Medication and the First Trimester

At the beginning of the week I cautioned against going off medication when you get pregnant.  Now I want to write a follow-up, because it actually is important to know any potential dangers with medicine and the first trimester. As a rule I’ve avoided reading lists of dangers, side effects, and rare pregnancy and birth problems.  They’ll just cause me unnecessary stress, and since pregnant women usually see their doctors at least once a month, I trust mine to keep me informed about anything that will actually/is actually affecting me.  But it is important to know that the first trimester … Continue reading

Pets and the Special Needs Child

When you have a child with a special need, the thought of having an animal to take care of in addition to all of the other work you do can seem like an overwhelming hassle that isn’t worth it. However, children with special needs can benefit in numerous ways from having a pet to bond with and play with. Having a pet teaches every child the importance of responsibility. Your child will learn quickly that the pet needs to be fed, cleaned and cared for. If your child can physically participate in those responsibilities, she should be allowed to. The … Continue reading

Christians and Depression

Christians should never suffer depression. That’s a common attitude from some people and it is decidedly wrong. People who claim Christians should never suffer depression have failed to understand a basic truth, that it is not something the person chooses to do. It is not showing a lack of faith or that they are lacking in their spiritual life. Depression is quite simply a medical condition like asthma or any other sickness. We don’t tell the person who has asthma it is because they don’t have enough faith or they are lacking in their spiritual life or if they prayed … Continue reading

Stress and Sickness

A recent article in PARADE Magazine asked if stress can make a person sick. The answer? Yes. More importantly, stress can mess with your normal defenses. In the short term, a little stress can actually be beneficial. Stress can trigger that good old “fight or flight” response, releasing adrenaline into your system to increase strength and stamina. But your body wasn’t designed to function at full alert for long periods of time. Chronic or long-term stress can be bad for you in a number of ways. Stress and your head… as in headaches. With all the “fight or flight” chemicals … Continue reading

The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Marriage and Your Family

Someone recently asked in the forum about the responsibilities of fathers. I believe the best thing a man can do for his children is to love his wife and the best thing a woman can do is to love her husband. It is best for the children and also for each other that you show your spouse that you love them by your words and by your actions. Your spouse needs to know that they are the most important person in your life. Yes, the kids may be important and you want them to know how much you love them. … Continue reading

Why My Husband Didn’t Force Me to Go to the ER

Yesterday I shared why Wayne almost forced me to go to the hospital on Saturday morning. Later in the weekend, he told me what a conundrum he’d been in. As he held me while I bawled because I was alternating between coughing so hard and gasping for breath that I almost passed out, he debated whether he should just sling me over his shoulder, haul me downstairs, toss me in his truck and drive me to the ER. Instead he opted for the bargaining approach. (He feared I’d jump out of the car and get myself killed in traffic if … Continue reading

New to Marriage Blog but Not to Marriage

I’m popping in to say, ‘Hi’ and feeling excited to be joining Courtney on the marriage blog. My husband and I have been married for over 40 years, so hopefully I’ve learned something about marriage in that time to share with you all. Since May 2007 I have been writing in the Christian area and popping in for the occasional guest movie review. A number of my blogs in Christian have covered marriage. You can check some of them out below. Much of my life involves writing. I’m fortunate to have a husband who fully supports me. He thinks I … Continue reading

John Edwards and Victoria Osteen – Tarnished Images?

This week, two high profile people appeared in new articles for not so stellar behavior. Former senator and vice presidential hopeful John Edwards finally admitted to having an extramarital affair. The National Enquirer broke this story quite a while ago, but I wanted to think it was just tabloid fluff. But, they got it right this time. Edwards admitted to having an affair with film maker Rielle Hunter in 2006, but denied being the father of her child, despite not having taken a paternity test yet. His former aide, Andrew Young, has said he is the father of the child. … Continue reading

Name It and Claim It a.k.a. Prosperity Gospel

The faith movement can be seen throughout some of the Pentecostal denominations. Followers adhere to a belief that God wants all His children to be prosperous and things like sickness and poverty are curses. Granted, sickness and poverty may be curses for some, it is so important not to confuse a lack with a “curse” rather than lowliness which is justified biblically. “For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth, But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from … Continue reading

Who am I and What am I Doing Here?

I’m tired and I woke up this morning and I wasn’t quite sure what the day was or even what time it was. As I looked at the clock, my eyes blurred over and it took fifteen minutes of having hot water pound me in the face to wake me up. The doctors let my husband come home yesterday, but he’s got to take it very easy over the next few days to let the stitches and staples heal. I’m Exhausted I’m physically exhausted, I’m mentally exhausted and I’m emotionally exhausted. Over the last three days, I seem to have … Continue reading