From the category archives:

Balancing Terrible Teens

Host a Teenage Birthday Party…on a budget!

February 24, 2010

As the time came for our oldest son to turn sixteen, I wanted to plan something special, sentimental, and yet still be deemed successful in his teenage eyes.
As the time came closer for this birthday party, he assured me, “Don’t worry, mom, I’ll take care of it all.”
With that one phrase, the sentimental aspect had [...]

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Preparing for a large crowd of guests

November 21, 2009

What do you do when your son “reminds” you that there are 100 guests invited to his Sweet 16 party in three days (which is today)?

1. Don’t panic.

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It only takes a moment…

December 11, 2008

The deafening screaming and thrilling excitement
of this final score, which sent our team to this Saturday’s Superbowl,
was silenced when my son, the center (#51),
was left lying motionless in the middle of the field. An angry opposing player laid out a late hit cheap shot to what we were told was my son’s spinal cord.The [...]

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Pop Warner Superbowl…is youth sports worth it?

December 1, 2008

What I am going to briefly describe will be hard to believe…yep…feel free to shake your head along with me.For the last four months, I have been a football mom…4 days a week…all day Saturday…every Saturday…This sports mom thing has its advantages, but by mid October, I am ready for it to be done. I [...]

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To drink or not to drink…

October 23, 2008

We spend countless hours with our Middle School/High School aged sons talking about choices.One of my responsibilities as a parent is not only to love, inspire, nurture, etc, etc. , but to give them the tools of learning, and the ability to ask the hard questions…especially those difficult life questions.I don’t want them to regurgitate [...]

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My Son’s First Kiss

October 1, 2008

What’s a boy to do when he has parents who truly
encourage waiting….
a long time…
for that first special kiss?Trust me, honey, if she’s not the right one…
you will go “ewwww.”

Thanks to a new website, iHeartFAces, for the opportunity to share this archived post.

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The Cozy Factor

September 29, 2008

The cuddly, cozy factor just oozed from my bed.
I was enveloped in my own hiatus…a haven amidst this simple place I call home.
I was snuggled up with a riveting book (which hasn’t happened much since I started blogging), and my third son climbed into bed with me.We were sharing life together in a [...]

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The Little Things…

August 27, 2008

For those who frequent my blog,you know that one of my passions is CHOOSING JOY.I love to celebrate the simple things, and stimulate the senses. It is by taking your everyday rituals, and turning them into something meaningful, that your house becomes a true haven – a sanctuary.It’s about turning the ordinary into the [...]