Hubby Highlights: He's a GUY Guy!!

A few days ago, this sweet LOVE STORY (if I do say so myself) introduced all of you to the love of my life... Brian.  Today I want to share one way he rocks at being my man!

My hubs is definitely a "GUY" guy!  (Is your man, too?) By this I mean he is deeply invested in guy stuff like guns, hunting, fishing, etc.  Don't get me wrong - I'm glad he's all MAN, but around hunting season in years past, I have found myself joking with him whether he married me or his other passions (Can anyone relate?) If he's got some free time, this beautiful place is where he wants to be.

So I guess that's why I have been so touched by this. A couple years ago, my sweetheart started asking me to join him in a lot of his outdoor adventures, and as silly as it seems, that simple act melts my heart because to me it says, "Having you with me makes my favorite things better." {*sigh*}

I've learned that just being together really is the secret to havin' DANG FUN!

We've enjoyed doing things like this together so much, he now takes the initiative to arrange for our babysitters and prepare outdoor dates (complete with breakfast or dinner) 100% unprompted.  {All together now... "Awww!"}  SO FUN.  He has helped me choose my own gun and even helped me get my hunting education and license.

Every time he takes me someplace new, I feel loved that he wants me to be part of his fun not only today, but this is something we'll be able to do together until we're oldies... I wanna be like that!

I just gotsta mention a softer side of my man, too.  Once in a while I'll come home to this...

No contest - my absolute favorite part about this beautiful bouquet is the homemade card! He can raid my scrapbooking stuff anytime! Ohmyheck, I LOVE my hubby!

Tutorial & GIVEAWAY: Mini "LOVE" Scrapbooks

**GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED**

Please check out our Facebook Fan Page to see who the WINNER is!! :)

Everyone LOVES Scrapbooks filled with pictures of their loved ones. It is so much fun to have them out on the living room table to share with friends and family that come to visit! The hardest thing is finding the time to put it all together and it can get kind of costly! This little beauty cost me LESS than a $1 to make!



Since I have learned how to do them I have made 18!!  I've given them away as Baby Shower gifts and had the color scheme match the babies room.  I've given them to all my BFF Diva friends to fill with pictures of them and their LOVE BUG.  I put doggy stickers on one and used different paper for a "In LOVING Memory" book, for a close friend of mine that lost her puppy. :(

...and of course, I am filling one with beautiful memories and pictures of JUST my hubby and I, whom I just so happen to absolutely LOVE and adore! This is the perfect gift for any occasion!  My favorite part about this book is that there are places for pictures as well as tabs you can pull out to write your most precious memories.








Click here to download your FREE tutorial!
The tutorial is full of bright pictures that walks you thru making your very own mini-LOVE Scrapbook step-by-step...so even the "crafty handicapped" (as I like to call those of us who need LOTS of instructions) can put this together with ease! 
Hope you enjoy!



Oh YEAH!! The word "GIVEAWAY" is in the title, huh!?!
I better tell you about that! :)


We are giving away.....
....an already made Mini Scrapbook!!!

This is the actual Mini LOVE Scrapbook that the winner will receive!!(You are TOTALLY jumping out of your seat right now, huh!!)

Wanna Enter The Giveaway?

We have THREE possible ways in which you can enter!!  That's right, you can enter up to (but not more than) THREE times.

BTW - Each of the following is ONE entry.  
Please let us know in your comment how you "spread the love" if you do #2 or #3.

#1 - By being a follower of our blog  AND telling us how your relationship has changed since reading this blog.  

#2 - Sending out a TWEET or posting on your Facebook Wall today...letting your friends know about our awesome dating blog.....make sure to include a link back to our blog. 

#3 - Either putting our button on your blog OR writing a post on your blog spreading the "Dating Divas" love to your friends and family. Just copy & paste the direct link back to that post (or to your blog if you did the button) in your comment.

(Reminder - Please be specific in your comment and let us know which one of the THREE things above you did. Thanks!!)

The giveaway will end this coming Friday, October 1st at Midnight MST.

We will announce the winner on our Facebook Fan Page on Saturday, October 2nd - so don't forget to check to see if the winner is YOU!!

**GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED**

Please check out our Facebook Fan Page to see who the WINNER is!! :)

"StUcK With You" Date

I gotta hand it to my hubby! I recently had a baby, and he being the sweetheart he is, planned our date for us!! A LITTLE DISCLAIMER-I did ask ladies!!  Sometimes... well most the time... my man would prefer I was blunt with him. Sadly enough *sniff sniff* he can't read my mind and he usually doesn't know exactly what I want. {WINK WINK} Lucky me though, he was completely game! When we were dating he always was the creative one planning fun dates... Now with his busy schedule it doesn't happen so much anymore. BUT he is STILL so incredible!

