www.blogaboutitall.com

With baby #4 on the way I thought I would share a few things that have helped me save money when expecting a new baby.
  1. Coupons – Reminder you don’t have to be a crazy all out coupon shopper, if you use coupons that you print and receive through the mail and friends you can still save hundreds on diapers alone.  Not to mention all the savings I’ve saved with Johnson & Johnson baby wash, lotions, Desitin, A&D ointment, Boudreaux's Butt Paste and many other baby products.  I have saved hundreds of dollars on diapers and wipes with coupons.  This is my number one way to save money.  I subscribe for 6 copies of my local Sunday newspaper, it saves me money, and is delivered right to my doorstep.  If you are not an avid couponer you may not need a weekly subscription.  You can also purchase the local Sunday newspaper from the dollar store.  You can also follow coupon sites that lists what coupons are in each Sunday edition, when you know diaper coupons are available then purchase just that week.  My favorite coupon sites are PantryOverflow.com and TheKrazyCouponLady.com.  Talk to your fellow coupon friends and family members, if they do not have a baby, they may be willing to give you their diaper coupons.  With coupons I have been able to purchase a pack of diapers that typically runs $10 for $3 or less.  I start purchasing diapers with coupons early on in pregnancy and stock up a little at a time.  You can also print coupons from Coupons.com and the diaper manufacturer sites.   My stock-up price for baby wipes is $0.01 per wipe, and for diapers, $0.15 per diaper, many times with a great coupon deal I can purchase diapers for $0.10 per diaper, some deals are greater than others.  Wipes I am not brand loyal at all, I’ll use any Kirkland, Pampers, Huggies.  As far as diapers I am pretty brand loyal, I think you end up saving in the long run by using name-brand diapers rather than the generic or store brand and often with coupons I can purchase name brand for less than the store brand.  I love Huggies, I don’t mind using pampers for newborns to three months, but I prefer Huggies.  
  2. Sign up on Baby Manufacturer Websites - They will sometimes send you samples.  Signing up enables you access to printable coupons on their sites.  This is useful for diapers and formula.  I breastfed my babies for nine months, but through signing up early on at the formula sites, I was able to use the monthly coupons they mailed me and stocked up on a few cans each month, so when I was finished nursing, I used the formula I stocked up on over time for the remaining months until they turned one and very rarely had to pay full price for formula.   It’s not just formula either, its baby cereal, baby food and all the little snacks, like puffs and yogurt melts.
  3. Breastfeed if you can!  I know it is hard work and not everyone can I will blog on breastfeeding soon but if you can it is beneficial to both mom and baby and is also a great money saver.  Even if you don’t exclusively nurse, or nurse for the entire first year every bit helps.  Nursing can save you well over $1,000 in your child’s first year.  Find out if your insurance will pay for a breast pump!  This is new to me, I had purchased a breast pump for well over $200 with my first baby, and also purchased a manual pump with another child, now with my fourth baby something new, my insurance paid for a double electric breast pump and mailed it to my home.  So call and find out if your insurance will do the same for you!
  4. Don’t go crazy on baby clothes shopping!  I know baby clothes are cute and adorable.  Many times you are gifted baby clothes both new and used that you realize you did not need to purchase so many on your own.  Also babies grow out of clothes so quickly, many times you don’t get around to putting every single outfit on them.
  5. Shop the clearance rack and look for sales!  I remember one year our local Mall was being remodeled, well in that process they were trying to move as much product as possible, someone called me to let me know all the baby and kids clothes were on clearance, I stocked up on many things that year, and a lot of stuff for different seasons, planning ahead, that was a huge savings for the long run!    
  6. Look for double-duty items!   Every year there are new gadgets and baby gear on the market, keep your eye out for double-duty items.  Like a crib that can turn into a toddler/full bed and can grow with your child.  A high chair can turn into a booster seat or be used at the dinner table.  Even simple things like a diaper bag that you can use in the future, that isn’t so baby-specific or gender specific.  If you use a Boppy for nursing, you can later use that to help baby learn to sit, you do not need an additional Bumbo or sitting tool.  When purchasing a car seat, look into a convertible car seat that again will grow with them.   
  7. Try to use electrically powered items rather than battery operated.  Batteries are expensive and with all the baby toys and gear that need batteries, anywhere you can save will help.  My favorite thing is my plug in baby swing, I would highly recommend looking for a baby swing that plugs into an outlet, even if it doesn’t match the theme you want to decorate with!  And if you purchase a gender neutral plug in swing, you can save and use with future children.
  8. Research!  Before you purchase a larger priced item check it out on-line, with reviews and blogs.  See what other parents are saying about the item, if they really used it, was it handy, did it last.
  9. Photo Sites - Keep your eye out for special deals on photos and baby announcements.  Many times photo sites like Shutterfly, Snapfish, and sometimes your local Walgreens will offer free prints, or free announcements.  You can also search for coupon codes for free shipping, or discounts off your purchase.  Remember this for prints also, when you are putting together those baby books and scrapbooks.
  10. Laundry!!!  With a baby you will be doing lots of laundry.  Try and wait until you have a full load, to save on your water usage.  If you have a blowout or a big spit-up on a baby outfit, try rinsing it and hang-drying it, until you have a full load to wash.  You can rinse and use stain removers on the item, until the next wash.  Use free and clear laundry detergent rather than spending the extra money on specified baby laundry detergent such as Dreft or if you desire make your own laundry detergent.  This is another one of my favorite items to use coupons on, I rarely pay more than $0.99 for a 46oz 26+ loads bottle of All or Tide Detergent and again, I stock up when on sale and buy the free and clear for the baby laundry.    

