s outfit can include red, white, and pink in some fashion.  Each year you will see how the family grows and changes from the year before.  Also each year, family members can take turns finding the perfect picture frame to hold the photo.

What about a story?  Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine.  No one knows for sure if he was real or a work of fiction, but it is fun to tell the variations of the story to lend meaning to the day.  Whether real or imagined, St. Valentine championed the cause of love.  The story of Cupid comes from Roman mythology as he was the son of Aphrodite who was the goddess of love.

Give your kids something that is real - the story of your love.  Parents can retell the story of how they met and fell in love.  There is nothing more intriguing than a story of true love.  Other family members can share their stories of love as well.  This is a way of passing stories down through the generations - an ancient practice that started before there were written records.

Watch a touching movie.  The movies don’t have to be sappy chick flicks.  Once the kids become teenagers, especially the boys, they will want out of this tradition, especially if the movies are too mushy.  The movie can have aspects of love whether it is friendship, family bonds, or the boy-girl kind of love.  Stories of love give kids a strong sense of its meaning so that they are prepared to show and receive love from others as they grow up.

Play a game that tells what each person in the family loves about each of the other family members?  Each person will get a chance to write down on a piece of paper what they love about one another.  Anonymously, every family member writes their thoughts on a separate slip for mom, dad, brother, sister, and so on.    

The papers are put in a basket or a small box that is owned by each person.  Family members take turns reading aloud what has been written about them.  It’ll feel good to know that you are loved and respected by your family.

Valentine’s Day traditions help us teach our kids about love.  We grow closer as a family and learn to depend on each other no matter what when we create Valentine’s Day traditions such as the ones mentioned here.

Valentine’s Day is a day for treats as well as expressions of love.  Kids like to get more of the sweets and this is one day they can enjoy delicious creations.  Here are some ideas for making cookies and cupcakes that ooze with love and fresh baked goodness.

Let’s start with the cookies.  For kids, baking is fun.  It is a way for them to help out in the kitchen and learn love cooking.  The freezer section of the grocery store has several flavors of cookies.  Rolled dough is good to use and eliminates cleanup hassles after the cookies are made.

Take a roll of refrigerated dough and roll it out on a non-stick surface.  Add a touch of flour to the rolling pin before you try to roll the dough or it will stick.  Younger kids may find it easier to roll the dough out with a plastic rolling pin because they are not as heavy as the wooden ones.

Heart shaped cookie cutters will turn regular sugar, peanut butter, and chocolate chip cookies into creations of love.  Kids don’t only like hearts.  Let them experiment with other shapes in the cookie cutter arsenal if they want to.  They can even design shapes of their own with the dough pieces that are too small to cut.

Cupcakes are much the same way but it takes a bit more preparation.  To make it easy, use a box cake mix instead of mixing everything from scratch.  Remind your kids that if you are adding egg that they can’t dip a finger in because of the possibility of salmonella poisoning. 

The kids can choose to use cupcake cups that are decorated for the holiday or spoon them directly into the muffin pan.  Mini muffin pans create bite size cupcakes for the family to enjoy after dinner.  If you have a window in the oven, kids will camp out and watch the cupcakes bake just like a television show.

Decorate those cupcakes with creamy icing.  White icing can be turned into pink with a bit of red food coloring.  Kids will be amazed by this as the white icing changes colors.  For an extra special touch, add candy sprinkles or cinnamon red hot candies.  It will be hard to keep the kids from eating up all the ingredients as they bake.  It may be hard to keep you from sneaking that spoonful of icing when you should be adding it to the cupcakes too so be warned.

Sweets are fun to make and even more fun to eat.  Cookies and cupcakes get a nice makeover on Valentine’s Day to help reflect the good feelings of the holiday as well as create great family togetherness. 

We all know the question, “What’s the best way to a man’s heart?” Most of us also know the answer is through his stomach. So, if you’re looking for a bit of romance in your relationship, start cooking! Here are some romantic meal ideas for each phase of a meal to get more than just the food heated up.

1. Desserts. Let’s start with the fun part first. Skip the meal and go straight for the best part - chocolate. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Sprinkle it on ice cream or pudding. Melt it into a fondue and take turns feeding each other chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, or cake squares.
   
   
2. Appetizers. When you don’t feel like eating a lot, create a variety of appetizers to wet both your palates. You can make it yourselves or have it delivered. Either way, keep the menu simple. Start with a veggie tray and some ranch dip or spicy chicken drummettes with hot sauce. If seafood is your fancy, try shrimp cocktail or skewers. Oysters are also an aphrodisiac whether cooked or raw.
   
   
3. Breakfast. Breakfast in bed can be an eye-opening experience. The best time to romanticize this meal is on the weekends when there is time to enjoy not only the food, but any activity afterwards that may occur. Create a breakfast casserole with some of your favorite ingredients like chopped peppers, sausage, cheese, bacon, and eggs. Feed each other one bite at a time. Top off the meal with a mimosa or two.
   
   
4. Dinner. No one wants to fix dinner but, making it together can lighten the load. Create a night in Tuscany with an Italian pasta dish. Spaghetti with large meatballs or fettuccine with chicken or shrimp are good choices.
   
   
   
   
5. Salads. In spring and summer, salads are less filling when eaten for lunch or dinner. You can set up a bistro table on the patio or porch and enjoy a light meal and some relaxing moments, just the two of you. Salads don’t have to be just vegetables either. Add lean strips of steak, chicken, fish, or shrimp. If you like spicy foods, you can easily create a taco or tortilla salad to tickle your taste buds.
   
   
6. Vegetarian Dishes. Vegetarians need romantic meals, too. Try a spicy, meatless chili in a bread bowl. For a dinner meal create a pasta dish with sautéed vegetables or a meatless sauce. Eggplant parmesan and veggie lasagna are filling dishes that go well with white wine too.

When done correctly, meals can light a romantic spark. Enjoy your meal, adding a bit of honest conversation, and see where it leads you.

Put an apron on him and point him towards a grill and he’s in heaven.  Barbeque grilling is his passion and hobby.  He is king of the coals.  If this sounds like your hubby, find gifts for him that play to his strengths.  Here are five ideas for romantic gifts that the barbeque man will love.

1. A new grill.  This is the ultimate gift.  He may have been making due with that charcoal grill he got five years ago.  You watch him lovingly clean “his baby” after each grilling success.  It may be time to upgrade.  Buy him that new smoker or gas grill he’s been wanting for some time now.  He won’t believe his eyes.
   
   
2. Utensils for cooking.  What’s a grill without the right tools?  Mitts, spatulas, forks, and brushes, are all an integral part of the grilling process.  Get him a talking barbeque thermometer.  He won’t have to read anymore, just listen to find out if the steaks are done.
   
   
3. Beverage cooler.  People that love to grill love to have others enjoy their work.  When you both have friends over for a backyard barbeque, give them a cool drink without running back and forth in the house or refilling the ice chest.  These coolers keep the temperature consistently cool so no one gets a lukewarm beverage while they wait for hot food.
   
   
4. Gift certificate for the best meats.  Any grilling master worth his salt needs the best foods for his grill.  Omaha Steaks and Hickory Farms have reputations for their fine foods.  Omaha Steaks offers the best cuts of beef, chicken, seafood, and pork that money can buy.  Order online and have it delivered right away.  All foods are vacuum sealed to thaw in as little as five minutes.  A gift certificate gives him access to the best foods without the hefty price tag.
   
   
5. Contest entries.  Is your man a competitive griller?  Enter him into some contests.  He may even have his own special barbeque sauce recipe that friends would buy if they could.  On the Food Network and in magazines like Cooking Light, contests are advertised all the time for cooking competitions.  Prizes range from money to new barbeque products to trips.
   
   

If you have a man that can cook and loves to do it, keep him around.  Getting gifts that are perfect for his love of cooking can not only spice up the meal, but maybe your love life too.    

With all the special events taking place on Valentine’s Day it is only right to end the day with a dinner befitting the occasion.  Kids can give you some ideas for what they want to have for dinner.  If you trust their tastes, let them choose the meal.  Here are some kid friendly Valentine’s Day dinner ideas.

Make your own pizza.  The kids can choose the toppings and fix them up into little bowls so that they are easier to put on the pizza.  Parents can shape the dough into a heart when it is ready for toppings.  To get the entire family involved, each person can create a personal pizza for themselves with their favorite toppings.  Add a salad and you have a perfect Valentine’s Day meal.

Anything that you can shape can become a Valentine’s Day meal centerpiece.  Instead of a loaf pan, put that meatloaf into a heart shaped pan.  Let the kids use ketchup to write a loving message on the meatloaf before you bake it. 

Casseroles for dinner are typical but on Valentine’s Day, we can take some time to give it a unique touch.  Parents can use kitchen shears to cut raw chicken breasts into heart like shapes for the casserole.  Veggie casseroles are easier to shape and kids can do it with a butter knife. 

