Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
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Family, Life & Finances, Sponsored · November 30, 2016

How to get through the holidays when your family is miles away

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dunkin’ Donuts®. The opinions and text are all mine.

How to get through the holidays when your family is miles away

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no one makes better than my own two parents.

If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.  

Stick with your holiday traditions, even if you do them with others

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

Stick with your holiday traditions, even if you do them with others

A couple years ago, Josh and I and several of our friends were going to have to be away from home for Thanksgiving. So instead of ordering a pizza and being sad at home, we decided to celebrate our first FRIENDSgiving! It was so much fun! Everyone in the group tried their best to replicate their favorite Thanksgiving dish, and one person was in charge of the turkey. After dinner we watched football together while eating my delicious pumpkin pie 🙂 It doesn’t replace the feeling you get of being with family for the holidays, but it was the best substitute you could ask for. I’d say the whole experience- friends, food, and football- was a win.

Here’s another tradition we love to keep alive whether with family or on our own:

My family has Swedish origins so every Christmas day, my dad makes a few hundred (yes, you read that right) Swedish pancakes. Most people think of crepe-looking pancakes when they hear Swedish Pancakes but he likes to use a traditional plett pan in order to make them in the uniform, dollar-sized shape. Here’s an awesome recipe I found if you’re interested in checking them out for yourself. The picture above was taken by my sister last Christmas. A plate like that lasts only a couple minutes when you’re feeding a family of 7 on Christmas morning. Pair those with Lingonberries and you’re in Swedish heaven for the morning.

Make it smell like home

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

When I return home, the defining smells are almost always a balsam candle, the delicious smell of fresh brewed Dunkin’ Donuts coffee (my family lives in the north, Dunkin’ Donuts is the only coffee they will drink- I don’t blame them 🙂 ) and the fresh air that only a house surrounded by country can achieve. I might not be able to capture that same quality of fresh air here in our central Virginia town of over 260,000 people, but I can totally go out and get a balsam candle and make some of my favorite blends that I grew up knowing and loving! There’s nothing better than a good dark roast (or a hazelnut brew if flavored coffee is your thing) on a cold, early morning when the frost hasn’t melted off the windows yet. Pair that with some Christmas socks and you’ll be good to go. Best of all, you don’t even need to live near a Dunkin’ Donuts in order to get some in your home. Just a trip to the Walmart coffee aisle will do the trick 🙂 OR check out this Ibotta offer!

Have your family send some of your favorite Christmas decorations

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

One of the things my mom did for me the first year I couldn’t come home for Christmas was send me several of the dinky ornaments I had made as a kid that my family hung on the tree every year (they still kept some of the good ones for themselves). They also sent some traditional Swedish Christmas decorations and holiday decorating essentials like lights and stockings. Being able to decorate my own place like home made my Christmas away from family feel not so weird as I was still able to see many of the same decorations I saw around our house growing up.

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

Send packages and open them over Skype

One way to feel close to distanced family and friends over the holiday is to enjoy time shopping for and preparing gifts for them! Going shopping for a friend or family member can trick your mind into thinking that they are closer than they actually are. Besides the fun of getting to plan and shop for gifts for your friends, the anticipation of getting to see them open it will almost be as good as if they were sitting in your own living room with you.

Make your favorite holiday foods

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

So you can’t have your mom’s famous pumpkin pie this holiday season? Well, that actually doesn’t have to be the case. Why not call her up, get her recipe and tips, and take a swing at it yourself?! You’ll give yourself the chance to finally prove that your mom really does have the best recipe! Or, if baking cookies together was your thing, have your mom or grandma send some of your favorite cookie cutters your way so your cookies can look just like you remember them to when you were a kid. There’s nothing better than eating an embarrassingly large amount of sugar cookies while watching your favorite Christmas movies all snuggled on the couch.

There you have it, my friends. If none of these things sound good to you, then sitting in a box by yourself this holiday season is good too, I guess. Seriously though, the holidays will be what you make them, so make the most of them!! Include your family any way you can, remember them anyway you can, be warm, and drink coffee!

script sig

Every holiday season, I don’t know about you, but I love to remember what life was like growing up. No responsibilities, free food, and family traditions that just happened every year like magic. Now that I’m a few years older and have a family of my own, it’s up to my husband and I to create those precious memories for our kids, but I can’t help but miss the smell of the home I grew up in, being around my family who just gets me, and tasting the food that no ones makes better than my own two parents. If you’re feeling homesick this holiday season, you are not alone! And there are so many ways to feel close to loved ones, even while they’re miles away. Take a look at some of these tips that have helped me feel closer to home during the holidays when traveling just wasn’t possible.

.

In: Family, Life & Finances, Sponsored · Tagged: candle, christmas, coffee, cookies, decorations, dunkin, dunkin donuts, family, far, food, friends, holidays, life, lonely, long distance, pancakes, pie, sad, thanksgiving, traditions

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Comments

  1. Laura says

    November 30, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Such great tips about how to get through the holidays when your family is miles away! I’m a Marine wife, so my family is 1/2 across the country and this is all so true! You have to keep your traditions alive!

  2. Kristin says

    November 30, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    LOVED this!!!! Such fun ideas :-). I’m from NJ too (transplanted in SW VA!), and won’t be with my side of the family this year, which I’ll miss. Starting to think about how I can incorporate some of your ideas into our own holiday here. Thanks for sharing!

