26 Years Ago Today, I Became A First Time Mom

My sweet son, Brian

I swear, I know I’ve said this before, but it seems like just yesterday I gave birth to my first born. He was overdue and I was miserable.  I worked on Friday and went into labor on Sunday.  I was so thankful!  But the day I went into labor we had a freak early snowstorm [...]

Celebrate Family Game Night With the New Electronic Banking Monopoly {Gift Guide}

2011 Family Gift Pick - Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition

Family Game Night is important to us, but as the kids got older and eventually grew up and moved out, it got harder.  With jobs and travel, the only time we seem to be able to plan a night together is on a holiday, and this year is no different.  Still, even though our schedules [...]

It’s Time to Support Multi-Generational Living in the US

My son and his girlfriend

I’ve never understood why only in America is it considered bad form to still live with your parents as an adult.  Now I’m not talking the 45-year old living in the basement with no job and still sponging off mom and dad for a living while he/she rests on their hindquarters.  I’m talking about two [...]

Teaching Teens Safe Spending Habits is Possible and Important

Teach your teen safe spending habits

We teach our kids about stranger danger and online safety and while those are important, they’re skills you children will likely never need to use.  But what we don’t usually spend time on is teaching kids how to spend safely and that’s a shame because their financial future depends on their knowledge of not only [...]

Photo of the Day: My Baby and Husband at the Beach 1989

Alex & Dad: First time at the beach - 1989

This was so long ago, but I remember this day so well.  We were at a small beach by a lighthouse here in Washington.  It was Alex’s first time in the sand and when we took his shoes off he loved the feeling of the cool, wet sand between his toes.  Shortly after this photo [...]