Saturday, June 9, 2012

Compromise


Marriage is about so much more than a physical relationship, it is about respect.  I am stubborn (ask anyone – I am working on it).  To make relationships work you have to compromise.  To successfully compromise, both parties must be happy with the decision.   Compromising doesn’t work if you are asked to compromise your moral or ethical standards.  It isn’t compromise if you can’t live with the decision.   
 I often tell people that the XBOX makes our marriage work, because it allows me to pursue my hobbies, and yet stay connected to my husband.  I'll often watch TV, read a book, or Craft while watching my husband play video games (yes we have 2 tv's in our bedroom).  We are together, having fun, but doing separate activities.  We try to play co-op games together once a week, and that is awesome.  I know that he will stop playing his XBOX if I need him to, and he knows that I will stop whatever hobby has my attention for the week. 
I am an early bird, my husband a night owl.  We rarely go to sleep at the same time.  We go to bed at the same time, and I enjoy falling asleep listening to him play video games next to me.  I enjoyed having the house to myself in the morning.  Now that we have Collin, I enjoy spending time with Collin in the morning, though I wish Collin would let me sleep just a little later (what mom doesn’t?).
We have only really argued once in our relationship.  Mostly, I get irritated at something he did or said.  Note:  “I get irritated”.  I have chosen to get upset.  My husband is a wonderful and kind person who I often yell at because I made a choice to get mad.  My husband chooses to not react to my outbursts, and loves me anyway.  Because he chooses not to make an issue of it, I usually quickly see where I have wronged him, and apologize.  Or at least in theory that’s how it works.  Sometimes it takes me a couple of minutes, sometimes a couple of hours, and occasionally a couple of days.  Things I do upset him sometimes too, but he deals with it so much better.  We occasionally bicker, and one (or both) of us apologize (usually me) within five minutes of the bickering starting.
I am not saying that our relationship is perfect, or that everyone should live like us.  I am only stating that compromise works if both are willing to work together to make it work.  I know that if my husband and I ever stop compromising, and stop working together, we would not be as happy as we are.  
I am not judging anyone.  I just wanted to let people know what works for us. 

Happy Early Anniversary Aaron.  I love you and can't wait to see what our next 5 years bring.  Thank you for always forgiving me, and compromising with me.  I know I don't always make it easy, and am grateful for you.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Collin learned to crawl on 5/29!!!!

Another week has gone by.  Collin is getting so independent.  I have to stay in sight, but he crawls around in his pen, happy as a clam.  He is so happy to finally be able to move.  He likes to stand himself up by climbing up objects.  He still gets stuck standing up holding onto the pen wall, he hasn't learned to climb down yet.  He is exploring the world around him.  Right now he is playing with the faux drawer handles on the TV stand while watching "Race to Witch Mountain". 
We went garage sale hopping today.  We bought a set of blocks for him and a miniature school play set for when he is older.  Mommy got 7 new Christmas CD's (I think I might have a day and a half worth of Christmas songs now - and yes, I admit I might have a problem, but is a love of Christmas music really so bad? I never pay more than a buck a CD).  Daddy got a star gazer telescope.  Daddy is going to teach Collin and Mommy about the night sky.  Mommy also picked up a bunch of kitchen containers for $0.50, that match the set she was already collecting!  Soon she won't have to have the broken glass set anymore. 
My MIL is out of town visiting family.  After the first few days we kidnapped her dog from Aaron's sister.  We love having YoYo here.  Collin especially likes having YoYo to chase (we don't let him catch YoYo).  
I worked on some door prizes for the Emerson Family Reunion.  Aaron brought home his stuff from the school, and we are going to go through it this week. 
Go to go.  Collin found some shoes.