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Showing episodes and shows of
Darren & Paige Pulsipher
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Where's the Lemonade?
#6.12 Men are from Mars, Women from Venus Part 2
On the latest episode of "Where's The Lemonade?", hosts Darren and Paige found themselves delving into the intricate terrain of gender differences, specifically relating to cognitive and behavioral attributes. Armed with a curious spirit and armed with an engaging quiz, they navigated the topic like explorers charting unknown waters. Tackling the TV Remote Control ConundrumThe friendly debate started with a discussion about the ease of using a TV remote control. It was suggested that, twenty years ago, men might have confidently claimed victory in this regard, but nowadays the debate was no...
2024-07-18
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.11 Men are from Mars. Women from Venus Part 1
Paige finds a Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus quiz online and Darren and Paige take the quiz and reveal some interesting differences between men and women. Revealing Our Distinctiveness Through A Lighthearted LensIt is often hard to understand what your wife or husband really wants, thinks, needs, feels or does. This quiz is light-hearted but informative; it is useful to get a better understanding of each other – and to bring you closer together. In many of the questions information is used which is generally true of either men or...
2024-06-27
35 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.10 Having kids now vs 20 years ago
Darren and Paige have 4 grandkids. 8, 5, 3 and 6 months. They are so fun to be around and it is so fun to see our kids be parents. They were just talking about how so much has changed since they had babies. From childbirth, what to feed your babies, how to raise them, parent involvement etc.. Let’s explore the differences and see if these differences are for the better or …. Medical Advances Prenatal Care and Screening:* Then: Limited prenatal screening options; basic ultrasound and some genetic tests.
2024-06-13
38 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.9 It's summer time with teenagers
Darren and Paige celebrate summer with a house full of teenagers and young adults, which makes the summer busy and fun. As their kids transition into adulthood, scheduling and managing expectations can be difficult. Listen to their approach to this tricky time for parents and children.Paige and Darren just graduated, Sam. He will be headed off to BYU in the fall. Now, they are just down to one child at home, who will be a senior next year. They will ease their way into empty nesting. But what about the summer? This is a unique challenge...
2024-05-31
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.8 Have fun on your work cruise!!! Without me!!
Darren recently returned from a “work cruise” while Paige was left at home to hold down the fort. Darren frequently travels for work and, when not traveling, works from home, so it is all or nothing. How does this impact their relationship? How do they handle the separation? Does Paige party and look forward to Darren being gone?? Does Darren party and look forward to work trips?? Your partner has an amazing job. They love what they do and they get to travel. How hard is it to be supportive when you are the one left home with...
2024-05-31
23 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.7 Generative AI in the Household
This week, Darren and Paige join forces for the first cross-over episode of Embracing Digital Transformation and Where's The Lemonade. They talk about GenAI in the household and how it can help manage a big, complex family. Embracing the Future with Generative AIGenerative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is not a thing of the future but a present reality that has been seamlessly intertwining with our lives, often without us even noticing. From streamlining business operations to making household management a breeze, GenAI has the potential to make our lives easier and more p...
2024-05-08
32 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.6 True Crime!!! Why do we love it so much???
Darren and Paige delve into the topic of True Crime entertainment, including podcasts, documentaries, and books. They discuss the reasons behind the fact that women make up the largest demographic of listeners and viewers in this genre. Encountering Evil from SafetyTrue crime stories echo our deepest fears and curiosities about the most disturbing aspects of human behavior. In a controlled and safe environment such as a book, a podcast, or a TV show, we become observers on the sidelines of evil, weighing in on the battle between right and wrong. Our f...
2024-04-24
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.5 Embarking on an Adventure: Traveling with Teens
Darren and Paige report on a trip with their 18 year old getting ready to graduate this spring. His last spring trip before we send him off to college in the Fall. Listen to their tips and tricks to travelling with teens in Europe.We all know that family vacations are meant to relax, unwind, and spend some quality time with our loved ones. But, how do you ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip when your travel companions are unpredictable, opinionated, and passionate teenagers? Based on the experiences of one family who recently traveled abroad during their spring...
2024-04-18
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.4 Co-parenting, Money, and Adult Children
In the world of blended families, navigating issues related to co-parenting adult children can be complex and challenging. Some familiar questions might center on the financial responsibility of each parent in relation to costs like college fees, health insurance, and other unforeseen expenses. This post examines the convolutions faced by co-parents, particularly with regards to shared-cost decisions and financial commitments to their adult children. Financial Responsibility and Legal Gray AreasThe transition of children from dependents to independent adults sometimes leaves co-parents in gray areas regarding who pays for what. For instance, h...
2024-04-12
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.3 Are You Supportive?
For this episode, Darren and Paige discuss strategies for cultivating a supportive atmosphere in personal relationships. They highlight the importance of active listening, respecting personal space, regular check-ins, physical affection, self-care, and effective communication in maintaining a healthy and supportive relationship. Through their conversation, they provide insights on how to overcome common relational challenges and foster a nurturing environment in personal relationships.# Cultivating Supportive Atmosphere in RelationshipsIn the ever-evolving digital world where distractions abound, maintaining the role of a supportive partner can often present itself as...
2024-03-21
26 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.2 Plane Etiquette
As Paige was searching for a current event to talk about this week, she kept seeing in the news and on social media the debate about plane etiquette. Even Paige and Darren disagree on some plane etiquette. Let’s delve into what the “rules” are for flying. ## Middle seat gets dibs on the armrestsThe middle seat sucks. You’re constantly worried about encroaching on your neighbor’s side, fearing you’ll fall asleep and drop your head on their shoulder. For this reason, the person in the middle seat gets dibs on the armrests.## Stand...
2024-03-14
34 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#6.1 We're back and we are not stuck in a rut, or are we?
Is your marriage stuck in a rut??Darren and Paige have been talking recently about being stuck in a rut, kind of bored, and very predictable. When they aren’t traveling or at something for the kids, they watch a show. Until the show ends, they are in a show hole. Or they go out to dinner, but what else can you do…A few weeks ago, they would go out on a date. Paige made 2 jars with restaurants to take the “where should we go” out of it. Then Paige had an idea for a date...
