HOLDING ONTO HOPE + BUILDING YOUR MARRIAGE 

I could listen to Philip 'motivational speak' all day long. He is so secure in who he is and what he stands for, and it is so refreshing to see a man like that. Your daughters are immensely lucky you have him as a standard to hold all men to. ❤

I’m 54. I had three healthy children. My husband was done and obviously I had to agree. But let me tell you how I wanted more and for years I grieved not having a larger family. I’m finally ok with it now but I think that’s why I keep coming back here. It’s not that you don’t love the kids you have but that you have so much more love that you need to share

I watched you guys when I was single, I watched you guys when I was dating, I watched you guys when I was engaged, I am watching you guys while married, and now I am watching you guys after our first miscarriage. You guys have taught me so much. The pain of miscarriage is unexplainable. Thank you for sharing your story because I didn’t realize what I was learning then is what I need now! God is incredible. I can’t wait to share this video with my husband!

Thank you Phil for all you poured into this. If a man can’t love like Phil I don’t want him!😢❤

I don’t know how to say this, but this confirms that I have to leave my marriage, for a time. We’ve been married 34 years. We’ve recently been going through some serious health issue for my husband and now his mom is living with us. I’ve always done my best to support and show how much I care. But when your adult children see a change with their dad, my heart breaks. I need a respite. And I have to take it. You two are a blessing to me and I ask for prayer for supernatural healing for my marriage and soul.

I finished the video and wanted to add, I'm 55 and have empty arms and that's not going to change anytime soon. Holidays are difficult right now. My family members all live in different states, but I have made my own family out of some of the other residents here in the nursing home I live in. Christmas is all about Christ's birth. You guys are wonderful role models for those who are married, parents, or anyone who just wants to know how to treat others, and homesteading.. Merry Christmas to you all!❤🙏😊🙏❤🎀🎄🎀🌲🎀

Every year for 10 years I would say next year I will be a mom next year I will have a baby at Christmas etc and this year I do! Hope is an amazing thing and the one thing that has gotten me through everything! You have helped me with adoption as well I appreciate you Guys more than you know ❤

You have had a miracle baby. You have every reason and "right" to hope for another

You both are Very Very blessed! You have 3 healthy children, a nice home, a tiny farm with pets, a garden, you have income and a bank account, paycheck, and medical insurance, food, clothing, and added on to the little farm house. You have health and warmth, and a supportive family and helpful neighbors & many friends..... And you have each other.... You are very very blessed. You have a family of 5 in your home, you have so much. God is in control and we cannot dwell on wanting, be thankful for what you do have, especially your health. If someone else speaks of pregnancy, It shouldn't upset you.. Be happy for them. God will provide, keep trusting him.... God Bless You And Merry Christmas🙏✨

After 5 years trying we have 2 kids from adoption and a miraculous conception after ivf failed. 6 months postpartum, we had another miracle. I was so excited to get that normal "OOPS". Where it just happened and there was zero trying or stress. We laughed and cried And I miscarried just before December. I hate that infertility feels inescapable.

You two are such a light together ✨️

We just lost our 10 day old baby girl in August to SIDS. It has been the most painful and traumatic experience we have ever gone through, but it has brought my husband and I closer together and I thank God for that. I will never understand why but I'm trying to find the positive in such a heart breaking experience. Ty for speaking hope.

This is so awesome!!! I am 25 and a young pastor and I am not married yet, this is such a treasure to bring this wisdom into my future marriage!❤ The Velvet Brick was awesome!!!

I miss yalls videos so much while you're gone and I am so thankful when I see new uploads. These messages are so encouraging and helpful as a fellow infertility warrior walking through the season of waiting. Thanks guys!

It makes me happy to see you guys got each others backs! You guys are such a light!! Thank you for sharing this!

I was diagnosed with endometriosis several years ago and PCOS a few months ago. My husband and I are very fortunate we were able to get pregnant with our beautiful daughter right after my laparoscopy and before my PCOS flared up. Just last month, I had a chemical pregnancy and my cycle has been all messed up. When I went through that, I thought of you guys and went back and watched your videos on your infertility journey and it was just very comforting to know that I’m not alone. I started watching you guys way before I was even married and thinking about having kids, and for some reason, I loved your videos. And I’m so glad I did. Thank you for sharing your story with us through the years. 😊

Simply amazing!!! Thank you so much for this!!❤ So much love to you and your beautiful family. Will keep you in prayers for another miracle baby.

