Steph and Craig May Date

We did not get an April date in so we made up for it with our May date in a big way. We are currently enjoying a fabulous date weekend here in Scottsdale! We landed at 9 this morning. We chose Scottsdale in June because we have both been here before and did not want to do much more than hang out and do nothing! We did just that today! We chose the gorgeous Phoenician Resort, old school and a class act. I have not been called Mrs. Patzer this much since I was a teacher. We hung at the pool for over 4 hours, eating, drinking, swimming and sleeping (Craig). I read half a book. Who does that when they are a mom? I rocked it with the SPF 50, no sunburn ~ so I will enjoy my massage tomorrow. My milky white skin cannot take much! We had some great talking points, met some lovely Kanooks and balked at the cost of drinks ~ $20 per drink. We came back, put out the do not disturb sign and played reindeer games, aka Shades of Grey. We showered up and headed to Fashion Squarebtondo what we do best ~ shop! We actually did not buy anything but found a great deal. Next time. We ate some sushi and had some really good chit chat. We shopped some more and headed back, the time change is killer. We are gearing up for our June date tomorrow, a big old hike up Camelback. We need to do this 1x a year.

What I'd Wish I'd Known...

One of my favorite author and speakers, Dr. Gary Chapman, had a fantastic broadcast on Focus on the Family.  You can click here to listen to this program. This is part one called "Building a Strong Foundation for Your Marriage". 

"There's more to marriage than loving each other" Dr. Chapman says in his book, Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married. 

Tell us here in the comments for a chance to win another one of Gary Chapman's books- 

What is something you or your spouse wish you / them knew before you got married?  Leave your comment by June 15.

Dan and Tara: May Date

We went to the Outer Banks last week with some good friends, a tradition we started several years ago. The several friends we went with had 6 "older" kids between them (ages 12 - 20). So we really had plenty o' time to ourselves while the kids occupied our 3 and 4 year olds in the pool, with games, in the movie room, etc. We even had plenty of help at nap time which was awesome!

But we did go out on a date one night, to the same restaurant we always go to in Duck, NC. It was delicious as usual (well, last year wasn't delicious because I tried soft shell crabs on a whim...YUCK..never again). Then we went to another restaurant and tried to get a drink at their outside, bay front bar. We sat there for 15 minutes and weren't acknowledged once by the bartender! It was so weird.

So we left, bought a bottle of wine elsewhere, and sat on the beach to drink it until the sun went down, which was WAY better than the bar anyway! I'm sure that will now be part of the tradition in years to come.

Keeping Fun in Your Marriage

Monica came across another great resource for us she wanted to share.  If you haven't ever checked out some of the broadcasts on Focus on the Family you are missing out.   They have some absolutely fantastic shows on a variety of topics.

 This broadcast on May 8 was called "Injecting Fun Into Your Marriage".  Click here to listen to this broadcast.  As I listened to it, they go over simple ways to make time for your dates!  I have noticed the date summaries have gone down the past few months and I hope that each of us can remember to make it a point to spend some simple, fun time together for your relationship.  ( But maybe everyone is still getting dates in, just not having time to write a summary!)

52 Things To Remember

I came across this idea today on Pinterest so wanted to share it....I hope to find time to do it! And please share with the rest of us if you do it!

52 Things To Remember

Emotional Intimacy

Lovebird Monica was kind enough to pass on an article that you might find interesting.  A link to this article can be found here.  It is titled "Seven Ways To Develop Emotional Intimacy In Your Marriage". 

No matter how many years you have been married, author Jill Savage suggests that all couples can benefit from strengthening their emotional intimacy.

If you ever come across anything else that might be good for us to share with the other love birds, be sure to pass it on and I'll get it posted!

Amber and Matt May Date Summary

Since we didn't get a date in for April, I wanted to make sure we were able to get a date in for May.  The month is half over and our new baby is due any day now.  I know that we might not get time for a date with just the two of us over the next few months so I tried to think of something special we could do.  I know going out to eat is not really that special and nothing too exciting however!  I have always wanted to go to a place in Omaha called Lo Sole Mio.  I have always heard how wonderful their food is (the best around) and wanted to go for years.  Both Matt and I have never been there so that made it kind of fun. I looked it up online and was actually surprised that it is not actually as "fancy" as I had thought it was.  It is nice but still a bit casual.  You could be in jeans and a nice shirt or a dress and suit. 

My grandma and grandpa were going to take our son Brock and his cousins to the Three Stooges at the local theater so I knew we had a babysitter for the evening (our problem last month).  I hadn't really told Matt about my date night plans in advance however.  Friday morning Matt came home from work and went straight to track day at the school. He came home at noon to sleep until 5:30 when he had to be up to coach B's baseball game.  Later that night Matt headed back in to work.  Saturday morning he was off at 7 and we met him uptown for breakfast before he started an overtime shift at 8:30 for the parade.  After the parade (and the day after payday) we did a big grocery shop and he finally got home to go to bed around 3 in the afternoon.  I dropped Brock off at 6:30 at grandmas and came home to the quiet house.  I was bored out of my mind and I really wanted to go out on my date but knew how tired my hubby was!

At 8 I woke him up and told him my plan.  He didn't realize it was so late so he was fine to wake up and go!  It was pouring rain and we had no idea where this place was but GPS took us right there!

We got right in and had  a nice table in the corner.  The place was pretty quiet.  I had heard the food was huge and that was no lie!! It could have served 3-4 people so I was happy with our yummy leftovers!  Dinner and conversation was great and I am glad I got a little "alone" time with my man before our life turns upside down with the new baby!!!

** We don't have any pics because when I ordered  us a cannoli for dessert to take a cute little cheesy date night picture, Matt said, "does everything have to be about your facebook status or blogs?"  and totally ruined my moment. So, um, yeah.  I of course got teary (I'm a little adoptive emotional) and said something like- I wish you would just see how important these dates are to me and actually want to go on them and plan something for us instead of every date being a dud because you always make me mad because you are not romantic enough and this date night blog is important to me and I'm trying to win the jackpot for us by making sure we get a date each month and I don't think you even care if we go on dates .....or something along those lines.  And then I was pretty much a sour puss the rest of the drive home after Matt tried to say he was sorry and offered to take the picture but of course I was too stubborn to do it.  I know- this may totally come as a shock to some of you!

:)  But luckly, I don't stay pouty for long!