For Valentine’s Day, the drinks are on the kids.  Red Kool-Aid is a great choice.  Let the kids mix it up.  To avoid all of the sweetness, use Splenda instead of pure cane sugar.  You can also make a Valentine’s Day punch.  You can find many punch recipes online and in cookbooks at your local library.  If your kids are really creative, they can use heart-shaped ice molds to fashion festive ice cubes to keep their drinks cool and refreshing. 

This special dinner takes planning.  You and your kids can grocery shop together the week before to find all the necessary ingredients and utensils to make Valentine’s Day a success.  You may have to visit a few stores to find the ice molds or non-stick pans for the meals.  While you’re at it, you may find some other things that could make your meal more festive on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day takes on new meaning when you have kids.  They see each event with new eyes and Valentine’s Day is no different.  Take the opportunity to get them interested in cooking and begin new family traditions that they look forward to participating in together each year.

Movies are great entertainment.  There is something for everyone:  love, hate, action, foreign language, and horror to name a few.  For the movie nut, watching a good motion picture is like drinking a fine wine.  If you are in love with a movie buff, here are some ideas for gifts they will love.

1. Favorite movies on DVD.  We all love to see the latest blockbuster at the Cineplex, but seeing a good movie over and over can get pricey.  When the DVD comes out, give him the gift of a classic collection.  Buy his or her favorite movies complete with bonus DVD’s that contain extra footage and director’s comments.  Now, they can watch the movie as many times as they want without the excessive costs of a movie theater.

2. Gift certificates.  Every movie theater offers gift certificates for their movie fans.  These gift certificates function like cash so they can be used for snack bar items also.  When your movie lover is short of cash for the latest thriller, he can use your gift to finance the venture.
   
   
3. Snack gift basket.  A movie is not the same without a snack to enjoy.  Give him or her a basket filled with all their movie favorites:  Jujubes, Mike and Ikes, Snickers, and Goobers.  Watching a movie at home will be just like a seat in the theater.
   
   
4. Home audio system.  The best thing about a movie is the sound.  It could be the music that makes us sad or the car crash special effects.  Either way, the sound is a big part of the movie.  Adding a Bose audio system to your home can bring that sound to life just like in a movie theater.  Can’t afford a Bose system, no problem.  There are tons of home theater systems available at various department stores so you’re sure to find one that works for your budget.
   
   
5. Wall mounted or big screen television.  A normal television screen won’t do for a movie fan.  With a bigger screen, they can see things in the scene that might have been missed before.  Stores like Circuit City and Best Buy have sales on their televisions all the time.  Surprise the movie lover in your life with a new screen to view his or her movies.  This will surely be a gift they won’t be expecting.
   
   
6. Favorite Movie Memorabilia
   Does your movie nut have a favorite era of film?  Get him some movie memorabilia from that era.  It may take a while to find but they will be glad you took the time.

We all have our special interests and nothing delights us more than someone who shares that interest with us.  You don’t have to be a movie nut to appreciate one.  Your movie gift of love is a romantic gesture not soon to be forgotten. 

Stores make plenty of money from kids on Valentine’s Day.  The teacher gives a list of names to each student and they address a card to each one and bring it to school on Valentine’s Day.  Cards come in all shapes and sizes in the store, but they all have the same basic feel to them.  Here are a few card ideas that will be different than the usual store bought cards.

Everyone loves getting mail.  I visit the mailbox each day with expectation of what may be inside.  Your kids can give their classmates the same feeling with a mailbox Valentine’s Day card. 

Small craft boxes can be covered with white paper to resemble a mailbox.  Kids can paste X’s and O’s and hearts to the outside.  Inside the mailbox put a homemade card that says something that your child likes about each of them even if it is only the color of their shirt.  Add a small treat inside the mailbox to put an even bigger smile on the children’s faces.

Stickers decorate cards just as well as drawings.  Using scissors that create decorative edges, cut hearts and other shapes out of cardstock paper.  The shapes can be pasted on a larger piece of cardstock and given that special touch using stickers.  Be sure that your child doesn’t forget to write the name of each child on the card.  He or she can even make one for their teacher.

Send each child in his class a teddy bear gram.  Small Valentine’s bears can be purchased at the dollar store.  They have bears with clear plastic slots on the front for a wallet size picture.  Instead of a picture slip a folded Valentine’s Day message in the pocket.  In addition to the friendly message, each child gets a teddy bear to love.

All kids like to get chocolate on Valentine’s Day.  Wrap several candy kisses in aluminum foil and shape it like one giant chocolate kiss.  Write a note for each classmate on a long slip of paper and roll it up.  Attach one end of the paper to the top of the foil kiss.  If you’re short on time or your child has a large class, the messages can all be the same to remove the need to uniquely address each giant kiss.  Kids can write something cute on the paper and sign their name.

Traditional cards are okay for classmates, but if your child has an imaginative mind, let them exercise it with these ideas.  Make Valentine’s Day in the classroom exciting and new.

Is the love of your life in love with sports?  There is nothing more romantic than receiving something that is “you” all over.  He’ll like that you understand him and put some real thought into his gift.  Try these ideas for gift giving to bring out the romantic side of your sports fan.

A sports fan is a guy’s guy.  He loves to watch all sorts of sports and we aren’t just talking about the season’s final title games.  He watches all season long even if his team is losing.  This kind of sports fan deserves only the best.

1. Sports paraphernalia.  What is the sports fan without his accessories?   Included in this are those #1 fingers in his favorite team colors.  For the extreme fan, give them body paint to show their true colors in the living room or at a game.
   
   
2. Sports logos.  You know he is a fan, but he wants all of his buddies to know it too.  He will get a kick out of telling them that his wife bought him all that stuff.  A huge logo on the wall in “his room” will be the first thing they see when they enter.  Life-sized posters of their favorite player or a cardboard cutout by Fathead would thrill him.  Another great idea is a flag for the yard sporting his favorite team’s insignia.
   
   
3. Photo magic.  Do some photo retouching to bring your sports fan into the picture.  Take some pictures of your beloved and his friends or alone at home all dolled up in his sports gear.  Mesh the photos with pictures of his favorite players to give the illusion that he was in the publicity shots.  It might seem a bit corny but you have to admit it is oh so cute.  Blow the pictures up and frame them for him. 
   
   
4. Sports package on cable television.  No sports fan can see every game on regular television.  Surprise him with a subscription to satellite or cable television’s sports package.  He can watch every game played by his favorite sports team all season long.
   
   
5. Immortalize his memories in a scrapbook.  This gift will take a bit of planning and preparation, but it will mean so much to him.  Collect all of his ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, and other souvenirs that he’s picked up at the games.  Put them in a scrapbook for him with dates and places.  Whenever he wants, he can look back at the season and remember the good times.
   
   
6. A bank for his money.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand finding loose change in the cushions and on the floor.  So, how can we resolve this problem?  Give him somewhere to put it.  This is no ordinary piggy bank though.  He will be dressed up in his best sports jersey.  You can even find various kinds of banks with team logos already on them too. 
   
   
7. A year’s subscription.  Let him read about each new development in sports with a subscription to Sports Illustrated or another favorite sporting magazine.  Each month he can read and keep up with what’s new in his favorite sport or with his team.  Best of all, it will come right to his door and he didn’t have to pay for it.
   
   

There are plenty of sports fans, but only one like your special man.  Tailor your gifts to his personality and you can’t go wrong.

Purposeful Planning Need some time with your spouse uninterrupted to dream, talk, plan? Planning weekends give you time to dream, to talk together about what you wish, or want, at a time when the other person is really listening. Do you need a plan to keep your family moving in the direction the Lord is leading you? Perhaps you don’t know where the Lord is leading you. Phyllis takes you step-by-step through the process of planning a time together for your family to help determine the path the Lord is choosing for each area of your life. Her family has followed this format for over 12 years and has found that it provides the compass they’ve needed to plan and stay on course. This time-tested method of planning will give your family new direction for the future. Start today! Choose the dates for your planning weekend, read her book which has the entire “how to” included, and go for it! Want to get a head-start? Make plans to join us for our “chat” on this topic this week. Don’t miss it!

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Kids love to create crafts and Valentine’s Day is no exception.  Construction paper is a useful tool for making Valentine’s Day crafts that kids will enjoy creating and family members will enjoy receiving.

Start with a pad of construction paper.  Make sure that you have a pad of white sheets, red sheets, and multicolored paper.  The local office supply or craft store should have just what you need for the job. 

The obvious first project is paper hearts.  Kids can use safety scissors to cut out heart tracings.  They can draw big and small hearts out of red and white sheets of construction paper.  What I like to call alligator teeth scissors can be used to cut out some of the hearts and give them a unique edged design. 

Red, white, and pink are the usual colors of Valentine’s Day but don’t object if the kids want to use other colors as well.  They are being creative and creativity should be encouraged.  A purple or green heart will be made with just as much love as a red one.

