Mind Maps & Doodles (processing through differences)

I have two images to show you a difference between Josh and me:

I bet you can guess which represents Josh and which me.

That very large piece of vinyl (sold by the yard at JoAnn Fabrics) pictured above is mounted on the wall above my husband's desk. It's a stress relieving, prioritizing, clarifying, decision-making tool... for him. He loves it and writes on it everyday with Vis-a-Vis markers. Sometimes I think he's nuts. But mostly, I'm so thankful that God made him like this.

The second picture is my trying to decide on a baby name. That's all.

When I want to process through ideas and emotions, there's nothing like...

• a post-it note and a ballpoint pen
• a piano
• cooking curry or some other deliciousness
• writing a blog post or journal entry

We're different.

For over two years, Josh and I have been blending our lives together. As part of learning to wife I've spent a lot of time trying to be the super-systems-using-and-understanding-strategist-wife. He loves when I listen to what the mind map means to him. This is affirming, and yes, even flirtatious. It values him.

But, Josh is encouraging me to embrace the way God has created me and to invest time in activities and subjects I enjoy. This is freeing for me. I'm learning how to rediscover my strengths and develop them through various outlets. 

How have you developed your strengths through life's changes?

Feeling the Pregnancy

Grateful for so many things, especially these things:

1. I can feel our little baby kick now.
2. My Josh regularly checks to see if he can feel the baby yet.
3. Our midwife loves babies, natural births, and the Lord.
4. I'm warm all the time and this allows me to wear sandals whenever I want.
5. I have no food aversions. I love meat. I love spice. I love milk.
6. People are starting to notice I'm pregnant. 
7. I love having a mommy glow and a baby bump.
8. Josh and I love being parents, and we love being parents together.

Taken by Joshua Wagner

Spoil Him - Pack a Lunch & Write a Note

I pack Josh a lunch everyday, unless work provides lunch. Okay, there have been a few times that I just plain forgot! Yes, I felt so bad. Men need their lunches. Here are some things that I think about to make this easy.

PACKING LUNCH FOR MY HONEY

1. Cook enough for leftovers the night before. I'm lucky he likes leftovers.
2. Keep emergency foods in supply... like peanut butter. He loves it. I use it sparingly, so it's like a treat more than a oh-no-I-forgot-your-lunch food. I also send soup cans with him occasionally for a stash for the really forgetful/busy days.
3. Keep a fruit basket of favorites by the door. He grabs 1-2 everyday if I don't include it in his lunch. 
4. Make easy snacks. I try to keep foods that last several days in portions, like yogurt and boiled eggs. It's super easy when I have this. So worth it! 
5. Have salad toppings on hand. It's amazing how some almonds, craisins, and boiled eggs can make spinach and lettuce so happy, especially with a favorite dressing (and grilled chicken if I think ahead). 
6. Include a note. This turns any lunch good or bad into one of the best parts of his day. Easy!

MY MOTIVATION

The other day I saw a guy quietly loading frozen meal after frozen meal on the belt. I was tempted to say, "You poor thing. You need a wife." I didn't, of course. But I decided that my man isn't going to be ashamed of his meals. My probably motivation is found in his response. Here's a text I got from him today: 

Josh: "my wife spoils me" - to coworker as I prepare an amazing gourmet burrito. "looks good" he said as he put water into his ramen noodles.

 *swoon*