Category Archives: Marriage

November 16, 2010 · 8:54 am

A Day in the Life of Mom.

One certainly cannot be selfish in motherhood or marriage.  Although, I would have appreciated someone throwing me the latest Vogue magazine or a quiet room with HGtv illuminating the television last night.  But, instead, I assisted in removing training wheels from Anna’s bicycle, who insisted she was ready to take the bike riding plunge.  We don’t rush into things ‘round here.  Frustrated with the fact that she had not mastered the skill of riding sans training wheels within the first 10 seconds, wailing and gnashing of teeth followed.  Which is why we don’t rush into things ‘round here. 

My stuffy-nosed, almost 8 month old, baby boy led to mommy making a trip to Rite Aid for Vick’s Vapor Plug-Ins.  Moms and dads, these will open up even your own little breathers.  I couldn’t return home before making a grocery store run for obvious dinner essentials such as cheese and tortilla chips.  And bananas, too.  Because, good, solid nutrition is important to us. 

Later, John Henry decided it was as good a time as any to begin his online Hunter Safety Education Course.  I was thrilled to PRESS PLAY and listen to the introduction to the course.  Thrilled.  Let me say how thankful I am for my new knowledge of wildlife conservation funding and the importance of unobstructed barrels.  And, to think, the education has just begun. 

I could not send my children into bed fast enough I scooped up my sweet children and tucked them into their beds, anticipating a box of Junior Mints with mindless television viewing to follow.  But, why oh why would I need such down time when I can sit in my bed and listen to ONLINE instruction of take-off minimums, single engine operations, DME approaches, and other aviation awesomeness?  Exactly.  So, instead, I decided to cry myself to sleep after thumbing through old photo albums of a 3 year old and 1 year old. 

This morning, there will be no down time.  Because, Anna decided she needed a “mental health day.”  Blessed assurance.  Jesus is mine.  And, this day?  Well, it is most certainly hers. 

Happy Tuesday, friends!  And, cheers to all moms.

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November 9, 2010 · 9:27 am

I’m A New Wife! Again!

I’ve never really considered myself the nagging wife. 

Until, I recently realized I had become a nagging wife.

What?  Me?  Yes!  Me!

I’m married to a pilot man.  You know this.  I started noticing that when he was out and about burning holes in the skies, I missed him.  I didn’t miss what he does for me while he’s here.  Just the person, Kris Takle.  My husband.  A sweet kind of miss.  The kind where you send the sweetest text messages and say the sweetest things on the phone. 

Well, this doesn’t sound like nagging.  Of course, it doesn’t. 

Enter nagging.

Pilot man comes home.  I forget how much I missed him and focus on his flight bag on our bedroom floor.  Unpacked.  Then, I notice how we need to spruce up our landscaping.  And, I notice that he doesn’t notice this.  And, his laptop on my kitchen counter?  Really? 

Pick.  Pick.  Pick. 

I fail to notice a husband who tells me how beautiful I am.  I fail to notice a man who desires me, encourages me, and builds me up.

Why?  Because, I’m so focused on what he’s not doing, I am blurring everything good out.

I recognize this in myself.  I hate this in myself.  I hate that I am doing this to the man I love.  To the man who loves me.  So, I tell him.  We talk it out.  And, make a commitment to stop.

Stop the nagging.  Stop the complaining.  Stop noticing what he doesn’t do or see.

So, what if it takes me an extra twenty minutes a day to clean up a little more after him?  What’s twenty minutes?  Or, what if I just resolve that his laptop on the kitchen counter is okay?  And, his unpacked bag can wait? 

What if?

My marriage will be better, because, I’m not selling out to small foxes.  And, that sweet miss for him when he is gone will be even sweeter when he returns home. 

I will be happier.  He will be happier.  And, our love will stay sweeter. 

I’m not exactly sure how this pattern of behavior began for me.  But, I am definitely sure that it needed to end.  Because, I am blessed.  And, I LOVE that man.

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November 5, 2010 · 5:00 am

Ride the Wave.

Annnddd, my favorite pic of the week….

“Eh…I’m pretty much awesomer than Superman.”

And, he is.  No doubt.

A big thank ya to Aunt Brenda for taking this pic at the soccer field. 

In the disappointment newsroom, I asked my sweet husband yesterday if he read my blog post.  His response:

“I think you lost your coat this morning.”

I found it.  Quickly.  Okay, I found it an hour or so later.  I was a much happier momma once I put it back on.  Perhaps a better caption for the above photo is:

Jett:  “So, women lose their coats a lot?”

Dad:  “Yeah, they do son.  You just gotta ride the wave.”

Have a great weekend, y’all.

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August 25, 2010 · 6:00 am

Necessary Supplies.

After all that talk yesterday about feeding my spirit, so my flesh will starve, I decided to read the entire New Testament again. 

