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Showing posts with label budsy's musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budsy's musings. Show all posts

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Awww...


Yesterday was another weekend Budsy was yet on Budsy's own with the children... There are many days when Budsy feels like a single parent, just like today. Weekends are when all four of Budsy's children are home, either messing up the house/pigging out/being annoying to one another, which will gradually lead to chaos, (etc). 
Instead of brooding at home, Budsy took all four of them to spend time over at gramps, then followed by a a late lunch at Manhattan Fish Market (they like the food there, enough to sit down throughout the meal quietly), to the playground, to window shopping, to the library and for some small-talk over ice-cream, just before heading back. Boy oh boy was Budsy all worn out.

It had been a very long Sunday, which ended with Budsy having to give boss a leg & feet massage to relieve his tired legs from a very long run for his company's running event. That was all the energy Budsy honestly thought that Budsy had left for the night..... but no, the boys decided they were gonna sleeep past midnite and Budsy still had to clear some chores.

As Budsy was just about to turn in for the day... err... night... okay, final answer - day! Budsy's eldest teenaged daughter came into Budsy's room. Not sure what else Budsy had to do now, Budsy mustered up a ....... "Yessss, sweetie?" DD1 said, "Mommy, I NEED you to look at something." "Now?" DD1 replied, "Yes, just a lil while, I promise." Oh well, Budsy got up again for what Budsy wished would be the final time of the day & that Budsy could finally rest this tired back.

A little purple note book was the something DD1 wanted Budsy to look at.

The contents of the note book was totally unexpected..

Scroll through the pictures to take a peek at what they were..











DD1 was planning to present this in a nicely made scroll for my birthday, but couldn't wait to show it to me seeing it was all finished. Awwww...


Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Count Our Blessings

While everyone is tucked in for the night and chubs latched on me (I'll let him at it a while more) ... lol ... I'm lying down in the quiet darkness of the night. Silence is a luxury in my house. So tonight, I reflect.
I had thee most busy week of school holidays. Yes, all 4 kiddies at home... could easily spell anything between chaos to disaster. However, as I reflected, I realized the last one week holidays was different. I actually had a wonderful week. Amidst some chaos of course. That, my friends, cannot be helped.

So now let me count my blessings..

(1) DD2 went for a three-day camp. Way too short, all of us thought, much to the wrath of the princess. Honestly though, we all relished from the peaceful serenity in our home the first three days. DD2 is one heckuva chatterbox. Plus, she likes to make the babies cry. So a quiet three days, blessing #1.

(2) I got to spend one on one time with DD1 when the boys went to bed. We chatted, we baked, we reminisced about old times and reflected how grateful we were for what we have now. DD1 even said on Sunday, that she was really gonna miss me when she goes off to school on Monday. Blessing #2, a wonderful time with DD1, which brought us even closer.

(3) Daddie gramps babysat the children so hubs could take me out on our wedding anniversary. God bless the most wonderful and most thoughtful man in my life - my Daddie. He took the children to the beach for an awesome time. The children couldn't wait to tell me all about their day with gramps when I fetched them. Everyone wanted to speak at the same time. Even the little baby dragon. Suffice to say, everyone had a great day.

(4) 14 years of marriage saw us through a passionate (and lusty!) first few years, a challenging next couple of years, some turbulent years after and the more settled years of late. It was memorable that the man took the initiative to walk down memory lane with me, to somewhat rekindle the flame. Of course not forgetting, the shoes he got me. C'mon! A girl never forgets a man who buys her shoes hokay!  Sweet..

(5) Hung out with my folks and also extended families, cousins, aunts, nieces and nephews. Thankful my parents are still around for my children to have a share of their love. Thank you, God, for keeping them relatively healthy and safe. For the extended families, despite everyone's differences, we still come together as one in good times or bad.

