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Better Than Newlyweds

Where the Honeymoon never ends!

Learn to be the Master of Your Time with Jen Riday

March 20, 2017 by Mrs. Hudson

Does the day ever slip away from you? I know it does for me more often than I’d like to admit. Join me and become the master of your time with my friend, Jen Riday. She is hosting a free online workshop, How to Know What You’re Supposed to Be Doing With Your Life and Find the Time to Do It! Check it out + get access here!

Now — storytime. 🙂

Back before Jen became a women’s happiness and productivity expert she was a stay-at-home mom for about a decade.

Jen has some great stories about her high-energy kids (like when the principal called to say all 3 of her at-the-time elementary kids had been to his office in one day! Poor Jen. We’ve all been there in some way or another, though, right?)

Like most moms, Jen gave all her time to her family, trying to be the “perfect” mom. But after too many elaborate birthday parties, attempts at gourmet meals and never enough sleep, Jen felt exhausted.

She wasn’t happy.

So Jen set out to fix that. She started taking care of herself. She studied every happiness book she could get her hands on. She figured out how to do spend way less time on the everyday household tasks so she could spend way MORE time on things that actually made her happy (like learning to play the banjo at age 39… I love that!).

When her youngest and 6th child, Cora, was about 18 months old, Jen started to get these nagging feelings that there was something “more” she was meant to do with her life.

But what?

Jen tells the story of lying on her mat at the end of a great workout class, wondering and praying, “What should I do with my life now that I’m done having kids?”

She’d asked this question soooo many times before…

…but on this day she got her answer because she was quiet, relaxed and focused enough to listen and hear the answer.

“You need to become a life coach and help other women learn what you’ve learned about being a happy person.”

Sweet, huh? (And I know we all wish we could have such a clear “do this” answer, right?)

Now Jen is helping thousands of women discover how to listen to their intuition to figure out what they should be doing with their lives.

But even more importantly, Jen’s teaching women her system to create more time for pursuing their passions and living lives of meaning and purpose (It’s one thing to know you have something you were born to do, a passion you need to pursue, a gift or talent you need to share with the world…but it’s quite another thing to know where to find the time for it!)

As a mom of 6 who’s also running a business, Jen knows A LOT about time management. For example, Jen teaches women to create a Week-at-a-Glance so they know EXACTLY what’s happening all week and can get a big-picture view of their life.

She also teaches women how to do “task blocking,” which means chunking similar tasks together so you can spend WAY LESS time on your to do list and WAY MORE time on the things that are important and enjoyable (family, health, creativity, relaxation, fun…)

My favorite part: Jen figured out a system to get her husband and kids to do more around the house (without her having to nag them. For real!)

I love hearing Jen tell this story because she has such a powerful “before” and “after.”

She went from “exhausted, burnt out, do-everything-for-everyone-else mom” to “energized, happy, sharing-her-gifts-with-the-world mom.”

Who better to learn how to be the master of your time from than someone who has done it!

Now, I know some of you out there are thinking, “That’s great for Jen. But I don’t have the first clue on how to figure out my purpose, let alone find time for it!”

Well, you’re in luck. Jen is sharing all of this – for free. 🙂

Check it out:

>>> How to Know What You’re “Supposed” to Be Doing With Your Life (And Find the Time to Do It!)

In this online workshop, Jen will be sharing

  • How to declutter your schedule and make time for what matters most (learn to be the master of your time and enjoy your family, your friends, joy, and the dreams you’ve left on the back burner for years!)

  • The secret to letting go of guilt so you can actually enjoy taking time for yourself… even if you’re “crazy busy!”

  • How to spend way less time on household tasks like shopping, laundry and cleaning so you can have way more time for what you love to do (like watching an episode of “This Is Us” or enjoying a Girls’ Night Out!)

