Our Family editor, Sarah, shares a special something about her special someone this week.

I recently took an inventory in a weekend long couple's session about "Which is YOUR Love Language?" (Not familiar with The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate? Check it out).  I wasn't altogether surprised with the results – giving gifts is one of the top ways to show me love.

Does that mean I expect to see a shiny red convertible in my driveway wrapped up with a big bow? No way – and fortunately, this is something that my husband just seems to "get". Several years ago, he started a holiday tradition that has grown into one of my favorite parts of the year. In the two weeks before Christmas, he kicks off "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The twelve days leading up to Christmas, he gives me a gift each day.

These aren't extravagant gifts by any means. For example, one year on Day Eight he gave me eight cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup because he knows I like it. Other common gifts are beef jerky, gift cards to my favorite coffee place, my favorite cinnamon gum (that's usually day three because it's sold in a three pack!).

None of these things are "break the bank" kind of things – but they mean more to me than those big-ticket items because it shows me that he's paying attention. He knows that I only like white Tic Tacs and that I prefer sugar-free candy canes. He knows a gift card to Target will make me giddy, even if it's just six bucks (Hello Day Six). He knows I like funky socks and the color green.

To me, there's nothing better than to know he pays attention to me. That he knows me and loves me and understands and appreciates my quirks and my preferences. That he has created a tradition that can be difficult sometimes (I know he hates buying me soup every year!), but he knows that I appreciate it and that it makes me feel loved so he keeps on each year. That he's expanded the twelve days to shower our daughters with some pre-Christmas spirit makes me smile as well – nothing more awesome than a good dad, right?

Click HERE to hop over to the Family channel to find out how YOU can shower someone with the Twelve Days of Christmas.

I know y'all have stories to tell! Don't hold out on us. E-mail me at malia@blissfullydometic.com and wow us with tales that prove your husband rocks! Also, be sure to join us today on Twitter as we brag on our guys in a 140 characters or less. Use the #myhusbandrocks hashtag and tweet him right!

Photo Source: Fazen

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It’s not so much about the satin and lace but more about the surprise element that goes along with it. Sometimes you have to shake things up to let your husband know that you do still care what he thinks about you and that you’re willing to go that extra mile to excite him!

So what, you’ve already bought the hot baby doll chemise and matching panty set?

Well then Strip for your man!

I’m sure you’ve seen the advertisements for pole dancing classes in your area (if you haven’t then just Google it, I’m sure some will pop up).

Have you ever thought to try one out?

There seems to be this stigma tied to stripping, like it’s dirty or not something a respectable wife should be doing. But wait—for just a minute and imagine the confidence and poise a stripper must have. She’s in total control, commands all eyes to be locked on her as she slides and spins around seductively. Moving over and behind her partner demanding all his attention; all while seeming to understand his most private desires without ever speaking a word. She has no doubt in her mind that she is beautiful, sexy, and the only one he wants. She’s not worried about stretch marks or dimples because her poise confirms what he already knows….She is the best.

Don’t you want to be her? Umm, I do.

I had the chance a few weeks ago to take part in a pole dancing class at Stripper 101; located right on the Las Vegas strip. Kindra, our instructor is an actual retired exotic dancer who’s also married with children. She showed us all the basics you would expect like how to stand, move our hips and bend over without falling over in 3 inch heels!  However most of us came out with something we didn’t expect, confidence.

The classes give a feeling of self-empowerment that a regular workout class just doesn’t.  Women of all ages, shapes and sizes strutted around that pole with more confidence than most knew they had. Many of the women I spoke to had taken the class 2 or more times and couldn’t wait to return for another. The classes can be private or semi-private and no men or nudity is allowed so there really isn’t any reason not to feel comfortable. So go ahead, surprise your man with his very own private strip show and take it all off!

Have you tried a little striptease of your own? Tell us about it!

Editor's Note: Here's a previous Blissfully Domestic post about this topic: How To Perform a Striptease. It's a bit "tongue in cheek" but all the right elements are there!

T-Shirt photo courtesy of Stripper 101

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This post over at (In)courage took my breath away and made me think, first about how I respond to my husband when he compliments me and second, how simply we can bring love back into our lives, just by paying attention. For example:

Four Fixations

Four times a day think on love. When I leave the marriage bed, leave the front door, when I return to front door, return to marriage bed. These are the four critical archways of time in our day. Touch or whisper a sweet nothing when passing through these gate points, and we walk into hours of closeness. Forever love fixates like fresh love.