2024-03-08
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.13 How Young is too Young to Leave Your Kids Alone?
Darren & Paige, the hosts of "Where's the Lemonade?" recently sparked debate with their episode discussing whether leaving young kids unattended is okay. While opinions vary on appropriate ages and circumstances, most agree child maturity levels differ. This complex issue has many gray areas.Viral Story Prompts DiscussionThe conversation began when co-host Darren read a viral story about a woman who spotted two young siblings left alone for an extended time at SeaWorld while the parents rode rollercoasters. This prompted the hosts to explore whether this constitutes neglectful parenting or a reasonable level of...
2023-08-23
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.11 Nacho Parenting
Darren and Paige have heard about Nacho parenting and always thought it was definitely not for them, but they only had heard about extreme Nacho parenting. After a dive into what it really is, Paige is not totally against it; she can see why some families would adopt this type of parenting in a blended family. So let's take a look.Definition of “Nachoing”:People often ask, what is Nachoing? The Facebook response is usually “Nacho Kids, Nacho Problem.” Well, not quite. The stepkids can definitely be a problem for you. It’s “Nacho Kids, Nacho Responsibili...
2023-04-20
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.10 Marriage Myth: Don't Go To Bed Angry
Ok, so we all hear the saying, "Don't go to bed Angry." You probably hear this marriage advice at almost all weddings or bridal showers. Is it that important not to go to bed angry? Paige does not subscribe to this myth at all. Just the opposite. She feels that going to sleep during an argument is like a time-out. And then, when you wake up, it doesn’t seem nearly as bad. On the other hand, Darren would love to hash it out until it’s all resolved and then go to bed since he usually doesn’t sleep...
2023-03-30
22 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.8 Spending Too Much Time Together
March 2020 was the beginning of a new reality for most of us—kids at home, adults at home, adult kids at home, everyone at home. As time passed, kids went back to school, but many adults continued working from home, which could be a significant change for many of us. There are so many good things about parents being at home, there for the kids, and there to help with the kids; when kids are napping, one parent can be at home while the other runs errands, so they have more time together. Some things may need improvement about bo...
2023-03-16
22 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.7 - Let's Stay in Love
When a relationship is new, you see the world through rose-colored glasses. Everything is fresh and new. As you look at each other, you see someone who is exciting and perfect. Even the world around you seems brighter and happier than before you found each other. In that “new” stage of a relationship, it’s easy to say loving things to each other. Those sweet words come naturally when you are together and then via text or phone at all hours of the day and night apart. Over time, however, things start to change. Challenges occur, and flaws em...
2023-03-09
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.6 You Asked, We Answered
This week Darren and Paige asked their listeners to submit questions that we have not addressed on the show. Some of these questions were hard to answer but we did it anyway. Check out the questions below.Have you been able to stay friends with other couples who had previously been friends with you & your ex? If so, have those couple friends become friends with you & your new spouse?I am always interested in how couples attack the money issue…. I would say that is the hardest part of a marriage, I think kids are the...
2023-02-28
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.4 The Horrible First Year Revisited
The first year of blending families can be pretty tricky and downright horrible. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of throwing two families together and how we dealt with the obstacles we ran into.Listen to this EpisodeLove does not conquer all.For those of you that think everything has been rosy. It has not.This has brought up some tension and memories of the hard times. Sacramento Airport.We were naive enough that we thought love would be able to handle all of the problems we faced...
2023-02-09
38 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.2 Coping with Uncertainty
Darren and Paige have been thinking a lot about 2023. There is so much uncertainty in the future right now. Darren has had a lot of luck with his work and will continue this year. They have had friends lose their jobs, friends waiting to see if they will lose their jobs, companies changing their compensation packages, the economy is slow simmering into a recession…a lot of uncertainty.This brings a lot of anxiety and worry. The article referenced for this podcast says anxiety is our organic coping mechanism for lack of control and information. Bu...
2023-01-24
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#5.1 What happened in 2022
We’re Back!!! It has been a while since we have done a podcast, but we are getting back into the swing of things for 2023. It was a busy year! 4 of our kids got engaged in 2022!!! So fortunate to have all these new in-laws join our family. Let's take a look at all the things that happened this year!! January – Darren and Paige went to Palm Springs for a short getaway. Super fun! February – Girls' trip with Ilene and Jill in Sedon...
2023-01-17
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.17 Understanding the Differences between Men and Women
Most marriage difficulties center around one fact, that men and women are totally different. There are emotional, mental and physical differences. We can have happier marriages if we make an effort to understand the differences.We are definitely stereotyping and generalizing, so deal with it. Women tend to be more personal than men.Women typically have a deeper interest in people and feelings, in building relationships. Men tend to be interested in logical deduction. Men tend to be more challenge-and -conquer oriented, typically why they like sports.Why would a woman be less interested in a b...
2022-07-28
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.15 What Not To Do When you Travel
Darren & Paige are in Portugal for a week away from work and kids, but not podcasting. In this week's episode. Find out what they learned not to do when they travel. Some of it from personal experience. Some of it by watching other tourists standing out. :)Second Half of PortugalSintra and Cascais- Wear great walking shoes. Dress in layers. Rain, no rain, rain, hot, rain. Lots of hills to climb on cobblestone streets and sidewalks.Lisbon on a Sunny Saturday. Incredible city. Very crowded. Everyone in Portugal was there when we were there. Must see...
2022-06-09
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.14 Travel Tips from Portugal
This week Darren & Paige are in Portugal. Why Portugal? You have to listen to find out. They talk about some of the travel tips they have learned over the last eleven years of traveling together, including what not to pack and how to tip your waiter.Why Portugal?Resort in Praia Del-ReiPortoCoimbraTravel tips It might be cheaper to travel from a different airport. SFO was about half as much as flying out of SMF for use.It might be cheaper to rent a car one way than to pay for parking. Check it o...
