Make Out Monday - Christmas Movie

 

One of my favorite things about Christmas

is cuddling on the couch with some popcorn and a great Christmas movie!

 

That is December's date night challenge:

Christmas Movie Night

Pick out a favorite Christmas movie, make some great movie snacks and cuddle on the couch!

 

Although I risk my reputation in mentioning this movie, one of our favorite Christmas movies to watch without the kids is "Four Christmases" with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. 

We laugh so hard!

(some parts are a bit questionable, but...)

 

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Make Out Monday - Intentional Date

Earlier this year I did a series on my blog called Intentional Family.  Within that series there was a sub series called Intentional Marriage.  It's so easy to get busy taking care of children and "life" and our marriages get put on the back burner.  Then, after a few years pass, we can discover that our spouse is more like a roommate or friend than lover and partner.  It's important to keep our marriage a priority, even when we're in survival mode with children and tired and overwhelmed and...  there is always an excuse!  But our spouse is our first ministry, above the children and housework.  We must be intentional with our marriages or we won't thrive.  I know this because that's where we're at right now.  We've been surviving for a long time, but we both want something more.  We want to thrive.  We've long become roommates and friends, but we want more out of our marriage than that.

 

Because of that, we decided to take an intentional trip together.  We went up to Yosemite for 3 days to take long hikes together.  To be outside in God's magnificent creation and be overwhelmed by Him - not by our lives and the mess it's become.  To see mountains, rocks and trees that were so massive, they dwarfed our mistakes and shortcomings.  We were reminded that God is so much greater.  God has great things for our marriage and He has the power to change us!

 

We hiked through the Giant Sequoias and enjoyed the crisp air and the giant trees that blew our minds!  We read about one tree and decided to extend our hike to see this tree in person.

 

These massive trees grow to such great heights because they join forces.  They grow close together and share resources.  Some actually fuse their root together underground so they have a stronger foundation.  One such pair in this grove is called The Faithful Couple.  They've actually grown together and the 2 became 1 tree.  I knew I had to see this couple in person!

We had to hike for at least another hour before we got there.  The signs along the way seemed to be misleading, ".6 miles to the Faithful Couple."  20 minutes later, ".8 miles to the Faithful Couple."  WHAT?  It's getting father away?  It didn't make sense.  When we saw one couple coming down on the trail we asked them if the Faithful Couple was up ahead.  They said, "yes, keep going."  Time passed and we saw another couple, "Is the Faithful Couple up this way?" we asked.  "Yes, it's just around the corner," they answered.  But it wasn't "around the corner."

Everyone had a different idea of how far the hike was to get to the Faithful Couple!

For those hiking up to the Faithful Couple, it seemed to take forever and it seemed as though the path was getting longer and longer!  But for those who had arrived and were traveling onto something else, it felt like it was "just around the corner."



Finally, we arrived!

I couldn't capture in a photo how massive and amazing this tree, or pair of trees really is.

The couple is very old and has weather several fires and storms together.  There are scars all over the couple that give testimony to a rough journey they've survived.

Yet they are together.  Growing stronger and taller every year.  They are stronger together than they are on their own.

2 are better than 1.

 

 

At the end of my life, I want to be known as a faithful couple.  We're weathering fires and storms right now, but we have the choice to fuse together and share our resources or grow apart.  We've decided to buckle up and hold on tight - we're growing together no matter what.

The enemy seeks to destroy marriages.  He is crafty and sly.  He creeps into areas of our lives that are tiny cracks and he patiently waits for those cracks to split open in tough times and he's right there, ready to offer a quick fix or solution that in the end offers more pain.  He knows our weaknesses.  But if we fuse together as husband and wife, build one another up in the truth of Jesus and fuse together, we are stronger than the lies of the enemy. 

God is so much greater and God loves marriage!  He wants us to succeed!

 

 

The journey of marriage can seem long sometimes.  It can feel like others are leaping though without problem or frustration.  Sometimes it appears that there is no hope.

