Openness - Or My Personal Musings

I have been working on this post for what seems like forever now.  I brainstormed.  I wrote a few rough drafts.  Mr. Ketchup even gave me some advice.

Today, I was going to tell you about the Blurb facebook photobook that I made.  However, Mr. Ketchup wanted me to write a more personal post, similar to the first few that I wrote.

This led to more brainstorming, more blank stares at the computer screen, and more re-writing.

It is much easier for me to write about a new recipe that I tried, how to make a photobook, or a new challenge that I joined online.  It is hard to be open, but I will attempt it.
 

1. I cheated on my gluten-free diet last week and ate a piece of toast.  My body was not happy, and now I am fearful that this may have to be a full-time/forever type lifestyle. 
2. I really want to move to a place with a yard so Mr. Ketchup and I can get a dog! 
3. I LOVE love notes.

Ok, the last two are very easy to be open about.

I was extremely upset last week, as I had never dreamed that one piece of toast would affect me the way it did.  I thought I was doing this diet to help with my emotions.  I started it, and noticed that I felt better physically.  Surely a cheat after a month would be ok?  Turns out it wasn’t ok.  This means I have to find a primary care physician and get this checked out.  Sigh...

Number 2 is both good and bad news.  Bad news: We found out that our rent will be going up at the end of our contract.  Good news: I spoke to a friend who told me that her and her husband rent a duplex with a fenced-in yard for just a few dollars more than what our new rent will be.  As much as I love our apartment and being so close to our friends, I have been dropping hints to Mr. Ketchup about how we should consider moving to a place with a yard when our contract is up.  I really hope that we can have a little Ketchup puppy running around this time next year!  (To Mr. Ketchup...you know you want a puppy...we can call her Cricket!)

The best thing about the past few weeks happened today.  When we came home after our wedding, Mr. Ketchup gave me a pearl necklace and a notebook.  I always tell him that I want him to write me more love notes, so the notebook was filled with letters and stories he wrote everyday for about a month.  The last note was written at midnight, the night before we got married.  I keep the notebook next to my side of the bed and check it regularly for new notes.  Well, Mr. Ketchup went on a business trip Monday and Tuesday.  I did not find out until today that he wrote me a note Monday morning before he left!  I get so happy every time I think about it!

In a previous post I talked about asking your husband what things you do that make him feel loved.  Well, Mr. Ketchup definitely does not have to ask what makes me feel loves, because he knows that writing me love notes is definitely at the top of my list!  Now I have to think of something nice to do for him this week!  What nice things can you do for your spouse or loved ones this week?

Sappy, Romantic, Movie-Like Love

I read an amazing post yesterday called 20 Things I Want to Tell Engaged and Newlywed Women.  It is a list of all the Biblically true things that I heard while in marriage counseling and while speaking to married Christian women who I look up to.  Many of the statements discuss topics related to expectations as to what "true love" or "romance" really looks like.

True love is not what you see in the latest romance novel or chick-flick.

True love is not about finding the "perfect" person, because Romans 3:23 tells us otherwise.

True love shows the Gospel (Ephesians 5:22-33).

True love involves sacrifice, commitment, grace, and forgiveness.

Number 11 of the post says that "Real romance is finding that one spot in the crook of his arm to snuggle into, that shared look over the dinner table when the kids are acting crazy, and the way he fixes the leaky sink when he is dog-tired after work."

I couldn't help but smile and remember this quote when I saw the "real romance" in my own marriage yesterday.

Mr. Ketchup went to dinner with a friend of ours who is moving next week.  When he came home, he brought in a cardboard box and told me that he had a surprise.  He opened the box with a big smile on his face to reveal 6 cupcakes from a local gourmet cupcake shop.  He then said, "They are gluten free!"

I am thankful that my marriage is not based on sappy, romantic, movie-like love.  My marriage is based on sappy, romantic, Christ-like love that reflects the Gospel through selflessness, grace, and forgiveness.

I am one lucky woman.

**Just ignore the fact that we ate two cupcakes each.**

Simple Questions

After my quiet time this morning, I found myself reading a few favorite blogs instead of writing a paper for school.  I had seen this challenge several times before, but, as a newlywed, it really hit me.  Instead of always wondering how to please your loved ones, talk to them.  This specific article challenged readers to find out what makes their husbands, children, etc feel loved.

How simple is that?  Yet, how often do we forget to ask what it is that they need?

I know that I have only been married a little over two months, but I thought it would be important to ask Mr. Ketchup this question now, write down his answer, and make an effort to do at least one thing each day.  Hopefully I will make it a practice to ask him frequently, as his answer may change.

Well...what was his response today?  He knows that I love him when...

• I greet him at the door when he gets home from work
• I come to him (randomly) and hug him
• I say "I love you" before he says it

Each and every one of those things is extremely simple and doable.  Yet, each and every one of those things uplifts my husband and shows him love in the ways he needs it.

And speaking of showing him love, we are having steak for dinner (which I found on sale!).  I found a recipe for Steak Dijionaise at the Mom, What's For Dinner? blog.  Score for finding some delicious gluten-free meals!