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One Thankful Mom - Lisa Qualls

Honest reflections on family, adoption, foster care, and faith.

Search Results for: marriage

10 Steps for Overcoming Sloppy Parenting Habits

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Paying the price for sloppy parenting is no fun – for parent or child. It would be nice to say this is a theoretical situation, just a teaching moment for parents needing advice, but that’s not the case. Once again, you get to learn from my mistakes. I have issues with saying, “No.” It’s probably […]

So Much Good Stuff

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It’s nearly our 34th anniversary. We continue to grow in our marriage, through the good and the hard. I’m so thankful for Russ. • Registration for my online class, How to Keep Your Marriage Strong (for the Mom who has nothing left to give) begins Thursday. Registration closes tonight (Tuesday) at midnight. • Whether you […]

As We Gather

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We’re catapulting toward the end of the school year with all of its special activities, while also preparing for my dad’s memorial service and Noah’s graduation from medical school. I’m filled with emotions that don’t all seem to fit together. I’m so sad about losing my dad, and I’m dreading the wave of grief I […]

How Does Adopting Impact Your Older Kids?

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Do you ever worry about how adopting children with significant trauma histories is impacting your other children? I was feeling discouraged about one of the younger kids, my brain wearied by the challenge of parenting kids with challenges. I said something to one of my older sons about adoption being really hard on everyone. He […]

What ‘This is Us’ Teaches Us About Tragedy

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[Spoiler Alert: this was written following Season 2, episode 13, which aired on 1/23/18] After nearly two seasons, the writers of ‘This is Us’ revealed more details of how Jack, the father in the series, died. We watched him clean the kitchen while his wife slept, putting food away, washing dishes, wiping counters, and then […]

Kids and Chores [Video]

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I did a Facebook Live video today on Kids and Chores, with the entire second half devoted to kids with early trauma. I’m continuing to love this medium of communicating with you. I hope you like it too. If you’re someone who doesn’t like videos, I hope you’ll still give it a try and imagine […]

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  • I’m reminding myself to “pause” when I’m inclined to scroll mindlessly for longer than I should. Social media is fantastic until it keeps me from doing things like reading books, working on projects, or engaging with my family. But it also allows me to support adoptive and foster moms, connect with family and friends, and share my work. It’s all about balance. • Great idea from @bemorewithless.
  • Annarose is graduating with more honors than she can hold including the two highest honors awarded by the University of Idaho. We were stunned at the awards ceremony. She has worked very hard to learn, serve, love people, and honor Jesus. Our hearts are full. Two weeks until graduation!@annaroseq
  • My kids never cease to amaze me. After months of hard work and preparation, Claire won the Distinguished Young Women 2020 Scholarship program for Moscow. We’re so happy for her, proud of her, and thankful for the scholarships she won. • Many wonderful people gave their time and hearts supporting her and we’re grateful. This is a world wholly unfamiliar to me and I’m learning as we go. • Claire will compete in the state competition in October! #dyw2020 #onethankfulmom #quallsfam
  • “It just struck me again that we're meeting for the first time. Can you believe we started tAC and didn't know each other. It's either God or crazy. 😊"~@onethankfulmom . After spending 3 days together at @therefreshconference (and sharing a hotel room), we've decided it must be God 😁 . . . #theadoptionconnection #adoptionpodcast #onlygod #fastfriends #adoptivemoms #adoptionsupport #mompreneurs
  • The local moose has been hanging out in our backyard. It’s hard to tell how big it is, but Google tells me an adult moose is 4.6-6.9 ft. tall at the shoulder. After it left the yard it stepped right over the fence. Impressive. #idahome #idaho #moose #onethankfulmom
  • It’s a wonderful thing to see my adult kids choose to spend time together. Annarose and Mimi flew to San Diego to see Beza and spend time with other family and friends. • Of course, Annarose made a quick trip across the border to visit friends in Mexico and enjoy speaking Spanish for an entire day. • #sisters #onethankfulmom #adoption