2022-06-04
37 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.13 Wise Considerations before Blending Families
Darren and Paige decided to tackle, "should you blend these two families?" It can be a colossal mistake to blend families too quickly. (says the couple who combined very quickly) There are some essential things to know before agreeing. (Do you like camping, do you want a dog, or do you want more kids??) The need for companionship can drive you too quickly. Let's talk some sobering statistics. In the U.S. 50% of first time marriages, 67% of second marriages and 74% of third marriages end in divorce. Ouch! Those are not good numbers. Obviously you can beat the o...
2022-05-28
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.12 Success In Marriage
Is there a magic secret to a happy marriage? If we are told to do A, B, and C to make our marriage work would we do it? Do we do it? Or is it different for every single couple? Darren and Paige were curious about the tips that couples would give on how to keep a lasting marriage happy. They asked a lot of their friends and family that have been married for decades to see if there was some advice or if it is entirely different for each couple. Maybe a sense of humor isn't that important...
2022-05-20
38 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.11 Why is Mother's Day so hard??
Darren and Paige had a different podcast subject planned for today. However, after Mother's Day came around, we saw a lot of feelings around this day and thought we would do another episode on this topic. This day is hard for many; how can we make it better????Mother's Day is supposed to be an amazing day!!! Right?So here is another Mother's Day in the books. How was it for all of you? Were your expectations met? Managed? Complete disappointment? This is already sometimes a difficult day for women for a multitude of reasons...
2022-05-12
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.10 How to handle co-parenting with an ex you don't see eye to eye with.
This week, Darren and Paige discuss tips and tricks to help with a problematic co-parenting situation. This is hard stuff!! You are divorced for a reason, and now you still have to make many decisions together around the children. Let's dive in!It's not always rosy after a divorce. In fact it rarely is...So you've made the decision to divorce. Sad. Now you have to co-parent with the person that you decided, for whatever reasons, to not be with anymore. Now parenting will be easy with your spouse/significant other gone, right? Oh, heck...
2022-05-05
26 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.9 Perspective...Hard to Maintain!!
This week Darren and Paige talk about how to maintain perspective when things don't go they way you planned or want. They will talk about the some challenges and disappointment over the past few weeks. How do you maintain perspective??Happy, Sad, Happy Darren and Paige had a lot of big plans for April! Graduation, Brazil, Graduation. Lots of wonderful things.Darren blew it! After over two years of not getting COVID, Darren went to DC for a work trip and came home with the VID. They found out after getting back from the first graduation t...
2022-04-28
34 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.8 Selfishness in Marriage
This week Darren & Paige explore selfishness in Marriage with a quiz. Are you selfish in your marriage? Is your marriage about you or about your spouse? Are you selfish??? We are all selfish, right? Especially before marriage. We only have ourselves to think about. What do I want to eat? What do I want to spend my money on? What music or show do I watch?After marriage, those I's have to become we(s)...This might be harder for some than others. You have to now think of someone else and merge your lives with co...
2022-04-07
41 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.7 K-Drama
On today's episode Darren & Paige talk about their excursion into watching Korean Dramas. Ok just one K-Daram "Crash Landing On You", but they are considering watching another one.K drama!!!!Darren and I just finished a K drama, Crash Landing on YouPaige was very hesitant, don’t want to read my tvWe had been told by so many people, of all ages and likes, to watch this showWhat is a k drama?Why it was good for our relationship? had to focus only on the show, talked alot about it after.Writing was great - good st...
2022-03-31
20 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.6 How to Reconnect With Your Spouse
Sometimes in our very busy lives we lose that connection and spark and just get set in the doldrums and monotony of just going through the motions of life. Darren and Paige are somewhat there. They have been through a lot in the last 6 months and need to reconnect in a way that Darren isn't Paige's caretaker.So, how do we start the reconnection process:You can start by intentionally spending time together every single day doing something fun. For example, doing the dishes, cooking, going for long walks, etc.Lets talk about different ways a...
2022-03-17
32 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.5 - Balancing Act Between Fun and Strict Parenting
Madeline and Paige were talking the other day about different parenting styles. Some are too lax; they just want to be their kid's friends. Some are too strict, hovering, helicopter parents. Some are too serious; where is the fun? I said to Madeline in that conversation, “You can have it all! You can have fun while also being strict and having rules.” She then said, “You should do a podcast about that, about having a balance.” I think it's actually hard to balance it all equally. You are rarely in perfect balance. The scale is mostly always tipped one way or the oth...
2022-03-10
33 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.4 - Living in Two Households
In this episode, Darren talks to three of his kids about what it is like to have two households as teenagers? What it is like now that they are adults? and What advise they have for other kids that navigate two households?Video: https://youtu.be/MIBHpAjpTYcBlog: What’s HardLogistics and coordination are complexes between two houses.Rules are different. How do you manage that?Food can be very different (Vegan, Paleo, etc..)No SettlingUnderstanding the differences between the houses and parenting stylesLosing things, Clothes, towels, school booksTransitions - F...
2022-02-24
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.3 - Stop Having Fun Without Me!
How to be happy when my spouse is doing something fun without me????“Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.” Paige recently went on a girl’s trip. She has been doing it for 18 years. Darren wasn't always excited about it. Why? Darren goes out to dinner with co-workers. Is Paige jealous?How can we be happy for our spouses when they have fun without you in a hobby or with friends?Check out the vide...
2022-02-17
34 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.2 - Expectations in Marriage: What to do with them
Whether we want to admit it or not, we have certain expectations for each other in our marriage.Darren and I recently talked with a marriage counselor and realized that we needed to be more explicit about our expectations.This can be scary. I asked Darren what his expectations were for me?? What would he say??? Darren then asked me what my expectations were for him. Started a great conversation. 5 Successful Ways to Manage Expectations in MarriageCommunicate!The number one reason for so many let-down expectations is the lack of communication. I...
