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Perfect Honeymoons more on Honeymoon

When was the last time that you and the man you love splurged on an all-out paradise of a vacation? Never? Well your honeymoon is the perfect excuse to indulge, and with so many possibilities for romance just waiting for a happy couple to take advantage of them, the only problem you should have is deciding where to go! The cayman islands   CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN

But let's not be hasty. The first step to an unforgettable honeymoon does not lie in choosing the destination, but rather choosing a travel agent. They have the inside connections on discount airfare, hotel accommodations, and car rentals, as well as knowledge about the best package deals and most romantic places to go.

When you and your fianc�e first visit a travel agent, you should have a definite agenda. Know how much you can afford to spend, what type of vacation you are after, and how long you want to be gone. If one of you wants a secluded island paradise, and the other thinks that a teeming metropolis would be the perfect honeymoon, ask your travel agent about places that might combine these qualities. Consider both opinions when making decisions -- after all, this vacation is the time for you to indulge in your own whims, as well as cater to your partner's.  more on Honeymoon

Matthew 5:2-12 The Beatitudes

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. NEW TESTAMENT

A wedding means many things to many people.
To a person interested in their family history, it means a new branch on the family tree! As a bride,
you are probably taking on a new "surname", one that comes with it's own history, traditions and cultures. As a groom you will
be adding to the family tree with the hopes of carrying on the family surname.

With the 1st married year of Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner CHOICE may end up being a big issue!

Where? – When? – How? – Who do we invite? – Do we go here or there? – Who’s family is first?

Very often a 1st year couple argue over what to do and with whom – a lot of guilt can set in and with that guilt a lot of potential anger!

STOP !!!

Don’t let it start out this way – often couples get into a routine of doing what mom & dad still "expect" of them and that can carry over for years and years and years to come. Take control in your first year and you have control of your own holiday plans from that time forward.

The first–year couple can take control and plan their own dinners together and invite family over or have dinner just for the two of you. Don’t cheat yourselves from having a special holiday together and then, if time allows, with other friends and family. If both of your families are having a dinner at the same time and neither can change, a rotation from year to year may be your alternative, or dinner with one and dessert with the other. Making the rounds on a holiday can also be fun – just pop in here and there.

Everything depends on you, the new first-year-married-couple, and don’t feel like you are the only couple under stress of where to be and with whom. We all go through this. Every couple has to make choices that may or may not hurt someone’s feelings. Just do your best to explain why you can’t be somewhere. Sometimes we can’t be everywhere at once and that’s OK.

Holidays bring choices – young couples starting out should have the fun of their first holiday together, either alone, if they so choose – or – if they choose, together with the family. The important thing is for you to try and make everyone feel you are there in "thoughts" and just how much you love them. Most of your family will understand – after all – we all need family around us and we all, also, need change. Each year will be different and that’s part of the fun.

The true gift of the holidays is in the giving, and gifts are not always wrapped. Gifts can be deeds and acts by us towards others. There are many ways to share your holidays with family if you are not present – phone calls, pretty cards and letters of love, flowers sent to adorn a table, etc., all help bring you closer to the family even if you aren’t there in person.

Remember the holidays are a time of peace – so plan as far ahead as you can, talk everything over with your spouse and then just go for it – your own way !

It is really easy to become lazy in any marriage. The day to day work and living experiences sometimes need a boost. Planning your future life together and interaction with each other is as important a goal as saving for your future!

I constantly see couples renewing their vows after the 10th, the 20th or 30th year together – but – why wait? It’s tough enough just getting through the first couple of years together without waiting and waiting and waiting. Try this – plan now for your first anniversary – and make it a party, I mean a REAL party. Take it as far as you want as far as you are comfortable with.

You can have an anniversary party with a renewal of your vows (or not) and then take off on your first anniversary vacation (second honeymoon) or not.