But that is the time to get closer, fuse together, share some great resources and watch God heal, restore, rebuild and renew your marriage.

 

The theme for November's Make Out Monday is

Intentional Date

 

If you can get away for a few days, DO IT!  If that is not realistic, then have dinner at home or go out prepared with some intentional questions to ask your spouse.

1.  What is a healthy foundation for marriage?

2.  What does God say about marriage?

3. What are our values for marriage?

4.  What are our goals for our marriage?

 

Spend some time praying together and make some new commitments

to thrive together and not just survive!

 

Here is a great sermon series on marriage that was recommended to me

http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=6&Name=marriage&monthrecorded=&yearrecorded=&scripture=&speaker=all&messagetype=&SKUsearch=&sort=DateNew&=go&CFID=4653124&CFToken=51774270 

 scroll to the bottom for the series on Marriage.

Perhaps your date can be listening to a message and discussing it.

Also, Family Life does great marriage retreats all over the country throughout the year.  We went to one a few years ago and loved it!

http://www.familylife.com/events/featured-events/weekend-to-remember

Find a retreat close to you and make it a priority to work on your marriage!

Double Feature - What Does Joe Know / Make Out Monday

It’s that time of year again… time for “What Does Joe Know?”

Every week I will try a new item at Trader Joe’s and post about it on Monday. 
If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s in your area… I’m sorry! 
Really, really sorry! 

If you are a Trader Joe’s fan too, let me know what your favorite TJ’s products are!!

I’m starting small with a new little cracker I just tried for the first time.

 

Savory thin mini Rice Crackers

Multiseed with Soy Sauce

I had the bag ripped open before I checked out and I haven’t stopped eating them since! 

They are a delightful little salty snack. 

**WARNING** they give you horrible breath!  But worth it!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And it just happens to be Make Out Monday!

The theme for October is:

 Asian Date Night

or Dasian as my husband called it!

 

Buy some frozen egg rolls, chop sticks and sake and enjoy when the children go to bed!

Or head out like we did for sushi and a Chinese Foot Massage!

 

I'm not sure if the Chinese Foot Massage places have started to spring up in your area, but they seem to be all the rage in Southern California!  I have friends that have gone and rave about it, but I hadn't tried it... until Dasian!

 

It was my husband's idea and we decided we'd go inside and if we didn't feel comfortable, we'd simply say we wanted to get some info!

When we walked in I was surprised to see 2 rows of about 8 cradels with people laying in them, getting their massages!  We were greeted with smiles as the soft spa music played in the dimly lit room. 

I'm not going to lie, there was something creepy, yet inticing about it!  They had 2 cradels side by side for us, so we decided to go for it.  Yea, they're probably called massage tables, but they were low to the ground, very plush and curved up on the sides, so I affectionately named them cradels!

We started off sitting up with our feet in a tub of hot water.  As we soaked, they massaged our neck and shoulders.  I had a man and he was a little too strong for me, so I told him to be a little more gentle.  My eyes were closed and about every 10 minutes he'd whisper in my ear, "this ok?"  The first time it scared me and I jumped! 

Then we got to lay down in the cradel of love.  I kept hearing soft slaps from the other masseuers and I wondered what was going on.  Then I understood.  After my feet were massage, the guy gave me a few little slaps on my feet!  Nothing painful, but definite slaps!  I kept thinking, "why are you so angry at me?"  Well, with each area that was massaged, it ended with a little slap.  Arms done - slap, slap slap.  Legs done - slap slap!  I started laughing and shaking!

Then he said to roll over, so I was face down in the cradel and the unexpected happened - he unfastened my bra!  Oh yea, you're fully clothed for this, so he pulled up my shirt and unfastened my bra.  Then I was really cracking up!  I kept thinking, "is he going to hook that back together or leave it undone?"  Oh, sure enough, after he massaged my back, put a flaming hot towel on my back and roughly rubbed off the oil, he refastened my bra!  I had tears streaming down my face!

