The Mabrys: February 2010

27 February 2010

Love & Respect

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. If you like free books (who doesn’t?) and you have a blog, go sign up. It’s so easy to do. Did I mention free? Check it out at http://booksneeze.com.

There is a “Crazy Cycle” that all couples will undoubtedly fall into at one time or another. The cause is due to a very basic need being unmet. Love & Respect educates its readers on how to communicate more effectively, giving you the tools to be a better listener and active participant while also bringing an awareness to your relationship and your mate. This book helps men to understand how to better love their wives, while also teaching women how to better respect their husbands.

Even for the relationships that are thriving and flourishing, I recommend this book. It’s not only for the couples that are having marital difficulties. And it’s not another one of those Men are From Mars books. Love & Respect is based on the biblical marriage, citing scripture to help support key points throughout the book. Even though I already knew to respect my husband, I now realize that I need to be showing him how much I respect him in ways that he would appreciate more. He knows I love him and I show him that through respect. And I already know that he respects me. But as any woman, I need to know how much he loves me in a way that I understand. Love & Respect teaches you how to communicate these two vital parts of a relationship effectively and biblically. I strongly encourage you to go get this book and read it as soon as possible. Even if you do not have that “significant other,” you will learn a lot about yourself as well as about the opposite sex.

26 February 2010

B-I-B-I-B-I-E

Thought I would also mention that Elayna has people we worship with wrapped around her little finger. She's even got them singing the song. Just so you are aware, there are two variations. The Sunday School version and the Elayna version, which is what I heard people singing as classes were letting out last night, "B-I-B-I-B-I-B." She cracks me up. What am I gonna do when we leave? Who's gonna spoil her in Georgia?

The B-I-B-L-E

Yes that's the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E

... over and over and over... Because that's Elayna's favorite song! She wakes up to it. She eats to it. She plays to it. She goes to sleep to it. We change diapers to it. We drive to it. We sing it for 20+ minutes straight! Or until I'm so light-headed I can't sing it anymore. Because let's face it. All Elayna knows is, "B-I-B-I-B-I-E" and that leaves me to carry the rest of the tune.

ALL. THE. TIME.

I'm dreaming The B-I-B-L-E. How scary is that? I'm encouraging her to learn and sing other songs... like This Little Light of Mine. Or... There Was a Wise Old King. Something to break up the monotony that is B-I-B-L-E.

So, while this is definitely a complaint post, it's also way cool to see her sing the song outside of Sunday School. And she's so darn cute when she does. I'll have to get it on video so you can see too.

24 February 2010

Dear Dada,

akkjnkjgvgcdxzzstx5654g i89hzaqxfsawrc vcffr bghjhjgg ihh.lpkjh ih kjohvgcfxd 9ijhuhyygvv b hub hghgvg esfv. --Love, Elayna

20 February 2010

Hoodie Hoo!

Come on spring!

19 February 2010

Free Video Baby Monitor!

That is... if you already have 2 computers with a webcam (and 2 skype accounts, which are free by the way). SO EASY & INGENIOUS! Wish we would've known this trick for Elayna. No matter! We can use it with this next baby. Click here for instructions on how to set up your free video monitor.

So in case you haven't already heard from word of mouth or noticed the pregnancy ticker at the bottom of the blog, we're having another child! Due September 23rd. But because there will be a cesarean, the baby will be born sooner. Wish us luck! We're gonna need it with all the craziness we already have planned for this next year.