The entire post is pure poetry and I encourage you to read it and embrace it and learn from it.

Tomorrow, Erika will challenge us with something a bit more elaborate. It will stretch the comfort zones of many of us (including me!) but I think we can all find confidence in ourselves and a marriage that has been spiced up just by giving it a chance.

Tell us, what little thing do you do each day to keep a connection, a spark going between you and your husband?

photo credit: Clip Art from Microsoft Office Online

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As I sit here with a runny nose, runny eyes, and a dried out mouth my husband is getting the kids ready for bed. This is the third day I've been sick and the third box of tissues I've gone through. This morning I broke down and bawled, "I'm supposed to be better!" My Mr. Wonderful said, "You were feeling better last night and you over did it."

He then proceeded to take the day off of his paying job and did my job for the day. He took care of all 3 meals for all 3 children. He kept them on track with their homeschooling. He asked me what laundry needed done! Don't be too jealous; I've felt downright awful for 3 days. It's been such a relief to know that he is taking care of things and I can rest.

The love of my life even took the kids to library story time. That was huge for my man! Praise the Lord that two other fathers were there, and nothing embarrassing happened.

All four of my nearest and dearest cleaned up the toys and bought cookies, milk, and Mommy's favorite chips. Our three year old said, "Mommy, we have a good Daddy, don't we." I quickly replied, "We have the best!"

Thank you, Jendi for sharing that sweet story with us!

Does your husband rock? If you'd like to give him a Blissfully Domestic shout out, please e-mail me at malia@blissfullydometic.com. You can also join us on Twitter today as we tweet about our amazing men. Just use the hashtag, #myhusbandrocks, and join in on the conversation!

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What that ends up meaning is, your wedding photos may be in many different places and in more than one format. How do you go about getting them together into an album?

Well, the creative folks at Shutterfly have just the solution for you! Shutterfly offers photo books in several styles and sizes and prices.

• The front and back covers can have photos on them.
• You can create title pages, add captions, have different layouts for each page, choose backgrounds, fonts, colors, the works!
• You can make hard bound books or paperback styles (which make great thank you gifts for the special people in your wedding!)
• The books are priced for 20 pages but for an additional fee, you can have up to 100 pages in a book.

To give me an idea of how easy it is create a photo book, Shutterfly let me create one for free so that I could tell you about it here.

My sister got married back in August and like the scenario I mentioned earlier, her pictures are all over the place. I gathered up several of my favorites and created an album for her and my new brother-in-law.

The process is quite simple.

1. Upload your photos to Shutterfly
2. Choose the size book you want (I did an 8×11, hard cover)
3. Choose a style (I used Classic Wedding)
4. Then start adding your pictures to the pages.

There are numerous layouts to choose from and it's simply a drag and drop process to get your pictures onto the page. Some of the layout pages include areas for titles and captions but it you don't want a title or caption, leave it blank and it will not print a caption. Shutterfly will even let you know if your pictures won't print well in the size you've chosen. I had that issue with a few of my pictures and all I had to do was choose a smaller template size to make it work.

Here's a look at what I created!

This is the front cover. I chose a classic, black cover with white spine.

Speaking of spine, you can have a title printed on the spine. I think this is my favorite part!

See how the pages have different layouts? This gives you so many options for putting together an album!

I am beyond impressed with this book! It was easy to do, the end product is simply gorgeous and I can't wait to give it to newlyweds! (And if my sister happens to be reading this, you'll be getting it very soon!!)

Thank you Shutterfly!

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I'm sure most of us would agree that you should never lie about "big stuff", i.e. money, sex, issues with the children, legal matters, etc., but what about so-called "benign" lies? Statements like, "you look great!" or "your family is wonderful!" or "great job on the yard!" even if in fact those statements aren't completely true in your opinion?

An article from Women's Day Magazine, Should You Lie to Your Husband?, lists eight common "fibs" that wives tell and the benefit or damage that can come from such non-truths. For example:

Lie 6: Great job on cleaning up the yard/garage/basement.
Verdict: Benign

This is the best kind of white lie…because it “points out the positive and ignores the negative.” He spent hours in the yard, mowing, weeding, raking and edging? Fantastic! Your yard still looks less than lovely? Who cares? Something was accomplished, and highlighting what wasn’t will only guarantee that he won’t be out there next weekend to finish the job.

