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Truly Yours, Jen

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To My Friend Who is Struggling with Depression

Some Weeks are Harder Than Others: On Bedbugs, Assault and Influenza

Made to Wait

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Dear Friends,

My name is Jennifer, but most people call me Jen. When I was younger, I did not like the name Jen and insisted on being called Jennifer or Jenny. I did not like the name Jen and despised peas. Now nearly everyone calls me Jen and I love peas, among other things that I thought I would never like. Read More…

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Truly Yours, Jen – Jennifer Thompson, Writer

Truly Yours, Jen – Jennifer Thompson, Writer

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Love looks like.....💕 #loveinaction #love #lov

Love looks like.....💕

#loveinaction #love #loveyourneighbor #lovedoes #lovewell #actsoflove

Our lives are like the blink of an eye. 💕 #lov

Our lives are like the blink of an eye. 💕

#lovedeeply #lovefully #lovewithoutabandon #lovealways #love

Confession Time: 1. I haven’t washed my hair in

Confession Time:

1. I haven’t washed my hair in more days than I care to admit.

2. I’m in the same clothes I woke up in this morning.

3. I don’t know where the days are going. We don’t go anywhere, or do much of anything, but somehow the end of the day always sneaks up on me. And most of the time I’m still in my pajamas.

4. I am in a weird place of enjoying being at home and the peace I feel, but also wanting more of a routine and consistency. I vacillate between this is great and blah.

5. I realize my younger kids are on devices more than they should be, but this is how they are connecting with their friends right now, so I let them.

6. Sometimes I worry that this time at home will have negative effects. And sometimes I think it will be one of the most precious time in our lives. Maybe it’s a little of both?

7. I’m not a great friend right now and I’m worried I am going to lose friends because I’ve been so unavailable this year. But I am so busy with everyone at home, and you know the whole pandemic thing, so I am turning that over to God, and reaching out when I can. And realizing it’s the best I can do right now.

8. I’m ready for this to be over. And I’m not ready at the same time. I realize that’s contradictory, but it’s how I feel.

9. Not only is my hair not washed, it’s also not brushed. I’m realizing as I’m typing this my hygiene has definitely been lacking today. Actually, most days.

10. I want to share this because I feel like it’s important to share the not so pretty along with the pretty. Also, so that all of my friends who have adopted pajamas as their pandemic wardrobe can know - you definitely aren’t alone.

#confession #pandemiclife #pandemic #letsgetreal #confessiontime #dirtyhairdontcare

💕 #embracetoday #liveinthemoment #bepresent

💕

#embracetoday #liveinthemoment #bepresent

I am so thankful for the friends I can not only la

I am so thankful for the friends I can not only laugh with, but also share my heart with.

For the friends who will get deep and be vulnerable and share those parts of their stories that aren't always the easiest to talk about.

For the friends who will listen without judgment.

For the friends who don't hold back the tears when they come, but let them flow freely.

For the friends who accept all of me. And for the friends who let me see all of them. The pretty parts. And the messy parts.

For the friends who trust me with their hearts. ❤

#friendship #vulnerability #sograteful

It felt like so much sometimes. The diapers and

It felt like so much sometimes.

The diapers and sippy cups. Nursing late at night and caring for sick babies. Strollers and meal times. Toys strewn all about the house and piles of laundry that felt impossible to keep up with.

There were days when I couldn’t wait for my husband to walk in the door. It was the hour when it felt like everything was just seconds from falling apart. Dinner was on the stove, toddlers were grabbing my legs, babies were crying. It always seemed to happen at the same time every day.

And then he would walk through the door, and sweet relief would flood my soul. I had reinforcements.

The kids would run to the door with open arms.

“Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home!” And I usually wouldn’t be far behind. “Daddy’s home!"

I remember years ago, when our son was still a newborn. It was my husband’s first trip out of town since he had been born.

“It will only be for one night,” he kept reminding me.

But it felt like so much more.

When his boss came to pick him up, the five of us stood on the lawn. Some crying. Others, like myself, trying to fight back tears. We all waved goodbye, and walked back inside. Later, my husband told me his boss told him he felt bad for taking him away. That’s how sad we must have all looked.

When the kids were little, it would have been hard for me to admit all of this. I think I felt like talking about how hard it was meant I didn’t love what I did. I didn’t want to sound like I was complaining.

Now, I realize it’s important to share those things.

Admitting that parenting is hard doesn’t for one second mean you don’t love it. Saying you’re having a rough day doesn’t mean you aren’t aware of how blessed you are. Asking for help doesn’t equate to being a bad parent.

Not at all.

The reality is, it is hard. Sometimes it’s downright exhausting. Sometimes you need to get out of the house and go for a drive by yourself, just because you haven’t had one second to yourself the entire day. Not even to go to the bathroom.

(Continued in comments)
#parenting #parenthood

We all woke up with something this morning. Plans

We all woke up with something this morning.

Plans for our day. Hopes. Dreams. Broken hearts. Mending hearts. Grief. Fear. Acceptance. Restored relationships. Broken relationships. Depression. Anxiety. Security. Uncertainty. Peace. Joy. Tired. Energized. Content. Longing.

Whatever your story. Whatever your circumstance. Whatever you may be facing today. I pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding to cover your heart. I pray you will be surrounded by loved ones. I pray your needs will be met in abundance. I pray you will know the love of God. Really. And truly know.

You. Are. Loved.

#youareloved #encouragementfortheday #encouragement #itsanewday

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So grateful for the gift of friendship. 💕 #fri

So grateful for the gift of friendship. 💕

#friends #friendship #gratefulheart

Let all you do 💕 #doallthingswithlove #lovewel

Let all you do 💕

#doallthingswithlove #lovewell #love #lovebig

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