Here's what Britni, a newlywed herself, said after receiving her copy of "Our First Year" ~

"I received the Our First Year Cookbook as a gift from my mom and absolutely LOVE it! My husband and I just celebrated our 1 year anniversary in May and this is the perfect cookbook for newlyweds, couples or young adults. I especially love all of the little tidbits of information inside such as party planning ideas, cooking tips and gift ideas."

Written by Jaclyn Douma who married her husband, Jeff, in September, 2007. Awwww....look how cute they are!! Jaclyn chronicles her life as a newlywed learning to cook for two at Sugar N Spice Life.

♥Here's how you can win your FREE copy♥

Leave a comment (if you are not registered on SheJustGotMarried then include your email address)

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*Drawing will be on August 5th*

I had just come home from grocery shopping and like any usual day my husband was still working at his desk {aka: our kitchen table :) } However, in a matter of minutes, passionate love started to blossom... right there in the middle of the day!

My husband had managed to turn routine into romance! Normal into notable! And the everyday into exciting!

All it took was a few minutes, some post-it notes, and a whole lot of thoughtfulness. In different places around the house he had placed little love notes for me to find!

I opened my computer soon after I got home and smiled,  

                I LOVE YOU... you alone.

As I was putting groceries in the cupboard, I saw this one hanging up,

                Thank you for being the BEST wife in the world!

Later, I went to finish the laundry and on top of the washing machine I read,

                Thank you for taking care of me!

I thought to myself, "It's really all worth it!" You see, even after a year of marriage, the fluttery feelings about being a wife are already waning. All too often I feel like I am lacking a worthy purpose in my life. Cleaning the house, washing the clothes, and taking care of my husband hardly seem like important jobs, they are more monotonous than momentous.

But this,

THIS

Little act of love and appreciation spoke a thousand words straight into my heart.

After I had found three of the post-it notes he had written, I went to my husband and excitedly asked, "Is there more?!"

With a sparkle in his eye, he replied, "There is more, but you have to find them."

About an hour later I found one stuck to the bathroom mirror,

I love looking into your beautiful face every morning.

 That was all I needed to make me run downstairs and give him a huge hug. He left for the gym soon after that, and as he left he announced, "Now, there is just one more!"

I love surprises so much that I can't keep them a surprise for very long- I had to find the last note! Immediately, I knew where he might have hidden the last one. I ran upstairs to the bed, peeled back the covers, and there on the pillow was the last post-it note love letter! This one made my heart stop. I think I probably blushed too.

But I will leave it to your wild imagination to figure out what he had written there ;)

I recap this story, to remind us all that the seemingly trivial acts of love are actually vital to maintaining a healthy marriage. Something like sticking post-it notes around the house seems simple and effortless. But that's exactly what I am learning! Romance does not always have to include a five course meal at an extravagant restaurant, or a three day trip to the Bahamas. In fact, after one year of marriage I am realizing the significance of the little things.

Hugging during the day. Long kisses in the morning. Going for a walk.

Buying his favorite candy bar. Writing "I love you" on the mirror with lipstick.

Making him breakfast. Calling him to just to let him know you miss him.

Writing him romantic text messages. Giving him a back massage.  

Hiding plain yellow post-it love notes all around the house.

The possibilities are endless! Demonstrating love to our husbands does need a special occasion; it just starts with a little thought!  Even our husband needs regular reminders that he is appreciated, loved, and noticed for who he is and what he does.

Romantic moments don't need to wait for Valentine's Day! Squeeze in loving acts wherever you can throughout each day! You might be amazed at much joy and fun it brings to the both of you. And not to mention what it leads to at the end of a long day ;)

What simple ways do you surprise your husband?

Or do you need some fresh ideas?!

There are few moments in life more beautiful than those of a bride on her wedding day. April Kuhlmann of Once In Every Life Photography and her assistant, Stefani Horn of Lost In The Moment Photography, had the privilege of capturing some of those moments at Missy & Cody's wedding. The location was the breath-taking Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. ♥

I love to shop, and anything fun, jewelry, and cute is always on my list! I recently purchased a super cute necklace (to wear to UGA games this year!) from a new company, called Bashful Bliss. They are a great company, started by two moms who stumbled upon a great idea! You may know them from the necklaces they made for the movie premier, "Letters to God". However, what they should be known for is their continuous efforts to give back, and help others! They have several necklace designs that give a portion of the proceeds back to causes such as cancer, orphans, and the American Heart Association to name a few. Why not support moms who help others?

With their new line of bridal necklaces, I am so convinced these women are onto something! Check them out here .... http://www.bashfulbliss.com/Bride_Necklaces.html

The best part is, they can customize any necklace with your name, monograms for bridesmaid and flower girl gifts, and your wedding colors. What a fun way to proudly share that you are the bride, bridesmaid, or MOH? ...and the best part, they are so affordable!

