I was just thinking how thankful I am that my husband and I both have a sense of humor. It starts with me, I laugh when I get nervous, embarrassed, and I simply see life with humor. That does NOT mean I laugh at everything or that I’m in a good mood all the time. Our mood and our outlook definitely color how we relate to our spouse. We either spread sunshine or gloom.

Like, I didn’t laugh when my youngest child was a senior in high school, and responsibilities were less and less and freedom was in sight, until a close relative went a wall and lost their kids to foster care. It’s like one day my own kids were independent and the next we were in court picking up 2 young children and stepping back into parenting for over two years. I hate to say it but, I was stuck in the gloom… during that time.

But… typically my sense of humor bubbles up most every day. We laugh a lot. My husband said the other day, “You make me laugh”. I think I see most of life through a multi-colored psychedelic ...

7 Strategies to Build Confidence and Strengthen Your Marriage

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a strong and healthy marriage can be challenging. However, by focusing on personal growth and effective communication, couples can cultivate a deeper connection. Here are seven practical strategies to enhance your confidence and strengthen your marriage.

1. Embrace Openness

• Share Your Thoughts: Be open with your spouse about your feelings and what matters to you. This transparency fosters trust and understanding.

• Communicate Regularly: Make it a habit to share daily experiences and thoughts, which can help you stay connected.

2. Practice Positive Affirmations

• Change Your Self-Talk: Instead of criticizing yourself, practice positive affirmations. For example, replace negative thoughts like "I can never get it together" with "I am capable and improving every day"..

• Encourage Each Other: Share affirmations with your spouse to uplift one another and rein...

 Respect is the foundation of any successful relationship, and when it comes to marriage, it is essential for building a strong and lasting partnership. In this blog, we will explore the importance of respect in marriage and share actionable strategies to cultivate a loving and respectful environment that fosters deeper connections.

The Importance of Reliability

Reliability is a critical component of respect in a marriage. When both partners can depend on each other, it strengthens the bond and creates a sense of security. Make it a priority to show up for one another, whether it's keeping promises or being present during important moments. This reliability builds trust and reinforces the idea that you are a team.

Encouragement and Uplifting Each Other

Encouragement plays a vital role in fostering respect within a marriage. Take the time to uplift each other, celebrating achievements big and small. Create a positive atmosphere where both partners feel valued and supported. This enc...

Unlocking Your Marriage:

Effective Communication Strategies for Lasting Love

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a strong and healthy marriage can be challenging. Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful relationship. This article explores key strategies to enhance communication, understand personality differences, and foster a deeper connection with your spouse.

Understanding Personality Differences

Every individual has a unique personality that influences how they communicate and interact. Recognizing these differences is crucial for effective communication: 

     Direct vs. Indirect Communication: Some individuals are straightforward, while others may communicate more subtly. Understanding your spouse's style can help bridge communication gaps. 

    Open vs. Closed Communication: Some people share their thoughts freely, while others may be more reserved. Encourage open dialogue to foster trust and understanding.

The Importance of Active Listeni...

Jamie Foxx and Alyce Huckstepp — who were first linked in 2022 — have broken up. 3/3/25

Garcelle Beauvais/Instagram

Finding Wisdom, Personal Power, and Confidence in Marriage
By Connie Durham
Host of “The Extraordinary Marriage” podcast

I not the fighting type, but at the age of wisdom, I’ve realized you’ve gotta fight for somethings or fall into defeat! I was told a few weeks ago that I had a frozen shoulder. What is that? Well, it’s when you move your arm in normal way and an abnormal shooting, throbbing pain, runs all through your arm, taking your breath away.

What happens when something hurts. We don’t do… what ever it is that makes it hurt.
What happens when you stop moving your shoulder? Your movement gets smaller and smaller until it freezes. You’re using your other arm for everything, in order to compensate! Shall I say you need both arms. I was chatting with one of the kids yesterday at an afterschool program I volunteer in. The child said, oh, I don’t use my other hand....

When Life Throws a Curveball:

All Hands-on Deck to Navigate Life Events with HUMOR

Ever been to DISNEY… hot day… small children? Two of our kids were still small enough to take naps and you know there are no naps to be taken at an amusement park! My husband had already been walking around with a sleeping 2-year-old in his arms and a 4-year-old on his back. We made sure they were fed, and we rode the wet rides to keep everybody cool, but when afternoon came… we found a cool place to let them rest, the Presidents Hall. But as we got inside… our little ones were going down. Initially, it was just whining. We tried to explain that soon we’d be sitting down for the show but little people who are hot and exhausted fall into their emotions and I could see, there was little chance of comforting them.

At first it was small but as the whine got louder, more like crying, all three kids joined in. I do not like to cause a scene or draw attention to myself. Suddenly as I became extremely unc...

Intimacy in marriage creates adoration and appreciation for your spouse. Suddenly everything they do is the right thing. There are words like hey honey, do you need help with that? There are smiles and a spark as you look into one another’s eyes. It’s the epitome of a positive loving attitude that’ll refill your cup not only today, but for several days. Everything looks bright.

My husband's love language is service and he’s made breakfast for me on Mother’s Day for years… only thing is… Mother’s Day is on a Sunday and we have church. That means getting ready early. For me, I just like to chill and drink my coffee for 45 minutes and eat a bite right before we leave, but on this day, I have a hot breakfast waiting just as I open my eyes. Lovingly, I eat it LOL.

 
You see, we each have our own natural gifts and inclination to do what we ourselves like. It’s important to know your spouse's LOVE Language, so all your efforts give you the best Love Deposit. When giving gifts it’s importa...

Valentines was just a few days ago and even though I KNOW my husband and I are simply wired differently… I still get frustrated! I think of myself as logical and intuitive… this coupled with simple common sense says, pay attention and remember what I like and don’t like. That’s what I do for you. Anyone agree?

But his wiring is Servanthood, also called the S Style and he not only wants to please me, but everyone else in his path. As we all know, you cannot please all the people all the time. So, I’m going to say he’s simply spread thin, and can’t remember what I like or what’s most important to me. Did I say, we’ve been married over 40 years, with grown kids and grandkids, and my expertise is in understanding how different personality styles mesh? Sorry guys but is this just a man thing?

Everybody's born with a specific personality style (DISC) and add to that your childhood and the expectations of your parents, and you get the perception you have in the world around you today.

Y...