I hope these tips help you save money when expecting your next bundle of joy!  If you are not expecting yet, I encourage you if you know someone who is having a baby if it be their first or fourth no matter which one, it is always a blessing to gift them diapers and wipes these are gifts you can never have too many of.  I know I have greatly appreciated when someone brought my family a meal and generously brought a gift of diapers.  I also have done that for people I know, if they are having a baby and I am visiting them at the hospital or their home, bring a new outfit or bring a box of diapers or wipes.  Especially when families have multiple children, and hand-me-down clothes are quite the norm a new outfit for the baby to enjoy is appreciated, and purchase a  larger size again, they outgrow newborn stuff so quickly, so purchase a six-month outfit as a gift.

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.



10 Simple Ways To Save When Having A Baby
www.blogaboutitall.com

With baby #4 on the way I thought I would share a few things that have helped me save money when expecting a new baby.
  1. Coupons – Reminder you don’t have to be a crazy all out coupon shopper, if you use coupons that you print and receive through the mail and friends you can still save hundreds on diapers alone.  Not to mention all the savings I’ve saved with Johnson & Johnson baby wash, lotions, Desitin, A&D ointment, Boudreaux's Butt Paste and many other baby products.  I have saved hundreds of dollars on diapers and wipes with coupons.  This is my number one way to save money.  I subscribe for 6 copies of my local Sunday newspaper, it saves me money, and is delivered right to my doorstep.  If you are not an avid couponer you may not need a weekly subscription.  You can also purchase the local Sunday newspaper from the dollar store.  You can also follow coupon sites that lists what coupons are in each Sunday edition, when you know diaper coupons are available then purchase just that week.  My favorite coupon sites are PantryOverflow.com and TheKrazyCouponLady.com.  Talk to your fellow coupon friends and family members, if they do not have a baby, they may be willing to give you their diaper coupons.  With coupons I have been able to purchase a pack of diapers that typically runs $10 for $3 or less.  I start purchasing diapers with coupons early on in pregnancy and stock up a little at a time.  You can also print coupons from Coupons.com and the diaper manufacturer sites.   My stock-up price for baby wipes is $0.01 per wipe, and for diapers, $0.15 per diaper, many times with a great coupon deal I can purchase diapers for $0.10 per diaper, some deals are greater than others.  Wipes I am not brand loyal at all, I’ll use any Kirkland, Pampers, Huggies.  As far as diapers I am pretty brand loyal, I think you end up saving in the long run by using name-brand diapers rather than the generic or store brand and often with coupons I can purchase name brand for less than the store brand.  I love Huggies, I don’t mind using pampers for newborns to three months, but I prefer Huggies.  
  2. Sign up on Baby Manufacturer Websites - They will sometimes send you samples.  Signing up enables you access to printable coupons on their sites.  This is useful for diapers and formula.  I breastfed my babies for nine months, but through signing up early on at the formula sites, I was able to use the monthly coupons they mailed me and stocked up on a few cans each month, so when I was finished nursing, I used the formula I stocked up on over time for the remaining months until they turned one and very rarely had to pay full price for formula.   It’s not just formula either, its baby cereal, baby food and all the little snacks, like puffs and yogurt melts.
  3. Breastfeed if you can!  I know it is hard work and not everyone can I will blog on breastfeeding soon but if you can it is beneficial to both mom and baby and is also a great money saver.  Even if you don’t exclusively nurse, or nurse for the entire first year every bit helps.  Nursing can save you well over $1,000 in your child’s first year.  Find out if your insurance will pay for a breast pump!  This is new to me, I had purchased a breast pump for well over $200 with my first baby, and also purchased a manual pump with another child, now with my fourth baby something new, my insurance paid for a double electric breast pump and mailed it to my home.  So call and find out if your insurance will do the same for you!
  4. Don’t go crazy on baby clothes shopping!  I know baby clothes are cute and adorable.  Many times you are gifted baby clothes both new and used that you realize you did not need to purchase so many on your own.  Also babies grow out of clothes so quickly, many times you don’t get around to putting every single outfit on them.
  5. Shop the clearance rack and look for sales!  I remember one year our local Mall was being remodeled, well in that process they were trying to move as much product as possible, someone called me to let me know all the baby and kids clothes were on clearance, I stocked up on many things that year, and a lot of stuff for different seasons, planning ahead, that was a huge savings for the long run!    
  6. Look for double-duty items!   Every year there are new gadgets and baby gear on the market, keep your eye out for double-duty items.  Like a crib that can turn into a toddler/full bed and can grow with your child.  A high chair can turn into a booster seat or be used at the dinner table.  Even simple things like a diaper bag that you can use in the future, that isn’t so baby-specific or gender specific.  If you use a Boppy for nursing, you can later use that to help baby learn to sit, you do not need an additional Bumbo or sitting tool.  When purchasing a car seat, look into a convertible car seat that again will grow with them.   
  7. Try to use electrically powered items rather than battery operated.  Batteries are expensive and with all the baby toys and gear that need batteries, anywhere you can save will help.  My favorite thing is my plug in baby swing, I would highly recommend looking for a baby swing that plugs into an outlet, even if it doesn’t match the theme you want to decorate with!  And if you purchase a gender neutral plug in swing, you can save and use with future children.
  8. Research!  Before you purchase a larger priced item check it out on-line, with reviews and blogs.  See what other parents are saying about the item, if they really used it, was it handy, did it last.
  9. Photo Sites - Keep your eye out for special deals on photos and baby announcements.  Many times photo sites like Shutterfly, Snapfish, and sometimes your local Walgreens will offer free prints, or free announcements.  You can also search for coupon codes for free shipping, or discounts off your purchase.  Remember this for prints also, when you are putting together those baby books and scrapbooks.
  10. Laundry!!!  With a baby you will be doing lots of laundry.  Try and wait until you have a full load, to save on your water usage.  If you have a blowout or a big spit-up on a baby outfit, try rinsing it and hang-drying it, until you have a full load to wash.  You can rinse and use stain removers on the item, until the next wash.  Use free and clear laundry detergent rather than spending the extra money on specified baby laundry detergent such as Dreft or if you desire make your own laundry detergent.  This is another one of my favorite items to use coupons on, I rarely pay more than $0.99 for a 46oz 26+ loads bottle of All or Tide Detergent and again, I stock up when on sale and buy the free and clear for the baby laundry.    

