20 ways to make your good marriage GGGGRRRREAT!!! (Thanks Rei)

1. A weekly planning meeting- to discuss the calendar, talk over needs and problems, decide priorities and next steps.
2. A daily phone call or personal conversation- to say I love you, touch bases, show you care.
3. A weekly date- to a favorite park, the gym, the library.
4. Patience regardless- of missed meals, tardiness, forgotten favors, a thoughtless remark, impatience.
5. Daily service-helping with house or yard work,mending a piece of clothing, taking a turn with the baby, fixing a favorite meal.
6. A budget- to tie down income and expenses, help set financial goals, and give you control over your finances.
7. Listening- not only to what is said, but also what is meant.
8. Working together- scrubbing floors, painting a bedroom, caring for a garden, washing a car.
9. Forgiving each other- always learning from each other, trying a different way, being the first to make peace.
10. Courtesies- like saying please and thank you, not interrupting or belittling, not doing all the talking, continuing the niceties of courtship.
11. Soft and kind words- of tenderness, compassion, empathy.
12. Learning together by- reading to each other, discussing ideas, taking a class.
13. Respecting- opinions, ideas, privacy.
14. Caring for your spouse's family- enjoying their company, serving them, overlooking differences.
15. Occasional gifts- such as a note, a needed item, but mostly gifts of time and self.

16. Night and morning prayer- to say thanks, to ask for help in your marriage and family, to worship together.
17. Regular attendance- at church and when possible to the temple.
18. Daily scripture reading-to learn the gospel, to recieve inspiration for yourself and for your marriage.
19. Supporting your spouse- in church callings, and righteous goals.
20. Loving with all your heart- "thou shalt love thy wife [thy husband] with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her [him] and noone else." (D&C 42:22)

YAY MARRIED LIFE!!!!

So Doug and I've been married for 1 month and 11 days! WOWZERS! It's crazy how much times flies when you are having fun! We are so happy and excited for life! I just want everybody to know that marriage is wonderful! It seems like a scary and far out thing for some people, but it is what life is all about. It's all about coming home to the same person each night and telling them how much you love them. It's about learning and building families and kingdoms! It's about service and joy. So those of you who are scared, uncertain, or don't want too, DON'T BE!! It's worth every step of the way! That's why families are the base of our existence!