His invite (You should have seen his face when I told him he needed to "invite" me! It was priceless!) is super easy, you could personalize your own or use his! Typed up on the computer...

For my very special Wendy lady...

Let's go out on the town.

Open up Saturday in the afternoon...

And plan to have some fun!

The kids will be going to grandmas house...

So bring your suit and I'll take care of the rest!

First things first then! We needed some of these...

We ended up going for a beautiful drive...

Little did I know... we would be in that FRIGID water shortly! ;) The hubby wanted to go tubing down the river!  I have always really l-o-v-e-d crazy adventures! But to be honest, things changed after the kiddos came along! I would rather be "unadventurous" aka "safe" if you will. So I was nervous...

Life jackets and tubes... a MUST! (lol I know I am a chicken!)

...and then we got to FLOAT down the river. I don't have pictures of this because the camera is NOT waterproof and I like my camera! :) What made this ride so awesome... is the fact that my hubby was not attached to his phone! His job requires that most the time, so it was a miracle that I had him ALL to myself! NO DISTRACTIONS!! It was so fun... we were in the middle of water stuck with each other! Reminded us of this fun song by Huey Lewis and The News... "Yes it's true... I am happy to be stuck with you!" Great song to sing-a-long to and chit chat about!



  We had a chance, the first in a while, to just talk and laugh with each other for almost 2 hours!  As we neared the end of our journey, my hubby told me we were going to go to a drive through close by to get a root beer "float." Creative YES! But then I saw this sign hanging by our parked car...

And this fancy and adorable little root beer shop!

Neither of us had any idea it was there... but for those who aren't in Provo Canyon in Utah, you could totally make homemade root beer floats! Cheaper too I might add... ;)

The perfect frosty treat to end our ice cold date!

An ENORMOUS thank you to my incredible husband for such an amazing time!!

I am not the only diva married to an extremely sweet and creative man....click HERE to see what Erika's husband, Justin, came up with when he planned a fun date for her!

Love Story: Kiirsten & Brian

 I think every girl wonders how she'll eventually meet Mr. Right.  Little did I know the day I knocked on a stranger's door while "shopping" for space in a house to rent, that the tall, handsome guy who answered would be mine.  My first impression of Brian was that he was very polite, respectful, and kind. Then his two year old son came waddling down the stairs, and I watched how he lovingly took him in his arms and cuddled him... so tender.  The house was brand new and beautiful and right along Utah Lake... it didn't hurt that it was 100 times better than anything else I'd looked at.  Actually I threw Brian's number and address away after I got home because I currently worked almost an hour away. There was just no way I could commute... what a ridiculous thought... but something urged me to dig that paper out of the garbage. I truly believe that sometimes we are guided in life exactly where we need to be.  Needless to say I did end up renting a room from them with the understanding that it would be for approximately six months. {I still have receipts from paying him rent!} I figured this would allow me time to meet some girlfriends at the college I was also attending that I could room with soon.  But I never quite got around to that...

Brian and I were both coming out of hard relationships and wanted to be cautious about future relationships, but our similarities and total compatibility were undeniable!   I was immediately welcomed into his world with his son - can you say BEYOND adorable!  Our friendship started by learning about each other, then offering to cook and eat our meals together, then I started checking out kids' books at the library to bring home to read to his little guy and all hanging out together, which inevitably led to bonding together.  One day a few weeks later, I came home to a note taped to my bedroom door.  It was an invitation to a date.  That was all it took to get our love story started.

We were engaged within five months and planning our new lives together.  I put a lot of prayer into this decision, and I came to realize without a doubt that this was meant to be.  I had some fears about stepmotherhood, but I honestly was given a confirmation that I was meant to join not only Brian's life, but his son's as well.  What a beautiful thing answers to prayers can be!

In November of 2005, with the blessing of our families, Brian and I flew to Negril, Jamaica to get married on the beach.   I will never forget him waiting in his tuxedo and flip flops for me to join him.  Awwww!  One year later to the day we were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

Since then we have grown a beautiful family!  That sweet two year old I met six years ago is now 8, and we have been blessed with two more rambunctious and darling boys who are 3 and 1 year old.  We continue to live the dream of the American Family with all of life's ups and downs - together we have it all.  I known our story isn't a traditional fairytale, but it's definitely OUR fairytale.   

Family Fun: Amazing Stories to Share Together

Once upon a time...not too long ago, I was a literacy specialist.  It is safe to say...I am a little obsessed with children's books.  You know you are a bookaholic when you can direct customers at Barnes and Noble to specific books and you don't even work there!

Each night before my children go to bed, my husband and I take about 20 minutes to read stories as a family.  This has become one of the greatest and easiest traditions that we have done.  It doesn't take long, allows family time together, and encourages a love of reading in both yourself and your kids.

