in response to Kelly's comment...

and yes, I live for my kids. They change and grow up so fast that why would I want to miss that. When we decided that I would stay home with them till they went to school, then the most important thing to me was that we were educating them with proper morals, habits and helping them learn everything that will take them farther in life. I absolutely do still have up and down days, but they are few and far between, because I can't stand arguing & yelling. I think it truly is a waste of my time and energy. So I try to always deal with things rationally, since Jim is the same way, it definitely shows in our kids.I don't think that they have ever heard us raise our voices. I really love all the little moments the best, but I do try to make sure that we have some sort of fun EVERYDAY! When I am long and gone I don't want my kids to only think that mom and dad were just workaholics, they never were there for us,blah, blah ,blah... Instead I'd like them to say that their childhoods were the happiest time in their lives, that we were always there for them, that we taught them the coolest things. you get the concept. This is just something I truly believe in! I really think that if parents watched less TV & on the computer and showed the kids that they really love each other , and that they would rather have family time playing games and going to the park, movies, walks, picnics, stories at bedtime, prayers, singing, sports, whatever. just as long as it is together, than I think we'd have less kids that are drinking early & out of control, less drug use, gang problems, girls wearing obscene amount of makeup for all the wrong reasons too! the less we are in their lives, the more problems they face, Okay now I'll be quiet. have a great day Kelly. I can tell when I read your blog that you are on the same page. There is always so much love shown in your pics & journaling. Great job! I do think that religion plays a large part in morals, but I do have some awesome friends that are not religious that still are raising their children phenomenally & morally. So I do not judge, I just encourage and support. So I do believe that eveyone out there can reach the same goal of healthier, happier kids & family. It just takes work & effort! I felt that I had to put this as my topic today since it is important. I'm not usually a rant & raver, I just believe in family. Have a great day everyone else too, maybe today is the day to add just 15 min. into your crazy day to talk to your kids. Even if it is just at meal time. Good luck, remember nothing good comes easy, it will take work!