Here are some of their bridal necklaces:  (...and be sure to check them out at bashfulbliss.com for more fun designs!)

Who doesn't love a good, FUN challenge? Bring it on!! So..we've been challenged by Darren Rowse with Problogger to participate in the 7 Link Challenge.  What is it? This is basically posting 7 separate links to previous posts on our blog that fit the challenge.

Since our blog is a Community Blog the posts are written by several different women so we had to bend some of the rules and quite frankly, that made it even that much more fun.  So here we go!!!

♥Your first post:  Jan 6, 2009 - we were just learning what blogging was all about and....how much fun a FLIP CAM could be!  This was from one of the first Wedding Shows we ever participated in. It was titled "Pick Out A White Dress....Baby Just Say YES" .

♥A post you enjoyed writing the most - Why Sex is Like Cooking. This one was written by Sandy Philpott whose Blog Title is"An Older Bride". The comparisons are brilliant but the coolest thing about this post is that while it was floating around in cyber-space it ended up in the hands of someone who translated it in Iranian and posted it on a website called Balatarin, which describes itself as "the most popular web 2.0 website written in Persian.  Balatarin helps its users to find the best links on the Internet that interest Iranians around the world. "

♥A post which had a great discussion - The Real Breakfast of Champions. I don't want to spoil the story but Charissa Steyn, whose Blog Title is "The Messy Business of Romance", is not talking about cereal!  

  ♥A post on someone else's blog that you wish you'd written - Why I Don't Initiate Sex with My Wife More Often . Ok, so I don't really wish I'd written this one myself but I wish newlywed women knew this information from the beginning of their marriages. We always want to know what our husbands are thinking and guess what? Stu Gray of The Marry Blogger lets us all know and...you might be surprised to find out it's not so easy.

♥Your most helpful post -Ten Ways To Beat The Post Wedding Blues was written by Kirsten from Southern California who goes by the name "Newlywed on the Beach".  After all the hours, money, and passion you'd put into planning your wedding what do you do if you feel a little....well, let down? Her answers are fabulous!

♥A post with a title that you are proud of "The Secret to a Great marriage? Great Socks!" Come on...you gotta admit it's a nice use of double entendre!

♥A post that you wish more people had read - Complaints Into Compliments. Inspired (maybe more like disgusted) by watching a short lived show called "The Marriage Ref" "Mimi", who writes under the title "Love Lessons Learned.....More or Less", points out, what should be, the obvious but obviously....is not!

So what do you think? I, personally, had FUN looking back and taking a stroll down memory lane and I hope you did too!

Rolling around in my head lately is this little phrase, "It's just easier to be happy!"

Unfortunately, after nearly one year of marriage I have had to learn the truth of this statement the hard way. I have spent hours and days letting my emotions control me and my reactions towards my husband.  

As I think back over the past year of marriage my mind fills with images of ruined dates, and the grudges I held against my husband while on long grueling car rides. I remember the nights we went to bed sleeping as far away from each other as we could get in our little double bed. I reflect on the moments of immaturity when I stomped out of rooms on him or refused to hug him for a whole day.

All of these moments are painful, shameful, and not to mention, just plain miserable!  I am held captive by my wounded heart. Life stops. I refuse to move on until I feel like my husband has been adequately punished for the way he has treated me.

In these moments I always think he is the one suffering. Wrong!  My grudges, unforgiving heart, and anger only make me suffer! I am sure you know the feeling?

We think we can go on with life, work, and our relationships, but if things are not right with hubby, let's just be honest, everything is tainted! Our thoughts are consumed with anger. Our eyes are red from crying. The worry creases across our foreheads are more evident. Life seems to come to a standstill. It doesn't make us beautiful, nor is it fun to let our emotions get the best of us.

Thus the reason I have adopted my new marriage motto, "It's just easier to be happy!" 

Marriage provides 24/7 opportunities for us to put this little statement to the test! Take for instance this morning...

After we were done eating breakfast, my husband looked at me with a suspicious gaze. He pulled my face close to his, and instead of coming in for a kiss, he inspected my teeth!  Appalled, he explained I had food stuck between every crack and crevice of my pearly whites. I couldn't believe it! I shrugged it off as no big deal, knowing that I was about to go brush my teeth anyways, but deep down I felt hurt. {Yep, it's really that easy to feel hurt in marriage!}

As I marched up the stairs to check out the situation, I felt slightly embarrassed that I had disgusted my husband.  I smiled in the mirror and saw exactly what he was talking about, it was true. After a thorough brush and floss, my teeth had gained back their glimmering glow. It felt good to be clean. But even more important, it felt good to be happy!