With that being said...and as an educator, I have found the perfect list of children's book from Scholastic. This list features 25 picture books that all children should read.  You can buy the book, rent it from the library or try to listen online...however you do it, these books are essential!

Download Picture Book list here!

The Best Way to Aquire Picture Books

1. My favorite site to aquire books is called Paperbackswap.

This site is amazing, not to mention affordable! You can post books that you have read and no longer need. You then receive book credits to use towards another book of your choice. If you don't want to post books, you can buy three book credits for around $10! That is a little over $3 for a book.

2. Garage Sales

3. Rent books at your local library.

4. PBS has an awesome site full of stories, printables and games.

5. The book orders your children bring home from school.

6. Check out the discount table at Barnes and Noble.

7. My favorite stores that carry affordable, quality books are COSTCO, TJ Maxx, and Ross.

The tradition of reading books together as a family is priceless.  My husband and I have so much fun spending quality time with our children reading books.  I am not sure who likes reading together more...my husband and I or our kids.

What are some of your family's MUST READ books?

Where do you like to get books for your family?

"Scent"sational!

AHHHHHHH! Isn't is amazing how a smell can literally take you back in time or evoke a certain feeling?!?  Well, let's talk about how to get your husband to get that feeling all over again! The minute I want my husband to remember what it was like when we dated, all I have to do is pull out my coconut lime body spray and watch out - he is all over me!  {WINK}

 So if you want him to remember that first kiss, or sexy vacation, try to remember what scent you were wearing.  Something fun to try is putting your perfume on unexpected places.  The back of your neck is always good because it gets in your hair and the minute you do that girly hair twirl or flip he can catch a whiff.  Another unexpected place is the back of your knees if you are wearing a dress.  Crazy I know, but the crease of your knees creates heat and that causes your scent to rise.

One great way to connect is to go perfume and cologne shopping together.  My husband I do this almost every year at Christmas time (kind of a tradition for us).  We sit at the perfume counter at a department store and we go crazy.  We smell everything and make sure we pick out the ones that we love, but the catch is that we keep a few to choose from and we don't give away the one we love the most (on the other person) because that is the one we give each other for Christmas that year!

Luckily, I was able to round up most of the divas to collaborate with me on this post so you get to hear first hand what perfume the Divas are wearing for their men...and why! Stick around and you just might find a new scent today!  Here we go!!

My husband went on a "Guyz Weekend " trip a few years ago and returned with a present for me...Dolce & Gabbana perfume!  It's called "Light Blue" and he LOVES it...which means I try to wear it as much as possible! :)  It's very fresh smelling...not too heavy!   - Love, Tara

Below is my "secret weapon"!  We all know that we aren't smelling AMAZING every single night when we crawl into bed, right!?!  Sure, you showered that morning, but since then have been running yourself ragged!  I make sure to put on some of this lotion (PINK by Victoria's Secret -  $12) on my arms, legs, and a tiny bit on my neck before snuggling up to my man.  Ladies, it's a winner!  I'm telling ya!  - Love, Tara

I love Pure Seduction ($9.50 a steal at Victoria's Secret) because it's a softer sweeter smell...almost like my husband wants to eat me, which happens to work out wonderfully, because I can't stand perfumes that are too strong or chemical smelling, or the ones that border on masculine.  Soft and delicious all the way!  - Love, Kiirsten

                                                              

Another glimpse at that AWESOME perfume!!

I love the perfume, Ralph, by Ralph Lauren (runs $35-50).  It has a simple, yet sweet fragrance that lasts through the day.  - Love, Corie

For an everyday smell, I really like how fresh and clean Victoria's Secret's PINK "Fresh and Clean" ($12) smells.  - Love, Kristen

For date nights or whenever I am around the hubby, I ALWAYS let him pick out my perfume, since he is the one that has to like it and smell it on me. :) Plus he has great taste, so I am never disappointed.  His choice this year is Armani Code ($35-78).  - Love, Kristen

I am allergic to perfume, and used to get horrible headaches!  So now I wear body sprays and lotions. My normal day to day is MK Red Tea & Fig. The Beauty of nature. The wisdom of ancient tradition.  The power of products that can transform an everyday experience into an extraordinary one. I got it off of Mary Kay's website, but I could not have described it better myself.  The Deo body spritzer freshens and deodorizes your skin.  Red Tea & Fig cleanses with macadamia nut, raspberry seeds and kiwi seeds, lightly sweetened with fig notes.  Lastly, I love the light lotion, it is nutrient-rich mix of botanicals, emollient sunflower oil, rich in nutrients, and vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.  Needless to say I have said goodbye to my headaches and my man loves the new smell.  - Love, Charlene

