Thrifty Thursday is back!

Hola fellow bloggers and blogettes! Welcome to another addition of Thrifty Thursday! Today we're talking about FURNITURE! Since our move into a much bigger house, we've found that we need a little bit more furniture. Enter >>> Craigslist, IKEA, and garage sales! Although it's too hot for garage sales in Phoenix this time of year, I have managed to find items here and there. Also a current favorite: Craigslist! My husband has done enough bargain hunting over the years, he knows the difference between a scammer and a true honest seller. Don't ask me how, but it's come in handy! And the mother-ship: IKEA. My all-time favorite furniture place!

So let me introduce you to my Craigslist find:

2 Black wood end table with storage = $40 a piece ($80 total)

 They work great in my entry way... and my living room!

Garage Sale finds:

See that brown wicker vase there on the corner?.... Found that baby at a garage sale for $1.00 That's right. You read it. ONE DOLLAR. 

How about that white shelf on the wall next to the clock? That white shelf... Again.. $1.00!

IKEA Buys:

We took one big trip to IKEA and got several things for our loft area. Including:

Organization Boxes Large $10, Small $5

 

White Bookcase $60

   

 

Office Chair $40                            Curtain Rods - 4 of them! $7.99 each

AND a couple other miscellaneous things of course.. but all for a great price!

So check out Craiglist or Ebay for items you're looking for. Check out garage sales too! Look in the paper or on Craiglists for moving sales or estate sales - you'll often find great furniture for a great price! Don't be afraid to do some bargain shopping and save some money!

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend and be safe everyone!

 

Moving

We have been moving!
Moving into a new house, moving things around, BEING moved in our lives... therefore I have been slightly slacking in my blogging. (sorry)  At this point in my life, I have just finally found my tee shirts in a box and I'm still trying to find batteries I know are around here somewhere. Moving can be stressful but the decorating part is FUN! But trust me, everything in our house in a work in progress, including me! But here I am BACK and ready to let you know what's been going on!

Last weekend, my husband and I moved into our new house in Sun City, AZ. We did all painting, moving out of the apartment and into the house, and cleaning the apartment and turning our keys in... in 3 days. It was exhausting! But so much fun to finally be in this house. And we're so grateful for the help of our friends that were able to come paint with us! God has been showing us more and more why it was His plan for us to move into this house at this time. Not only is it great for Eric's new job, but in the last few weeks, we've met several families from our church that live in our neighborhood. Pastors, leaders, and friends that we feel God has put into our lives for a reason. One family let us borrow their truck and trailer AND had us over for dinner and we had only met them a few days earlier. God has been so good to us and we hope to make our church friends, our church family.

With that said, here are some pictures of the new house! Enjoy - and I WILL be back soon!

P.S. The paint colors are NOT as bright in person as they seem in the picture!

Date Night

Diamondbacks Game

We all get so busy in life that sometimes we neglect pieces of our marriage, such as date night. Think about it... what did you do with your spouse or fiancee, before you married them or said "yes!"? Perhaps when they were your boyfriend (I'm assuming I'm talking mostly to ladies here... if not, apply the appropriate word as necessary). Did you do dinner and a movie? Go to an amusement park? How about fishing, a day at the lake, or bowling? Did you get those butterflies when he picked you up for a date or held your hand for the first time? Did you call your friends the minute he kissed you for the first time? Did you write your first name with his last name over and over until the day you actual got to sign it on your marriage license?

Now ask yourself... when was the last time you went on a real date with your spouse? Not to the grocery store or to run errands. But a real, dress up a little- nice restaurant-great conversation-hand holding-kissing- come home oh-so-happy date night? It's SO important to take time for each other in this busy life we all lead. To remember the reasons you fell in love with your spouse, why they still make your world go round.

My husband and I try out best to have some sort of date night every other week. We've gone to drive-in movies, trying to restaurants together, an evening hike together, playing tennis against each other, fishing, sporting events. Although some date are all day or may be more casual than others, we make time for each other. We hold hands. We LAUGH. We kiss and tell each other we love each other. Want to feel intimate and close with your spouse? Talk about your future together! About when you want to have children and names you like. Or if you already have children, talk about what life was like before children, or your hopes and dreams for them. Discuss adventures you want to take together, how you want to grow with each other. Yes it's a little mushy mushy, lovey dovey, BUT it reconnects you to the heart of the person you love. When you can open your hearts to each other about each other and about being one together, it's refreshing!

