Which “C” Are You Doing?

Jill: One of the things we love doing is helping couples in crisis find the hope and help they need. However, many times by the time they reach out for help, one spouse has either left, engaged in an affair, or shut their heart down to their spouse. Mark: Their...

What’s Leaking Out?

Mark: You’ve had one of those days, I’m sure. The days where you can’t seem to make your spouse happy. Everything you do is wrong. They’re impatient, easily frustrated, and just plain old fussy. Jill: It’s easy to think that their mood has something to do with you....

Teach Your Kids About Money…At Any Age!

Today’s blog post is brought to you by Deb Avara. Deb has a passion for teaching basic financial literacy to people of all ages. She teaches college and sees financial illiteracy all the time. She feels this is a subject that definitely needs to be worked on in most...

30 Activities to Keep the Kids Busy

I love when the kids just play well together, but that doesn’t happen forever. It’s helpful to have some suggested activities in your back pocket. I’d love to hear your ideas too!  Please leave them as comments! Uno Solitaire (with real cards) Bundle...

I’m Just A Little Bit Off Today

Mark: Last week I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Emotionally that is. I just woke up irritable, short-tempered, and easily frustrated. I was just a little bit off. Jill: I noticed Mark seemed to be just a little sensitive, so I wasn’t surprised when he said to...

Cancer Cured Me of These Five Things

“Hello Jill, this is Dr. Nord’s office. I have the results of your breast biopsy. Are you alone?” It was five years ago today that those words turned my world upside down. Yes, I was alone. In fact, I was driving and had answered the phone using my Bluetooth. I pulled...

Five Things to Say When the Love Goes Away

Mark: Jill and I hear it all the time: “I’m not so sure I love my spouse anymore.” It’s entirely possible that thought has entered your mind at some point. If it hasn’t, it’s entirely possible it might someday. Jill: Honestly, it’s bound to happen to most of us...

Turn Frustration Into Communication

Mark: Jill and I and our daughters Anne and Erica spent the weekend with hundreds of moms at Jill’s Mom Getaway Day in Rochester, Minnesota. It was a full weekend of fabulous music, teaching, and getting to hear the stories of so many wonderful moms. Jill: The...

It’s Not About You

Mark: I am an extrovert and Jill is an introvert. As an introvert, Jill needs her space. You see, introverts refuel by being alone. Extroverts refuel by being with people. In general, I want to be with her–and others–to refuel my tank. Jill: In the early...

15 Statements That Wound A Child’s Heart

Today’s post can be read in two different ways: with conviction or condemnation. It’s conviction we’re shooting for though, because every parent has said these statements at one time or another. We all experience impatience or exhaustion and that...