1000 Dates Across the States

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I’m excited to officially unveil February’s project, 1000 Dates Across the States. We all know that Valentine’s Day is coming up, every store is decked out in pink, red and hearts and every other commercial it seems like on TV is a Valentine’s Day advertisement.

I know that money is tight for a lot of people, but that does not mean that you can not have an absolutely fun date with your spouse without breaking the bank.

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As a blogger, if you are one of the first 50 bloggers to e-mail Monica (asst at kathilipp dot com) your name, address and blog address, you can receive one of these super fun kits. While it might not look like a lot, it could just be the beginning to one of the best dates you’ve ever had.

Here’s the challenge:

  • Think of a creative and unique way to use the kit.
  • Document your usage of the kit with either a picture or a 30 second video.
  • Post a blog about your date (with the picture or video) and link to this blog post or www.kathilipp.com.
  • Send an e-mail to Monica (asst at kathilipp dot com) with a link to your blog post by March 10th. If you send a link to your blog, it will be posted here – more publicity for your blog and more romance with your husband!

Prizes:

The most creative date wins a Flip Video Camera. Two runners up will get a $20 Starbucks gift card. Five third runners up with get a Dating your Mate library (three of their best titles) from Harvest House Publishers.

If you are not a blogger, you can still be entered to win!  Create a Facebook album (with the picture or video) and link to this blog post or kathilipp.com.  All you have to do is create your own kit with the materials listed below:

  • Two of your favorite drinks
  • Two yummies (cookies, pieces of candy,etc.)
  • These instructions.
  • You pick the location!

Here is a button you can put in your post or on your sidebar to let your readers know so that they can join in on the fun!

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Question For You

I want to know  why you don’t date your spouse.

Is it time, is it money?Is it that there hasn’t been a movie that the two of you have agreed on since Top Gun? Is it because it would take you away from your crops in Farmville?

We are going to be talking about this here on the blog for the next couple of weeks and I would love to hear what keeps you from romancing your sweetie.

Why it is more important to date than to take your kids to soccer.

OK – I know I am going to get some comments on this post.

Let me be clear – while I am using the word “date” really what I am talking about is making time to connect with your spouse. I just happen to think dating is one of the best ways to do that.

With that being said, I am worried about the lack of dating among my friends (both flesh friends and webby buddies.)

In the survey results, the number one reason for people not dating was babysitting issues – not being able to afford said babysitter, or trust the ones you can afford. (Two of the people who commented were 1. My brother and 2. My neighbor Karyn. I love both of their kids so I guess it is time for Auntie Kathi to step up!)

But the second most popular reason was a lack of time in order to go out together. And that’s just a crying shame.

I have had several friends who have recently gone through empty nest syndrome. (No danger of that around here. Justen just told us he wanted to go for a master’s degree after college at San Jose State. Roger and I will never be alone…) But these moms have gone through the same pattern – gearing up to get the kids out of the house, then turning around and realizing the only one left is their hubby. Since she has spent so much of her life pouring into her kiddos, there hasn’t been a lot of time left over for bonding with her husband. Now – he is the only one left and she realizes that they haven’t talked about anything except the kids since 1995.

I know – at this point, you feel like the kids will never leave. But that is even more reason to date while the kiddos are at home.

It is so important that you not only be mom and dad, but that you be husband and wife first. Your kids will experience a deeper sense of security if they know that their parents are a cohesive team.

So if it is a choice between dating your spouse and one more activity for your kids, I vote for dating.

It is a great way to teach your kids:

1. Mom and dad are real people and really like hanging together – even without kids.

2. They are not the center of the earth.