List

You may have noticed that I'm really into making lists right now. I've always been into making to-do lists. I cannot describe the satisfaction I get from crossing things off. I tried a palm pilot for awhile and the thing I just couldn't accept was deleting a task when I was finished, or heaven forbid, making a little check in the box beside the task. I have to write it down with some type of writing utensil and then cross it out with some type of writing utensil. That's just the way I roll.

Anyway, in our small group we have been talking about marriage and we had an assignment this week that is right up my alley. We are to make a list of 10 things we like, love, appreciate about our spouse and then focus on those things for the week. Kind of an experiment to see if it changes the way our week goes. You may not know this about me, but I don't really like being told what to do and I especially don't like homework when I'm not getting a grade that will impact my future or my self-esteem. But it's a LIST and as soon as I got the assignment I did the assignment, because it's a LIST!

Here's my list:

1. Ben is so patient with me and with my moods (I have many)
2. He makes me laugh every day
3. He can build or fix almost anything
4. He makes financial decisions based on what's best for our family
5. He takes such good care of our dog, Winston (he even brushes his teeth)
6. He spends time reading with Anna Grace and he plays basketball with Caleb
7. He NEVER complains about the food I fix or if I don't want to cook or if we don't have a stocked fridge
8. He loves people who others find un-loveable
9. He is generous with others
10. He encourages me to find what I enjoy and then to pursue it
11. He took over the planning of Anna's 10th birthday party because I got overwhelmed (and that involved him taking 4 girls to the mall to purchase build-a-bears and building a fire for s'mores and hosting a sleep-over)

I have noticed that the more I focus on these 11 (I'm an overachiever) things, the happier I am and the more friendly I am towards my husband. He's a good one. So now I think I'll make a list of things I like about each of the kids...