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This does not speak to the prompt for this week, but it is something that I have been most reminded of in the last couple of weeks. One of the things that I love the most about Austin is his consistent pursuit to be better. He continually strives to be a better man, husband, son, friend, and employee. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is not the same man he was a year ago, nor is he the man he will be a year from now. That kind of self-discipline and growth is very encouraging and challenging to me as his wife. He's pretty phenomenal.
As to the prompt itself, a few of the things that makes our marriage happy is our ability to laugh at ourselves and with each other, enjoying common interests, and shared experiences and memories.
One of the greatest joys in my life is Austin's ability to make a joke out of almost any situation. As someone who tends to take things overly seriously at times, he is so very good for me in this aspect. I also greatly appreciate that he does not take himself or mee too seriously. He has always been able to laugh at himself and has taught me to give myself the same courtesy :)
I am also tremendously thanful for the fact that we enjoy the same activities and diversions. We rarely disagree about what to watch on TV, or what music to listen to (not that a difference in opinion or taste is a bad thing), and we both have the same taste for unusual and adventurous experiences that add dimension and excitement to our lives.
These common tastes and interests make for some wonderful experiences and memories. In our short year and a half of marraige thus far we have already made some spectacular memories, and I cannot describe the elation I fell anticipating the next 50 or so years together! I praise the Lord every day for blessing me with such a well-rounded, exciting, fun-loving, sweetheart of a husband! I am truly a blessed, blessed girl!
Though with my limited marital experience, I do not exactly feel qualified to offer any profound advice that would be considered universal or earth-shattering, my "tip" for cultivating a happy marriage is this: Count your blessings! I know that sounds utterly simplistic, but I have found it to be so true in my own thought life, when I focus on the things that I do not have, it makes for a very sour and grumpy Katy, who is NOT a pleasant companion or co-worker, let alone wife; however, when I choose to dwell upon the myriad blesings in my life - especially in regard to my marriage, I am exponentially more pleasant to be around, not to mention happier and far more content with everything. Those are just my two cents :)
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Challenges:
Challenges:
Let's be honest, there are parts of all of our marriages that are not as great as they could be. Our challenge for this week is to take ownership of what we contribute to the negative aspects of our relationships. Nothing we do can ever force our spouses to change - nothing - change can only happen by the grace of God, and in his timing. The only aspect that I have the power to change is the way that I respond to my husband, and the choices I make in regard to my responsibilities as a wife. :)
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Hope you all have a wonderful Friday, and a fantastic weekend!
Just by reading what you wrote I can see that you are two people with a solid foundation as individuals as well as a couple. That is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI try to count my blessings every day where my husband is concerned. I realize that my husband treats me like a queen! I, too, look forward to the next 50 years or so with this love of my life!
ReplyDeleteKaty Lin, Love your stories every week. And, Darlin', you are EXACTLY right about counting your blessings - a happy marriage (and life) are JUST. THAT. SIMPLE. We often overcomplicate things in life. The older I get and the longer hubby and I have been at this we are more and more convinced that there isn't some big magic formula. It IS in the simple things.
ReplyDeleteHere's to many more wonderful adventures.
Pam
okay, i have been mia for a while, i promise to start MHR again...i just wrote another edition to the "how i met the loves of my life" and i promise to finish it soon!! sorry again for being such a slacker!! I really do love my hubby!! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou won the drawing for my Spa Break Basket Giveaway. I need you to contact me with your address or I will have to draw another winner.
ReplyDeletenisethusfar at yahoo dot com
Awesome challenge & encouragement!
ReplyDeleteMine is up ! http://allthedaysofmylife-ohhollyf.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI just love to read your post Katy Lyn! I have to tell you that I deeply admire and respect your attitude towards your hubby and even though you don't think you've been married long enough to offer such advice, I have to say that you are far more wise than many, many women that have been married far longer. Our 2nd year of marriage was our toughest, we almost didn't make it. I wish that I had the same outlook and wisdom that early on in our marriage! But then, I'm also thankful for our journey, for we wouldn't be who we are today without it. Sounds a little cliche but true! Once again I just wanted to thank you for being a shining example to the women of our generation. If more of us respected our hubbies and marriages as much as you, we could singlehandedly decrease the divorce rate for our generation! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteNo prompt this week, so I used last week's.
ReplyDeletehttp://gombojav.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-husband-rocks-saturday.html