2022-02-10
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
#4.1 - We're Back!! Kick off to 2022
Why we startedWanted to help and be a voice of “we’ve been there” for blended familiesWanted to show others that even when life is extremely challenging throwing lemons at you, not going according to your lifeplan at all, you can still be happy - that there is Lemonade somehow, somewhereWhy we stoppedPandemic, life was boringFelt like we had nothing left to say about blended families, that we had addressed most topics that we couldRealized this podcast isn't just about blended families it's about finding the Lemona...
2022-02-03
21 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:10 - Kindness in Marriage
Why Kindness is important in a MarriageKeeps you togetherThe biggest predictor of satisfaction and stability in a MarriageKindness makes each partner feel understood, cared for, and validated.Couples that treat each other with kindness even when they argue stick together.You can throw spears at your partner or explain why you are upset.Paige comes home to a new carpet in the house and boxes of stuff to unpackBuilds TrustKindness is the #1 trait that people look for in a partner.Being kind can help your partner feel secure.Watching your partner show kindness to people make you...
2021-04-14
26 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:9 - The Silent Ex Spouse
Does your ex-spouse communicate with you? Or is it just silence when you try to co-parent. Listen to Darren and Paige talk about techniques to open the communications channels and improve co-parenting.What people doBlame GameQuiet treatmentPush-pullYou cannot make meSolo decision makerWithholding or punishingTrash talkerEx won't communicateDocument your communicationBe CivilDo not post on Social mediaDon't involve other peopleKeep personal feeling asideKeep it short and sweetUse technologyList both bio parents as contacts on formsUse a Mediator or someone your ex will listen toThe last resort is court. Try...
2021-03-23
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:8 - 30 Day Relationship Challenge
In this episode, Darren and Paige look at a 30-day relationship challenge calendar. Find out what they think works and what doesn't work. We used the calendar from the website www.endlessblissblog.com.Lemonade Moment of the WeekEating outside in our little downtown Folsom, CA reminds us that we have a great town and had fun people watching.Links* http://www.endlessblissblog.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
2021-03-16
35 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:7 - (Don't) Die hard in Traditions
In this episode we revisit traditions. We start questioning some of the traditions we stuck with when we first blended after one of our kids mentioned how busy Christmas is and how it would be nice if it was a bit slower. Why Traditions are important:They give us a foundation to build our lives onThey give us a sense of roots and belongingWe asked the kids what they thoughtThe Younger kids had a different perspective than the older kids They can only remember the traditions that we currently hav...
2021-03-11
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:6 - Valentine's Day Reboot
Have you ever wondered why Valentine's Day is so stressful? We can tell you why. Expectations vs Reality. Listen to the latest "Where's the Lemonade?" to hear how Darren & Paige handle or don't handle this curious holiday so well.And Yes that is Paige throwing away flowers that Darren got her for Valentine's Day. :)Valentine's DayMost wanted gifts for women (Big loving gestures, some love it, and some hate it)CardFlowersChocolateJewelryMost wanted for men SexChocolateDoes your valentines day feel like Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was 1929.Expectations and Rea...
2021-02-24
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:5 - Disneyland Dad Syndrome
Disneyland Dad Syndrome is real and affects blended families every day. It is so prevalent that there is a legal definition for it. So how do you become a Disneyland Dad? How do you deal with a Disneyland Dad? Darren & Paige give their insight into this problem in Blended Families.What is a Disneyland DadLegal DefinitionOnly having fun when you are with the kidsNo rules, responsibilities, or disciplineIndulging in gifts.Why you become a Disneyland DadIntentional - deliberately overindulges the kids to undermine the...
2021-02-10
23 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 3:4 - It all began in Panama
We recently had facebook and google give us reminders of where we were 2 years ago today. What came up is the inception of our podcast. On a trip to Panama for a "getaway" of time "alone together", we dreamt up a crazy idea of podcasting our experiences of blending a large family. In today's episode, we went back and listened to our first episode, and wrote down what we thought.Our Thoughts from our first podcastDating was incredibly difficult. Remembering details about people is not m...
2021-01-29
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 3:3 Pass the Xanax : Dealing with Anxiety in a Blended Family
Blended families bring lots of new stressors into a relationship. Anxiety is high and sometimes your attempts to help your family to blend just increases the anxiety for everyone. In this episode, Darren & Paige talk about causes of anxiety and how to deal with anxiety in your family.Finding the cause - It is right in your face.Establishing a new family structurenew parent stylesdifferent methods of disciplinedifferent expectations of how children should behaveSteep learning curveCo-Parenting with your Ex. Children become pawns in the broken relationship. Watch out for this.So...
2021-01-21
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 3:2 - The Lemonade of Blended Families
There are many studies on the adverse effects of divorce and the trials of blended families. In this episode, Darren & Paige are only looking at the "Lemonade" of blended families. That is right put on your "Rose Colored Glasses" and look at all of the benefits of a blended family. If you want all of the hard things that come with a blended family check out all of our other episodes. :) For the kidsMore Christmas presentsTwo birthdays,Two of the holidaysMore GrandparentsBonus parents.Kids can see a better model of a r...
2021-01-14
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 3:1 - What a year 2020 in review
In this episode, we review what happened in 2020. What our plans were, how they adjusted, and how we grew closer together as a family. Learn about travel plans, weddings, eating habits, toilet paper and how we handled it.What we thought 2020 would bringThe year started off great with great plans for trips, weddings, and performances from the kids.Paige and the boys went to see The Cursed Child in San Francisco.Kids were in school and early morning seminary.It was David's first year to go to Youth dances and they started the...
2021-01-07
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:22 - Don't Judge Me
Blended families get judged. No doubt about it. The kids get judged, they come from a broken family, they are going to have issues in school, and in relationships in the future. And the adults do too. They didn't try hard enough in the previous marriage, they gave up too easily, or be careful around them. In this episode, Paige and Darren explore the judgment they have made and have been victims.Judging Divorced PeopleCommon JudgementsThey were selfishThey were bad communicatorsThey were lazyThey didn't put t...
2020-10-22
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:21 - Even Stevens in a Blended Family
In this episode, Darren & Paige try to figure out how to keep things even between the kids, the ex(s), and the different houses. This is not an easy task! In fact, we find that it is impossible and probably a waste of time and effort. Time to swallow your pride and do what is best for the kids and not worry about keeping up with your ex.Trying to be even with your ExDo you get a new car when you find out your ex gets a ne...
