Great Dates Globe

There are so many different relationships happening in this movie. Enjoy the film and then discuss the following: è “I am no mechanic, but I think it is something to do with brakes”. The family enters Europe (France) and the brakes go out on their van. The rest of the family is getting frustrated and worried about things, while the father remains calm and has hope that they will find a place that will suit them. What kind of calm can be in your marriage and family if you remain calm in uncertain times? è “…I think my family believes they died in the accident and now we are in heaven”. The family is very grateful to Marguerite for helping them, but especially for such delicious food. Do you show gratitude for the things that others do for you, even if it has become “expected” that they will do these things? How does gratitude change the atmosphere of your marriage? è “Asking for a discount does not mean I am poor, it means I am thrifty.” What are some characteristics o...

Date night! Sometimes it is just tough to get out and do something. Time to cozy up and watch Marley & Me together. Use these questions to spark great conversation that can lead to better connection and the spark you need to re-implement good practices into your marriage. New Love è Scene 1: After marrying, John and Jenny moved to Florida. They are very lovey as they pursue their careers. “Who are you?   You are John Freakin’ Grogan, who is about to get a job…” In what ways can you keep the love alive in your marriage? è How can you keep friendship in your marriage, even when struggles come? è Scene 31: When burying Marley, Jenny puts her “start of the family” necklace that Marley once ate. She expresses publicly (in front of the children) that the family had already begun, when she got the necklace (Marley was part of the family). What are some of your favorite memories from the beginning of your relationship/marriage? How can you make your spouse feel rare an...

My husband LOVES when I just want to watch him "in the zone" of his hobbies. He finds it very attractive. A perfect date to him would be where I went outside to where he has all of his "toys" and watched him "tinker" with his tools. He would build a new contraption by cutting and welding metals together and I would look very quizzical. Explaining how or why he is doing something or how something works is also something he loves. I love watching him in his element, too. Another great part to this kind of date is when I might try my hand at these things he is expertly inclined for. One night a couple weeks ago, after the kids were in bed, I joined him in the yard as he was finishing up a trailer he was building. I grabbed his second welding hood and was handed his square pad to kneel on so that I could get up close and watch his welding techniques. I had my knees in about the center of this smooth, leather pad. When the sparks started flying, I started sc...

At Old Dominion Mine Park you can find a Disc Golf course right across from the Playground. Make use of this great space and throw some Frisbees!  Just try not to send them soaring to the  highway below! Marriage Reconnect A great way to strengthen any relationship is to learn something together. If you can throw a Frisbee, or even if you can't (your spouse can teach you!) Check out some details on how to play Disc Golf.   A simple tutorial on the different discs used in the sport Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to chat with each other about anything. Dates are about making connections and when married it is often about reconnecting. Enjoy this laid back time to share things that have been going on in your lives. 

It all started with mining and it really is still all about mining. Head to the Historic Old Dominion Mine Park to get some fresh air and take a self-guided tour of old mine property. Go hand in hand on this date and enjoy the view off the side of the hill. Seeing the pictures on the information boards throughout the park really made me think about what life was like back in the Old West. Standing on the very ground where work was bustling and being able to see and touch a lot of the actual equipment that was used for years. Marriage Reconnect After you do all the exploring and learning about mining and the old Globe life, change focus to your own work life. Are you on track to where you want to be?  Talk about the dreams and goals you both have and look back on how far you have come while married. Times when we have discussed how we got to where we are, we have been humbled and also seen how our relationship has developed along the way. Day in and day out work i...

Meal Planning. This is a popular subject recently, but can really add a sense of simplicity to the monotony of food 3-4 times a day. As part of your home date night whip out some recipe books or search Pinterest. Make a plan for dinners for the next week. This will benefit both of you as it will alleviate stress throughout the week. As a wife and mother I know that it can be so hard to choose the menu every single day; having input is GREAT. When I get input from my husband he appreciates having a few of his own choices on the menu. Win, win! Marriage Reconnect Have you explored your hometown with your spouse? This is especially fun if you are from different places. I have loved the opportunities I have had to take my husband around my old stomping grounds and love seeing the places he liked to hangout or hear about the things he did with his buddies. As you learn about the middle school or high school version of your spouse it could be fun to talk about whether or not you wou...

