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Courtney DeFeo
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Courtney DeFeo

Author: Melanie Dale

Melanie Dale is a minivan mama and total weirdo who stinks at small talk. Her laugh is a combination honk-snort, and it's so bad that people have moved away from her in the movie theater. She adores sci-fi and superheroes and is terrified of Pinterest. Author of Women Are Scary: The Totally Awkward Adventure of Finding Mom Friends and It’s Not Fair: Learning to Love the Life You Didn’t Choose (August 2016), she’s also a contributor for Coffee+Crumbs and an advocate for Children's HopeChest. She’s been featured on Parenting.com, Scary Mommy, Working Mother Magazine, Deadspin’s Adequate Man, and Today’s Christian Woman. Living in the Atlanta area, she blogs at Unexpected.org about motherhood, orphan care, infertility, and sometimes poo.
Interview with Melanie Dale

Interview with Melanie Dale

And what if I don’t feel grateful? Then what?

And what if I don’t feel grateful? Then what?

20 years. Love you @ron_defeo 20 years. Love you @ron_defeo
I have this thing with school awards. I’m not ag I have this thing with school awards. I’m not against them - but I wish they were able to reward each kid uniquely. I’ll link to an old blog post on this. I’m sure so many have been there - sitting in the stands watching kids win well-deserved accolades- while also wishing your kids could feel the applause of achievement. As a parent, you’ve seen their battles and their wins ! So let’s do it. Family Awards Night! Grab a pack of awards or hand craft them. Host a family awards night. Here’s some examples. -Character award- point out the one you’ve seen them display the most this year - Best family helper - Most improved room - Excellence award for learning (with ADHD or dyslexia or…) - Tremendous effort in x sport - Dependable brother / sister - Bravery - trying new things - Persistence- sticking with … - Courage - showing up for … even when afraid They may laugh at you but that’s okay. Still important to let them feel seen and notice their growth. Every kiddo needs to know we see the effort and the process. Just because they aren’t top of class - doesn’t make a failure. Far from it.
So happy to meet you! If you’re new here, just So happy to meet you! If you’re new here, just a few things to know. Excited to get to know each of you and enjoy this beautiful mess together. 1. I love Jesus with all of my heart 2. I love Ron DeFeo- married 20 years 3. We have two teenage girls that are incredible. Of course not perfect :) 4. We live in DFW area 5. We love our dog Mazie in an obnoxious way 6. I had my makeup done for these photos and was like dang… I should shower more often 7. I love love love encouraging parents and connecting you with resources 8. I’m thankful “mess” is in podcast title. That’s who we are - an imperfect family doing our best to glorify God and love others 9. I am a total whimp in Texas heat - like laying in front of a box fan often 10. I LOVE SUMMER. Tell me what you love about summer…GO! Tune in every Thursday for a new episode at @pardonthemesspodcast ! Photos by @kateparrishphotography Makeup by @beautymixstudio
Well. Only God could’ve orchestrated this. Beyon Well. Only God could’ve orchestrated this. Beyond honored to be the new host of @pardonthemesspodcast with @christianparenting_org ! Take a listen to today’s episode with my new dear friend @cynthiayanof . We talk about all the details of how this happened. Incredibly proud of what she and @jill.e.jefferson built. And sooo excited for what’s ahead !
This has been in my office for years. I haven’t This has been in my office for years. I haven’t always lived this out. In fact, I run ahead of God way too often. The past three years, I’ve been resting and waiting until God gave me the go to get back out there publicly to write and speak. Ministry has been very local and it has been glorious. I’ve learned so much from leading a small group of girls and mentoring one woman at a time (vs thousands). On Thursday, I get to tell you what I’m doing next and it’s truly a God thing. It feels like such a gift and from a place of true rest and way less striving. I wish my younger self had done this more often. Hope this card and sentiment from @andrearhowey encourages you today. He’s got you. Let’s keep fixing our eyes on Jesus.
Mother dearest. You are truly the best human I’v Mother dearest. You are truly the best human I’ve ever known. Thank you for your endless love and support. For dedicating your entire life to caring for our family. We honor you today. ❤️
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