In some families, both parents work for a paycheck, in others, one parent stays home and raises the kids.  Kudos to you. But the truth is sometimes both parents have to work to make ends meet.  Now both parents take turns cooking, cleaning, washing, caring for the kids.  That is... if you want a successful marriage without resentment.

Proverbs 31:28  says, "Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her." As mothers, we often find ourselves overwhelmed and exhausted, struggling to keep up with our busy lives. I was a stay-at-home mom, but I worked part time.  I found the combination fulfilling.  Besides... who more do I want forming and molding my kid's foundational thoughts and actions.  It was sometimes draining but it was worth it.  

Here are some things I've found helpful as you make your way through the journey.

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Motherhood

Stop and refill your energy. Rediscover what drives you and give yourself some credit. "God m...

As people we each have different formative upbringing, life experiences, and hopes for our future. We enter marriage with thoughts of sweet love and building a future together.  There are ups, there are downs, there are times we wonder if we'll successfully make it to the finish line.  We can, if we choose to.  If we listen to one another and truly care.  We can if we focus on what is right, instead of what we fear is wrong.

Truth is that we get hung up on what bothers us or irritates us about out spouse.

We get focused on that, causing us to be critical and judgmental.  Maybe we don't mean to, but that's what we do.  It's like fighting our inner spirit, we know it's not right, but it just bubbles out anyway.  The only way I know around this is to pray that God will help you see and focus on the good qualities of your spouse.

Take a look at the world.  Negative always gets more attention than positive.  Think about the last time you shared an exciting positive story about someone el...

Ever find yourself thankful that it's Monday because... last week was crazy busy?  When you consider work, weekly must does, kids' school and activities and then add in the extras for the week, it can become overwhelming!  That's what last week was for me.

Last week, everything that I've been working on for 4 months, happened.  We had our first MOM.co meetup at church (I'm the coordinator), A giant women's charity leadership event rolled in, and my daughter ask me to be the PAINT teacher for my granddaughters' 7th birthday party... painting outside in 90-degree heat with 17 little girls.  Did I say this was my 1st time doing this?  Now, I can do many things... when I am just a helper, but I was the leader and planner in all of these events.

Yes, I know, it doesn't sound like so much unless it's you doing it... right?  There was prep time and all the other things in life going on at the same time.  Here's what I learned.

1 - We can do many things, when we focus on one thing at a time...

If you've been following my blogs or podcast for a bit you know, that we got a 32-foot camper a couple of years ago.  Following the relaxation and enjoyment of camping, were serval blown tires and I've experienced the terror of my husband turning into our slightly dipping long curvy full of trees driveway. 

Once we got in the driveway, we had to get it turned around in the tight places and between trees.  If you've never driven any kind of trailer... you have no idea what I'm talking about.  Right?  Take my word for it.  It took about 5 trips to get it right, and I'm still anxious as we get near our house... EVERY TIME!!

Why, because traumatic things stick with us more than happy moments.

With that aside, we had our 4th tire blow out only to find out from the guy who camped beside us... that we needed a D type tire rather than a C type.  (That's Connie language.) 

We bought all new tires after the 2nd tire blew AND A 3rd spare tire blew on the poor trailer repair guy that just abo...

 Learn simple steps to practice for better communication in a day and time where there are many things to disagree on, like money, kids, beliefs, values, politics, chores, and the list goes on and on!

Find more @ www.theextraordinarymarriage.com

My church is 4 weeks away from launching a MOMco Group.  This now global organization for moms began in the 70's and was then known as MOPS. (Moms Of Preschoolers).  It's been on my mind since my daughter, Melissa attended one 10 years ago.  If you're interested... check it out.  There should be one in your area.  www.themom.co/join 

With all this on my mind, I think of all the distractions moms have today.  So often I hear women talk about the inability, to rise to the standard of the super moms on Tic Toc... FB... and Instagram.  But there's something you need understand.

Those women are sharing what they do BEST.

They're sharing the best parts of their lives and families.

Enjoy it.  Learn what you want... and let the rest go.  Count your blessings.

Here are 3 ways to feel more confident in who you are.

#1 God created YOU Unique.  Not like any other woman... or man. 🙄

I sometimes find myself comparing the knowledge of my husband with my own.  Well, that makes me feel like ...

Life is a learning process from the moment we enter the world.  Our environment teaches us what love is... or isn't, how to not get hurt... or constantly fall, nevertheless... we begin to learn to reach for the light, what feels good, and for those who treat us lovingly.

It's a process.  Some learn easier and faster than others.

But learning from our mistakes, shows intelligence, gives us hope, builds character and thoughtfulness for others.

Those who learn... rise to the top.

No one likes pain.

So, what can I learn from this past weekend? 

Sometimes hurt and pain come from bad choices we made

and sometimes... IT just happens!!

Either way... What did I learn from this and how will it affect my future?

This past weekend we headed into a 2-day nightmare.  Our precious niece of 47 lost her battle with a cancer.  Yes, a dreaded word by all people.  With our hearts broken and wanting to be there for her parents, husband, and daughter... we booked our last-minute flight and sin...

 First podcast in July... airs 7/16/26.  Pastor Dennis Watson shares his own ups and downs through years of marriage and ways that he has counseled couples through using earned wisdom and Biblical principles. 

It's a quick watch!  Host Connie Durham

If you're enjoying my blog and podcast, consider my online program "ReDISCover Your Spouse".  You won't be disappointed!  

Main topics covered

• The biblical call for husbands to love their wives sacrificially
• Why humility, prayer, and relying on God matter in marriage
• How the dynamic of initiation and response shapes a relationship
• The power of small, intentional acts of love
• Common misunderstandings about gender roles and communication

Key takeaways

• Loving well often requires divine help, not just effort
• Thoughtfulness and consistency build trust and connection
• Marriage works better when both people understand their roles and respond with grace
• Even small gestures can make a spouse feel seen and valued

#TheExtraordinar...

When a beautiful 40 something niece dies of cancer, it's final, it's tragic, followed by such sadness, questioning why does this happen?  One bright light snuffed out by corrosive cancer. She didn't get a choice.

We take life for granted, that there will be a tomorrow.  The truth is, there are detrimental behaviors that erode our relationships, acting like a cancer, but we do have a choice. 

Is it time to let go of the venom of bitterness, hatred, and maybe even fear fed by your past?  What if you have 5 minutes to live, what would be most important to you?  Your money? Your career?

We get stuck in our head, allowing evil voices to squash us and steal our joy.  Keeping attention on all the negative things around us, what we don't like about our spouse, how our kids are driving us nuts and we feel crushed by too many things to take care of.  Bills... work... exhaustion

Why do I share this today?

My husband and I were just talking yesterday about what our parent's taught us.  Anythi...

This weekend was the 250th Anniversary of America.  Last week's podcast (Episode 117) shares what history and marriage both teach us.  Just 2 weeks ago I had my 47th wedding anniversary and I've found that  If we don't learn from our past, we'll keep making the same mistakes over and over.  Do you agree?

Here are 5 ways you can create a marriage that last, with each one looking to clear communication so that you can rid yourselves of the things that will... hold you back from happiness.

1 - Build a strong foundation.  Decide what that means to the two of you.  Give attention to what you expect from one another.  Love, forgiveness, patience, gentleness, honesty, ambition's, achievements, kids, values, faith.  You each came from different families, explore your past.

2 - Talk about what means the most to you, and what you need most from one another in order to feel secure and build your relationship.  Print my marriage guide, "The Chemistry of Lasting Love".  Sit down together and fil...