  • Why most women get stuck in mundane household routines that cause them to lose sight of passions, hobbies and date night. Instead, you’ll learn how to always focus on the big picture and your values…

  • How to get more organized and feel less overwhelmed through a proven, flexible time management system that you’ll actually STICK WITH long term (really!)

  • Getting your spouse and kids to do more at home so your household runs more smoothly and you feel more in control and way less stressed.

I’ve personally seen one of Jen’s workshops, and she really knows how to deliver. Not only does she break things down into simple, easy-to-follow steps, but she’s also highly engaging and makes the learning process fun.

If you want to become the master of your time I highly recommend signing up for Jen’s workshop here.

Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds, Marriage Monday Tagged With: family, free, kids, life

Gift Ideas for Wives by Wives | Stacy Hudson | Better Than Newlyweds

December 5, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

I asked wives what they wanted for Christmas from their husbands. The following is Gift Ideas for Wives by wives. A few of the gift ideas might repeat but I decided to leave them so that husbands would see that a lot of wives simply want time alone with the man they Love. They want to relax and reconnect and just enjoy one another.  ( I will continue to update this list as I hear back from wives! ) Affiliate links included in this post for your shopping convenience.

Here are the Gift Ideas for Wives by Wives:

DAY OFF TO HERSELF

I want a true day off. No one touches me or talks to me for one whole day.

TIME ALONE WITH HUSBAND

To be honest. I would LOVE time away with my husband. Just a weekend, just he and I. We have been married almost 7 years and never been anywhere together. And it gets so hard. I just want time with him and here lately I have been feeling very lonely. I am around my kids 24/7 so my husband and I really need that time together. Just give me a weekend with him without any distractions, no tv, phone, internet. Nothing but he and I.

Some time with my husband where we can just talk and laugh together.

A night away would be amazing, without phones or distractions. He is the go-to guy in his group of shooting enthusiast friends and they are constantly blowing up his phone with questions and pictures. I absolutely adore his passion for the sport – but sometimes mama needs some attention! A cut/color/massage gift certificate would be nice as well!

A weekend away with just my husband. To be able to shop, snuggle, and do some kind of winter activity like skiing or ice skating

I would really love a weekend away

ENJOYMENT OR HOBBY

Any kitchen gadgets (2 said A dishwasher!)

Woman of Faith Mixing Bowl

Women of Faith mixing bowl with Scripture trim; features handle and convenient pouring spout, safe for microwave, and dishwasher. Oven-safe ceramic; eight cup capacity, for batters, mixes, salads and more.

Blessed is a woman of seasoned prayer, generous spirit, and overflowing love..for she shall be called a Woman of Faith.

Around the rim with floral trim: Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.2 Timothy 2:22. Boxed.

95977: Blessed Beyond Measure, Measuring Spoon Set Blessed Beyond Measure, Measuring Spoon Set

Ceramic measuring spoons in trending bright colors add inspiration to your baking! Sentiment: You are blessed beyond measure. Measure up to 5.5″ long; includes 1 Tbsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 tsp, and 1/4 tsp.Hand wash recommended. Kitchen essential. Gift idea for the cook or baker.

Created exclusively for the Gift Collection at Christianbook.com.

We Are Blessed Rolling Pin

Ceramic rolling pin with ceramic base and wood handles. Decorative design and sentiment on the rolling pin. Unique gift for a special baker; baking essential and a kitchen accent as well. 19.5″ long; 3″ in diameter. Comes with matching 6.5″ x 2.5″ ceramic stand for display. Hand wash only. Boxed.

We are blessed by your presence, Lord, and grateful for your many gifts.

