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Don’t Roll Your Eyes and Say Whatever
Nick: Sometimes Jen does little things I don’t like. For example, I always make sure to turn off the headlights when I park the car, having had this drummed into me as a teenager. On the other hand, Jen, knowing modern cars have built-in safeguards preventing lights from staying on all night and draining the battery anyway, is not as concerned about it. This often plays out with her walking away leaving the headlights on and me going back to turn them off myself. I feel irritated and just want to roll my eyes and say “whatever.”
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Spring Cleaning
JULIE In the wee hours of the morning of March 20, Spring quietly tiptoed in while we were sleeping! And although the layer of snow we received later in the day suggested otherwise, another winter had passed. The time for new life had begun, and with that also came Spring cleaning.
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Kudos To The Tired Dad
We stumbled upon a remarkable blog post this week. It’s written by a young father whom we’ve never met. He goes by “The Tired Dad” on his blog, and we couldn’t agree more with what he says about being married but tired in this post: The Tired Dad – Marriage in the Trenches. (posted March 13, 2025) What he wrote is completely relatable for us. Here are a few Quotes from The Tired Dad’s post: Kudos to “The Tired Dad” for sharing your experience as encouragement for us all.
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The Joy of Volunteering Together
Volunteering together benefits the couple and those they serve
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Practice What You Preach
Michelle: One day our daughter Taryn came home from school and said, “The word practice is really confusing.” It can mean to work at something to gain skill, like when I practice my different tumbling passes at cheer. But it can also mean to be a professional at something. Like a doctor has a medical practice.” Chris: Taryn’s confusion about the word ‘practice’ really made me think. I responded, “It can also mean to carry out or do something-like practice what you preach.” Why is it important to practice what we preach? People should be attracted by our light in the way we live and in the words we speak. …
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A Life Well Lived is an Unfinished Symphony
It has been said that Life is a Grand Symphony. This is certainly true of our lives as married couples. It has also been phrased “A Life Well Lived is an Unfinished Symphony.” And we recently heard it said in reference to Martin Luther King, Jr. that if your life is not an unfinished symphony — “You ain’t dreaming big enough.”
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Uh Oh, I Really Stepped In It Now
It’s inevitable. At some point you’re going to experience that “Oh, crap” moment of realizing you’ve forgotten something important or done something stupid. But fear not – you’re not alone.
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I Get to Love You
Click HERE to listen to the beautiful song, I Get to Love You by Ruelle JULIE Today I completed my 60th lap around the sun. It is a day of reflection, of looking back at my life through the rear-view mirror. I breathe a sigh of relief that I have been allowed to run the race this far when my younger sister and four of our closest friends were not so lucky. I have learned the hard way that growing older is indeed a privilege. As I glance across the room at John, I am so grateful for the privilege, especially that we completed the last 35 laps hand-in-hand. I…
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We Don’t Talk about That
What’s the one thing (or things) you and your spouse don’t talk about? Maybe it’s money, in-laws, or sex? Uncomfortable Topics JANINE: Sometimes I avoid talking to Ken about how I spend my time. I want him to see me as responsible and productive. When I’m lazy or judge that I haven’t accomplished enough, I feel guilty and frustrated with myself. I don’t want to talk to Ken about this because I’m scared he might agree with my judgment of myself as being lazy. I cover up my guilt by making excuses. I put up an extra layer of protection by portraying an attitude of ‘I’m tough and have everything under…
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Baking Bread and Marriage: Surprising Similarities
Recently a friend offered us a tablespoon of her sourdough starter. And we came to discover that baking bread and marriage have some surprising similarities. The Process Karen: I knew that accepting this little bit of sourdough starter came with a lot of responsibility. It would need to be fed on a regular basis and provided a warm environment in which to grow. We would have to observe this dough using all our senses. Does it look frothy and bubbly… feel stretchy… smell just the right amount of yeasty? On occasion we would need to discard some of the starter before feeding to keep it from becoming too sour. It…
