A couple mornings ago I had an unusual experience.
While brushing my teeth, my toothbrush snapped.
Snapped.
There I was brushing away and suddenly my fingers grasped a headless toothbrush handle!
Shouldn't toothbrushes be dependable?  At least for 6 months until the next dental checkup freebie?
Had I placed too much trust in a physical object? 

I do that with people sometimes.
No - not snap their heads off. 
I mean place too much trust in them.  Depend on them with the attitude they are infallible.

Guess what?
People by nature are fallible. 
Only GOD is completely trustworthy.  HE'll never let me down.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.  ~  Psalm 20:7,8

P.S. - There is that "stand firm" again.  I haven't forgotten I want to do a post series on "standing firm".  Just not ready yet ;)

My Latest(?) Bookmark

You might recall my usual choice of bookmark. 
I'm either gaining a little class or else I was downstairs yesterday when something interrupted my reading.

My bookmark choice?  An event ticket stub off the kitchen counter.

The event?  The Rodeo.......in July.

This begs the question:
Would I rather use toilet paper or a ticket stub reminder I am 4 months behind in cleaning off my kitchen counter clutter pile?!?

Tough call. 

At least I cleaned the ticket stub off the counter.  Perhaps next month I'll clear off the kids' summer swimming evaluations ;)

God. The Perfect Planner.

Several of you know that I am my church's Awana Secretary.
 (a youth outreach/scripture memory club).
This is a perfect fit for a DETAIL minded person such as myself. 
(Some might call it control-freakiness)

Tonight at club, the Bible Lesson Lady (official title) wasn't able to be there - unexpectedly.
So I literally last minute volunteered to teach the two 15 minute classes. 
(K-2nd graders and 3rd-6th).

This was not easy for me.
I'm pretty confident in Bible Story knowledge.  That wasn't it.

I had to give up control of the Secretary Desk!  :)

Anyway, 
Since tonight happened to be "pajama night" at Awana, my leader and I thumbed through a kid's lesson idea book and chose the one entitled "Daydreaming".  I skimmed the lesson for the suggested Bible story.  I located it in a "church" Bible and said a quick prayer.

The Lesson?   Jacob's Stairway to Heaven Dream (Gen 28:10-20).

This story immediately followed what the kids learned last week about Jacob tricking Esau out of his birthright. 
TOTALLY unplanned by my leader or myself... but God  planned it.

Then.....  Even with no run-through, or practice, or outline  (I like outlines)... for both lesson times I finished with exactly 3 minutes remaining.... just enough time to close and pray.   I did not have a watch and there was no clock in the room.  Both times when I felt we reached where God wanted us to be, I asked a leader how much time we had and he said "you've got 3 minutes remaining".

Sorry.  This story is harder to type than experience. 
But I couldn't NOT write how COOL I saw God work tonight!  He took potential disorder (no Bible Lesson Leader) situation and perfectly orchastrated it into a God-Planned Lesson.

Interactive:
Let me hear your stories of how God has taken disorder and perfectly organized it!

Oh.  In case you were wondering.....
the substitute secretaries did just fine, by the way  ;)

Overheard from Over the Fence

If you live in my neighborhood and at 8:00pm you overheard
a hysterical woman yelling,

"At the Fence!  At the FENCE!  Get busy at. the. FENCE!"

It was me.

Hershey, our dog, knows to poop (get busy) along the fence line.
Tonight he tried pooping not 18 inches off the back patio!
So I ran after him, clapping my hands, and yelling like a crazy person.
Then I realized what it must sound like to the neighbors.
Sheesh!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Two MEs

1) I love homeschooling the children.  Extra time with them before they're grown up in a blink of an eye.  I know Christian beliefs are being reinforced instead of torn down.  I can challenge them in areas they need to be. They have time to play together and relax at home and just be kids.

2) I want to send my children to public school.  Tomorrow.
I am constantly surrounded by questions, whine, and attitudes needing adjusting (including mine).  Are they really getting a better education?  I'm probably letting a million little things fall through the cracks.  I could use some alone me time.  A chance to write for real.  Get a job and help achieve my "bigger house" goal.

Anyway.  That is where I am at today.  Still feeling called to homeschool the children.  But tired of my 6 year old's attitude.  If she would just calm down and breath, she wouldn't get SO bent out of shape and then make Mom crazy.
Oh.
I'm the grown up? 
I shouldn't allow my 6 year old to rile me?! 
My 34-year-old-self shouldn't resort to 6-year-old-like tactics?

In a perfect world that would happen!

Here is to a fresh start tomorrow :)

Decoder Ring - Part 2

If you missed my last post, click here and read it first.....

Caught up?!  Ok. 
I missed one very important phrase my 5 year old daughter, Krystin, uses.
She made this phrase up a couple years ago and it has stuck around.

She calls me: 
"MA-ma-Mi-mi-MOO-moo-CEreal-box"

There is plenty in that phrase I could take offense at,
1) My name is not Mama Mimi!
2) What woman likes to be compared to a cow?  Ever.
3) A box-like figure isn't that attractive, either, is it now?

But what if I examine the context in which Krystin calls me that?
1) Perhaps in her at-the-time 3 year old brain she was actually thinking "Mama and Me"?
2) She calls me this at night when I tuck her in, or while she is snuggling up to me.
3) Cereal is her absolute favorite food.

When I consider her motives and choose to dwell on the positive possibilities of what she means, the phrase doesn't bother me anymore..... I actually like it.

I think I'll try and keep that in mind with other people, too.
Remember that the first possible negative meaning of what they just said or did might not be what they intended.  Their heart might be in the right place.  I just have to get out my decoder ring.

The decoder ring found in a cereal box......
Which reminds me that even though I love Krystin's phrase,
when Krystin says it.....

Don't you ever call me a cow or cereal box.
I will assume the worst  :)

My Little "Scootles" (AKA - Krystin)

(Oh, did I not mention I use made-up words, too?!)  ;)

Photo courtesy of Kari Masson

Decoder Ring Needed

If you are are ever in the neighborhood and stop by, you might need a
secret decoder ring.
That is because my children have their own language. 
What's funny is that I don't notice it anymore - it seems almost normal. 
Here are a few choice examples:

"pei-wei"  (pay-way) = penguin
"March of the Minis" means you better not stand at the bottom of the stairs
      because they're rip-roaring, sliding down on their stomachs in footie
      pajamas
"baby ear" = when one of our dog's, Hershey, ears is flipped up and you can
       see pink skin
"rang-roo" = this refers to the howling noise Hershey makes
"eighty-eighty in the tatey" = scrambled eggs  (NO clue.... dont' ask)

I wish I could make money off them inventing a new language.........

