I hope and pray that our children will always know they are loved.  We say it to them many times a day, and we show them our love in so many different ways.  And I always am astonished that I’m able to do that – given the lack of love that I felt as I was growing up, from my own family.

Someone recently asked me where our kids got their personalities from, especially since all four are different.  My response?  From the fact that we encouraged them, their entire lives, to be themselves and to know that they are loved (by us and many others) unconditionally.  No matter what they do, they will be loved.  That gives them room to grow into the person they want to be.  It gives them the opportunity to shine their own lights, instead of living in our shadows.  And I think it also gives them a tether, of love, so they CAN be themselves.

I certainly can’t say that I am a good parent – because I am flawed in many ways.  I have expectations, mostly pertaining to manners and respect of others … but, in my quest to help the next generation be better than the last, I pray daily that my kids will shine in their own lights.  I pray they take their smarts and their dreams and use one to find the other. 

And with love, I know they can make it – no matter what path they choose!  Even if some of their individuality is in the “goofy” range.

My husband and son were invited to a MAN Tool Party, in honor of a groom who is to be married in September.  The groom’s intended is a special young lady to my husband, as her dad and  he were in Boy Scouts together in Jr. High school, and have remained friends ever since. 

I guess the groom has no tools.  He’s getting his Master’s degree and has either lived with his parents or her parents the entire time.  And I guess Mr. Sam (hubby’s friend for 34+ years) has decided that the boy needs some tools!

Hubby and I got a big kick out of the invite – let me share the rules with you:

• Rule #1:  No women allowed
• Rule #2:  It doesn’t matter what you wear
• Rule #3:  Come hungry
• Rule #4:  Craftsman, Dewalt, Porter Cable are tools … Ryobi is NOT
• Rule #5:  A gift is required if you want to eat some BBQ

I must say that I contested rule #1 – not that I wanted to go watch men scratch & belch, but in our house, if this WOMAN doesn’t earn the money to buy the tools, then there are no tools for a gift!  Exception noted by the bride’s father, but he still said I wasn’t invited.

Anyway, tools were purchased and then the gift wrapping became an issue.  I certainly can’t see pretty some pretty, froo-froo wrapping paper on a gift for a man’s wedding shower, can you?  So, this is what hubby came up with – and I added the ribbon: