ANYONE UP FOR A GAME OF SETTLERS?

As long as Saul and I have been married, Saul has never been interested in playing board or card games. He never played them growing up and he just hasn't ever wanted to since...until about a month ago when David and Cher asked us to play Settlers of Catan with them when we were at mom's.

I was introduced to this game a couple of years ago at YW's. We had a combined activity with the boys at the Mosley's. Some of the leaders...who were all pros at the game...started playing it. I had never seen it before but got talked into filling in for one of the leaders. I ended up playing with Bro. Mosley, Bishop Muder, and Bro. Troy Goodwin. Even though I ended up losing, I still thought it was fun. But since it took us until after 11:00 to finish it and I didn't have my phone with me, Saul couldn't get a hold of me and didn't know why I was so late on a YW's night. He was in a panic and didn't find the joy that I had in me learning to play a new game...and justifiably so. I found the game online and have asked him several times if he wanted to play...it was a no. I played it several times with others, but couldn't ever talk Saul into playing with me. So I was pretty surprised when Dave & Cher got him to play with them. Since that night, Saul has been obsessed with the game. Several nights a week he will get out the game and want us to play as a family.

Since we didn't have a TV growing up, we played a lot of games and had a lot of fun. But since we have gotten older...things have changed. There are some in my family that are pretty competitive and there have been some pretty intense games where things have been said such as...Why would you play that?!!...What are you thinking?!!..(and my favorite and the most often repeated) you would be shot if you played that in Vegas!!! Playing a game in my family is not for the timid or faint of heart...in fact, very few of the in-laws, and even some of the siblings, will even dare attempt it... most of them will clear the room when we pull out a game. After all is said and done, we all still love each other. I love to play and am often one that can handle it, but sometimes I am pretty surprised, and ashamed at the way some act in a game.

So since Saul's new love of this game, I have seen a different side of him and my kids. I guess in playing games with my family I have learned to lose and not be mad, don't take it personal when someone attacks me...it is just part of the game, and my family still loves me and I am still of worth...even if I lose. The first night we played at home it got pretty intense. When I made a move against Saul...he didn't take it so well. It didn't get clear out of control, but was heading in that direction. I finally had to lean over the game and tell everyone to...CHILL OUT! EVEN WHEN THE GAME IS DONE AND OVER WE WILL STILL BE FAMILY AND WE WILL STILL LOVE EACH OTHER! IF WE ARE JUST GOING TO FIGHT AND HAVE CONTENTION, WE ARE PUTTING IT AWAY! At first they all wanted to hit me for blocking the game...then they all just sat there all pouty...then they all started laughing. Since then things have been better...there have still been some squabbles and some tense moments...but they have been better sports about it all. But one thing we are all learning is that no matter who wins or loses, we are still family and we still love each other, we are all still of value! At first I wasn't sure that I wanted to have game nights, but I think that my family is learning some valuable lessons of life. And things are 'settling' down...no pun intended! (hehehe)

So...anyone up for a game of Settlers?!!