Kids can use large stencils to make letters that spell out Happy Valentine’s Day.  Each letter is made out of construction paper and can be any color that the kids wish it to be.  When they are done cutting out the letters they can glue them to a string of yarn and make a banner.  Add a little glitter or stickers to make the letters stand out even more.  You can display their handiwork in a doorway or on the living room wall. 

What else can kids use construction paper for?  They can decorate other items for Valentine’s Day.  Adding a few tiny pieces of red or pink construction paper to a vase or picture frame can turn it into a special gift with a love theme. 

Construction paper along with some love stamps can create feel-good buttons for the entire family to wear for Valentine’s Day.  The kids can stamp to their hearts content and then cut out shapes around the designs to give to family and classmates.  A piece of rolled tape or a small safety pin can fix the “love button” to any shirt or jacket.

Construction paper doesn’t cost much and it is a wonderful way for kids to have fun at Valentine’s Day.  With simple items found around the house like construction paper, crayons, markers and scissors, crafts are easy to make at a moment’s notice.

Everything is online in our virtual Conference  Room. So, no babysitters. No travel. No hotels. No packing up! You can enjoy us in the comfort of your own home.  We have a full weekend planned with awesome freebies and wonderful workshops.Well, check out the details and reserve your spot today! You will LOVE it!

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See ya there!

Love,
Cindy

The love of your life may like to seek adventure in the wide world of outdoor adventure.  He likes the smell of the woods, the thrill of rugged terrain, and dressing in those great clothes.  For the outdoorsman you fancy, encourage his hobbies with a few gifts that show him how much you care.

1. Dress
   Men can be like kids when it comes to getting something new.  If he loves to camp with his buddies, he’ll get a kick out of showing them his new outfit.  A fishing vest with places for all of his lures or a jacket to insulate him from the elements on his nature hike prepares your man to spend time with guy friends on his seasonal trip.
   
   
2. Fun/Emergency Gadgets   
   An outdoorsman is nothing without his tools.  A Swiss army knife can come in handy when camping.  The Swiss company has several varieties that come with different gadgets inside depending on what he may need.  A good compass is invaluable to a hiker whether a novice or experienced.  Fit him with all things he can use for fun or an emergency.
   
   
3. GPS Phone
   We don’t like to think about something going wrong, but a telephone that can work anywhere is essential when he plans a weekend with the guys in the great outdoors.  It gives those of us waiting at home piece of mind to know that we can reach them and they can reach us if they want or need to.  You can call him before bed and whisper sweet nothings in his ear or just tell him how much you can’t wait until he’s home with you.
   
   
4. Binoculars
   Binoculars are good for seeing far off or just for fun.  In case he wants a memento or two of the occasion there are binoculars that have picture taking capabilities so he doesn’t have to carry a separate camera.
    
5. Pitch Up In Style
   Roughing it can be a bit, well, rough.  Send him out to the woods with his friends in as much comfort as possible.  The traditional tent looked like a glorified doggie home with only enough room to sit up or lie down.  Tents have come a long way.  They allow a grown man to stand up and move around.  Separate compartments allow for sleeping quarters and a common area to share some laughs with the guys.

There’s something about the fresh air and the call of the wild that appeals to his manly nature.  Help him adequately prepare for his trips with a few choice gifts.

Even geeks need love.  They are more comfortable with a pocket of pens and the latest game about dueling warlords, but you gotta love ‘em.  Look at Bill Gates.  He’s worth billions.  Here are five ideas for gifts that will impress even the biggest geek in your life.

1. A new cell phone - The more things he can do with his cell phone, the better.  The new smart phones will let him stay organized and coordinate his schedule with one device.  Cell phones can handle videos, music files, photos, and, oh, making telephone calls.  Surprise him with the best.
   
   
2. Computer accessories - What true geek doesn’t love to spend time on the PC?  Who knows, he could come up with the next great video game or computer software program?  But, a future millionaire needs the proper tools to do his job.  A wireless keyboard and mouse keep him from tripping over wires all the time.  For his laptop, a cooling mat underneath extends the battery life and keeps the system from overheating.  He can see the friends he talks to with a webcam.
   
   
3. The newest gaming system - Always stay ahead of the technology.  For gaming geeks, this means the latest video game system.  Choose from the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii.  Each has its own unique features to thrill the intense gaming fan.  The games for these systems can get expensive, so you may want to purchase one or two favorites to get them started off right.
   
   
4. Lounge chair for gamers - If he is going to be playing for hours, he should be comfortable.  A gaming lounge chair lets him keep good posture while defeating the bad guys.
   
   
5. Telescope - Not all geeks are into video games.  Some have their head in the clouds.  Help him reach for the stars with a new telescope.  You can star gaze together on a warm summer night.  He can even show you that star he’s going to name after you.
    

There are also other gifts like magazine subscriptions or the latest gadget pen that techies would enjoy.  The above gifts can be of use to you too.  Take a photo of yourself with his cell phone or upload to his computer.  Cozy up in that lounge chair or play games together.  Give him a gift he loves and the romance will find its way in.

Valentine’s Day is an occasion that the entire family can share.  Words and gifts of love are exchanged on this day and we want to remember them for years to come.  When we have kids, those memories become more precious to us.  Here are some ideas to make keepsake mementos of the love day each year.

Press it in a book.  When kids are too small to make mommy a gift, daddy may bring home a bouquet of flowers and let them give it to mom.  Those flowers can be kept by pressing the petals between the pages of a book.  Pressed flowers can be sealed between two pieces of glass to make bookends or a paperweight.  A tag can be placed in the glass with the flowers that gives the year the gift was given and by whom.

That first card that comes home from school is the sweetest of all.  It was made for you with their own little hands.  If you already scrapbook or have thought about it, it is a good way to preserve the memories each Valentine’s Day.  Devote a different page in the scrapbook to the cards given to you by your child.  Include pictures of them and you enjoying the day together.  Add a paragraph or two about what made the day stick out in your mind.

During the early years in school, many kids bring home clay handprints from art class as a token of love for mom and dad.  Save these handprints as keepsakes for Valentine’s Day.  Even when they get too old to make them in school, purchase your own kit and make handprints at home.  The kids can decorate them as they wish and you can put the date on the back. 

Get the entire day on film.  A video camera is a good investment with kids because they are always doing unexpected things.  Valentine’s Day is no different.  Capture the words they use to describe you when they give you that card.  Remember the hug they gave you at three years old as they handed you a bouquet of paper roses.  Those moments won’t come again.  Start a video keepsake library of family moments that can be enjoyed by all generations.

Memories are important.  They are what we carry with us long after an event is over.  Start this year putting your Valentine’s Day memories into a keepsake you can enjoy for years and years to come. 

Give the kids a sense of love all day long on Valentine’s Day.  The love isn’t just represented in a special dinner or after dinner treats, but you can remind them of your love at other mealtimes throughout the day too.  Here are some ideas to spruce up your every day snacks for Valentine’s Day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  On Valentine’s Day, it is extra special.  Give the kids silver dollar pancakes in the shape of a heart.  They’ll wonder how you did it and think you are the greatest mom in the world.  It’s nice to be loved.

It’s not only the food that can change shape.  Serve drinks for the kids in red and pink cups.  Each meal tastes that much better on a plate that says I love you. 

All of your food can go all mushy with love on Valentine’s Day.  Give sandwiches a makeover using cookie cutters in the shape of hearts.  Kids love eating little pieces of food because they can pick it up with their fingers.  Bite size pieces are easier to chew too.

If your kids like fruit, slice your fruit into thick slices and then cut them into different shapes using cookie cutters.  Add a bowl of these lovely fruit pieces to their sandwich for lunch.  If the kids are school age these ideas still work for a bag lunch on Valentine’s Day.

Do your kids like soup?  February is still the middle of winter and in some places it is still cold.  Instead of serving that soup for lunch in a regular bowl, try a bread bowl.  Hollow the bread out in the shape of a heart.  The kids will be stunned and amazed once again by your cooking creativity.  Chicken noodle or vegetable soup seems to taste better when it’s presented in a new way.

Macaroni and cheese can go all hugs and kisses with a little help from some add-ins.  Add color and protein to the favorite pasta dish with some ham bits shaped like miniature hearts.  Pieces of sweet peppers and other veggies like carrots can add some love to that bowl too.  Who knew that all you had to do was change the shape of the vegetables to get kids to eat them?

Valentine’s Day is about extra special love all day long.  Add that love to your food and give your kids a treat.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to have a party.  Invite family and friends to share the day with you at your home.  When a party is on the agenda, everyone can contribute ideas to make it fun.

Plan ahead.  To avoid a rush, gather all of the party supplies a week in advance.  Let everyone brainstorm ideas until the big shopping day arrives.  With list in hand, find games and items for everyone.