What a beautiful video. I've been following you for years! I've never suffered from infertility but I only have love for anyone going through this journey. I will keep listening to you both forever. What a perfect conversation. You are such a great example of a strong couple. Phil, you are husband goal. Love you both so much. ❤

Love you guys❤. The holidays reminds me of a warm hug and togetherness with the ones you love.

I so needed that encouragement!! You guys should definitely do more of these! Merry Christmas!!❤❤

13 years later dealing with infertility there's been times I think I'm over the hurt then somebody shares the news of expecting & I'm caught off guard with a gut punch 😢. I have learned how to protect those whom are "Celebrating" their news & joy from my hurt. It's NEVER easy but just like Alex said, we learn to push through the pain. I absolutely LOVE & APPRECIATE you two for yalls sit downs. It reminds me that I'm not alone. I love yall so very much, from South Texas, God Bless ❤😊🫂

I love these chats please bring a mix with more of this too. I love watching your family as well.

🎄🦌 Being around family, listening to Christmas music and enjoying some amazing home cooking is what I love about the holidays!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed to hear this. Merry Christmas!! 🎄

I am so happy to see you both on line today. I am elderly and years past childbearing but feel your desire to have additional children. God Bless and may your dreams come true. Have wonderful holidays.... relax.

I love these videos, I had to stop it a few times to cry as I realized some things that you said were true about my own life that I am working on with my husband. Thank you guys for putting yourselves out there and making this content to help heal others, the way the world is now, we really, really need this type of motivation and love out there.

I cried almost this entire video.(Happy tears) Phil, thank you for getting it. Thank you for taking the time to share with us all of your thoughts and feelings. I truly believe in everything you said and could listen to your perspective for hours . Love and blessings to you and your beautiful family !

I’ve been married 43 years and Phil,you are 100 percent right . Never ,ever talk bad about your spouse to someone just to fit in.Always be respectful to each other in front of them and not in front of them.

🎄☃🎄 Bravo! Well done Phil and Alex. You two are such a blessing and your desire and willingness to help others in their marriages and in their walk thru infertility is a precious gift to all in need of your wisdom and experiences!! Even this 75+ learned a few useful tips. Thank you for being so open and transparent. I'd adopt you all in a heart beat!! 💜

YOU GUYS ARE SUCH AN AMAZING FAMILY I SEE SO MUCH LOVE IN YOUR FAMILY ITS SO NICE TO WATCH ❤❤❤❤💙

I would absolutely love you guys doing marriage counseling. Me and my husband have worked so much at the things you’re describing and we need more. Thank you. ❤❤❤❤❤

Phil I wish so much I could have you sit down with my husband and just encourage him to think outside of himself and remember that I’m human and have emotions, and how important it is for him to show DAILY he cares. We’ve been together 23 years this month and I’m at the end of my rope and ready to call it quits. My kids are what keeps me here.

Loved this episode so much! Thank you! 🎄🎄🎄

Thank you for taking the time to help others and be an encouragement ❤ I know God is using you guys to build this kingdom. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 Christmas lights and family reminds me of this time of year. Worshiping Jesus and celebrating his birthday!

I am so glad I found your post! I.miss keeping up with your family! You are such a blessing! Bless you all!

I feel blessed to be able to hear this amazing encouragement for marriages. I am grateful for you both and your pouring out into marriages. Really appreciate the part about speaking life into each other and not speaking about our faults. I have fallen into this in the past but it only brought darkness and distrust into our marriage. God has been bringing my husband and I together and been healing us and humbling us.

So many good takeaways, thank you! 🎄

What an amazing message! Thank you for sharing your heart!