I hope these tips help you save money when expecting your next bundle of joy!  If you are not expecting yet, I encourage you if you know someone who is having a baby if it be their first or fourth no matter which one, it is always a blessing to gift them diapers and wipes these are gifts you can never have too many of.  I know I have greatly appreciated when someone brought my family a meal and generously brought a gift of diapers.  I also have done that for people I know, if they are having a baby and I am visiting them at the hospital or their home, bring a new outfit or bring a box of diapers or wipes.  Especially when families have multiple children, and hand-me-down clothes are quite the norm a new outfit for the baby to enjoy is appreciated, and purchase a  larger size again, they outgrow newborn stuff so quickly, so purchase a six-month outfit as a gift.

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.



Read more »
My husband and I just went on a weekend get-a-way.  We try and get away quarterly together, recently we have not been able to do that.  My husband started a new job  a few months ago, so he could not take time off right away, his job also has him traveling and then it always takes a little more effort when you have three small children and another one on the way.  We decided that no matter what we had to take the time before our fourth baby arrives, even if it was for one night, which thankfully we were away Friday through Sunday.  While away we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary!

In our time away we had a very relaxing and fun time.  In celebrating our 12th anniversary had us thinking on marriage and I wanted to share with you some tips and things I think are important to having a great marriage.  Our marriage is not perfect, and we still have the big numbers to celebrate 25 years, 50 years, etc. I love being married and am grateful my husband and I both see the importance of working on our relationship.  

When I think about who I was and who my husband was at age 21 when we married, we have definitely had our moments, we have also grown and matured in many different areas in life.  In our twelve years of marriage we have had tough financial times we have had to work through, we miscarried a baby and had to learn to walk through grief and loss, we both had full time jobs in our early years and I have become a stay at home mom, and we have had some really great times in our marriage through our years together.  That is the thing with marriage, I love that in our vow’s we did say for better or for worse, through sickness and through health, for richer or poorer, because every marriage has its moments, no marriage is perfect but if both people are committed to each other and those so important vows, practicing those vows, you can have a great and long lasting marriage.

Key #1 - God!  Having God at the center of your marriage is vital.  Even if you are not religious I’m sure you have heard that God is love.  If anything having God in your life the author and creator of love in your marriage, makes room for you to learn to love, learn about things like forgiveness, selflessness, sacrifice, the famous I Corinthians chapter 13, Love is patient, love is kind . . . .and who knows you better than the one who created you, the one who created your spouse.  

I don’t think just because you go to church guarantees you’ll have a great marriage, if you look at statistics the divorce rate is just as high in the church as it is with those who don’t go to church.  Going to church every Sunday and having God at the center of your marriage are two completely different things.  It’s about relationship.  Do you the wife have a relationship with the author of love?  Do you the husband have a relationship with the author of love?  In a relationship you talk on a daily basis, when you do come across a marriage crisis, dry spell, or issue, can you go to the creator of love and pray and seek for His help in your marriage relationship?  This is HUGE, this will set you far above, give you a lead in married life.  There have been occasions when as a wife I did not know what to do, what to say but as a result of my relationship with God, and prayer for my husband the situation was handled differently than I would have handled the situation on my own.
Another perspective on why having God at the center of your marriage is vital is no human can make another human completely happy and fulfilled at all times.  As a person you should know you have good days, you have bad days, you have days where you feel loved and confident and you can better love, express love and then there are not so good days when if you don’t even love yourself how can you love another.  With God in your life and His unconditional love, there is a part of you that is complete.  We often say in marriage “my spouse completes me” and there is truth to that, my husband brings something to my life that I need, he bring a balance to me but for me to EXPECT him to fulfill me at all times and make me happy at all times is unreasonable, unrealistic and vice versa.  There will be things that he does or says, things I do or say that disappoint each other.  In a successful marriage you allow God to fill those voids, those times of loneliness, there will be those times, those things that your spouse does not bring to the table at any given moment or day.  When you don’t have God to turn to, many times, you find people to turn to friends, sports, work, activities, and other things to try and fill those voids, which will only hurt your relationship not build it.   

Key #2 – Decide/Choose:  Choosing to love your spouse is a decision, a decision you need to make daily.  Choosing to not quit, not give-up, divorce is not an option from both parties is necessary for a long lasting marriage.  This is something my husband and I decided early on in our marriage and discussed.  As long as you have two willing people, both willing to work on their issues, both willing to discuss, evaluate, and change, I believe every marriage has hope.  We decided that we would never speak the words of divorce, divorce is not an option.  We would never threaten each other with divorce and we have not.

