Welcome to Week 7 of our Summer of Stories series! This Summer we have been featuring stories of incredible moms that have endured significant challenges. Through these stories, we pray you will remember that God is faithful and always with you through life’s most challenging moments.

In this week’s story, you will hear from the delightful, creative and intentional Erin Burchik. She is a family friend and I have long-admired her approach to parenting. She desperately wants to enjoy each of her kids and embrace the “good ole days” of kids in the home. She will share how traveling and taking trips became a passion of hers. And she will share some super practical ways to make trips doable and affordable when you’re on a budget.

Before we get to the scoop on traveling for less, she shares her story about becoming a mom. Through many trials and some devastating financial loss, Erin has fought through doubt and frustration with God. She felt called to adopt and then it didn’t go as smoothly as she had hoped. It’s so fun to see her on the other side of this battle and see the family that God designed from the very beginning.

My favorite part is when she explains the WHY behind their family adventures. She’s not traveling to flex on Instagram or show off or waste money. She’s traveling because she wants to create memories with her kids, to carve out time to adventure together and to get out of their comfort zone. I love her approach!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Erin’s journey to motherhood - foster care and adoption
• How to find community with other adopted families
• How to exchange gifts for experiences at Christmas
• How to find creative ways to do big trips on a little budget

Enjoy!!

Courtney

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

04:02

The Journey of Adoption

08:57

Building a Supportive Community

18:13

Creating Lasting Memories

20:05

Santa Bringing Christmas Trips

22:10

Maximizing Credit Card Points

25:29

Saving Thousands on Family Trips

28:21

Benefits of Traveling with Kids

30:15

Building Independence and Confidence

33:31

Enjoying Motherhood and Savoring the Moments

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith

Resources from today’s show:

StrongHeart

Erin’s Instagram

Erin’s travel site - Points For Families

Erin’s book - Animals of the Nativity

Erin’s book - The Bear Hug

TBRI for families that have adopted

Pardon the Mess is part of The Christian Parenting Podcast Network. As a donor funded ministry, we rely on generous supporters like you to keep this show going. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider giving a gift today. Join the Christian Parenting Legacy Builders community

When I engage with young moms, I often get asked a lot about alcohol. These women are wanting me to give them an “official answer” about how a Christian woman should handle alcohol. And I often don’t have the specific answer they want - because it is so often in the gray area. And only the person asking the question knows what’s going on under the issue.

Today’s story is about a mom that got curious about her relationship with alcohol in her early 30s. As you hear her story, you will be inspired to take an honest assessment and just get curious about your relationship with alcohol. She called it “getting sober minded.”

Although I don’t drink - I have my own vices which we discuss. I joke about my love of the phone, cookie dough and TJMaxx. If I’m honest, I often use those to outsource my comfort. This isn’t an episode for moms that drink - this is an episode for all of us.

My favorite part is when Jenn shares about the benefits of operating in a sober mind. She reminds us that being present with our kids is worth the fight. Let’s lean into Jenn’s story together and be brave enough to hear what God is nudging us to do in response.

Don’t forget to check in our Jenn’s community called Sober Sis and utilize all of the fantastic resources that are helping thousands of women become sober-minded and enjoy this life to the fullest!

In this episode we chat about:

• Jenn’s journey with alcohol and finding a sober-minded life
• How to pay attention to what God is saying to us directly
• How to get curious about areas of addiction in our lives
• How to fight for presence with our families

00:00

Introduction and Connection

02:33

Early Years and Introduction to Social Drinking

05:46

The Influence of Mommy Wine Culture

07:41

Outsourcing Comfort and Dealing with Anxiety

09:44

Questioning the Relationship with Drinking

12:30

Understanding the Mindset and Motivations Behind Drinking

19:28

Questioning Your Relationship with Drinking

21:57

Introduction: Jenn's Journey of Sobriety

25:08

The Importance of Addressing the Root Cause

28:40

Taking the First Step: Sobriety Curiosity

33:28

Shifting Mindset: Gaining, Not Giving Up

39:11

The Power of Community in Sobriety

42:59

Personal Growth and Sobriety

45:07

Conclusion: Encouragement for Moms

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith

Resources from today’s show:

• Sober Sis Home Page -
• ​Happy Hour Survival Guide - Free Guide
• ​21 Day Reset Challenge
• Sober Sis - Facebook
• ​Sober Sis - Instagram
• ​​Sober Sis 2024 Retreat
• ​ Look Alive, Sis! by Jenn Kautsch (book) - Little Habits, Big Faith

Pardon the Mess is part of The Christian Parenting Podcast Network. As a donor funded ministry, we rely on generous supporters like you to keep this show going. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider giving a gift today. Join the Christian Parenting Legacy Builders community

Happy July 4th!

This week’s story features my friend, Stacey Morgan, who is an astronaut’s wife! Her life is truly fascinating. Her family is currently living in the Marshall Islands which is 5 hours south of Hawaii.

Stacey honestly shares the truth about loneliness. She has had to start over multiple times as a military spouse. I love her hard truth about loneliness: we have to make the first move. She also shares how her kids are thriving as they were uprooted from the cultural norm in Texas, and now live on an island with 1,200 people total. They are learning valuable life lessons about what’s most important.

My favorite part is at the very end when she talks about her top learning as a mom of over 20 years. Her encouragement to “let go” was really timely for me. I am having trouble letting go of my oldest who is a rising senior. I need that reminder over and over again.

In this episode, we chat about:

• How to navigate marriage when you are both strong leaders
• How to start over when you move into a new city (or island! :)
• Why community matters in motherhood
• How to make friends as an adult woman
• What to do when you’re deeply lonely

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

02:47

Moving to the Marshall Islands

05:58

Supporting a Spouse's Career

11:04

Living in a Small Community

15:01

Transition and Loneliness

23:57

Supporting Military Spouses and Moms

26:30

The Importance of Community for Military Families

31:16

MomCo: Supporting Military Moms

39:19

Lessons in Trust and Letting Go

44:28

The Power of Grace and Understanding in Parenting

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith

Resources from today’s show:

Stacey Morgan’s site

Stacey’s Instagram

Stacey’s Book: The Astronaut’s Wife

MomCo - Military Meetups

How to start an online MomCo group

Pardon the Mess is part of The Christian Parenting Podcast Network. As a donor funded ministry, we rely on generous supporters like you to keep this show going. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider giving a gift today. Join the Christian Parenting Legacy Builders community