Dress each guest to celebrate at the party.  For the girls, give them a candy necklace.  Once the party is over, she can nibble at her necklace for a sweet treat.  For the boys, try candy whistles.  It’ll be the most delicious sound they’ve ever made.

Start with some games.  How about a game of hearts for the card players in the group?  Go online and Google card games to find a simple version of the game for kids and adults to play at parties. 

Word games are fun at a party.  Using the words, Happy Valentine’s Day, give kids two or three minutes to write down as many words as they can using those letters.  The one with the most words wins a prize. 

Prizes for games can be as simple as paper hearts that function as coupons.  For example, create a coupon that can be traded in for a day with no chores or a five dollar gift from the store.  The more prizes a person wins, the more coupons they can cash in.  If you have invited people outside the family, have a separate prize basket with small prizes like teddy bears and candy.

Teach a craft.  Kids love to make things so give them an opportunity to learn something new.  Since spring comes right on the heels of winter, show them how to plant seeds in a flower pot.  They can start their own herb garden that will grow indoors.  Decorate the pots with hearts so kids will always remember the fun they had on Valentine’s Day.

If the weather is nice, the kids can take turns whacking a Valentine’s Day piñata.  The piñata can be a cupid, a heart, or something else related to Valentine’s Day.  Each child gets three chances to bust it open.  After that, the older party guests get a crack at it.

Even if it is just the family, a Valentine’s Day party can bring lots of laughs and quality together time.  Encourage old and young alike to participate for the most fun.

He loves hanging out on the courses during the weekend.  He is comfortable in plaid pants and sweaters.  He polishes his clubs all the time.  This is your golfer and you love him.  Here are ideas for seven romantic gifts that will delight the die hard golfer.

1. New clubs - If he plays golf as much as I think he does, he will need good clubs.  Maybe he started out with a good pair but hasn’t made the transition to a top of the line set of clubs.  This will be the ultimate gift for a golfer.  Golf clubs cost a lot of pretty pennies so start saving now.  He will appreciate your investment in him.
   
   
2. Golfing gift basket - Surprise him with plenty of golfing goodies.  The basket can contain new golf balls, a monogrammed hand towel, golfing gloves, and more.  Cover the bottom in green spray-painted Spanish moss to resemble the golf course. 
   
   
3. How about those greens fees? -  It can be costly going to the course on weekends.  Pay up his fees three, six, nine, or twelve months in advance.  Carefree golfing will excite him.
   
   
4. Spring for a new wardrobe - With you on his side, he’ll be the best dressed golfer on the course.  How about a pair of driving moccasins or new golf sweaters?  Keep him in style when he meets his friends or clients on the course.
   
   
5. Putting cup - He may have some down time at work when he can get in a little more practice.  Your guy will have his own private slice of the course right in his office with his own putting cup.
   
   
6. Golf bag - New clubs deserve a new bag.  Give him one that will be easy for him and for the caddy to maneuver.  Have it monogrammed with a gold label so no one will confuse it for theirs.  The bag should have plenty of room for his essentials such as tees, balls, etc.
   
   
7. Subscription to his favorite magazine - Those that follow golf don’t want to miss out on any of the action.  A subscription to his favorite golfing magazine will keep him informed about all of the latest in golfing techniques and tournament play.
   
   

Golf is a hard game to play and become good at.  If your man is a golfer, give him gifts that show you support him one hundred percent.      

With kids around, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on decorations for Valentine’s Day.  They are full of ideas so enlist their help to come up with decorating tips to spread the love this Valentine’s Day.

Start simple.  Decorate the main rooms of your home.  Give each kid a ball of ribbon in red, white, or pink and watch what they do.  Ribbon can be wrapped around vases of flowers and draped above doorways.  A pair of scissors can be run the length of the ribbon to create curls.

Cabinets and dressers can be made festive with small construction paper hearts.  The kids can stick them all over - wherever they can find a good spot.  If you sit still long enough, there may be a few attached to you.  Bigger hearts can be cut out and displayed on the walls.  If you are afraid that tape will strip the paint off of the walls, use a hole punch to create holes in the hearts.  Make a loop through the hole with a piece of string and hang over a push pin or a small nail.

Instead of streamers, try a paper chain in alternating colors.  Cut several pieces of construction paper into one inch wide strips.  Interlock the paper and create a link chain.  When the chain is long enough hang it up in the kitchen or family room as a banner to remind the entire family that it is Valentine’s Day.

Kids can glue Popsicle sticks together to make coasters for the coffee table.  Watercolor paints can be used to decorate the finished coaster with hearts and arrows.  You can even add words like, Happy Valentine’s Day, Love, etc. to the coasters.  The same Popsicle sticks can be used to make a poster or a mobile that says I Love You.  The sticks are shaped and then painted bright red or pink.  Once dry, mount them on poster board or attached to a heart-shaped hanger by pieces of yarn.

A cloth furniture cover can transform your living room into a Valentine’s Day celebration room.  Measure the length of the couch or chair so that the cover will fit.  Spread it out on the floor and let the kids get started on the decorations.  They can glue felt words and shapes to the cover along with the names of each family member.  Every year at Valentine’s Day you can bring out their handiwork and decorate the room.

Decorations are fun to make and display around the house.  They don’t have to be for just one season.  Store them in airtight containers so they stay clean and intact for next year and years to come.

2.    Membership to a Coffee Club
Some coffee lovers really enjoy trying new flavors.  One of the best ways to do so is through a membership in a coffee club.  Boca Java is a coffee membership club that offers new flavors each season.  They provide fresh ground coffee or whole bean depending on the subscriber’s preferred tastes.  They ship every four, seven, or twelve weeks.  If your coffee lover doesn’t like the membership they are free to cancel at any time.

3.    Coffee Machine
Nothing says love to a coffee guru like a new coffee machine.  Get him or her the latest machine that does everything.  There are brew stations that make cup by cup of coffee or a certain number of cups.  You can purchase a machine that grinds the beans before it brews or, give them an espresso/cappuccino maker to enjoy drinks at home when they doesn’t feel like heading out for their favorite cup.

4.    Coffee Gift Basket
Gift baskets are like Christmas every day.  They can contain several gifts in one package.  You can purchase a gift basket online, in a coffee store, or come up with one of your own.  For those who like a variety of coffee, don’t forget to add several bags of their favorite flavors.  Add a cute coffee mug, some flavored spoons and creamers, etc. Including shirts, pens, and other items that cater to his or her coffee cravings will help them to remember your gift with items that are useful beyond just the coffee itself.

5.    Flavored Spoons and Such
Sweet treats are a complement to just about any cup of coffee.  Flavored spoons that are covered in chocolate and other flavors enhance the coffee, not to mention they are fun too.  Instead of powdered creamer, offer the coffee lover tasty flavors like caramel crème and French vanilla for his or her first morning cup of Joe.

Coffee doesn’t have to be boring anymore.  If you love a coffee lover, make their experience of drinking coffee special with a few choice gifts like the ones above.

When kids are first introduced to Valentine’s Day it is by their parents.  They are told that it is a day to show those we love how we feel about them.  Until they learn about Cupid and the type of love he represents, they cherish the love of friends and family above any other.  Because of this Mom and Dad are at the top of their card lists.  Here are some valentine card ideas for parents.

For the youngest kids, cards made of felt are easy to create.  All you need are some pieces of felt, glue sticks, and foam letters.  Children will need your help spelling out the love-filled message but even misspellings are an expression of love.  Felt cards can be hand delivered without the need for an envelope. 

What is one of the biggest canvases in the house?  You guessed it, the refrigerator.  Toy stores sell those magnetic letters and shapes that are used on the refrigerator to teach spelling and sentence formation.  Let the kids create a card that can be enjoyed for more than just the holiday with tons of magnetic letters.  Everyone that comes in the kitchen can see their testament of love for Mom and Dad.

Love is not just a word, it is a declaration.  In medieval times, declarations were written on scrolls and read to everyone in the town.  Kids can do the same for mom and dad.  Pre-printed scrolls are available where kids can write in the name of mom and dad and sign their own name at the bottom. 

If they want to make their own scrolls at home all they’ll need is a long sheet of paper, glue, and two paper towel rolls.  The paper towel rolls will act like the rollers for the scroll.  The kids can decorate the scroll card in any way with their own special message.  The top and the bottom edges of the paper are then glued to a paper towel roll.  After the glue dries, roll the scroll up and tie it closed with a decorative ribbon.

Through the ages, poems have always said what the heart was feeling.  Kids learn how to construct poems in school.  Encourage them to express their love with words.  You’ll be tickled and brought to tears by some of the messages they come up with.  Let them paste their poems into a homemade card or fold the poem in half and let it become the card all of it’s own. 

Older kids can use the wonders of technology to create a unique card on the computer.  Card programs allow the user to use any font, color, and style they want.  The cards can be blank or come complete with sayings.  On the back, the kids can even put their signature as the creator of the card just like a Hallmark. 

