Time to combine two of my favorite things... date night and giveaways!
So, my hubby Rob and I recently went through a fab class with five other couples called The Marriage Course by Nicky Gumbel. More than ever, we realized that the best gift we could ever give to our kids was the security of a strong marriage (gasp, yes, even over a college fund). Somehow, Rob and I lost track of date nights. They had been replaced by family trips to Chuck E. Cheese, D.I.Y. projects, and having other families over for dinner (which are all good things mind you. By doing family things, we lost track of doing couple things. We forgot that we were suppose to keep dating.
Marriage should be fun. It should be thrilling! He should still be asking you out and you should still be shaving your legs! It's time to call in a favor to a friend or hire that babysitter down the street. It's time to take off the mommy jeans and put on the going out on the town jeans!
So here's the challenge: Get out your calendar and schedule three months worth of dates with your spouse. Next, line up a babysitter or if you're blessed, Grandma, for ALL of the nights. Also, commit to making these dates priority. It's too easy to blow off your time to make room for somehting else. If you do have to move a date, reschedule it that night. Take turns planning the dates. If you're on a budget crunch, consider scheduling the dates for a time when the kids are tucked in and be creative and exclusive about your time. After all, it's not about how much you spend or where you go. It's about spending spoiling your spouse with your attention and time.
And I'm all about helping one lucky couple. It's simple...
I have one ($25) gift certificate to Macaroni Grill. (If there is now Macaroni Grill near you...we'll make it work. No worries!) To enter, become a follower of Parenting in Blue Jeans. I will pick one lucky winner from the group on Friday night. So, good luck and book a sitter!
29 comments:
Great idea!!! I'm already a follower, hope I win!
Thanks for visiting me. This is a great post. My husband and I have been really working on "us". It's never easy. Great post. Following you now too. We could def use a giftcard to encourage our date night:)
Hi Jennifer, you are so right about setting aside "couple" time. There's family time, friends coming over time, crafting time....but very little couple time. Thanks for visiting me, I'm excited that you did because now I found your blog.
Wow - Hubby and I haven't been out on a date night in more than 4 years. Must be the issue. Our lives are now all about his job and me taking care of our children. =) Looks like we need a change thanks for the idea!
What a great giveaway, my husband and I could totally use a date night :0)
LOL, what a great idea. Since our baby was born, 16 months ago, (and probably even the whole time I was pregnant), our date nights consist of trips to Wal-Mart for groceries on Saturday nights. Thanks for the reminder, I'm going to work on making this a priority again.
Thanks (I'm going to start following you, thanks for finding me)
I'm following! My hubby & I haven't had a date night in forever!! With 3 young girls we don't really get out of the house much by ourselves, lol. :)
I would LOVE to win... but there aren't any Macaroni Grills around here. Ooooh, I remember them in California though---yum! Are airline tickets part of the giveaway? Hehehe.
I'm following anyway!!
What a great post! We definitely need a date-night reminder over here so I'll make plans tonight when DH gets home. Thanks!
HI! I actually saw your link on another blog by way of the UBP party...since I'm always in bluejeans your blog name intrigued me and I'm glad I visited! I think my hubby and I have only been on 4 or 5 dates since my first was born 3 yrs ago! Yikes! And only once since my 2nd was born 17 months ago! Thanks for the inspiration to date again!
Tricia
You know how to get people to delurk ;) We have a scheduled date night for the end of the month for our FIVE year anniversary but we could use some more!
i thought i was already following you...but i suppose not. way to go on the blogging bonanza!
Love the giveaway. Macaroni Grill is one of our very favorite restaurants, and I must admit, it has been a while since we've been out together! I'm following you! Thanks for telling me about this!
We would love love love a date night. We too can never seem to get to one. We do pretty good at spending time alone at home whenever we can--that is really an accomplish with our kiddos-LOL. Thanks for the chance!
Bridgette Groschen
The Groschen Goblins
Thanks for passing by and letting me know about date night. I haven't been out with my love in such a long time. It would be nice to win.
Thanks for the opportunity, and I hope you were able to find a good playlist (music) for your blog.
Windmills and Tulips
Far Above Rubies
What a wonderful idea! I am glad I am following!
Some of ou are concerned b/c you don't have a Macaroni Grill near you. Let me just say that I will make it work if you win! I will email the winner Friday night or maybe Saturday morning...I have a date night myself on Friday...and I'll double check to see that you can use the card or swap it out for another restaurant.
I am a new follower! A date night sounds so nice. You are so sweet to 'make it work' for those of us that don't have a Macaroni Grill. We have actually never been to one... sounds like we are missing out! :)
Thanks for coming back to let me know about this giveaway. I'm following you now. Have a blessed day.
Pick me! I would love a date night! Thanks for letting me know about the giveaway, I am your newest follower! (#50 Yay!)
I LOVE macaroni grill!! Thanks for the GA! Just became your newest follower! Thanks for the comment on my site as well!
http://amomstake.blogspot.com
It has definitely been a while since my husband and I had a good date night... partly because we're cheap so the thought of spending the money on a sitter plus dinner plus whatever else is a little much. You're right though, I'm calling Grandma and now I just need to win this fun giveaway! :)
New follower: Question - if I win can I take my "man crush" instead of my husband???? ;-)
Carma, Ha, ha, ha! Sure if you can get Alec to agree you can take him!
We don't have a macaroni grill in Laramie but it would be great to get out of laramie to go on a date!! Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm a new follower now =)
What an awesome giveaway! Thanks! I am now following! We sure could use a date night...we just sold our house & are living with my parents for a few weeks until we move into our new house. Craziness! Love your blog! Feel free to stop by mine, I also have a giveaway going on!
Hey, thanks for coming by. I'm glad I found you, I can't wait to read up on some posts!
We are in the middle of a move across the country, so couple time is non-existant right now. My friends have been so great about helping out that I hate to ask them to watch the girls...but I think I might just do that...we won't have anyone to fall back on once we get there...thanks for the chance to win!
What a great idea! My hubby and I are always planning on having that elusive date night...never seems to materialize however. Hope I win-we love Macaroni Grill!
<3, Bethany
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