Jen Tompkins

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Home Uncategorized SplishSplash

SplishSplash

August 7, 2006
Comments Off on SplishSplash
by Jen Tompkins

There really is only one good way to cool down. Even if you have to taste the chlorine.

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Come say hello on Instagram @jenbunchtompkins

A few years ago, one of the best ways that I bonde

A few years ago, one of the best ways that I bonded with my kids was to snuggle with them and read books before bedtime. They had that unmistakable post-bath delicious smell, and they would scoot right in next to me for as long as I would stay. Of course, they would also irritatingly point out every time I tried to skip a page, but it was a reliable part of our daily routine.

As they have gotten older, it’s not quite as common or easy for us to bond and snuggle. They are busier, bigger, definitely not interested in reading with me, and their healthy adolescent independence naturally pulls us apart. (Some days I handle this better than others.)

I am constantly learning and growing in this different season of parenting, but I have found a few things that are still reliable ways for me to connect with my teenagers—of which I now have TWO! 😳

I wrote a full post on the blog, but I thought I would share three tips I’ve learned for connecting with my teens.

I would really like to know: how do you connect with your teenagers?

Blessed pool day! We got to spend the afternoon wi

Blessed pool day! We got to spend the afternoon with our Beaverton cousins and friends (some we hadn’t seen since before Covid!) the other day. We enjoyed a delightfully low-key day celebrating our friend Henry’s 15th bday, being entertained by my fabulous niece Ava (see crossed leg ice-cream cake eating), and enjoying Heather’s special dole whip smoothies. 🥰 (I enjoy how these mamas pool it up.) After feeling like we lost an entire summer of days like these in 2020, we are appreciating stuff like this more than ever! Missed you, @sarahjt993!

Of course, once they wake up it is still chaos and

Of course, once they wake up it is still chaos and fighting, BUT at least they SLEEP! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

This week is our house-aversary! One year ago we m

This week is our house-aversary! One year ago we moved in to The Yellow House, and I’m still madly in love with our home. Especially now, seeing what the market has done in the last year, it feels miraculous that we were able to get this beautiful home in the most wonderful neighborhood. Don’t get me wrong, there are dozens of things I dream about updating. But of all the good gifts the Lord gave to us during the pandemic, my beloved yellow house is at the top of the list. Each “first” this last year had been a new fun discovery.

If you are still stuck in a living sitch that is not ideal, hang in there! We waited 13 long years for the right timing.

Huge thanks to @peterbraunworth.realtor who helped us every step of the way, and @homesbycameo, our amazing new neighbor and realtor for the sellers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my guy, my main squeeze, my best

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my guy, my main squeeze, my bestie! Trent hates having pictures taken of himself, so there are very few that are not a forced pose with both of us. But I do know that he sneaks into my Instagram account to check out the haps, so this one is for you Babe!

Trent had a serious, very scary car accident this year on May 12. We are so thankful that the Lord spared his life. More than ever, we are outrageously grateful for him, but also for the way he loves and leads our family, with a calm confidence and self-deprecating humor. There is no one else I’d want to raise these ridiculous humans with. Love, love, love you. ❤️

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