… and ways to resolve them:

1. Finances. Discuss them.
   
2. Kids. Agree on how to raise them.
3. Frustrations. Express them.
4. Expectations. Make them obtainable.
5. Sex. Have it. Make it good.
6. Promises. Keep them.
7. The Past. Stop bringing it up repeatedly.
8. Respect, Consideration and Gratitude. Show it.
9. Angry Words Said. Own them. Don’t say it unless you mean it.
10. Responsibilities. Share them.
11. Ex’s. Keep them within proper boundaries.
12. Lies. Don’t tell them.
13. Secrets. Don’t create them.

I’m learning that living with a 2 year-old, a 5 year-old and a man of any age makes for some very, um “special” conversation:

1. “Why do I have to go to school again? I just went yesterday.”
2. “Stop dangling that at your brother, it’s inappropriate!”
3. “Eww, I see your booty and it’s naked!”
4. “But you can’t do work every day, Momma! That’s not fair.”
5. “When I grow up, I want a husband and a wife!”
6. “Well if you have your booty out, I have no choice but to slap it.”
7. “If it hurts for the baby to come out of her stomach, then why did she put it in there?”
8. “When I grow up, I’m going to be a doctor and look at people’s booty all day.”
9. “You’re fired.”
10. “Your booty’s fired, Mommy.”
11. “Daddy, you really shouldn’t kiss Mommy so much. That’s just gross!”
12. “I’m not going to tell you again to keep your hands out of my shirt. Next time you’re getting put on time-out.”
13. (And this knock-knock joke:)

- “Knock knock.”
- “Who’s there?”
- “Booty.”
- “Booty who?”
- “Booty booty booty booty booty! Ha ha!”

Yup, there’s a strange fascination with booty in my house. And at least one of those booty sentences wasn’t actually spoken by a child … *side eyes my husband*

Life is a riot – live it and love it!

A couple recently asked my husband and I if we could share any tips on keeping our relationship fresh and growing. Here’s the answer!

1. Keep talking. Communicate about everything. Your feelings, movies, your dreams, your hobbies, your fears, your day, your past. Stay updated and keep learning something new about each other.
2. Find common interests. As the years go by, you may find that your tastes and interests grow dissimilar. Discover things that you both can enjoy, be it a TV show, a book, a video game, a dance class.
3. Try to change together. For instance, does one of you want to eat better and drop some weight? Make it a goal for you both to adapt healthier habits.
4. Be creatively naughty together. Who better to share – and perhaps try out – all of your wildest fantasies with than your other half? Share fantasies with each other. Watch them, discuss them, try them.
5. Visit someplace new together. See something new together. See each other in a different setting.
6. Never stop wooing. Each other, I mean! Keep going on dates. Come home with flowers, candy. Have candlelight dinners even when it’s not Valentine’s Day or your Anniversary.
7. Do projects together. Be it growing a garden or starting a side business.
8. Say what’s on your mind. Even if it is very profound. Even it is shockingly naughty.
9. Be spontaneous. Every once in a while, wear something surprising to bed, or show up at their office to take them out for lunch.
10. Take time off to just be with each other. Life seems to always be yelling “go-go-go!” Try to make some time for you two to do nothing but just be together.
11. Make each other laugh. It’s hard not to love someone who keeps a smile on your face.
12. Keep yourself fresh and growing. Take care of yourself. Learn something new, change up your hair, buy a new style of clothing. If you remain interesting and evolving then not only might your spouse notice and appreciate it, they may be motivated to do the same.
13. Be best friends. You never get bored with your best buddy, right? Work to ensure that your spouse is your very best friend, and your relationship will never grow dull.