(6) Had an uber-awesome day trip nearby, with just a couple of girlfriends. No kids. No housework - well, I cooked their favourite chicken rice with chicken in soy sauce and chap chye (mixed veggies), before I left. Didn't wanna trouble the man to bring them out to eat or worse... to have him cook!?! He won't survive! Lol! Well, I had a peaceful one WHOLE day out with no calls and very few messages. Had this exhausted body straightened out, a fresh haircut and thee best cream bath (head & shoulder massage) thereafter. Settled some normal noisy cravings in this greedy tummy and voila, a very very fruitful day. What a wonderful break! This mommy came back rejuvenated, refreshed and recharged to face a new school term. Thanks to our husbands for taking lead role for a whole day. *muacks*

(7) In a cab, on the way back from some errands... the sweet grandfatherly cab driver noted how my calls and messages were coming in. As I either just texted my replies or answered the calls softly, he didn't know the nature of my calls. I apologized for the noise my mobile phone was making and set it to silent mode, to which he said, "Sweet young lady like you will surely receive a lotta calls.." I must've been beaming. *blush* But I clarified with the sweet uncle, "Actually uncle, the calls/texts were from my children. I have 4 children." The uncle did a double take on his rear-view mirror. When the cab came to a stop, he took a better look (under better lighting conditions) this time and replied, "You look way too young to be a mom, what more a mom to 4." Blessing #7 ended my week-long holiday perfectly. I'm blessed to be healthy (most of me at least) to be able to run around with my two boys and young enough (at heart at least!) to hang out with my two girls and be in their frequency.

So while everyone sleeps, I hope my reflections help pave the way for peaceful sleep in the next few hours. Ya, need to chase some dramas. Hehee..

I'll take my blessings in any small way I can get, but I must say, God has been kind, for in my reflections, I find all the 7 blessings I counted came in big and memorable ways than I could have ever asked for or imagined

I started the final school term with a bang. Yes, I started my Monday with a blast. Hope everyone had a wonderful week. Here's moving forward to a new term and looking forward to longer holidays in a couple of months! 

Saturday, 9 August 2014

Need or want?

Our couch has given way after a good few years. While it still serves its purpose, (for us to sink our bums) aesthetically, it is deteriorating in condition by the day, especially when my tiger_chubs and lil' dragon_boi are using it as their indoor playground equipment as well. Hubs and I were wondering aloud if we should change to a new couch or just use it to its last breath?

Just today, my lil' dragon_boi used the blue foam mat as a ramp and went sliding down on it going, "Wheeeee!" (all the way down and back again for God knows how many more times!) So, while watching the boys get creative with their self-built indoor playground, I was reminiscing some moments with DD1 on needs and wants.. This girl has trouble saving because she cannot see why it is imperative to have this habit instilled in her. She loves shopping… just too little money and too little time. Hee. Aniwaes, sharing this reminiscence from a just a couple of months back. But, BEWARE! Long post... :oops:

DD1 was quite sad that she wasn't able to get a pair of basketball shoes that she needed for CCA. Yes, she eventually chose basketball over all the other CCAs that she tried out for and was invited to join. :D 

Apart from being on a single income household, I believe in delayed gratification to hone values of appreciating needs over wants and the values of hard work, that without it, one cannot just expect success or see rewards (of their efforts) fall on their laps. So I told her, it's a $200 pair of shoes. I don't have $200 now because I don't work. But I can have $200 if I save. We visioned that if she were to save $1 a day, it'd take 200 days to get the shoe. Now that's a long time. But I told her it's possible. Because I saved whatever I get from hubs to get the Montessori materials I've been collecting over the years to teach all of them. Those materials are very expensive. I told her an example of how I'd resist not buying shoes I don't need, even when they were on offer. That's because I have a long term motivation for something else and I want it materialized. I'd do short stints/projects to add up. She knows because she sees when I have work to do. I will eventually have the materials and work with the boys and I'm beyond delirious seeing their love for learning. DD1 said... "But the $ u saved wasn't exactly for yourself? It was for us most of the time.." I replied. "It doesn't matter. My children need it. Shoes, they can wait. There will always be another design. There will always be other offers. Children grow very fast. If I miss the moments, I won't have another."

