In August 2016, we completed a 12-day backpacking trip around Mt. Rainier. As a family of 9. It was an adventure, and a challenge. Because of blood sugar issues and concerns about whether or not our 3 & 1/2 year old could finish, we considered quitting. I’m so glad we decided to keep going. It […]

by Jess Connell · February 9, 2017 When we were planning our trip on the Wonderland Trail (video here, daily blogs start here), I wanted as many details as I could get my hands on. Yes, you CAN take kids on the Wonderland Trail. Yes, you CAN take babies on the Wonderland Trail. It takes extra […]

by Jess Connell · January 23, 2017 I’ve always thought of myself as pretty brave. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know but I looked to the externals and deemed it so: moving around the world, multiple times, as a growing family keeping having babies even though it HURTS (!!!) every time, and makes life harder […]

by Jess Connell · January 19, 2017 Lots of things can be overwhelming to us as moms. Things like Messes, attitudes, sickness, a busy schedule, and/or sudden changes in our routines can push us past the norms of stress we’re used to, into a zone where we can feel like we might teeter over the edge […]

by Jess Connell · December 28, 2016 Why should you listen to podcasts? Because it’s a wonderful way to be encouraged and learn, while you’re doing something else. You can work out, cook dinner, nurse the baby, fold laundry, take a bath, sweep your floor, or tidy your living room… but engage your mind and heart […]

by Jess Connell · January 31, 2017 PODCAST UPDATE: The winter break is over, and Season 2 of the Mom On Purpose podcast starts back tomorrow, February 1st. And the interviews (and I mean both the topics and the ladies I get to talk to!) have been incredible. I’m SO excited to share them with you! This season […]

As we’re talking about with Lisa right now on the podcast, mom life can make it tricky to be actively engaged with the Bible. What my kids look like when I’m postpartum-schooling from my bed, doing our read-alouds Oh goodness, how precious is this? I love newborn sincerity. No cynicism here– just trust. (I told […]

Get into Scripture more than you are currently doing. Dig more. Study more. Read more. Memorize more! It is the one thing that will always make you wiser, richer, and change you. Let it be what… 2014 was my first year of writing at JessConnell.com. Since we’ve nearly reached the year’s end, I thought I’d do a quick “year […]

Sometimes I want to be selfish. I like having things go my way. I like being in control and I don’t like it when things happen that are A- outside of my control, or… Q:  How do I keep busy at home? I find myself so terribly bored and restless at times. Being a stay at home mom […]

Cranford‘s delightfully absurd Miss Pole (an unmarried elderly woman who had hardly ever talked to a man) said, “My father was a man. I think I understand the sex.” Well, as a mom of 7 boys, 15 years in, I think I actually *do* understand more about raising boys (at least *little* boys) than the average […]

Cranford‘s delightfully absurd Miss Pole (an unmarried elderly woman who had hardly ever talked to a man) said, “My father was a man. I think I understand the sex.” Well, as a mom of 7 boys, 15 years in, I think I actually *do* understand more about raising boys (at least *little* boys) than the average […]

Cranford‘s delightfully absurd Miss Pole (an unmarried elderly woman who had hardly ever talked to a man) said, “My father was a man. I think I understand the sex.” Well, as a mom of 7 boys, 15 years in, I think I actually *do* understand more about raising boys (at least *little* boys) than the average […]

Cranford‘s delightfully absurd Miss Pole (an unmarried elderly woman who had hardly ever talked to a man) said, “My father was a man. I think I understand the sex.” Well, as a mom of 7 boys, 15 years in, I think I actually *do* understand more about raising boys (at least *little* boys) than the average […]

Cranford‘s delightfully absurd Miss Pole (an unmarried elderly woman who had hardly ever talked to a man) said, “My father was a man. I think I understand the sex.” Well, as a mom of 7 boys, 15 years in, I think I actually *do* understand more about raising boys (at least *little* boys) than the average […]