Building a Strong Blended Family: Tips for a Healthy Marriage

Blended families come with unique challenges and opportunities. Navigating these dynamics requires intentional effort and understanding. Here are some essential strategies to help maintain a healthy marriage within a blended family.

1. Communication is Key

• Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular times to talk about your day, work, kids, activities, what's working and what's not.  Text or call on long work days to touch bass.  Put the kids to bed, so you and your spouse have time to yourselves everyday. 

• Open Dialogue: Practice patience when listening and make up your mind to "Care" about what your spouse is doing each day.  Be open and empathetic to the ups and downs of one another.  Asking questions is a great way to get the conversation moving along.

2. Financial Harmony

• Discuss Financial Preferences: Talk about money management, including saving, spending, and debt.  You'll most likely have different way...

Strengthening Your Marriage: Overcoming Financial Challenges Together

Managing finances is a common challenge in many marriages. It can lead to conflicts and even divorce if not handled properly. However, with the right strategies, couples can overcome these challenges and build a stronger relationship. Here are some key insights and practical solutions to help you manage your finances effectively as a couple.

Understanding the Importance of Communication

• Listen Actively: It's crucial to understand each other's spending habits and financial priorities. Listening to your partner's perspective can help in finding common ground.

• Discuss Needs vs. Wants: Differentiate between essential expenses and discretionary spending. This helps in prioritizing financial decisions.

Creating a Budget Together

• Agree on a Budget: Establish a budget that reflects both partners' financial goals and responsibilities. This ensures transparency and reduces misunderstandings.

• Spe...

Hello Friend,

In today's fast-paced world, where relationships can sometimes be navigated more by convenience than commitment, it's essential to go back to the basics. The foundations of a strong marriage aren't built on grand gestures but on meaningful conversations and shared values. Here are 8 essential conversations that can help pave the way for a thriving marriage:

1. The Importance of Pre-Marital Conversations: Before the wedding bells ring, it's crucial for couples to sit down and discuss their future aspirations, values, and visions for life together. These early conversations set the stage for a relationship aligned in goals and expectations, making it easier to face life's challenges together.

2. Influence of Childhood and Upbringing: Our past significantly shapes our worldview, including our perceptions of family and priorities in life. Understanding each other's background and upbringing fosters empathy and support, crucial for navigating marital life.

3. Dealing wit...

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

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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....