I offered to co-save with her. If she saved a dollar, I'd save a dollar too. Everything we save will go into the basketball shoe fund. This way she might be able to get it in 3 mths tops. We shook (and hugged) on it. :wink:

Over the weeks, she lost the sch tie. Had to replace. Wasted $ on prepaid and suddenly it went to $0 balance. (That's another story for another day.) She's in charge of saving for top-up cards. We do to want her to think that it's a privilege to yak or waste time on unnecessary calls and texts which can be a lot :faint: & have us working to pay for it.

To cut story short, the savings saw a $48 because because of all those needs that required more immediate replacing. All this time, she continued working hard at school and enjoy CCA. When hubs saw her last term's results which was a totahe decided HE would co-save with us too. In fact, he'd top up the remaining amount needed to get her the basketball shoe.

Upon DD1's suggestion, hubs brought her to Queensway Shpg Ctr because she heard from frenz that place has cheaper options. The rest of us hit IKEA. Once there, she and hubs went through the few options. She eventually told hubs she didn't need the exact $200 shoe because there were other options that were more value for $. With $48, hubs said his co-save will be rounded off to $50 which meant DD1 would have $100 to work with. 

DD1 eventually bought an $80 pair. She said it was within our means and as good as the one she saw and tried on. Besides, if we didn't co-save, she'd never have gotten the shoe within three months with all the obstacles she/we had to fork out for... the tie, the badge, the stationery (she realized correction tapes are a waste of $ :laugh:), the wasted top-up card used for Internet, etc)...

She loved her shoes very much. :love: We were happy she did.

Hubs and I both bought top-up cards for her without knowing, to ease up on her saving up for the next one (once value runs low). Hubs and I affirmed with her that good efforts and positive attitude will reap long term rewards in work and in life and that we are proud to see her improvement in all areas... and that we are proud of her little positive changes and little successes. We are only here to share her joy because ultimately, all these little efforts will all add up and be for her own good aniwaes.

Since her Mid-Year-Examinations have ended, I took DD1 on a one on one time for a movie, a quiet meal just the two of us and some light shopping for her. I was rushing our shopping, to ensure I was in time to pick up the vacuum (I sent for servicing) from the retailer before they close for the day. Not only that! Once home I needed to send DD2 for her enrichment lesson too! Just when we were done and hurried towards the escalator that would lead us to the taxi stand, my already worn out shoes tore a strap and the crocodile soles yanked off.

That's when DD1 said, "Mommy, please....... let's just go get your shoe. You need it."



Monday, 2 June 2014

Happy Birthday DD1

Friday's PTM (Parent-Teacher-Meeting) was wonderful. DD1 did wonderful. Both behavioural and academically. :love:

FT (Form Teacher) started off with feedback on conduct first. She complimented DD1 on extreme good behaviour with not even a single complaint or negative feedback from any of her subject teachers. Never gave any of the teachers any problem with her work. Was praised for being focussed in her work and her ability to remain undistracted by common teen issues like hanging out with friends after school, BGR, family issues (etc). FT attributed it to her being in a positive family environment and values that keeps her grounded and she wants DD to appreciate this good family relationship that keeps her in good stead.

We discussed at length about bullying incidents, BGR issues, selection of friends, (etc) and followed by the academic report and feedback.

DD really worked on her Math and it clearly showed that efforts reaped results. Her scores improved by abt 10 marks and one grade up (B4). Next shocker was another one of her weaker subjects - History. Improved History from 60 (B4) to a distinction. Geography improved as well from C5 to B3.


The overall aggregate for NA students are tabulated according to EMB3.
E being English Language.
M being Mathematics.
B3 refers to best 3 subjects.

DD1's overall performance for the semester so far has been okay I suppose.

Still no tuition (not that we can afford it aniwaes) and no assistance from myself and hubs.

Overall aggregate for CA : 9
Overall aggregate for SA : 11

DD was 5th position in class for CA but this SA, class position was not made known. However, FT verbally shared DD's ranking in the school, (her results) placed her in the cream.. that if she kept at it (maintain).. at national level for NA.. she will be considered top 10% and will be eligible to go for Direct Foundation Programme at Polytechnic.

