In recent years, we have discovered the benefits of coconut oil and try to add it in our diet whenever possible. We use it as a substitute for butter in many dishes. Oatmeal topped with coconut oil instead of butter gives it a yummy tropical taste (just add some dried fruit like mango or pineapple..yum!). [...]
Author: Ryan North
Ryan North is the Co-Founder of One Big Happy Home and creator of The Empowered Parent Podcast. He is a recognized expert on childhood trauma, a TBRI Practitioner, and develops training materials for parents, schools, churches, and child-placing agencies. Ryan is a sought-after speaker known for his engaging and practical approach to communicating complex issues clearly and relatable to a wide range of audiences.
Set the Captive Free
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has [...]
Change of Habit
As with every new year this one started with most people making resolutions. These usually have a lot to do with eating and exercise. People are motivated to improve their health in January so they join a gym. The problem with joining a gym is that you have to go to the gym and exercise [...]
Celebrate Good Times
The week of Thanksgiving afforded us some much needed time for reflection at our house. We are a move things forward kind of group. Whenever we have a placement with developmental delays or medical issues we are very proactive about therapy and medical appointments. On the face of it this seems like a good way [...]
Chow Down at Dickey’s and Top it Off with Pinkberry for Children
I know this is short notice but all DFW Metroplex Pinkberry and select Metroplex Dickey's Barbeque will host a fundraiser on Saturday, November 10 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM to raise funds to support efforts to move waiting Texas children from their temporary foster care homes to their permanent forever families. Staff from Covenant Kids will [...]
Tapestry Conference – Adopt-Ed
We will be speaking at the Tapestry Conference this Saturday morning. We are thrilled and a little overwhelmed, partly because we have to present as a couple but mostly because we are sleep deprived. Our thanks to Annie McClellan (@anniemcclellan) for the following. In their session, Adopt-Ed, Ryan and Kayla will focus on educating parents to educate educators [...]
The Sweetness of a Child
Jesus had a lot to say about children while he was on earth. He taught that unless we changed and became like little children we would never enter the kingdom of heaven. I had a lesson in this on Sunday morning. Our seven year old daughter Tori lost a tooth last week. She always asks [...]
Reach for the Stars
Dr. Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. His acceptance speech at the awards ceremony in Oslo on December 10 of that year included the following: I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the "isness" of man's present nature makes him [...]
Culture Club
Something that has happened over the years is that we tend to spend more time with families that look like ours. Foster families. Adoptive families. Multiracial families.You get the point. We love being around people who get who we are as a family. There is great comfort being around like minded people. As we are drawn [...]
Give Peace a Chance
There is much pain and sorrow in this life. Sadly, because of what we are called to, we have knowledge of and deal with the consequences of abuse and neglect in the lives of little ones. Many of them are unsettled in their spirits and know no peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace [...]