Season 7, Episode 11 marks the final episode in our parenting series, and we’re joined once again by Tyler and Catie Smiley as they share more of the particulars of their adoption journey. In this concluding conversation, Tyler and Catie reflect on the season of waiting and the lessons God taught them along the way—lessons about obedience, learning not to miss what is right in front of you, and choosing to walk by faith rather than by sight. Their story is an encouragement for anyone navigating uncertainty while trusting God’s timing and purposes.

In Season 7, Episode 10 of the Forever Marriage Podcast, we continue our parenting series with Tyler and Catie Smiley as they share more of their adoption journey. This episode dives into the ins and outs of the adoption process—the waiting, the praying, and the discernment required along the way. Tyler and Catie also reflect on the challenges and blessings of the waiting process that come with the journey, and how adoption has shaped not only their marriage but also their three boys.

In this episode of our parenting series, we sit down with Dr. Tyler and Catie Smiley. Tyler, senior pastor at Lakewood, and Catie share their story as a couple—how they met, how God brought them together, and the journey that led them into family life and ministry. They open up about raising their three boys and also share the beautiful story of how they recently welcomed a little girl into their family through adoption. This conversation is both honest and encouraging, offering a glimpse into the joys, challenges, and faith that shape the Smiley family.

In this episode of our parenting series, we continue our conversation with Jamie and Joy Willis as they reflect on what they would do differently. As parents of three girls, the Willises share honest insights from their own journey—times they were a little too protective, moments they stepped in too quickly, and the ways they wish they had allowed more freedom for their girls to explore, play hard, and learn through experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Parent Resources page at Lakewood
• Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich

In Season 7 Episode 7, we’re continuing our parenting series with Jamie and Joy Willis, who join us to share what went well in their parenting journey. They talk about the importance of intentional family discipleship — reminding us that while church attendance is vital, parents hold the primary responsibility for discipling their children. Jamie and Joy also open up about how they’ve prioritized family time through regular dinners and meaningful vacations together.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley

In Season 7 Episode 6, we continue our conversation with Scott and Molly Legg about their parenting journey. We specifically talk about what they wish they would have done differently. One of the things they mention is wishing they would have done an overseas mission trip together as a family. They also talk about how it would have been helpful to do a bit more financial training with their children prior to college. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Fonzie from Happy Days attempting to say "I was wrong." 

In Season 7 Episode 5, we are joined at the table with Scott and Molly Legg as they share with us from their parenting journey. Scott and Molly share about the importance of being in biblical community as a family and the impact that had on their children. They talk about the necessity of having a biblical definition of manhood and womanhood and how they incorporated that into their parenting. And finally, we discuss how prayer throughout their parenting experience has been such a transformative blessing in their children's lives, but theirs as well. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Raising a Modern Day Knight by Robert Lewis
• Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jody Berndt
• Navigators Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids bookmark

In Season 7 Episode 4, we continue our conversation with Jason & Bethany O'Bryant on their parenting journey. We specifically talk about what they wish they would have done differently. They mention wishing that would have had a strategic plan for things like doing a family devotional and establishing that as a habit. We also talk about the necessity of continually bringing our children before the Lord, no matter how "right or wrong" we do things, we have to surrender them to Him daily. And finally we talk about "swinging for the fences" in our parenting efforts - giving it all we've got and entrusting the Lord with the results. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Daily Light by Samuel Bagster

In Season 7 Episode 3, we are joined at the table with Jason and Bethany O'Bryant as they share with us some of their parenting journey. Jason and Bethany unpack a little bit of their story and how their love for Jesus has filled them with a passion to disciple others, especially their 4 children. As a homeschooling family, the O'Bryants explain how important intentional time together has been for them and their children in their formational years. 

In Season 7 Episode 2, we continue our conversation with Brian and Alana Rochester on their parenting journey. We specifically talk about what they wish they would have done differently. A few things they mention are wishing they had not disciplined in anger and that they would have served more together as a family. They also touch on what has been most rewarding in this season of parenting adult kids. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Thumbs Up Mission
• Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram
• What's Behind the Rise in Narcissism in Teens in the Epoch Times