Perfect Evening!!

WE had the most relaxing, put together, fun, and exciting evening the other night.  Nate came home from work not feeling too exhausted (seems like since the baby the evenings are us just being tired and making it through until the kids go to bed...).  Anyways, dinner was ready and I had spent the day making the house cleanER than usual, picked up, kids bathed, school accomplished that day, drawers organized, fire in the fireplace, and when Nate walked in the door it was 'quiet' (as possible with all of us wanting to talk at the same time)...  Things were peaceful.  

We then started a new game during dinner that has a two fold purpose.  One is to help us with our manners, and the other is to keep the noise and appearance of chaos down a bit.  IT WORKED LIKE A MIRACLE.  The children loved it, ate all their dinner, all had great attitudes and nothing got spilled.  

We started with three rules on the white board and we will add one each week.  Each one of us receives 5 pennies.  If you break one of the 'rules'/manners then the one that sees it happen gets one of your pennies.  However, they have to have their mouth empty to say anything and they are required to ask you sweetly, "Nate, I saw you chewing with your mouth open, may I Please have a penny?".

Nate and I picked the ones that 'bothered' us the 

most and we are working our way around Emily Posts 'book' of manners.  

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After dinner we cleaned up.  Because of the fun 'game' that Nate has started with them in the evenings they 'fight' over who gets to do the dishes and such.  It's just great.  Nate and I sat on the couch while the kids did the dishes cleaned and wiped the table, and started the dishwasher.  

We also have a tradition that my parents did with us all growing up and we are now passing along to our children and that is ADVENT.  They get to light the candles, blow them out, sing songs about the coming of Christ, and learn the meanings and scriptures of each candle and what it represents...  

It was then time for bed.  Nate and the TraeMan fell asleep on the couch and I made some coffee to make it smell fun in the house (we don't drink it:).   I grabbed a few shots of the boys and set up a Christmas movie then fell asleep by candle light with Christmas music.  

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I say all this not to just tell you about the Perfect Evening for our family.  I share this with you because all this could have been done and the PEACE would not have been there had Nate and I not been in fellowship with each other.  This last year we have learned some amazing things about communication.  A little more about listening, not just listening, but truly hearing what the other person has to say and caring about them and making that known to them....  

We have been inspired by many older couples that one is never too old to learn, to be a learner.  I hope we never stop growing, learning, loving...

When you first get married you think you know what love is, what love feels like.  When in all actuality we have not even touched the tip of the iceberg of love...True LOVE.  After 8 years of knowing someone, living every day (or most days:) with someone....  Lets just say we have married our best friend, both Nate and I feel that way and are so grateful to God...  however we know we are still learning to love each other daily.

Well, I lost my thought so I'll end now by saying We sure pray you ALL have a great holiday season, going over the reason for this time of year, this holiday, CHRISTmas...

Robyn