Then he yanked my arms around, a few more slaps, and then the butt massage began!  Nothing in appropriate, but a complete butt massage!  There was no "foot massage" about this place! 

I tried so hard to control my laughter, but I think a few snorts came out.

Of course that portion ended with a few butt slaps!

Then he once again whispered in my ear, "that ok?"  I thought, "not really!"  It was over and I looked at my husband - he was in heaven!  He had drifted off to sleep!  Seriously?  You fell asleep?  Didn't you get slapped around?  Didn't that scortching hot towel burn you?

Let's just say it was a very memorable night! 

 

Now it's your turn!  Are you ready for a Dasian adventure?

Make Out Monday - Game Night

It's Make Out Monday!

 

 

The theme for a September date is
Game Night

what is Make Out Monday?  click here to read more

 



 

One our honeymoon we took a deck of cards and a Cribbage Board.

In the afternoons we'd have a drink and a snack and play cards.  It was so much fun!

We don't do that much anymore.

 



 

So a simple Game Night date sounded perfect.

I used to host a monthly poker game before I was married,

so over the years I had collected some fun dishes! (no, I didn't buy anything special for the date!)

 



 

The center of the table was lined with various game baords.

 



 

And the cute dishes were filled with some of our favorite simple snacks like bruschetta or frozen love from Trader Joes!

 



 

Keep score and perhaps the winner gets a special prize!

Your turn!  You have a month to have a fun date Game Night with someone you love.

If you do, or have another great date night idea, I'd love to hear about it!!

Happy Dating!

Make Out Monday - Waterfront Date

It's Make Out Monday!

July's date theme is The Waterfront 

A fun date by the water.

Our littles have been in Vacation Bible School all week, so one morning I packed a little breakfast pic nic and took my husband to the beach for a morning date.

Fresh fruit, hot tea, and a little Enya to accompany the crashing waves.

We sat together and made a list of summertime dreams.

It was a wonderful time together.

Now it's your turn!  Plan a date for your loved one around the water.  Any water will do - a lake, river, ocean, even a bathtub!  If you want to tell us about your date, please leave a comment :)

Happy Dating!

Make Out Monday

It's Make Out Monday!

If you haven't embraced the Make Out Monday challenge - check out the details here!

So, I've been creating these little dates for my husband for quite a few months now and I just got a wonderful surprise - he did a date for me!  I didn't drop any hints, I didn't ask, I didn't say anything.  He came up with it totally on his own!  I guess we do learn by example!

I walked out and saw this beautiful scene.

My husband had taken down half of our pool fence and set up a table right by the pool.

He also purchased a few tiki torches!

It was a Mexican themed affair with margaritas

and lovely mariachis playing in the background (thanks to Pandora!)

He grilled shrimp and made the most amazing shrimp tacos!

Wish I would have taken a photo of them, but I was too busy eating!

As it got dark, all the candles glowed so beautifully.

Thanks for a great date babe!

****************************************

Now it's your turn!

The Make Out Monday Theme for June is

Dining Al Fresco

The weather is getting nice, so create a date for a little outside dining!

If you want to share the details of your date with us all, please do so here.

Happy Dating!



Make Out Monday - Traveling Romance

It's Make Out Monday friends!!  In an effort to be intentional with our marriages, this is my monthly challenge to keep dating your husband! 

you can check out details of the Make Out Monday challenge here 

The theme for the month of May is

Traveling Romance

Flashback to a trip you've taken together.  Pull out the photo album.  Watch the home video.  Decorate your table with a souvenir purchased on the trip.  Cook a meal that you had on the trip.  Have fun remembering the journey together!

My husband and I worked in college ministry prior to getting married.  Prior to dating in fact!  We had the awesome privilege of leading a team of college students to Thailand and Burma on a mission trip.  Our Traveling Romance date took us to Thailand!

This beautiful fabric I bought in Thailand was our table cloth.

See... it really is from Thailand!

