As a family, we love playing games together. Good quality games: contribute to a family environment of fun and learning together, make holiday times and extended evenings with other families more fun, give a great opportunity to model appropriate behavior for winning and losing, and allow you to observe your children’s reactions and tendencies to competition, […]
God's Word: A Firm Foundation – Jess Connell
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word! What more can He say than to you He hath said— To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION, YE SAINTS OF THE LORD IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH IN HIS EXCELLENT […]
Wonderland Trail, Day 4: Our Laziest Day – Jess Connell
{NOTE: For those readers who don’t know our family, we’re the Connells. Doug’s my husband and I’m Jess. At the time of this trip, we had 7 kids (Ethan-14, Baxter-12, MeiMei-10, Silas-8, Moses-6, Theo-3.5, Luke-18 months), and I was 6 months pregnant with our 8th child. Over the next 3 weeks, I’m publishing journal entries, pictures, […]
Make Love: Let Him Hear You – Jess Connell
I’m convinced that this one skill can make all the difference in a couple’s sexual relationship. Though it may not come naturally, it’s a game changer when we can learn to do this openly, with a receptive heart, and without shame. Here it is: TALK HONESTLY ABOUT SEX WITHOUT SHAME OR DISCOURAGEMENT. As a wife, it can make […]
Getting on the Same Parenting Page as Your Husband – Jess Connell
Q: How often do you sit with your husband and discuss how you handle disciplining the kids as a team? And what does that look like during the day when he is working and you are home? Are there instances when you bring things up in the evenings for him to work through with your […]
Who Gets Your “Best?” – Jess Connell
We have a favorite family recipe called “Dutch Puff.” The kids love the way it rises up, especially along the corners, and as it comes out of the oven, they jockey for who will get which portion. Judging by their reactions, there are definitely winners and losers when it comes to who gets which pieces […]
VIDEO: Things People Say to Pregnant Women – Jess Connell
People say crazy things to pregnant ladies. But it doesn’t mean we have to take those comments in to the deep places of our heart. We talked about one of those, last week: “Your Daughter Needs a Sister!” (an Acceptable Christian Lie). One commenter shared how the classic comment, “it doesn’t matter what it is […]
How I Built A First-Aid Kit for our Large Family – Jess Connell
We’ve got 7 children. 6 of those are boys, but actually, our daughter ended up having the worst traumatic accident we’ve encountered yet (so don’t count out those girls!). We’ve had dozens of ER runs, and dozens more of NEAR-ER runs, where I carefully assessed the damage and ultimately decided to stay home and fix […]
“I Want to Grow As a Christian Woman” – Jess Connell
Is this you? Are you looking for ways to grow as a disciple? Perhaps you have been a follower of Jesus for a long time, but are looking for fresh ideas, or ways to revitalize your Christian walk? Or maybe you’re a new believer and want to grow more like the Lord? I’m by no means […]
The Lie You're Telling Yourself About Time – Jess Connell
Pastor Matt Chandler says, “I would contend, no one has lied to you more than you have.” One of the biggest lies I think we tell ourselves, is, “I don’t have time for that.” We haul this whopper out whenever we hit something that we know would be beneficial but we aren’t actually doing it. […]
How We Set Family Goals for the New Year – Jess Connell
Each January, no matter which salesman is pitching the perfect system to plan out my whole life, I’m too much of a realist. I can’t buy the hype that, with a little vision-boarding, this will be my “best year ever.” That said, I recognize the basic truth that goals matter. What we focus on matters. Expectations matter. I just […]
READER QUESTION: What To Do About My Device-Addicted Husband? – Jess Connell
A reader asks: Q: Jess, what about when my husband is glued to his phone/laptop/ research for work constantly? Even when we eat meals together his smartphone is nearby in case any notifications pop up. He keeps music/talk shows playing in his headphones continually and actually does close to nothing around the house (with the exception […]
Will You Take My Reader Survey? – Jess Connell
Will you help me by taking a simple 10-question survey? Click here, or on the image, to access the survey: It is an extremely big help for me (and for Doug & I together, as we sit down regularly to discuss the direction/timing/aim of my writing endeavors) to hear specific feedback from you! I look forward […]
Here's Why We Do Hard Things WITH Our Kids – Jess Connell
Doing hard things is admired in many circles. Decide to run a marathon, get your MBA, do a DIY remodel of an old house, or move into an RV and traverse America in a year, and people will fawn over it. Sometimes you can even get a reality TV show doing stuff like that. People are, […]