Grand Rapids Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Marriage books, activites. etc.
Do any of you have any recommendations for books or activities we could do at home. I'm thinking we may need a shot in the arm in terms of communication. It doesn't hurt to reconnect a bit. 
Re: Marriage books, activites. etc.
Something like The Five Love Languages?
Something like that. However we did that one already and it really didn't do anything. We are both spend quality time together. I think TH just took the quiz and then when he found out we were the same type, he didnt' read the book. Personally I think he is more words of affirmation that he admitted.
This is really more about just enjoying each other's company than developing communication skills but I'll share anyway.
We used to do Hoeks unplugged one night a week. From 5 o'clock until we went to bed no cell phones, no tv, no internet. Our only exceptions were the speakers and iPod for music. Maybe this is a normal night for most couples, but it wasn't for us. What can I say, we really like tv and internet. Our conversations were much better when it was over a puzzle or board game than if we were sending links back and forth with small bits of commentary.
Now we are unplugged every night from dinner until Henry goes to bed. More family time than couple time, but it still works for us.
We've been trying to do something like this more often too, since we tend to watch TV together quite often as well. It was B's suggestion for the new year -- Sunday evenings we'll have a glass of wine and play a board game.
Another thing, and I don't know if this is feasible for you with the girls, but we've also been going out to dinner or just going to a coffee house more often. I've found that we have much better conversations at a restaurant, as opposed to when we're home for some reason. Somehow there are less distractions when we leave our house.
Just this week, I found a blog that is very specific to our marriage.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/may-i-have-your-attention/201011/adhd-and-marriage-use-living-in-the-now-your-advantage
Discusses ADHD and marriage. I've joked about JIm's ADHD, but it certainly impacts our communication every day. Over the weekend, we had a big misunderstanding, and he actually mentioned a book he heard about ADHD and relationships. I couldn't find that, but the blog is pretty great. We've agreed to read an entry and discuss after the kids are in bed.
I like Hoek's suggestions, too.
Ours was ever Wednesday! I hope you enjoy it.
Our favorite thing has been to sit at the kitchen table with a glass of wine/beer and talk with nice music in the background after R goes to bed. No tv, internet, or phone. We do this 2-3 times a week. Sometimes we'll sit there talking for 2 hours. It's relaxing actually.
we like to go out for dinner, away from the house to reconnect. We try not to use our cell phones during dinner too much ;-)
One of these days I want to do one of those marriage encounter weekends. Not very pricey and it's a nice weekend getaway.