Image by ML Baxley

Tim and Lea Lundy with six of their seven children - Kate (11), Drew (9), Kent (7), Blake (5), Jude (4) and Mallory (19).

My husband and I will celebrate 14 years of marriage next month. Like most couples, we've had our highs and lows. I'm thankful it's been mostly highs, but I do remember remarking to a good friend along the way, “Anyone who tells you being married is easy is just plain deluded.”

I stand by that comment. Marriage is hard work. Add children to the mix and it becomes even harder to keep the focus on your relationship with your partner. It's easy to slip into a routine of school, work, and weekends packed with extracurricular activities. Plus many parents argue that there will be time enough for each other once the kids are grown, so they grow distant from each other while focusing on raising their children.

But, as our cover dad Tim Lundy points out, a strong, healthy relationship is one of the best gifts parents can give their children. Lundy, a teaching pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, shares advice for focusing on your marriage as well as your family, and editorial assistant Kelcie Huffstickler delves into the issue a little deeper in her article on marriage maintenance.

In addition to our focus on marriage this month, you'll find a helpful article on bullying in the 21st century. It's obvious from all the sad stories in the media that bullying takes on many forms these days. The most frightening thing I keep hearing is that too often parents, caregivers and teachers are aware that bullying is taking place but either don't know how to address it or don't take it seriously. I hope this article gives you the tools your family needs should you find your children in a dangerous situation.

On a lighter note, Penguin Pointe opens at the Little Rock Zoo this month, and we've got a special preview of the little waddlers' new digs. And we've rounded up so many ideas in our Spring Break Guide you'll have a hard time choosing what to do.

Don't miss our special advertising section celebrating family ministries. As Tim Lundy points out, family worship is a key ingredient to a happy family. No matter what your faith, find a house of worship where you all feel comfortable. With all the great options in central Arkansas, it won't be hard.

Finally, take some extra time this month to focus your relationship with your partner if you have one. Schedule a date night. Curl up on the sofa and watch a move. Or just take a short walk around the block and talk. My husband and I are going to try to do the same.