If aiming to go via JC route can aim for either lateral transfer to Express Stream for next year which means she must maintain at least 70-75%. FT shared all teachers have come together in support of her and will fight for a place on Express for her if she continued to work even harder as this goal will require more sacrifice (study time) and asked DD to get help after school from the relevant subject teachers. If it's a positive result at year-end, FT told her that she can look forward to doing O's at Sec 4. If not she can still try ace her N's at Sec 4 to get the opportunity to still do O's at Sec 5.

All in all an extremely fruitful PTM. FT was not looking at the time at all. She spent an hour with us since there wasn't any booking for the next few slots. Like I have shared before, DD is in a good place/school now than ever before. It's really all up to her now.

:pray:

:xedfingers:

For now, DD has done very well and hope her motivation can hold out. While hubs wasn't exactly enthusiastic with her results, I personally am very pleased with it & very proud of her, especially since she did it all on her own. My only provisions are good guides at her disposal, whipping up her favourite food and lotsa encouragement and support. So it looks like our no-failed-subjects-no-assessments deal is still a good deal till now.

Congratulations my daughter.
You did wonderful. :hugs:

.........and Happy 13th Birthday. :kiss:
You're now officially a teenager.

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

PSLE 2013 Results Day


22nd Nov was would definitely go down as one of the most stressful days in 2013. It was PSLE results day. 

To cut to the chase, DD1 was relieved that she passed! :pray:

You wouldn't believe the state she was in the day before and on the results day itself. She was a wreck! :siao: She couldn't sleep in peace. Tossing and turning. In out of toilet. Ended up sleeping on the sofa. Next morning took a heck of a long time in the toilet. Said her tummy not feeling too good. It was the jitters getting to her. On the way to Mac for bfast, again she said her tummy is doing things. I told her must be those dinosaurs. She asked, "Thought it was butterflies?" :rotflmao:In her state then, it was definitely one heckuva T-rex! :laugh:

I told her to remember that feeling and all those emotions. THAT should be the same feeling she should get, when preparing for exams. That these things matter, because it will help her pave a better future she choose to carve for herself. She cried before she left us at the hall to go to her class. I waited and waited then went down to look for her but couldn't find her. I thought what happened. None of her friends saw her and I thought my worst fears played out. That she may have to repeat. She barely studied and was in one of her most rebellious stage in the last six years. All of us were prepared for the worst. I was worried that she may not be able to take it in stride, if she was alone. I was frantic when none of us could see/find her anywhere. 

When we finally met up at the parade square, her eyes were glistening. "You okay? We looked everywhere for you! We thought something was not right." She nodded to gesture she was ok and stretched out the slip in her hands. I had to do a double take! She passed! Thank goodness for that! We were all worried sick! :faint: 

She told me not to post her tscore here but she doesn't mind me sharing that she managed to scrape through to qualify for Normal Academic route. :please:

Brought my kids for lunch at Swensens while everyone else caught up with one another. For her, she was just glad to get outta there. :wink:

While chubs and dragon_boi slept, she was in her room finalizing her secondary school options.:love:



Wednesday, 30 October 2013

A Mother's Love

Sharing a good read someone shared...

MOTHER’S LOVE

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said.

For cutting the grass : $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week : $1.00
For going to the store for you : $0.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping : $0.25
Taking out the garbage : $1.00
For getting a good report card : $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard : $2.00
Total owed : $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he’d written on, and this is what she wrote. 

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me : No Charge.

For all the nights that I’ve sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you : No Charge.

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you’ve caused through the years : No Charge.

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead : No Charge.

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose : No Charge.

Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is : No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.” And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: “PAID IN FULL”.

Lessons :

You will never know your parents worth till you become a parent.

Be a giver not an acquirer, especially with your parents. There is a lot to give, besides money.

BECAUSE MONEY IS THE WORST WAY OF MEASURING HAPPINESS…♥



Sunday, 27 October 2013

Just like that..

Chubs said, "Look mommy, I made a smiley face with eyebrows too, with my spring (curly) fries. The smiley face is just like you. You smile just like that. :love:

Image 

*swoon*

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Do you know why?

