Today is a new day

And today is the day that I move forward. I can no longer stand still and pretend that my life is not happening around me. I need to claim my life, own my decisions, and allow myself to move forward. Today is a new day.

Max wants to be his dad when he grows up!

Mighty Max!

A window where a wall used to be

Max lost his first tooth on Saturday, February 23, 2008. He was a little nervouse, but VERY excited. Our little man is so big now!

Boys

Great Expectations

We all expect certain things from our partners. Support, love, confidence, friendship. As we move through life, certain expectations may change. What if our partner cannot meet those expectations? Is it ok to fulfill those needs in other ways? Through other relationships? I don't mean in the carnal sense, but in other ways.

I enjoy sushi. My husband does not. I indulge that habit in the company of my friends. This doesn't detract from my relationship with my husband, it is just not something we have in common. I can fulfill my desire to have sushi without asking him to change who he is to suit my needs. A silly example, yes, but it demonstrates my point that we can find ways as individuals to do the things we enjoy.

Common ground is absolutely important, and it is true that we need to work towards finding new areas in which we have common ground. Our vacation, for example. I am a planner. It is what I do. For this trip, I asked that we have one thing planned, and I am actually looking forward to the rest of the trip being an adventure. We can come and go as we please, finding our way in a new city, and discovering what it has to offer. This is a new concept for me, but something Brian does in his daily life. I am trying to find some new common ground. Not a grand gesture, but a step for me. Hopefully a step in a positive direction.

Perfection

What an elusive concept. Something many of us strive for, but we will never achieve. By our very nature, we are HUMAN. We have flaws. We make mistakes. We will never be perfect. Perfection is a standard, that if we measure orselves, or the people around us against, we will come up disappointed every time.

What does it mean to be happy? I think it means we understand our own strengths and limitations and embrace them. We look at the things we can live with, and try to change those things that we cannot. We are all works in progress, and as we move through life, we, as people, are in constant evolution. Refining our ideals, improving ourselves, constantly evaluating different aspects of our lives in order to make our lives happier, fuller, more evenly balanced.

Happiness is a goal that can be achieved. Perfection is not.