And again, at times it is easy to love each other, but there will be times when you have to remind yourself that you decided, you chose to marry this person, you chose to love, cherish and honor this person.  That means even when you don’t “feel” like it, or when they are not acting lovable.  I choose to love you when you are sad, when you are angry, when you are distant, because we all have those moments.  
Key #3 – Study your spouse!  As people we change over time, life circumstances shape us, we learn and grow over time, and this is a good thing.  With change though, if you do not put effort into studying each other, you can easily grow apart.  Your spouse may have major career changes, which affects who they are, affects their perspective on life.  With age alone you change, I’m not the same person I was when I was 21 and although my principles have remained the same, you also have an awakening through just getting older.  What you thought you would always do in marriage when you were single, or would never do, you quickly discover after being married sometimes changes.  You add children to the relationship and again, huge change.  Even though you may have discussed parenting philosophies before having children, again, once you have them, some of those things are adjusted.  Your taste buds can change, do you know what your spouse likes to eat, what is their favorite restaurant it may have changed from when you first met.  Sometimes you switch roles, the one who was a night owl, now becomes an early riser and the one who was an early riser can become a night owl.  Sometimes you were the one who saved and budgeted and over time you become the spender.  This is why studying each other is so important, being ever intrigued and interested in each other’s interests, personality, likes and dislikes.  Studying and knowing what makes your spouse happy, fulfilled, so that you can do the best you can to create that environment for each other.   
Key #4 – Agreement!  The two become one, is what you often hear when getting married and it is true, you are bringing two lives into one.  No longer your way and his way, but a new way, a mix of you both.  I have not always agreed with every decision my husband has made and likewise he has not always agreed with what I wanted to do.  Both of you being willing to bend, change, yield to the other person is key.  Realizing that you won’t always agree, but always coming together on the decision never one on one side and the other standing on the other side is vital.  Agreement may be different in different situations, in some decisions it may mean that you or he give in to the other and get in agreement to be together on the issue, in other decisions it may mean you do not move forward on it, unless you both are on the same page.  Either way agreement to me means that you stand together, even if it’s a I would do this different, I would choose a different way but I trust you, and I’m going to yield and stand with you on this.  It may be a financial decision, a parenting decision, or a simple decision of where to eat.  Agreement is both deciding to do the one thing though, not after saying I told you so, or I knew it wouldn’t work, it’s both of us made this decision, we live and learn together, choosing to grow through mistakes together.  
Key #5 – Communication!  Keep the lines of communication open so you both can talk, discuss, and share with each other. I believe this will enable you to do all of the above.  When you communicate and don’t shut each other out, it enables you to stick to your decision of not quitting, not getting a divorce. One person alone cannot work on a marriage, it takes both of you.  Communication enables you to study each other and learn what each of you is thinking and processing.  Communication enables you to stay in agreement.  How can you get in agreement if you don’t communicate and discuss with each other what is going on in your mind, or heart.  I find with communication comes understanding and compassion, there have been times when I thought my husband was acting like a jerk, but with communication and learning why he made that choice, or with communication learning he was having a bad day and did not mean to take it out on me, than we can work through that.  With communication we were able to get through tough financial times, both being on the same page, not placing blame, with communication I learned that my husband processed grief differently when we miscarried and lost a baby.  With communication my husband has expressed his love for me, when I was not feeling loved, or attractive.  There are times when your sex life will be great and amazing, and there will be times, when one of you or both of you are not feeling your best, whether because of stress, or a new baby or whatever, with communication you can work through that.  

I recently heard someone say that men naturally have a tendency or heightened awareness to feel shame, inadequacy, and failure.  Remember men are ego.  And women have a tendency or heightened awareness to isolation, and feeling shut out.  With communication, wives can communicate love, support and success to your man, or you can communicate that shame and inadequacy to them.  With communication husbands you can communicate unity, togetherness, and love to your wife or that isolation, loneliness and feeling of being shut out to your wife.  
Whether you will be celebrating one year being married, or 50 years being married, I think it’s important to look back and remember how you fell in love, why you fell in love and what makes your relationship work.  Take time on your next date night or get away to think on the important things in your relationship.  Cherish how much you both have grown and matured, little things and big things.  I think back to when we first were married my husband did not fix or repair a single thing, it was not his gift, over time and life experiences he has become quite the handy man and I am often amazed how he has changed in this area.  Value and express that you value the things you do for each other to stand together and love each other.  Love takes work, it takes effort.  Appreciate what each of you brings to your relationship.  If you are going through a tougher time in your relationship, realize that everyone no matter how perfect their relationship looks has those times.  Realize there will be times of loneliness, there will be times of disagreement, there will be ups and downs, as long as you are committed to each other and to work on your relationship, you will get through it.  

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.

5 Essential Tips for Marriage
My husband and I just went on a weekend get-a-way.  We try and get away quarterly together, recently we have not been able to do that.  My husband started a new job  a few months ago, so he could not take time off right away, his job also has him traveling and then it always takes a little more effort when you have three small children and another one on the way.  We decided that no matter what we had to take the time before our fourth baby arrives, even if it was for one night, which thankfully we were away Friday through Sunday.  While away we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary!

In our time away we had a very relaxing and fun time.  In celebrating our 12th anniversary had us thinking on marriage and I wanted to share with you some tips and things I think are important to having a great marriage.  Our marriage is not perfect, and we still have the big numbers to celebrate 25 years, 50 years, etc. I love being married and am grateful my husband and I both see the importance of working on our relationship.  