Photography gear

Uggs

Mug

343176X: Mr. & Mrs. Mug Set, Marriage Takes Three Mr. & Mrs. Mug Set, Marriage Takes Three

Apple watch

Perfume

A remote starter for our van

Ulta gift card

Boots

Kitchen stuff

He Fills My Life With Good Things (Psalm 103:5), Cotton Apron

New purse

20071XL: Wedge Shape Bible Cover, Mint Green, X-Large Wedge Shape Bible Cover, Mint Green, X-Large

Journal

228794: God Be with You, Red Journal with Charm God Be with You, Red Journal with Charm

Jewelry

Proverbs 31:30–Sterling Silver Mobius Necklace

The urban decay naked 2 pallet (make up)

Adult coloring books

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible, Hardcover

EXPERIENCES

I want him to just do the honey do list and the things I asked.

I would love a trip together as a family… Doesn’t have to be far or expensive just a nice little get away!

Tickets to a musical or something

A maid for a day!

For him to get kids ready for bed and let me wait for him in bed instead of vise versa.

Marriage counseling and a two night stay at a spa, just for me. I have PPD and a high needs child. My sanity needs a break.

He plans a date to go out to eat then get me Starbucks and then he walks around Barnes & Noble with me

Some kind of winter activity like skiing or ice skating

A day where I can ask him for anything and he wouldn’t complain he would just happily do it without question

HOME DECOR

Family pictures framed

Stone Blessings Photo Frame

Something thoughtful to celebrate our marriage

Devoted Praying Couple Figure

Throw pillows

893444: With God All Things Are Possible Pillow With God All Things Are Possible Pillow

 

OTHER GIFT IDEAS FOR WIVES BY WIVES SUGGESTIONS

I pick everything out & he gets it

I would like a mommy gift basket with slippers, some things from bath and body works, a gift card to my favorite coffee spot and some just for you (seriously don’t spend it on anyone else!!!) cash lol

I just give him a long list so he has a lot of options to choose from(I know I don’t get everything) but that way it still leaves a little surprise in it for me

I don’t want anything honestly. I find joy just in giving gifts to others and seeing their excitement. He really wants to buy me something though. Because gifts is my love language. But I’d be happier with a sincere love letter than something materialistic.

685217: Trust, Lux-Leather Notebook and Pen Trust, Lux-Leather Notebook and Pen

Handy notepad with pen in luxurious faux leather; screen printed Scripture verse, 96 lined sheets of paper. 3″ x 5″. Pocket notepad for office or home; desk, purse or briefcase.Trust design; purple.

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds, Marriage Monday Tagged With: Barnes Noble, friends, Gift Ideas for Wives, gifts for her, gifts for wives, kids, love language, wife gifts

Reviving the Intimacy in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson | Better Than Newlyweds

September 12, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

Reviving the intimacy in your marriage was probably not something you thought about when you were newlyweds. Let’s be honest, at the start of a marriage the endorphins are pumping and all is right in the world. The pressures of the outside world don’t affect a marriage as much in the beginning. Somewhere along the way things change. At some point “Look he left his socks on the floor! He is such an adorable mess!” changes to “SOCKS! on the floor! AGAIN!”.  And the same thing happens with whatever things our husbands saw as cute in the beginning.

As simple as socks on the floor may sound…this issue… compounded with other more serious issues (that arise as a marriage progresses) can affect the intimacy in a marriage. I am not just talking about sex. I am talking about every level of intimacy. The bills pile up or the kids are all sick and suddenly you realize you and your husband have not had a moment alone in weeks. You notice that you can’t even remember the last time you held his hand or even asked him how his day was. Some intimacy has slipped away.

Intimacy slips away sometimes because of things we can’t control and other times because of things we can control.

Intimacy slips away when the kids are sick or someone has to work overtime. It also slips when we choose to spend time on our phones/computers or with friends rather than our spouse. Kids getting sick or work are things we can’t usually control. How we spend our time, on the other hand, is something we can control.

It is important to establish habits, boundaries, and expectations that will revive the intimacy in your marriage.

