What My Husband Does NOT Want for Valentine's Day

Yesterday I posted on the importance of asking your husband what he wants for Valentine's Day.

But I bet you might not have thought about what he doesn't want. Lucky for you, I've been thinking about that a little bit lately. Call it an effort to "grow" as a wife, an area that has been weedy and uncultivated as of late.

Here's what I'm slowly learning after a little over 5 1/2 years of marriage.

My husband doesn't want...

A nagging wife  

"A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one's right hand."

Proverbs 27:15

Disrespectful & disobedient children

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise)..." 

Ephesians 6:1-2

To be spurned romantically

"The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time..."

1 Corinthians 7:3-5a

Discord in the home

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you indeed were called in one body..."

Colossians 3:14-15

Ugly words

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Ephesians 4:29

No matter how many ads try to convince me otherwise, my husband doesn't care for a shiny new Michael Kors watch, a 47" HD TV or a fancy dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House or anything that isn't practical. 

What he wants is to love and be loved by his wife and children and to come home to a peaceful house where he can rest and enjoy his family. 

What are some things you know your husband doesn't want for Valentine's Day? What can you do to ensure he doesn't get them?

Please feel free to share your wisdom in the comments. I'd LOVE to hear from you.

Blessings to you,

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Wives, Have You Asked Your Husbands What He Wants for Valentine's Day?

Photo Credit: kewl

This week is the week! Valentine's Day is this Thursday! 

Do you know what your husband wants? Have you asked him?

Chances are, if you're anything like me, you've bought gifts for the kids (or at least know what you plan to buy): a cutesy stuffed animal, some chocolate hearts, a fun toy. Children are fun to buy for, and it doesn't require a whole lot of thought to find something they will love.

But the hubs? That's a different matter all together.

Maybe you haven't even thought about what to get your man either. 

This week Courtney at Women Living Well challenges us wives to ASK our husbands what they want for Valentine's Day.

Sounds like a no-brainer, huh? But until yesterday, I hadn't done it.

Why?

Because I know what he wants, and it isn't candy or a new shirt or a fancy meal. He could care less for any gift I could buy him or any food I might spend hours making. His love language is physical touch. Need I say more, ladies?

However, in keeping with the challenge, I posed the question.

His response?

"First, I want to be with all my girls, and hug and kiss and love on them."

"Then, I want some special time alone with my wife." {This remark was edited just a smidge.}

My response to him?

"Honey, I think we can do that." 

Have you asked your husband what he wants for Valentine's Day? 


Do you already sorta know the answer? 

If so, how can you prepare yourself if it might require some sacrifice on your part?

{I'm rejoining the "Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge" this the 4th & final week. Join us for other great ideas!}

 

Prior posts you might be interested in:
-"7 Ways to Edify Our Husbands + 3 Words of Caution" 
-"A Fun Way to Show Him You Love Him: Create a Love Letter Scavenger Hunt" 
-"10 Sweet Ways to Love on Your Sweetheart" 
-"Growing in Love for Our Husbands: Captivating Him with Our Love" 

 
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Creating a Seasonal Table for Valentine's Day {Or, My Attempts to Grow as a Homemaker}

Photo Credit: libertygrace0

I want to grow in so many ways as a wife, a mom, and a child of God. One area in which I am always in need of "cultivation" is homemaking. It just doesn't come naturally to me. My mom could decorate an entire room in one trip to TJ Maxx and an hour's worth of work, but unfortunately, her decorating knack did not pass down to me.

However, I desperately want my house to be a home where we can grow together as a family, and I want our children to participate in it, too.

That's why this year I am introducing a "seasonal table" to our home.

What is a Seasonal Table?

Source: goldensunfamily.blogspot.com via Keri on Pinterest

For those of you, like me, who are unfamiliar with the seasonal table, it comes from Waldorf education principles, which encourage children to be lifelong learners through exploration and interaction in areas of interest. While I'm not a Waldorf fan for the most part, I do like this concept.

A seasonal table (or nature table) is whatever you want it to be. It can be very simply or elaborately decorated. But the contents of the table usually revolve around a particular season, holiday, time of year, or theme. It may be nature-based or not.

How to Create a Seasonal Table?

Source: seasonsnaturaltoys.blogspot.com via Keri on Pinterest

The first step in creating a seasonal table is finding a table and space accessible to your children. I chose a modest end table on loan from my mom. It's small but at the perfect height for young children. 

I have a small area in our living room that we are using to house our seasonal table. Limited space is no problem.

Then, simply gather materials you already have, find outside, or you buy at the store. How much or how little you spend is entirely up to you! 

How you arrange your seasonal table is also up to you. I have NO decorating skills whatsoever; however, the kids can't tell. They just love to see a space that is open for their little hands to play with and explore.

Take it down and start over again for each new holiday, season, or family event.

Our Valentine's Day Table

 

I have attempted the seasonal table before but never consistently. This year I aim to change that beginning with a table centered around Valentine's Day.

Because of so many illnesses in our family the past two weeks, I have not done the best job at finding as many "child-friendly" items as I'd have liked. However, the children are allowed to touch and play with any of the objects--even the breakable ones; however, they cannot take the items out of the room.

Beside the table is a basket filled with books relevant to the particular season, holiday, or theme. Here are our Valentine's Day books.