So here's some examples of great date night ideas! Take advantage of some of these dates or other innovative ones and TELL ME ABOUT THEM! Email me or comment back on this post and let me know YOUR IDEA of a great date night and other fun ideas you have!

Go fishing!

For my friends in Indiana, this is much easier than in Arizona! Know someone with a pond or who lives near a river or lake? Get some fishing poles, bait, and tackle, and have your husband teach you a thing or two!

Take a cooking class, art class, or learn how to play a musical instrument together!

Many community centers or local colleges have classes like this, especially throughout the summer. Learning something new brings you closer together, allows you to help each other, and brings a little bit of a new positive challenge into your life! Just remember to stay encouraging to your spouse as you learn these new things!

Drive-in Movie

Not many Drive-In movies exist anymore, but I know of one in Plymouth, IN for my Hoosier fam and friends (hopefully still open!) and one in Glendale, AZ for my hot weather friends in my new state. This is CHEAPER than the regular movies, and more fun! You get to relax together in your own vehicle, and heck, start making out with out anyone throwing popcorn at your head. Now... if your my husband, he's not all for much PDA, but I do try my best to get some kisses in here and there! ;)

Healthy Competition - Tennis, Basketball, Golf

My husband and I used to live 2 blocks from high school and we would walk down to their tennis courts in the evenings or on the weekends to involved ourselves in a little friendly competition. If you know my husband, you know how extremely competitive he is. But a little friendly competition never hurt anyone... well except that time we did a 3 legged race and I ended up being dragged on the ground. ANYWAY - find where the open tennis courts, basketball hoops, and golf clubs are and take your spouse ON! Did you ALSO know that sweat, physical activity, and a little competition increase your libido? Hhmm... the things you could wager on a little friendly competition with your spouse... I'll leave those ideas up to you and your man... ;)

Couples Massage

How many times a day does your loving hubby ask you to rub his back, or legs, or neck? Now... how many of us wives get that in return? Yes.. we do sometimes. But how about getting massaged together! Look at online websites like Deal Chicken or Groupon for local discounts on spas. This is a more expensive date night, but the rewards for both of you are worth it!

Tweets for your Marriage

In continuing with the theme of love and marriage this week, I thought we'd utilize one of the most popular forms of social networking and communication today. 

 I'm sure you've heard all the terms by now, "tweeting", "twittered", "retweet", etc. Anyone a fan of Twitter? Or have a Twitter account? How about getting tweets daily that help your marriage? Here's some great organizations to follow: 

Marriage Works @mrgwrks

The Pure Bed @ThePureBed

The Marriage Bed @themarriagebed

Today I just wanted to post some of my favorite tweet from these three above. It sounds silly, but sometimes when God's trying to speak to me, He'll use any means necessary... including my Twitter phone updates. You might be surprised the little good tidbits of advice these tweets have to offer. 

Check it out!

mrgwrks Marriage Works! 

Your marriage should reflect God’s image to a world that desperately needs to see who He is. #MW

mrgwrks Marriage Works! 

Before speaking, ask yourself if your words will make war or peace.#MW

mrgwrks Marriage Works! 

Husbands: Delight your wife with the assurance that your desire is for her & her alone! (Song of Songs 7:10)

mrgwrks Marriage Works! 

Marriage is partnership, not parenthood. Be adults & refrain from bossing one another around. #MW

ThePureBed The Pure Bed™ 

As a #married couple improves at becoming one in their heart and head, they reap the benefits when they become one in bed.

ThePureBed The Pure Bed™ 

Constantly promising to change but never putting forth effort to do so will compromise your spouse's ability to trust you.

ThePureBed The Pure Bed™ 

Effort makes the difference between a mediocre sex life in a #marriage & a good one. More effort makes the difference between good & great.

ThePureBed The Pure Bed™ 

A married couple shouldn't expect one another to be sexually psychic. Speak what you want so you can get what you speak.

themarriagebed The Marriage Bed 

In marriage, if you win, they lose; if they win, you lose. But if the marriage wins, then you both win. #marriagetip

themarriagebed The Marriage Bed 

Men: PMS is no picnic 4 her either. A bit of understanding & a no strings back rub is loving & a good investment. #sextip

themarriagebed The Marriage Bed 

Wives: Buy a clear shower curtain. Hang it, and a sign that says "Performances nightly." #sextip

themarriagebed The Marriage Bed 

Make a habit of regularly telling your spouse where you see improvement in them. #marriagetip

***Most of the time these are geared toward married couples, but there are also some great Engaged and Single christian twitter feeds out there!

