Questions from another expecting mama . . .

 

-How you keep your marriage fresh with a growing family?

Big Daddy & I have been married for 9 years.  Considering we have “his”, “mine”, & “ours” we already had a ready made family from the start.  Our marriage has seen season’s of its own, but the good have far outweighed the rough & we’ve definitely grown from the difficult times.  I think our marriage is so strong because we talk.  Big Daddy is my best friend.  We don’t “date” a lot, but we spend a lot of time together – mostly me doing what he wants to do. 

-How you save money?

LOL.  I am terrible with money.  He is worse with it.  We do have a set amount in a fund that is untouchable – totally off limits!  With the economy the way it is & our family size continuing to grow I have tried to be more frugal, but I’m not very good & it.  I try not to use paper products for meals that would be a quick clean up anyway (Ex. Sandwiches), I buy as much in bulk as possible, I try to buy off brands, I save kids clothes, I only go to town once a week, I breastfeed & use cloth diapers, I don’t buy junk toys, we don’t have cable TV (we do have Netflix), I don’t run the AC in rooms we aren’t using, & I can’t think of anything else . . .

-What you do just for yourself?

I stay up way too late.  I blog.  I hide candy for emergencies.  I have nice things – not a lot of them, but what I do have is nice – my make-up, most of my clothes, my purse, my shoes, etc..

-Scripture passages you find encouraging

This is such a seasonal thing for me.  The Lord has used specific scriptures during difficult seasons of my life.  My favorite story in the Bible is David.  I heart Beth Moore Bible Studies!!

-How to maintain your sanity after a new baby when your exhausted, you breast hurt, your other children are pulling on you and your husband comes home after a full day of work looking for dinner?

Life after a new baby is always an adjustment in our house.  Usually, more in my marriage than anywhere else.  I get thrown deep into “Mommy-Mode” that it is very hard for me to feel like or desire to be a wife.  The day-to-day duties aren’t hard for me – the making my husband feel wanted or important are.  It is a huge struggle for me to give him attention.  I have to remind myself that I really do like him.  We’ve don’t this enough now that I recognize my emotions & am more aware of my attitude.  He knows it is just part of my post-partum phase & tries not to take it personal.  As far as the household stuff:  I try to accept help (meals & childcare).  I have to give Big Daddy credit – he helps a lot with the kids.  Typically after I have a baby he stays home for 3-6 weeks.  He doesn’t cook, clean, or do diapers, but he is does spend a lot of time with the kids (OUTSIDE) – which helps A LOT!!