Don't be a Stopwatch

As a homeschooling Mom, I felt the need for a stopwatch.
There are so many things I could use it for: 
     Math Flash Cards - beat your time from last week
     P.E. Class - (possibilities endless here)
     Geography - How fast can you name all 50 States and Capitals?

I finally purchased a stopwatch on my last Wal Mart trip....
....on Thursday....
....4 days ago.....
and that thing beeps every day........ every hour....... on the hour. 
Only not on the hour. 
It actually beeps at 22 minutes past the hour. 
I can't make it stop. 
(And neither can Dan - so there).

Anyway, I figured there has to be a spiritual application here. 
Maybe something to do with the persistent elderly widow found in the Bible?

But it is 9:30 at night and I am. going. to. do. my. pilates. yet. today!

So the best I got is.....

Don't be annoying.  Don't be a stop watch.
Or maybe avoid the temptation to buy one in the first place.  :)

Interactive:
You have any spiritual application ideas on this one?
Do you live within a 2 hour radius and know how to turn off a stopwatch alarm?!?

Can't Catch Me - I'm the Gingerbread Man

Yesterday I read The Gingerbread Man to my children.  Let me recap:

An old woman, who never had children, lovingly created and baked a gingerbread man to be her son.
However, as soon as she pulled the gingerbread man out of the oven, he leapt off the cookie sheet and ran out the door; crying, "Run, Run, as fast as you can.  You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!"
He continues running past several people and animals, taunting them with the same cry of, "You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!".
Until............
Clever Mr. Fox.
Mr. Fox warns the Gingerbread Man of a river up ahead and offers to help him cross.   However, Gingerbread Man is cautious, knowing that Mr. Fox would like to eat him.  Mr. Fox assuages Gingerbread Man's fears by explaining that he will carry the Gingerbread Man across the river on his tail - which is far away from his mouth.  So the Gingerbread Man hops on Mr. Fox's tail and they start across the river.

Mr. Fox, "Careful, Gingerbread Man, the river is getting deeper.  Hop onto my back so you don't get wet."
Gingerbread Man hops on Mr. Fox's back.
Mr. Fox, "Oh no!  The water is rising even higher.  Quick!   Get on top of my head before you are drowned!"
Gingerbread Man trustingly hops on top of Mr. Fox's head.
Mr. Fox, "Hurry Gingerbread Man, for the water is even deeper now.  Hurry to the safety of the tip of my nose!"
Gingerbread man runs up Mr. Fox's nose.......... to be snapped up by Mr. Fox for a tasty little treat.

While reading the story, God brought to mind a great spiritual application (which the kids and I discussed).

Say you and I are the Gingerbread Man.
Say the old woman represents God.
Any guesses as to who Mr. Fox represents? 
That' right - Satan.  The father of lies.

How often do I run away from my loving Creator, thinking I know what is best for me?  I can't wait to be free of the confines of following His rules.  I want out of His house and spread my wings - to my own glory.
I'm smart, good, talented.............and prideful of my own abilities.  "Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread-super-woman".   I'm outrunning everybody.  Staying ahead of the game.  I'm even smart enough to recognize trouble.  I know there is a Mr. Fox Satan out there wanting to gobble me up. 
But one day a minor temptation floats in my head like a faint whisper.  Perhaps indulging this once won't be a problem.  After all, it isn't anything really bad.  I hop on the tail.
Next thing I know, another temptation comes along.  Nothing big, mind you. Just maybe something I wouldn't have done back on the river bank. I hop on Mr. Fox's back.  So far the only consequences are me staying dry.  No worries.  Nothing bad has happened.  I'm still in control.  His mouth can't reach me from clear up there. 
The only problem is that now I'm enjoying things I shouldn't be.  I'm too prideful to realize it's not me in control.  I've left the house and am taking a swim in the river with Mr. Fox at the helm.  Knowing my weaknesses (the river is rising), Mr. Fox finally persuades me to hop onto his head.  Take the next step.
You remember the story's ending, right?
I end up cookie crumbs.

Anyway,
I thought it was a nice reminder to remain on guard against the devil's schemes.  To not give in to those little temptations lies Satan whispers in my head. 

After all, a Fox is a Fox.
That's just the way the cookie crumbles.

1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

The Letter "T"

Hi.
My name is Britt and I used to post on this blog.

Actually, I think I am back.  With a profoundly deep post ........

I dedicate this post to the letter "T".


T stands for Tea.
In my last post, I reported feeling like an over-used bag of Earl Grey tea.
I am happy to report that I have (literally and figuratively) just sat down with a new cup of tea.

T stands for Time.
I just haven't had the time to post this past month...... But I need to make time.  Because this blog is a place where I can be real .......and usually figure myself out - and what God is trying to tell me - by writing.

T stands for Toilet Paper
Monday, while reading a book, I needed to make supper.  So I picked up my bookmark and marked the page.  It dawned on me that I might be a bit odd.  For my bookmark (for many, many books) is usually a 2-3 block strip of toilet paper. 
No.  Not because I read in the bathroom.  Get your mind outta the toilet, people!  I usually read in bed at night before falling asleep.  And having allergies, I keep kleenexes a roll of toilet paper on my nightstand.
Thus, toilet paper is usually the handiest scrap of paper within reach for a quick bookmark.

Two questions for you.

1) What do you normally use for a book mark? 
(Are you a "dog-ear" page-ruiner?  Do you tear off corners of important school forms?  Are you a "binder-breaker" and place the book face-side down?)  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to sound judgemental.  You can tell me honestly and I won't judge you by your bookmark methods.... if you don't judge me :)

2)  What is your favorite kind of Bigelow, Lipton, Twinings, or Celestial tea?
(I am very specific because those are the brands my local grocery store carries. Why?  See Below)

(If you are one of the first 5 people to post a comment with an answer to these two questions, I will mail you a box of your favorite tea.)
Technical Stuff:   Must be in the continental U.S. to participate.  Apologies to all my world-wide fans ;) 
If you do not wish to post your address in the comments,
you may email me your address at  write2cbmason@gmail.com 
(but your comments must still appear on this blog ;)

Call me Earl ...

... as in Earl Grey.

I feel a little like the below pictured tea bag. 

