Husband Appreciation Day

Today is Husband Appreciation Day. I'm glad there is a day set aside for husbands.

I am not talking about those terrible abusive husbands. I have been there and if you have one of those, get out while you can. Seriously.

In today's world, I do not think husbands are getting enough appreciation. Husbands are more disrespected than ever. I see a lot of wives take for granted what the husbands do as if "that's what they are suppose to do". You see it in public. You see it on the news and you can see it in every sitcom on TV. The women seem to make all the rules and drag the husband roles to pity. They make husbands look dumb and try to glamorize women that are bossy and demanding. Women's heads are getting filled with the idea they do not even need a man anymore. When did this start happening? I don't know what I would do without mine.

If you have a husband that loves the Lord, helps make a home and makes sure you (and your children) have a roof over your head and food on the table, he needs to be appreciated. If he is unable to do any of those things yet is faithful to you and loves you, he needs to be appreciated. NEVER insult your husband or disrespect him, especially around the children or in public.

I grew up believing the man is meant to lead the home. Head of the household. Now I know that jobs, chores, money and time now days take both husband and wife equally, so call me old fashioned, but I think the man is the superior. Husbands also should respect their wives, I know that, but today is about husband appreciation.

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” 

Proverbs 31:11

I appreciate my Husband so much. He is always there for me. He takes care of me. I trust him. He is smart and knows a lot more than I do. I still get butterflies when I look into his eyes. I love going to bed with him each night and waking up to him each morning.
He lets me make my own decisions and is always there to back me. He is always there supporting me while I do my silly little things and try new ideas. Except for painting the kitchen. He will not let me do that but that's ok. I respect his decision. I am not one of those women who say "I don't care if you like it or not, I'm doing it anyway". Any big decisions are discussed and only played out if we both agree.

My husband makes sure I have things I want and always the things I need. He will have my lunch and snacks packed each day, makes my coffee each morning and makes sure my car is running before I head off to work. He watches as I pull away and is happy to see me when I get home. Sometimes he will walk around my car to make sure I didn't hit any nails in the road and reminds me when its time for an oil change. He worries about my safety and makes sure I am always protected weather it's with security when hes with me, or how my car is functioning when I'm out driving . He takes care of me and my daughter.

Are you married? If so, here are a few things to show your husband how much you appreciate him.

• Forget about what's made you mad and find good things about your husband.
• Never put him down to your friends or family. 
• Look at him in the eyes when he talks. 
• Listen to him.
• Compliment him.
• Do not interrupt him when he is talking.
• Let him know how much you love him.
• Tell him how thankful you are to have him.
• Thank him for loving you.
• Always give hugs and kisses.
• Pray with him.
• and Pray for him.  

Today and always, I hope you let your husband know how much he is appreciated. Make him feel good and feel important. A man needs to know you look up to him. If you do this, you may even find him doing the dishes or laundry later.

“The head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 

1 Corinthians 11:3

Loofah Garden

I mentioned earlier in the year that I was wanting to start a loofah garden. 

A loofah is a natural sponge grown on a vine. They have the shape of a cucumber but are in the gourd family and grow really large. In order to grow these things, it requires a trellis for them to climb. In the Fall they will dry out and then you peel the skin to find a nice natural sponge inside. I'm pretty excited.

I ordered some seeds from a garden in the mountains of North Carolina. I had read where it takes a while for the seeds to sprout. I started them in February and they sprouted in just two weeks!

Afraid they would die before I could plant them, I started some more seeds in March. They have already started climbing the windows and are begging to be planted. I can hardly wait to get them outside.

I came home from work the other day and my sweet husband had built me a frame and trellis. He did a really good job. The next day he had me some fresh dirt. After our afternoon walk, I could not wait any longer so we put on our garden gloves, poured the dirt and planted the tiny plants. Now my loofahs are ready to grow. 

I contacted the nursery where I purchased the seeds and she said one plant will get big and will produce lots of loofahs. She said each plant will give me 10 to 12 loofahs, so only 3 or 4 plants is all I need. I hope this works. I have never had any luck growing things. I’m actually thinking about taking up two of them. I am just waiting to see if they thrive without being eaten by squirrels, bunnies and birds. 

I added some string to train them to grow up the trellis. They started grabbing hold within 15 minutes of planting them. 

Now we wait. I hope they do not get shocked from being transplanted outside.

Loofah plants will produce large yellow flowers before the loofah gourd begins. These flowers will attract lots of bumble bees, butterflies and humming birds. The plants will need them for pollination.
I will keep you updated on the progress. This is going to be fun.