It's strange to realize that 10 years ago today I walked in a building single, and walked out of it a married man ! Actually it was a small stone church and thankfully a cloudy, not-so-hot day either. Thankfully I was not the only newly-married person to emerge either!

The only thing I would have changed is I would have made sure we got our hands on some of the food before it was all gone (the problem of trying to talk with everybody!!), although we did hear it was some gooooood food!

A lot has happened in those 10 years (some of which made us grow up a little quicker) and I can honestly say I cannot see going through even half of that with anybody other than my beautiful (and talented, see pictures on my homepage) wife! She has been a support and my best friend through it all.

Both of us can come up with some strange, and on the surface appear controversial, ideas yet we are free to express them to each other without worry of the other judging anything before hearing the behind-the-scenes thinking.  Even then there is a lot of accepting difference of opinion as opposed to right or wrong. 

This is very important when talking about the kids because it means we can freely hash out any and all of our thoughts on what is going on, and wehter to and how to correct any behavior with the kids.  We have our experiences and our histories, each of which are vastly different.  If we are not able to bring up just about everything then that means we are not giving this parenting our own because we're "holding back".

So 10 years down, and now onto the next 10 years (and beyond)

Instead of bringing home one kitten.. we brought home 2!

I am such a sucker!

Of course you don't realize it until it's too late! Either I'm getting old or my spouse is getting sneakier!

A couple years ago one of our cats dissappeared (we suspect coyotes) and our "old man" cat seemed lost without his companion. At that moment Grand-daddy's cat had a litter of kittens and so did the farmer behind our house. So we decided to take a couple kittens, one for each child.

Since then we've had another child, and Grand-daddy's cat has had yet ANOTHER litter of kittens! I should have noticed the number of times my wife had brought up how Grand-daddy and her brothers were hinting about bringing us a few of the kittens, or being surprised that they DIDN'T bring any up with them, or how they are just about the age to be adopted, or taking trips to go see the kittens with the kids, ... This has been going on for a few weeks already.

It wasn't until this morning it hit me. She's trying to get my approval and convince ME to accept a new kitten!

I hope the "old man" can handle another, cause I'm a softie!

Boy, I hope I am not seen as being totally clueless or off-the-wall! It's rather scary to post replies (advice?) because I definately do not know it all!

I use "we" many times because my wife and I are a team working together.  We've learned a lot together and then more since our 3 children were born!

I decided to give Minit a try because it is for parents and about parenting and not textbook-based but real people with real experiences.  I hope that some of what we've learned may benefit others!

I will have to be careful because sometimes I like to play "devil's advocate" for no other purpose than to see the possible other side of a situation.

I heard once (sorry, I honestly do not remember from where, may be Dr Phil but I don't remember well enough to give credit without doubt), related to an argument between spouces:

"There are 3 sides to any story; his, hers and the truth and never shall any be the same."

How true. Once you get past the intial "I'm right, you're wrong" and ask "I'm wrong and you're wrong but what is your point-of-view?" you are on to solving the problem, not just beating the other person.