This morning I woke up with a scratchy throat, so I am drinking lots of tea.  However, I am too lazy thrifty to toss the tea bag after just one three uses.  I believe this was Earl's 4th or 5th cup.

Notice how diluted the "tea" is?  Practically water.

I apologize, but you, Write2Breal blog friends, are my last cup of tea.

First cup is my family.

Dan has been working really long hours.  Children growing up too fast.

Second cup is homeschool.

This is my second year, and I'm still figuring out how I want to "do it".  Add in 2 new co-ops and teaching an art class for 1 of them.... well, school should actually be considered cups 2, 3, and 4.

5th cup is Awana.

I'm the lead secretary and Awana started this past Monday.

6th cup is local friends.

7th cup

Other issues too numerous to count

Last cup

This blog

So I'm sorry that instead of weekly blogging, I've been blogging weakly .

Call me Earl.

(Don't worry, eventually I open a new bag of tea.  Don't give up on checking out this site!)  :)

Inspired

Today I attended a women's brunch at church.

I didn't want to go.

Saturday mornings are for lounging around in pj's while I tootle on the web.   Maybe get something accomplished around the house and occasionally take on the kids in Mario Party 8.

However, I've felt for awhile now that I need to make better efforts at connecting with women in our church.  Specifically, women at different life stages than me.

So ... two weeks ago I debated:  Should I stay (home) or should I go?

God answered in the form of Vicky calling and asking me to drum for the event.

So, back to the top - Today I attended a women's brunch at church.

The brunch was delicious, music uplifting (in spite of the drummer ;) and the speaker was wonderful. 
None of those things inspired me, though.

Conversations with several women during the event and afterward inspired me.  Conversations I would never have had if God (and Vicky) hadn't dragged me there.

I sure am glad God sometimes forces me into situations I don't want to be in.  In my puny, narrow minded human brain they seem like work and drudgery.  Only to be a blessing in disguise on the other side.

I wanted to end this post with a list of inspirations God gave me personally today:

* In general, being in the presence of women - all shapes, sizes, ages - who love the Lord was inspirational in and of itself. 

* God is able (and desires) to bless me beyond what I can imagine.  My God is a big God and I need to start trusting in His timing and in His plan...... and that HE wants to bless me beyond my imagining.

* I need to spend time figuring out my heart's dreams.  This one bugs me often.  But I can't say I've spent a ton of time pouring my heart out to God and asking for guidance understanding my own heart.  What are the desires of my heart?  Right now, I don't know.

* Thanks, Deb, for reminding me that God has given me my story.  It is of HIS divine design and it is what I do with that story that matters.  I don't need a different background or story starter.  I need to write and finish this story strong......... for the glory of God. 

(which brings me back to figuring out my heart's desires.  God put them there, so I figure if I unlock them, I'll find myself in the center of God's will!   Easy, right?!?)

Have a blessed day!

New Witnessing Tract

Forget Romans Road or The Bridge.

I've got a great new idea for a new witnessing tract.

I shall call it ..............(drum roll) ..............

"Don't wait to P.  It might be too late."

By "P." of course, I mean Pray. 
Specifically the Sinner's Prayer. 
The one admitting to God you are a sinner whose relationship with a holy God has been severed due to your sin.  Realizing you are hopeless of reaching heaven without the redemptive work of Christ, you repent of your sins and accept Christ's free gift of salvation.  Inviting Him into your life as your Savior, Lord, and Friend.

But what is beautiful about the title is that I could work another P word into the tract's message.....  "Pee" 
This revelational (oooh, revelation.  I'm on fire!) tract would make use of the similarities between waiting too long to Pray and waiting too long to Pee.

As a valued reader of my blog, I shall give you a sneak-peak.

Imagine, if you will, the following:
       You are 5 years old.  You are enjoying a rousing game of Candyland when a slight urge to pee registers in your brain.  No need to quit the fun for a minor bodily function, so you do the "wiggle" or slight "rocking" motion, buying you another 15 minutes of game time. Then the urge to pee becomes a bit more pressing.  However, you have almost won the game.  Be a shame to take a time-out now.  So you stand and do "the dance".    Sure you look a bit ridiculous, but it keeps you in the game.  Finally, the game ends, and now it is time for the panicked "ahhhhhhhh" cry to the bathroom.  Fortunately you wore elastic waisted pants.  Unfortunately, your older brother just stepped into the only bathroom to do a "big number". 
Are you gonna make it?

Now imagine, if you will, the following:
        You are 35 years old, enjoying a rousing game called Life.  You feel slightly uncomfortable about your spiritual functionality.  But hey, you are young.  Time to have fun - not make spiritual pit stops.  Then you get to be 65.  Still going strong.  You ate your Wheaties.  However, the pressures of Life are a bit stronger. Grandparents are long dead.  Parents are dead.  Several friends are no longer alive.  You think, "Maybe I should take that pit stop now."  Well, that depends....  maybe you can wait a bit longer.  Both grandmas lived well past 80, after all.   But in the blink of an eye you are 80.  Your spirituality is pretty uncomfortable.  You decide to grab the walker and shuffle down to the local church.  Fortunately, it's only two blocks away.  Your artificial hip can make it.  Unfortunately, as you cross the busy street, a semi-truck with failed brakes runs you over.
Are you gonna make it?

Other analogies to be featured are:
       **Don't wait to pee when your button fell off your pants and you had to use a safety pin.
          (could relate to using "religion" as a temporary patch/fix instead of a
           lasting,true personal relationship with Christ)
       ** Don't wait to pee when you're in most other countries of the world and you don't have either
            a) exact change   or    b)  football-player-like quad muscles.
          (could relate to planning ahead.  Never too early to think about P-ing)


The tract probably has a few kinks to work out.  But I think it has potential.

Gotta go...........  (literally)  :)

Funky like Jonah

I've always enjoyed the old testament story of Jonah and the Whale Big Fish. 
Like all Sunday school staples, there are lessons for the adults, too. 
As a child, Jonah represented  "Obey God" or "You can't run away from an omnipresent God".
Later in life, the lesson of God's provision (sending the big fish so Jonah wouldn't drown) in spite of human failings or disobedience emerged.

This week I've been in a bit of a funk.  Can't quite call it depression.  Can't quite put my finger on the reason.
I think there are several little factors contributing to my restless spirit this week.  Maybe one or two bigger, deeper issues God is bringing to the surface.   Perhaps one of them is how I say I want to be used of/by/for God and His kingdom here on earth, but I don't really want to put in the work.  To count the cost.  I want an easy, pampered life where I only worry about ME.

