Moments with MarLo

I'm full! I knew I would be following the Hearts at Home conference this past weekend but I'm always amazed when even my own expectations are surpassed. I've been reflecting on all the great information shared by this year's speakers.  Jennifer Rothschild   encouraged me with her own vulnerabilities, Chonda Pierce  reminded me how good it feels to laugh, really laugh, and Hearts at Home founder, Jill Savage inspired me to think more intentionally about the impacts of my parenting on future generations. Beyond the main sessions, Moms Night Out, and workshops, I made new friends and met up with many I already know and love. Yes, I'm full and so much better for it. The smile on my face perfectly matches the gratitude in my heart for the many blessings I received this weekend. If finding renewed energy and appreciation as a mom is something you need join us at one of the conferences this fall and make plans to join us at the National Conference next Marc...

I woke up this morning thinking about the needs of moms. Every mom. Regardless of where she works (inside or outside the home, full or part-time). Despite her marital status. No matter where she lives. Whether the children are adopted, naturally hers, stepchildren, foster children or any child, at any age, she's taken into her home. A mom is a mom and all moms share the same needs. I bet if you thought about it you would realize that every need you have as a mom is shared by any other mom. I'm only going to highlight a few of them as I near the end of this year of motherhood and prepare for the next. First, every mom needs rest . For all my mom friends with young children you're probably trying hard to make it through this post! The rest of us are tired too but for different reasons. Some of it is lack of sleep, much of it is too many items on our to-do lists. Without adequate rest we run the risk of low energy from staying up too late accomplishing tasks or stressi...

One of the best things about attending and volunteering at the Hearts At Home conference is the opportunity to gain a fresh perspective. In fact the conference is quickly replacing my New Year resolutions. I gain an abundance of information throughout the weekend helping me to find focus for the upcoming months. I determine to work harder on my marriage and my relationship with my daughter. I also connect with friends I only get to see at the conference and I usually walk away with one or two new friends. This year my heart (and my head) are full of thoughts regarding how to maintain my focus this year. Rather than starting strong only to find I didn't make it past April I want to put together a more intentional plan that will at least carry me until the end of the year. But this plan takes more than me. It takes conversations with my husband, accountability with my family and yes, even a willingness to speak openly with my friends who I know will support and encourage me along the...

Today I’d like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus , just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments.. Leave a comment on this post to win your own copy of Real Moms...Real Jesus! Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia---the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade. Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus? Real Moms…Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a hu...

I'm home from the Michigan Hearts at Home weekend and let me just tell you my meter is full!!! I cannot imagine how different my life would be if I did not have the opportunities I have been blessed with in attending Hearts conferences so often. At times I feel like a groupie! Actually, I'm just a huge fan of God's and since He shows up at every conference I feel doubly blessed to see His hands and feet at work in the lives of so many women. This last weekend I was offered the gift of a deeper appreciation for my husband's ability to make me laugh. For those of you that know my story, you know laughter was not always alive in my childhood home. But God has more than made up for that in the gift of my husband. I'll be the first to admit I haven't always appreciated my husband's gift but this weekend God let me clearly see that He knew exactly what I needed and He sent me my wonderful husband who is not just the best looking man I've ever laid eyes on, he ...