Brad

I haven't blogged in a long time....I hope I remember how!  I have been in a slump because there just hasn't been anything lately that I have enough passion to write about.  Yes my kids have been funny and have completed some great accomplishments and if you want to hear about them I am more than happy to tell.  We have had some fun times, which again I would love to tell you about but didn't feel like blogging about.  My lack of blogging has popped up into conversations a few times lately and the only topic that has continuously come to mind was my husband.  So, today I'm going to write about  Brad.

I have written before about our "love" story if you want to call it that so I won't bore with those details.  Really, I can sum everything up in one line......I love my husband.  I'm very proud to say that after being married 7+ years and knowing each other for 14+.  That isn't a very long time in some senses (my grandparents were married for 50+years...a goal we hope to accomplish). But considering that statistically the average length of a marriage is 7-8 years we are doing great.

Brad is far from perfect.  Our marriage has not always been one to write home about.  In fact, at one point in time if you would have given us divorce papers we would have willingly signed without a second thought.  Sometimes we feel more like roommates than a married couple.  There is always something to work on in our marriage. But, this is what we have learned.  Every day you have to CHOOSE to love the other person.  As my grandma says "you have to make allowances for one another".

With all this being said, my husband has many great qualities.  He is a hard worker.  Proof of this is in the fact that he has gotten several positive recommendations at work from his bosses and those that work with him.  He has moved up levels very quickly.  When he is assigned a project he works to do his best.  He is a faithful provider for our family.

I appreciate that he is smart with our money.  When we first got married we had very different views of money, debt, and budgeting.  He came around to my side to save our marriage he says :P  I appreciate that he thinks about our financial future for ourselves and for the kids.  We work well at balancing each other out with money.  When I want to spend on things that are a waste he talks me out of it and vice versa. 

I appreciate how he has grown as a dad.  I love that he is willing to take Anna on dates (and Matthew too just hasn't had many opportunities yet).  When he comes home in the afternoon he is ambushed by the kiddos.  They adore him.  He has their respect and they know if they are in trouble with him then it is serious.  At the same time they are able to have fun with him.  They love to wrestle with him.  One of my favorite things is to come out and find them all cuddling on the couch and each of them reading a book. 

I appreciate how he deals with me.  I can be a handful most of the time.  I honestly don't know how he puts up with me.  For sure I was the one that married up.  When I start to freak out over things, he calms me down.  When I get overwhelmed, he can sit down with me and help me sort things into smaller more manageable goals.  He is a great encourager and supports me in whatever I'm involved with.  When we disagree about something he is willingly to think about the other side.  When he gets angry at me, he is quick to forgive and apologize.  He doesn't hold grudges.  I tend to get involved with things and drag him in too and he does it.  He puts up with me talking all the time even when he is bored out of his mind.  He is willing to play games with me even though he hates playing games.  He is an amazing breakfast cook and a great dessert maker.  He is my rock and security blanket.  He is able to make me laugh.  I enjoy sitting with him and holding his hand. 

I don't know how I was lucky enough to end up with my guy.  I am so blessed to be on this journey of life with him.  I genuinely look forward to spending years and years with Brad.  I enjoy daydreaming about our future together. 

Love changes all

As I got dressed in a purple t-shirt today, I realized that my daughter has changed me.  I enjoy dressing comfortably (another word for sloppy :P) without many frills and in the basic colors of black, green, or blue paired with a pair of jeans or yoga pants.  I own a few pairs of high heels but rarely use them. I prefer chacos or clogs (or my new Converse sneakers....so comfy!!).On the other hand, my daughter is the complete opposite.  Although there are days were she can be found in a pair of sweats, they are few and far between.  She loves pink, purple, sparkles, frills, dresses, nice shoes, and accessories.  That certainly was not taught by me....it is all her.  As the years have gone by, I find myself inserting frills in my shirts, adding a touch of pink or purple to my wardrobe, and heaven forbid wearing a necklace every once in a while.  When I go shopping my eyes go straight for the things she likes and I find that there are several things we can both agree on.  My tastes have changed because I love her and want to make her happy. 

I was thinking how my love for Anna changed something about me. Isn't that how it is supposed to work?  Our love for our spouse/significant other should change us.  Our love for God should mold us into a new being. Our love for a friend may make us do something different.  The love my kids have for me should change them.  Now I'm not suggesting we forget who we are and that we should let someone else make us be something we aren't.  I'm suggesting that we put someone else before us.  It is easy to do that with kids as there is that supernatural thing that sparks inside you to see life differently.  But how easy is it to be upset with my husband because he doesn't show interest in my love for something I found on Pinterest but caring less that I have no interest in the Cornhuskers or in football in general.  If I loved God, wouldn't it not be too much to set aside 10 minutes a day to spend time visiting with Him not letting my mind wander to the worries of the day.  If I loved my kids isn't it worth it to choose to use the patience I have been given to take a breath and redirect their energy instead of sitting in a chair yelling at them.  Love can  make you be a better person, you just have to decide that you will let it.