Either way, I've been in that kind of mood that makes it easy to start playing "Whoa is me" and counting personal failures and hardships above God's blessings.

Yesterday and this morning my Bible opened to Jonah during devotions.  Rediscovered a new lesson.
It comes at the end of the story.  Jonah repented inside the fish's belly, got spit-up on the beach, finally obeyed God, and preached to wicked Nineveh for 3 days.

Okay, Paul Harvey fans.  Do you want to know the rest of the story?

Look up Jonah 3:10 and read through the end of Jonah (chapter 4, verse 11)  (Use the Bible Verse side bar tool if your Bible isn't handy)

The whole purpose of Jonah preaching is accomplished!  The whole city of Nineveh repents and God spares them from destruction!  Praise God!...........

Not Jonah.  He gets angry and in a whiny voice complains to God,  "see, this is why I didn't go in the first place.  You are a compassionate God.  I didn't need to go through all that trouble.  Just end my life now.  I'm tired from this pointless journey you just took me on."  (Britt's paraphrase)

It gets even better.
Jonah sits down outside of Nineveh and waits to see what happens to the city.  (Maybe thinking his little whine-fest prompted God to throw at least a little fire and brimstone.  I'm sure Jonah, who knew the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah,  felt a bit cheated out of a good show.)

Does God smite him where he sits?
No.  God sends a vine to grow and provide shade from the scorching sun.
Jonah is happy.
Next day, God sends a worm that kills the vine, the vine dies and fierce, hot winds assault Jonah.
Jonah wants to die.

Then God asks Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?"
Jonah:   "I do, I am angry enough to die."
God:     "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow....... but Nineveh has more than a 120,000 people who can not tell their right hand from their left.........should I not be concerned about that great city?"

The END.

I put on praise music last night (Jars of Clay hymn remakes).
I feel a little less sulky this morning.
Trying to focus on people instead of vines and my own petty issues.

Trying hard to not be funky like Jonah.

Time flies when you're having fun

Wow.  Has it really been a week since I last posted?
Sorry 'bout that.
Two weeks ago I was on family vacation, yet still managed to post at least twice a week.
But this past week?  A different kind of fun.

Year two of HOMESCHOOL has begun.  :)
And this year... I am so excited..... we are part of a Co-Op.   A group of like-minded families that want to offer fun, elective courses to our children in a larger class setting.  As well as offer moral support to one-another.  Every Tuesday, my kids are in P.E., art, and another elective class. 
Of course, this also adds a bit of work, as I am the art teacher.

This week went well, but I'm a bit mentally drained and have quite a bit of prep work for this upcoming week.  (Starting school full-steam-ahead the day after getting back from vacation might not have been the brightest idea.....).

So, sorry this apology post is a bit boring.  Will try and get back to 3 posts a week next week.

Have a great weekend!

Not Seeing the View for the Tracks...

I'm back home from a wonderful family vacation in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The most amazing part?  Spending time with family.  That included my brother and his wife, whom we haven't seen in 2 years, and the kids in 4 years!  :(   (No family feud... they've just been living overseas)

On Thursday, we rode the Cog Rail to the top of Pikes Peak.

Elevation 14,115 feet.

This is a view from the top:

This is me holding up my daughter so she could see the above amazing view:

Do you know why I am laughing?  (of course you don't ... I'll tell you.)

When I hoisted her above the wall, her exclamation was, 

"Wow!  Railroad tracks!"

Ummmm,  that wasn't the point, Sweetheart!  :)

Later that night I got to thinking (I don't think during the day...) and I wondered if I do that.

God lifts me up above a wall in my life to show me an awesome view. 

How HE views my life.  Or HIS plan and direction HE wants to take me. 

The big picture.

All I see are the railroad tracks.

They are pretty neat, but SO short sighted.  I see them everyday of my life.

My prayer that night was for God to open my eyes to HIS view for my life.

Oh.....  One more thing.

I GOT TO EAT CHICK-FIL-A........ TWICE!!!!!

Sorry, I know all caps is like shouting.

Couldn't help it :)

Thankful to be alive.....

Today I am thankful to be alive in the 21st century and married to a white-collar job husband.
Nothing against blue-collar jobs.  I'm specifically thankful my husband isn't a coal miner or gold miner.

We are on family vacation this week.  Having a wonderful time together.  Yesterday we went 1,000 feet underground on a guided tour of a gold mine.   I was excited how educational the visit would be for the children.  Learn about the gold rush, early and present day mining methods, see underground rock, etc......

Know what they most picked up on?

If Dad and I had been early 1900 gold miners, we would both be about dead due to lung damage.

Yep.

Nothing like a family vacation to make the parents feel young and thankful to be alive!

Old/New Saul

Okay, really random here.
I was reading the story of David and Goliath to my children yesterday and a thought popped in my head.

King Saul persecuted David.  (Future king David..... great, great, great....grandfather of Jesus)
In the new testament, Saul persecuted Christ's church. (until his miraculous conversion and he became Paul).

I wonder if there is any significance in that?!?

Have a blessed day!

Random Acts of Kindness

Most of you are aware of the movement Random Acts of Kindness.
If not, or you want to learn more, click here.

Did you know words of encouragement are an act of kindness?  I'm not sure if it is technically listed, but yesterday a stranger shared random words of encouragement.... and it was very kind of her.

I and my three children were coming out of PetSmart with 4 month old Hershey in tow.  Hershey wore a new collar (the clasp broke on the old one) and sported a nifty contraption called the halti.  (picture here or video here)  Hershey did not care for the strap across the bridge of his nose and kept pawing at it vigorously all the way to the van.

 Following us out PetSmart was a woman and her teenage daughter.  When we arrived at our van they paused  and she blurted out,  "We have a halti for our lab and it works really well".
I turned to face her and asked,  "Did your dog like it at first?"
"No.  But she got used to it quickly and now we have no problem putting it on her."

She smiled.  I smiled and said how thankful I was she spoke up.

It was reassuring to know Hershey would get used to the halti and it was not going to be torture for me putting it on him, or torture for him to wear the thing.

It took that woman 30 seconds to randomly speak up. Uninvited by me.  She could have kept silent knowing the risk I might rebuff her for intruding.  But she didn't and I'm so glad because for me, her intrusion turned that unsure, new puppy-mommy moment into a positive one.  I had made the right decision for our puppy/family.   Now Hershey won't yank on his neck so hard it leaves red marks - or drag my little children into the street.

