Mother of Seven + 2

I remember hating Valentine's Day when I was in high school.  So many of the girls received flowers from their boyfriends.  I never did.  Feelings of loneliness and longing consumed me.  I often went home and cried. Everyone needs to feel special and loved.  It doesn't matter how young or how old.  This afternoon I was thinking about those who might find Valentine's Day difficult.  It occurred to me that we knew several single older ladies who just might dread this day as much as I did in high school. My boys and I worked together to make the day special for them.  I ordered carnations wrapped in paper from the flower shop.  Then we made a card.  This was the front:    Every woman dreams of a handsome young man bringing her flowers on Valentine's Day. Inside the card it said:   Well, I am here to make your dreams come true. Happy Valentine's Day! Each of my boys had a lady to deliver their special ...

I was out shopping yesterday looking for that perfect gift for Valentine's Day.  As I picked up a big box of Queen Anne Chocolate Covered Cherries I thought about how thankful I am that my husband is easy to please.  A little bit of sugar makes him a happy man.  Next I head over to the card aisle.  I always feel like I have to get a card.  I look through several and finally find one that meets my criteria.  I turn it over.  $5.00!!!!!  That's crazy.  I put it back.  No way can I pay five dollars for something that has no practical use and will just get thrown in the trash.  My husband would prefer another box of chocolates to an expensive card anyway. I admit I'm not gifted at being romantic.  Sometimes my practical nature overrules spending money on sentiment.  However, I don't think it's my lack of romanticism that has caused me to reject many of the "expected" gestures of love.  I've been thinking a lot about the...

Teens--You gotta love them! They long for independence. They want to make their own decisions.   They don't want to be told what to do. I find it difficult to transition to giving more freedom. I want to protect them from poor choices. And honestly I have a hard time giving up control. Here's a peek into life at our house these days: " Mom, can I buy ______________ ? " One part of me is thinking, "We've taught you about saving, spending, and giving.  I know the money is not making it into it's allotted categories.  We've asked you to write down "wants" in a book and think about them for a month first.  That didn't happen.  No, of course, you can't buy ________________!" Then my other side argues, "They are teens now.  They need to make mistakes and learn from them.  Just let them spend the money.  It's their money.  They earned it.  And hey, the good part is they won't have enough mo...