Settlers

Have you ever played the Settlers of Catan? It's a strategy game about choosing your postion on the board, getting resourses based on decisions and probablities of the dice, and gaining property. It is a game that starts with great hope. I find myself thinking of my great choice about where to position my settlements and roads, but all too soon my plans are dashed on the rocks; sometimes they are dashed my other players and sometimes by poor luck.

Not so much different than real life, huh? We start life with such great hopes and then they are changed by reality and sometimes we are dashed on the rocks. Life sucks and then you die....

Yes, this is very discouraging, however true.

This also is just a look from the outside. This season has been one of those dashed on the rocks sort of times. However, I'm enjoying life and have become stronger because of it.

You know what is also stronger? My marriage and friendship with Peter. We are "Settlers of Earth" together and recently it has been no picnic. However, we communicate better and are closer than when we started this dashed on the rock existance.

Settlers of Catan is also a good use of communication. Peter and I are deciding so many things about how to be "Settlers of Earth" together. Sometimes these discussions are just a muddled, angry or emotional mess. Today I tried a new technique.

Real life is so similar to Settlers of Catan, a bunch of decisions, thoughts, strategies and luck. So today when our wonderful discussion about the "what ifs" of our future began, I said, "Let's look at this like Settlers of Catan." This brought on all kinds of successful non-stressful conversations about the strategy that is our life.

It sounded like this:
"If we were playing Settlers, what would be the best use of our resources?" If we were playing Settlers, would this be worth saving resources to buy?" "If we were playing Settlers, how would this current decision effect our next?"

It made our daily battle of "what ifs" much more enjoyable. :)

Next I'll be writing a book, "Your Marriage According to Settlers of Catan." I'm going to make millions... :)

Speaking of writing, I'm working on a children's book. Thanks for all your encouragement here to write something. Because since I'm a Settler Of Earth, I better find a resourceful and possibly lucritive way to spend my time!

I love my hubby

He has been gone 11 days, it feels like much longer. What a trip for him. I can't wait to see him tomorrow and hear all about it.

What a wonderful man to share my life with. I am so blessed.

Sierra keeps pointing at his picture and asking where he is with her hands. I notice she does this especially when mean mommy rears her ugly head!

Peter is a wonderful help around the house. My dear sister, Shauna, has helped me so much. Peter helps me make sure that the laundry gets from the couch to the drawers. I had 10 loads on the couch today when my sister arrived and she helped me get it off the couch! Yay. She helped me vacuum, she brought hotdogs to serve to our kids. YAY for sisters, friendships and HELP.

I admit I am very spoiled having so much help at home and God knew my sanity was at stake when He planned our life and the help He has given to me is such a gift.

I've been so busy, I promise you I think my new job is taxi driver. Driving and driving and driving. Today that included the eye doctor. Wes got a new prescription and I ordered him new glasses today. Lets just say, they are the finest glasses in the world- bendy frames, thin lenses that turn to sunglasses outside. He is worth it and I am so so so excited for him to get new glasses. He has done a really good job keeping his previous pair intact so I felt confident to get the best. I bought them at the optometrist so that I could get the best. They come with a one year guarantee that they will not scratch and I'm sure Weston will put that to the test! They will come in two weeks. I've been wanting to do that for months, so I guess I can check it off the list! :)

date night

Peter and I get about one date a year, and last night was that night. I really wanted to rent a moped and I talked Peter into it. We rode down our nearly deserted beach road, wobbling away and a little scared of the road that was rushing below our flip-flopped feet! We were going so slow that it took us a long time to catch up with a woman on a bike. :)

Then Peter sped up a little and I said, "we should slow down." We had just reached 30 mph! So we slowly drove down the coast together and drove back and returned the bike at dusk. It was so fun!

Then we got our favorite drinks and walked down the beach some more. We ate at a different resort with a nice view of the ocean and discussed life without the constant interruption of our wonderful children. It was nice.

Then we walked back to our hotel and found our kids all snuggled in watching a movie in the big bed with nana and papa.

Life is good!

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Is there some reason why one must marry their opposite? It must cause balance on the earth and “complete me” and all that jazz… but sometimes it is just plain annoying. I mean truly how many times can a couple have the same “discussion?” It always stems from the fact that on some level you are different from your precious spouse- different values, different expectations, different work ethics, different opinions…. The list goes on.

Peter and I are very complimentary is SOOO many ways and I am so thankful. I literally can’t imagine a better husband or friend to spend my life with, but every now and then, we are just different enough to get on each other’s nerves.

We recycle the same argument in hundreds of interesting ways. The event doesn’t really matter the cause of the argument is the same:

1. Peter can never rest until everything is done, which is never. I on the other hand can expertly ignore what needs to be done and find something more enjoyable, restful or interesting to keep my attention.

2. Peter likes to be on time, he is wonderfully punctual and specific about the time (my nickname for my dear husband and best friend? Captain Countdown.) I really NEVER know what time it is and really take things as they come, which often makes me LATE!

You do see my problem though, don’t you? While he is hard working and punctual, I am fun loving and event focus--- which are very nice ways of saying that I am a lazy procrastinator and a rude and self-focused late person.

Our culture would rather employ a hard working (maybe workaholic) and punctual person ten times to one! But life is such drudgery without down time. How to balance these things? Between us, we would be a fabulously balanced person. If only we could figure out, after almost nine years!

Our morning was bumpy and sad, but now the Christmas carols are playing and everything is nice, as usual.