Thank you, kind stranger, for choosing to speak up with random words of encouragement!  It brightened my afternoon.

Super Star Mom

If I write about my less than brilliant Mommy moments,
I figure it's only fair I share a more shining moment.

Shining like the stars, actually.

Yesterday this article popped up on my browser. 

So last night this morning around 12:30, I spread an old comforter on the ground, grabbed a blanket, and woke up all 3 children (and the dog).  We laid under the stars in our backyard for a good 45 minutes.

GREAT time.  Worth the lack of sleep.  I highly recommend this activity - even without a  meteor shower.

P.S. - Thanks, Papa, for doing this with me when I was a little girl.  What a gift you gave me.  An appreciation for the heavens, and a great activity to pass on to my children.

Genesis 1:16-18:  God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.  He also made the stars.  God set them in the expanse of the sky t o give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.  And God saw that it was good.

Psalms 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Rock On

My husband and I are getting ready to play some Rock Band 2.

Dan plays lead guitar and I rock a mean bass.  I'm currently at "hard" setting and I'm sure I could advance to "expert" if we played more frequently.  Alas, it's been awhile....  I better hurry up and get this posted so I can warm up the strings check my guitar's batteries.

You know why I love playing Rock Band?  (besides time spent with my husband)

I feel like a rock star.  Like a bass-playing goddess.
I would post a picture of me playing that my Mom took ...... but it reveals I am anything BUT a rock star / goddess.  (Personally, I blame the strap and not my overeating for looking like I am 3 months prego......)

Anyway, back to Rock Band. 
As I'm anticipating playing tonight, the thought occured to me:

"Wish there was a gadget that made the Christian life seem easy....
like Rock Band does for guitar-playing."

And then it hit me.... there is.
The gadget is called "church".
Church is great and wonderful.  We are called by Christ to not forsake the gathering together.
But it sure is a lot easier to do the "church" thing, rather than the "Christian" thing.

I rock a mean Awana secretary grey polo shirt and I rock out toddler Sunday school tunes like no other.....
but do I rock my everyday Christian life?

Recently I have some relatives going through a difficult time.  Their step-family is being mean spirited and putting money above family.  To my shame, I shall post my internal responses.... in order they occured to me...upon learning of my relatives' situation:

1) "Those step-people are so mean and nasty.  How could they?  Are they Satan Spawn Heartless Freaks?"

2) I wanted to "defend" my relatives.  I racked my brain for any way to come to their rescue - 
    financially or if I knew a good lawyer, etc......

3) I tried to remember I needed to let it rest in God's hands and PRAY for my
    relatives.......   afterall, vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord....

Several Days later, in an email from a very wise person, I was reminded......
4) Pray for the enemy.  Pray for those who persecute you.  I was reminded their souls are more important than the material goods they are cheating my relatives out of.

So while I Rock Band the whole Church thing, too often real life situations cause me to examine how far short I fall of relying on the ROCK in real life.

Rock On.....

Friday Fun Video

I enjoy cooking.  I enjoy music.
Anyone want to start a band with me????

http://thebubble.msn.com/#/video/?id=0d08a3f3-2ca6-49af-b592-804ecedc0e59

Have a great weekend.

Wanted: Stay-at-Home-Homeschooling-MOM

Wanted:
Woman in mid 30's to raise, nurture, and teach 3 young children.
Experience Needed:  None. On-the-job training provided (by yourself)
Pay:  $ 0

*Applicant will be able to cook (passably) healthy meals, clean the home (at least when company is coming), coordinate everyone's schedules, chauffeur children to multiple activities, and be involved in said activities.
*Applicant must be able to Band-Aid a cut too small to see, ice-pack a non-existent bump on the forehead, kiss a scraped knee, and enforce "no blood, no problem" policy.
*Applicant must be impervious to whining, begging, and shouts of  "you're just not being fair to me!", or "You never let me have any fun!"
*Applicant must be very patient during spontaneous games of 20 million questions - and be able to come up with clever answers.
*Applicant must be proficient in elementary math and reading.  (Grammar rules are conveniently explained in workbooks).
*Applicant must convincingly fake enthusiasm for elementary science bug projects.
*Applicant must not then become daunted by year-end shouts of, "I don't LIKE school!"
*Applicant must have desire for children to know of God's love, and to teach children to show God's love to others through actions and words.  This includes treatment of siblings.
*Applicant must be emotionally available at all times.  Even when emotionally unstable herself, or at inopportune times.... such as the middle of the night.... multiple times per night.

** This is also an investment opportunity!
Initial investment:  Everything you have
ROI:  Immeasurable.  Will see ROI in 20-25 years.

If interested, please contact Britt.  She is considering taking a 1 year LOA on a non-disclosed tropical island.

(Of course I do NOT wish to give up being mother to my 3 wonderful children.
And this is in no way a slam against work-outside-the-home moms, or those who do not homeschool)

It's Coming.... :)

I can NOT believe it!

I was thrilled to see this trailer pop up on my MSN entertainment page!!!
Hollywood has finally made an update to a classic movie.  One I remember staying up late to watch with my Dad on T.V.

CAN. NOT. WAIT

I. AM. GOING.
(to the big screen................ full price)    ;)

The movie?

Tron: Legacy

http://disney.go.com/tron/?cmp=dmov_dpic_tron_psg_cc_title_tron%20legacy

I realize this potentially places me in the "nerd" category. 
I don't care.
:)

Praise Gone Wrong

A couple days ago, my MSN browser provided me with this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38417221/ns/health-kids_and_parenting
Since I was procrastinating washing dishes and folding laundry, I clicked.

The article is titled:  "Healthiest state for kids? New Hampshire, study says"

Wow!  If I were New Hampshire, I would cut that article out and frame it!

But wait.  Maybe not.

After the glowing title, paragraph 1 (paragraph one) opens with,
"New Hampshire again ranks No. 1 nationally in an annual survey on children's well-being. But the numbers also indicate a growing problem in the state: poverty."

The rest of the article continues to highlight more problems than accolades for New Hampshire.

It made me chuckle.

Until I realized it's easy to do this with people.

"I really love what you did with your hair..... now if we can just work on your butt, thighs, and floppy arms"....

"Thank you for setting the table, honey.  Have you completed any of the 23 things on the Honey-do list,yet?  Like I've been asking you for 1,200 months????"

"Thanks for helping Mommy make supper.  Now pick up all that water you spilled.  It's important to pick up our messes.  Speaking of messes, did you clean your room?  I asked you to clean your room yesterday!  Why can't you be a better listener and obey Mommy?  Go to your room."

