Dates Across the Big Pond

If you have read any of my other posts, you know that my husband travels a lot! So, when he is gone, I try to be creative on ways to keep in touch.

I love the Instagram App/Social Media. I decided to do something fun with it for Matthew on one of his long trips last fall since he uses it as well.  For those who aren't familiar with Instagram, it is a way to connect with friends and family through pictures.  You post a picture and then tell about it and share it.  I love to take photos of all kinds of things.  If you want to follow me, you can request to and you can find me under tracysdavison.

So this is my first pic which I typed in notes on my phone and then screenshotted it so I could post it on Instagram:

Lots of my friends got a kick out of the G rated disclaimer.

 

Here are my other days in order with the caption I put with them:

Day 1: I miss drinking an evening cup of coffee with you.

 

Day 2: I miss sitting in front of our electric heater with you on this cold day.

 

Day 3: I miss cooking with you.

 

Day 4: I miss walking downtown with you.

Day 5: I miss spending time with you and these people!

Day 6: I miss having you beside me while we hear about what God is doing through Gena in Scotland.

Day 7: I miss tucking these two in with you.

Day 8: I miss snuggling up to you in bed and watching Downton Abbey.

 

Just because we aren't in the same town, or even the same country, it doesn't mean that we can't have dates!  I love doing these cute things for Matthew, and I hope to share more ideas with you in the future that will help those who have a spouse who travels.



Lunch Date to eat Sushi

First, I have to say that I can't believe it has been so long since my last post!  I have so many dates and family activities to post about! Yikes!  Don't think for a moment that our dates have stopped since I have posted.  Oh no! We have done so much this year.  Some more expensive than others, but I will post them all!

So, todays Hunsband and Wife date is an easy one for many of you.  Matthew and I love Sushi, but the girls aren't too fond of it.  So we like to take our lunch at the same time and go eat sushi.

 

We have actually done this several times this year.  It will always be a favorite date.  Plus, since our girls are in school, we don't have to get child care!

 

Speaking of the girls, they don't have to know, but once we finished the date by going to the new bakery in town and getting cupcakes! Shhh!

 

Sometimes you need a break from work to spend with your husband or wife.  I love my job, but getting to break up the time with seeing my hubbie is awesome!  Where is your favorite place to eat out?  Is it close enough to go during lunch?  If not, maybe somewhere close by may make a better option.  No where close or no money?  Pack a special lunch and meet at one of your work places to eat together.  Not close enough to have lunch together?  Make a phone call to each other?  Don't have lunch at same time?  I have no idea, but maybe there is another option.  Don't ever give up on trying to make time for each other!

A Late Night in Home Date

I really like to look for ways to have spontaneous dates because sometimes those are easier for Matthew and I, but that can be hard as well because then you are trying to find a sitter last minute if you have children like us.  So, around 3 pm one day, I thought, "I had a great night sleep last night, and I'm feeling tired now.  We could have a date tonight!"  One problem, the girls and it was a school night.  So, I started trying to think of something for us to do.

I decided to text Matthew so that I could get his suspense up.  I asked him if he was up for a late night date.  He said that a date would be great, but asked about the girls.

My plan: once girls went to bed, we snuggle on the couch and watch a movie on Netflix.  I let him choose the movie.  He chose "The King's Speech."  I usually don't watch rated R movies, but this one is one worth watching if you like history.  It is based on the true story of King George VI of England.

Make this night special:
1.  Give your husband just a little bit of info so he will be prepared to stay up late if he is normally an early bird, or to finish things up by the time the kids go to bed if he does work at night at home.  2.  Rent a movie if you don't have Netflix.  3.  Let him choose the movie so that you are showing interest in something he likes (and don't complain about it!).  4.  Plan to have favorite movie snacks.

We really enjoyed our night, but this time, I don't pics!!  Who wants to see us sitting on the couch watching a movie?  Anyhow, I pray that you and your husband have many great dates that allow you to spend time together.

Charitable Event...Oh So Much FUN!

Matthew and I have a Charity in our town that is dear to our hearts.  As a pastor, Matthew was able to help to create The New Life Center in Bardstown.  The NLC is a family support center, where women can take free pregnancy tests and get guidance in how to raise a baby from conception to childhood.  They also counsel men and women who have been court ordered to take parenting classes.  Check out their website for more information (I have it linked above).  They also have a Facebook page.

The great thing about this organization, and many other non-profit organizations, is that they hold fundraiser events each year.  The NLC has a wonderful Chocolate Extravaganza!  Matthew and I used this event as a date night (we have for the past 3 years!).  At the Chocolate Extravaganza, people or restaurants provide samples of a chocolate dish, and for $20 a person, you can enjoy a buffet of these chocolates!  What girl would say no to something like this?!?