When I think about who I was and who my husband was at age 21 when we married, we have definitely had our moments, we have also grown and matured in many different areas in life.  In our twelve years of marriage we have had tough financial times we have had to work through, we miscarried a baby and had to learn to walk through grief and loss, we both had full time jobs in our early years and I have become a stay at home mom, and we have had some really great times in our marriage through our years together.  That is the thing with marriage, I love that in our vow’s we did say for better or for worse, through sickness and through health, for richer or poorer, because every marriage has its moments, no marriage is perfect but if both people are committed to each other and those so important vows, practicing those vows, you can have a great and long lasting marriage.

Key #1 - God!  Having God at the center of your marriage is vital.  Even if you are not religious I’m sure you have heard that God is love.  If anything having God in your life the author and creator of love in your marriage, makes room for you to learn to love, learn about things like forgiveness, selflessness, sacrifice, the famous I Corinthians chapter 13, Love is patient, love is kind . . . .and who knows you better than the one who created you, the one who created your spouse.  

I don’t think just because you go to church guarantees you’ll have a great marriage, if you look at statistics the divorce rate is just as high in the church as it is with those who don’t go to church.  Going to church every Sunday and having God at the center of your marriage are two completely different things.  It’s about relationship.  Do you the wife have a relationship with the author of love?  Do you the husband have a relationship with the author of love?  In a relationship you talk on a daily basis, when you do come across a marriage crisis, dry spell, or issue, can you go to the creator of love and pray and seek for His help in your marriage relationship?  This is HUGE, this will set you far above, give you a lead in married life.  There have been occasions when as a wife I did not know what to do, what to say but as a result of my relationship with God, and prayer for my husband the situation was handled differently than I would have handled the situation on my own.
Another perspective on why having God at the center of your marriage is vital is no human can make another human completely happy and fulfilled at all times.  As a person you should know you have good days, you have bad days, you have days where you feel loved and confident and you can better love, express love and then there are not so good days when if you don’t even love yourself how can you love another.  With God in your life and His unconditional love, there is a part of you that is complete.  We often say in marriage “my spouse completes me” and there is truth to that, my husband brings something to my life that I need, he bring a balance to me but for me to EXPECT him to fulfill me at all times and make me happy at all times is unreasonable, unrealistic and vice versa.  There will be things that he does or says, things I do or say that disappoint each other.  In a successful marriage you allow God to fill those voids, those times of loneliness, there will be those times, those things that your spouse does not bring to the table at any given moment or day.  When you don’t have God to turn to, many times, you find people to turn to friends, sports, work, activities, and other things to try and fill those voids, which will only hurt your relationship not build it.   

Key #2 – Decide/Choose:  Choosing to love your spouse is a decision, a decision you need to make daily.  Choosing to not quit, not give-up, divorce is not an option from both parties is necessary for a long lasting marriage.  This is something my husband and I decided early on in our marriage and discussed.  As long as you have two willing people, both willing to work on their issues, both willing to discuss, evaluate, and change, I believe every marriage has hope.  We decided that we would never speak the words of divorce, divorce is not an option.  We would never threaten each other with divorce and we have not.

And again, at times it is easy to love each other, but there will be times when you have to remind yourself that you decided, you chose to marry this person, you chose to love, cherish and honor this person.  That means even when you don’t “feel” like it, or when they are not acting lovable.  I choose to love you when you are sad, when you are angry, when you are distant, because we all have those moments.  
Key #3 – Study your spouse!  As people we change over time, life circumstances shape us, we learn and grow over time, and this is a good thing.  With change though, if you do not put effort into studying each other, you can easily grow apart.  Your spouse may have major career changes, which affects who they are, affects their perspective on life.  With age alone you change, I’m not the same person I was when I was 21 and although my principles have remained the same, you also have an awakening through just getting older.  What you thought you would always do in marriage when you were single, or would never do, you quickly discover after being married sometimes changes.  You add children to the relationship and again, huge change.  Even though you may have discussed parenting philosophies before having children, again, once you have them, some of those things are adjusted.  Your taste buds can change, do you know what your spouse likes to eat, what is their favorite restaurant it may have changed from when you first met.  Sometimes you switch roles, the one who was a night owl, now becomes an early riser and the one who was an early riser can become a night owl.  Sometimes you were the one who saved and budgeted and over time you become the spender.  This is why studying each other is so important, being ever intrigued and interested in each other’s interests, personality, likes and dislikes.  Studying and knowing what makes your spouse happy, fulfilled, so that you can do the best you can to create that environment for each other.   
Key #4 – Agreement!  The two become one, is what you often hear when getting married and it is true, you are bringing two lives into one.  No longer your way and his way, but a new way, a mix of you both.  I have not always agreed with every decision my husband has made and likewise he has not always agreed with what I wanted to do.  Both of you being willing to bend, change, yield to the other person is key.  Realizing that you won’t always agree, but always coming together on the decision never one on one side and the other standing on the other side is vital.  Agreement may be different in different situations, in some decisions it may mean that you or he give in to the other and get in agreement to be together on the issue, in other decisions it may mean you do not move forward on it, unless you both are on the same page.  Either way agreement to me means that you stand together, even if it’s a I would do this different, I would choose a different way but I trust you, and I’m going to yield and stand with you on this.  It may be a financial decision, a parenting decision, or a simple decision of where to eat.  Agreement is both deciding to do the one thing though, not after saying I told you so, or I knew it wouldn’t work, it’s both of us made this decision, we live and learn together, choosing to grow through mistakes together.  
Key #5 – Communication!  Keep the lines of communication open so you both can talk, discuss, and share with each other. I believe this will enable you to do all of the above.  When you communicate and don’t shut each other out, it enables you to stick to your decision of not quitting, not getting a divorce. One person alone cannot work on a marriage, it takes both of you.  Communication enables you to study each other and learn what each of you is thinking and processing.  Communication enables you to stay in agreement.  How can you get in agreement if you don’t communicate and discuss with each other what is going on in your mind, or heart.  I find with communication comes understanding and compassion, there have been times when I thought my husband was acting like a jerk, but with communication and learning why he made that choice, or with communication learning he was having a bad day and did not mean to take it out on me, than we can work through that.  With communication we were able to get through tough financial times, both being on the same page, not placing blame, with communication I learned that my husband processed grief differently when we miscarried and lost a baby.  With communication my husband has expressed his love for me, when I was not feeling loved, or attractive.  There are times when your sex life will be great and amazing, and there will be times, when one of you or both of you are not feeling your best, whether because of stress, or a new baby or whatever, with communication you can work through that.  