I feel like I can hardly remember my wedding day. There was so much excitement, but also so many places to be...it went by fast. I am so grateful to have pictures from that day. Cuddle up on the couch for date night and pull out your wedding album...or the file on your computer... (guilty of not really having any printed yet...almost 5 years later) and reminisce on that day. Tell each other the different thoughts and feelings you remember or things that people said to you on that day. Marriage Reconnect Reminiscing on your wedding day is sure to bring back all the wonderful feelings of fresh love. Resolve to be a little more loving to your spouse. Think of them first---when you get up in the morning, what can you do to serve them and show them love?

Seriously though, if you are an ice cream fan or human you probably love homemade ice cream. I am pretty much ice cream's biggest fan and my husband really enjoys eating ice cream with me. We have some great late night conversations over ice cream. If you are running short on time or energy for a date night, homemade ice cream and chatting on the porch is a fantastic idea. You can get creative with your add-in's if you'd like. Create your own peanut butter and chocolate ice cream or strawberry...really you could think of SO many options. Marriage Reconnect A great discussion to have while you are relaxing together is about hot topics or things that tend to bring up the stress between the two of you. I don't mean discuss these things for date night, but rather make a plan for when these topics can and should be brought up. I have this nasty habit of throwing a pie in my husband's face the second he walks in the door after work (figuratively).  Though I know...

Surely you have lines from your favorite movies down by heart. My husband will attest to me quoting Finding Nemo at very least weekly since he has known me. Not to say that is my all time favorite movie, but scenes and words sometimes really stick with us. Have you ever thought of getting into acting? Tonight is your night to practice...both of you.  This is sure to bring out some laughs and smiles. Life sometimes becomes so serious and it is hard to find the time or even know how to break loose with each other. You could even do this at the park at dusk...que dramatic lighting. If you need to, print off some lines or refresh your memory by watching some clips of your favorite scenes. Record each other as you act out these parts. Be dramatic! 1.       “….such playfulness is extremely good for relationships. What does it require? A willingness to turn toward another’s sense of silliness, give oneself over to the moment, and have a little bit...

Massage night! Who doesn't love getting a massage? OK, so I guess some people don't, but I am almost positive you or your spouse does...so just enjoy each other's company and help relieve the tension build up in their back, shoulders, face or any place they need massaging. Marriage Reconnect Podcasts are a big thing these days. Most people are tuning in to some kind of podcast or listening to audio books. Tonight try a direct focus on marriage. Linked here are some great options for marriage podcasts. Choose one that sounds interesting and listen together. You will be able to have a great conversation from what you learn together.

Got gardening on the brain? Ever dabbled in gardening? In college my husband and I took a home gardening course together and really enjoyed the content. The most important thing I learned was that no matter where you live, how small your living quarters are, you can find a way to garden. There are so many great ideas online since the whole tiny living movement. You can garden in old soda bottles, cups, and more. When we were first married we got permission from our landlord to tear out some ugly bushes from a planter under our window and use the space for a garden. To maximize my gardening area I also planted tomato plants in some buckets that I bought for $1 at the Walmart bakery (they were old frosting buckets). (My first home garden! I think I need to take my advice on this date idea and get my garden going with my husband!) Marriage Reconnect  Put your heads together and decide on a gardening project, be it big or small, and get to it! Gardening is known to be very...

This is a pretty simple date and though it is a well known couple or group activity, I have found that my husband and I rarely use it as a go to. Surely you have a game or two in the closet. In our house, we each have our favorite game and it is so fun when we pull out the games to find out who is going to win, even at the game that I claim to not understand! 😜 Go all out with popcorn, pop, and favorite snacks. Even better, invest in a game that you have heard all about, but haven't yet played. My all time favorite two player game is Rubik's race. It is pretty much finishing one side of a rubik's cube, but two dimensional. It's the BEST. It isn't really my husband's cup of tea...because I slaughter him. He prefers Settler's of Catan, so when we do pull out the games we typically play both. Marriage Reconnect Whatever type of game you choose, even if it be a simple card game...enjoy the competition. Fun competition like playing games can be so f...

This date could be pretty fun! It's time to get creative with the camera and with recognizing what you wouldn't regularly recognize or pay attention to.  Together you will work on a scavenger hunt for any and all reflections of yourself. Reflections in windows, on the side of a shiny car, in water, and what else? Snap pictures of the reflections you find. Reflections are everywhere. Get creative and be outgoing and adventurous with this. Laugh and talk with your best friend. So, where am I going with this? Work together to reflect on the best dates and times you have had together while married and before you were married. Are there things that you used to love doing as a couple and need to start up again? Is there something you should do so that you can reflect back on it in the future? Think of the memories you have made and resolve to make new memories. Maybe even start a list! This is a great morning date and then you could go grab some breakfast burros from your favo...

