More Marital Musings

I wanted to say a few words about a book Jeff and I started reading together over the summer: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by Dr. John Gray. Though we're not finished reading it, I would highly recommend it to any couple. We were reluctant to read it at first...I'm not sure why, but maybe it was because we were afraid of it telling us what to do or that it would be so generalizing that we'd immediately see how it didn't apply to us. Finally we started it just for the heck of it, during the long car-rides we took over the summer. The result was hugely educational.

I was surprised at how many times after reading a passage, I'd turn to Jeff and say "Is that what it seems like to you?" He'd say "yes" and I'd realize I had been unintentionally demeaning him in some way. With how differently men and women hear the same conversation, it's no wonder there are so many miscommunications! Also, since we've been reading it a chapter at time, it seems like we always read a chapter right after we've had some incident that's described in the chapter. Ironic.

Anyway, I would recommend it to anyone that's married. You may not agree with everything Dr. Gray says, but even if you feel like you have a happy marriage, you ought to read it some time. It will make you a better spouse and help your spouse understand why you are the way you are, and that goes for him and her.

That's not to say that Jeff and I are the perfect couple now...we're still learning. But I know that Jeff is so great--I love him and I'm so happy that I can call him my best friend. I'm glad he's patient with me, and I know that if we're both willing, we can work through misunderstandings that come up and that it's worth it to work through them.

Have any of you bloggers read it, or any other marriage/family strengthening material? I would love to hear about what anyone else thinks about this--if you've read or heard about something, or disagree with something, that's just fine. (Yes Mickey, it's your copy of Men are from Mars,...but we're really just borrowing it, you know, instead of "borrowing" it. That is to say, you'll get it back...someday.) :)

Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away

Well hello there
My, it's been a long, long time
How you doin'? How am I doing?
Well, I guess that I'm doing fine
It's been so long now, but it seems like it was only yesterday
Gee, ain't it funny, how time slips away

I realize that none of the Phoenix Fosters have blogged in quite some time, but we're still alive and kickin', so here's what's been going on with us:

After we left all of you fine folks in Denver, Jeff did his surgery rotation in Tucson, at the Tucson Medical Center. He's not too keen on surgery, but we enjoyed spending more time with the Rustands. We also went to Iron Springs that month. Here are a couple pics:

This is Cal at the Rustand's guest house. More and more of our pictures are looking like this. Once Cal realizes someone is taking a picture of him he tries to obtain possession of the camera. Anyway, one cute dude. Below is Cal playing with Grandma at the cabin in Iron Springs.
Poor Jeff...All those mornings of waking up at 4:30 AM caught up with him. Oh well--what better place to relax than Iron Springs? Below is Connor and Cal.


Now we're back home. It's been nice to be functioning out of our apartment again. Jeff's rotating with a pediatrician right now, and I'm back in my old string-teaching groove.

And Cal? He has a whopping four teeth, and he signs "more" AND "milk." That's his latest. He's still not real interested in walking, but he climbs up on furniture now, so we have to keep him from falling off. Watch out, Mom and Dad!