I lie.  You see what happens when you don’t soak up God’s word?  You lie.  Actually, I fed my flesh a little with this new, fun creature. 

I love my husband.  Not because he gave me this iPad, which he did.  But, because he also e-mails me pics like this:

He had a few mosquito bites.  He sent me this pic of his “supplies.”  I’m just glad he didn’t go overboard.   And, I actually do understand the necessity of something such as Lifesavers Gummies. 

Anyhoo.  I actually waited until the littlest fellow went to bed, so I could give my anniversary gift my full attention.  Of course, when you are a mother of little people, it’s rare that anything ever gets your full attention.  And, my oldest two made sure it didn’t.  They both felt it was unfair that mommy got an iPad and they didn’t. 

Cry me a river. 

Well, John Henry nearly did.  On top of the fact that he doesn’t own an iPad, his sister got to sleep with me, and he didn’t.  And, the conversation that ensued is one that he will never, ever forget.  And, neither will I. 

Come back tomorrow for that one.

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August 16, 2010 · 6:00 am

Seven!

Seven of the Gazillion Reasons Kris Takle Is Fun to Love

ONE – He always tells me when he falls, almost falls, or bumps his head, because he knows I’ll laugh until I cry. 

TWO – He encourages me.  He makes me feel like a good writer, a good mother, a good wife, a good friend.  And his encouragement makes me want to be better at those things.

THREE – He responds with a “What can I do to make this better?” whenever I share something that is bothering me.  He is quite the great responder guy.

FOUR – He is a fierce protector.  Don’t mess with me yo, ‘cuz my man will break you.  (I don’t watch Jersey Shore, although this one just made me sound like I do.)

FIVE – His Taklisms are priceless.  Here are a few:

                Take the world by the horns.
                I’m as happy as a kite.  (He defends this one by asking if I’ve ever seen a 
                   sad kite.)
                I haven’t been feeling on top of the weather, (as opposed to being under
                  the weather.)

Y’all have no idea how I could on and on with these.  NO.  IDEA.

SIX – Whenever he plays with our children, he is louder than they are.  He makes this house fun.  Of course, my quick humor makes it pretty dang fun, too.  Just thought I’d prop myself up on that one.  Because FUN is my middle name. 

It’s not really.  Dusty Fun would have sounded odd.

SEVEN  – He never flies a trip where he doesn’t send me a text message that looks like this: 

I miss you 😦

I miss YOU, Kris Takle.  I wish you were here to celebrate with me, but you are out providing for our family, ‘cause momma’s gotta eat. 

You bless me daily.  And, I love you even more today than I did seven years ago. 

Happy Anniversary.  My world is sweeter because of you.

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August 10, 2010 · 5:00 am

Really. Does This Post Warrant A Title?

Whenever I wake up and say, “Today is the day I begin to lose the rest of my baby weight,” I am certain to grab two handfuls of M&M’s right before bedtime.  And, I probably forgot about my proclamation by lunch time, too.  It’s not even that I struggle with the temptation of certain foods.  I JUST SIMPLY FORGET. 

I blame the fact that I am busier than ever.  Or, I blame Kris.  Because, surely, it is his fault for not taking responsibility for my lack of motivation or forgetfulness.  

And, I’m behind on my television viewing, AND my toes and hair are clearly in need of ministry.  It’s for these reasons I am aware that I need to re-prioritize my life.  I felt especially beautiful when my husband saw me yesterday, post shower, wearing my tennis shoes with my bath wrap.  I don’t know.  Tennis shoes just felt like the first natural step in the getting dressed process.  So, imagine my confusion when Kris inquired, “Would you like for me to take a picture of you?” 

I’m sure Kris’ exposure to my wrap/tennis shoes pairing only made his odd day odder.  He had just returned from a tiny, little town who apparently sells the cheapest cattle feed this side of the….I don’t know what this side of.  His feed wasn’t ready when he arrived, so the store owner suggested he go get himself “the finest breakfast in town.” 

Kris’ recap of his breakfast:  “There were no biscuits.  There wasn’t anything really.  No tables or chairs.  Only a piece of sausage and bacon served on a paper towel.  Then, there was the guy in the corner staring at me with one eye, while his other eye looked in the opposite direction.”

The store owner asked him how his breakfast was.  Kris commented on the absence of tables and chairs.  “Oh, that’s so they don’t have to get inspected.”

I do not lie.  And, neither does Kris. 

I encouraged Kris that, at least, he was able to skip out on the carbohydrates.  And, at least, I didn’t have on knee socks with my tennis shoes. 

You see?  There is always a bright side.

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March 8, 2010 · 6:00 am

Laugh Out Loud.

I laugh a lot.  I laugh out loud a lot.  And, I laugh loudly. 

It’s true.  You can ask anyone who knows me well.  I really can’t help it.  I’ve asked Kris if my loud laugh embarrasses him.  He kindly tells me it’s one of the things he loves about me. 

