Facts about Divorce

Two years after divorce 70% of couples regret being divorced.

And four years after the divorce, 70% of the couples believed that they could have worked out their marriage problems.

However in marriages where divorce is a possibility and the couples decided to work through their problems. Within a few months the majority of couples go from being very dissatisfied to being satisfied or even very satisfied with their marriage.

The average cost within five years of divorce is $100,000. This is due to legal fees. The cost of new housing, vehicles, children expenses, and cost of own living all add up very quickly. In this respect, marriage counseling is a bargain.

On another note, men are less likely to file for divorce. And men are more likely to acknowledge the fact that they don't want to live life without their spouse than women.

As we are studying marriages it is very interesting to me to learn about why people get divorced. It is commonly believed that divorce happens due to affairs or money problems, but in actuality the source of most marriage problems are communication problems.

Stress

This week as been one to remember. We have all had them, the weeks where we try and try to be positive and proactive. But despite our best efforts, it feels like the world is conspiring against us.

This week has flown by in a undesirable blur. I have just been striving to survive this week, but do not fear my little blog readers, this message is not one of doom and gloom.

I propose that we should all give an effort to change our perspective and attitude. Yes, it may be very very difficult, but anything worth doing is hard. Life is not glum, life is happy. We are meant to happy and find joy in the little things!

Here is a list of 20 things I am grateful for:
(I challenge you to do the same thing)

1. My lovely mother who takes care of me.
2. My father who provides for me.
3. My older sister who gets excited for me.
4. My older brother who tells me I am a great person.
5. My little sister who is so thoughtful and loving.
6. My little brother who is obnoxious, but knows how to make me laugh.
7. My Father in Heaven who loves an cares for me so.
8. My health, I can walk and am generally healthy.
9. Finals, because that means I am in college.
10. Hardships because I can come closer to God, and that means I am one step closer to who he wants me to be.
11. Sunshine.
12. My roommates, they are so kind and loving and put up with me.
13. Bubble Baths, they relax me and allow me to take a break from life.
14. Polarid camera, I can capture memories and remember my college life.
15. My dog, she is happy and has been there for me.
16. My grandma and grandpa who love me unconditionally.
17. Nail polish, makes me feel beautiful.
18. BYU-I, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be on this wonderful campus.
19. Sleep, sleep is a precious event that saves me daily.
20. Ice cream, helps on every kind of day!

Stay positive! :)

More On Dating

We have been learning a lot in class about the proper and most effective way to date.

To get to know the people you are dating there are three things you should do.

1. Talk- if you talk you will be able to have a mutual self-disclosure. This is where you are able to feel safe explaining and sharing experiences and traits about yourself with your significant other. As you do this, your significant other can do the same.

2. Togetherness- You should spend time in a wide range of activities. There are many benefits to doing just this. You can get to know your partner in any number of circumstances. My grandpa has always told me that if you want to get to know the true side of man, take him on a road trip and camping, preferably at the same time. I am assuming you want to spend your life with someone that is able to handle situations effectively.

3. Time- Time will tell many things. It has been studied and found that it take 3 months of knowing someone to truly begin to see them as they are. How long have you been dating your significant other?

As you date it is important to be smart about who, what, when and how much dating you do. Dating is preparation for marriage, and that is something that we must realize.

This weeks post- Dating!

I know that we are told that dating is good preparation for marriage, but what does that really mean? How does it help you? Well that is what I am here to tell you about :)

The three Ps for dating:
Planned.
Paid for.
Paired off.

Not only is this a good indicator as to whether or not you are on a date, it is by these three Ps that we prepare for marriage.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that the men of households have the responsibility to preside, provide and protect. When you plan, you preside. When you pay for, you provide for your date. And when you are paired off it allows the men to protect you. Now it is easily seen how dating can truly prepare you for marriage. If the man you are dating cannot properly date you (according to the three Ps), you may reconsider how successful of a relationship it is.  Just some food for thought :)

February 28th Post- Family Rules

I forgot to add this post, so it is a little outdated- my apologies.

In class we were asked to make a list of family rules that we had growing up, so here are mine.

Dickson Family Rules:
1. Finish what you start.
2. Be better than your parents were.
3. No empty chairs.
4. No hitting.
5. Be kind.
6. Once a week family meetings.
7. Prayers and scriptures every night.
8. Curfew is 12.
9. Tell parents where you are going.
10. Be honest.
11. Do not do anything that you would be ashamed of getting caught doing.

Looking back at the way my parents raised me, I have come to realize all that they have done for me. At the time I resented the way they parented, wishing that they would let up a bit when it came to clothes, or boys or other silly things. But now I am grateful for them for teaching me what is wrong and what is right- and they were not wishy washy about it. They were straight to the point! So to you teenagers out there, I know you've heard it a billion times, but your parents are strict because they want the best for you.

Roomies for Life

These are my roommates, and I think the world of them. All of the lessons I've learned in Family Relations have been easily applicable to life in college. We have been able to create our own Zion in apartment #207. We say roommate prayer as often as we can.

My roommates and I love and serve one another. These three ladies made my birthday a great and special one. Britta (far left) made me breakfast and did a family tradition to make me feel at home. McKenzie (second to the left) blew up 55+ balloons and attached them to the ceiling, as well as made me a Happy Birthday sign. And Bethany (far right) gave me the worlds most delicious chocolate, cookies and cream Dove chocolate.

I think it is important to love those who are around you. And it is it important to brighten the world with your own smile. So do not forget to serve and love one another :)

Some days are just bad ones

This last week has been rough. I have been sick and tired. And so my post today is about how sometimes life isn't the best, and that is okay.

We want to moan and grumble, and yes, we should let ourselves- but we MUST limit our complaining and self pity. Be sad, and then get over it.

Be happy. Be thankful you are alive. Look for the good in the world. And most importantly- SERVE. Take a look at this video!

http://vimeo.com/53357089 This is about people helping when Sandy hit a few years back. Doesn't it just give you the chills?

Go out and serve your fellowman.