Your planning to "do it again", or to have those close to you with you for your anniversary bash, can help keep that love burning brightly. Why not make a yearly vacation an annual honeymoon trip? Why not plan and save for a special trip and special times together (again and some more)?

Brides of all ages, couples that have been together for years upon years, plan some really GREAT parties to celebrate their life together. Some even put on their wedding dress, get a limo, and to the whole thing – but with a lot less stress and a lot less cost. Some couples write their vows do each other and recite them (in private or in front of friends and family) to reinforce how grateful they both are to have found each other.

This event can be as casual or as formal as you like – as big or little as your like – all that really matters is that you understand now just how difficult it can be to live and work together throughout your entire life – and – you plan now to keep working at it, reinforcing your relationship, rebuilding when necessary, smoothing over particularly difficult times, and planning to make it keep working – forever and ever!

With Football Season Just Around The Corner It Better Be.

Girls, Take Notes!   Guys, Listen Up!

Marriage should be both of you planning your goals together and working together towards a common interest - just like team sports everywhere - however - while sporting events have become as American as apple pie (and everyone wants a piece of that pie) some of you may have interests other than sports - or - just not understand the sport.

With the football season now gearing up - girls, take notes! - there is NO reason why you should be a "football widow" this year (or any other year for that matter) and - guys, listen up! - it makes NO sense for you to think that football season is just another guy thing (more and more often now, those guy things are becoming us things) get used to it!

Girls are learning more and more about sports and enjoying it just as much as their "teammate". In today's "us world", there are even books, seminars and classes on the basics of Football - but - if you are just learning about being a football wife here are a few tips from a real pro (previously a pro football widow, that is).

If you love football, if you don't understand football, if you don't care one way or the other about football or if you absolutely, positively really HATE football - consider the following (and then make sure your husband reads this and understands where you are coming from): Girls, football season can be nothing more than a reason to go shopping, a reason to have friends over and a reason to PARTY!!! It DOESN'T MATTER if you enjoy the game, you can enjoy the company. Football games are fun reasons to do a cook out, to be with your best friend and catch up on the latest gossip - and - to be able to watch and support your husband as he goes through those gut wrenching pains that come from the "joy of victory and the agony of ..." well you get the idea.

The point is, the more you can both be together, communicate on the sport and/or just have fun together as a result of the sporting event, the more you won't feel left out and the likelihood of becoming a "Football widow" almost disappears because you can have friends over, have parties and do your own thing.

Now - all good things must end, and once the game is over your time may be at hand. If his team didn't win and he feels sad and down, rub his shoulders, take a sip of his beer and share with him his defeat - then get on with life, snuggle the night away.

Remember, if you want this man's attention the word to call is "touchdown."

More on sports - keywords and their meanings - in upcoming issues.

The Marriage Forecast
 

A marriage is likely to have its ups and downs - changing from week to week, day to day, and even hour to hour. Part of the impetus that can directly influence this rolercoaster often comes from a source you may not heretofore have considered - Family members as well as friends can end up playing key roles in your relationship.

A man and a woman come to the alter and marry - when you join together as partners you join together not just for life but In Life. In this unique and sometime sensitive relationship other people will or may create uncomfortable situations within your life unless you, the couple, look to one another to make help put these potential problem areas into prospective and to make decision together. This doesn't mean you should leave others out of your life. It's a given fact that each of you will bring people with you into your marriage relationship; your personal friends and relatives. Everyone should have a place in your relationship - some will stay and grow with you while others will go.

You and your partner are like movie stars, taking the leading roles in your life story. Now that you are married, all other friends and relatives become supporting roles to the both of you.

If you are out and about on the town and run into an old friend of yours be sure you take the time for an introduction (with pride) regardless of whom the person is. Introductions give your spouse the feeling of being included (even if it's only in a small way) in your life - even if it is your past life - and this is very important to feeling secure and comfortable together. Feeling left out can create distance between the two of you and could cause a cloudy day and later problems that may have been avoided.

Remember - there is always sunshine after the storm.