by Sabrina Walters | Nov 26, 2019 | Communication, Couples
I know someone who recently revealed a new habit she and her husband were starting to build. Every night, before they go to bed, they each list three things they’re grateful for — about each other. “I’m thankful you were so sensitive and caring when I got upset...
by Sabrina Walters | Nov 19, 2019 | Couples, Retreat, Spiritual
This last week, we were honored to host a retreat for three pastors and their partners at the Dreamgiver’s Inn in Newberg, Oregon. We know all too well how, when you’re in a profession of serving others, often you just really need someone to stop and serve you. That’s...
by Sabrina Walters | Oct 8, 2019 | Couples
When it comes to the seasons, I think Spring tends to get most of the credit for being romantic. All those budding flowers and fresh new days of sunshine; everyone’s thinking about first dates. But Autumn, I have to say, deserves a little credit, too! This season can...
by Sabrina Walters | Oct 1, 2019 | Couples, Motivation, Relationships
When we have goals — whether those are individual goals or relationship goals — we tend to want to see results now. As soon as I write my goals out, I’m looking around trying to see the results — and I know I’m not alone in this! We want to meal plan together, or go...
by Sabrina Walters | Sep 24, 2019 | Motivation
I heard a quote recently that’s really stuck with me; it’s attributed to all kinds of sources, so I can’t say for sure who originally wrote it, but for our purposes, we only need the quote itself. Here it is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning — but you can...
by Sabrina Walters | Sep 17, 2019 | Couples, Health
Have you ever noticed how we humans tend to take on an all-or-nothing perspective when it comes to our own improvement? We’re either striving with perfectionist fervor to improve, at the cost of our own self-worth — or we’re so focused on being content right where we...
by Sabrina Walters | Aug 20, 2019 | Health
Can anyone relate to that tweet? Recently, a friend of mine got a new job. She left a job that had been incredibly stressful: long hours, constant pressure and confusion, and a never-ending fear that she was going to ‘mess up’ and lose her income (which her manager...
by Sabrina Walters | Aug 13, 2019 | Marriage
You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ And research confirms that the more positive adult figures a child has as they grow, the better chance they have at maturing into a healthy, successful adult. Well, the same is true for your...
by Sabrina Walters | Aug 6, 2019 | Conflict, Finances, Financial Focus, Marriage, Relationships
Finances is one of the trickiest topics, especially for married couples. It’s one of the most common points of tension and arguments, and can cause everything from jealousy, to entitlement, to general stress. But it can also be the cause of a lot of pressure, as one...
by Sabrina Walters | Jul 30, 2019 | Communication, Family
As our family prepares to go on another trip together this summer, we remember a blog post from about a year ago discussing exactly that. We try to do this every year, and every year the same discussions are essential. So for this newsletter, we thought we’d share...
by Sabrina Walters | Jul 27, 2019 | Family
Summer is a magical season. The kids are out of school, vacations are planned, and everything is sunshine, river rides and watermelon — it’s full of warmth and possibility. As you continue to embrace your summer, there’s a few important things we encourage you to keep...
by Sabrina Walters | Jul 17, 2019 | Communication, Conflict, Marriage
One of the essential elements of the Gottman Theory is the importance of finding a new way to talk about old problems. Their research shows that nearly 70% of all problems in any relationship are perpetual. That’s right — the argument you had the first...
by Sabrina Walters | Jun 18, 2019 | Couples, Family
Summer is upon us! School is out, the sun (and heat!) are here, and the most adventurous season is in full bloom. What does summer mean to you? Does your family have summer traditions, a family trip, or activities you do every year? The Gottman research states that...
by Sabrina Walters | Jun 11, 2019 | Couples
We’ve all seen that one couple who just seems to have the perfect relationship. They spend every waking minute together, they work together, they always seem to be delighted to see each other, and maybe exhibit a little too much PDA for your taste. Everything is...
by Sabrina Walters | Jun 4, 2019 | Communication, Couples, Health, Relationships
If your partner has anxiety, sometimes it can be hard to understand. Things that wouldn’t stress you out make them feel overwhelmed, and your efforts to help, while well-intentioned, might not accomplish what you’re hoping. The most important thing is to talk about...
by Sabrina Walters | May 28, 2019 | Family
Oftentimes, Memorial Day is simply a family gathering and a barbecue. You might go visit a veteran’s memorial or something along those lines, and that can be wonderful. But at times like this it’s important to remember not just the names, but the legacy others...
by Sabrina Walters | May 21, 2019 | Communication, Couples
Have you ever heard the term ‘Rituals of Connection’? These are the rituals you build into your life that connect you with your partner, habits that build relationships and encourage closeness. These rituals are always important in a romantic relationship, but perhaps...
by Sabrina Walters | May 9, 2019 | Communication, Couples
One of the toughest situations to be in relationally is when one person doesn’t see anything wrong with the relationship. They don’t see anything wrong with their behavior, or the way they’re treating you, even though you do — and this partner doesn’t want...
by Sabrina Walters | May 1, 2019 | Communication, Conflict
I once heard that there are 7 words in English that are hardest to say — but have the greatest payoff. Those words are: I’m sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Why is it so hard to say those words? When you’ve been in an argument and maybe did or said things...
by Sabrina Walters | Apr 23, 2019 | Couples
At our house, we always have two Easter egg hunts. One for the ‘littles,’ as we call them — that’s the kiddos. Then we have another hunt for the ‘bigs,’ aka the second generation grown-ups. That age range runs 15-55, and it’s...