Kids are always on the lookout for new ways to say something nice to their parents.  These ideas will get them started.  If you want a new twist on the Valentine’s Day card for kids to give to their parents, definitely try some of the ideas mentioned above.

Kids can put a crimp in the romantic portion of our lives. As mothers and wives, we lose the second in favor of the first. But, any expert will tell you that romance is a key ingredient to a successful marriage. Sometimes it takes us really focusing to be sure the hugs and kisses don’t stop with motherhood.

As women, we are a complicated breed. Maybe that adds to the mystery, but not if it makes it harder for us to figure out ourselves. In general, our emotions are tied to our sense of romance. When we feel tired or taken for granted by our spouse, romance becomes the last thing in the world we want to pursue.

When we are dating or just after the wedding, everything is great. We enjoy the company of our spouse and even have sex several times a week. Life couldn’t be better, right?

Love is hard work. Granted, when we have children, they carry away our focus with their twinkling eyes and button noses. For a time, romance is suspended, but that is to be expected. The problem comes in when the persona of “mom” overtakes that of “wife” and “lover.” Instead of continuing those roles, we instead give our husbands another mother.

I hear stories on talk shows all the time about couples that wake up after thirty years of marriage to find they are lying next to a stranger. It doesn’t happen overnight I assure you. It takes time to grow away from your spouse. Unfortunately, we just don’t realize it’s happening until we wake up that morning.

The marriage is the center of the entire family’s relationship. There was husband and wife before there was mother and father. Mom, getting back to the beginning is important. Kids will grow up and it will be back to you and your mate. It’s easier to handle what goes on outside of the home in our daily lives when there is a great person waiting at home who understands us.

When the kids tire us out, we can relax with our spouse. As two halves of a whole, we complete each other. With the kids, it seems like we are nothing more than a driver for hire or the maid. We wouldn’t mind the maid so much if we felt the love and appreciation from our spouse. Romance is a big part of that feeling.

Romance is more than sex. In addition to the visual of a maid, some women feel that all they are is a vehicle for sex. Romance involves talking, cuddling, kissing, and more.

Lack of touch and acknowledgment by a spouse is the underlying cause of a lot of marriage breakups. The reason that couples’ give for an impending divorce may be irreconcilable differences on paper, but it started with a break in the flow between the husband and the wife. Not taking the time to grow together as the years go by is a mistake that can be rectified with some work.

Without romantic gestures, moms lose the woman inside of them. Life is about balance. That balance shifts a little when kids come along, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

What’s stopping you from enjoying fun in the sun surrounded by crystal clear waters?  For many the top reason they can’t enjoy the romantic getaway of their dreams is due to the price tag.  When people think of romantic getaways, they think of faraway places in exotic locales and normally these types of vacations aren’t very friendly on the wallet.  Don’t give up though.  These are not the only romantic getaways to be enjoyed.

Instead of thinking of a budget as restrictive, think of it as the first step in your plan to enjoy a worry-free romantic getaway.  Look to your budget as a friend who helps keep you in check, not the enemy keeping you from experiencing the romantic getaway you want.  These helpful hints will guide you in planning a romantic getaway on a budget.

1. Plan Early - The best deals are normally found far in advance of the trip.  By planning ahead you may find that you can afford to budget a romantic jaunt once every season instead of just once a year.  Once a month is also doable if you keep the trips simple.
   
   
2. Rent a Car - Cheaper rental prices can be found if you pick up the car on Thursday and return it on a Monday.  This is a good way to travel without adding mileage to your own car.  For locations that are not too far away but require a bit of time driving, use the road trip to spend time talking and enjoying the scenery along the way.
   
   
3. Explore Your Own State - We often think of a getaway as leaving our state, but any change of location that is relaxing and romantic is a great way for couples to spend time together.  Check out the mountains and beaches in your state.  Each state has points of interest.  For example, in the state of North Carolina, there are romantic cabins and hotels in mountainous areas like Asheville.  There are also beachfront views in Wilmington and the Outer Banks.
   
   
4. Take a Bus Tour - Bus tours take trips to many popular places.  These are coach tour buses with comfortable seating.  Many times the cost of the trip includes hotel rooms and food.  You can take a weekend trip to wine country, casinos, or other locations without spending a penny on gas or having the dreaded worry of doing the driving.
   
   
5. All Inclusive Resorts - If the romantic getaway is to last three or four days, research all inclusive trips.  With these deals, airfare, hotel, and food are included.  A number of activities are included in the package so you don’t have to leave the resort if you don’t want to.  Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii are just a few places that have all-inclusive resorts.
   
   

A budget doesn’t have to stop you from spending time together away from it all.  In fact, planning ahead makes the trip more romantic, because money is the last thing you have to think about.  Instead you can concentrate on each other, which is the whole point of a romantic getaway in the first place, right?

Puzzles have been around for hundreds of years.  They tease the brain and give us hours of enjoyment.  The puzzle lover is always up for new challenges.  If your guy loves puzzles, here are some ideas for gifts that he would love to receive.

1. Puzzle Books
   Puzzle books allow him to take his love of puzzles on the morning subway train ride, to the lunch room, and anywhere else he may go.  Crossword puzzle books or word search keep the mind occupied during periods of time when there is nothing else to do but wait.  The puzzle books can be the size of a notebook or small enough for him to slip into his back pocket.
   
   
2. Keychain Games
   He can hang his favorite game from the ring of keys he carries.  Games like Sudoku, tic-tac-toe, and others can be purchased in these small electronic versions.  Just a warning: If he likes to play it all the time, he may ask you to drive.
   
   
3. Traditional Puzzles
   We’ve all put together a puzzle as a kid.  The most challenging ones were the 500 piece boxes with obscure pictures.  You know the ones that made all but the puzzle fan give up.  Some sites offer custom made puzzles complete with a picture of whatever you wish when you send them a photograph.  Give him a pleasant surprise when he completes the puzzle - a picture of you.
   
   
4. Brainteasers
   Remember the games that we used to get out of the bubble gum machine or at the dollar store?  They were things like the little black plastic squares with interlocking pieces that contained numbers or parts of a picture.  You had to shift them around until the pieces were in the correct order.  He’ll love the fact that you searched far and wide to find the puzzle games that first interested him when he was younger.
   
   
5. Rubik’s Cube
   This has to be the ultimate puzzle.  The only way I could get the thing back to normal was to switch the colored pieces.  Along with the cube, there was an orb and a pyramid that came out as well.  This gift will challenge him for hours.
   
   

Puzzles come in all shapes, sizes, and dimensions these days.  Sharpen his mind and his smile with the latest puzzle on the market.  When he needs a break from the mind boggling of the puzzle be sure you’re there to help him unwind too! 

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful holiday for crafts.  Kids of all ages can get involved in the preparations and celebration.  Toddlers are too young to use scissors safely on their own, but they can still participate in craft making with the family.  Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day crafts that don’t require the use of scissors by your young ones.

Toddlers like to paint.  They learn in preschool that painting is fun and safe.  Give them some finger paints in red and white and have a good time decorating just about anything. 

With finger paints you have to prepare the area so that the kids have a blast without your house looking like a construction zone.  Dress the kids in play clothes so that they can get messy without ruining their good clothes. 

They can use their little hands to make a heart shape out of their prints.  You can get them to alternate red and white prints or they can mix white and red to make a batch of pink paint for more hearts.  Guide their hands to write words like “I love you” on a piece of construction paper or a poster board.

Toddlers can give the gift of flowers that they have made by themselves.  Give your toddler a variety colors and sizes of tissue paper so that they can make unique bouquets for each of their valentines.  The best thing about tissue paper is that it best resembles a flower when it is crumpled up.  Kids love to rip and crumble things up.  With this craft, they can do those things for fun.  You can crumple with them and let out your inner child too.

Once the paper is sufficiently crumpled, put the sheets together.  Show the kids how to wrap a pipe cleaner around the bundle of tissue paper sheets and fluff them up.  In no time they will look like flowers.  Since pipe cleaners may be hard to manage, it might be a better idea for parents to add the pipe cleaner and let the toddlers shape the flowers.

Craft stores have all sorts of good things that toddlers can use for Valentine’s Day crafting.  Foam shapes come pre-made.  Kids just have to punch them out and apply them to whatever surface they need to.  Instead of using glue, glue sticks are less messy and a toddler can learn to handle them much easier than a bottle of glue. 

You can cut out some pictures of their face and place them in the center of the foam sheet.  After they decorate with the shapes, the craft can be given to grandparents or other family members as a Valentine’s Day card that is unique and special.

Toddlers don’t have to use scissors to make crafts.  Each of the above valentine crafts for toddlers required no scissor use and still they make excellent crafts that are fun and still allow them to be creative.

Moms, don’t lose yourselves in your kids.  That husband of yours needs to know that you care for him as well.  It’s hard to carve out time for love and kisses when the kids are screaming and the pots are boiling over but, trust me, it will be well worth the effort.