My husband's honesty could have provoked me to anger and frustration. {It nearly did!} I could have held onto his remark and let it fester into a lie that he is a mean and unloving husband. {Even though I regularly tell him about the crumbs in the corner of his mouth or his bad breath.}  But instead, I saw through his disgust to his heart. I was thankful that he loved me enough to tell me the truth.

My march to the mirror, revealed the truth, just like marriage reveals what's really in my heart. We are forced to come face to face with the reality- who are we and where is the plaque in our lives?

When I see ugly plaque staring back at me in the mirror, I don't just leave it there. I do something about it! With a smile on my face I go to work taking out the buildup of food and who knows what else!

However in marriage, I most often have been known to do just the opposite. I get angry about what I see, I don't smile, and meanwhile I let hurts and frustrations build up inside of me.

Being married gives us daily opportunities to become a better person. But in order for that to happen we must put a smile on our face. We must march up to that mirror and...

choose joy.

Everything from insignificant disagreements to a full-on war can be seen as an opportunity to grow into the wife we are called to be. But it only happens when we make a decision to not let our emotions get the last word.

Choosing joy in our marriage means that we realize it's easier to be happier. The sun shines a little brighter. We feel a little prettier. Our husbands seem a little bit sweeter.

So next time your marriage brings up some plaque in your life. Take it as an opportunity to become a more beautiful wife. With a smile on your face, choose joy. Life is just easier that way anyways!

It's Your Day...SHOW OFF!!

Just Married Signs Only will create a one of a kind sign especially for you using your wedding colors, theme and photos to create a gorgeous sign that only you will have.  ♥

But you can WIN your very own!!

Leave a comment ....Ta Da....you are entered to win!! Drawing will be next Wednesday, July 28th.

Want MORE chances to win?

*one extra entry - post this giveaway on Twitter ...include your Twitter name in the comment

or

*one extra entry - post this giveaway on your Blog....include your blog post in the comment

or

DO BOTH for a total of THREE (3) entries!

♥Good Luck♥

Are you a night owl married to an early bird? Maybe you're the one up with the sun while your husband's habits are decidedly nocturnal. Different bedroom schedules can rob you of important quality time together. Going to bed at the same time allows you to connect in more ways than one - you get in sync physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and gain valuable cuddling time at the beginning and end of the day.

There are always going to be days - even weeks - when life goes by so fast you feel like roommates, not lovers. When you make a shared bedtime an essential part of your daily ritual, you ensure that you and your partner have some time each day to rekindle your passion for each other.

Really make an effort to turn in together, as hard as it may sound. It's one of the best choices you can make for a good night's sleep and gives you and your partner a moment for each other. Make a point to snuggle when you first get into bed. Connect, touch, and talk. After a little while, if one person wants to go to sleep, the other can read, write in a journal, or quietly listen to music with headphones. Eye masks and reading lights make it easy to avoid disturbing the other person.

Strengthen and maintain the bond between you by hitting the sheets together, each and every night. Sweet dreams!

*Repost - original article by Dr. Laura Berman*

Don't get crazy on me.....I only said "boys" because I like alliteration. Boys, men, girls....me....my husband - we all love bacon! It's a little slice of heaven for anyone (except for my vegan friends in which case, you should step away from this blog right now!). For the rest of you....you can thank me later after you serve this platter of fabuliciousness at your next party....even if the party is just you and your guy. This is what I call marriage enrichment!

source - Janet is Hungry Blog

Bacon and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

1/2 loaf white sandwich bread (square slices are best)
1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
1 clove garlic minced
1 tsp italian seasoning blend
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/8 tsp pepper
1 lb bacon

1. Mix together the cream cheese, garlic, seasoning, parsley and pepper until well blended.

2. Cut the bacon slices in half.

3. Cut the crusts off the bread, and spread each slice evenly with cream cheese (I use about a heaping tablespoon per slice, then cut each slice of bread into 3 strips.

4. Roll up each strip of bread and wrap with 1/2 slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick. I usually just keep going until I run out of bacon. This usually takes about 1/2 a loaf the bread and most of the cream cheese mixture. If you have leftover cream cheese, it is great spread on crackers or toasted bagels.

5. At this point, you can go ahead and bake them, or you can stash them in the fridge or the freezer to bake later (if baking from frozen, add about 5-10 minutes to your cooking time).

6. Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes until the bacon is crisp. Drain on paper towels for about 5 minutes to cool a bit, and serve.

Let's face it....the girls get all the glory at the wedding. We do! And the Bridal Portrait is one of the most fun parts of being a bride!

These beautiful Bridal Portraits of newlywed, Britain Paulk, were taken by photographer and friend, Taylor Hood. 

♥This one is her hubby's favorite!♥