I recently heard someone say that men naturally have a tendency or heightened awareness to feel shame, inadequacy, and failure.  Remember men are ego.  And women have a tendency or heightened awareness to isolation, and feeling shut out.  With communication, wives can communicate love, support and success to your man, or you can communicate that shame and inadequacy to them.  With communication husbands you can communicate unity, togetherness, and love to your wife or that isolation, loneliness and feeling of being shut out to your wife.  
Whether you will be celebrating one year being married, or 50 years being married, I think it’s important to look back and remember how you fell in love, why you fell in love and what makes your relationship work.  Take time on your next date night or get away to think on the important things in your relationship.  Cherish how much you both have grown and matured, little things and big things.  I think back to when we first were married my husband did not fix or repair a single thing, it was not his gift, over time and life experiences he has become quite the handy man and I am often amazed how he has changed in this area.  Value and express that you value the things you do for each other to stand together and love each other.  Love takes work, it takes effort.  Appreciate what each of you brings to your relationship.  If you are going through a tougher time in your relationship, realize that everyone no matter how perfect their relationship looks has those times.  Realize there will be times of loneliness, there will be times of disagreement, there will be ups and downs, as long as you are committed to each other and to work on your relationship, you will get through it.  

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I was waiting the other day for my doctor appointment and I was reading my bible as I waited.  I was reading in II Corinthians and these verses 12:7-10 stuck out to me in a great way.  So I thought I would share with you.  I hope you will continue to read this post even if you are not pregnant, I hope you will be able to apply this in some way to your life.

 II Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV
7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I’ve mediated on these verses in the days following, they have so encouraged me.  Being 35 weeks pregnant, I have felt helpless in some situations.  There are things I cannot move, or lift, or do and other things I cannot do as well.  

I find myself misplacing words, I can intend to say please give me the red shirt and what comes out is give me the blue shirt.  If you have been pregnant or even distracted by something taking place in your life I am sure you have experienced this as well.  The other day my toddler was at the grocery store with me and as we are loading the car with groceries, I asked him, “climb in your seat and I’ll give you your buckle.”  When I meant to say “climb in your seat, put on your buckle and I’ll give you my phone” to play a game while I finished loading groceries.  But that is not what came out and I received the blank stare that I have seen frequently lately.  My husband and my children will say that’s not what you asked me to move or bring to you.  

This even reminds me of a time, I had hurt my back and was in extreme pain, my husband and I were out and I asked the waiter for a strawberry coke and he said “you mean a cherry coke” and I would say “yes a strawberry coke” and he said it again and I did mean cherry but with the pain I was feeling my mind was elsewhere.  I laugh about it now, but I was getting upset and frustrated at the waiter and my husband had to speak up and take over because I was not handling the situation well.    

Meditating on the His Grace is sufficient for me, HIS strength is made perfect in my weakness, helps me rely and look to Him.  The other night my husband was reminding my children that things were going to change once mommy has this baby and has her full energy back.  He was telling them this because I’ve allowed more toy messes to remain, I’ve become more relaxed with some things as a result of knowing I can’t make everything perfect.  

I am naturally a take charge, get things done, but in recognizing my weakness and my need to rely on and depend on others for help has been good for me.  I feel more relaxed, I feel okay when things do not take place the way I would do them.  It is a good reminder to carry on relying on His strength and make room for others even after I’ve given birth.  

The truth is we need each other, I need my husband, although I do not always express that to him.  I need my boys as young as they are to help around the house it is good training and teaching for them, but too often, when you can do it easier, faster, and the exact way you want it done, you just do it and do not allow others to help you.  In my pregnant state, I have been forced to rely on them and it has been good for me and good for them.  This being my fourth birth, I do not feel as much stress and pressure to have everything ready, and in place.  Although things are ready and in place, I have not felt and forced on others that press, this has to be done, of my normal checklist of things.    

