I had just got home from a weekend trip to Indiana to surprise my family. Travis and I were sitting at the stools in our kitchen, eating our supper and talking about my trip. And that's when he told me. "I got an email," he said. That one email completely threw me for a loop. It was unexpected and unwanted. And it changed everything. That email said my husband's name was put in for a position in South Korea. As a soldier in the Army, my husband can be sent basically anywhere in the world and he has to go. Even if that means leaving his wife behind to wait for his return. This news wasn't Continue Reading
Loving Your Husband When Your Own Love Tank is Low
I just wasn't feeling the love. If everyone has a love tank, mine was low. And it was making me cranky. I have read about loving your husband, but love was the last thing I was feeling. It wasn't my husband's fault really. Due to military life, I hadn't seen him in a month and didn't get to talk to him as much as when he's home. I wasn't getting my quality time. Or my words of affirmation. Or my acts of service. Or physical touch. Or gifts. None of the five love languages, and I was feeling it. The lies began in my mind. "He doesn't really want to come home." "He would be texting you Continue Reading
That Time My Brother Proposed
My brother has the best timing! He waited until I was in Indiana to propose to his girlfriend so that I could be a part of it. Yay! Thanks brother! This is the story all about how my little brother proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Kendall. He had a lot of work put into this! It all started when Kendall and I went to get our nails done. Of course, she had no idea why I had actually asked her to go with me. She just thought I wanted to hang out, and I did, but I also wanted her nails to look their best to show off that ring she would get later that day. Later that day, Kendall was Continue Reading
50 Ways to Show Love to Your Spouse
Marriage takes work. Everybody knows that. A loving, healthy marriage doesn't come easy. A husband and wife both have to be intentional about showing love to one another. You have to be willing to serve one another. The best marriages include spouses who both have a desire to make the other person feel special, important, respected, and loved. So what are some ways to show love? Depending on each person's love language, different acts can have more meaning to certain people. Some spouses really appreciate when the other person helps with chores. Others just want to spend some quality time Continue Reading
Our First Anniversary
Happy one year anniversary to us! Travis and I celebrated our first anniversary this past weekend. But about two weeks ago, I gave Travis his anniversary gift from me. I was too excited to wait and so was he! I got him a large framed map of the world. On the bottom it says, "The World Travels of the Stroud Family" with a key explaining what the different colored pins mean. It came with pins you can put on the map to show where you've been, where your dream spots are, what your favorite spot has been, and even what your next planned trip is. Travis loves maps, and we both love traveling and Continue Reading
First Anniversary Gift Ideas
It's coming! Our first wedding anniversary is June 8. I can't believe it's been a whole year, but then it also feels like it's been even longer. Has anyone ever felt like that? The first anniversary gift can be fun, silly, romantic, or sentimental. It can be an item or an experience. But coming up with a gift can be difficult! Perhaps you need some ideas? I knew exactly what I wanted to get Travis for our first anniversary. I can't wait to give it to him! Traditionally the first anniversary gift should be made of paper. So here are some paper ideas that range in price to fit all kinds Continue Reading
Things To Do When Hubby Is Away
As a military family, there are going to be many weeks or months or years where my husband is away. This week my husband has been in the field for training. Next month, he'll be gone a little longer. The month after that he'll be gone longer still. And a few months from now, he'll be gone for a whole month. I just keep telling myself that's nothing -- this isn't a deployment. But since we haven't been through a deployment yet, this kind of sucks. No matter how long your husband will be gone, it's totally OK to wear one of his shirts, eat cereal for supper, and wallow a little in your Continue Reading
Ways to Pray as a Couple
One of the most intimate things you can do together as a couple is to pray to your Creator. One thing you can be sure of when you and your spouse come together in prayer is that God is present. For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them. - Matthew 18:20 Prayer is a time to be open, to tell God all the things that are on your heart -- good and bad. It is a time for thanks and a time for requests. Listening to your spouse pray is a great way to know what is on their heart, what is worrying them, and what they desire. As a Christian woman, there is nothing more attractive Continue Reading
10 Things to Do Before Starting a Family
Travis and I have been married for almost 9 months now. We enjoy talking about the future. Having a forever home, future careers, and starting a family... As fun as it is to think about getting pregnant or having our first baby, we are not ready for that stage in our lives. Not ready at all. There are so many things we want to do before we change our lives forever. And a baby will definitely change things! For those of you out there wondering if it's time for you to start expanding your family, here's a list of things you should do before you consider starting a family. 10 Things to Do Continue Reading
Books to Help You Grow as a Couple
Travis and I have been married for eight months this February. I think we are definitely still in the newlywed stage. We haven't had any big arguments yet -- nothing we couldn't solve within an hour. We are so in love, and we both enjoy finding ways to show our love to one another. But no matter how happy or healthy our marriage is, I believe there is always room for growth and improvement. Why not work on our relationship now while it's great rather than wait until we have problems? I believe it's important to work on your relationship from the very beginning to prevent future problems. Continue Reading
How to Make an “I Love You Because” Frame
Isn't it important for couples to tell each other "I love you" every day? Isn't it also important to tell each other why you love the other person? I think that's very important in a marriage. At the very least, us wives need to hear reassurance of our husbands' love for us. And we definitely want to know why it is you love us. Who doesn't like a compliment? Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. -Romans 12:10 So as a new and creative way to show each other our love, I put together an easy-to-make craft. I've been wanting to make this since before we Continue Reading
The Proposal Story
For those of you who don't know, I am engaged. Talk about sunshine! Travis and I have talked about marriage many times, but I had no idea he'd propose so soon. It's safe to say I was in complete shock the entire time. So for everyone who is dying to hear the proposal story -- here ya go! Proposal Story: How He Popped the Question While the rest of you were out shopping your tail bones off and snatching up awesome deals on Black Friday, I was at work. Travis came that evening to take me out to eat. We went to a Mexican restaurant -- my choice. Then we went to a Christmas parade there in Continue Reading