2020-10-08
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:20 - Resolving Conflict in Marriage
In this episode, Darren & Paige discuss how to resolve conflict in marriage. Sometimes things work, and sometimes they don't. Not every resolution results in a WIN-WIN solution, sometimes it is just good enough to push the answer until later. Find out how we navigate this part of our marriage.Finding Solutions to Differences of OpinionExpress Views - These are not concerns, just views. What is your positionExplore concerns - Why do you have the idea you do? And what is behind it?Select Mutually Satisfying Solutions Win-Win - Win-Lose - Los...
2020-09-30
32 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:22 - Unity not Equality in Marriage
In this episode, Darren and Paige discuss how things in a marriage are not always equally balanced, but focusing on unity in a marriage can overcome the ups and downs of the equality equation. How do you balance the leadership roles with household management, discipline of kids, managing money, fostering romance, and providing for the family.Fostering Equality"Neither man nor woman is perfect or complete without the other. No marriage... is likely to reach its full potential until husbands and wives ... work together in unity of purpose, respecting a...
2020-09-17
38 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 2:18 - Back to School with COVID and Blended Families
Darren & Paige talk about the big decision on where to educate the kids. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions of being in person face to face. Tough decisions had to be made on what to do with the kids education. Once the decision was made making it all happen and as painless as possible is the next trip. Find out how we navigated the uncharted waters we are traveling. Where to educate our kidsAfter a complete disaster in schooling when COVID first hit, we quickly started looking at alternatives f...
2020-09-02
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:17 When Kids get Married in a Blended Family
Find out how to throw a COVID-19 wedding when children of a blended family get married. Something that could be over the top stressful turns out to be wonderful and very low stress.Blended Family twistWedding Invitations ( What names go on the invite, etc... Whose name goes first, etc...)Who is paying for what at the wedding, grooms family pays but which set of parents on the grooms family, who do you ask for whatPictures. Who is going to be in the pictures?Lists sent out ahead of...
2020-08-26
25 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:16 - Taking a Break from COVID
Darren and Paige spend a week away from the world with the family. No COVID, no riots, just the forests, canyons, and family. Learn how we disconnect from our worldly cares and have a fun time decompressing.Important to get away from the bad news of COVID, riots, etc..COVID is still there and we followed the social distancing guidelines.We took a trip from Northern California to a remote cabin in Southern Utah. Brian Head, UTThanks to Mom and Dad for letting us...
2020-07-02
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:15 - COVID the Great Divide
COVID-19 is starting to divide our nation and its families. Imagine trying to co-parent with different opinions on COVID safety, money problems due to layoffs, or school plans when schools start up again. There seems to be no gray area when it comes to people's feelings on all of these subjects with respect to COVID and the quarantine. In this episode, we call on a dear friend Reice Morris, a life coach, (www.riecemorris.com) to help us understand how people are dealing with this. Assumption. You don't wear a mask in...
2020-06-24
25 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:14 - Fighting the Stereotypes of Divorce and Blended Families
COVID-19 and the corresponding quarantine has brought out some interesting stereotypes that we have seen over the last 3 months. This recognition of stereotypes has given Paige and Darren an internal look at stereotypes that they have had about divorce and blended families. In this episode, we expose the different stereotypes of divorced people, their blended families, and how to overcome those stereotypes. Stereotypes of DivorceDivorce is a contagious diseaseDivorcees are not capable of love.Marriage is not taken seriously.You didn't try h...
2020-06-17
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:13 - Quarantine Fatigue (Week 8 of COVID Pandemic)
COVID-19 got you down. Quarantine is playing a number on our emotional and physical selves.In this episode listen to how Darren & Paige handle their "Cabin Fever".Will anger and anxiousness take over or are there some things they have found work to ease the stress of uncertainty.Angry and AnxiousnessWill the school decide to please (Grading for Distance learning)School just did a pass/fail after our kids have been working hard to do distance learningTough situation - Needs to be fair for...
2020-05-13
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:12 - Feeling like Multiple Families
Nine years ago when we got married we had the perfect vision of blending our families. Of course, we wanted it to be like a nuclear family with white picket fences and a dog. What we ended up with was several different family groups and plenty of lessons learned. But we love our blended family and constantly nurture and feed it. Check out how we got there in this episode.Blending 4+6 (2+5)We wanted to create one big family not have 3 separate families3...
2020-04-15
33 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:11- Dealing with Stress (Covid-19 Week 3)
We have noticed an uptick on blended families have issues in their families that just seem insurmountable. Stress from the COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty in health, job stability, and the economy is driving wedges in relationships between husband and wife and kids. In this episode learn how to identify the signs of stress, their causes and how to deal with stress in a productive way.Causes of StressFear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved onesChanges in sleep or eating patternsDifficulty sleeping...
2020-04-10
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:10 - Week 2 of COVID-19 (Finding lemonade)
It is week 2 of the "Shelter in Place" order from the state of California. In this episode learn how Darren & Paige handle uncertainty. anxiety, and lots of food. We focus on staying connected with friends and family, finding comfort, and finding lemonade when there are lots of lemons.Staying connectedWhat's with the T.P shortage? Who knew that T.P. would become such a commodity!And yeast! Now we are all bakers? Why? There is plenty of bread in the stores.How are everyone's relationships holding up? We try t...
2020-04-01
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:9 - Adjusting to Everyone at Home (Covid 19)
In this episode find out how Darren & Paige handle the first week of having everyone home in a "Shelter in Place" order by the state of California due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Are we going to grow closer together or drive each other crazy?Adjusting to the New NormalDarren is home all of the time now. He used to travel 2 days a week.Paige got used to Darren being home all day for a couple weeks. Intel forced work from home.Kids' school is canceled and...
