implications

My break was needed.  I was able to step away from the busyness of the internet and take a good long look at it.  I found that:
- I don't really like facebook.  Useless status updates and lots of blither-blabber.  BUT... also lots of pictures of friends' newborn babes, interesting life-changing announcements, and a way to plan events.
- My children need me off the computer more than on.
- The internet is incredibly helpful at giving me delicious recipes and yummy dinner ideas.  Irreplaceable.
- I love blogging.  But I want it to be worthwhile.  I want to use it to point people to the main Reason I live, even if it's in the undertones of my voice.  But I don't want to be fake.  And for that reason, I must be living for the Reason I live in order to write honestly about Him.

My husband and I also had a lot of re-configuring to do.  With the amount of his absence, it's easy to feel distant and apart.  And for the past six years of marriage, I was under the illusion that maybe, someday, things would fall into place.  He'd see my loneliness and carve out time.  I'd see his need for affection and love, and suddenly become more willing to give.  One day, his job would slack and he'd have more time at home.  Right??  RIGHT??

Well, we finally sat down and decided to be INTENTIONAL.  Awkward as it might be, we need to schedule time with each other.  Many embarrassed giggles were exchanged as we planned for a weekly talk that we'll have, and exactly how we'll go about conversing.  We need to plan {write-in-our-planners} for "alone time" throughout the week.  We need to teach each other to communicate and how we feel loved.  It feels EXTREMELY elementary and rather queer {in the original sense of the word}, but without intentionality, change just won't happen.  Planning time to talk and love doesn't exact make the books for the most ROMANTIC way of relating, but it's a beginning and a learning process, right??

Anyone else ever try this approach to marriage-strengthening?  Tell us your tricks and tried-and-true solutions.  Marriage is a life-long learning process, I believe.  One that will drive you to your knees, if we're humble.  And I want humility.

On a simpler note, Summer takes the cake for being my mess-loving child.  And dirt-eating child.  And Daddy-preferring child.  And waking-at-ungodly-hours child.  And sweetest-melt-my-heart child.

There's been lots of reading, sewing, and crafting 'round these parts.

Lots of cooking, cleaning, and children, too.

I'll be back with more later.