I see what they are getting at here, but do you actually have to lie about it? Wouldn't a simple, "Thank  you for your efforts in the yard today; I really appreciate what you do for our home!" be more prudent? If you don't think the yard looks fantastic, then why say so?

Our mothers always told us that honesty is the best policy. Sometimes it feels easier to smudge the truth to save feelings or to be tactful. I fear that "small lies", even when told with the best of intentions, open the door to dishonesty that could be harmful.

What do you think? Look at the list of lies in the article, have you ever told any of those? Is it ever OK to be even a little bit dishonest?

photo credits: discoodoni, easyrab

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Lady Jen of Joy Ever After has 13 reasons she loves being married to her husband:

1. He is the world's most handsome hunk!

2. He takes providing for his family seriously…and does it well.

3. He is a spiritual leader that helps keep me on track.

4. He loves me just the way I am…and always has.

5. He is a terrific father.

6. He has awesome good looks! (Oh, did I already say that?)

7. He is a real man of which I can be proud.

8. He treats me like his queen and appreciates what I do for him.

9. He never tells me to stop talking! (Yes, he is close to sainthood, as a matter of fact!)

10. He never forgets a special occasion and always treats them with importance.

11. He is simply gorgeous! (Oops…there it is again…can't help myself!)

12. He can cook. (Although I try not to take advantage of it, there is definitely a relief in knowing my children are getting more than Doritos and candy bars when I am in the hospital or otherwise incapacitated.)

13. I fall deeper in love with him every day!

Originally posted on Joy Ever After on June 18, 2009

It could be a list, a poem, a letter, a memory, whatever strikes your fancy. Do you have a reason to "Brag On Him"? We want to hear it! Please e-mail me at malia@blissfullydometic.com

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What are your excuses? The kids? Work? The house? Exhaustion? Headache? Americans are in the midst of a sexual famine – and Dr. Oz wants it to stop right now.

It was just about a year ago when Pastor Ed Young issued his Seven Day Sex Challenge. Now Dr. Oz (you remember him from Oprah, right?) is on the better sex life crusade. Dr. Oz's National Sex Experiment is more methodical and time consuming (90 days) but it from what I can see (the action plan is being revealed incrementally) this will be a great way to reconnect and bring some heat back into your relationship.

Even if your sex life is not in crisis, Dr. Oz's approach can be restorative for your marriage. For example,

Part 1, Step 2: Kiss and Cuddle
Set aside time to kiss and cuddle for 10 minutes, 3 times a week. No having sex during this time – it’s meant to rekindle your desire for foreplay and awaken your slumbering sexual desires.

My husband works from home and we see each other quite a bit but I've been surprised to realize that there are days when we will get several hours into the day without having kissed or even hugged. Sometimes you just have to make a conscientious effort to be intimate.

I'm looking forward to seeing what else Dr. Oz has in store for his sex experiment. I've signed up, will you?

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My husband isn't a romantic man. He is a wonderful man, but when it comes to the romance department I have come to accept the bare minimum. He buys me flowers on all the right occasions, and makes dinner reservations on those special nights such as Valentine's Day, birthdays and anniversaries, but that pretty much is the extent of it. Most of the time I think it is perfectly fine, but then I go and watch something like my favorite soap opera, or watch a romantic comedy and I am left to think, "Hey, my guy doesn't do that! Where is my night with dinner prepared by my husband, romantic music and a bed of roses?"  Then I feel jipped and take it out on my husband who doesn't even know what he did wrong!

That is where the problems occur, when we put unrealistic standards onto our significant other. We want the first kiss to be just right, and we want to be proposed to in such a way.  We as women make fantasies in our heads as to how something “should be” and when it doesn’t happen that way we feel let down. But when you make these fantasies are you thinking of who your man really is?

When I start to feel let down in the romance department I try to focus on what my husband does do, and not what he doesn’t do. Romance can be found in ways you don’t expect. Hey, why not be wacky and plan a romantic evening yourself? You may be surprised how it turns out! You get the night you always dreamed of, and your man gets a happy wife! A total win/win situation!

photo credit: Clip Art from Microsoft Office Online

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From Jessie of Vanderbilt Wife:

and from Tara of This magic moment…

Thank you for playing along ladies!!

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