Thank you to a commenter: and a plea...

Thanks to a wonderful commenter, Sun, on www.blissfullydomestic.com, sponsors of the Extreme Blog Makeover Contest. Sun writes:

I think glorybeam who writes the blog, "Why I Love My Husband"
http://www.whyilovemyhusband.blogspot.com/ deserves the blog makeover, because her blog is about something worthwhile. It is honest and touching in places, and humorous in other places. I know I will be eagerly awaiting her future blog posts.
Sun

And now, a shameless plea: I need an Extreme Blog Makeover! Please go to http://www.blissfullydomestic.com/ and vote for Glory (second from bottom). I promise I will write more blog posts...

The issue here, as always, is my pride. It's hard for me to promote something I feel embarrassed about, and my blog itself is embarrassing to me... I labored long and hard a few years ago to set up a blog on blogger, learning some CSS, buying a book on Dreamweaver, going to various websites that teach html--but I'm too old for this stuff. Everything I learn either gets updated and outdated too quickly, or doesn't get retained in my weary brain for the next time I need it!

I do have a message, something to say that I believe "is worthwhile" and I want it to be seen and heard by as many people as possible. In fact, lately I've been thinking about what would happen if tomorrow was my last day on earth, and I've been praying that God would help me to live each day as if it was my last. I think that if I knew I wouldn't be around the day after tomorrow, I'd be writing--frantically typing--as fast as I could, to my husband, to my daughter, to my son, to my mom, to my family, to my friends, to everyone I know, to the world... Like the song, "I want to leave a legacy" and the best way I know how is to write what is in my heart.

So, vote for me... better yet, pray for me...

Why I Love My Husband: Why I need an Extreme Blog MakeOver!

Why I Love My Husband: Why I need an Extreme Blog MakeOver!

Why I need an Extreme Blog MakeOver!

I started this blog back in 2005, exactly three years ago. I'm still just over a third of the way through my list of 100 Reasons Why I Love My Husband...

The Inspiration Behind "100 Reasons..."

I have to admit, I was taken aback by the title of a blog I saw. It can be found by searching for "...I Hate My Husband" on Google. What a sad story! Yet, just this morning I found myself thinking more negatively than positively about my own relationship with my husband. I decided, then and there, to put into action a thought I had about focusing on the good things. It's all about perspective. "Garbage in=garbage out!"
When I choose to dwell on "whatsoever things are lovely, pure, and of good report..." it affects my whole outlook. So, it's time for some serious reflections on the man I married... and why I CHOOSE to LOVE him!

Three years and 39 Reasons later, I still CHOOSE to love my husband. I just need a motivational "kick" to finish what I started. I know that people need to hear the message that love is a choice! Marriages are suffering; husband and wife relationships are strained--and people often buy into the lie that they can and should end their marriage based on how they feel or don't feel. What ever happened to commitment, what about the vows made at the altar?

If you agree with the message and the meaning behind this blog, please be sure to vote for my Extreme Blog Makeover!

Reason #39: He's heavenly-minded!

Looking Towards Heaven
I love the name of this blog.

Destination: Heaven
I love the name of this post.

Treasures in Heaven
I love the name of this book.

I've been setting my mind on things above, not on earthly things. (Col. 3:2)

I love my heavenly-minded husband, who often quips, "You can't threaten me with heaven!" (meaning: it's no threat to think of dying and going to heaven. It's not a punishment, it's a reward.)

Reason #38: He's Hot-Blooded!

In honor of Valentine's Day, and in celebration of the end of a two-week long cold spell:

We have had temperatures hovering at around 40 below zero for weeks, and that is COLD! It's hard to even describe the chill in the lungs, the freezing of the nasal passages, ice fog so thick you can't see 100 yard in front of you, vehicles not starting (even though they have been plugged in), etc. Ah, such is life in Alaska!

My hubby has always been hot-blooded. The term "hot-blooded" basically means having an average body temperature higher than that of the surroundings. The family has grown accustomed to wearing several layers of fleece, because DH keeps the thermostat reading at 60 degrees! He is affectionately known as the "polar bear" around home and office.

He is also a very normal, typical male member of the species known as "Homo Sapians." This means that he is hot-blooded in terms of passion as well as temperature.  As a reminder, he brought me this book home from his recent trip:

“Real ideas that real–life couples can put into practice immediately—that’s what I love about Red Hot Monogamy! All the biblical truth and godly love life advice I’ve ever heard—and more—is simply and beautifully wrapped up in this one practical book." (Read more reader reviews here.)

I love my "hot-blooded" man!

Reason #37: He's a loving, supportive son!

I almost lost track of what number I'm on. Yes, it has been a while since I posted -- almost a year, actually! Sadly, it was an unintentional sabbatical. I just kept putting it off. But, after checking the stats and comments, I realized that at least 30 people a day are still stopping by this site, and it inspired me to continue inspiring all those who do searches on "why I love my husband" or "reasons I love him".

I have to admit that I was "scared off" by fear and pride. I'm struggling to adjust to the younger generation's world of virtual reality, and social networking. This is my personal journal, but it's posted on a public forum. How much self-disclosure is too much? At what point do I begin violating my own privacy?

As a member of the "sandwich generation" we struggle daily with the pull of raising teenagers, and caring for elderly parents. The pressure has become glaringly evident recently, as DH went home for his father's surgery. In her own words, DH's older sister described what that entailed:

This past week has truly been a family affair. Our brother was at the house with mom until he flew home yesterday. He's cooked and cleaned for mom, chaufered her and has been grocery shopping more times than he probably cares to admit. We've appreciated his help. My son stayed with mom last night. We have someone stay with her, because she is unsteady on her feet and we don't want her to fall without someone in the house. It's strictly for peace of mind.

I've been at the hospital with dad most of the time. My brother stayed with dad Monday night and I stayed with mom, my son stayed with dad Tuesday night and I slept in my own bed for the first time in 6 nights.

Our other sister was off work Thursday and Friday, last week. She spent all day in the hospital with us and was here during the day on the weekend, also. She has helped transfer mom back and forth from home to the hospital and has been a big help with mom's daily needs.

It's only going to get worse, as his parents lose their independence, physically and mentally. But I know DH will call upon God for wisdom and strength.

In the words of a dear friend of the family: "Your parents are truly blessed to have you as a son." And I am blessed to have ample reasons to continue writing on this blog.