For those long-time readers or people who know us in real life, this autobiographical background may be review, but it’ll help explain what follows: 12 years or so ago, for many reasons, we moved abroad. Doug managed a coffee roasting business, and I stayed home with our ever-expanding family. We each learned languages and made local […]
What If the Littles Grow Up Different From the Big Kids? – Jess Connell
One of the things I was at least mildly concerned about at first, in regard to having a big family, was the common observation that in a large family, the younger children often grow up in a quite different way from how the older children were raised. Accusations sometimes go along these lines: You were […]
Heavenward Praises for an Earthly Home – Jess Connell
My husband lost his job at our home church, last November. He applied for a number of positions, mostly in TX, and one in WA. It was, and is, one of the more difficult seasons of life that we’ve walked through. Months of hanging on to the Lord in what felt like a swirling vortex. […]
Best Resources for Pregnant and New Moms – Jess Connell
Awesome! Congratulations on your new little person!!! I remember the excitement (Wheeeeeeeeeeeee! This is really happening!!), the uncertainty (“what in the world have I gotten myself into?” and “what in the world is all this gear?”) … and the voracious appetite for ideas and information. To help, I’ve pulled together my favorite resources for you: […]
FAQs – Jess Connell
Simply submit your info here. 🙂 COMMENT POLICY Please keep your comments positive. If your comment is rude, it gets deleted. Any comment that espouses an anti-marriage philosophy (eg. pornography, adultery, divorce, and the like) or encourages unbiblical parenting practices will be deleted. If it is critical, please make it constructive. If you are replying to another […]
unity – Jess Connell
Q: How do you share with your husband what you are learning about teaching and parenting? I spend so much time learning how to be a better teacher and mom but I feel like his mindset about parenting is not growing like mine. I analyze my childhood and why I feel and do things that I don’t… […]
shopping – Jess Connell
Last week, I placed my first order with Amazon Prime Pantry. As a bargain shopper (and borderline cheapskate), I’ve been skeptically keeping my distance. But after trying it, I’m pretty impressed and think I’ll try it again from time to time. Here’s what I noticed, what I didn’t like, and what I DID like….
Why Your Kids’ Appetites Matter – Jess Connell
Parents instill appetites in their children. We know it’s generally true with foods. I didn’t grow up eating: Russian goulash Thai peanut chicken over a bed of sprouts & star fruit for dessert Ethiopian injera I did grow up eating: Even as an adult, while I might occasionally try something new, or discover new things I […]
Thinking, Reading, Learning- 10/15 – Jess Connell
Mmmmmmm, it’s fall! The leaves are on the ground… I’m wearing socks again… and we just started our first fireplace fire last night. Here are the things I’m currently thinking about, reading, and learning. What I’m thinking about: “Side Hustles”– I’ve been blogging for 9 years now. In January, we’ll have been homeschooling for 10 years. […]
diastasis recti – Jess Connell
I never knew it could happen. There I was, going about my merry first pregnancy, growing bigger by the day. After having my 9 pound, 2 ounce son, I still didn’t know it had happened. My tummy never quite went back to its previous shape, but then plenty of women told me, “that’s normal; everything is…
culture – Jess Connell
You may already know what I’m referring to. It’s the job where nearly everyone– celebrities, politicians, nurses, and stay-home-moms– struggles, almost from the first few minutes. In this place, we feel self-doubt we feel pressured to do it all we are ill-equipped in what we do we have no idea how to do it we’re pretty… […]
hypocrisy – Jess Connell
In Part 1, we asked the question- “Are You A ‘Mommy Martyr?’” That article gives a fleshing out of what it looks like to take on the identity of a ‘mommy martyr’ as well as some of the ways it affects our lives. Today (in Part 2), I want to look at 7 ways we… […]
Titus2 – Jess Connell
Are you spiritually “stuck?” Feeling like you have questions but no answers? Stagnant in life but unsure how to start growing again? I was 16 years old when it began. I was a coming-out-of-rebellion teen; she was a young mom (in her 20s) with 3 little ones. In free moments of my busy high school life,… […]
birthdays – Jess Connell
Since October is my birthday month, let’s talk about birthday depression. Last year, I (seriously) typed in, “why am I sad even though it’s my birthday?” to Google. Yup, I typed in that phrase. It wasn’t much help, except to say, apparently, this is a thing. Some people get sad, instead of happy, on their birthdays. There…