Mary broke the automatic lens cover on the camera. It is now completely off, so the camera is usable, but the lens is unprotected.
A slice of baby.
A self-portrait, I believe (Katie).
Blinders? But in a good way, of course.
I need a new camera. Recommendations?
Preferences: digital, good resolution, indestructible.
Does not have to be a point and shoot, does not have to do video.
Right now, my biggest source of entertainment is the toddler on the cusp of talking.
She “talks” a lot. And “sings.” With gusto. But the words are all her own secret language.
She just came in and ranted for a full minute. I occasionally interjected with an “Oh, no!” or “Really?” or “And then what?” She had hand gestures, and she stomped her feet. I caught the word “door” and what passes for “Jenny” and then finally she grabbed my hand and pulled. Off we went to see the source of her consternation, which seemed to be that Jenny had closed her bedroom door and she wanted in. Jenny opened the door, and the complaining stopped.
The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse by Art and Laraine Bennett is a follow up to the book The Temperament God Gave You. I had not read the latter, and was concerned that I wouldn’t quite “get” the temperaments as they are defined in the books: choleric, sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic. There is an overview at the beginning of the Spouse book which, I think, adequately identifies the temperaments – enough to make some sense of the book itself. There is also this quiz which is more in depth and might help those who have characteristics bridging more than one temperament.
With the difficult and often frustrating task of “getting along with others” it is helpful to have some guidance in how to communicate with those who don’t think quite the way we do. And when that someone is our spouse – someone with whom we have to deal on a constant basis – lack of understanding can lead to hurt feelings which, over time, can seriously damage a relationship.
The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse explains that your soul mate isn’t really trying to drive you nuts; he or she just is the way he is. The first part of the book describes each temperament in the role of spouse (and parent). In the second part, the book explains the best ways for a spouse to communicate with each temperament as well as offers tips for that temperament in dealing with others. It then goes on to describe the dynamics of each marriage, whether one marries someone of a like temperament or if one is in a “mixed” marriage.
This book is a good resource for ideas on how to improve communication within a marriage. You do not need to have read their first book to understand this book, although I intend to read The Temperament God Gave You for greater insight into each temperament, personalities of mixed temperaments, and how to parent children of different temperaments, which I think would be useful knowledge (anybody have a copy they want to loan me?).
I will say that I am not entirely sold on the whole temperament-as-an exclusive-way-to-classify-people idea. I would certainly hesitate to say something like, “Oh, you’re reacting this way because you’re a (fill in the blank).” Perhaps it is because I am a mixed temperament (choleric-sanguine), and my husband is even more mixed (primarily melancholic-sanguine) that I have trouble saying, “Oh, that is so – us,” to any of the relationships listed. Rather, I saw threads of commonality in most of the temperaments and found the communication techniques described in the book as generally useful for most people most of the time.
This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find out more about The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse.
Sarah is hosting a carnival for Our Lady:
Tomorrow (today, actually, I’m just a bad blog friend) is the Mary Moments Carnival!
Are you ready?
Have you found the link in your archive or written something about Mary? Don’t forget we’re focusing on parenthood (but don’t let that stop you either).
Will you leave a comment and share the discussion about Mary?
We have an entire week of Mary’s month of May left, so let’s kick it off with a memorial to our Blessed Mother.
You can comment and leave a link here.
As my husband writes in his Memorial Day post, we are listening to Rolling Thunder all day and night this weekend.
“Mommy!” Jenny runs in breathlessly. “There’s a man here on a motorcycle!”
Peter’s eyes were gleaming with excitement.
It was just a coworker stopping by because his son needed a potty break, and we were a convenient stop. They used the facilities, declined lemonade because the sky looked threatening (and likely because Bill and the boys were not home), and were on their way. Peter, the girls, and I stepped outside to watch them go, the roar of the engine quickening our pulses and painting silly grins on our faces.
A few weeks ago, Bill was disappointed when he pointed out a very pretty bike on eBay and I told him that he couldn’t have it.
It had only one seat.
Reit This Way 