A New Resolution!

I've never been one to make New Year's Resolutions and I've never felt bad about it at all. However, while I was working out at the gym last week, the TV's were out of service due to the snow, and I had some time to just think. And I thought of one that I wanted to work on. You ready for it? Not to get mad at my husband! Now, before you start laughing, let me explain a little.

Lately, I'm a little ashamed to admit, it seems that we've been more upset with each other than normal. I love Dan with all my heart. He is a wonderful husband, an excellent father and overall a wonderful man. I couldn't ask for a better person to be my eternal companion. As we all know though, we're human, we make mistakes. We say things we don't mean, we get impatient, frustrated, etc. Things don't always go our ways, our kids get cranky and that can make life more hectic, etc. We've all been there.

I think the problem with us was going through the transition of having two kids now. Plus, Anna wasn't napping anymore, and would get so incredibly cranky. Alex would be crying and our nerves would be shot and unfortunately, we would take it out on each other. Of course, later we would apologize and get on with our lives, but there's always that part of you that wishes it had never happened. And it just seemed to be happening more and more frequently.

So, as I was working out, I decided that would be my resolution-be more patient and not get mad at Dan. Later that day, I told him about it and asked him for his help. I told him I didn't like that we were getting so mad and frustrated with each other lately, and that I had made this resolution and would he like to do it with me. He agreed and I love what he said next, "Let's not make it a New Year's Resolution, but rather just a resolution." This is so much better because it's more of a permanent change, rather than something to work on for a few months and then forget about.

That was on Wednesday and it's really amazing the change that took place after that. There were plenty of times to get mad at each other, but since I had mentally decided not to get mad, it was like it wasn't even an option for me anymore. It's kind of hard to explain, but I just felt more patient and changed how I would normally act in a situation. I felt happier towards Dan as well. I felt like I was joking more with him and being happier around him, which in turn, had a positive effect on him. I asked him a few days after we made this decision if he noticed a change in me and he said yes. I asked him if he felt better too and he said yes.

Now, I do not have a perfect marriage and I'm not trying to say I do and that suddenly the skies are always sunny, birds are always chirping and life is just bliss. However, our relationship is better and I know it will continue to be better as we keep with our resolution and make a concentrated effort to get along better and not get mad at each other. This in turn, will make our home a happier place.

Dan and I on our honeymoon.

We took a cruise to Mexico