Marriage Retreat

Once again we are going on a marriage retreat! We like going on these. Even after nearly 15 years marriage we still learn things about each other or come to an understanding of why we sometimes do things. Our first one we got to go to a little town German, the second was Myrtle Beach and this time we're going to Breckenridge, CO. Our Chaplains put these together for military members. Some have a target group, some don't. The trip for us is paid for with funds that the Chaplains have. It's part of the services that provide. You can check with you're local church or community groups to see if they're offered. For the ones we've been on and this one some of the meals are provided and some you have to get on you're own (usually lunches). Childcare is provided during the conferences. Some have conferences that go for a few hours and give you a breaks in between for free time, others have one long conference then get done early in the day so you can have some free time. Each one that we've been to has had a different theme or lesson going on. We've really enjoyed them. For us the cost is minimal but the benefits are great. Check one out in you're area.

I know that there's some connotation to marriage retreats, thanks in part to movies. But the reality is that it's far from what the movies tend to portray. There's always the newly weds which you can pick out as soon as you see them. Holding hands, their sides always touching, kissing when they think no one's looking. There's the one's who've been married for 25 or more years. He gets her coffee and doesn't bother asking if she even wants it or what to put in it, brings it to her and gently touches her back as he sits beside her. There's the couple who've been married for a few years and have their first little one. Their both laying with their heads on their arms trying to catch those extra few minutes of sleep that is sorely needed, until they hear the little one in the next room cry and they both jump up before they remember she/he's already being cared for. Then there's the couple like us. He still asks what she wants to drink, and you can see it on her face, "You would think he'd be able to remember." She ends up getting it because it's easier, and gets his. They'll hold hands or touch each others elbows together. But all in all it makes a great group. At first no one wants to share and by the end every one's laughing because of a story one person's told. New friendships are made and you always find something to take back with you. My advise is that everyone should try it at least once and see how they like it.

Another one pot meal.

This one is super easy. Get a bag of frozen vegetable (or fresh in the summer) and a can of tomato juice (I prefer getting the generic V8). Put both into a pot and warm to you're preferred temperature. In the summer we'll bring this up to a boil really fast so the vegetables cook then put it in the refrigerator to cool for a nice cold soup on hot days.
Super easy, and can be really inexpensive, our girls like making this cause they can make it on their own (with mom or dad standing nearby for the stove) . Then do the same as with the potato soup I listed earlier. Warm it up and have fun. Different things can spice it up for those with different tastes. Chili powder for one, cheese for another, bacon bits and sour cream, or something as simple as a little salt and pepper (my preference). Grill some cheese sandwiches put the soup in coffee cups and add a board game for a night to remember. Have left over chicken throw it in. Use this as a base and let your families taste buds rule the night.