We were out for dinner after which, chubs said he wanted me to bring him to the arcade while waiting for hubs to join us for window shopping. As we were walking away from the dinner venue, he pointed to the arcade and said...

Chubs : Mom, can we go there?

Me : To the arcade?

Chubs : Yes, to that place. (pointing towards the arcade)

Chubs : Can you bring me there to play, please, please, please...? (giving me the puppy-eyed look)

Me : I don't really like that place. It is too noisy. 

Chubs : Well mom, do you know why that place is noisy?

Me : Yeah, because it is sooo crowded in there! I can barely hear myself.

Chubs : No, mom... the place is noisy because it is sooo much fun (in there).

Monday, 9 September 2013

Have A New Husband by Friday...


"There isn't a woman on this EArth who hasn't wanted, at one time or another, to trade in her husband for a new one. 
Have a new husband by Friday? Is that even possible? To tell you the truth, it's a scam. You can have a new husband by Wednesday if you do it right. Even better, there's no need to trade your man in for a newer model; all he needs is a little tune-up. You can change your husband's attitude, behaviour, and communication in just 5 days.
Dr. Kevin Lemann, New York Times bestselling author and internationally known psychologist, show you how you can turn your man into the man of your dreams.
It's the miracle turnaround you're longing for. Guaranteed."
It's hard to put down a book that has this synopsis. Written tongue in cheek and with relevant content that was guaranteed to work, I decided to pick this book up at a book fair in Bt Timah. Even if it may not work for me I thought it would provide a few good chuckles.

