Would You??

OK so this is an entry that I want/would like to see some comments:) Thanks to my faithful commenter's in the past, keep it going. Getting to the point.
Would you ever have YOUR spouse take YOUR last name?

In the past 6 months I've met two couples where the husband took the wife's last name. I don't really know the reasons behind it but none the less, the husband is now wearing her last name. What do you think of that? Would you ever do that?

Now, my thoughts. I kept my last name and took DH's last name too. Kind of like having the best of both worlds:) Now the reason. My family worked hard for where they got, I know what family hasn't. I wanted to honor my family by keeping my last name. I'm proud of my dad and his accomplishment. I actually didn't give it any thought, that was the way it was. Since our marriage our family has continued in a well known last name. At least in the political and business world. I am recognized by fellow politicers, and politicians by my maiden name more then my married name. AND my maiden name was short, although hard to pronounce, and my married name is short. Had my maiden name been Van Peepunaskep or something a long those lines, I really might have reconsidered. But it's short and it fits great with my married name.

I think had I had DH take MY last name it would have been a complete shot below the belt. Like your last name isn't good enough, or it comes with to many bad connotations, so lets take my name. I also think it reflects the nature of the marriage. A wife is to be submissive to her husband right? So taking HER last name what would that set the tone for the marriage? The 2 people I know, and by know I mean not personally, but enough to know the tone of the marriage, the wife TOTALLY wears the pants. She says how it's going to be.

And your thoughts? Anyone know anyone where the husband took the wife's last name? Do you know why? What would you do? I realize not everyone would agree on me keeping my last name, but some will. Thoughts???

Friendships

Seems I'm having an abundant topics I could blog about:) Now if I can just remember them all. Topic today is friends! You have them right??? Do you have few but are close to the few you have? Or are you one that has many friends and stay in pretty good contact with them all?? Or how many of you have rekindled friendships via facebook, or met new friends via blogs, facebook, etc.

I'm one of those that has many people I call friends. Some are closer to me then others, but all in all those I consider friends I love getting together with, emailing, and would love to hang out more. I can pretty much go from coast to coast and find some friend to stay with if need be. When I worked, outside the home, I met many friends via my work. Many I have never met IRL (In Real Life) but know well enough I'd feel comfortable staying with them. I've also have a new friendship with Jen via Craigslist!! Who would have thought!? Well those that know me, probably aren't surprise. I love how God brings people in my life via places like Craigslist, Ebay, etc. Or places like Disney World:) Or my friend Laura (lives in NJ) to whom we sold two black labs to about 5 years ago?? We weren't only brought together by our dogs but God must have had a plan b/c she had been thru infertility when I had just started my IVF treatments. With no one to talk thru it all, or anyone I knew personally that knew what I was going thru, it was a God send friendship that blossomed.

OK so getting to the point!! Yeah I know from time to time I do have a point. Friendships with other couples is an entire different story. I know we're not the only couple that deals with this. DH and I were talking (again, on the way home from the lakes) what couples would we enjoy doing something with such as a quick trip to Vegas? or IF we got a camper, what kind of couple could we honestly go camping for a weekend with? (seriously ones that I wouldn't want to poke with my hot dog stick b/c of annoyances)

The girls I'm friends with doesn't necessarily mean DH could hang with there DH. Or vice versa. Probably more the vice versa for us:) What does one do?? How do you find friends where both the wives and husbands enjoy hanging around one another? I say 'enjoy' b/c you really need to enjoy them or hanging out just to do it becomes dreadful for one partner.

This past weekend we thought about going out. But who could we call to go out with us? Are we just at that point in our lives where hanging out as couples just isnt' possible b/c of children, finding sitters, etc? I look at DH's friends and most of them have grown kids.

Do you have friends that you and your DH both enjoy hanging out with? I'm thinking this is a fairly common issue, agree?? disagree?? What does one do?

11 Years Ago

DH and I are celebrating 11 years of marital bliss today. hehe. 11 years ago we were busy smiling for pictures, looking better then we ever had, and enjoying the day with many family and friends.

To date we have over come a lot and I know there is more to come. To date we have seen one another thru the restoring of our old farm house, a project that still continues, job changes, infertility, loss of family, adoption and here of recently dealing with aging parents.

Right now we are in route to Minneapolis (i had a bunch typed up but lost it all!!). We are going to take the kids to a Childrens Muesum, go to IKEA, watch my nieces softball game, go to the Mall of America and swim. Our hotel has an indoor water park. We are coming home Monday and my niece will be coming back with us.

I'd type more, but i'd better pay attention. DH is not very good at driving and paying attention:) Plus i'm getting car sick.

10 Years of Marital Bliss

DH and I celebrated 10 years yesterday (June 28th). I was able to find a new, and great, babysitter and we headed to the city for supper and errands. Nothing romantic in fact DH fell asleep before me and I stayed up late reading! But it was nice to run errands without kids. We ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant where the food is great, it's fast, and the service has been A++. Although i did get something I didn't order, or there was a misunderstanding, but I did get what I wanted and quickly.

Afterwards we ran to SAMS where we picked up the usual, dog food, cat food, lemonade and I think that was about it. Oh a present for Laura:) Those items are our staples!! Usually diapers too but we're going thru less and less of them these days!! Potty training here we come!!

We went to a variety of clothing stores trying to find denim shorts and shirts for DH. I don't think i updated this since requesting advice on air travel to NJ. That's DONE we're going!! Actually July 9th!! Coming right up. However, DH has NOTHING for clothes. I mean it too!!

I'm going to share this little story and I guess I'll find out if DH reads this. We were in Younkers and DH INSISTS that he can still wear the same size he wore 10 years ago!! What is up with that men?? Really, it's not going to make us think any different if you have to go up ONE size!! So he grabs this shirt in a XL, i think it was. I didn't like it. It was one of those waffle knit, boob showing shirts. You know one of those men who think they have pecks they need to flaunt but since they can't go shirtless they wear theses kind of shirts. I didn't like it. I knew it wasn't going to fit. But i thought FINE go try it on.

In the mean time, the sales associate working is in the area and being that I just returned a pair of dress slacks that were TO SMALL, i knew I could recruit her to help. He's insisting that the shirt fits, I'm insisting HELL NO!! I suggested we ask the sales associate. You know where this is going???

I push him in front of me i stand directly behind him. I ask 'so what do you think of this shirt?'. DH 'models' it for her while I'm standing there shaking my head, doing the cut throat thing, you get the idea. She politely says 'well I think a size larger might be better'. (i knew there wasn't a size larger) THANK YOU SALES ASSOCIATE!!!!

OK so don't attack me. It really was to small. One washing and it would for sure be known as his boob shirt!! I can't him humiliating Laura and Mario while in NJ!!!

So yeah, shopping with him is HORRIBLE!! He agrees. He kept saying I'm going shopping by myself next time!! But we did end up with some shorts and shirts. I think he's set!! I can say i got NOTHING! Oh wait i got a pair of 'Iowa' shorts. It says IOWA on the arse! Probably not what i should be attracting attention to at the beach eh??

I have some great pics to post at a later date of the kids and life on the farm. Make sure you check out http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=81313&v=1a you'll see me on his website!! Looking just HORRIBLE I look like i have a pole coming out of my head!! Darn wind!!