Not enough blogging going on….

So. I hate it when people set up a blog and then stop writing…Seriously. Why even start one? You are going to tease me with the idea of you sharing about your life and then BAM. You stop.

That note above is from Lizzie to Lizzie and Doug. We really need to be better about this blogging stuff. Like Courtney. She rocks at it…She gives me something new to enjoy about Riley or her and Kenny EVERY DAY! I stalk it like a crazy person. (See awesome blog: http://theville-chs.blogspot.com/)

I really do hate it when I get all hooked on someone’s blog and then they let me down by not updating. It is like when you watch TV for 5 minutes and get hooked on a show and then your cable going out. Kinda annoying.

So here is my goal: To have an update for you to read at lest 3 times a week. It can be from Doug or I, but it must be updated 3 times a week. Deal? DEAL!

And now that I have written it down, it makes it binding. You are the witness. Ok, back to work. Catch you later for more blogging!

Love, Lizzie

I have the best sister in the world…an Ode to Ashley

For the record, I have the best sister in the world. I have known her for almost 27 years and she gets more awesome each day.  For those of you who know Ashley, you may be aware of her shining personality and great looks, but you may not be aware that she is strong, sincere and extremely witty.

When I first met the bump that would be Ashley, I clearly thought she was pretty cool.

As we grew up she became my best friend and it was clear we were inseparable. Of course we have had our fights and I have tried to kill her at least 3 times (on accident, of course!), but in the end, we are still best friends.

Now, as I enter my 30’s and Ashley trails right behind me it is even more important to me that we stay close. She is a wonderful friend and I love having her live next door. As life changes, I know we can’t always be a wall apart, but I hope we can always be as close as we are today.

To Ashley: You are my best friend and the best sister anyone could ask for. Thank you for always being there and supporting me. I love you!

FOCCUS Test Scores–“It is not a test”

Friends and Family….I am happy to report we scored above average on our FOCCUS test. Now, with that said, they may be completely wrong giving us that score as you will read later.

How this test works:
Both people answer the same set of questions with either A (Agree), B (Disagree) or C (Unsure). They take your scantrons and run them through a machine. Then a printout and your score pops out! You get your results and go over what you answered “correctly” and what you answered “incorrectly”. Your results tell you the preferred answer and shows you answered the question “incorrectly” even if you both answered the question the same.

So, I retrieved the results from Father Harry on Tuesday and brought them to review with the Doug. As we started going through the “Areas of Disagreement” it became apparent that I cannot read. For example, “we seldom differ”, “we seldom disagree about appropriate behavior” and “I think I will feel uncomfortable” are phrases my little brain has trouble with when paired with more negative/positive words behind them. All in all, I marked 3 of the questions different than what I meant to mark. Doug then proceeds to say we need to check the whole test just in case I read the other ones wrong….he has a point

Funny discussion points:
1. The test says: There are certain behaviors or habits in my future spouse which sometimes annoy me. Doug said Agree. I said Agree. The test says that is not the preferred answer. Personally, I think agreeing is the preferred answer…. Doug and I had a good laugh about this one.

2. “Drinking and using drugs causes my future spouse to act inappropriately” I said Disagree. Doug said Unsure!!!!! I said, “WHAT? Why did you answer this like that??” Doug says, “Well, I have never seen you do drugs so I am not sure how you will act…” Only DB, only DB.

3. “Sometimes my future spouse feels that I do not listen to him/her.” We both agreed, but alas, that is not the preferred answer….pretty funny though.

4. “I am concerned that my future spouse sometimes spends money foolishly.” Ohhh DB. I said disagree. Doug said unsure. Ohhh DB. So, I asked him why again….he says, that he has never looked at my budget/balance sheet and was not sure. (This makes me smile as I introduced him to Dave Ramsey, budgeting and debt snowballing. I do not spend money unless I have it budgeted or an envelope fund for it. I think my clothing/shoe purchases are what scares him….hehe.) Ohhhh db.

Overall, we scored really well even with my inability to read and process words. I would say we got an A if you use college scoring and add back the ones I marked incorrectly. Father Harry said we could get married. yay!

P.S. I just learned this: FOCCUS test stands for Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study. Just in case you were curious.