Beautiful biblically sound advice that is so needed in today's world. Getting married soon and I will take all the wisdom I can get about building a strong divorce-proof marriage. Thanks so much for sharing your hearts, and Merry Christmas!🎄

I love this vlog, tears to my eyes when Phil says be the man to the wife who was fatherless. And YESSSSSSSS Phil!!!!!! Your words are precious, just like in California you should absolutely take up some role of counselor, pastor like role on the channel. It's SO REFRESHING. AND I adore Alex and your genuine feelings of infertility, I have two IVF daughters, my family is complete and STILL have these feelings of ugh 😩 how come getting pregnant wasn't easy for me 😢

I love you guys. Phil- you are such a great encourager! 🎄

Of all of your blogs, this was the richest and most blessed. So true, everything you offered today.

I love how you have each other's backs it's beautiful 🙏❤️❤️❤️

🎄 Thank you both so much for your incredible message! My husband and I just watched it together. You both are such a blessing to others and the way you have shared your lives and connected with people is incredible. I’ve watched you from almost the beginning and have laughed and cried with you. You guys have encouraged me through our infertility and multiple losses. To say thank you isn’t enough, you both have truly changed my life. I found your channel when we felt so alone in this infertility journey and you helped us so much. ❤

❤️ My family, they have been so supportive when i lost my job November 29th. I love ya'll Thankyou for being such an inspiration.

❤ The Holidays to me mean you get to be around family and friends that you may not get to see all year. Loved this video, one of my favorites! So well said! 🥺

Thank you so much for this video 🎉

Thank you for this! 🎄

This is amazing, Thank you so much!

Well said, god bless you. Merry Christmas 🎄🫶

🎄 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 two are amazing. Thank you for always giving such beautiful advice and lessons during my empty arms phase. ❤️

Love seeing this 🤎 thank you for your words 🎄🎄

Beautiful !!!!!!!

Velvet covered brick is such a beautiful way to put it! My husband is a high level strong man but is my comfort and protector. This Christmas is going to be tough with recently married in-laws who are now trying. I pray they don't go through what we have but I have peace in knowing we can love on them either way. ❤

my heart! you guys are such a wonderful example, and such a reflection of Christ and the Church. It makes me emotional. Thank you for speaking so much truth

Hello..... I hope you are safe and sound from the storms in your area.

Such a strong beautiful message. God Bless you both & your luvly girls.

Thank you both.

Wow! Every couple needs to watch this! ❄️

I am through my season of infertility and the Lord has blessed me with a complete family. This video was the perfect reminder to lift up in prayer those who dread the holidays due to infertility even if I'm no longer there myself. (or anyone who dreads the holidays for any other reason.) Also a good reminder not to make fun of my husband with my friends, even just in jest. I really enjoy these mini-sermon style videos. Thank you and God bless.

🎄 Great guidance, guys.

Merry Christmas from maine may the true meanning of Christmas bless everyone

I need this message more ❤ sending lots of love

still keeping you guys in my prayers and thoughts sending your family lots of love❤

Alex you are SO blessed in having a velvet brick in Phil. I did not have a father in my life but I would have been sooooooo much stronger in myself and not lived so much of my life in fear, if I had a Dad like him!!! I thank you BOTH for this video. My Grandma passed away in 2010 and Christmas was our special time. My soul physically hurts at Christmas. Watching people share the special traditions hurts like the “I’m pregnant” trigger you shared. The tips and words of strength and encouragement touched my heart and look forward to future videos. Love you both Merry Christmas 🎄 🫎 🎅

🎅🤶 I have to say I looked at the hold video, then I sat down with my husband and we looked at it again, then we talked about it. I have to say this video got us talking, something we haven't done in a long time. I'm not saying we don't talk, but this open us up to have a deeper conversation with each other. So thank you!

Love you guys , wish I can meet you personally one day. Been a very very long time follower . Phil your such an amazing man /husband,Dad, son.. all of it . Alex you’re a blessed woman and great Mom. Keep doing what you’ve always done and encouraging us all in this life’s journey by example . Love seeing you .. Merry Christmas and huge virtual hug to the girls ❄️🎄☃️🦋💕

praying you guys get your 2024 baby❤ 😊😊😊 i claim it in the name of Jesus 😊😊😊

I’m 63 yrs old the pain never goes away.I married a man with children I love them more then life and now im a Glamma to two beautiful twin girls,life is Great.