Last week one of my children was not feeling well and had thrown up in our bed on our comforter.  I do not do throw up, even when I am not pregnant I cannot stand the smell, but even more so being pregnant I know I cannot handle that smell.  I have not thrown up since I was a young child, I feel I did that once, did not like it, will not do that again.  I believe as a result of often stating I do not do throw up I have never had morning sickness with any of my pregnancies and my children do not throw up either.  I can count on one hand the times all of my children together have thrown up and they are 8, 6, and 4.  Anyways, I knew I could not clean up the mess, and my husband was not interested in washing and cleaning up the mess either in the middle of the night, so he said I am going to throw this comforter and bedding out and I completely agreed with him, with great joy, I was perfectly okay with that.  When I think if I was not pregnant and aware of my own weakness I would have not been happy with this decision.  I would have expressed great displeasure in this action, even though I myself would not be able to handle it.  Gratefully a friend gave us a beautiful bedding set to replace it when she found out we just threw ours out.  I did not give any thought to we would have to purchase a new one, I just went with the flow and said okay throw it out.  The Lord provided the very next day, my friend heard we had thrown out our bedding she said she had one we could have.  I just stand back at times and look at some situations I have handled and think, Lord please help me handle this the same way when I feel stronger.  The verse has become so real to me that His strength is perfected in my weakness.  I have walked in a greater grace I have walked in greater peace even though I am weak.  It is not because of me, but because of His love, His grace, His presence and my surrendering, my yielding, and recognizing my weakness, relinquishing of my rights, my way.  
Our New Bedding
Too often when we feel strong or we know we are great at a certain area, we rely on our own strength, our own talent or gift that we do not make room for others, we do not allow input from others.  We do not make room for others to grow in their strengths because we flourish in our own strength.

I just think how awesome if we can stay aware of our weakness all the time, not just in times of specific physical weakness.  The truth is we all have weakness in our life.  As a wife, I cannot complete and fulfill every need my husband has.  I have weakness as a parent, I cannot give my children everything they need spirit, soul, and body at all times.  I will make mistakes, I am not a perfect mom, wife, daughter, sister, or friend but if I would rely on His grace and allow God and others to have room, space, their way.  Not demanding my way, not demanding my pace then His grace is perfected in my weakness as I look to Him to make up the difference, as I look to Him to lead me in being a wife to my husband, as I look to Him to lead me in being a mother to my children and all the other hats I wear.  Then I am more relaxed, not only do I enjoy life at a greater level, but others enjoy being around me. 

I write this to encourage you to step back, take a breath, I know life can be stressful but as you relinquish your rights, and your way and allow God and the people in your life to help things are better for all parties involved.  

Do not be so rushed going from point A to point B, even in the everyday life tasks.  Too many of us are in a hurry, scurrying about.  Too many of us demand things to be in the place and perfect way we want it done.  I have kind of been forced to slow down with my pregnancy waddle but it has been a good thing to slow down, and enjoy my children, enjoy a slower pace.  I love not feeling so rushed, I love this Jessica that is not so pressed to have everything perfect I love this Jessica that is recognizing God’s strength is perfected in my weakness.  I am enjoying the peace I feel even when I am making those mistakes of not getting the correct sentence or request or word out, I have laughed at myself and just stand in awe of what our bodies do in carrying a baby, both the good and the uncomfortable moments.  

I also find people make room for you when you are pregnant.  They are in some way aware of your weakness if you would and offer up their strength, just like Christ, His strength perfected in our weakness.  There is nothing weak about having a baby but see the picture I am painting in light of the scripture verse I read.  Strangers and those you know, offer more help, will hold a door open, and give up their seat for you, go out and pick up that pregnancy craving you are having when in reality we should live this way all the time, not only for pregnant women but for all people.  We should be so aware of those around us and aware when they need extra help, a door held for them, a seat given up for them, a smile, or thank you card sent their way.  
So I encourage you in the days following step back, recognize your weaknesses and allow God to supply His strength, allow others in your life to supply their strengths.  Make room for others to help and offer input, make room for others to make mistakes that are not life and death.  Does that thing have to be where you had it, or is it okay where they placed it?

Look around is there someone in your life who is a little distracted either by a good thing getting married, having a baby, moving, or a more difficult thing, offer up your help, offer up encouragement and make room for them to grow through their moment, offer up your strength in their weakness.  

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.

Here is a beautiful song about Grace



Strength Made Perfect in Weakness
I was waiting the other day for my doctor appointment and I was reading my bible as I waited.  I was reading in II Corinthians and these verses 12:7-10 stuck out to me in a great way.  So I thought I would share with you.  I hope you will continue to read this post even if you are not pregnant, I hope you will be able to apply this in some way to your life.

 II Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV
7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I’ve mediated on these verses in the days following, they have so encouraged me.  Being 35 weeks pregnant, I have felt helpless in some situations.  There are things I cannot move, or lift, or do and other things I cannot do as well.  

I find myself misplacing words, I can intend to say please give me the red shirt and what comes out is give me the blue shirt.  If you have been pregnant or even distracted by something taking place in your life I am sure you have experienced this as well.  The other day my toddler was at the grocery store with me and as we are loading the car with groceries, I asked him, “climb in your seat and I’ll give you your buckle.”  When I meant to say “climb in your seat, put on your buckle and I’ll give you my phone” to play a game while I finished loading groceries.  But that is not what came out and I received the blank stare that I have seen frequently lately.  My husband and my children will say that’s not what you asked me to move or bring to you.  

This even reminds me of a time, I had hurt my back and was in extreme pain, my husband and I were out and I asked the waiter for a strawberry coke and he said “you mean a cherry coke” and I would say “yes a strawberry coke” and he said it again and I did mean cherry but with the pain I was feeling my mind was elsewhere.  I laugh about it now, but I was getting upset and frustrated at the waiter and my husband had to speak up and take over because I was not handling the situation well.    

