Welcome to the Mess

We’ve started this website about 11 times.

Not because we’re trying to sound deep or polished — but because we know what it feels like to land on a blog like this and wonder, “Can these people really get what I’m going through?”

So let us be straight with you:

We’re Juan and Jen — we’ve made more mistakes than we can count, walked through some real dark seasons, and somehow, we’re still here…
Still married, still raising our kids, and still choosing to build a life we believe matters.

This space — Raising Peanut — was never about being experts or giving perfect advice. It was born out of survival. Out of prayer. Out of grace. And out of a thousand tiny moments that nearly broke us… but didn’t.

We’re parents. We’re a married couple. We’re people who have failed each other, forgiven each other, and fought for each other.

We’re raising a daughter with Down syndrome and autism.
We’re figuring out life with adult kids.
We’re still learning. Still stretching. Still holding on.

But here’s what we do know:

• God’s not done with you.

• Your mess doesn’t disqualify your purpose.

• You’re not alone — no matter how lonely it feels.

So if you’re looking for perfect answers, you probably won’t find them here.
But if you’re looking for people who get it — who know what it’s like to feel like you’re barely hanging on — you’re in the right place.

We’ll be sharing stories, devotionals, practical stuff, messy stuff, and hopefully, a little hope that meets you right where you are.

We’re glad you’re here.