I am a perfume junkie, but these are my favorites by far.  I love the Victoria's Secret line (or I am obsessed with it).  These two are just body sprays, Pink Sheer Fragrance Mist ($20) and Dream Angels, Desire Angel Mist $22), they are lighter in smell.  I will generally use these during the day because they are cheaper, but still smell scrumptious.  The only lotions that I use are from Victoria's Secret - my favorite is Love Spell.  - Love, Kari

On the higher end perfumes - these are my top favorites. Cool Water has been my fav for over a decade. What I love about it, is that it is a very clean scent and it will adapt to whatever lotion I am wearing.  It's not overbearing, but it's strong enough to have staying power.  The plus side is you can find this one cheaper at TJMaxx or even Walmart.  The Estee Lauder Pleasures Exotic is my new favorite find.  I have always loved the original pleasures scent, but the exotic is a stronger floral scent that I will wear in the evening time.  I wouldn't recommend adding this scent on top of a scented lotion - it's really a stand alone perfume.  The downside is you can't really find this anywhere for cheaper.  I paid around $78 for a 3.4 fl oz at Macy's.  -Love, Kari

I use many different perfumes and enjoy nice smells.  Brent and I always pick out new scents for each other around Christmas.  It is always fun to see what he picks out for me, as some have become my favorites, while other I only wear because he likes it.  This was the first scent he picked out for me after we got married (Marc Jacobs Daisy $32-75) and I love it.  Plus it comes with a glitter lotion that I use all the time.  My hubby knows me and I think of him everyday when I put it on.  It is one thing we enjoy doing for each other every year.  - Love, Lisa P.

Cool Water - My hubby's absolute fav!  - Love, Wendy

Refuge - Yummy and super cheap at Charlotte Russe $10!  - Love, Wendy

DKNY- Be Delicious - One of my faves!  - Love, Wendy

Versace- Another one of my hubby's favs!  - Love, Wendy

I love anything that smells like you could eat it!  So anything fruity or anything that smells like baked goods is right up my alley.  I love, love, love anything with coconut (that is my hubby's favorite)!  I also have to say try the Jessica Simpson Dessert line.  It's definitely mostly for the bedroom, but I love it!!!!!  I can't tell you enough how great it is!  What I am wearing right now is Bath and Body Works Coconut Lime Verbena, Burberry Brit perfume ( runs about $50-80), and Jessica Simpson Dessert Banana Split   -Love, Bridget

I love perfume! Unfortunately, I haven't played around a lot to really know many of them, but I do LOVE Very Sexy by Victoria's Secret.  My husband, Dom, is a big fan, especially of their more fruity smells, but I have to like it, too!  So this one we both like :)  - Love, Lisa M.

Wow!  That was a lot of fun!  I can't wait to go and try out some new things!  It is pretty clear Victoria's Secret is a fave for a LOT of the divas!  If you want to try something fun, fresh, and new head over here. If you want some Pure Seduction, and really who doesn't?  Make your way right over here.  To get "very sexy" tonight go here.  If you want to be the angel of your man's dreams look here. You can get your antioxidant fix with Red Tea and Fig if you stop over here . If you are ready for some dessert don't miss this. If you are looking for anything else we mentioned above, or you just want to browse to find your own scent, try heading this way.  Perfume is not for everybody, but hopefully we found something to help you get smelling amazing tonight!

Quick and Easy: A Couple's Journal

Whenever I find an extra second in the day, I love to jot down little or big events or experiences in a journal.  Journals are such an amazing way to keep memories alive!  I keep both a personal and family journal.  I have so much fun reading through the history of my life.  It is incredible how many little things you can forget over time.

Keeping in the spirit of journals, I wanted to start one with my spouse.  I call this type of a journal...a COUPLE'S JOURNAL.  My husband and I are both authors in this journal.  Our goal is easy...write one entry per week.  One of us simply writes a memory, something that made us smile or something we never ever want to forget.  I then pass it off to my husband.  He then adds to my writing and starts a new memory.  I get the journal back, add to his writing and start a new memory.  The journal cycle of writing continues!  It is so fun to not only remember special things, but to also understand my husband's perspective on the same event.  A couple's journal truly celebrates marriage, being together and remembering the simple things that make life great.

How to make the journal...

1. Get a composition notebook.  (Right now is the best time to get one, because they are around 25 cents with all the back to school stuff.)

2. Cover the journal with any type of scrapbook paper you may have around the house. Add ribbon or text to the front cover to give that finishing touch.

Once the journal is completed, download the couple's journal starter ideas.  I glued the starter ideas inside the front cover of my notebook.  The starter list has all sorts of topics and things to get you and your spouse writing tonight!

Download here!

This journal should cost no more than 25 cents and be ready for writing tonight!

What memories are you glad you journaled about?

This post is linked up to:
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