My point?
I don't know.  I think it was all too often I use praise as segue for letting someone know what I'd like them to improve on.  Perhaps I should let the praise set up for a bit, before crashing it with negatives or demands.

.... Better go fold laundry, or tomorrow's headline might read:

"Mom Climbs Mountain in only 3 days" .......
followed by paragraph 1 stating: Of course it was a mountain of laundry it took the lazy sloth 3 days to fold."

Mommy Fail

Flipping open my Bible this morning, Proverbs 12:18a caught my eye...
"Reckless words pierce like a sword..."

Ouch!  Sure wish I would have meditated on that verse yesterday.

It was the end of a looonnng week of Dan being out of country, lots of activities going on, pain in the neck (literally), and more than enough projects to keep me overly busy. 
Still no excuse, though.  My main job this past week???? 
Being a single parent.  Being a MOM..... and I had  a major FAIL moment.

You see, earlier in the day, my 6 year old daughter, Kaylin, accidentally shut the back door on my 8 year old son's fingers... causing him to cry.  Then, at lunch, Kaylin accidentally shut the utensil drawer on my 4 year old daughter's fingers... making her cry. 
I, in all kindness and wisdom and love (sarcasm) , wheeled on Kaylin, and practically hissed,

"KAYLIN!  This is the second time you've slammed someones fingers today!  You have GOT to be more CAREFUL!!!"

Kaylin, who's love language is words of praise, just wilted and went in a corner and cried.

Makes me cry typing it out. 

How could I blurt that at her?  Kaylin hadn't even done it on purpose!

Anyway, thought I would share.  This blog IS about being REAL.  And I had a real Mommy Fail moment yesterday.

Thankfully, Kaylin forgave me...... and so does God.

I'm so glad HIS mercies are new every morning.

Think I'll go read Proverbs 12:18 one more time......

I Needed This...

I've been re-reading a Bible passage lately that God has used to speak to my heart.
Let me give you the bare bones outline of Philippians 4:4-8

"Rejoice in the Lord always......Do not be anxious about anything,.......And the peace of God.... will guard your hearts and your minds.......  if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

As great as the above passage is, the verse that zinged out at me comes a little later....

Philippians 4:19   "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Awesome verse.  I realize the whole "needs" vs. "wants" issue.  But still, if there is something I need emotionally or spiritually or intellectually, that falls under a need.  God doesn't just minister to our physical needs, but He ministers to us a whole individual.   He cares about our hearts and our minds.

Before I go get the kiddos breakfast, there is just 1 more thing about Phil 4:19.   Read verses 14-18.  Paul is writing to the church at Philippi and thanking them for the gifts they repeatedly sent him on his missions.
As the Philippians met Paul's needs, God was faithful to meet their needs.

What will I do today to help meet a need (physical or otherwise) of another?

In Another Life.....

No.  I do not believe in reincarnation. 
Hebrews 9:27 says,  "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement."

But, I can't help but think what my life would be like if I lived a different life.  What if I had been born to famous parents?   Or in a poverty stricken third-world country?   What if I was raised in the big city; or on a large pig farm?  What if I was a famous actor or singer?  Soccer star?

I'm happy with my suburban life, white collar husband, and being average.  (O-Kay, I wouldn't mind a little bit of fame ;)  However, I wonder about other lifestyles and experiences.  This life is just too short to experience it all.  And I have a family to consider.  I can't pull up stakes, leave the kids and try to make it in Hollywood.  (assuming I could act, of course!)

Today?  I want to be a cowgirl.  I've always loved the west.  The idea of riding horses, working on a ranch, knowing how to rope and ride.   Of course, going to the rodeo last night has a smidge to do with my feelings this morning!

I am aware my cowgirl vision is slightly skewed thanks to historical romance novels and reruns of Wagon Train.  I know life as a real cowboy/girl is full of long, hard days and tough struggles.

Perhaps in heaven I will be able to experience different lifestyles.... without the hard work part.

How about you?  If you could live a different lifestyle, what would it be????

Lessons from a Dog

I've been the proud owner of a puppy 4 weeks now.
In case you missed it, Meet Hershey, a now 3 month old English Setter.

How Hershey has been good for me:

1) Gets me up in the morning.  I can't sleep in if I want to.  I can't tell him to fetch a granola bar snack, buying me an extra 20-60 minutes of snooze time, like I've done with the kids.

2) Exercise.  Sure, due to the fact Hershey isn't old enough to run yet, and I don't want to kennel him right after being kenneled all night, I've been neglecting my morning jog.  But he does make sure I take him on two - 20 minute daily walks. 
(yes, I know.  I could run in the evening.... but I'm happy using Hershey as an excuse for another week or so)

3) I'm a better Mom.  I'm reminded that consistent, positive reinforcement is the best training method.

4) I feel loved.  Hershey Kisses are great :) (not on the face, though)



Any dog owners out there with stories of how your pet has blessed you?

Will I Never Learn?!?

"I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
 - Apostle Paul - Romans 7:15

Great verse with tons of spiritual implications to unpack.
I'm just using it for a springboard to talk about stuff I've regretted doing / not doing in recent days.

Things I should know better than to do / not do.....

1)  Paint My Fingernails.   I grew up a tomboy.  I'm mellowing into the occasional girly-girl, so I sometimes get the impulse to do something truly girly... like paint my fingernails.  Bad idea.  It ALWAYS ends up looking like a 1st grader painted them.  Actually, my 1st grader could probably do a better job....

2) Spend Way Too Much at Wal Mart.  I'm talking both time and money here.  I usually try going by myself - which means I go in the evenings when Dan is home with the kids.  I always think, "I'm gonna stick to the list.  Go, stay on target, and come straight home."  Never happens.  Wal Mart is not my ideal fun shopping store, but there is something about being alone that causes me to leisurely peruse every department in the store.  Even girly aisles.  (That's what got me in trouble with the above mentioned nails...)

3) Stay Up Until 2:00 am Reading a Book.  I really can not do this anymore!  I need sleep.  But I love reading a good book in peace and quiet....  Oh the dilemma!


How about you?  Any little annoying things you do/don't do that you catch yourself doing - even though you know better?!?

Updates

If you are interested in Homeschooling or Good Food .....
I updated both sites.
Click on the desired link at the top of this page.

Hard Good-Byes

Woke up this morning to an "empty" house.

In-Laws caught an early flight home today and Dan is off at work.

