Guest Post.....the Hubby

Okay....so I'm on the last leg of this National Blog Posting Month thing.....and yes, have posted every day for this month.    I was at a total loss for what to write today, so asked my dear hubby if he had anything to say......  Hence, I've entrusted him to Mr. HP (Hewlett Packard that is...) this evening for a guest post  :)   Here Goes:  

Hi, Folks.

I guess I'm taking a much-deserved break from doing what lots of husbands/fathers do this time of year.  I've moved all the heavy furniture to make room for the Christmas Tree and I got started with putting up the outdoor Christmas lights (always a daunting task here in Wisconsin; it actually got better once my fingertips stopped hurting from the cold and got numb).  It's been interesting having Chris occasionally ask me for topic ideas for this daily blog thing and, son-of-a-gun, now I have free rein.  Hmm...what to say?

As long as I've been around, I continue to be fascinated by male/female differences.  This blogging thing is HUGE with the ladies.  Well, regarding families anyway.  I suppose a lot of guys blog, too, but probably more about football, cars, and beer can collections.  Chris started blogging about four years ago when a friend of hers recommended we do BabyJellyBeans when we adopted Jade (this was a kind of start-up blog kit).  While in China for her adoption, she and I took turns creating blog entries.  We both enjoyed it and it also led to a few, uh, "discussions" about our differing writing styles.  Since then, she has so completely taken off with it and I usually get online just to read a lot of internet news articles.

There's no doubt that our lives have changed since adopting our children, but it has changed the most for Chris.  She went from a full-time professional to a mostly stay-at-home mommy to kids with medical and psychological issues.  When I focus hard on what her daily life is like here at home with the "kiddos", it's so obvious that she's needed some creative, intellectual outlet...and some sympathetic and emotional support from others who understand her situation.  This blogging and the wider community of ladies she found has been a wonderful thing.  Yeah, I'm the husband and, yeah, I live here, but I don't always "get it" when she has a frustration or concern.  Here's a my standard story about how it can be around here: 

Early on with the kids, Chris would notice something that concerned her and say, "Scott, did you notice that?"  I'd say, "Notice what?"  After a bit of educating, she'd say, "Did you notice that?"  Then I'd say, "Yeah, so?"  After some more educating, she'd say, "Did you notice that?"  Finally, I'd say, "Yeah, that is a problem and what do you think we should do about it?"  I've heard that this is common among we hubbies. 

To wrap up this guest-post, I need to say am astounded by the amount of research Chris puts in to understanding our kids and what can be done to help them overcome their challenges, and am very lucky that she does.  Also, the blogging she does with all of you has been very important to her and all of your ideas, insight, and personal stories have made a real difference for the better.  From me to you, "thank you."