First, don’t get overwhelmed.  Start off with small gestures to get the ball rolling.  If you have been stuck in the mommy rut for a good amount of time, he won’t even see it coming. 

Remember when we were kids?  We scribbled the name of another kid that we liked on our notebooks.  For boys, they resorted to pulling the pigtails of their favorite gal.  Be a kid again and do those puppy love things we all used to do.

Most husbands get dressed and go to work each day.  Slip a note in the pocket of his jacket.  Tell him one thing that makes you love him.  Each week you can give him a new reason for the mad love inside of you. 

Give him a kiss when he leaves.  If your job requires you to leave before him, give him a wet one on the lips while he is still snug in bed.  Kisses are quite underrated.  Remember how even a little kiss gave us goose bumps when we were just getting to know our spouses?  Let them lead the way back to a more romantic relationship.

Greet him at the door after a hard day of work.  This sounds cheesy but it is a nice touch.  He’ll know that someone missed him.  Meet him at the bedroom door later on in the evening if he happens to arrive home before you do. 

Show your love! While most men don’t let their emotions get in the way of their sex lives, gestures of love do move them.  Your show of love gives them a sense of confidence in themselves.  They will be more likely to seek out ways to show love that makes you happy instead of just guessing.

Asking about his day keeps the lines of communication open between the two partners.  The object is to listen as he talks.  If he is a rocket scientist or something else technical, you may need to break out a book or two to understand what he is talking about.  Since he already knows this, just being a sounding board for him is sometimes good enough.

It doesn’t take much, but it does take a concerted effort to add something special to the relationship with your spouse.  A bit at a time, begin to show attention to your spouse in new ways.  Both of you will be more receptive during more intimate encounters as a result.

~Oswald Chambers~
My Utmost for His Highest

• A Big, Fluffy, Fresh Blanket or Quilt
• Audio Tapes of your favorite LOVE music!
• Balloons
• Box of Chocolates
• Breath Mints
• Bubble Bath
• Candles
• Candy
• Cards
• CD’s with your favorite music
• Cheese and Crackers
• Chocolate!
• Cologne
• Feathery Pillows
• Flowers
• Games
• Hot Chocolate
• IOU’s
• Lingerie
• Lotions
• Massage Oil
• Movies
• Nighty
• Notecards
• Oils
• Paper
• Picnic Basket
• Perfume
• Planning Calendar—your own ROMANCE CALENDAR!
• Poems
• Ribbons
• Roses
• Silk Sheets
• Sparkling Grape Juice, Chilled!
• Stereo
• Stickers
• Sweet Trinket Gifts
• Valentine Cards
• VCR
• Yummy Foods!

• TV!
• Cell phone calls!
• Email!
• Internet
• Bickering
• Complaining
• Criticizing
• Forgetting special dates
• Saying, “No chocolate for you dear!”
• Family weigh-in
• No Richard Gear or Sandra Bullock flicks—or Arnold Schwarzenneggar PLEASE!
• No bass fishing—or golfing!
• No scrapbooking!
• No passing gas!

Did you know that Chocolate contains a large amount of Phenylethylamine,a chemical your body also produces when you feel love? GO AHEAD! DEVOUR THE CHOCOLATE!

• Hot Chocolate! Sip a big mug of Hot Chocolate together! Get big mugs for a special time together. Fill them full of yummy Hot Chocolate. Top with marshmallows, drizzles of chocolate syrup, or even whipped topping and a cherry! Go out on the deck or front porch to sip your Hot Chocolate and chat! Other options: take your Hot Chocolate in a thermos to a beautiful spot. Take a quilt, flowers, and candles. Pour your mugs full of your Hot Chocolate and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy the moment and just being together!

• Nestle Treasures! Fill a cute treasure box with Nestle’s Treasures! These are some of my newest weaknesses! These little candies are shaped into sweet treasure chests filled with different fillings. They are an adorable goody to add to anything with a theme of “treasures.” Fill a treasure box full of these and include a sweet note about what a treasure your sweetheart is.

• Chocolate Malts! Go out for a Chocolate Malt and share with two straws! J Sit and talk. Dream. Share goals. Take time to just enjoy each other…you can even have a second malt to share!

• Hershey Kisses! Share Hershey Kisses! Go to one of your favorite spots: waterfall, beach, airport to watch the planes land and take off, spillway, brook, etc. Take a bag of Hershey Kisses to share while you enjoy the view and your friendship!

• Chocolate Covered Cherries! Don’t forget Chocolate Covered Cherries! Yummy! Get a box and take them along as you watch the sunset! Enjoy the memory!

• Brownies! Make a big pan of Brownies and cuddle up for an old movie! Serve with Vanilla Ice-Cream, nuts, or extra Chocolate or Caramel Syrup. Make a picnic in the middle of your bed! Devour!

• Millionaires! HOOT! These are my sweetie’s favorites! Right up there with the rest of these listed! Ha! Whether bought or made at home, these are always sure to please! Get a whole box…go to your favorite spot with a view…and just chat while you indulge. Sure to make a memory over chocolate!

• Oreos! Yep! And…don’t forget the milk!

• Don’t forget about GODIVA! I don’t know about you, but some of my most favorite Chocolates are Godiva Chocolates! YUMMY! I instantly forget my diet…in fact, I don’t CARE about a diet around Godiva! Ha! Get a bit! You will LOVE it…and so will your sweetie!

• Open the door for her! Yep! Take that extra step to make her feel special!

• Make a CD collection of “YOUR” love songs.

• Treat her to a Bed and Breakfast for a weekend! Let her decide what she would like to do if she could anything she wanted for a whole weekend…do it!

• Grill out for her! Send her off for a long, hot bubble bath. Get the kids fed and ready for bed. Grill out your favorite meal. Serve her dinner by candlelight!

• Begin a LOVE Journal for her. Buy a pretty journal. Begin writing entries for her. For example, “Things I Love About You…” “I Want to Grow Old With You Because…” “Character Qualities I Most Admire In Her…” “You Bless Me When You….” This may sound mushy…but, just try it! She will LOVE it! It will become one of her most favorite treasures ever!

• Brush her hair for her! Just nurture her for a bit!

• Bring home pizza or Steak-Out and a movie. Snuggle up with the kids for one movie. Tuck them into bed early. Then, stay up for a movie and mommy/daddy time!

• Go for a long drive! Drive in the mountains…in the country…along the beach! Play your “love songs” in the background while you talk!

• Cook dinner for her. Give her a night off and treat her to a home-cooked meal by you! Yep! Romance can begin in the kitchen!

• Bring home flowers! Or Chocolate! Or just a little trinket!

• Give her a long massage!

• Try Breakfast together. Take time with each other regularly to have a morning devotion and breakfast before the kids get up! Set aside enough time for real communication of your hearts. Really listen!

• Bring home ice-cream or “fixins” for Banana Splits. Make her a big surprise!

• Sleep in! Snuggle up and enjoy holding each other.

SPECIAL NOTE: No ideas shared in this article are intended to be used in any way! We guarantee results—so beware of implementing them unless you want to fail in marriage and totally ruin that man of your dreams!

• Make it your ambition to NOT notice him!

• Disregard what he says- Look the other way, bring something else up to talk about, DO NOT listen!

• Reject Him…his ideas, his love, his protection, his wisdom, his opinions, his leadership!

• Tell him ALL of his inadequacies AND how YOU can correct them!

• Feed any of his insecurities WITH TRUTH about his weaknesses!

• Each night when he comes home, go about your own business-it helps to be on the phone and keep right on talking! Don’t even get dressed, wear makeup, or brush your teeth!

• Belittle him in private and especially in public! Let him “have it” when you think different than him!

• Compare him to other men AND your daddy!

• Get on the phone and tell ALL about him! Don’t forget to complain and belittle!

• Dishonor him in public and private! Let the whole world know what a wimp he is!

• Disobey him—what do guys know anyway?

• Don’t put much value in him or in what he has to say—you know best!

• Correct him in front of others—especially the children!

• Find all his faults and tell him about them constantly!

• Push him to get your way!

• Never let him know he satisfies you (physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally…)—don’t ruin a good thing!

• Lead him on!

• Frustrate him ANY way you can!

• Nag! How ELSE do you get a man to do anything? How ELSE will they ever HEAR you?

• Complain! Make him suffer too!

• Whine! Isn’t he SUPPOSED to encourage you?

• Don’t waste your time understanding him!

• Respond to him! ESPECIALLY to his offensive behavior!

• Despise him for being such a weakling!

Don’t want this? Well, look on the NEXT article!! We want to help you as you seek to help your husband become ALL he can be!!!

• Become VERY BEST friends! Enjoy his companionship. Endeavor to become a good companion!

• Find things that you can enjoy TOGETHER. Breakfast each day…walks at sunset…hobbies…work…etc. Constantly tie strings!

• Look for his strengths…share them over and over! He can never hear them enough!