  
And on both sides of the table are chairs on which a child can sit and look at one of the books or play with items on the table.

It's all about the children's interaction. This heart-shaped glass bowl ($1 at the Dollar Tree) is filled with heart-shaped stickers. The girls can pick one out any time they do something kind or loving to another. 

 

The other knicknacks on the table afford little hands with opportunities to touch, take apart, explore, create, and imagine. My four-year-old has already asked if we can put a different picture in the Love frame and why the red heart-shaped box is empty. We will be doing something there for sure.

All of the decorations on our seasonal table are inexpensive: I bought the majority at the Dollar Tree and Goodwill, so if something does get broken, it's not a big deal. 

 

I'm not a decorator, nor do I claim to be one. But I am working on becoming a better homemaker because I want to build a home of love. A seasonal table is just one way to do that.

How do you instill the seasons, holidays, or other themes into your home throughout the year? 

Have you ever attempted a seasonal table?
 
I would LOVE to hear your ideas! I may just include them in a future post!

{For more seasonal table ideas, follow me on Pinterest!}


Blessings to you as you grow in God's glory,

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10 Valentine's Day Books for Your Little Ones

 


I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day. 

Maybe it's the timing or the fun sparkly pink & red hearts everywhere (or both), but coming in the midst of a dark, wet winter, Valentine's Day is a bright, shiny distraction that I look forward to every year. 

This year, in an attempt to pull myself out of what the Happiest Mom calls "a mom funk," I'm using Valentine's Day, with all its warmth and glitter, to motivate me to love more deeply those people most important in my life. 
 
I have created a Valentine's Day table to inspire more love in our family and intend to share it with you very soon!

On my Valentine's Day table--easily accessible for the kiddos--are some of my favorite children's books associated with the holiday as well as other wonderful books about love.

Here are 10 of our favorite Valentine's Day {and every day} books:

(1) I Love You, Little One by Nancy Tafuri

The perfect book for when your little one asks either out loud or with that expression on her face, "Mama, do you love me?" {Do you know that look?} The answer of course is "forever, and ever, and always." A sweet book beautifully illustrated. A must for every home library.

(2) God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren

This is a favorite baby shower gift (along with #4). The conversations between Mama and Little Cub as she shares with her child how she came to be and how she & Papa prepared for her arrival is precious. My favorite line: "She felt happy and safe because God had given her--little her--to Mama and Papa, and they wouldn't trade her for the world."

(3) Yummiest Love by Lisa McCourt

I found this book at the library and fell in love with it because of how closely it resembles my relationship with my girls. It so captures the sweet intimacy between parent & child: "I love your never-ending surprises. Like when you hate broccoli. Then it's your favorite. Then you hate it. Then it's your favorite." {Can you relate?}


 

(4) Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

I received this book at a baby shower for our first child. The illustrations highlight the sweet relationship between father and son, Big & Little Nutbrown Hare, as they attempt to show how much each loves the other: "I love you right up to the moon--and back."

(5) The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting

Another library find that is perfect for Valentine's Day. It details the love relationship between two bears who wake up in the midst of hibernation to celebrate Valentine's Day together. My kids love the "Crispy Critters" (crunchy dried beetles and bugs) the bears share together: "And then they went to sleep again until Spring."

(6) The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Most people are familiar with this sweet book chronicling Chester Raccoon's first day night of school and the pain of leaving his mother. I try to read this book to my girls before they start on a new adventure, whether a new activity, school, or class, so we can talk about how Mama and Daddy's (as well as God's) love follows them wherever they go: "Chester loved his Kissing Hand. Now he knew his mother's love would go with him wherever he went. Even to school."

(7) A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn

The sequel to The Kissing Hand, this precious book is perfect for families about to add a new baby to the mix. As Chester Raccoon questions his mother's love and how she can love both him and baby brother, we see how Mrs. Raccoon soothes her oldest son's fears by teaching him that her love is limitless: "No matter how many Kissing Hands I give you and Ronny, I will never, ever run out." 



 

(8) And I Love You by Ruth Krauss

Beautifully illustrated by Steven Kellogg (Is Your Mama a Llama?), this book is about the intimacy of mother and child (cat and kitten), which is deepened by reading together. I love the rhythms and cadence: "Big forests...love little trees...big fields...love little flowers...big monkeys...love little monkeyshines...and I love you."

(9) Valentine's Day Is... by Gail Gibbons

Anytime we study a new season or holiday or anything science-related, I reach for Gail Gibbons. Her books are informative but in a child-friendly way with colorful illustrations and hands-on projects. This book is no exception: it explains the history of Valentine's Day: the origins, how people celebrate it, and why it's a special holiday. My favorite part: the "How to Make Your Own Valentines & Valentine Box" at the end. Definitely check this one out!

(10) I Love You Because You're You by Liza Baker

My oldest daughter is a people-pleaser {like her mama}, and I want her to know that no matter how many times she disobeys or is unkind, she is always loved by her daddy and me. This book so sweetly reassures little ones of their parents' unconditional love: "I love you any way you feel, no matter what you do. I love you any way you are. I love you because you're you." 


What's your favorite Valentine's Day (or love-related) book for children?

Come back next week when I will share with you our Valentine's Day table/reading area.

For more Valentine's Day ideas, check out my Pinterest board. 

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