  3. allison says

    November 30, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    I love the idea of sending packages and opening them over skype! Such a wonderful way to bridge the gap this holiday season.

  4. Angela Tolsma says

    November 30, 2016 at 6:32 pm

    this is our second Christmas away from family. Skype is so important for us. It makes the day still feel special. We do friendsgiving too and have anyone over for Christmas Board Games that also can’t see family.

  5. karen says

    November 30, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    You’re totally right about keeping those traditions going even if its not the exact same place or people involved. I want to make sure that the house smells like the holidays and the vibe continues no matter what!

  6. Lindsey says

    November 30, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    Lingonberries are a tradition in our house, too! Ikea isn’t close, so I tend to hoard the jars all at once.

  7. jalisa says

    November 30, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    The skype idea is great. It’s something I never thought about. It also feels like your still together.

  8. Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says

    November 30, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    These are some great tips. Holidays are so very hard when you are away from loved ones. We live away from part of our family and it’s hard.

  9. Terri says

    December 1, 2016 at 1:19 am

    I love the idea of having Christmas together over Skype. That would make it seem less lonely. Your tips are fantastic!

  10. Reesa says

    December 1, 2016 at 4:13 am

    I can’t imagine not being with my family for the holidays. My husband was deployed for 1 Christmas and it was the worst!

  11. Debra says

    December 1, 2016 at 6:21 am

    It can be hard to live away from family, we have learned over the years to make new kinds of memories like Christmas stories over face time!

  12. Ana says

    December 1, 2016 at 11:26 am

    I have always wanted to try Dunkin Donuts! I usually spend my festive season with friends and do traditions to keep me through the holidays like you.

  13. Jeanine says

    December 1, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    This is great. I ALWAYS find the holidays hard since most of my family is no longer with us so these types of posts always call to me. I will for sure be making my favourite holiday foods!

  14. Ilka says

    December 1, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    Sticking with your family’s favorite holiday traditions is probably the best way to get through the holiday season when you’re far away from your loved ones.

  15. Amanda @ Old House to New Home says

    December 1, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    There is nothing like being home for the holidays but you have great ideas for when you can’t get home!

  16. Taylor Mobley says

    December 2, 2016 at 4:43 am

    I haven’t been home for the holidays in three years and it is finally my first year back! SO excited!!! I loved doing our traditions even when I was away. Its a great way to keep the spirit of christmas.

  17. Stephanie says

    December 3, 2016 at 1:54 am

    Love this! I live on a different continent than my parents, so I definitely try to close the distance any way I can. Opening presents together over FaceTime is one of the best ways!

  18. Roxanne says

    December 3, 2016 at 4:51 am

    It was always rough spending time away from family during the holidays. Now that I have kids its just hard to travel for Christmas and make it fun for the kids.

  19. Suzanne says

    December 3, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    I have my brother who doesn’t live close to me so this post is all the feels. Thanks for sharing, babe!

  20. Heather says

    December 4, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    We always have Dunkin Donuts coffee brewing (every day actually!). These are such sweet ways to celebrate the holidays when family is away.

  21. Logan says

    December 5, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    Yum! I love Dunkin coffee! I think sticking with your traditions is definitely the best way to celebrate the holidays!

  22. Ella Ivoire says

    December 5, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    I’m not going to spend this holidays with my dad this year, and I get so emotional just thinking about it. Thank you for this post, really. xx

  23. Adaleta says

    December 5, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    This is a great post, as a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to actually spend it with their families. Many of us don’t realize how lucky we are, and this post definitely gives some perspective when it comes to that! xx Adaleta Avdic

  24. Jennifer (JenuineMom) says

    December 6, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    These are all really great tips! Sticking to your holiday traditions will definitely help you feel a connection to your family. Happy Holidays!

  25. Krista Dial says

    December 6, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    Love these suggestions! I’ve been fortunate to be fairly close to my family throughout the year during the holidays, but I think your tips would do the trick if I had to be many miles away! I’m sharing this with a few friends whom I think would benefit! 🙂

  26. Angela says

    December 7, 2016 at 1:55 am

    Thank you so much for these tips! I don’t live near a lot of my family members so it’s nice to know others can relate and that you have suggestions for how to get thru it!

  27. Sara says

    December 7, 2016 at 8:01 am

    I find that sticking with the traditions and cooking and eating food that reminds me of home is very helpful.

  28. Debbie-jean Lemonte says

    December 7, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    I really needed this. I recently moved to another state away from my family and it’s emotionally taxing during the holidays. Thank you.

  29. Taylor Mobley says

    December 7, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    Thanks os much for these tips! I haven’t been home for the holidays since high school. It will be our first year back with my parents for the holiday. Thanks for such a great post, I totally resonate with it!

  30. Yona Williams says

    December 8, 2016 at 1:33 am

    I think opening packages over Skype is a nice way to feel closer to family. You get to see them in action and their faces when they see what you’ve given them.

  31. Nikki says

    December 8, 2016 at 2:16 am

    Holidays are hard when your family isn’t near by, but having your own traditions is wonderful and having friends around can really help!

  32. Christina Aliperti says

    December 8, 2016 at 5:44 am

    Being away from loved ones during the holidays can be really hard. It’s important to do things that remind you of your time with them.

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Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤

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Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
Top knots over crop tops 😜 Top knots over crop tops 😜

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