Planning for the 2020 Holidays: Remember What’s Most Important

Today is the first day of fall and already I am planning for the holidays. I’m not one of those people who starts watching Christmas movies in July or has all their gifts wrapped by Labor Day. I am thinking ahead and planning early because our Christmas will look different […]

Read More...

6 Simple Attitudes and Actions to Stay Close with Those You Love When They Choose a Different New Normal

Gene and I went to Lowe’s a couple of weekends ago. It was a mish-mosh of some people wearing masks and others walking around like they had never heard of the coronavirus. This weekend we went to our niece and nephew’s high school graduation party. My sister did a great […]

Read More...

Virtual Bible Study–Week 9–Relationships 2.0–When the Rules Are No More

Virtual Bible Study—Relationships 2.0 Week 9 Discussion Guide   Scriptures: 2 Timothy 1:3; 2:7 John 16:33 Deuteronomy 31:8 Psalm 28:7 Isaiah 46:4; 64:4 2 Chronicles 16:9 Romans 8:31 Philippians 2:15   How are you experiencing this bumping into each other in regards to differing beliefs and choices in moving forward […]

Read More...

Virtual Bible Study–Week 6–Doing Relationships Well in the Midst of a Pandemic

  The past few weeks have been a challenge in many ways and especially in our relationships. Many of us have lots of time with the same people while desperately missing others. And as such, we have not been the best version of ourselves. We don’t have access to the […]

Read More...

When Relationships Get Messy at Our House

We’ve had this sign longer than I can remember. I remember the store I bought it in, but I am fuzzy on what town it was in, who I was with (a dear friend, I think), and what year. Most days I barely notice it. But this morning it spoke […]

Read More...

When Your Kids Keep Making Decisions You Don’t Agree With

Yep, it happened again. One of my kids made a decision that I didn’t agree with. In fact, I was absolutely against it. When she shared her plan with me I gave her my reasons why her plan was not a good idea. My wisdom did nothing to change her […]

Read More...

A Conversation with the Family Looking Up Moms and Myself–Loving No Matter What

Last week I was delighted to be a guest on the Family Looking Up podcast. These three mamas–Andrea, Camille, and Beth–have thirteen kids (my best count from their pic) ranging in ages from baby to high school. They have lots of hands-on mommying experience. All of this contributed to our […]

Read More...

Your Part in Healing Your Relationship with Your Adult Child

I find the biggest obstacle to parents building relationship with their kids who are making decisions they don’t agree with is the parent. Yes, the parent. I’m not blaming parents for their kids’ poor decisions nor am I putting the responsibility of those decisions on the parents. I am saying […]

Read More...

Celebrating the Holidays with Adult Kids and Less Stress

I hate to sound cliché but the holidays are upon us. Yes, we are only in the first few days of October, but you know I’m right. Christmas decorations have taken over Hobby Lobby; even Target has started a small section for Christmas lights. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here […]

Read More...

What Comes Next: When Your Adult Kids Face Difficult Times

Sometimes I think back to the struggles and hard times Gene and I have had in our marriage, especially the early years. I remember feeling hopeless and helpless. I remember wondering if the situation would ever change. Then I try to remember what brought about change. Was it a piece […]

Read More...