Swimming can be some of the best summer fun in Arizona. Leave the kids behind with friends or a babysitter and head to the local pool as a couple. When married and as parents it can be hard to relax when around water, so here's a chance to just have fun. Have swim competitions, coolest jump off the diving board, really anything you can think of. The Miami Hostetler Pool is a great place to get in some swim time and enjoy the sun! When you are all done with the fun in the sun, go right down the street to Soda Pops for some ice cream and old fashioned soda! Marriage Reconnect Do you see your spouse as a safe place? Can you talk to them about things that worry you and bother you? Open up and be in a judgement free zone. It is such a great thing to be able to be completely vulnerable within marriage. Lift each other up and encourage. Just listen and only offer advice if it is asked for. 

Have you ever lived somewhere that had plenty of activities available to you and yet you just never got around to participating, life got in the way and then you moved and realized you never experienced what was right in front of you? Living in Globe, there are so many different outdoor activities that can be reached for a day trip. Roosevelt Lake is close enough that you can have great day trips. Use what equipment you have, can borrow, or purchase such as paddle boards, kayaks, boats, and more. Head out for a day at the lake. It's great to be able to take a day and live in vacation mode with the spouse. Enjoy the sunshine, water, and whatever activity you choose. Check out the Forest Service website for needed  Passes  and additional information you may need for these outings.

Fancy dates are a great way to get out and see each other in a different setting. Your spouse is the person you should want to look your best for; their opinion counts the most. Get ready and go out to the Apache Gold Casino for date night.  A steakhouse is a great choice for date night--a hearty meal and great time for conversation. Marriage Reconnect Time to get to know your spouse even more! Take time to think up things  your spouse may not know about you and play 2 truths and a lie together. It is interesting how even 5 years with my husband; there are things that come up often that I must not have told him about myself, he forgot, or that just seem to be a mystery. Have a fun filled night without the regular, day to day worries!

Have you ever caught crawdads? Look it up and decide on a method of how you want to go about getting them. You are going to want to be able to catch enough to have a little fry and enjoy them! Head out to Roosevelt Lake and hangout while trying to catch crawdads. One hot summer night we were out there wading only about knee deep, but had a great time catching them by hand....I may or may not have just observed the whole "catching" part.  😆 Marriage Reconnect It's so cool that there is a lake close where you can enjoy different types of recreation. Get out at night and enjoy looking up at the stars. Remember to live in the moment. This is something that is hard to do with the day in and day out monotonousness of life, but it is probably something that you and your spouse enjoyed doing when you were first together.

Taking the guns out to sight in or just to work on your aim is a great date for you and your spouse. Get another couple to double with you for this one and get on teams. It could be girls against boys or team up with your honey. This is one of those activities that is just about getting out, doing something different, and having opportunities to talk and laugh!  It is what you make of it!

Photography is a big deal these days. There are so many professional photographers; a lot of them just put in time and effort into practicing to be able to do what they do. Today/tonight, be the photographers and be the models. Go around town or wherever you think would be a great back drop and photograph your spouse. Work on your skills and enjoy getting your spouse to smile or getting a moody shot of them. Marriage Reconnect Are there any places in town that are special for the two of you, or either one of you? See if you can get a picture of yourself in front of the first place you lived in Globe, a shot in front of your current home, your favorite store, or even something funny. Here is a 'model' picture of me by the car that we had when we were first married.  Behind is our first apartment. I was pretending to be a car model as we took  pictures of it so we could sell it.

Camp or hike and enjoy some mountain air! Take a little couples retreat out of the heat. How awesome would it be to take your honey up into the pines for a relaxing getaway? There is a great hike up to the electrical towers with great views. Pioneer Pass is a great camping area nestled right into the shady pines. Marriage Reconnect Camping and/or hiking often takes us back to the basics.  "Many  things  are good, many are important, but only a  few  are  essential ."—D. Todd Christofferson.  What are essential ingredients to making your marriage last and making your marriage full of love?  If you choose for this date to be a camp out, enjoy sitting up late around the campfire with your spouse. Spend this time with your spouse..time is essential.