Praying for God's will in your lives. Merry Christmas to all of your beautiful family.

Absolutely loved this video!! Would love more of these🤗❤️

❤❤❤❤ you two and your hope has kept my hope alive in the darkest of days of infertility. After 4 years we were blessed with our miracle boy who was born 10 weeks early. We prayed his entire journey in the nicu and you kept me filled with hope. We are once again battling infertility ( going on 3 years) and live is rough right now. It’s hard to see the light at times! What reminds me of the holidays is - 🎄🍍 my Christmas tree and my gold pineapple ornament that represents our struggle. I love your family, and thank you for this video. My husband and I are brought up so differently and show emotions and handle them so different from one another. But we always communicate them. I love the secret word or action idea. I will be coming up with one to use this Christmas season. Merry Christmas ♥️

What a honest and beautiful vlog, and god has a plan xxxx

Thank you so much for taking the time To teach, to care, to listen I spent 39 years in a marriage Wish I heard your teachings when I was 18 and earlier. I would envy seeing a couple walking As her partner holds her hand Taking the time to listen So valuable Because he is feeling value and love for her When my youngest was dating They would sit in the family room For hours, I would be in the kitchen I would hear them enjoying long conversations With each other listening to their words I didn’t have that. As she is now married to him, also with three children, Love, respect,and time for children and wife continues Very thankful

❤ My husband has the ability to love me and protect me in such a comfortable way. My husband was on the phone with his mother best friend and she is pregnant with twins at an older age naturally. So they were having a conversation about him visiting her and she kept making comments about us having a baby and what we are waiting for. His response was we are open minded to children we are not preventing and we are waiting for God to bless us when He see fit. I felt so protected. He was going to see visit her over the weekend and he said he changed his mind because he didn’t think she was respecting his boundaries when the subject came to children and wanted to protect our peace.

Thank you so much for your thoughts! 🎅🎄🤶

THANK YOU 🙏🏽 SHINE BEAUTIFUL FAMILY 💌 GOD IS IN CONTROL 📖 A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FULL OF HOPE GOSPEL AND LOVE 🎉🌈 SUPPORT FROM ITALY 🇮🇹

❤❤😇😇❤️❤️ eye opening moment that became clear in my heart! Thank you both for this! 💕🙏

It has been nearly 13 years of trying for me. I had made peace with it never happening and was actually in a really healthy place, but then completely out of the blue I got pregnant. This was in August 2022. Oh I was so happy and excited and so grateful to God for this sweet little baby, but the strangest feeling that I had that I never expected to have was a profound sense of relief. I then had a very early miscarriage in September on the 5th anniversary of both of my parents' very traumatic death. And honestly it broke something inside of me. I started having panic attacks and swinging back and forth between anxiety and depression. And you know the anxiety was horrific when I was actually glad when I was feeling depressed because it was the lesser of two evils. I have never prayed or read my Bible more in my entire life. I'm trying so hard, and I do think overall I'm doing better now than I was a year ago, but I'm still struggling. I just feel so broken by this. And on my bad days I think that this is why God is saying no. I'm too damaged and broken by life and everything that has happened the last few years. I used to be such a happy and joyful person. Everyone used to comment about how much I loved life. I miss her. Some days I honestly wish the Lord would just let me come home so I can be with Him and my parents and my sweet baby. Where there will be no more tears or pain or suffering. Today is one of those days. I was feeling nauseous and having some weird symptoms, so I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I try so hard not to get my hopes up, but ever since getting pregnant it's so hard not to. There is this teeny tiny part of me that thinks, well it happened once, maybe it could happen again. But it's been almost a year and a half since, so I know without a miracle it's unlikely. But that's the kicker. I believe in miracles. And that belief gives me hope, and hope just causes me so much pain. I just feel like I'm undergoing some serious spiritual warfare. It's exhausting. I know in my head this isn't a punishment from the Lord, but sometimes it sure feels like one, and it's so hard to combat the lies of the enemy with the truth when you're just so tired of fighting.

