Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship & Life Together by Mark and Grace Driscoll

Marriage books are hard for me, because they focus so much on their own marriage and the issues they have had to overcome and I sometimes find it difficult to relate.

This one wasn’t all that different from other ones I’ve read, however, it does have good information tucked in the pages for all couples new and old with biblical foundations attached.

They talk very honestly about the many obstacles and struggles in their marriage that they overcame with the help of Jesus.  I completely agree with their philosophy about being friends first and foremost with your spouse, and how it does take work. 

They also candidly talk about sex, which for some reason in the church is not always openly discussed, but it’s something that couples have questions about. 

It does have some great steps and in-depth questions in the back of the book to go over with your spouse.

Although this book wasn’t necessarily a page turner for me, I do have a ton of respect for the Driscoll’s and the transparent wisdom they share about friendship, sex and marriage.

* BookSneeze® has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book, there was no reimbursement for this review.

3 More Days...

Just so you don't think I'm MIA, I thought I should post an update to 10 Days without Derek.

My goal was to stay super busy, and super busy we've been, Hakan also got sick on Saturday.

We've really been blessed by friends and family while he's been gone.

We've had women's Bible study, mom's Bible study, a friend came over and watched the kids on Thursday morning for me while I went out with another friend to run some errands, then a good high school friend stopped by on Friday morning, and on Saturday my mom, sister and aunt stopped through on their way to drop my sister off in Rochester for her last chunk of clinicals and I ran to the grocery store.  They'll be stopping sometime today too.  It has also been crazy nice weather, so we cleaned out the garage to get the car to fit again...small house = everything goes into the garage.  

Hakan's feeling better, but Adeline had a rough night (8 times waking up), so I'm not sure how she's doing.  I do see her 8th tooth coming in, so that might be part of it.  But the night before she only woke up once...I just don't know about her.

Then there was the time change, saving the daylight just doesn't really work for my kids, it just messes them up, hopefully we can get back on a schedule soon.

I got accepted into the HandmadeMN Spring Market to sell my Anchored Hope things, which is on May 5 and I have a TON of sewing to do, but I'm super excited and nervous about it. I'm also donating a few things and still have custom orders coming in, staying busy to say the least.  But it's what I love to do:)

I am sooooo ready to have Der back.  I miss him more then anything, I can't wait for Wednesday!

I started making reusable sandwich bags.  They have a waterproof lining and veclro closure.  They're fun and friendly to the environment and save you money.  I'll be sewing some more and putting them in my etsy shop.

Our new fave band, Sleeping at Last, wrote us (or Derek) a personal note with our new Yearbook album purchase, so so so so good!!!!

Adeline and Hakan, both with runny noses, but happy:)

Off to sew, Happy Monday!

Kony 2012

Please watch this and share it.  Children need to be saved and this man needs to be stopped.

10 Days

Last Friday, Der surprised me with a date night, he even found the sitter.  Granted, we didn't leave until the kids were in bed, so it was pretty easy peasy for our sitter, I think he did his taxes...coworker of Der's:)

Lately when we go on date nights, we don't really have a plan...probably not the smartest thing, but we always find something to do, we'll just call them adventures.

There's been a frozen yogurt craze in the Twin Cities, four new ones recently opened in the north metro, and you know how much we love sweets, so we decided to try one of those.  We chose the one we did for two reasons, one it's not a chain, just a regular guy named Dave, living his dream, and two, it's right next door to Trader Joe's.  We went there first because they close early and I so wish it was a little closer to us to go more often, love it!  The frozen yogurt place is called, FreeStyle Yogurt,  in St. Paul.  If you live in this area, show them some love and "like" their FB page:)  They were so extremely friendly and gave us tons of little cups to try ALL the different kinds of yogurt, so many flavors too!  We settled on white chocolate mousse and strawberry with some blueberries and strawberries on top.  Oh my, I absolutely LOVED it! 

I did not take these pics, I completely forgot, savoring every bite and not wanting it to be gone, so these are courtesy of their facebook page.

Then we went to Caribou to enjoy a nice cup of tea and talk.

How adorable is that cozy?!  My friend Missy made it for me:)

First one to write on the board:)

So you might be wondering why Der would surprise me with a date night...it's not his usual thing.  He left Sunday to go to Miami for 10 days, for work doing the audit for Best Buddies, an awesome awesome nonprofit, I adore their mission!  Der loves this audit, such a CPA:)  This is a trip he's been taking every year now for 4 years (I think).  Obviously when I was by myself, no big deal, then with Hakan, still not too bad, except for last year when we both got the flu, bad.  But now I have two kids...eek!  I think the biggest thing is sleep.  So far, the first night Adeline had a bad night, up every hour, I was a monster yesterday morning when Hakan woke up at 6:00, then last night she only woke up once, PRAISE THE LORD!!  I was a completely different person this morning when Hakan woke up, no monster here today:)  So, as long as Adeline has more good nights then bad, we'll be good.

I miss Derek so much already.   I miss just sitting on the couch together after the kids are in bed.  I miss falling asleep in his arms.  I miss his goodbye kiss in the mornings.  I miss him playing and reading to our babies.  I know it will go by fast.  And I have lots of friends who are keeping me busy and helping out, so thankful for them!  I just can't wait until he gets home:)  Love you babe!

It helps that it's supposed to be super nice here this week, so not getting the 80 degree weather is a little less disappointing:)


Only eight more days!