My Dad and Uncle were able to stop in for a day visit this week... they're both gone, too.

Goodbyes are hard.

But I'm so thankful for all the fun we had this week!

Happy 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July!

I love this holiday. 

I feel so blessed to have been born in the land of the free.  Where I am free to worship God.  Free to choose my life's course.  Free to say what I want.
Sure America isn't perfect.  (What country is?)  But she is perfect for me.

Of course, I'm also partial to the 4th for all the fond memories.

*  Large extended family camp outs at my great Uncle Darwin's ---- got to ride the 3-wheeler. (Mom's side)
*  Fireworks shows at 7 Ponds and grilled cheeseburgers with relatives.  (Dad's side)
*  Family vacation with my boyfriend's family...... where he proposed to me and became my fiance!  :)
* Those now In-Laws are currently visiting.  I love having family here!
*  Did I mention Fireworks?!?  :)

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.

Empathy Gone Wrong

empathy:  the action of understanding, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another without having  those feelings, thoughts, experiences fully communicated in an explicit manner.  (Websters)

Oh.  My Bad.

I thought empathy gave me the right to jump in a conversation and tell my similar story.

I'm not sure how I got the notion telling my stories = empathy.  I guess I thought empathy meant being able to relate to someone through a similar experience.  Sympathy just means you feel sorry for someone, but empathy means you've lived it yourself.  You feel that person's pain.  So when a friend tells her story, I jump in with my similar one to show that I can relate.  I know what their going through.

The problem with my view?  I start listening to other people as a way to talk about me.  
Shameful.

I don't think I've gone this far, but I fear it might if I don't stop:

          Friend:  "I've had a horrible week.  My husband got laid off work on Wednesday, my son is in the hospital with kidney failure, our beloved cat of 18 years died last night, and I'm 100 pounds overweight."

          Britt:  "Yah - I know what you mean.  When Ethan was little, we had to put him on a bilirubin blanket 'cuz he was jaundice.  That was tough.  And two months ago our pet goldfish died.  I'm surprised he lasted a year, actually.  And UGH!  Don't you just hate getting swimsuit ready?  I do, too.  If I could only lose these last 5 pounds!  I'm so glad Dan still has his job.  Let's pray right now about your husband finding a job, OK?"
        
I would like to publicly apologize to Jenny, Kim, and Kelly for being empathetic (yet again) Saturday night.
I am now aware I do this and am trying to stop.  Please help me....... but be gentle.  :)

Soap Sculpture Idol

Anyone else remember making soap bar carvings in elementary art class?
I do.  It was fun.  Probably why I still have the memory floating around in my brain.
Anyhoo -
While praying this morning, I had a bit of confession time with God over my failing to keep HIM real and alive in my life.  My prayer went something like this:

    "God, Thank You for being a real, live God.  Not some stone statue or idol made from rock.
        (oh, that was redundant - I'll try better....)  Thank you that You are not a wooden idol
     on a shelf or some soap sculpture idol.  (Whoa - soap sculpture?  Where did that come from?)"

The more I thought about it, the more soap sculpture idol made sense.  That is how I often treat God.

* Soap is easy to carve.  I fool myself into thinking I can make God into who I want Him to be.  Carve Him into an image of my choosing.

* I only use soap when I am dirty.   All too often I forget about God until I am dirty and need cleansed.

* Soap smells good --- and tastes bad.  I enjoy the fragrance of Christ.  The idea of getting close to Him.  But I'm hesitant to "taste and see that the Lord is good".  The idea of Christ appeals to me.... but do I really want to take a bite, so to speak???  

I realize this analogy is imperfect.  Because when I really do taste God-Soap; it is delicious and satisfying.  Then again, maybe it does work.  Afterall - the soap version of God is an idol. 

God isn't a soap idol - He is living and breathing.  He is the bread of life..... And I love bread :)

Dog Days of Summer

I need to apologize for my infrequent posting lately.
[For an update on this past weekend, see this post]
This week, I really can blame it on Hershey... and swim lessons.  Trying to figure out our new schedule.

But prior to this week, I have no excuses.  It is summer, for crying out loud.  I should have more time.
I'm perplexed at the following formula:
   a (more time)  + b (less activities to do)   =  c  (get even less done)

If anyone can help me with the above equation, it would be appreciated!!!  :)
Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Weekend Update

* My Birthday went well.  I successfully turned 1 year older.

* Cherry Festival was fun.  But rides way over priced and I kinda expected more cherry delicacies to taste.  The kids and I enjoyed splitting a $3 cup of Bing cherries, though.

* Had a WONDERFUL time with Uncle Les and Aunt Rosie

*  Hershey is home!  He is SUCH a good puppy! Still.... he is a puppy.....  :)
* On the downside, I Wife-FAILED Dan on the whole Father's Day "thing". 
     - I had to drum at church, so Dan had "get-kids-ready-for-church-by-myself" duty
     - I did not get him a present (although this is his fault, really.  He is hard to buy for, and any gift certificates rarely ever get cashed in.  I wanted to buy him a professional massage - but his manager schedule is soooo busy, I didn't know when to schedule it!) 
     -  I lost his card.  Still can't find it.
     -  We picked up the new puppy on Fathers Day afternoon (so much for relaxing).
     - However, I did give him a nice back rub that evening.
   

Whirlwind

...  This is whirlwind semi-picked up!

This past Friday night my friend's 3 kids (same age as our 3) spent the night.  I wish I could blame them for the state of my house, but I can't.  They were all 3 well behaved and a fun time was had by all.

Sunday was church followed by a picnic and new officer election meeting.

Monday evening we went and selected which English Setter puppy we wanted.   We are naming him "Hershey".  Isn't he cute?

We will bring Hershey home on Sunday afternoon. (Happy Father's Day, Dan)  ;)

Tonight and tomorrow morning Dan and I are attending a marriage seminar. 

Tomorrow afternoon we drive an hour north for a cherry festival.

We are also going to meet up with Dan's Uncle Les for supper.

Whirlwind of a weekend!

That reminds me.  The picture at the top of this post is due to home school.  I'm going through last years papers, new supplies, and trying to organize them on the dining room bookshelf in a some-what puppy-resistant manner.

Unfortunately, before things look better, they look messier :(

My thanks to good friend, Jenny, for watching my kids yesterday so I could make the above mess!