2020-03-25
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:8 - Money, Kids and Blending Families
Money and kids can be hard in any family. When you throw two families together with different histories and expectations Money can be a tough issue to navigate. In this episode, Darren and Paige reveal some of the hard money issues they faced when they first got married and even pop up today. Everything is up for debate when it comes to money: College, Cars, Cell phones, Soda at restaurants who pays for what and when. Bringing money togetherBringing traditions togetherBy s...
2020-03-11
26 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:7 - How to Destroy Your Marriage
In this episode, we talk about the key things that you can do to destroy your marriage. We researched some articles and found some interesting things that we need to work on to have a stronger relationship. Check out these great ideas.Become StagnantForgetting to keep the romance aliveDon't forget your spouse should be your friend too.Not finding ways to stay connected.Become boringBe In Love with your phone and TVPut others before your spouse
2020-02-27
35 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:6 - Valentine's Day Expectations vs Reality
Valentine's Day is always a stressful time for people. Expectations of the perfect romantic day never match the reality of the day. In this episode, we talk about our successes and failures of Valentine's Days past. It is a "funny look" at a difficult time of the year for many men and women throughout the world.History of Valentine's DayBased on St. ValentineSecond card-sending holiday right behind ChristmasStarted as notes passed from person to person expressing real feelingsThe chocolate industry got involvedThe card industry got involvedStats on...
2020-02-12
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:5 - Why Blended Families Fail
When we first got married we believed that love would conquer all. Blending families would be as simple as moving all of our stuff into a house and making it a home. Successfully blending families is hard work and takes some careful planning. we learned some invaluable lessons over the years. In this episode find out what worked and what completely failed in our attempt to bring two families together.What is it like being parents in a blended familyMost couples fight over money, sex, inlaws, and kidsBlended families have all...
2020-02-06
34 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 2:4 - Using Counseling to Strengthen Your Marriage
We had to go to marriage counseling to resolve a problem that has bubbled up over time. In this episode find out how we have used marriage counseling to strengthen our marriage and help us feel like we can tackle the problems thrown at us (with some help of course).Counseling in the BeginningWe started counseling the day we got engaged.Our counselor taught us how to communicate and empathize with each other.We spent time getting in the trenches with each other.Learned to give...
2020-02-01
40 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 2:2 - Getting Organized in the New Year
The Christmas clutter leads us to start an early spring cleaning and organizing. In this episode, we uncover our deepest darkest secret, we are "Organizational Posers". We hide our inability to stay organized by putting all of the stuff in a couple places in the house (Office, and Garage). We learned some tips on how to survive the dreaded post-Christmas de-clutter.Faking organization during ChristmasWe are organization posers. We look organized in most of our lived-in spaces but have many hidden clutter spots.Our...
2020-01-17
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:38 - An Attitude of Gratitude
In this episode find out how gratitude helps fight depression and anxiety by re-wiring the brain. Find out how we have tried to teach our kids real gratitude, what works and what we did wrong.Why is Gratitude so importantIt rewires the brainIncreases will powerKeeps you calmBoost moraleCount your blessingsThe more you practice gratitude, the more attuned you are to it and the more you can enjoy its psychological benefits.How to Cultivate Gratitude
2019-12-06
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:35 - Our time to reconnect in Greece
In this episode, Darren and Paige spend some time together alone. No kids. This time in Greece. Follow their adventures to Athens, Santorini, and Peloponnese.Why spending time alone together is importantRecharge our relationship.Put all of our worries behind and focus on each other.Fall in love again.AthensWe arrived in the late afternoon and checked into the Grande Bretagne. Great hotel. We were tired and wanted to head to bed. But we c...
2019-10-30
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:34 - Retrospective on 8 years of Blending families
In this episode learn why it is important to take time to frequently renew your relationship. In our recent time away we recorded this podcast about the last eight years of our marriage. Find out our highs and lows and what we learned from it all.What is different now compared to 8 years agoOur relationship with Darren's Ex has evolved. Time heals wounds.The roller coaster of your relationship with your ex dampens over the years. Not as extreme as it was in the beginning. Our relationship i...
2019-10-23
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:33 - Decorating for the Holidays with going Insane
Decorating for the Holidays is a great tradition that turns a house into a home. For Paige and Darren, this was critical to helping their kids feel somewhat normal after blending the families. Even though we love the way our home is decorated, Darren's aversion to a disaster of a garage and piles of boxes made this time a year a time of dread and anxiety. Find out how we made our way through this.History of Decorating the HouseWe decorate for...
2019-10-09
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 1:32 - Making your own Lemonade, Overcoming hardship
Many times we are searching for the perfect lemonade when we are dealt lemons. We know if we are positive enough and with enough sugar, we can find good in anything thrown our way. But sometimes we need to adjust our expectations to fit the current situation. In this episode, we talk about finding our own lemonade in these tough situations. Life can be hardThings don't always turn out the way you plan them.Story of us finding ourselves in our 40s s...
2019-10-04
41 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:31 - Surviving Middle School Kids in a Blended Family
Find out how Darren & Paige handle Middle Schoolers that are going through "The Change" from perfect little kids to tweenies and teenagers with raging hormones and attitudes as they try and learn to become adults. Throw a blended family and two sets of parents and problems become even more difficult to manage.Middle School aged kidsMiddle school is when Kids get their hormones, Puberty is just as hard on parents as it is on kids.Kids are trying to figure out who they are.FriendshipsSocial media...
2019-09-25
39 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:30 - Managing Unsolvable and Solvable Problems
This week Paige continues to teach Darren what she learned at "Education Week". This episode we tackle managing problems, not solving problem, managing them. Some problems, like putting socks in the hamper, take a long to solve, but all problems can be managed. Checking inExacerbated by my kids, your kids. We are sensitive to this and what we actually do it.Complaints aren’t fun but we need to deal with themWhat complaints do we need to share?You need to decide what is importantOnly the c...
2019-09-20
35 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:29 - Girl's Trips? Heck yes!