Dr. Kevin Leman puts across almost simplistically how different men and women think but offers alternative resolutions and step-by-step on how these differing thoughts and how these thoughts come out in actual speech CAN move in the same direction. Put it this way, to improve on anything in life, changes need to be made. There is no way such improvements can just fall on your lap. Or a struck of lightning might do the trick, you think? If money is no issue, one can always pay to speak to a professional. It does get some airs out at first before the suggestions on life improvement sets in. However, if the budget is tight but the heart yearns a better chance at rebuilding what you already have... this book can be for you. As with all other self-help books, you need to of course help yourself. Self-help books offer fantastic self-reflections that not necessarily many may want to hear from a professional. Change has to start from within. Once we open up our hearts to make positive changes as to how we have been living our lives, a fresh new day begins.
Take a couple more peeks from this link below and see if you are tempted enough to pick up this book from the library. I just had to purchase it, just in case... err... you know... for future referencing? LOL. 
Let me just share one excerpt from his book as extra insight into his writing. This personally worked for me. As with many other women on Earth, there is this thing men dislike (okay.. actually they hate it).. it is called a nagging spouse. Dr Kevin recommened these steps.
Say It Once, Then Skip The Nagging
If you want your husband to do something, try this wonderful three-step process, guaranteed to get results.
1. Say it once.
2. Turn your balk and walk away.
3. Resist the temptation to remind him.
Let's say at 6pm on Saturday your friends, the Johnsons, are coming for dinner. The yard is a real mess from your husband's projects, and you'd like to get it picked up before your guests arrive. You're hoping he'll think of it himself, but he doesn't. So at 10am in the morning on Saturday, you tel your husband, "Honey, the Johnsons are coming for dinner. Would you mind picking up the yard before they get here? Having our home look nice is important to me."
The typical male will nod in response. If he hasn't used his word count for the day yet, he might even say, "Okay, I'll do that."
So you go about your business to get other things done that day. But you don't see any action from your husband and you get antsy. You're afraid that he's forgotten. He's been puttering around in the garage, but there's no action on your front lawn. So, if you're anything like Mrs. Uppington (my beloved wife), half an hour later you remind him. "Uh honey, are you still going to pick up the yard?"
"Yup," he says, and continues on his project.
Give it a couple more hours and you're starting to steam. After all, it's 2pm and the Johnsons are coming in 4 hours. You're really going to be embarrassed if the yard is in such a mess. If you remind him again, get prepared for a sullen husband who isn't going to be helpful now -or ever again.
What you haven't taken into account is the male mind-set. Here's what he's thinking : She told me at 10 in the morning to pick up the yard. Okay, I'll do that. I want to finish my project in the garage first. Let's see they're coming at 6 and it takes me 10 mins to take a shower and clean up so if I attack the yard at 4, I'll have plenty of time. And off he goes with his plan for the day.
Your husband has every intention of doing what you ask. Remember, he wants to please you. He's even scheduled what you want done in his day. But reminding him short-circuits his "want to" and his pleasure in doing something for you. Every time you remind him, he's thinking, "What, you don't think I can keep anything in my head for a few hours? Of course, I'm going to get that done.
Each of us has our own private logic- the way we look at life. If you tell your husband, the two of you need to be somewhere at a specific time, most men will calculate in their mind, "Okay, let's see here. We have to be there by 7. The traffic that time of the day is pretty slow after rush hour. So we'll need to leave by 6:10." He also figures out the best way to get from Point A to Point B and has it all plotted out.
...........
We are two completely different creatures, but we can still learn to get along fabulously. How you use your words makes all the difference.
If you want to make your husband feel like an idiot, continue to remind him of what he's supposed to be doing and when. Just keep talking. Nagging always creates a resentful husband. 
Don't go there. Give your husband some credit for being a grown-up and he'll act like one (well, at least most of the time-there's still that little boy in all of us.) Tell him once and let the information go into his computer to be swirled around until he solves the problem.
...........
If he doesn't get it done, then add another step.
4. Let reality be the teacher. 
Although I wished I had gotten a hold of his book sooner, I had the same problem solved by biting my tongue (many times! - painful okay!) and really reel in patience from the reserves. These days, hubs is the one reminding me of what I planned for us to get done or somewhere that we needed to go to. 
Some of us have this thing with the ILs, yah yah, no need to elaborate. We have those meet ups that we sometimes have just cannot miss, know what I mean but I totally love this one! Read on...
Say you're out for dinner with your in-laws and your father-in-law is telling you for the 3rd time about the great golf game he had 3 days earlier. You reach under the table, unbeknownst to your father-in-law, give your husband's thigh a couple little taps in such a way that, wow, have you got his attention! It's the hint that says, "Hey, let's wrap up the evening." If you know it's going to be a bring evening, you might even want to say, as you're going out the door to the dinner, "I can't wait to hold you in my arms once dinner is over." That will start his motor running, and he'll tell himself he is the luckiest guy in the world. He'll treat you that way all through dinner. He'll sit there smiling at you and thinking, "Not only does my wife love me and think I'm sexy, but she's willing to go to dinner and hear about golf for an hour from my dad. She can't wait to make love to me. She loves me, wants me, needs me."
So, what's in it for you? If, in order to make ends meet for your family, your husband needs to paint houses on the weekend besides doing his regular job during the week, he'll do it. If he needs to pick up your daughter from preschool in the afternoon, because you're so exhausted due to your deadlines and need to take a nap, he'll arrange to leave work early and pick her up. Why? Because you've made him the most important priority in your life, so he'll return the favour.
How To Make Love To Your Man
1. Affirm his hard work in providing for your family.
2. Ask for his help and promise him a reward.
3. Be positive even in tough times.
4. Learn to think differently. Marriage isn't about what he's supposed to do or what you're supposed to do; it's a relationship.
5. Get behind his eyes to see how he views the world and what's important to him.
6. Surprise him and take him someplace he'd like to go.
I was reading Dr. Kevin's note to his wife in his book and was envious of how a man could write so deeply to the woman he loves..
"To Mrs. Uppington, the best wife and friend I could ever have. I thank God for the day I met you (in the men's restroom), and that you said yes more than 45 years ago in teh field behind my parents' home. (I always was a romantic.) I know that as a little girl you prayed to someday have a man of character. But God has a sense of humour; he decided a character would do.
What a class act you are, Mrs Uppington - a terrific momand a delightful woman to share life with. It's been a great ride, hasn't it? What could be better than 5 great kids who love us and love each other? You've enriched not only my life with your beauty, strength, kindness and thoughfulness, but countless others.
With love, Leemie."
....... hence with hubs away, I was silently surprised when I received this text on our anniversary today........
"Happy Anniversary, baby.. I love you lots and miss you lots more. I truly appreciate all that you have done for me and the family. In my mind, no one else does it better than you and I am fortunate to have you as my wife and the ever loving and caring mother to our four children. I wouldn't be who or where I am now without you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your patience, care, concern and sacrifices that you have done for all of us. I am a man of few words and words can hardly describe my gratitude for all that you've done.
Lots of love, from your..."
There can't be a better gift than this and Dr Kevin Leman's good book, especially on our 13th anniversary... so thank you, buds_hubs and Happy Anniversary to you..... to US.