Also, they had a chocolate fountain in which you could dip fruit and marshmallows and other items.

This is a friend of ours.  (Sorry, Daniel!)

This year, they added a S'Mores Bar!  They had open flames where you could roast your marshmallow then add your graham cracker and chocolate or other toppings.

There was also a Silent Auction with over 30 items!

And they had a Photo Booth set up for people to use props to have their pictures taken together.

This date did cost us a little more than usual, but not much more than a dinner and any other form of entertainment.  We also had to pay for childcare, but it was so worth it!!!

Tips from this date:  1.  If there is a local non-profit organization near you that is dear to your heart, check and see if they have an annual fundraising event.  2.  Be willing to spend a little more when your date is for a good cause.  3.  Have fun with friends, we some many friends that also enjoyed the night.  I even got to take a Photo Booth pic with my Mum-in-Law.

Here is one last picture from the night.  A friend won Easter hats for the girls in the Silent Auction.  Matthew and I decided to model them.

Enjoy many great dates with your family!  Comment if you have a great charitable date night to share.

Mid-Afternoon Free Date

I work until noon on Fridays.  The girls don't have to be picked up from school until 3:15.  I don't know why we have never taken advantage of this time before!  I guess when you are writing a blog about dating, you start looking for those times.

Matthew and I love to take walks.  We like them for exercise and for talking. So, on a Friday, Matthew asked me what I was doing.  I had stayed to work a little late, and it was almost 1:30.  I said that I was heading home ( I work about 30 minutes from my home).  He asked what we could do (so actually, he initiated this one).  He told me to meet him downtown.  We have a gorgeous downtown.  So, we met at the public parking lot, and went for a walk until time for me to pick up the girls from school.

The best thing about this date, oh wow, there are several!!!  1. He initiated it.  2. We got exercise.  3.  We got to share about our days without interruptions.  4. It was FREE.  5. We didn't have to get a sitter.

Enjoy these little moments with your spouse!  You need time together without the children.

By the way, Bardstown was voted Most Beautiful Small Town in America in 2012!  Check us out!!

Family Date Go Wrong?

Matthew had just flown in from being gone to Scotland for a week.  His flight was supposed to arrive around 6 pm on Friday, but after many delays and having to be rerouted many times over due to snow,he arrived home around midnight the same day!  So, we kept Saturday open for a Family Date.  We went to a park to spend time together since it was actually in the 60s in February.  We also thought that our beloved Archie should go with us as well.  He is our 4 year old Yorkie, and he is the one that made this Family Date turn sour....or did he?

We got to the park and there were signs that said to keep on leashes.  Check!  So, we parked and started to walk to the playground, but all the signs going towards it said, "Keep Dogs Off Grass." Now that we are here, out of the car, and walked a ways, we can't take the dog any further.  We didn't want to have to load up to try to find a different park.  So, we decided that Matthew would take the girls to the playground, and I would walk Archie.

So did this Family Date go Wrong?  Was this date a success even though we weren't together?  I think, YES!  The girls got to spend some serious play time with their daddy, and I got to get fresh air and exercise a little after being sick for 3 days.

Anytime the family takes time to be together, it is a successful date.  My tip from this date (oh, and I actually have several): 1. Check local parks rules if you want to take your dog. 2. Be flexible if something doesn't turn out as you planned. 3. Take the time to take pics! 4. Include the pets if they are family and can go with you. 5. Enjoy the time!!!

Here are the pics that Matthew and the girls took.

Just Hanging Around

Hang On

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Getting Grown too Fast

Another One Getting too Big

I love this one!!!

My Boy and Me (After walking a little over a mile, he was worn out.)

Why I am Writing this Blog

I decided to start this blog because I was looking for creative ideas for a date night with my husband, and I couldn't find anything!!!  I couldn't believe that women weren't writing about what they do with their husbands.  I know several women who plan special events for their husbands, and I thought maybe I should ask some of them to help me come up with a blog of ideas for dates with our husbands, and we may add in some family dates as well (Actually my first post is a family date.).

I believe as a Christian, I should be helping my marriage and family by planning dates for us that helps us to put the rest of the world aside and to focus on each other.  Before marriage, men are usually the ones that plan the dates and take us women on them, but after marriage, something happens.  The dates stop.  That is when I think that it is important for us as women to pick up the dating.  We need to sit down with our husband and decide how often we need to have a date, and then sit aside the days.  Some couples can have a date a week, others once or twice a month.  It will vary depending on your family.  Then as the wife, plan the date: plan a babysitter, the place, the time, etc.

I hope that some of the dates that my friends and I provide will help women to plan dates for their husbands and their families.