In this episode, Darren and Paige cover the importance of Girl's trips, the emotions of the husband left behind.History of Girls tripsFrom 1993 to 2008 the number of "Girl's Trips" grew by 230%. From 2008 to 2019 it more than doubled again.25% of adult women have taken a girl's trip in the last 3 years40% of adult women plan to take a girl's trip in the next 3 yearsPaige's girl's trips.Purpose of Girls TripsA much needed break for me from my familyReconnecting with friendsRejuvenateTeaching kids t...
2019-09-11
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:28 - Identifying and Avoiding Toxic Behavior
Paige went to "Education Week" and attended several marriage relationship classes. In this episode, Paige talks to Darren about what she learned on how we can avoid toxic behavior in our relationship and strengthen our marriage.Toxic BehaviorVision for your marriage. Good communication, and fun.Risk factors and danger signs. Conflict is not always bad. Certain patterns of conflict are bad.Danger signs Escalation - Back and forth, negatively driven by defensiveness. The topic does not matter it matters how you d...
2019-09-04
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:27 - Back to School Boohoo Woohoo
The fall brings kids going back to school or even leaving home to go to College for the first time. In this episode, we talk about the perils of back to school in a blended family and the emotions of sending kids off to college for the first time. Kids back to SchoolBoohoo, Woohoo Breakfast celebration.The emotions of the kids being goneWhen your youngest goes off to kindergarten or first grade.Who am I?, What do I like to do? For 15 years I...
2019-08-28
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:26 - Protecting Your Marriage when You're Apart
Time apart can be hard and taxing on a marriage. But there are many situations where it is inevitable. Time apart comes in many f...
2019-08-21
36 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:25 - Friends and Divorce
Friends are yet another tricky subject in divorce. Who gets what friends after a divorce? Does your new spouse make friends with your friends? What happens if you are in the same social circles still? Are there people that want to be friends with both you and your ex? It gets complicated really fast.In this episode, we talk about the pitfalls and traps and how to avoid them.Who Gets the Friends in a DivorceCannot specify which friends go to who, in the divorce...
2019-08-14
26 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 1:24 - Dealing with Child Support and Alimony
When people get divorces there is a huge financial explosion. All of the assets you have built together are now going to be exploded and divided. Not just two ways, lawyers will get their cut as well. But your financial obligation does not stop there, it is just the beginning. The emotions around money in divorce, alimony, and child support are pretty raw. In this episode, we investigate those feelings and how to deal with them.Divorce is CostlyDivorce is expensive. Especially if...
2019-08-07
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:22 - Preparing for the Worst Day of Your Life - Navigate Kids Through the Separation.
One of the worst days in our lives was telling our kids we were getting divorced. Turns out it is also the worst day in the lives of our kids too. In this episode, we discuss how we navigated the tricky conversation that we had with our kids. Our approaches were very different but we found some common things that seemed to work, and some things that did not work so well.How to tell your kids your getting divorcedPaige - Got no advice o...
2019-07-24
35 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 1:21 - Open Communication with your Spouse, Kids, and Exes
Open communication is important to any relationship. Don't mistake open communication for transparency like we did. Transparency is about visibility, open communication is more about how, when and where you communicate. In this episode find out how Darren & Paige muddle through their journey to open communication in their marriage.In MarriageBe Timely (Don't put it off, but make sure it is an appropriate time), Pick the right time.Not when you are too angry.Read the room for the mood.Be FlexibleConversations don't always go...
2019-07-17
36 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Episode 1:20 - Triggers, How to Avoid and Deal with Them
Triggers exist from previous marriages, childhood trauma and just living life. In this episode, we discuss how we have been able to navigate triggers, sometimes successfully sometimes not so much. Find out how to handle triggers, avoid them and recover from them.TriggersPavlov's Dogs - Ring a bell and they salivate.A trigger is an intense, emotional reaction to a present behavior that reminds you of something painful from your past. Triggers can be words, facial expressions, smells, music, sounds, etc...When Paige goes silent Darren g...
2019-07-12
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:19 - Flexibility in Travelling Together
In this episode learn how a trip to the Oregon Coast quickly turned into a business trip to Washington DC for Darren. Paige decided to join him so they could have some quality time alone together. Travel log and some nice back and forth about a missed romantic trip.Business TripsPlan time to be together.We with no kids turned into a week together.We had planned to spend 5 days in Oregon but Darren had a Business trip pop up and had to go to Washington DC.He took the...
2019-07-03
32 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:16 - Step Mother's Day
In this episode we discuss how hard it is to be a step-mom on Mother's Day, heck even Biological Mom's have a hard time with Mother's Day. Find out how we deal with this great day to remember the Moms in our lives.Feeling Let down on Mother's Day Happens to Both Mom's and Step Mom'sLook at the roots of Mother's DayStarted by Anna Jarvis in 1908 by having a special Sunday Service in remembrance to her MotherOfficially in 1914 by President WilsonIt was a time to go back...
2019-06-12
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:15 From Bad to Worse. Still Found a Couple Lemon Squares
This was a rough week for Paige & Darren, as Paige's mom is checked into the ER and while there her dad suddenly passes away. Darren was 3000 miles away on a work trip and Darren learned how to rely on friends to help out in the hopeless situation. A thousand-mile roundtrip, a broken down car and an emotionally and physically exhausting week led to many lessons learned.Start of the WeekPaige gets a call from her sister that her mom is in the hospital2 hours later, news that...
2019-06-05
33 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:14 Sandwiches (Mustard/Mayo) - Making kids feel special in a Large Family
Christmas Card 2013 Treat each kid uniquelyLunches. Darren made everyone the same thing. Paige asked the kids what they liked.You need to find out what they like and don't like.Sometimes a mall food court is the best option to take the family out.Give kids the opportunity to choose dinner.Discipline is different for each kid. The rules are the same but our reaction and discipline are different for each kid.The goal is to help the individual kid and keep some peace an...
2019-05-22
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:13 - You Previous Life in your current marriage
Your history has a profound effect on who you are. When you are in a second marriage that includes your relationship with your previous spouse. Sometimes learning about your spouse's previous relationships can be difficult, but we have found over the years that it has given us a better understanding of each other, where we have come from and what has shaped and molded each of us.Why your previous life is importantThe experiences that you...
