Friday, December 30, 2011

Seven Quick Takes Friday (25)

Thanks to Jen for hosting over at conversiondiary.com.  Today, December 30, 2011, being the occasion of my 6th wedding anniversary, this is going to be a 7 things I love about my husband.  There are so many more things that aren't even listed here.  What can I say, except he's the best.

-1-
His sense of humor:  There is nothing like having someone by your side who can make you laugh, not only at yourself, but at the world around you.  He has a wonderful silly side and loves to poke fun.  He makes me smile and laugh every day. 

-2-
His sensitive and vulnerable side:  He can get emotional during those tear jerking parts of movies or TV shows and isn't afraid to show it.  When he is having a hard time, to the point of tears, he lets me see that too.  I think it is so important to let your loved ones know how you are feeling and he isn't afraid to let me see the bad alongside with the good.  He has helped me to be more in touch with that side since before getting married I was hardly ever as emotional as I am these days.

And he definitely has a knack for being sensitive to my concerns.  I still recount to almost anyone who will listen, how when we were first dating and I told him something that could potentially be a deal breaker on a long car drive at the START of the date. He just squeezed my hand and listened.  The next day he brought me flowers and a beautiful hand written sentiment in a card.  I knew that he was someone who I could entrust my heart to.

-3-
His ability to consider my point of view:  For anyone who knows us, you know we hardly ever fight.  This isn't because we never disagree.  Rather, this is because both of us try to put ourselves in the other person's shoes.  We may not like what they are thinking, or what they have to say, but both of us can always understand where it is coming from.  Again, we don't always agree, but we are understanding of why the other feels the way they do.  Huge with me, since I am definitely not someone who likes confrontation.

-4-
His willingness to sacrifice:  My hubby doesn't like his job and hasn't since almost day one.  However, he realizes that he is providing for us as a family through his work, so he goes to work despite being unhappy.  In a world of, "If something doesn't feel good, don't do it," or "I have to do what's best for ME" he is sticking it out.  Doing a good job too I might add, getting a bonus all quarters since he started except one.  He may complain about it a fair amount, and joke and talk about how much he doesn't like it, but he goes and he works.  In my book, that is what shows me he loves me.

-5-
His strong commitment to the Catholic faith: Since returning to the church with me in the spring of 2005, he has continued to grow and learn about the Catholic faith.  Together we have made big changes in our lives to align ourselves with our Catholic faith.  We even teach the Catholic teaching on sexuality to teens.  Quite a turn around for both of us.

 -6-
His willingness to change:  This one sort of stems from QT#5.  Read the following:  hubby's blog post on porn.  But this isn't the only change he's made.  He is continuously trying to become the best version of himself he can be.  He's trying to change and working on the things in his life that need a redirection.  I applaud him for being willing to take a look at himself and see where he can make some changes for the better.  I am definitely one blessed woman.

-7-
Watching him play with our daughters:  I cannot say how often I watch him play with our girls and I am just amazed.  I really enjoy watching them together, the girls climbing all over him, playing with their toy dinosaurs or playing board games.  It doesn't matter what they are doing, I almost always can learn something from him: how to be more silly, how to be sure to incorporate praise where it's due, how to be excited about something that really doesn't seem all that important.  He is an amazing father and you can tell with the way our girls are so excited to see him walk in the door around supper time.  He is helping me to be a better mom and I am thankful for that every day.



Friday, December 2, 2011

Seven Quick Takes Friday (24)

Thanks to Jen for hosting over at conversiondiary.com.  Christmas traditions edition.

-1-
So I have to confess that I have been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving.  Alicia has a cute little kids Christmas CD that has her name in it, telling her about the real meaning of Christmas.  Of course, it started making some odd noises, so I ripped it and then burned it, now the songs are all out of order.  May have to re-recreate the CD for her.  Can I also just say that I watched the CMA Country Special on Thursday night and I love that the musicians will actually wear crosses (some of the ladies might do better to dress a little more modestly) and sign REAL Christmas songs.  You know, ones that aren't afraid to mention Jesus...  Rudolph and Frosty are ok, but traditional carols are the ones that mean the most.  When listening to my daughter's CD this year it took me by surprise that I was finally struck by the line, "Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, til he appeared and the soul felt it's worth."  HOW BEAUTIFUL!!!  And how true!

-2-
We went to the Christmas parade in Derry the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Had a great time with the girls, hubby and my mother in law.  We also met up with hubby's niece and her daughter and nephew and his son.  His nephew's daughter was in the parade for her school's band.  Beautiful weather - I wore short sleeves...  Glad that the people marching in the parade were not afraid to actually say "Merry Christmas!"  That's the spirit!


-3-
This year our traditional day after Thanksgiving putting up the Christmas tree was delayed to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Our "fake" tree is one that we won from our church back when we first moved into our home back in 2006.  We have put up our family tree in my parents' house this year and it takes up a good amount of room.  Alicia helped to assemble the tree and helped put on a few ornaments while Hannah took a nap.  Hannah has enjoyed looking at the tree though.  She now looks out the window and says tree so I think she's confused by the tree being inside.  I do love sitting by the tree at night with the lights off for a few silent moments with a glass of egg nog.


-4-
We have an Advent wreath that I have never been very good about using, but this year it is out on my parent's dining room table and I read from a book every night at the dinner table.  I am pretty sure Alicia doesn't get it, since it's advanced, but maybe next Advent I will find a more kid friendly daily advent book.  I've really enjoyed doing this as a family.  I think it helps that hubby is finally on a day shift, so the tradition is a new one that I am pretty happy about.
 
-5-
We have a Little People Nativity that we got for Alicia for her second Christmas.  She and Hannah are having fun playing with the animals and the other figures too.  Still mostly into the animals though, but I like having religious toys that they can play with.  Little ones mostly understand the toys and presents, so it's difficult to find things to fit in that make it more about the true meaning of the season for them.  Maybe someday they will play more with Mary, Joseph and Jesus.  But we have books that we read about Christmas.  Maybe we will try to get to the live nativity.  I have to take the time to figure out where and when it is around here.  I think they do it in Windham.

 
-6-
Driving around to look at Christmas lights is another holiday favorite.  There are a few houses that have a TON of lights around here.  Alicia was cute about it last year and this year with her talking so much, it should be really cute to see what she says.  We may take a trip to the Enchanted Christmas Village sometime during the week if we get the chance.  Not sure about timing of it all, but I would like to bring the girls this year.  Lots of lights in there that we could walk around to see.  We went a few years ago, before we had Hannah, and enjoyed it but the lines were long.  Hannah is a bit more active than Alicia, so I think she'd have a hard time waiting in the lines.

-7-
The Christmas season should truly be marked by the beauty of God sending his Son to us in such simplicity.  Jesus came into this world as a helpless newborn, totally dependent on Mary and Joseph.  Jesus was born into a humble family, in a stable, placed in a manger.  He wasn't born in a palace, he wasn't raised by rich, well-to-do parents.  He didn't come down from Heaven blazing in almighty light to show who He was.  He came to us simply, humbly, knowing that we all too often do not feel or know our own worth.  All God wants from us is an open heart to receive Him.  God wants us to feel His love.  May we use this Christmas season to open ourselves to the gift of Jesus and remember that HE is the reason for the season!