Using a tool such as *Covenant Eyes to set up healthy boundaries and build trust is a good place to start. {*I have included my affiliate link here because I really believe you could benefit from it}

My husband and I are blessed. We both have had a tremendous example set for us by our parents who have been married over 40 years. One expectation or boundary we learned from our parents is to “never go to bed angry”. Before we got married I never thought much about this line my mom would say often. Because, after all, we didn’t fight… ever really. I know now that THAT was the all the endorphins pumping.

After we got married I realized why she said it so much. It is such a simple yet important thing for a marriage. If we had not had this expectation/boundary in place early in our marriage I know that our relationship would not be what it is now. I know that our communication and intimacy level would have suffered because of a lack of communication and intimacy when we needed it most. I am excited to share with you some more marriage insight from my amazing mom.

I remember when our kids were young they each had had activities they were involved in. I was always on the road getting them where they needed to be. They were all playing ball one summer and all on different teams. That was a busy summer. They also had piano lessons ,gymnastics, and sports during the school year. I was totally involved in keeping it all going. The kids had become the real focus of my life. I didn’t realize I had neglected my husband and our marriage.

One night my husband and I talked all night and shared our feelings. He felt neglected. I was so busy with the kids that I didn’t have any energy to put into our marriage. We needed to reconnect as husband and wife. We needed to work together to keep things on an even keel. We needed to save energy and time for our marriage. We needed to make each other a priority again. That was a turning point in our lives. We have been married 42 years in October. Our children are grown and have good lives. We have 2 grand daughters and life is good. We are very happy. I am thankful for that long night many years ago when we took time out to work on our marriage. Thank God we did.

I am thankful for that long night many years ago too. Because my parents made the choice to invest in their marriage I am reaping the benefits in my marriage. And now our daughter will reap the benefits of their choice as well. It is a powerful thing to see generation after generation not just still married after 40 years but also still in Love.

I am blessed to have an online friend across the globe in South Africa. Ailie Baumann writes at www.p3alive.com. I asked her to share about the issue of intimacy in her marriage. I am always so blessed when those who have been married longer than we have share their wisdom. The Bible does instruct us to teach young women right? I do my best to learn… and to teach…because at my age I am stuck somewhere in the middle.

“Older women likewise are to be… teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (Titus 2:3-5).

Ailie shared with me that…

“About four years ago, I was confronted with the lack of intimacy in my marriage. I saw that my husband needed encouragement and affirmation. Our middle boy was only a few months old at the time. That Christmas, God led me to a random Christian blog post that talked about an intimacy box. This lady used it more for sexual intimacy as a way to save her marriage from divorce. My marriage was far from divorce but I still felt God prompt me to create my own intimacy box for my husband as a Christmas present.

I went and got several trinkets and goodies for foot spas, massage, coffee at home and some of my hubby’s favourites. I wrote him a love letter and told him I was committing to give him 30 days of intimacy.

At first I was adamant about 30 consecutive days, hubby had other ideas. Seeing my heart and loving me for it, he told me to just give him 30 days even if they weren’t consecutive. The results were incredible. Our hearts bonded deeper with each other. I learned much about sacrificial love. After several weeks, my hubby began to reciprocate back. The result was a deeper level of intimacy and deeper friendship. It truly was a God-idea.

What an amazing thing to do for her husband. I know that at the beginning of our marriage I left more sweet notes for my husband. I know we both did more thoughtful things. It is not that we care any less about each other now… it’s just our minds are consumed with other thoughts. And even though they are good thoughts, mostly about our daughter, it affects our intimacy. I want our daughter to reap the same benefits I am because we decided to invest in our marriage. I want us to be better than when we were newlyweds. That isn’t just some cute name I came up with for my blog. It is the cry of my heart for our marriage…for every marriage.  I can leave more notes. I can make more of an effort. I think we all can. And I think it will be worth it.

