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Hopes and Prayers for Our Children

Posted by dataperk on July 27, 2020

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  • Kari on Instagram

    Recently, we all choked back tears when my friend Recently, we all choked back tears when my friend Jill in Gadsden texted me a video of my husband’s childhood home. Once again, it’s full of life, laughter, and vibrancy. The owners are Young Life leaders, Kristy and Bret Ellis, who host the Gadsden high schoolers. This house has the best memories tucked inside it, even for the Kampakis grandkids, who visited when they were young. When Harry was growing up, his mom cooked for everyone. She hosted all the after-dance parties and was the ultimate Greek hostess, a master of hospitality and making everyone feel welcomed. And because she and Papou always opened up their home and showed up, they knew their kids’ classmates well. They were second parents to many, and when my father-in-law died 10 years ago, several people said they felt closer to him than their own fathers. Papou wasn’t shy about giving fatherly advice or direction, but he did it from a place of love, and that love was felt. Jill’s text said: “Hi Kari! I hope y’all are doing well:) I wanted to send this video for you to show Harry. Our Young Life Area Director just bought the “Gadsden Kampakis home” and has it packed out tonight with Gadsden City High School kids watching the Super Bowl❤️ We serve on the Young Life board so they had just posted the video on our thread…it made my heart happy to hear all of the chatter of kids again in a home we all spent so much time in growing up! I can still see Becky in that kitchen cooking breakfast for dozens of kids after our dances.” I’m a huge fan of Young Life (Ella was an Auburn leader), and that makes this video even more special. Thank you, sweet Jill, for this trip down memory lane. Sharing this video for our Gadsden friends who know this house well!
    “We can’t predict every tricky situation our child “We can’t predict every tricky situation our children will face. We won’t always have the perfect words. But we can control the narrative as the most trusted adult in their lives. We can address the realities we know they’ll face. Let your child hear the truth from you. Establish yourself as the authority. Even if you’re nervous….even if your voice shakes…even if you feel sick to your stomach…an imperfect conversation is always better than no conversation at all.” New on my Substack, for paid subscribers, are 25 hard conversations our children need before they leave home. Comment TALK and I’ll message you the link🤍
    Recently I heard it said, “When you see a beautifu Recently I heard it said, “When you see a beautiful woman in a beautiful gown, you stare in awe of her beauty. You notice her face and the overall person. And when you see a beautiful woman in a revealing gown, all you notice is the body part she’s showing.” There’s a lot of truth to this, and the Oscar’s presents a great opportunity to talk to our daughters about fashion and timeless beauty as we see a wide range of choices on the red carpet. Classic looks like these will always be my favorite❤️ Photos by @gettyimages.
    Happy mama having all my babies home this weekend Happy mama having all my babies home this weekend to celebrate KG + Banks and their upcoming wedding. Let the countdown begin! 🥂
    One thing that most girls don’t realize about boys One thing that most girls don’t realize about boys is how much courage it takes to ask someone out. And one thing that most boys don’t realize about girls is how they need consistency in a relationship - not someone who starts off strong and then quits making effort once they’re dating. Last fall I recorded some podcasts with my hilarious friend Cynthia Yanoff that she recently shared on her podcast, MESSmerized, and now I’m sharing them on my podcast too. Find “Dating Advice from a Girl Mom + Boy Mom Perspective” wherever you listen or comment DATE and I’ll message you the link🤍
    Watching your kids face trials can be heartbreakin Watching your kids face trials can be heartbreaking – but watching them bounce back can lead to some of your proudest parenting moments. With every heartache they survive, they grow a little stronger and more resilient. My newest book for moms #isyourdaughterreadybook has an entire chapter on resilience. Comment READY and I’ll message you the link 🤍
    This #90strend is right up my alley. Now can we do This #90strend is right up my alley. Now can we do the 80s???
    I get so many emails from moms struggling to navig I get so many emails from moms struggling to navigate their daughter’s friend changes—especially when they girls have had a falling out and the moms are close too. Here’s the truth: You may not get closure or quick answers. You may have to be patient, trust God, and focus on what you can control. New on my Substack, temporarily free, is a bird’s eye view of this common dilemma. Comment FRIEND and I’ll message you the link - or find it in my IG bio and stories🤍 “Young friendships can be very fluid, and they aren’t always set in stone. When we act prematurely, we do things we regret. We fail to model temperance by acting on short-term emotions. Here’s the bigger truth: Old friends often reunite. Girls often circle back to friendships that were real. Our kids can be very forgiving, and with time, they may work through their issues. Where does that leave us if we’ve canceled our mom friendships? I see many moms today ending their mom friendships over their daughters’ social lives. They’re demanding confrontations that don’t solve the problem. I understand the need for closure, but sometimes, closure doesn’t happen quickly. Sometimes we have to sit with our hurt and take our pain to God. You and your friend may drift apart, and that’s OK. But when possible, try to take the high road. Don’t be impulsive.”
    I’m a huge fan of the National Charity League @nat I’m a huge fan of the National Charity League @nationalcharityleagueinc a mother/daughter service organization like the Junior League, and I always wished we’d had it in Birmingham when my girls were growing up as there are so many benefits. Given this, I treasured my time yesterday with the mothers + daughters of 2 NCL chapters in Atlanta: NCL Gardenia (Roswell) and NCL Dunwoody. It was a joy to be with you and share a word with your girls❤️ A big thank you to Maureen Boomhouwer, Tressa Bell, and Amanda Mackay for hosting me and taking great care of me while I was in Atlanta. I sure appreciate you ladies and also applaud the wonderful work you do leading these groups!!!
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