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Marriage Is Heart Work


Beautiful advice(s) from Gerald Rogers, after a divorce following 16 years of marriage to share with all... His words are so enlightening, so real, yet always forgotten... I hafta admit. I teared up reading how he bared his soul.
Though he wrote it for his wife, I think it is perfect even for wives to reflect upon when trying to work out with the husbands.
I personally enjoyed every word from Gerald's post. So simple yet so enlightening. For other struggling couples, his words may help you save yours even if it didn't save his.
I am still learning myself....
Obviously, I’m not a relationship expert. But there’s something about my divorce being finalized this week that gives me perspective of things I wish I would have done different… After losing a woman that I loved, and a marriage of almost 16 years, here’s the advice I wish I would have had.
1. Never stop courting. 
Never stop dating. NEVER EVER take that woman for granted. When you asked her to marry you, you promised to be that man that would OWN HER HEART and to fiercely protect it. This is the most important and sacred treasure you will ever be entrusted with. SHE CHOSE YOU. Never forget that, and NEVER GET LAZY in your love.
2. Protect your own heart. 
Just as you committed to being the protector of her heart, you must guard your own with the same vigilance. Love yourself fully, love the world openly, but there is a special place in your heart where no one must enter except for your wife. Keep that space always ready to receive her and invite her in, and refuse to let anyone or anything else enter there.
3. Fall in love over and over again. 
You will constantly change. You’re not the same people you were when you got married, and in five years you will not be the same person you are today. Change will come, and in that you have to re-choose each other everyday. SHE DOESN’T HAVE TO STAY WITH YOU, and if you don’t take care of her heart, she may give that heart to someone else or seal you out completely, and you may never be able to get it back. Always fight to win her love just as you did when you were courting her.
4. Always see the best in her. 
Focus only on what you love. What you focus on will expand. If you focus on what bugs you, all you will see is reasons to be bugged. If you focus on what you love, you can’t help but be consumed by love. Focus to the point where you can no longer see anything but love, and you know without a doubt that you are the luckiest man on earth to be have this woman as your wife.
5. It’s not your job to change or fix her… 
Your job is to love her as she is with no expectation of her ever changing. And if she changes, love what she becomes, whether it’s what you wanted or not.
6. Take full accountability for your own emotions: It’s not your wife’s job to make you happy, and she CAN’T make you sad. 
You are responsible for finding your own happiness, and through that your joy will spill over into your relationship and your love.
7. Never blame your wife if you get frustrated or angry at her, it is only because it is triggering something inside of YOU. 

They are YOUR emotions, and your responsibility. When you feel those feelings take time to get present and to look within and understand what it is inside of YOU that is asking to be healed. You were attracted to this woman because she was the person best suited to trigger all of your childhood wounds in the most painful way so that you could heal them… when you heal yourself, you will no longer be triggered by her, and you will wonder why you ever were.
8. Allow your woman to just be. 

