Top Ten Marriage Conference Take-Aways
I mentioned that my husband and I were getting away to a conference this weekend. Thank you to all that were praying for us during the weekend, it was much appreciated. I thought it might be fun to share a few things I took away from our weekend as a whole.
1. Being sick in a hotel room is MUCH better than being at sick at home with two kids.
Yes, we were both sick over the weekend. We have been fighting colds/sore throats/coughs for the last week or so and it seemed to peak this weekend. My husband was the worse of the two of us but even that wasn’t so bad. At least we didn’t have to muster energy to chase after two children.
2. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is still as amazing as I remember it to be!
We have a 3 month old. We are tired. We love our sleep. Our first child was sleeping through the night by now so even though she only gets up once in the night we can’t wait for the transition.
3. The Blind Side is a great movie
Ah, watching a movie in bed. AMAZING! It has been a loooonnnnnggggg time since my husband and I have had the ability to stay up past 9:30 pm to enjoy a movie together. It was a staple in our life prior to Tessa but has been a rare treat. And never from the comfort of bed! 
4. Crepes are DELICIOUS!
So on our lunch break on Saturday we were navigating with our iPhone to find a local restaurant or deli. (I have this thing that I don’t like to eat at places when I am away that I could eat at in Dayton, Ohio. So no chain restaurants.) We were trying to find a deli that appeared on our map but it wasn’t there. However, there was this little shop called It’s Just Crepes. I turned my nose up the first pass by. However, I decided it was an adventure weekend so I would just go with it. HELLO! This place was AMAZING!!! I’ll have to write a whole other post just for this. So stay tuned.
5. It’s time to reprioritize.
(Yes, I did take away some serious stuff, just keep reading). I actually knew this one was coming. I felt the whole week leading up to the conference that God was softening my heart to a few things that I needed to evaluate. I wasn’t wrong.
The conference emphasized God, husband, children, everything else. In that particular order. If I am honest with you I should admit that leading up to the conference it was. Everything else, children, husband, God. Yep, the reverse order. Something has to change. *Sigh*
6. New daily schedule
Everyone around the blogosphere has been talking about setting boundries, setting priorities and setting schedules. I wanted to do the same but knew I didn’t know how yet. So this weekend I gave it some more thought in light of the topic at hand. I decided that what would work best for me is to not get on my computer (or cheat and check things on my phone) before I had read the Word. This is definitely going to be a challenge for me because I have developed some BAD habits. I did it Monday which is a start.
In addition, I will try to limit my computer time to 10-11 am when Sesame Street are on and when the kids are down for naps together in the afternoon. I will be on occasionally when I am checking my phone but ONLY after I have read the Word. Feel free to question me if you see me on the computer.
7. It’s time to refocus on educating Isaac
Once upon a time I started a series on here called “This Week Brought to You By” as I was actively planning learning opportunities with Isaac. Pregnancy and the summer brought that to a halt. I need to start doing that again, even if I am not blogging about it. He is such a human sponge right now and it is so much fun. And while I was at the conference (during a break), I was going through my Google Reader and saw this fabulous post from Christine. PERFECT! Just what I needed to get started on this again!
8. Favorite Quote: “Life wouldn’t be so hard if we didn’t expect it to be so easy.”
Isn’t that the truth. Am I alone in this one? I’m guessing not.
9. I’m selfish
That is all.
10. My husband is AMAZING!
There were 1300 people at the conference this weekend. It was HUGE! And I eavesdropped overheard on many a conversation and observed a wide range of body language and quickly came to the conclusion that I am in the minority of women on this earth that are truly in love with their husband, love talking to him regularly, and have a rockin’ good marriage. Not that we can’t use a good weekend marriage conference too but boy am I grateful for what I have and where we are at in our marriage.
Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend the Weekend to Remember conference. It was a great opportunity to escape from our crazy lives, recommit to one another, re-communicate our values and desires for our marriage and our family and to refocus on the Lord. Whether you are happily or unhappily married, married for a short time or an eternity, young or old this conference is great. And there are plenty more around the country if you are looking for one near you.
This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda.
I don’t know if they still have it or not, but before hubby & I got married, they had sessions for engaged couples – how WONDERFUL it was to be able to attend a couple months BEFORE we were married in order to prepare ourselves for the future. They even had separate breakaway sessions (guys in one group, girls in another) and the speakers said, “ask whatever you want!” and boy did we! ha
It was a wonderful weekend! We haven’t had the chance to go since we’ve been married but would love to someday!
Thank you for sharing this today! I’m envious of the crepes
as there aren’t any good crepe places around here. Also thankful for my marriage and agree that often my priorities get out of whack. Hoping (and praying) to do better!
Awesome post. Thanks so much for telling us about it. The reading the Bible before the computer seems so simple, doesn’t it? *whew*
Can’t wait to hear what you’re doing with Isaac. Let me know if you want to guest post something about that on Impress Your Kids.
I have a great recipe for crepes that I actually made with my menu for freezer meals. They are called herb buckwheat crepes, super easy and absolutely delicious. Let me know if you are interested in making them and I can email you the recipe. Glad you had a great weekend.
Definitely email the recipe or include a link! tricia @ onceamonthmom.com
Glad you were able to enjoy some time away this weekend! We were able to get away over V-Day for a marriage retreat, and I came away so refreshed.
If you haven’t already, you should check out No Time for Flashcards and Totally Tots for learning activity ideas with toddlers/preschoolers. (I have themes/activities on my homeschooling blog, too, but they tend to be more for older preschoolers/kindergartners.)
And I totally know what you mean about the priorities… I’ve been trying to work on this, too. I’ve found that having my daily Bible reading emailed to me, then checking the email on my phone in the mornings before I get out of bed has been a HUGE difference maker in getting myself into The WORD every day. I started reading through the OT in a year in Jan with a group on Facebook, and thanks to this method, I haven’t missed a day yet (which is UNHEARD of in my life!).
(If you want links to any of the blogs I listed above, email me and I’ll send them to you.)
Love this! Totally encouraging
That sounds awesome Tricia!! The fun stuff & the good stuff!!
Tricia that sounds awesome!!! The fun stuff, and the GOOD stuff too:)
#8 – that sure is the truth. Why exactly do we always expect it to do so easy, when life has taught us it will be hard?
I am so with you. As a matter of fact, my husband and I attended a screening of “Fireproof” at our church this weekend, and we are doing a follow-up for the next 8 weeks in bible class.
And I am in the minority with you, with the world’s best husband. Lucky for us, there is a fabulous crepe place not too far away, also!
Love your site!
Sounds like a great weekend Tricia! I’m blessed to be in the minority too. And I LOVE weekend getaways with My Sweetie.
Great post – very encouraging (although I’m jealous – as neither my 2 year old nor my 7 month old sleep through the night regularly – I’m up at least 2-3 times minimum!!)
I am constantly shocked at how few women like their husbands. I think mine is a rock star and would not in a million years chose to be married to someone else. It makes me quite sad the state of most marriages today