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Monday, April 9

the little things make up the big things


It is so often that we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our routines.
I know this is true for me and Ryan. 
Sometimes we just get so focused on all the other stuff we have going on that we forget to take the time to remember that it is the little things in marriage that make up the whole big picture of love!

But never do I let a day go by where I am not thankful for him in my life!

I thought I would share with you 5 tips for women and 5 tips for men that make marriage and romance more meaningful.
{These are just some of the suggestions that were given to us during a marriage conference at our church. They come from Toward a Growing Marriage by Gary Chapman}

And in light of being an open book here, Ill tell you that we don't have it all figured out and we are actually working on these right now ;)

{Men}
This is what women desire:
1. Honor Christ as the Head of our home.
2. Express appreciation for the little things I have done that day. {ex: the meal was good, I appreciate the clean house}
3. Occasionally buy me flowers, lingerie, or perfume.
4. Say sweet nothings and tell me why you love me.
5. Pray with me about the problems and victories you are having; let me express my own needs to you.

{Women}
This is what men desire:
1. Do not allow your self to remain upset over everyday events that go wrong. {oops}
2. Relax with me at least once a week.
3. Go to bed earlier. {no late night blogging *wink}
4. Dress more appealingly when I am at home {no housecoats, slippers, etc...}
5. Forgive me when I fall short of what I should be.

I am a marriage book reading-aholic.
Not because ours is bad, or failing, actually quite the opposite,
Because I want our marriage to be ever growing and strong.
I love marriage and desire to see it be what God has intended. 
I can't believe we are working on two years!



Today I am linking up with Heather at Finding Beauty in the Ordinary
FindingBeautyintheOrdinary.com

10 comments:

  1. I love that you are proactive about your marriage! We try to be too :) It's hard to explain that to others though. Usually they think something is wrong if you're reading a marriage help book. But, you're right, it can be quite the opposite.

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    1. I hear you! Ryan worked at a Christian bookstore for a long time and he would get books half price, so of course that was when I stocked up on my marriage books, but someone asked him one day if he was ok, and Ryan said yeah why? and they said, well I just noticed you sure do buy a lot of marriage books! hahaha
      BTW: I am loving your new blog design! :)

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  2. just found your blog from heather's. LOVE seeing a couple working on their marriage - good advice! you guys are so cute too!

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    1. Thanks Katie! I am so glad you stopped by and even more happy you left some comment love! {they make my day!}
      I just feel like you can't have too strong of a marriage right? haha
      ~Clara

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  3. I LOVE this post! It seems so easy said, but I'm sure it's so much harder to actually continually do these things. I'm not married, but I love learning about marriage for when my boyfriend and I finally take the leap! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. You are so right! It is much easier said than done, that is why I am sure we will probably still be working on these things when we are in our rockers haha!
      Thanks so much for stoping by!
      ~Clara

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  4. Hey stopping by from Cup Half Full. Love this post, and I really needed this reminder! after almost 5 years of marriage I can still be so selfish and thoughtless about loving my husband. I need to work on all 5 of these things! Also I am a new follower!

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    1. Allison, I am so happy you stopped by, and your comment made my day, but a new follower, that makes my week :)
      Marriage is so beautiful but so difficult, and sometimes you have to just preach to yourself {that is why I wrote this blog post haha}
      ~Clara

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  5. This advice is so good! & so true. I'm a new follower. & I hope that God continues to grow and strengthen your marriage, molding each of you so that you become more like Christ.

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    1. Aw thanks, I can honestly say that it takes effort every day to work on all these, but I have been so blessed to be married to such an amazing guy! I love that you and your husband were married young and in college! So were we! I was 19 almost 20 and Ryan was 20. It is sure was not easy at times, but I believe that it can make your marriage a great one and makes for some good times to look back on!
      So glad you started following and am excited to be following your blog!!
      ~Clara

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Thanks for stopping by my little blog! I love your comments, each of them make my day! So Comment Away!
~Clara