Where's the love?

Happiness in Family Life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.” ~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World ~

Living Together in Love ---"“Love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). On this simple phrase hangs the success of every marriage and family. In the light of Christ’s love we see our family’s divine potential. We love them with all our heart, soul, and mind. And as we do, our ordinary family is transformed into an extraordinary one."


Today we're going to focus on LOVE and I know Heavenly Father does care about your temporal happiness as well as your spiritual happiness because its all part of our journey towards eternal happiness.

"You’ve tamed the laundry, hit a home run at work, and dished up a family dinner. Forget anything? Oh, right—your spouse! It’s easy to simply co-exist with the person next to you in bed. But a rise in "gray" divorce (couples over 50 calling it quits) suggests that neglecting your relationship is a bad idea." (Health.com)...I've tried to be tactful as can be about this subject.

Here's some pratical advice for a healthier relationship (courtesy of Health.com and my own flare) with the intention to help you smile a bit more about the love of your life! 

(1) Try something new together ---Climb out of a dating rut (comedy club, rent a car & road trip, be silly & laugh together)
(2) Gossip ---It’s tempting—and often prudent—to keep couple conversations behind closed doors, but you may actually benefit from blabbing to a close friend.
(3) Tweak your diet---Eat up! Almonds, avocados, and arugula.
(4) Be open about your spending---You don't have to be a financial martyr, but don't hide your spending habits, either.
(5) Slip on something red ---Research shows that men find women who wear red sexier than those who wear “cool” colors such as blue and green.
(6) Medical Issues -- If you're not interested in intimacy—but you would like to be, there could be a reason (reduced blood flow due to diabetes, hormonal reasons, et al)  Check with doctor.
(7) Hit the gym -- physical fitness increases blood flow
(8) Make your bedroom tech-free
(9) Obey the Word of Wisdom
(10) Keep in contact when you're apart-- text, phone call, email, snail mail...it all helps
(11) Try spicy food like Salmon & Scallop Skewers 
(12) Give your bedroom routine a boost (meaning don't do exactly the same thing every morning)
(13) Be Quick To Forgive
(14) Eat an elegant meal—for less! -- put some thought and effort into presentation
(15) Remember that you're a team ---get a babysitter and cultivate one-on-one time
(16) Watch your waistline ---it’s important to establish healthy eating habits
(17) Make an exercise date -- Try a life sport that you can enjoy together for decades to come, like golf, tennis, or hiking.
(18) Work on your working relationship---Open communication can help you weather the storm and make your relationship even stronger
(19) Get some shut-eye ---experts insist that getting enough sleep is the number-one aphrodisiac
(20) Love your body --- Compliments can help you feel more positive
(21) Eat more seafood --- contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy heart.
(22) Spark Your Creativity
(23) Stop comparing yourself to other couples  ***Worth Repeating*** Stop comparing yourself to other couples
(24) Have a pre-date --- have the babysitter come early so that you can have time to get ready in peace & quiet (LOL)...but I've done this before and its wonderful for shifting my mood from frumpy mom to sexy wife
(25) Get away --- totally recommend this...vacation, stay-cation., whatever...get out of the house for more than a few hours...overnight somewhere, anywhere
(26) Don't be afraid to get help --- its okay to seek professional counseling
(27) Be understanding --- listen and learn
(28) Realize that all couples fight --- I do live by the philosophy never to go to bed angry though.

“Happiness abounds when there is genuine respect one for another. Wives draw closer to their husbands, and husbands are more appreciative of their wives, and children are happy, as children are meant to be.”-- President Thomas S. Monson, "An Example of the Believers”