Showing up on Time

Having a husband in prison taught me a LOT about what is important in life. The lessons I learned while I was fighting for my family and marriage those 15 years created the foundation for our lives after Ron came home. Something I wasn’t expecting is that I would be applying those principles long after…

October 9, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

making time for fun ron and cathy tijerina

Family

Make time for fun!

The stress of family, work, and other pressures takes a toll on your marriage. You probably didn’t even notice it at first. The small things started to slip away. The good morning kiss, the good-bye hug, the shared intimate looks, holding hands and spending time connecting fade away as busyness takes over. Your commitment and…

September 26, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Mental Health

The Effect of Unfaithfulness

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The sun shone brightly against the backdrop of a tantalizing bright blue sky. The horizon gleamed with only an occasional wisp of white clouds, the sole deterrent in the ocean of blue hanging above us. Ron and I arrived at the restaurant with our friends - all of us…

September 19, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Funny Marriage Advice

I have heard a lot of great advice to help make my marriage strong and healthy. We have also given thousands of people advice to help their relationship become stronger and healthier. It is our passion to see marriages thrive—especially for those who are experiencing incarceration. Keeping your marriage strong is your priority…

September 16, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Activities Leadership

How to Create and Achieve Your Goals

My first family goal was to get off welfare. Even as I write that goal down, I feel a little sadness that it took me hitting rock bottom to realize the importance of creating goals for my family. I never made a conscious decision to become a welfare recipient. It just happened when my family…

September 11, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Activities Family

Mother and Daughter Getaway

One thing I never have enough of is time. I always have the best intentions of accomplishing everything I want to do, but time still gets in the way. I am always re-prioritizing, always trying to squeeze more into the 24 hours I have each day. It never works. Something is always left undone…

September 2, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

bitterness couples catherine tijerina blog

Family Leadership

Why Complaining Breeds Bitterness

Why aren't you hanging your towel on the rack? Why can't you just throw your dirty clothes into the hamper that's 2 feet away? You always leave toothpaste in the sink. You never pick up your socks. Don't touch me right now, I am busy. Did you call the repairman? Did you stop and pick…

August 27, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Mental Health

How to Know You are in a Toxic Relationship

It isn't always obvious when a relationship is toxic. You fell in love with this guy. He was charming, fun, and attentive. As time went by, you started noticing that he was not always the guy you fell in love with—he began to do and say mean and hurtful things. Every relationship goes through seasons…

August 22, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Leadership

How to Connect with your Teenage Boys

Boys have feelings, too. The media’s message is that boys are destructive, uncaring, and sometimes just plain dumb. Our society is buying the lie that boys don’t have feelings and that lie is hurting our sons. Mom, you have a vital role in your son’s life. Boys need their dads to teach them how…

August 19, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Leadership

How I kept my children out of Prison

After Ron went to prison I became intensely aware that my children were more at risk of going to prison. It scared me. I never wanted to visit my child in prison. Not EVER. Every time I heard another statistic, the reality of the battle for my children’s future slapped me in the face. I…

August 15, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com