Filed Under: Better Husband, Better Than Newlyweds, Better Wife, Marriage Monday Tagged With: intimacy, kids, love, marriage, Thank God

What Moms Actually Want for Mother’s Day! | Stacy Hudson | Better Than Newlyweds

April 25, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching! (Sunday, May 8) Here’s what real moms say they want for Mother’s Day from their husbands and kids this year… are you taking notes, guys? I am writing this to help out moms AND those who want to shower them with Love on Mother’s Day! I know that according to TV shows, commercials, and magazines… mom wants a HUGE bouquet of flowers and TONS of chocolate annnnd also a diamond necklace of course…. maybe even a car! They are WRONG! I am sure that mom exists somewhere… but she is not the norm. 🙂  (However, if someone wants to give me a car… I’ll take it! 😉 )

What Moms actually want for mothers day is… A BREAK!
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What Moms actually want for mother’s day is… A BREAK! We want (and I think in a lot of cases need) a chance to rest and maybe even do something we Love. We Love our kids. We Love spending time with them and teaching them. We Love watching them grow and learn new things. We Love changing their diapers… well no not really. We Love cleaning up vomit and poop… well again… no not really. The list of “no not really” things consists of all the “have to do” things that come with being a mom. Things like carting the heavy car seat to the car… inside the destination… back out to the car… and back into the house… and that’s just one trip… imagine making several stops… it is exhausting. Motherhood is exhausting. So pay close attention to the list below from moms… and give Mom a break this year! She will be blessed and so will our marriage.

“No present needed for me…I would just like to be alone in my home with no guilt or pressure to be doing anything wife or motherly. While hubby is out with the kids giving me a few hours of peace, he could be doing a little grocery shopping picking up the items needed to prepare my favorite dinner. Then he and the kids can completely prepare, cook and clean up dinner.”

“Being able to sleep in, take a shower and get ready for the day (without stopping a million times), 3 meals cooked and cleaned up, an outing that someone else has planned and packed snacks for OR a day at the spa.”

“A reservation at a hotel (doesn’t even have to be “nice”) with a tub and room service! Maybe even with girl friends! Leave the hubbys in charge!”

“Hotel stay with spouse or alone. Or just a day at home alone.”

“Just being with my husband and no pressure of “motherly” duties other then feeding my daughter and cuddling her, he does EVERYTHING else that Day.”

“Being able to plant flowers all day!”

For those moms whose children are grown… their answers were a little different:

“What I want most is to spend quality time with my sons. I love for them to attend church with me on Mother’s Day. Also enjoy going out for a nice meal with my family on Mother’s Day.”

“Time spent alone with my husband out on the motorcycle and just being out enjoying the day.”

If you know the Mom in your life is sentimental and likes to make memories and special moments… read these suggestions: 

“I just want something handmade and/or thoughtful from my kid (soon to be kids) that I can look back on in 5, 10, 20 years and remember that particular stage in their life. Some kind of keepsake.”

“We get season tickets to the water park for our family. Delivered flowers, dinner, and a gift is about the same money wise but this gift last all season! And the memories we make as a family far out weigh the “oooooh those flowers are pretty!” comments at work.”

“I get charms for my locket. Cheap. Easy. And the boys pick the charm- special to them= special to me.”

 

“The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

 

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”

 Philippians 1:2-3

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds, Marriage Monday Tagged With: kids, Mother's Day, Mother's day gift

BE FREE part 3: Trade in Your Fear for Trust | Better Than Newlyweds | Stacy Hudson

April 4, 2016 by Mrs. Hudson

Celebrating our daughter’s first birthday came quicker than I thought it would! I know I know…. it was a year on the calendar BUT it still snuck up on us! This past year, time went by slowly and quickly all at the same time.  While we were decorating for the party my mom said “just think about what you were doing this time a year ago!” and I said “naaaaah” …. See… This time last year I spent 6 uncomfortable,painful, exhausting, and honestly…. traumatizing days in the hospital. 70 hours of labor. 3 hours of pushing. I plan on sharing my birth story soon. Once I can gather the words together.

