by Taylor Combs The holidays stress me out, and not without reason. I messed up on the first Thanksgiving after my wife and I got married. Put simply, I failed to communicate—to communicate well, to communicate thoroughly, to communicate clearly. The result of such failed communication was that my wife’s understanding and my parents’ understanding of our Thanksgiving plans were not the same. … [Read more...]
Stay Focused
by Tyler Quillet In the summer of 2013, Cathie and I took our first trip to Ethiopia to meet our boys. Ethiopian adoption required two trips, so on this first trip, we would meet them, they would legally become our kids, and then we’d have to go home without them for a number of months while final paperwork was done on both the U.S. and Ethiopian sides. In preparation of our trip, some friends … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Avoid the Christmas Crash
By: Kris Dolberry– Christmas is quickly approaching. It is without question the most-anticipated Holiday for the average American. But for many, it is far from the most wonderful time of year. We hype it and bill it as though it will bring us ultimate happiness- that your family will laugh and feast and celebrate while ripping open gifts and snapping pictures as the kids shout for joy. Sure … [Read more...]
5 Easy Holiday Traditions [A Man’s Guide]
By: Kris Dolberry– When I was 9 years old, my parents decided to take a weekend trip to the Smokey Mountains in early December. Needless to say, it stuck. Over the years grandparents, extended family, and friends have made the trip with us. Now 28 years later, our weekend trip to the Smokies has become one of the great highlights of the year for my kids, and ushers the Christmas season into full … [Read more...]