We have a fabulous Thai restaurant that we love to get take-out from, but in an effort to save a little money, I made a few Thai dishes. 

 Curry Tom Gai

Thai Peanut Noodles with Prawns

And for our entertainment, I pulled out the video I took while we were in Thailand.  A few years back my dad took all my mini hi8 tapes and put them on DVDs for us - such a treat!

We weren't dating on this trip, but I was so in love with him!  Throughout the video I kept pointing out to my husband, "I was so in love with you then!"

More than it being a lot of fun to remember some outrageous adventures in Thailand, it was inspirational to see the people we met there and hear their stories of God's faithfulness in their lives.  From the women at The House Of Love who were sold in the sex trade and now suffering from AIDS, to the incredible people living in refugee camps, we were changed then when we met them and blessed to be reminded of their stories as we watched the video.

It was a wonderful date.

Now it's your turn!  Pick a trip you went on with your husband - it doesn't have to be international - it could be a weekend you spent camping, your honeymoon, anything!  And create a little date around that trip and have a wonderful time remembering together.



Make Out Monday - A Night On The Town

I'm a firm believer in marriage.  A few months ago I did a series on my blog called Intentional Marriage.  (You can check out those posts here)  Marriage can be the most difficult relationship we will ever have, and also the most rewarding.  It doesn't come easy.  It takes a lot of work.  Finding taking time to get alone together is essential for a thriving marriage.  Time away from children and sometimes time away from home can do wonders for our relationship.  The Make Out Monday challenge is to go on a date at least once a month with your spouse for some intentional time together.  Your date can be at home after the kids are in bed, get a babysitter for a night out, or ask a friend or neighbor to swap sitting with you to save a little money - however you do it doesn't matter - just do it!  If you need a little inspiration, I'm offering a theme each month to kick start some ideas!

For the month of April, the Make Out Monday challenge is

A Night On The Town.

Every once in a while it is a lot of fun for us to head into the city, wait a ridiculously long time for a table at a restaurant where there is not a child to be seen, spend a little more money than we're used to, eat some fabulous food and really feel like adults!  For us that usually means heading out of our sleepy little suburb.  Luckily we don't have to drive far to engage in a little night life and perhaps spot a celebrity or two!

We booked a sitter and headed out to Santa Monica for a fabulous dinner at a little place called

Milo & Olive  Nothing too fancy, but casual, homey, divine culinary creations!  We had their famous Garlic Knot which we decided parted the clouds and descended upon us from heaven. We also ordered the House made Sausage & Grits, Hazelnut Beet Salad, and Burrata Pizza - all of which were gifts from God!

The mere energy in the room was invigorating.  We didn't get seated until about 8:30pm (when is the last time I ate dinner that late?!) and enjoyed people watching and catching up with some old friends.

After dinner, we headed to another little quaint place for dessert - truly making this

A Night On The Town!  (Shouldn't we be in bed by 9pm?) 

Sweet Lady Jane offers sweet treats that promise a night of sweet dreams!

Although we could barely keep our eyes open on the drive home! it was well worth it.  We had a marvelous time being "grown-ups" and enjoying something different from our normal evenings.

Now it's your turn!  Plan a fun Night On The Town date for you and your loved one - you've got the whole month to make it happen.

If you want to share the details of your fun date, leave a comment here.

The Simple Life

"STOP trying to work things out before their times have come.  Accept the limitations of living one day at a time.  When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is a part of today's agenda.  If it isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties.  When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life: a time for everything, and everything in its time.

A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered.  When your focus is on My Presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you.  Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world.  I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have Peace."

Jesus Calling

A simple morning of Hot Wheels with my son was on the agenda the other day.

I didn't clutter up my time with doing laundry in between races, dishes after track changes, or phone calls while it was his turn.  We just sat and played and it was so fulfilling. 

Why don't I do that more often?

Happy Weekend!

I'll see you Monday for another Make Out Monday date night challenge for the month of April!