Meditating on the His Grace is sufficient for me, HIS strength is made perfect in my weakness, helps me rely and look to Him.  The other night my husband was reminding my children that things were going to change once mommy has this baby and has her full energy back.  He was telling them this because I’ve allowed more toy messes to remain, I’ve become more relaxed with some things as a result of knowing I can’t make everything perfect.  

I am naturally a take charge, get things done, but in recognizing my weakness and my need to rely on and depend on others for help has been good for me.  I feel more relaxed, I feel okay when things do not take place the way I would do them.  It is a good reminder to carry on relying on His strength and make room for others even after I’ve given birth.  

The truth is we need each other, I need my husband, although I do not always express that to him.  I need my boys as young as they are to help around the house it is good training and teaching for them, but too often, when you can do it easier, faster, and the exact way you want it done, you just do it and do not allow others to help you.  In my pregnant state, I have been forced to rely on them and it has been good for me and good for them.  This being my fourth birth, I do not feel as much stress and pressure to have everything ready, and in place.  Although things are ready and in place, I have not felt and forced on others that press, this has to be done, of my normal checklist of things.    

Last week one of my children was not feeling well and had thrown up in our bed on our comforter.  I do not do throw up, even when I am not pregnant I cannot stand the smell, but even more so being pregnant I know I cannot handle that smell.  I have not thrown up since I was a young child, I feel I did that once, did not like it, will not do that again.  I believe as a result of often stating I do not do throw up I have never had morning sickness with any of my pregnancies and my children do not throw up either.  I can count on one hand the times all of my children together have thrown up and they are 8, 6, and 4.  Anyways, I knew I could not clean up the mess, and my husband was not interested in washing and cleaning up the mess either in the middle of the night, so he said I am going to throw this comforter and bedding out and I completely agreed with him, with great joy, I was perfectly okay with that.  When I think if I was not pregnant and aware of my own weakness I would have not been happy with this decision.  I would have expressed great displeasure in this action, even though I myself would not be able to handle it.  Gratefully a friend gave us a beautiful bedding set to replace it when she found out we just threw ours out.  I did not give any thought to we would have to purchase a new one, I just went with the flow and said okay throw it out.  The Lord provided the very next day, my friend heard we had thrown out our bedding she said she had one we could have.  I just stand back at times and look at some situations I have handled and think, Lord please help me handle this the same way when I feel stronger.  The verse has become so real to me that His strength is perfected in my weakness.  I have walked in a greater grace I have walked in greater peace even though I am weak.  It is not because of me, but because of His love, His grace, His presence and my surrendering, my yielding, and recognizing my weakness, relinquishing of my rights, my way.  
Our New Bedding
Too often when we feel strong or we know we are great at a certain area, we rely on our own strength, our own talent or gift that we do not make room for others, we do not allow input from others.  We do not make room for others to grow in their strengths because we flourish in our own strength.

I just think how awesome if we can stay aware of our weakness all the time, not just in times of specific physical weakness.  The truth is we all have weakness in our life.  As a wife, I cannot complete and fulfill every need my husband has.  I have weakness as a parent, I cannot give my children everything they need spirit, soul, and body at all times.  I will make mistakes, I am not a perfect mom, wife, daughter, sister, or friend but if I would rely on His grace and allow God and others to have room, space, their way.  Not demanding my way, not demanding my pace then His grace is perfected in my weakness as I look to Him to make up the difference, as I look to Him to lead me in being a wife to my husband, as I look to Him to lead me in being a mother to my children and all the other hats I wear.  Then I am more relaxed, not only do I enjoy life at a greater level, but others enjoy being around me. 

I write this to encourage you to step back, take a breath, I know life can be stressful but as you relinquish your rights, and your way and allow God and the people in your life to help things are better for all parties involved.  

Do not be so rushed going from point A to point B, even in the everyday life tasks.  Too many of us are in a hurry, scurrying about.  Too many of us demand things to be in the place and perfect way we want it done.  I have kind of been forced to slow down with my pregnancy waddle but it has been a good thing to slow down, and enjoy my children, enjoy a slower pace.  I love not feeling so rushed, I love this Jessica that is not so pressed to have everything perfect I love this Jessica that is recognizing God’s strength is perfected in my weakness.  I am enjoying the peace I feel even when I am making those mistakes of not getting the correct sentence or request or word out, I have laughed at myself and just stand in awe of what our bodies do in carrying a baby, both the good and the uncomfortable moments.  

I also find people make room for you when you are pregnant.  They are in some way aware of your weakness if you would and offer up their strength, just like Christ, His strength perfected in our weakness.  There is nothing weak about having a baby but see the picture I am painting in light of the scripture verse I read.  Strangers and those you know, offer more help, will hold a door open, and give up their seat for you, go out and pick up that pregnancy craving you are having when in reality we should live this way all the time, not only for pregnant women but for all people.  We should be so aware of those around us and aware when they need extra help, a door held for them, a seat given up for them, a smile, or thank you card sent their way.  
So I encourage you in the days following step back, recognize your weaknesses and allow God to supply His strength, allow others in your life to supply their strengths.  Make room for others to help and offer input, make room for others to make mistakes that are not life and death.  Does that thing have to be where you had it, or is it okay where they placed it?

Look around is there someone in your life who is a little distracted either by a good thing getting married, having a baby, moving, or a more difficult thing, offer up your help, offer up encouragement and make room for them to grow through their moment, offer up your strength in their weakness.  

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.

Here is a beautiful song about Grace



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