34th Birthday

I hope I don't feel older as I am 34 years old today. I don't really feel older, but I do look older. I have a few more wrinkles and saggier boobs than last year at this time but I am also a lot faster at Triathlons. Last year at Jordanelle I finished in 1 hour 45 minutes and this year I finished in 1:37, 8th in my age group.

I still really love my husband Ben and my 3 sons, Morgen, Max and Markus. They are my whole purpose in life and I love being with them. It is a challenge I enjoy to keep them healthy, happy and fed, clothed, cleaned, doctored and dentist-ed  I love spending time Ben bike riding and swimming. He is a much faster runner than me and I just can't keep up with him on that, but it is still fun to go to the track and have a good time.

Specific goals I have for being a better wife are:

1. Listen to what Ben says
2. Learn his love language (words of affirmation?)
3. Help him to know of my unconditional love for him
4. Go on 10 dates - 1 @ week for 10 weeks
5. Put my marriage first
6. Communication skills - express feelings, listen
7. Seek to understand Ben, what he feels, what he needs
8. Change sides of the bed for 1 week
9. Evaluate progress after 30 days
10. Compliment and encourage Ben 1 time @ day
11. Be patient - grade each other daily
12. Reflective listening (3 to 5 times a week, 20 minutes at a time)
13. Make ABC statements
14. Bet Ben that I can do more positive things for him
15. "Waste Time"
16. Say "No" to everything else - Do less, not more!

 Love,

B