Benefits of a Healthy Marriage...

A healthy, stale marriage brings long-lasting benefits to men, women, and children regardless of income, race, age or location. The benefits to both partners increase over time as long as the marriage remains healthy.

Happy-Healthy marriage creates:
*Longer life spans
*Less depression and a better ability to handle stress
*Steady employment and household income-up to twice as much as a non married household!
*Couples tend to exercise more often and eat properly
*Serious sicknesses happen less often and when they do occur couples tend to recover faster
*Shorter hospital visits and a less likely hood of needing a nursing home later on in life

Children who grow up in a healthy/happy marriage:
*Tend to live longer as adults and are more likely to reach 85 years of age
*Are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
*Are more likely to have a stable marriage in which to raise their own children
*Tend to achieve higher academic success and economic stability as adults
*Are healthier as adults with fewer acute or chronic illnesses.

What is a "Healthy Marriage?"
A relationship that is mutually satisfying, where both spouses have a deep respect for each other and is beneficial to all members of the family. It is a relationship that is committed to ongoing growth, the use of effective communication skills and the use of successful conflict management skills.

This information is from:
The Effects of Marriage on health: A synthesis of Recent Research Evidence by Mathematical Policy Research, Inc.., July 2007
Iowa Department of Human Services
TANF
USDA
yesfoodiowa.gov

Walking Lil Mama!!!

That is right we are finally walking nearly everywhere we are going now!!! We had a really rough time getting here. We found out she is double jointed in her hips so she had to adjust to walking differently then most other kids. But she will grow out of it and I guess we just look to the future and right now i am seeing a little gymnast!!

On another note who else is having a rough time dealing with attitudes and changes in their marriage, and kids, jobs and themselves!!???? Around here my daycare kids have been throwing crazy attitude's all over the place, not minding, not listening, doing the COMPLETE opposite as what they know they are suppose to be doing!!! And as far as husbands go...well lets see here.. mine has had this attitude from hell lately. it comes and goes like a male version of PMS which is SOOOOOOO much worse then women's PMS!!!! I'm not saying that i am totally in the clear here but i am just hoping that as soon as the weather gets warmer and the daylight starts sticking around more each day then moods will stay sunnier too!!

Happy Valentines day all

I want to start off by saying that I think this is the oddest holiday out of all of the other holidays all year long!! I do not understand why there has to be a certain day designated out of the year to tell your loved ones that you love them. Isn't everyday a holiday then??

Anywho i thought i would share some Valentines day tips so you don't break the bank but can still show that special someone you love them!!

1. Make dinner at home TOGETHER!! Turn the lights down low, use a few candles, and even if it is mac-n-cheese it will be special because you will be celebrating your love!!
2. Instead of going out to eat ON Valentines day try going out another night, this will save you from all the balloons,confetti and even more importantly it will save you money!! Go out this weekend instead of tonight!!
3.Don't buy presents,fancy dinners,flowers etc for a few years and then go out of town on a mini vacation with the money you have saved from the years spent at home!!!

Ladies men are EASY!!! They just want a little "lovin" ;) and maybe a video game or alone time with their boys etc.

Men--LADIES ARE HARD!!!!! They expect your to show them all the ways you love them and unfortunately they want you to out do what their friends lovers have done!! Try the usual-Chocolates, flowers and a card that says all the ways you feel without you actually having to say it!! I know men have a hell of a time putting their feelings in to verbal words that is why Hallmark makes it easy on them!! What women really would love is for you to give them a "staycation" You clean the house and watch the kids and make the meals and let them sit in bed all day some saturday!! All my moms out there will agree!!

I hope you all have an amazingly romantic, loving, special Valentines day!!