• Show gratefulness! Let him KNOW that you really appreciate what he does for you and your family.

• Get rid of any seeds of disrespect, jealousy, and comparison! You are in this thing together!

• Help him! God created woman to be a “help meet” for man—meaning that she is the one who “completes” him and is “fit” for him. Find ways that you meet your husband’s needs. Find ways that you help him to fulfill his life purpose from God.

• Pray for him! Circle him in prayer. Pray and fast when things are tough. Celebrate and praise when God breaks through. Seek God with him. Constantly build hedges of protection around him through prayer.

• Support him! Become his personal cheerleader! Believe in what is on his heart. Cheer him along when things are tough and not looking too good! Cheer him on when he makes the mark!

• Respect him! Respect comes through in little things: our tone of voice, our facial expressions, our words, our behavior. Respect your man! You will in turn build your man!

• Admire him! Let him know the things about him that you really love. Let him see how you admire him by the way you look at him! Enjoy him!

• Encourage him! Literally INFUSE courage into your sweetheart! You KNOW the things that really mean a lot to his heart. Be sure to do and say those things that will bring courage and strength into his heart and soul!

• Promote him! Become his very best marketing agent! Be the one who knows his worth, his gifts, his talents, his strengths and shares them with others! When the whole world “feels” as though it is crashing in, be the one who believes in him and continues to help him keep on keeping on!

• Inspire him! Be his sounding board of ideas. Listen and help him brainstorm when he is void of ideas.

• Ask God to help you see all that he IS and all that he is becoming!

• Catch his vision! See those things that are not existing now! Be the one person who can see what God has in store for him!

• Strengthen him! When he is tired and weary, be the one to underguird and support him. Pour all you have into giving him his second breath! Use all of your gifts, talents, and strengths to make him whole!

• Work with him! Be his “partner.” Find ways to help him work and build the family name and legacy.

• Constantly consider ways that you can help him make the most of the finances that you have. Follow the Proverbs 31 model by creatively finding ways to make the most of the resources that you have.

• Submit to him! Submission has great power! It unleashes your husband to take the lead and become the man God created him to be. It also unleashes God to use your family in a mighty way. Submission is not weakness. It will not create a monster in your husband. It will bring the peace and unity that will make your relationship everything that God had in mind when He designed marriage! Plus, submission will help your husband to become all that God designed for him to become!

• Defer to your husband! Always defer back to your husband. Have a decision to make? Unsure about what to do? Need help pruning your life and your schedule? Defer to your husband. Let him be your first place that you run to for counsel. Let him give you his wisdom and viewpoint. Not only will you become all you can be and find great contentment, but you will find that he will show himself as your knight-in-shining-armor!

• Reverence your husband! See him as precious! Fall passionately in love with him! Revere him and his position as your precious husband. Watch him blossom!

• Pour all of yourself into him! There is no accident that YOU are married to your husband! So often it is easy to focus on what they are not—probably because that is what WE ARE. Yet, as we pour ourselves into them, we find how incredible we are TOGETHER! Pour all of yourself into your husband–Your spirituality, strength, power, prayer power, support, lifting him up, gifts, personality, intelligence, insightfulness, communication skills! The true secret to building a godly spiritual leader is to pour all of yourself into him. To get under him, to support him, to build him! Pride will want to push ahead or push him aside. God’s Spirit motivates us to get behind our husbands and let him succeed as God’s mighty man!

So, what do you think? Ready to build your man? Oh! Become the student of your husband and watch him become ALL God created for him to become! You will DEFINITELY enjoy the journey!

~ Bruce Lee ~

How are you doing in your marriage? I remember when we began homeschooling. For the first time in my life, I had finally found the fulfillment that God had planned for me from the foundations of the earth. The only problem was that I found myself either entirely too child-centered, talking about the children and homeschooling with every breath OR simply too exhausted from the pull on my time and energy as I balanced homeschooling, homemaking, and motherhood! I found myself in awe of this good-looking man I had forgotten along the way. How are your home-fires? Are you finding that good-looking love-bug to be a stranger and you don’t know where to begin romancing him? Want some fun ideas??? Here are 101+ ideas that are SURE to make your (AND HIS) heart patter with that same passion from your honeymoon days! Have fun!

Plan a daily Pow-wow time! Whether it is coffee in the morning…coke over a mid-morning break…afternoon tea (coffee!)…or bedtime cuddles, set aside a time for the two of you to keep up with one another! Share your plans, dreams, vision, struggles, concerns, ideas. Get to REALLY know one another! Be sure that your children learn to respect this time. They will LOVE to watch their Mommy and Daddy as they deepen the romantic love for one another!

Make him a “CD” of “your” love songs from your dating years! Download songs from the Internet. Compile and burn onto a CD. You will BOTH love this!

Pull out your Wedding Album! Snuggle up! Listen to the audio of your wedding (or your CD of love songs!) or watch your wedding video. Celebrate!

Make homemade candies for him! Try your hand at making Millionaires, Peanut Butter Cups, Peppermint Patties!

Plan a Midnight Picnic In Bed (or outside under the stars)! Pack up your favorite foods, your “love song” CD, Sparkling Cider or Hot Chocolate with Mugs, flowers, candles (Vanilla!!), games, dessert, and a sexy gift! Light candles around your room and turn down the lights. Sprinkle rose petals around the room or in a trail to your bedroom for them to follow. Float helium balloons around the bedroom. Greet him in your robe! Share a sweet picnic, play games, watch a movie, or…..

Read the SONG OF SOLOMON together! Privately!

Turn OFF the phone! Have a quiet day together!

Go for a walk in a stream! Play in a waterfall…mud puddle…so on!

Make homemade cookies together!

Set Up a Treasure Hunt! Put riddles and notes that give him keys for how to find the next treasure…and the next…and the next…and ultimately YOU!

Write Out a Love Note! Let the theme be, “How I Love Thee! Let Me Count The Ways…”

Send a Romantic Postcard to Him Everyday for a Week (or a Month) Leading up to a Special Date (Birthday, Anniversary, Valentine’s Day, Anniversary of When You Met!

Fax him a love letter to his office.

Go for a ride together! Any of you Harley babes out there? Yes! We have a Harley! It was bought JUST for our love-life! It is the one thing that we do that means that we take time JUST for one another! What about you?? Is your RIDE a Harley? Sail-boat? Car? Convertible? Get out there for that TIME together!

Make a ROMANCE Calendar for the Two of You. Buy a calendar of your choice or make one on your computer. Put it somewhere private for you and your sweetheart ONLY. Pencil in romantic notes or special dates with each other. Keep it updated with surprises for each other!

Write or copy a love poem for him! Frame or add to their journal!

Go watch a ballgame with him!

Pick a bouquet of Wild Flowers for your bedside or dinner table.

Go skating! Old fashioned roller skating…ice skating…or roller blading! If you have a church skating rink, request to go late at night JUST THE TWO OF YOU. Turn down the lights. Put on a CD of “YOUR” love songs. Skate hand-in-hand!

Plan a Day of Pampering Him! HIS FAVORITE WAY! Whatever HE wants!

Let the children prepare “tea” goodies for Daddy! Let them serve the two of you as you cuddle together!

Plan a Movie Night! Feed the kids and put them to bed. Stay up watching movies and munching on popcorn, chocolate, and giant cokes!

Build a snowman! And…and Mrs. Snowman. Ahh…have a snow fight!

Write out love notes for your sweetie! Leave them all around the house…in his lunch box…in his brief case…in the car…send by mail to his office!

Plan a campfire! Roast weiners…marshmallows…LAUGH! Back Rub??? How about a surprise of a bag full of massage crème and goodies from Bath and Body Works? Give him a LONG back rub while he soaks up your attention!

Go for a long, relaxed walk on a walking trail. Hold hands. Take your time. Talk, really talk!

Watch a movie… Put the little ones to bed a little early and stay up to watch a movie (and SNUGGLE!) that he wants to see. Don’t forget to light some candles…turn out the lights…and make a tray of HIS favorite goodies!

Make a list of 50 compliments for them! Let him know how great he is and how thankful you are to be his wife!

Watch the sunset together. Don’t talk!

Go to the races with him! Share a comfy blanket!

What’s His Favorite Candy? Give him 20…50 pounds of it! FOR REAL! He will love it!

Go for a picnic… Yes! Pack a basket full of great food…grab a nice, thick quilt…and go to your favorite spot for a picnic. One of our favorite spots is on the Natchez Trace right by a gorgeous, bubbling spring. Where do you like to go? A waterfall? Park? Lakeside?

Make him a batch of heart-shaped cookies!

Plan a candlelight bath! Put on your “love song” CD playing in the background. Set out candles. Turn off the lights. Run a hot Bubble bath with rose petals sprinkled lightly in the bath and in a trail to the bath tub. Set out warm towels/robe/lotion. Bathe your sweetie. Dry off with warm towels. Rub down with warm lotion. Then…….