2019-05-15
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:12 - Compromise in Blended Families- Know when the hold'm, fold'm and walk away
Every marriage includes different times when you have to compromise. In a blended family, there are even more opportunities to practice your compromising skills. In this episode, we explore different kinds of compromise and how best to work through the hard decisions you have to make.Blended Family CompromisesSmall thingsWhose pots and pans to keepStorage BinsSocks in the sock basketSoda at Dinner at a restaurantWhere to liveWorkSchools to go toChurchSports BedroomWhy Compromise (Win-Win, Win-Lose, and Lose-Lose)You have to.You can't b...
2019-05-08
32 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:11 - Bonding with Older Step Children
In this episode, we talked to our older kids, the kids that were out of the house or teenagers when we got married. We asked them some hard questions about blending families, bonding with a step parent and fitting into this new family. We had our eyes opened as our kids did not hold back in their answers. We learned some new things, laughed and cried.Why was it so hard for the kidsYour older kids are typically not with you all of the...
2019-05-01
1h 07
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:10 - Family Heritage Tour
Family Heritage Roadtrips help give your kids a sense of belonging and roots. With a blended family, it can be tricky if you don't plan things out carefully. This episode is a travel episode of our Heritage road, find out what worked well for us and did not.Why a heritage road trip?It gives the kids a sense of roots and belonging How do you handle a heritage road trip when one family is from one part of the country and the other is from somewhere else?F...
2019-04-25
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:9 - Working together thru Depression and Anxiety
Darren & Paige at a Pink ConcertWe thought the topic of depression and anxiety was important to cover because Paige suffers from clinical depression and Darren has suffered from situational depression in the past. In this episode, we talk about tools to help your spouse through their depression, how to identify the difference between the situational and clinical depression, and how to decrease the triggers that contribute to depression and anxiety.The Stigma of Depression and AnxietyAttitudes toward depression have changed over the years.Darren's Mom and her fight with...
2019-04-17
30 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:8 - Transparency or Privacy in Marriage
Transparency in marriage is a hot topic in social media right now. The constant pull between personal privacy and sharing everything with your spouse has several couples at odds and is lighting up the blended family social groups. In this episode, we discuss how we tackle this hard issue.Start with a mutual understandingBoth Paige and I had trust issues because of our previous relationships.Come up with an agreement that bans secrets from your marriage.Your spouse is the one person that you should be completely open with.A...
2019-04-10
31 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Podcast 1:7 - Being part of a Bigger Extended Family (Blending into your spouse's family)
The Three Amigos - 2012It can be really difficult blending families, imagine what is like to blend with 10 siblings. Blending includes not just your kids it includes your siblings and parents as well. In this episode, we look at the pitfalls and the success of joining a big family that already has a history with your spouse's former spouse.Joining the extended familyBeing accepted in the family can be difficult or easy depending on the family.Your spouse has a history with their siblings and parents. You will now become part...
2019-04-03
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
The Horrible First Year - Overcoming obstacles when blending families
Engagement PictureLove does not conquer allFor those of you that think everything has been rosy. It has not.This has brought up some tension and memories of the hard times. Sacramento Airport.We were naive enough that we thought love would be able to handle all of the problems we faced. That helped but was not enough.Everything was hard.Meshing kids. We had two 16-year-olds that were completely different from different kinds of friends. One very social and another not very social at all. You cannot force them...
2019-03-27
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Family Road-trips survival of the fittest
This episode is about surviving and maybe even enjoying, road trips with your family. They can really be a time of bonding (or total stress!) with some preparation. Food, audible, games and electronics can get you through it!! Road trips can build memories:We just got back from a quick trip to visit our new Grand-baby Zoey Anne. We left on Thursday night and came home on Sunday. So we were in the car for 23 hours an in Utah for 40 hours. Totally worth it!Long ro...
2019-03-20
29 min
Where's the Lemonade?
There is No Step in Grandma and Grandpa - Extending the blended family across multiple generations
How do you extend your blending family through the generations? Our parents showed us through their example of accepting and bringing our blended family directly into our family. We have learned as we are starting to add grandchildren that who they biologically belong to really does not matter. In this episode, we talk about how to make the blending extended beyond just our family. We have found that there is no step in Grandma and Grandpa, or Aunt and Uncle.Our two Grandbabies (Emma Jane and Zoey Anne)Extending the...
2019-03-13
27 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Egg's Benedict and Sausage Fondue - Building foundations through traditions
Too many Christmas PresentsWhy Traditions are importantThey give us a foundation to build our lives onThey give us a sense of roots and belongingWe asked the kids what they thoughtThe Younger kids had a different perspective than the older kids They can only remember the traditions that we currently haveThey have some that are doubled upOlder kids rememberSome of the traditions when we were still married to their parents. Some we have droppedSome of the traditions that we continue to do give them a sense of belonging to this new familyBuilding Traditions in Blended F...
2019-03-06
35 min
Where's the Lemonade?
Spending Time Alone (Together)
Anton Valley Panama Why we go on trips?Your life does not start alone, you are dropped off in the middle of a bunch of stuff!There is no beginning with just the two of you.Important to disconnect from everyone and everything.Second Marriages don’t have a real honeymoon time. Things we have learned about spending time together alone.Understanding what helps the other person relax (Paige read a book, Darren Program)Finding out what we enjoy togetherFinding out what annoys the otherTrip HighlightsPanama, why? It was warm and we...
2019-02-27
28 min
Where's the Lemonade?
When life gives you lemons
Brief historyBoth found ourselves divorced after over 20 years.We met online. Paige was the first girl to flirt with Darren online.It was hard to go on a date for the first time after 20 years.Did not want to introduce dates to kids until this was more serious.Lives are thrown together, no way to prepare.6 (Darren’s) + 4 (Paige’s) = 10 KidsWhen we first got married we had 7 kids at home with 7 different schedulesHow Paige sacrificed her career to stay at home and keep things running.After some time Paige started an Etsy shop. Daisy Blossom Crea...
2019-02-20
26 min