Communication in Marriage

"Marriage.... Marriage is what brings us together... today."

If you are a fan of The Princess Bride, you definitely know this line and will probably repeat it in the funny voice of the preacher on the movie, just like I did. Catchy, isn't it? ;)

Well marriage is what brings my thoughts onto this blog today. I have recently felt a strong burden to pray for the marriages of my friends as well as my own. To pray for restoration, for accountability, for kindness and gentleness, and for passion. My sister-in-law got married last weekend to a man who is going to take amazing care of her. I was texting her today and she said she was so excited to FINALLY be married to him.  I remember the excitement, the hopes, and new little family you become when you marry the love of your life. But after a few years, maybe a few fights about in-laws, arguments about money or temperature of the house, or maybe even a night or two threatening to sleep on the couch...(anyone?? yep, been there once) ...you realize how hard marriage is.

When I got married 3 years ago,  I heard a lot of people say, "Well, the first year is the hardest." I'm guessing if you've been married in the last few years, you heard this too... go ahead, raise your hand, nod your head yes. I feel you girl....(or guy). I personally think this is completely dependent on the couple and their expectations going into marriage. I can honestly tell you that I had many high expectations going into marriage, and they did not become my reality. I had so many high expectations about our home, finances, sex life, and how marriage would be, that I was already setting my husband up for failure.

Communication is my strong point... I can talk about my feelings and emotions until I'm blue in the face. I am not afraid to tell my husband how I feel, how I hurt, or what is bothering me. It's my love language: Words of Affirmation along with Physical Touch. My husband however, internalizes his emotions and usually keeps them to himself. I have used the phrase, "I can't read your mind" and "Please use your words" tons of times. This just means we have to work harder at communicating. Sometimes I need to shut up and just wait, and listen... (my husband just said "Amen!" as I wrote that, haha)... and sometimes my husband needs to step up and speak up! We know this now, it's been learned over the years, thank you JESUS!  And that just means we have to work that much harder at communication kindly, softly, and gently. Out of LOVE. Every moment of every day - we have to make a choice.

Another phrase for ya..."Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

BULL CRAP.

Words can hurt. Especially if you associate the words your loved one says to you with how they feel about you. If you know about The 5 Love Languages, you know, Words of Affirmation:

 Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.


 Every moment of every day - we have to make a choice. As the other half of someone, we have to make a choice within our hearts to speak out of love, kindness, gentleness, and peace. To UPLIFT, ENCOURAGE, SHOW LOVE, BE FORGIVING. And if words and communication are not your strong point, it just means that you choose to work that much harder at communication with your spouse lovingly. It can save your marriage.


Don't know about the 5 Love Languages? Check out their website www.5lovelanguages.com and take the assessment. When you find out your love language, have your spouse take the test and share your results with each other! You might be surprised to learn what their true love language is!

Beauty Is...

Beauty is....

Our Wedding Day

Sunset in the Caribbean on our Honeymoon cruise

My sister's wedding day and the joy we share as a family (on vacation!)

The love for my dog, Rockne. And how he snuggled with us in bed every night :)

 My 93 year old Great Grandmother who is a prayer warrior and still has the most beautiful handwriting

Sedona, Arizona

Rainbow after a storm... still a reminder of God's promise.

God has made me beautiful. As many times as I question it...

And YOU are beautiful too! 

Thank you Ashley at The Shine Project, for your inspiring words this past week on what beauty truly means.

Home & Happiness

Last week we went home to Indiana from Monday to Monday. It was rainy and muggy and the sun only shone for 2 days BUT it so wonderful to spend time with our families. We were go-go-go all week but had so much fun laughing together. I got to spend time with my nephew who I've only seen like 3 times since he's been born. Zephaniah is the happiest baby ever.. smiles ALL the time! I love being an Aunt and my husband loves being an Uncle.

 

 

Eric's sister also got married this past weekend and we were both in the wedding. I've known Eric's sister, Candice, longer than I've known Eric and to see her shining beautiful face on her wedding day was so emotional. I cried... several times: when I prayed for her in the car on the way back to the hotel the night before the wedding, when I saw her with her makeup done, when we held hands and prayed over her before the wedding, when I saw her walk down the aisle. She was stunning and I know more than anything that she has a good man that is going to take amazing care of her and lead them as a family.