How Do You Love?

Gary Chapman wrote a best-selling book called The Five Love Languages.  I'm sure a lot of you have read it, however, if you haven't, you should.  If you aren't a big reader, there is a website you can visit.  You can even take an assessment/quiz in order to discover your own love language.  

I have heard a few people say that they don't really believe in the whole love language thing.  While I'm not sure what their reasoning is for not "believing" in it, but I want to tell you my reasons FOR believing and trusting in these languages.  

Most of you know that I have a big family.  I'm not really sure the word big fully describes it.  Including the spouses of my siblings, my parents are at 10 kids and counting.  Through the many years of fights, laughter, joy, and apologies, I have seen our love languages work first hand.  Based on my experiences with my siblings (and a little insight from my mother), I have formed a few guesses about my family's love languages.  These are by no means the end all be all for my family members, but just what I have experienced. 

Mom-Acts of service

Rusty- Words of Affirmation

Izzy- Gifts

Breezy- Gifts

Jon- Acts of service

Ray- All of them (he seems pretty well-rounded in this area)

Claudia- Gifts

Brandon- Acts of service

Bailey- Words of Affirmation

Bryce- Quality Time

Becker- Quality Time

Knowing how each of my family members gives and receives love, I am able to tailor my love for them.  Maybe spend a little extra time picking out gifts for Izzy, Breezy and Claudia or go out of my way to do something special for Mom, Jon and Brandon.  

I left Physical Touch off of my list for my family members because I think that is a love language that is more likely to change based on your relationship.  A lot of people use physical touch as a love language more with their spouse/significant other than other people.  

I know this post has been a little disjointed, but my main point is this:  Knowing your spouse's/boyfriend's/girlfriend's/brother's/sister's/mother's/father's love language can significantly change your relationship (for the better) with them.  

Ludwig and I have taken this information and improved ours!  Ludwig's love language is physical touch (this is true with me and his family members), it is way high up on his list.  My love language on the other hand, is Words of Affirmation.  I love to be told that I'm doing a good job, or that I'm loved, or I've made someone proud or happy.  Now that we know this about each other, we provide each other with that form of love.  I give him kisses on the cheek to let him know I love him and he says those 3 little words to me.  We have also taken it a step further.  If Ludwig needs a little lovin', he will ask me for a kiss.  If I need a little reassurance, I will ask him to tell me how much he loves me!  It sounds cheesy, but it really works!  We both feel ridiculous amounts of love!  

So let me just say this, don't knock it til you try it.  Why don't you take the quiz and find out what your love language is?  It can't hurt!  And I'm telling you, it will really help! 

Not So Boring After All

I make a post talking about how routine my life is, and all of sudden stuff happens.

First, our friends told us about this unique sushi place in the next town over.  The sushi is on small plates attached to a conveyor belt.  When something you want passes your table, you take it off the belt and eat!  The plates are color coded so that you know how much you are spending as you eat.  We had such a good time!  We even went back recently to experience it all over again!

The next day I went on a great ride with my dad and watched MIB 3.  I'm not gonna say that you have to go see the movie, but it was definitely better than I expected!  The end was really eye-opening!

During the week I went to The Ceramic Place and finished the project I started back on my anniversary!  Below you will see a picture of my inspiration, my finished project (before it was put in the kiln), and the fully finished product (after the fire).  Do you think I did a good job replicating my inspiration?

I also started and finished a project I found on Pinterest.  It didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, but not bad for a non-artist!

I have the next week off of school (that's our measly little break between quarters), so hopefully more projects will get finished!!!

Excuses

People have been asking me why I haven't blogged lately.  So, I'm gonna tell you, honestly.  I'm not gonna say that I have been too busy, or that I keep meaning to but haven't gotten around to it.  Honestly, the reason I haven't blogged recently is because... are you ready for it?  You sure?

Okay, it's because my life is boring!

I'm sure a few of you chuckled at that, others might have actually laughed, and I at least got a smile out of the rest.  But... I'm serious.  A normal day consists of school work, eating, working out and sleeping.  And a non-normal day consists of school work, eating, working out, running an errand(!!!), and sleeping.  Take a moment and be thankful that your life is more exciting than that.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I could change this pattern if I wanted to.  However, Ludwig and I are hoping to get married (soon), so every little expense we don't have is money saved for the wedding!  I'm also trying to make sure I keep my grades up this last year of school.  I messed up my senior year at NCSU by trying to do too much all at once and my grades slipped so much that I couldn't get financial aid to go to school anymore! And since PSU has 5 week courses instead of the 10 I was used to at NCSU, I'm kicking my butt to get good grades as it is, without any extra distractions.

I do have some fun though.  I LOVE spending time with Ludwig.  We have so much fun together!  Even if it is just the short drive to the gym, or sitting in his apartment watching TV or reading (while he plays Diablo 3).  I love his crazy sense of humor and he is always concerned with my well-being, making sure I'm enjoying myself.  We also have a few friends here that we like to spend time with as well.

So while my life is relatively stable and simple at the moment, I thought I should update my friends and family on a goal I have been working toward.  50 pounds of weight loss!  I'm not sure why, but just in the past year and a half I have gained 40 of those 50 pounds.  It's probably the West Coast, it's making me fat.
Ludwig is also working on a lofty goal of the same type, he is aiming for 100 pounds of weight loss!  Currently he is 14 pounds down from a high of 305 and I'm 7 pounds down from a high of 201.  (I can't believe I put that weight up there, but it serves as a reminder that I can never be that heavy again!)

We have been working toward our goals for just shy of 2 months now.  We have pictures of us at our highest weight, but I'm going to wait to post those until we have reached our goals (or at least come really close) and I have 'after' pictures as well.

We are monitoring our diets and working out 4 days a week (5 days every once in a while).  AND I have recently added Zumba workouts to the routine.  Since I'm paying for access to the classes, I might as well use them, right?  My friend Megan (whose blog about losing weight can be found here) has attended them with me, so I have a Zumba buddy!  That is something I'm very grateful for, because if it were up to me.... there is NO way I would be motivated to wear myself out like that.  So to answer the next question in your mind; no, I will not be purchasing Zumba for home use, 'cause that just ain't gonna happen!

Alright, that's enough talking for now!  I will try to keep you updated on any significant weight loss!