That’s a good thing.  Because, he makes me laugh every day we are together. 

We can even laugh about things that most married couples wouldn’t laugh about.  Like his past relationships….and sometimes, even my divorce. 

I’ll tease about things I lost in the divorce.  Like a CD or some other random item.  “Yep,” I’ll say, “Lost that in the divorce.” 

Last night, he made me laugh again.

Me: (folding laundry) “Ya know, I used to iron Bryan’s golf shirts, even some of his t-shirts.”

Kris:  “Did you lose that in the divorce?”

We should really take our act on the road.  Like Sonny and Cher. 

Or, I guess, not.

Life is much too short to not truly enjoy even the smallest of moments.  To laugh out loud. To laugh at oneself.   It can be easy to let the stresses of daily life overtake these moments.

Don’t let them.  Scripture tells us that a merry heart does us good like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) What does medicine do?  It comforts.  It heals.  It prevents our hurts from getting worse. 

Don’t let worry, fear, stress, or anger plague your life.  Let your heart be merry.  We can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we react to them.  If we choose to laugh, we’ll find life much more enjoyable (and more enjoyable to be around.) 

We can also find in Proverbs 15:13 that “a happy heart makes the face cheerful.”  And, that is something you’ll never find in those expensive facial creams.  So, laugh more.  And, save yourself some money with Oil of Olay.  My momma swears by that stuff….and by the laughs my dad has consistently provided her the past thirty-seven years.

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February 16, 2010 · 6:12 am

When Nagging Doesn’t Work…And, It Never Does.

Yesterday, my good friend, Cindy Beall, posted “Shut Up And Pray” revealing the power of praying for your spouse…..versus the not so easily received nagging by your spouse.  It was good stuff.

There are times when issues need to be discussed.  And, a long time ago, I posted “Conversations That Work,” a few lessons I’ve learned in how to communicate with my spouse. 

But, not all issues really need to be confronted.  Because, sometimes, those issues are our issues….not theirs.  So, when we address “our stuff” with our spouse, it will usually come out in the form of nagging.  I don’t always zip it, lock it, and put it in my pocket like I should.  But, I really try. 

One evening, a couple of weeks ago, I was just frustrated with Kris.  (He doesn’t even know it….except, now he does, IF HE READS MY BLOG TODAY.  Not bitter.)  I made the very difficult decision of not saying a word.  I went to bed….

AND, I PRAYED FOR HIM.

I didn’t even pray, “Lord, show him he needs to do this or that.”  Instead, I prayed blessings over his life.  I prayed that God would bless him in everything he does and touches.  That He would give him peace wherever there is no peace.  That any stress in his life that wasn’t from God, He would gently remove from his life.

Blessings.  That’s what I prayed.

The next morning, I woke up to a different man.  Or, perhaps, I woke up to a different me?  I had a brand new perspective and an even greater love for Kris. 

Our words are powerful.  Our prayers make a difference in BOTH of our lives. 

Bless your husband by praying for him.  It works much better than nagging.  I promise.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  Proverbs 31:12

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January 20, 2010 · 6:00 am

Kris Takle’s Fab Five.

As a follow up to yesterday’s post on a produce department breakdown, I asked Kris to give advice to any men out there living with a pregnant wife – or hormonal woman.  Pretty much any man living with a chica.  So, without further ado, I give you my favorite pilot.

1)  Always tell your wife she looks beautiful.

2)  If your wife asks you “Do I look big?” NEVER answer yes.  The answer is ALWAYS no.

3)  If you have other children, it is wise to create time away from them so she can maintain her sanity and they can maintain their lives.

4)  Don’t tell her what she can and cannot eat.  Ever.

5)  Her emotions are like waves.  Some are big.  Some are small.  But, you gotta ride ‘em all.

There ya go, men.  Number five was pretty clever, Mr. Takle.  I’d also like to add that the Little Debbie Valentine box tucked away in the refrigerator is solely for the wife. 

That is all.

What would you add?

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December 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

I’m Hoping There Were No Other Bridesmaid Dresses Available.

Thirty-seven years ago today, my parents said I do……

And, subsequently, forced their wedding party to wear large bow ties and red dresses with white lace that only the Amish could love.  We’ll just let the awesome, red veil accessories speak for themselves. 

Thirty-seven years is a very long time, especially by today’s standards.  Of course, I don’t know every detail of their marriage.  But, I do know it has not been without struggle.  Nor, has it been without a relentless commitment to working through it all. 

Even years into their journey, they saw things in their marriage that needed to be changed.  And, they did what they had to do to not just fix it – but make it brand new.

I love their unyielding commitment to Christ.

To each other.

To us.

To the body of Christ.

And, I especially love the fact that they still never say goodbye to one another on a simple phone call without first saying, “I love you.”

I love those two. 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

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