So much motivation and amazing advice support from a spouse, friend or family is so important I have 2 donar conceived children on my own my second journey I choose to go into very quietly without telling many the surprise was worth ut but the journey was challenging!! Thanks for all the words you share with your community

Thanks guys for speaking into my life. This fertility journey is real and the emotions are like an invisible huge elephant in a room. And the strange thing is it's like a rollercoaster... You hear some wonderful news today and you're so happy for one friend and crying your heart out with the next news you hear. It's a whole new world for me. This is real! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and holding my hand through this journey. Thank you so much for helping me know I'm normal. Thank you for loving us through your pain. I'm so grateful to God for you and for this channel. And big ups for my sweet hubby who is the amazing support that I've had thus far. Thank you so much❤

This was amazing!❤❤

I love your comments about Eternal Perspective. I've never heard that term. I lost my mom when I was 9. Thanks to my faith my first thought wasn't that I'd never see her again. It was that I had to live my whole life BEFORE I saw her again. That made all the difference and still does. Bless you both. xo Ellen

Y'all are such a blessing plain and simple love you guys to pieces ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

This holiday season to me means more than just love for our family it means the love of others even when we don’t think we can. Jesus came to this world to show us that we can love each other no matter what and you two are true examples of this. Love you guys 🎄✨☃️

🎄🧑‍🎄🎁 love y’all. Merry Christmas

Beautiful guys!

I enjoyed the video so much. Thank you for sharing

At seventy seven years old, I applaud Philips description of what a man should be to/for his wife. This vlog is fabulous and I have been missing getting my notices of your channel. God bless both of you and always you are in my prayers for years. Blessings to your family and love each other always! You are amazing! 🌲🎄❣❣

Philip and Alex, I encourage you to offer counseling for couples. I personally hate the holidays due to personal loss and cruelty. My brain knows I'm no longer in that season of life. However, emotionally I still feel stuck. I hope some day I will be able to enjoy the holidays again. You guys give me hope. 🕊

I've been watching you for you guy for a few years. I'm currently rewatching all your vlogs. I needed this vlog this morning. I am 24 currently single I am content with my life and being single. I know I am young and still have plenty of time, but I have such a strong desire to be married and have a family. I met up with friends over the weekend and was reacquainted with this guy. We have been talking all week and he was hitting all the things I look for in a guy. Things got weird last night and I'm starting to have my doubts. Looking through all the comments on here and especially the part at the end of the video that Phil was talking about brought me comfort and reminder not to settle for any guy. I have my good days and bad days.

Hi, error video was so touching. It brought tears to my eyes of joy. This is a hard time for me. I was married in 1980 on December 5th. We celebrated our first Christmas buy ourselves which was okay. He passed away 12 years ago and there isn't a day that doesn't go by that. I miss him. But I reach out to friends for support. I love your station. I love watching you guys. You guys are so special. God bless you❤

This was so refreshing.

We must all just live in the moment, because this is the only moment we have, this present moment. I understand what you are saying when an announcement is being made. I was adopted and I saw my Mother be affected by others announcing their pregnancy even myself telling her she was going to be a Grandmother. This was 50 years ago. Know that you are both so very strong with Love and wonderful parents. Thank you for your message.

So good!!! Loved it❤❤❤❤💗🎅🤶

Seeing this video made me feel so much better after the tornadoes last week. I was worried! 😍

Merry Christmas !

I truly didn’t realize my heart needed this pep talk as much as it did, currently doing dishes sobbing! My husband and i sold our house in 2021 and we’ve been living with my mom and our 3 kids since due to complication in wet land stuff and it’s been hard on our marriage. but i actually woke up this morning upset with myself because i feel like i haven’t been pouring much into my marriage lately because it feels like we are just trying to survive this last year and a half. This is such beautiful motivation 🤲🏼😭 thank you!!

This makes me feel so so much better about being single and what everyone else likes to say is I have high expectations but all I want is safety love and understanding and waiting for that person instead of dating around is important to me than the toxicity that happens in the desperate need to be in a relationship no matter who that person is

I miss you guys a lot!!!