If you haven't already taken it, take the love language quiz http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/ .

Review your primary language and discuss ways you can show your wife love in her language and she can show you love. If you want more information read Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages book. It will radically change your marriage.  

Our culture constantly bombards us with negativity which may bleed over into our personal lives. Many times, we can become pessimistic and begin to see things through jaded eyes.

Take time this week to focus on the positive and find the silver lining in every situation. When faced with problems, look for opportunities. When faced with conflict, work together to find the solution. Staying positive and upbeat can transform the atmosphere of our families and marriage.

Plan a date and stop by a card shop. Find cards you would like to share with each other and swap. It is a great way to tell each other things you should have said, but never did.

Photo by Tanya Trukyr on Unsplash

Take a break from your morning routine.  Make some tea or coffee at home or go to your favorite coffee shop.  Sit down with your wife to enjoy a hot cup while talking about life, love and other mysteries. 

Enjoy your time together with no distractions, focused only on each other.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Find something that you and your wife can work on together.  Refinish a piece of furniture, plants some fall flowers, rearrange the furniture, paint a room...  It doesn't matter what you do, just that you are working together on a common goal. 

Here is a project my wife and I finished to use at our son's wedding reception.  A neighbor was getting rid of some wooden shutters, and we turned it into a corner shelf.

Psychologists say that we each need at least ten hugs a day. Intentionally take time to hug your wife and children multiple times each day, before you go to work, when you get home, and throughout the evening.

Sharing affection with no ulterior motive helps keep our marriage healthy and romance kindled.

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Valentine’s Day is still two days away.  You have time to find something thoughtful and let your Valentine know how special she is.  Of course, the time-honored flowers, candy, cards, and dinner are great, but how about taking a little time to find something special just for your wife?   

Just remember, it is the thought that counts.  A little extra thought can make the difference between a good Valentine’s Day and a great one.

2022 is behind us, most of the bills are in and it is a good time to review expenses and income for the past year. 

Determine where you did well and where you need to improve. Set some goals for 2023 and create your budget.  Perhaps you want to pay off debt, save more for college or retirement, or go on a dream vacation. 

Work together with your wife to make your plan.  If you need help in budgeting, Dave Ramsey has some great materials and courses to help.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

There are times we all need a break.  Find a day to give your wife an entire day to pamper herself and do whatever she wants: lay in bed, go shopping, get a mani-pedi, see a movie... 

Take over all her responsibilities for the day:  preparing meals, caring for children, cleaning house,..  Make her day care free to focus on herself.

There is a reason many people make New Year's resolutions. The start of a new year is a great time to evaluate our life and decide what we need to change.

Take time as a couple to look at what is not working well and discuss what you need to do about it.  Pick a couple of things you can focus on for the next three weeks and make a plan to make the changes needed.  Whether it is eating healthier, exercising, or spending more time on your spiritual health, we all have things we need to change.

I made a commitment to read through the Bible this year.  I am using the Bible app to help me accomplish this goal.  It has multiple plans.

Have a very blessed New Year!

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