Going into the second week proved to be a little harder. Mark & his fellow soldiers are on their training cycle. Meaning 2-4 days a week they're out in the field. He leaves home around 9a and gets home somewhere around 11:30p. (or is out overnight) It makes planning ways to purposefully bless each other, a little more difficult; At least in the ways we had pre-planned.
Thankfully, we were able to do our second bonus project...yay! We were supposed to plan a double date. We decided to go bowling with some friends of ours. The last time I went bowling was just after Alexis was born. So, it's been awhile. We arrived at the bowling alley and as soon as we walked in we started glowing. Apparently it's cosmic bowling on the weekends, which made for a fun twist. We played four games. The husband, of our other couple, had the top score for the evening. Considering he played on a league all through high school, I think he had a bit of an advantage. I'm not sure I ever even reached triple digits. But, it was still a very fun evening!
We have managed to do some other projects as well.
Project #6: A day to pray
There's something special about coming together with your spouse to share your goals or desires & areas you may need some help with. Being able to open up and to pray with and for one another helps us connect on a different level.
Project #7 & 8 Cook Diner Together & Eat Dessert by Candlelight
This was an easy project to tackle. We both enjoy cooking & usually end up doing dinner together anyway. We decided we wanted to enjoy a special meal sans the kids. So we fed them chicken nuggets with macaroni & cheese, one of their favorites, before putting them to bed and cooking our own meal. We decided to do one of our favorites with a little flair. Steaks, mashed potatoes & sauteed mushrooms.
I was in charge of seasoning the steaks & Mark grilled them out back. I decided to add a little sometin' sometin' to our potatoes. I made mashed potatoes (yup, from scratch) and the added a little bacon, shredded cheese & green onion. Then I popped it all into the oven for about 20 min. It was yummy!!! We usually slice the mushrooms & cook on the stove. But, this time we left them whole. Put into a shallow baking dish with about 4 sticks of butter (I know, I know) & some fresh garlic. Popped it into the oven next to the potatoes and voila. So bad for you. Yet, so delicious! While I had stepped into the other room Mark came in & lit some candles for us at the dining room table. We had planned on eating in the living room and watching a movie. But instead we enjoyed a leisurely meal with good conversation and candlelight and didn't have to leave the house or pay for a sitter. It turned out to be a very nice evening!
Project # 9: Write 10 Things You Like About the Other
We decided up front that we couldn't write about each others looks. In some ways this task was easy. But, in some ways it was hard. I didn't want to just write the everyday things I like about him. Like the fact that he cooks a yummy breakfast. I wanted it to be things that were unique to him. We shared our lists and I was surprised about some of the things he shared regarding me. Some of the stuff I thought he would have, he didn't. Some of the things he did have were things I never thought were a big deal. Though obviously, they had made an impression on him. I kept my list, of things I like about him, on my phone. That way on the days where I might not like him quite as much, I can be easily reminded of all his great qualities!
I know that Mark & I have a good relationship. Most of the time we try to practice 100% - 100%. That is, we try to help one another without expecting something in return. Most people think marriage is about 50%-50%. You do this for me & I'll do this for you. With 100%-100% you're both selflessly aiming to bless the other. How can you not be successful in that?
I would still like to continue with the rest of the projects. Primarily because it has us doing some things we wouldn't come up with ourselves or doing things we haven't done in awhile. But, even if we don't end up finishing, I can walk away knowing that our marriage doesn't suck!
Proverbs 31:17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
We decided up front that we couldn't write about each others looks. In some ways this task was easy. But, in some ways it was hard. I didn't want to just write the everyday things I like about him. Like the fact that he cooks a yummy breakfast. I wanted it to be things that were unique to him. We shared our lists and I was surprised about some of the things he shared regarding me. Some of the stuff I thought he would have, he didn't. Some of the things he did have were things I never thought were a big deal. Though obviously, they had made an impression on him. I kept my list, of things I like about him, on my phone. That way on the days where I might not like him quite as much, I can be easily reminded of all his great qualities!
I know that Mark & I have a good relationship. Most of the time we try to practice 100% - 100%. That is, we try to help one another without expecting something in return. Most people think marriage is about 50%-50%. You do this for me & I'll do this for you. With 100%-100% you're both selflessly aiming to bless the other. How can you not be successful in that?
I would still like to continue with the rest of the projects. Primarily because it has us doing some things we wouldn't come up with ourselves or doing things we haven't done in awhile. But, even if we don't end up finishing, I can walk away knowing that our marriage doesn't suck!
Proverbs 31:17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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