Harms Family News

Abuse. Does the word conjure up images of bruises and beatings? For me it did. But I've recently learned that abuse can come in many different forms, some far more damaging than these physical outward signs. Lately someone I love has been going through a very difficult time, and the results of my research and support for this person have educated me a lot about something I never knew anything about before. With her permission I am going to blog about what I have learned. In the past year, two people I know have shown signs of being victims of emotional, verbal spousal abuse. I was going to write "have been victims," but the sad truth is that abuse in both cases did not just occur in this calendar year – it has been ongoing for many years. My research into this started when a friend confided the details of her abuse in me. This was not the first time she had given me a glimpse into the turmoil in her home, but it was the first time I realized the severity of the problem, ...

The girls and I are in KC helping my mom while my dad is gone. Tim brought us down and then left. We are missing him. Here are the top ten reasons I love my husband: 1. He works incredibly hard to provide for us and never once complains about going to work. 2. He thinks of the little things. He always puts a new roll of toilet paper on the back of the toilet when the roll is starting to get low. He set up my computer for me while I was taking the girls potty on our way down here so I could watch a DVD after they went to sleep. 3. He loves our children deeply and enjoys being with them. He'll even read princess books! 4. He worries about us when it counts. 5. He listens to me without trying to "fix" everything, but he does step in when I need him to fix it. 6. He treats me with both love and respect. 7. He can grill a mean steak. 8. He takes care of his parents. 9. He makes me a better parent. Yesterday was rough and I think it was just because I didn't have my copilot...

Last summer I purchased something for $1 at a garage sale. I guess I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. What's more fun than jumping off of your couch? Wild Woman It can be a bed too!

I have a confession to make. Sometimes, I am totally unfair to my husband. I create images and expectations in my mind about how things should be, but fail to explain them clearly. Take Mother's Day for instance. I may think that xyz would be the perfect gift, or that my husband or children should do so and so for me, but of course I don't tell anyone, because what good is a present if it's not a surprise, right? Then I get disappointed. And mad. Take last year for instance. Let's just say that after getting a second-degree burn on my stomach by spilling dinner (which I was cooking) on myself, it was a disappointment. This year I determined not to make expectations. My children are too little to know any better, and I really don't need any "things," nor do I want flowers since I'm leaving town. I told Tim that I want to do a family day when we get back from Kansas City. I love spending time with my family doing fun things together and making memories....