Newest Self Discovery

This probably isn't the best analogy, but just like a petri dish is a breeding ground for bacteria, I feel like marriage is kind of a breeding ground for self discovery.  It definitely provides the right environment for learning more about yourself.  For instance I've already learned this year that I'm not always the best listener.  But I guess the first step is to admit the problem, now I'm working to fix it.

Well I also recently discovered that I can tend to be selfish/inconsiderate at times.  I really don't mean to be, it's just that when you're single, all you really have to worry about is yourself - what you like/dislike, want to do/don't want to do, etc.  And just because I'm married, it doesn't mean my way of think is automatically, permanently altered.  I still find that occasionally I'm not always considerate enough about how things affect Taylor, or his thoughts and opinions on certain subjects.  A couple weekends ago I made plans for the first weekend of December based on something that I wanted to do without consulting Taylor.  God blessed me with a husband who is more considerate than I am because he was willing to go along with the plans I had made simply because he knew it was something I really wanted to do, but he told me that he would have liked to have been involved in making the decision.
Ugh, I hate making mistakes and being wrong, but at least it provides good learning opportunities, and hopefully those opportunities can help me be a better wife for Taylor.

So there's admission #2, now I just have to work to change it. From now on when I'm making decisions or plans, I want to take time to really think "My plans/decisions/actions do not just affect me" and then I can try to look at things from Taylor's perspective.  But most importantly I'm just going to have to talk to him more and get his opinion rather than assuming I know it.

On a completely different subject - I LOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!! Christmas is my most favorite holiday, and yes, I have already started listening to Christmas music. :)  (Don't worry I have considered Taylor's thoughts on this subject and I try to only listen to it when he is not around - he says it has to be after Thanksgiving before he wants to listen to Christmas music).
The only bad part is that it seems like the holidays just keep getting busier and busier.  We've pretty much got something going every weekend in December and I've also had quite a few more writing assignments as well.  This coming week I'll be at the Kansas Livestock Association State Convention writing different pieces about the speakers there.
At the same time I'm also trying to finish up our bookwork for the year.  I've been entering all the information into our Quickbooks account all year long,  but this is the first year I've used this system and our accountant is having me go back and fix some areas.
Then, in the middle of December I'm going to be spending a lot more time down at the feedyard.  One of the feedyard secretaries is retiring and the other will be starting a new job.  So Roshel and I are going to fill in until they get some people hired, but they plan to wait until the first of the year to train any new employees.

Oh well, no matter what all I have going, I plan to fully enjoy the holiday season and stay focused on the reason behind it!

This week we also had a surprise 50th birthday party for Roshel. Fortunately, unlike the time my dad turned 40, I did not blow the surprise, although there was a close call.  :) But by the grace of God, we were able to shock her completely!  It was fun to watch her face as she walked in the door to a roomful of people all gathered to celebrate her.
For her birthday Roshel wanted to have professional family photos taken and we did those Monday while everyone was home.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  We couldn't have asked for anything nicer and Aaron did a great job.  She shared one of the pictures with us, and we can't wait to see more of them!

This truly was the sky that evening, we aren't photoshopped in or anything

Western Kansas Fact:  Pheasant hunting is a big draw out here. We don't have many pheasant in eastern Kansas so most of the hunting is based around deer and turkey.  But people come from all over the country to hunt pheasant in Western Kansas.

My favorite scripture recently has been:
 If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it.  James 1:5
I know there are a lot of times when I need wisdom or have questions, even questions about my faith.  But the greatest thing is that I don't have to have all the answers.  God has them, and He can handle the tough questions.  I just need to ask Him for wisdom and leave things in His hands.  He will guide me where I need to go.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lyndee