Letter to God - #1

Dear God,
Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say everything on my end is fine.
Especially now that my nasty head cold is going away and this morning marks two days in a row of sunshine.
Thanks, by the way.  (...it's about time...)
Quick favor.  I need help discerning which puppy to get.  I want to make the right choice as this is a big, long-term commitment.  I have prayed about his before, haven't I?  Sometimes I think I've taken an issue to You, and later realize I just told people I'm praying about it......
Anyhoo- other than the whole 'puppy' thing, I've got life under control for now.  I'll check in later when I think of something else I need.
Love Ya,
Britt.

Feeling Under the Weather

A mostly cloudy forecast......

I've had a pretty nasty head cold this past week.  Starting to feel a bit better today, though, thank the Lord.

I'm sure this unusual rainy, chilly, windy weather is not helping.  I think there have been maybe 10 nice days in the past month and a half.  Very atypical.   And this weather has me fooled.  I don't believe it's summer yet.  Therefore my mind and body have yet to get serious about swimsuit season coming up.  Not good.

.... with hints of Sun....

Yesterday was a nice day. 

I potted strawberries and 1 blueberry bush.  I had 3 blueberry bushes at one time.  Between my procrastination, the bad weather, and my brown thumb..... only 1 survived.  Here is a picture of my strawberries.  

I took it this morning.... it's raining again.

Yesterday also provided an opportunity for a brief visit with Dan's Uncle Dale (pictured).  Stay with me here, if you can.  Dan's dad (Lyle) has two living brothers - Dale and Les.  All 3 brothers live in Iowa.

* Several months ago, Uncle Les called to say he and his wife were visiting distant relatives in Idaho the weekend of June 19th.  We made plans to meet up with them. 

* Early this Spring, Dan's parents (Lyle and Sherry) informed us they were going to come out for a visit the tail end of June/ 4th of July.  Great :)

* Just a few days ago we discovered Uncle Dale has a good friend and they decided to fly out and visit her family here in Idaho.  We met up with Uncle Dale and his friend last night at the park.

*Sooooo - within 3 weeks, Dan and I will have seen all three brothers (Dale, Lyle, Larry) from Iowa, out here in Idaho, but for different reasons!

CRAZY!  

Saturday Funnies

(Sorry didn't post yesterday - had a nasty sinus cold)

Would you like a little light-hearted reading for your weekend?
Then might I suggest the following 3 websites.  They make me laugh. Good, clean fun, too.

1) Stuff Christians Like - by Jonathan Acuff.   I've mentioned his site before.  If you haven't gone there - do so now.

2) TylerStanton.com - by Tyler Stanton.  This is the same guy in the funny "Trip and Tyler" video clips.

3)  Consider the "Trip and Tyler" videos a "bonus" link.  :)

4) BryanAllain.com - by Brian Allain


I'm realizing these are all sites with men authors.  Anyone know of a great female-run comedic blog?

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Tips from 12 Years of Marriage

This past Sunday Dan and I celebrated 12 years of marriage! 
One woman commented on my FB page, "You're off to a great start"  (She's been married 46 years!)
Do you realize the current divorce rate is 33% ?!? 
Even in the Christian community.  One-in-three marriages will end in divorce.

While I don't consider myself a marital wisdom expert, I am reaching a point that I need to follow Titus 2:4.   "[older women] train the younger women to love their husbands..."  Perhaps if more of us in good, healthy relationships spoke up, together we can reverse that ugly statistic above.

Tips from 12 Years of a Happy Marriage.  (From a Wife's perspective)

1) Go in to marriage believing it is a life-contract. 
Shortly after Dan and I first wed, we attended a marriage seminar.  The pastor spoke from 13 years of marriage experience and I wondered what it would be like when Dan and I reached 13 years.
Did you catch that?  I wondered what it would be like when - not if.   Sure, a lifetime committment is scary.  I admit to a couple panic attacks that first year of marriage, thinking, "What have I done?  I can't just break-up with him!  This is a marriage.  A sacred covenant between Dan, me, and God!" 

2) Respect Your Husband       ".... and the wife must respect her husband."  Ephesians 5:33
Notice the period.  The verse doesn't read, "Respect him if he does the dishes, if he tells you how beautiful you are, if he makes lots of money". 
Respect is defined as i)giving paticular attenion to (consideration) or b) a high or special regard (esteem).
In all my thoughts and actions I should consider Dan.  What would show him special regard?  I admit I fall short on this one.  Too often I find myself chatting with girlfriends and before I know it, I'm complaining how Dan didn't buy me this, or Dan has yet to do chores ABC on my honey-do list.  Or maybe it is in front of the kids I Husband Respect FAIL.  I try not to, but it happens. I'll "correct" him and belatedly realize, that underminded his authority as the head of our household. 
I need to build him up - not tear him down.... especially in front of others.

3) Outserve your Husband.
All too often I fall in the trap of, "Why isn't Dan doing "X" for me?!?
First, that's a recipe for discontent.  I need to focus on the postive.  All the things Dan does do for me.
Secondly, I don't really want to step on the balancing scales of what "he does" versus  "I do".  Dan will win.
Serving is an act of love.  I love my husband.  Therefore I should want to serve him.  Little things like packing his lunch.  Making sure the kids pick up their yard toys before he mows.  Bringing in the trash cans.  Massaging his shoulders when late at night he mentions how sore they are.... just after I've gotten comfy and I am SO tired I just want to go to sleep!
I need to worry about my end of the service bargain - not Dan's.

4) Date Nights.  Every Week.
No Money?  No problem.  A date night can be as simple as playing a game, watching a DVD, going for a walk.  Sharing a tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.  The key?!?!  No kids.  Hiring a babysitter and going out on the town is wonderful and should be done as often as financially possible... but it is not necessary.   There is a reason God invented early bedtimes for children.  Even if the kids have to read for an hour in their bedroom.  Do what it takes to ensure you and your spouse have regular alone time to re-connect as adults.  As friends.  As romantically interested friends-plus.  ;)

There are others I've left off this list.  There is so much, in fact, that entire books have been written on marriage. 
I highly recommend "5 Love Languages" and "Love and Respect" and "His Needs, Her Needs"

I can't end this post until I mention how much I love my husband.  Dan loves God, is honest, trustworty, and faithful.  He provides financially.  He treats me with kindness, gentleness, and never belittles me.  He helps around the house and is active in raising our 3 children. 
Sure, he has his faults.  (I mentioned that honey-do list, didn't I?)
Dan isn't perfect ........ but neither is his wife  :)

Interaction:
What are your must-know marriage tips???? 
Afterall, I'm only 12 years into this thing.... and I'd like to make it another 66+.