During our stay I had several… ummm…. unpleasant procedures done. Unpleasant is putting it very lightly. I won’t go into those details here… I’ll save that for my birth story post.  One of the procedures was so painful that I told all the nurses and doctors that I was not having anymore kids. The procedure was supposed to happen every 6 hours and from the moment it happened I started dreading the next time! After about 3 hours I got a new doctor (because our stay was so long we had a new one each day) and I explained to her how painful it was and how it made me not want to have anymore kids and she said “well, we can’t have that!” and she changed my orders and the procedure was not done again! I am pretty sure I said “Thank You Jesus!” when she did that!

However, that moment had planted a seed of fear. The pain from a few more procedures to come would water that seed. The coming days, weeks, and months of motherhood and all the challenges that brought would also feed the seed of fear. Motherhood was not what I had imagined. It was a shock to my system I didn’t know how to control. And the truth is I couldn’t control it but I was trying to anyways and I wore myself out.  I did not know fear had been planted until I got a text from a friend that she had had a dream that I was pregnant and was due in September! At the time that would have meant I was pregnant…. right then! The text made fear show its ugly head and I finally recognized that I was scared of being pregnant again.

The Lord used my friends dream to reveal to me that I was living in fear of one of His gifts. I did not want to fear a gift from the Lord. I wanted to be a grateful daughter. If I was pregnant I wanted to praise the Lord instead of allow the enemy to shackle me with fear. I wanted to be free enough to accept this gift if it was being given.

 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

See… since my friend shared her dream with me it made a big part of me think I was pregnant and just didn’t know it yet.  That thought made me face the possibility and I had to deal with it. I shared all of this with my Bible Study ladies when we met one week and of course they reminded me how God had already used my experiences for good. They helped me talk it out a bit… I usually don’t even know I need to “talk something out” until I go to group! (PLUG: Find a Bible Study group and start going this week! 😀 )

They also prayed for me and reminded me that God is the redeemer of all things. And that if I had been pregnant God would use it to redeem my last experience.

You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:57-58

Over the next couple of weeks God did a work in me. One of the moments where things really started to shift in my heart as well as my mind was at church one Sunday. Our Pastor’s wife was sharing and was about to pray for people with fear. She listed several things …. but the one that hit me was when she said I want to pray for “anyone with fear of a baby”… I thought to myself “what did she just say? who says that? fear… of a baby?!” BUT then it hit me that that was for me…that that was me. Sitting next to my sweet hubby holding our almost one year old baby girl I was reminded of God’s faithfulness over the last year… I wanted to trust God. So I laid down that fear in order to be able to pick up trust instead… to be free… I purposefully traded in my fear for trust. Trust that God’s timing would be best. Trust that He would always work things out for my good. Trust that He would deliver me from all my fears and be with me if I ever had to deliver a baby again.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

 

Filed Under: Better Than Newlyweds Tagged With: Bible Study, God, kids, motherhood

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Hi, I’m Stacy!

I am married to the Love of my life... my Prince. We strive daily to have a marriage better than newlyweds. We want to know each other better than when we were first wed. We want to please God by serving each other. Marriage is so important as it represents the relationship between God and His church... we must protect it and fight for ours. Read More…

Good Reads for Your Marriage:

679599: The Love Dare The Love Dare
By Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick
{These are affiliate links but I truly believe these books would add value to your marriage.}

Recent Posts

  • 5 BIBLE VERSES FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES | Stacy Hudson
  • More than a baby was delivered when I gave birth | Stacy Hudson
  • What I’ve learned Being Married to an Agnostic | Guest Blogger: Ailie Baumann
  • How to Improve Communication in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson
  • How to Put the Spark Back in Your Marriage | Stacy Hudson

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*Disclosure: On occasion, “affiliate links” may appear on this website. This means that when clicked and the item is purchased, the seller sends me an affiliate commission. This helps me keep this blog up and running. The item’s price is not affected in any way. Only items I believe my readers will enjoy are linked in this way.
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