Hey Jimbosjet.
Dont worry about the rules, Norsk and English are both germanic languages so the grammer rules are the same. If you know sentence composition in one, you know the other.
With regards to learning any new language the best way is always imersion. And if you cant do that I guess the second best way is what you are already doing. Just keep plugging away and it will come to you with time and some help from your girlfriend.
Good luck to you.
Take care.
Joe.