Brian and I celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss at the end of July. Everything about that statement is true except for the "bliss" part. 

There is nothing blissful about marriage. Marriage is work. It's good and honorable and wonderful work, but it's work. 

In ten years, we have had our share of highs and lows. I don't think any strong marriage can claim that it hasn't had highs and lows. 

Tonight after a full day of family and fun, I sent Brian a text from across the house asking if he wanted to escape for a walk. Both of our moms are here (which we love) and Brian's baby brother (Brad), and we had a dining room full of men drafting their perfect fantasy football leagues for most of the afternoon. My introvert self needed a little escape from the crazy. 

So we set out. To do nothing but walk. Quality time and conversation are what I need for our relationship to feel healthy. Respect and physical touch are what he needs for our relationship to feel healthy. And that is true for most couples, but those are the easiest things to let go of when life gets busy. 

Brian and I recently each read a book called For Women Only and For Men Only. Not only did it completely change our relationship, but it opened each of our eyes to the way the other sex thinks and functions. 

I just thought you might like to know. I believe that every person should read these books....married or not. It is enlightening to understand how a man thinks and how incredibly different it is from the way that a woman thinks. 

Our relationship is not perfect. Perfect relationships don't exist because perfect people don't exist, but I really believe these books can help your relationships with the opposite sex be much healthier and fulfilling. 

Happy reading! 

The Mile High Club

Well I did something tonight in an airplane that I have never done before....

Yep, I blogged. {Get your minds out of the gutter} 

As a side note, my husband titled this post and told me what to type for the 1st 2 sentences. He's fun like that.  

So I have never blogged from 30,000 feet, that is until today. Who knew you could get wifi on an airplane!? And for $8...worth it just to say I did it. 

That's silly I know. I really am on a plane, and I really am writing here so I don't have to finish up my presentation for tomorrow. I'll get it done. I'm just having a hard time bringing it all together. I guess I better figure that out pretty soon. 

Here are a few things I'm attempting to work into my presentation...whether they make it or not, these are all good pieces of advice from one of my favorite business books called People Follow You by Jeb Blount. 

People need a leader.....that means our job is important and valuable. 

Leadership is personal.

The best leaders are the best relationship builders.

You need your people more than they need you.

If you want people to follow you, treat them in a way that will cause them to want to follow you.

Just a few things for you to ponder tonight.....more to come when my presentation is finished and shiny and pretty.

From the air tonight......

Purse Problems and Boundaries

The hardest part about packing?......trying to decide which Grace Adele purse to bring. I would like to admit that I have always been a bit of a purse fanatic. When I sell all my non-Grace Adele purses on Craigslist soon, you'll see what I'm talking about. 

And now, purses are a write off, which is a slight problem. I'm definitely going with the stone colored bag...it's the newbie to the group and it needs to welcomed to my purse collection family. 

In other news, I'm currently reading/studying/praying through that book up there. It's called Boundaries and it's written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend. It is awesome and challenging and perfect. 

If you have trouble saying no, you're overwhelmed, or you just feel like you have too much on your plate in any area of your life, this is a great read. It's easy to read and you can immediately put it's advice into practice. You can find it here. Oh, and everything in it is backed up with scripture. You will love it. My sweet friend, Sarah Matanane is leading us through it in our bible study, and I'm being challenged by it in the best kind of way. 

But since tomorrow is Tuesday, I've got to run. Our women's group meets here tomorrow morning, and we fly out to Boise tomorrow night. I've got one more chapter to read tonight, purses and clothes to pack, and so much more. 

Happy Monday ya'll.