Ten Years and Still Learning

I've been reflecting on the last ten years, since this summer marks my 10th wedding anniversary. Wondering if I've changed much or learned much in the time that has passed so quickly. I was nearly 23 when I got married and thought I had a good grasp on normal wifely duties, such as: cleaning a house, cooking meals, doing laundry, balancing a budget, spending quality time with my man and being generally all around as helpful and contributing as I could. Some things were a shock for me. How could it be that my husband didn't necessarily like all the same foods my dad liked, or even that I liked, or even that I knew how to make! Getting stains out of shirts and pants and well, any item of clothing really, was impossible and frustrating! Credit cards and dual income and dual spending really throw the budget for a loop! Sometimes I didn't get my own way, and when I stomped and huffed around the house all day (silently of course) the reciprocating response was not "oh baby, you're so lovely and wonderful, how could I have ever done or said any thing to make you up set? I'm so sorry, won't you please forgive me", it was usually a to-bad-so-sad-suck-it-up-princess reply, or no reply at all just a puzzled stare. Yep, those were some of the things that were shocking to me; they were just the tip of the ice berg really. With new jobs, new business ideas, new pets, new homes and new babies the shock factor increased exponentially.

Life is shocking, and I've learned that a person doesn't really get married and settle down. A person gets married then holds on for dear life! It is a thrilling, terrifying, yet sometimes lulling ride and I feel as if my eyes are just now opening to the reality of it all. I'm happy to say that I have learned some things along the way.

• I know now that a roast beef or chicken are easy meals to make, and have a huge impress factor, but they are not a good idea on a 30 degree summer day if there is no AC.
  
• I've learned how to make Granny's perogies and gravy (though I enjoy my mother in laws more).
  
• I try to recognize my part in a conflict, and have come to realize I'm not perfect all the time! There are many factors that influence my moods and not all of them have to do with my husband's words or behavior, so I have to consider these factors before (hopefully) I react.
  
• I try to say sorry as soon as I am sorry, instead of waiting for things to cool off, or settle down, or for him to see my side or even for him to say sorry first.
• I know how to give birth to, feed, change, burp, cuddle and love our children. I'm still wondering about the other things like reasoning with them, disciplining them, getting them to go to bed, and teaching them table manners and work ethic!
• I know that God answers prayer and I can never pray to much for my husband and kids, friends and family.
• I've learned that I needed to learn patience. I've always been described by friends and family as patient and easy going, so I took it for granted that I was. I wasn't. I'm getting there.
• I know how to change a tire now.
• I know how to build a shelter out of drift wood and a boat.
• I know how to dress out a bear.
• I know how air brakes work, or at least I have a certificate that says I know this information.
• I know how to make beef jerky.
• I can describe nearly 100 different flavors of ice cream, and can scoop 6 single cones in one hand.
• I have learned how to wake board.
• I've learned how to surf the internet, blog, down load, google, and email (how shocking is it that I did not know how to do these things when I was 23?)
• I've learned about 10 new recipes in 10 years that I know my husband likes. He still wonders why I insist on making stuff he doesn't like, but it's getting better I think.
• I've gained an appreciation for Metalica! ha ha not sure if this is good for me or not!

There are many things that I will be working on for the rest of my life. I wish I was wiser, handier, tidier, kinder, better in so many ways. Some of the things I still struggle with are:

• House work
• organizing
• Stain removal
• Ironing
• cooking with out substituting
• accepting criticism with grace
• believing in my own self worth
• being respectful
  
• Praying
• Hemming
• Patching
• Sewing of any kind!
• Time management
  
• Not procrastinating

There are many others but let's focus on the positive, shall we?

I guess after thinking about it for a time, I'm finding that I'm becoming comfortable with my life. There will always be things to learn, changes to adjust to, surprises to reel from, disappointments to recover from. I think I'm learning to zoom in on what is important, though I still get caught up in the trivial from time to time. It will be interesting to look back in 10 more years to see what I will have learned. Right now I'm off to try my hand at hemming a pair of pants! I think I'll google it first!