No time for blogging...

We're too busy enjoying our new home with a great yard during summertime!

I 'heart'....

Sisters in their matching P.J.'s!

Thomas Nelson Book Review: The Language of Love and Respect

The book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a phenomenal book about the relationship between a man and a woman, particularly in a marital relationship. It clearly defines (whether we really realized it or not) a woman's need to be loved and cherished above all other things and a husband's need to be respected above all. If either love or respect is compromised or questioned, the marital relationship begins a crazy cycle that further destructs.

This book takes the original version the additional step by discussing how we can communicate love and respect to our husbands and wives respectively.

I found the clear, simple explanations of communication refreshing, easy to understand and apply, and eager to follow. Nothing is that new- (think Dave Ramsey: nothing new, just easy to understand principles and clear direction)- but it is all true and applicable.

One concept that really hit me was to 'assume my partner means goodwill'. I found myself applying this communication idea to other relationships as well. If I always assume that a person means no harm, but my well being and good, then I will avoid a lot less stress, strife, and broken down communication.

I found that this book was quite repetitive not only of the concepts taught in the previous Love and Respect book, but also within itself. I would have enjoyed it more had it been a little more precise and condensed.

Communication is one of the top reasons marriages and other relationships suffer. Learning how to communicate Love and Respect to one another is a crucial survival skill for these relationships. The Language of Love and Respect does a fine job of breaking down the details and giving clear and constructive ideas to enhance or improve this communication and I would recommend this to any married or premarital couple.

SOLD!

We sold the condo this weekend! Only 39 days on the market- we are so blessed.

Now comes the task of finding something new before April 30th....easier said than done :)

Selling our house

Its been an insane couple of weeks. The main reason? Getting our condo ready to sell. Its amazing how to do lists that go unnoticed suddenly must get scratched out overnight. We have been working hard and are now ready to sell and find a new home! Its a great condo if you know of anyone interested- we just need more space!

For Sale: 3BR/3+1BA Condo in Byron Center, MI, $149,900

Things I Love: Moby Wrap

This week I am sharing my love for my Moby Wrap. I had a baby 4 weeks ago via c-section, so I've really only been using it for about 2 weeks, but I LOVE it! The moby wrap is basically one long piece of fabric you wrap around your body a certain way and then place the baby in the folds created. The same wrap can carry a baby up to 35 pounds (yikes, don't know why I would do that!) and in different positions. My little peanut is only big enough for basically a cradle type carry as seen below.

Now Liliana has not been a fan of swaddling, so I was unsure if she would enjoy this womb like environment (she loves to stretch!). But, given a fussy baby who just doesn't know what to do with herself and she is dry and fed, I place her in this thing and she is out like a light! This allows me to get some typing done, some light cleaning, and simply play two handed with my 3.5 year old. So often I would think of holding and bouncing a fussy baby and be unable to play, but this allows me to be free handed, while at the same time enjoy the cuddly goodness of holding her close. I also used this as the local children's museum so 1) no grimy germs from other people got near her 2)I was free to play 3) I wasn't pushing a stroller around. It worked wonders. I'm hoping my baby will continue to love her moby wrap.

For those perhaps shopping around for a carrier, the main downfall is simply the length of the fabric. The long length makes it somewhat difficult to put on in public (fabric tends to drag on the floor as you are putting it on, either that or I still don't know what I'm doing). It is washable, so I just make sure and wash it if I use it out. It can be a little tricky getting the wrapping just right in the beginning, but there are lots of resources out there to help.

For other things people love, check out The Diaper Diaries!

My thoughts exactly...