When she’s sad or upset, it’s not your job to fix it, it’s your job to HOLD HER and let her know it’s ok. Let her know that you hear her, and that she’s important and that you are that pillar on which she can always lean. The feminine spirit is about change and emotion and like a storm her emotions will roll in and out, and as you remain strong and unjudging she will trust you and open her soul to you… DON’T RUN-AWAY WHEN SHE’S UPSET. Stand present and strong and let her know you aren’t going anywhere. Listen to what she is really saying behind the words and emotion.
9. Be silly… don’t take yourself so damn seriously. Laugh. 
And make her laugh. Laughter makes everything else easier.
10. Fill her soul everyday… 
Learn her love languages and the specific ways that she feels important and validated and CHERISHED. Ask her to create a list of 10 THINGS that make her feel loved and memorize those things and make it a priority everyday to make her feel like a queen.
11. Be present. 
Give her not only your time, but your focus, your attention and your soul. Do whatever it takes to clear your head so that when you are with her you are fully WITH HER. Treat her as you would your most valuable client. She is.
12. Be willing to take her sexually...
To carry her away in the power of your masculine presence, to consume her and devour her with your strength, and to penetrate her to the deepest levels of her soul. Let her melt into her feminine softness as she knows she can trust you fully.
13. Don’t be an idiot…. 
And don’t be afraid of being one either. You will make mistakes and so will she. Try not to make too big of mistakes, and learn from the ones you do make. You’re not supposed to be perfect, just try to not be too stupid.
14. Give her space… 
The woman is so good at giving and giving, and sometimes she will need to be reminded to take time to nurture herself. Sometimes she will need to fly from your branches to go and find what feeds her soul, and if you give her that space she will come back with new songs to sing…. (okay, getting a little too poetic here, but you get the point. Tell her to take time for herself, ESPECIALLY after you have kids. She needs that space to renew and get re-centered, and to find herself after she gets lost in serving you, the kids and the world.)
15. Be vulnerable… you don’t have to have it all together.
Be willing to share your fears and feelings, and quick to acknowledge your mistakes.
16. Be fully transparent. 
If you want to have trust you must be willing to share EVERYTHING… Especially those things you don’t want to share. It takes courage to fully love, to fully open your heart and let her in when you don’t know i she will like what she finds… Part of that courage is allowing her to love you completely, your darkness as well as your light. DROP THE MASK… If you feel like you need to wear a mask around her, and show up perfect all the time, you will never experience the full dimension of what love can be.
17. Never stop growing together… 
The stagnant pond breeds malaria, the flowing stream is always fresh and cool. Atrophy is the natural process when you stop working a muscle, just as it is if you stop working on your relationship. Find common goals, dreams and visions to work towards.
18. Don’t worry about money. 
Money is a game, find ways to work together as a team to win it. It never helps when teammates fight. Figure out ways to leverage both persons strength to win.
19. Forgive immediately and focus on the future rather than carrying weight from the past.
Don’t let your history hold you hostage. Holding onto past mistakes that either you or she makes, is like a heavy anchor to your marriage and will hold you back. FORGIVENESS IS FREEDOM. Cut the anchor loose and always choose love.
20. Always choose love. 
ALWAYS CHOOSE LOVE. In the end, this is the only advice you need. If this is the guiding principle through which all your choices is governed, there is nothing that will threaten the happiness of your marriage. Love will always endure.
In the end marriage isn’t about happily ever after. It’s about work. And a commitment to grow together and a willingness to continually invest in creating something that can endure eternity. Through that work, the happiness will come. Marriage is life, and it will bring ups and downs. Embracing all of the cycles and learning to learn from and love each experience will bring the strength and perspective to keep building, one brick at a time.
These are lessons I learned the hard way. These are lessons I learned too late. But these are lessons I am learning and committed in carrying forward. Truth is, I loved being married, and in time, I will get married again, and when I do, I will build it with a foundation that will endure any storm and any amount of time.
If you are reading this and find wisdom in my pain, share it those those young husbands whose hearts are still full of hope, and with those couples you may know who may have forgotten how to love. One of those men may be like I was, and in these hard earned lessons perhaps something will awaken in him and he will learn to be the man his lady has been waiting for.
MEN- THIS IS YOUR CHARGE: Commit to being an EPIC LOVER. There is no greater challenge, and no greater prize. Your woman deserves that from. Be the type of husband your wife can’t help but brag about.