Take a Midnight, Moonlight Walk! Just by yourselves! Talk about how you are really doing..what God is teaching you…what God is doing in your life…how much your sweetheart means to you…etc! ENJOY!

Write him a love letter! Praise him for his manhood…acknowledge his protection…make a list of things you LOVE about him! Tuck it into his lunch…suitcase…or pillow!

Cuddle up and just KISS!

Go out for a Latte. AND a Latte Talk!

Drop Rose Petals Along a “Path” to a Romantic Surprise. Dinner by candlelight? Dessert on the deck? A gift? Picnic in bed? YOU?

Go horseback riding!

Take a Ride in the Country. Enjoy the Fall foliage…Spring flowers. Take the ride in a convertible or on a motorcycle. Blast your Praise and Worship Music…or your LOVE SONG CD!

Bring him Breakfast in bed.

Tour a Chocolate Factory! Hershey…Nestle…York Peppermint Patty…oh, and if you are in England, Cadbury!

Go Camping Together! Share a sleeping bag! Talk all night! Or….

Make Romance Idea Jars. Take an evening to make one jar for each of you. Fill it with IDEAS of what YOU would like–your wishes for romance! You can even use some of OUR ideas to get going! Commit to use one idea a week…or a month. Keep adding new wishes to your jar on a regular basis. If you like something, add it to the jar several times!

Plan a Dinner Cruise.

Cuddle-Up and give him a “Good-Ole-Head-Scratchin!”

Begin a “I LOVE YOU” Journal! Make lists to continue through the years: “Things I Love About You…” “I Want To Grow Old With YOU Because…” “Things You Do That Turn Me On…” “You Bless Me When You…” “I LOVE That You…” “Character qualities I most admire…” Etc. Add entries with “How Much I Appreciate You…” “Sweet Memories” and even Bible verses to encourage his heart!

Sit close as you ride down the road!

Pray for him! Pray God’s Word for him. Don’t forget to ask him for areas he NEEDS prayer!

Play footsies! Make it steamy!

Make a sandcastle! Watch it as the sunsets…tide comes in! Talk about your favorite memories!

Make a List of 101 Reasons You Love Your Sweetie! Email it to him! Write it in your journal!

Send HIM Flowers or a Bouquet of Balloons. Don’t forget to add a sweet note!

Send Him a Funny Card! Either send a card by regular mail or send one by email!

Ride Dirt Bikes! Go mud-riding!

Go for a Walk in the Fall Leaves! Have a leaf war!

Nibble on his ear! Drive him crazy!

Write a long, mushy love letter!

Get a bag of your favorite candies and go to the spillway, local waterfall, or the river. Talk. Share your dreams. Remember funny stories! We have always loved Skittles!

Make a Valentine’s Day Card with Those Scrapbooking Supplies!

Try Your Hand Writing a Poem for Him! Frame it!

Go ride 3-wheelers/4-wheelers for the day! Ride in MUD! Ride in the country!

Check into a Bed and Breakfast! Stay in bed!

Go to a local Malt Shop! Share a Chocolate Malt and just talk… Yep! It is OK to get a second to share! Just one at a time with TWO straws!

Share verses God gives you for him! NOT in an argument! Instead, write him a note or a pretty card with the verse that God gives you for him. ENCOURAGE your man!

Make up Love Coupons! Make them for romantic treats

Clean out your room and make it a special place for the two of you! Candles…Kenny G CD playing in the background…new quilts…fluffy warm covers…ice-water…fruit..chocolate dip!

Plan a weekend (or a day!) away with your husband! Do something HE loves to do!

Have breakfast on the deck! OR just a cup of coffee! JUST listen to him!

Make a scrapbook JUST for him! Try…a scrapbook about his job (“I love ME book”), a scrapbook about his life (include stories and letters from his loved ones!).

Make a special meal JUST for him. Feed the children early. Let them watch a video while you two have a candle-light dinner!

Call your husband at work JUST to say, “I Love You!”

Plan a date just for the two of you!

Give him a good, hot bath!! He does not have to be DEAD or OLD to be bathed!!!! Don’t forget to dry him off AND dress him! (IF you can!)

Play Strip Scrabble! I bet he will LOVE spelling as never before!

Go for a walk (or jog) together!

Make a book of certificates “Good For _________” Think of things that your husband would LOVE! Have fun!

Stop what you are doing (cancel a week of your plans) to spend time with your husband. Just do what HE likes…sailing, ride the motorcycle, camp, get a hotel!

Change the sheets and put on the bed WARM right before bed!

Seafood by Candlelight!! Boil up a huge batch of shrimp…crawfish…boiled new potatoes…corn-on-the-cob…boiled mushrooms…enjoy!

Go play goofy golf or basketball!

Feed him grapes! Invent creative, new ways to eat them!

Take a nap so you can stay up late with your sweetheart.

Go for a midnight walk!

Go parking!! (In your own yard to be SURE you have privacy!!)

Make ice-cream! His favorite flavor!

Workout together!

Get dressed (EACH DAY!) nicely before he comes in from work! Let him KNOW you love our calling as a wife! Add a touch of his favorite perfume…his favorite hairstyle…and don’t forget his favorite SMILE!

Give him a great big hug! Pat him on the bottom as he walks off!

Go to a local park and SWING!

Make Banana Splits!! Pick up all of the “fixins” and plan an evening to make your own Banana Splits JUST LIKE YOU like them!

Blow-Pops! Get a Blow-Pop, attach a sweet love-note, and give to your sweetie!

Have a coke together. See who can tell the silliest joke!

Send a sexy ”page” to him. If he does not have a pager, leave a sexy message on his answering machine on his cell-phone! OR send him a sexy email!

Schedule lunch together. Talk about LIFE goals… problems… struggles… vision… delights!

Get a big basket or treasure chest FULL of their favorite candy or candy bars! Don’t forget! The guys LOVE the KING-SIZE Candy Bars! Indulge them!

Walk through the mall holding hands!

Play a game of raquetball! EVEN if you don’t know HOW!

Make hot chocolate and cuddle up together! Don’t forget the classical music and cuddles. Maybe a cute nighty!

Take a family bike ride!

Take a shower together!

Enjoy the Fall (…or Winter! …or Spring! …or Summer!) together. Ride the motorcycle and have a picnic along the way!

Send your husband a package to work. Include a love note…edible undies… OHHHH! Be sure to note on the box CONFIDENTIAL: OPEN PRIVATELY! Imagine that smile on his face!

Stay in bed and TALK instead of getting up and busy as usual!

Serve him breakfast in bed. Complete with flowers, a special note, and of course, a smile on your face!

Go sailing OR riding at sunset.

Play a game of tennis together!

Take your ugliest nighty (you KNOW…the one he hates the WORST!) or sweatshirt to the altar! Cut it off right below the arms…crawl into bed JUST under the covers with the top showing…watch his expression as he comes to bed and pulls back the covers for HIS surprise!!!!!!!!!!!

REALLY enjoy your husband! Always remember that he is your best friend! He needs friendship as much as you do! Treasure each fleeting moment with him! AND have fun!

Welcome!

During the past few weeks, we have experienced an influx of letters and emails from many different families sharing about deep, deep concerns about the state of their marriages. Many are teetering on the edge, seeing nothing in sight but a crash. Others have expressed that they are sitting in the rubbish of broken dreams needing REAL HELP to rebuild their marriage and having no idea where to begin. There has been an all-out assault on marriages and families. Talk about perfect timing for this special website committed entirely to building strong, passionate, forever marriages!

Here you will find a WHOLE “toolbox” of ideas and encouragement prepared to come alongside of each and everyone of you as you fire up your marriage! You will LOVE this spot on the web!

As I have shared with those we have counseled in the past few weeks, Harold and I were once where you are. I remember sitting in the midst of the rubbish of our crashed relationship having no idea what on earth I could do different to build a marriage that could continue for life! My heart has broken for you, but I have deep rumblings of complete excitement for what God is about to do for you and your family! He is ready to SHOW OUT FOR YOU just like He has for Harold and me! You are going to LOVE this! I think you will find some new, fresh, fun ideas for getting your marriage back where you so desire for it to be!

For those of you with a few reservations about our theme, I want to challenge you to gather the “fire-wood” and “fan the flames” of romance in your marriage. You have a real treat in store for you! Everything on this site is written for you too! We promise that everything you will find here will fire up your marriage as never before! It is WORTH it, my dear friend. This will WORK! TOTALLY guaranteed!

For those of you who have been praying and seeking God for fresh and fun ideas for ministering to your sweetheart, you are going to LOVE THIS SITE! We have TONS of great ideas for fun, exciting, and passionate romance! You WILL LOVE IT!

So, beloved friends, grab a big cup of tea…maybe a bit of yummy chocolate…recharge your printer cartridge…it is once again TIME FOR TEA (and ROMANCE!)

Have fun!

Cindy Rushton