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Mother-in-Law Dance by b jones
If you are married, you have in-laws. If you are not married, you will one day have in-laws. It’s just the facts, people.
“In-laws”, can sometimes be the subject of jokes, sarcasm, and tense moments.
When Travis and I got married, it was no surprise to anyone that Travis’ Mother, Dolores, and I did not exactly get along. As much as we both desired a relationship with each other, we were both in “un-charted territory”. I was 18 (enough said!). We did not know how to “dance” with each other. We were constantly stepping on each others toes, saying the wrong things, and wearing our feelings on our sleeve.
One night, Travis and I were in Wal-Mart, picking up some things. (We had been married almost 2 years) Travis has this habit of always going over to the “book/magazine” section, before we leave. Travis, an avid reader, is normally found with his nose in a book. For once, I went into the book/magazine section with him. After flipping through the “trashy” magazines, I wondered over to the books. I found this book called, The Mother-in-Law Dance” by Annie Chapman.

There are few times in my life that I believe “God told me to do something”. However, I know that God told me to go to that book section in Wal-mart. You can think I’m crazy. I don’t care. Everybody has an opinion.
I bought me and Dolores both a copy of this book. I think that she was shocked that I bought her this book. However, we both read this book and it really helped us.
There was one particular part of this book that I will never forget–”A Daughter is a Daughter all your life, a Son is a Son till he takes a Wife”. There are some major truths in that statement. For once, instead of only seeing my side of the situation, I tried to see hers.
Now, 10 years later, we have a great relationship. We worked through our issues and I’m so glad that we did. She is a huge blessing to my life! She was in the room when Asher was born, we talk on the phone/text, she comes over 1-2x per week. It’s great! I am glad to be able to experience the blessing of a Mother-in-law!
If you do have issues with your “in-laws” or any relationship, try these few tips:
*keep a positive attitude
* keep a forgiving spirit
* give them due attention
* thank them
* spend time together
* quit being defensive
* get to know each other
* respect them
* be patient
* love them
* and PRAY for them.

Happy Thursday! See you, tomorrow!
Posted by B. Jones at 3:35 PM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Google Buzz
Labels: About me

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1.  Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2.  When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4.  Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5.  Pay off your credit cards every month.
6.  You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7.  Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8.  It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9.  Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10.  When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11.  Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12.  It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13.  Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14.  If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15.  Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16.  Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17.  Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18.  Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19.  It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20.  When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21.  Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22.  Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23.  Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24.  The most important sex organ is the brain.
25.  No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26.  Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27.  Always choose life.
28.  Forgive everyone everything.
29.  What other people think of you is none of your business.
30.  Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32.  Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33.  Believe in miracles.
34.  God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35.  Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36.  Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37.  Your children get only one childhood.
38.  All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39.  Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40.  If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41.  Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42.  The best is yet to come…
43.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44.  Yield.
45.  Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Joe Dover Today is a great day, went to the bladder doctor, and no sign of the cancer. Praise God for his mercy and grace. Oh, also thank God for Dr. Rosenfeld, I love going to Jewish doctors because they will always have the favor of God for Abraham’s Covenant 4,000 years ago, it was an eternal covenant. Those who curse Israel will be cursed and those who bless Israel will be blessed. Bless you Dr. Rosenfeld!!!

Joe Dover: Today I’ve decided not to worry, not allow stress to be part of my day, not to allow other peoples priorities to be my priorities, not to allow rudeness in others to make me rude, to be at peace in the middle of every situation, to love the loveable and the unloveable, to allow myself to be me and not be a people pleaser, to be happy all day……Hey this sounds so good I think I’ll do it the rest of my life!!!!!!!

10/5/2010
It is really so strange now…just me and Kim so much of the time. We have gone from a houseful of kids to just me, Kim and Andrew in a matter of weeks. Emily and Whitley are now away at college. I am so glad they are not too far away and we get to see them a lot. Ashley does live at home, but she now works full time and spends time planning her wedding. Andrew has gone to the Creekview High School football the last 2 Friday nights (with me and Kim). So, Kim and I have lots of date nights. Very wierd…we wend many years not having a night out, now we have them 2-3 times per week.