Marriage Series: Discuss finances and make a plan

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Money . . .

It's no secret that money is one of the main causes of relational and marital collapse. 

With financial decisions being one of the biggest obstacles to overcome as a couple, it's surprising that most people don't or wont talk about it.

I know for me, in my first year of marriage, talking finances with my husband was a huge headache. (Sometimes it still is). He's more of a 'spender' while I'm hands down the 'saver,' so our opinions always differ.

While talking money, bills, debt, and the like can be a painful experience, it's time to roll up those sleeves and get down and dirty in financial talks with your partner.

Welcome to another glorious Monday! 

While I try to give some piece of advice or verbiage with each quote of the week, I think this week's quote speaks for itself. 

God's calling on your life is not a call to a tower

to look down on everyone else, 

it's a call to the trenches to help others win the fight.

Have a great day!

Friday Music!

On my way to work this morning, I was introduced to the talented Meredith Andrews. Not sure why I have never heard anything by her before, but this one song in particular really spoke to me. 

Her new single, "Not for a Moment," speaks to the times we feel alone and far away from God. We can rest assured in the promise that He will never leave or forsake us. 

 

  Follow her on Twitter here! 

"Know Your Worth!"

Welcome to Archived Thursdays. There's so many articles on the Virtue site that I thought it would be fun to have a day simply dedicated to back articles. 

Hence, Archived Thursdays! Enjoy.

Over the past few weeks, there's been a nagging feeling tugging at my mind. Conversation after conversation, I've found myself talking about self-worth. At first it came up in a conversation about a friend's relationship. 

She was questioning why women constantly settle for men who aren't interested in offering much, 

Marriage Series: Preparation and seeking wise counsel.

Welcome back for another addition of how to make your marriage work.

Today we're talking about properly preparing for marriage and continually seeking counsel throughout your marriage.

A Space Just for Me

I'm so excited to share this little peek into my home with you.

We're in the midst of our yearly renovations around our house and I can't be more thrilled. 

I absolutely love breathing new 
life & design 
into our home and this year we started with our master bedroom. 

While the big reveal is a little ways away, 

I wanted to share with you the little space my husband created for me.

Last year for our 2nd wedding anniversary, we went on a cruise to Key West and Mexico. Being that I was preggo, I took full advantage of the built-in vanity that the ship had to offer. 

Sure I'd seen vanities before, but never had I actually tried one.

After spending five days using the vanity to get ready,

 I was in love.   

My husband,
 knowing how much I wanted one, 
spent all year searching for the perfect vanity 
(I had no clue) and so,
for Valentine's Day 
surprised me with a little space of my own. 

Where do you love to get ready? 
Is it a fabulous closet?
A nook tucked into the corner or your room?

I'd love to hear about it. 

     

Quote of the Week

Remember when you were little and everyone told you that you could be whatever you wanted to be?

Well, according to this week's quote that may be 

a tad-bit untrue.

Don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with aspiring to be someone great, 

but whatever you plan to do must align with what God has planned for you.

It's impossible to fit ourselves into a role that wasn't meant for us. 

Believe me, I've tried. 

So here's this week's quote of the week. : ) See you tomorrow!

You can't be anything you want to be.

But you can be everything

God wants you to be.

Marriage Series:Get Married and Stay Married for the right reasons.

Welcome to week three of the "How to Make Your Marriage Work," series.

Today we're exploring the reasons to get married and stay married. 

The more people I meet and talk with, the more I see a trend arising of people getting married or staying married for terrible reasons. Now before you try to burn me at the stake, let me first say that I am not an advocate for divorce, but I do believe there are circumstances that lend itself to a dissolution.

With that said, let's get started.

Commit to be Fit

Now that we're officially out of the New Year's resolution curve,

I feel like it's time for me to share one my commitments. 

I absolutely despise New Year's resolutions. 

Always have, always will.

I just feel like it's a waste of time to say . . . This year I'm going to do _______________

I'll allow you to fill in the blank.

 It's not that I'm against making resolutions, I just believe everything is a mind frame. 

You're either going to do it or not. 

Why make some grand plan only to feel disappointed with yourself later?

Nope, not I! 

I tend to say I would like to do A this year and I'm going to use B in order to accomplish it. So one thing that I would like to do is commit to being fit!

Now if you've been around Virtue for a while, you know that I hate working out and/or eating healthy food. 

Bring on the worse you have to offer. 

Buffalo wings with extra spicy sauce anyone?

Yumm.

In fact, as I write this post, I must admit that I've failed the past three nights. In order to be more fit, I started eating dinner by 7:00pm. The problem is, my metabolism burns so quickly that by the time 9:30 rolls around I'm ravenous!!

Not just hungry, oh no. 

I'm in full on give me everything you got mode! 

This a shameful admission but I've found myself begging my husband to bring me a Big Mac or Spicy McChicken on his way home from work at 10:30pm. 

The crazy part is, I don't even want those things during the day. 

Yuck!

So that's where you my wonderful readers come in. Will you commit to be fit with me?

I'm not asking you to go on some crazy diet or anything. Just commit to keeping me accountable and I'll do the same for you if you'd like. I'll check back weekly with an update and see how you're doing. Most importantly, I'll tell you how I'm progressing.

Happy fitness!!

Quote of the week

On my way to work every morning, I love to turn on the radio and listen to the rantings of the A.M. personalities.

While some information is superflous,

I never fail to gleam a piece of inspiration from them that sets the tone for my day. 

This week's "quote of the week" deals with setting goals and achieving.

Attempt something so great,

that it's bound to fail

without the hand of God.    

I don't know about you, but I always want to do things in the will and plan of my Heavenly Father. Of course we're able to do things on our own, but it's when God's hand is in our plans that we achieve the most.