Things We Collect

Just in case you haven't heard yet...we collect Box Tops, Campbell Soup Labels, Soda Tabs and USED Cell Phones, Mp3 Players, Hand Held System Consoles, Digital Cameras, and Ink Cartridges.

I've noted below why we collect these items and where you can find them. Would you consider saving any of these items for us?If you are local the kids and I will swing by as needed to pick them up from you and if you are far away we'll gladly reimburse you for your postage.

Box Tops are the only sort of "fund raising" our school does. There will be no candy or wrapping paper sales from us. Just a simple request for something you would probably throw away.These items can be found on hundreds of products like Zip lock, Pull Ups, Betty Crocker mixes, Chex Mex, Kleenex and many many more. For a complete list please visit the Box Top website www.boxtops4education.com.

Campbell Soup Labels is a resource our school uses for miscellaneous school supplies. Simply cut the cute little Campbell guy off the back of your soup can or your empty goldfish package. He is worth lots of $$$ in school supplies. For more details please visit www.labelsforeducation.com

Soda Tabs are collected and donated to the Ronald McDonald House. The RMH allows families to stay free of charge while their children are being cared for in a near by hospital. These little tabs "pay the tab" for the families so they can concentrate their concerns on their children rather than their finances. What a beautiful ministry!!

USED Cell Phones, Mp3 Players, Hand Held System Consoles, Digital Cameras, and Ink Cartridges - for a family who is adopting a little girl from Russia. Read more about their journey at http://www.azlittlepatchofheaven.blogspot.com/.

Thank you for reading this post and supporting our kids in their community projects. If you or your kids are also involved in a project that we may be able to help you with PLEASE let us know.

Many Thanks,
Jen

clothe His children

My friend Jill owns Boomerang consignment store (http://www.boomerangconsignments.com/) here in PSL. Jill knows my heart for orphans and my desire to minister to adoptive families so with my vision and her generosity we created a ministry to clothe His children. Each week Jill DONATES any and all of the stores unsold items. These items range from strollers, pack & plays and walkers to boppy's, and toys, books and games, not to mention clothes galore. You name it this store has donated it! Jill's generosity has blessed families and orphans not just here in PSL and throughout the United States but also as far as Guatemala, Haiti and Russia. Should you or anyone you know be in need of this ministry or if you are traveling to meet your child and would like to bring a clothing donation to the caretakers please reply to this post. For those of you that are local and have not been to Boomerang Consignment yet I highly recommend that you check it out. Jill is an amazing women with a heart the size of Texas and runs one CLEAN & ORGANIZED consignment store.

Jill, I would just like to personally and publicly thank you for who you are and for partnering with me and believing in my vision. I adore you!!

Dibs Ice Cream Commercial

Ok, so my friends Les and Erin have made another video. This one however is not a SciFi clip. It is an actual commerical for Dibs Ice Cream. Please click on this link http://dibsfilmfest.com/default.aspx?openURL=clip.aspx?key=D90EF681344EABE1 watch their commercial AND vote for them to win!! No registration is required this time so it is SUPER simple.

Many Thanks!!

Jen

PS - if you could help spread the word for them that would be AWESOME!!! Their email and details about their commerical is below.

Thanks again!!!

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We're at it again! Les and I have made a commercial to hopefully earn $10,000 in a grand prize win! I may have mentioned this before but we are on a mission to pay off debt. This would help immensely! (Thanks to everyone, we have already won $500, and a trip to the Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan.)The voting for this is different from Rootclip. The best part is you don't have to register to vote! Just simply click on the link below, it will take you straight to our video. It is based on a rating system. You will see 5 stars. Rate the commercial 1-5. (maybe you could vote 5 even if you don't like it that much) After Aug 8th, the top 10 video's with the best ratings will move on to a round of judges who will vote as well. Whoever has the highest rating from both rounds wins.Here is the link to the commercial. Enjoy!P.S. It may surprise you at first. It is a Dibs commercial, and their motto is "Do Dibs Instead". If you want to improve your marriage you should probably do both. : ) Watch and you'll see what I'm talking about!http://dibsfilmfest.com/default.aspx?openURL=clip.aspx?key=D90EF681344EABE1A special thanks to our good friend Angel, who came up with the concept (which we think is hilarious, we hope you agree), and for making me look beautiful (hair & makeup), and to both Travers & Angel who let us borrow their home for the shoot. Thanks in advance for Rating our commercial. It means so much to us! We love you all!God Bless, Les & Erin

PhoneRaiser

You may have noticed the PhoneRaiser link in the margin on this blog.

That link is to a beautiful family in AZ that is in the process of adopting a little girl from Russia.

To help off set some of the expenses they are collecing USED Cell Phones, Mp3 Players, Hand Held System Consoles, Digital Cameras, and Ink Cartridges.

I will be sending a box to her this Friday. If you have any of these above items that you are no longer using would you PLEASE consider donating them to this family? If you are local, I would be happy to pick them up from you. If you aren't local but you would still like to be a blessing to this family please email me. I will help make the mailing arrangements for you.

To read more about their adoption journey please check out their blog http://www.azlittlepatchofheaven.blogspot.com/.

MANY Thanks in advance!

Church Bulletins

Maybe you've seen some of these before but there were some new ones for me and they were quite funny!

These sentences (with all the bloopers) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals
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The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water."
The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house! Bring your husbands.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.
Smile at someone who is hard to love.
Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off -- let the church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled, Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want to remember.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00P -- prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in the church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge -- Up Yours."

A Child Waits - Encouragement

Friends,

I have received a TON of comments regarding A Child Waits post I made a few days ago.

It seems that many who read the post were “moved” or cried and felt sad for what they saw. Many confessed that “one day, they too hope to grow their family through adoption but right now financially it is just impossible!”

Before I address that comment I would first like to say I believe ALL children are a gift. Whether brought to our families biologically or through the adoption. I do not believe that one way is better or more noble. I do not feel that those who adopt are “great or selfless people” I also do not believe that adoption is for everyone. No one should ever pursue an adoption just because they feel sorry or sad for a child. Adoption is NOT a rescue mission!! Adoption is simply uniting your child with his family.

With all that being said….These last paragraphs are ONLY INTENDED for anyone who “one day hopes to grow their family through adoption but right now feels that it is financially impossible”

If you and your spouse have a united heart towards adoption but you are holding back due solely to finances PLEASE DON’T. I know first hand that when we step out in faith and trust in what we know is right rather than what “makes sense” we are blown away by what is possible. I also know first hand the initial fear. I know how hard it is to take that first step, but once you do, once you leap, you see things you never dreamed possible actually happening to you, in your life, and for the good of your family!

I have seen a couple loose their job in the middle of an adoption and not only stay the course but bring home 2 children instead of one. God did not forsake them. I’ve seen other couples loose their home and job and STILL complete their adoption. Another couple had no finance options available to them for a little girl whom their heart broke for so 3 times they “found” her a forever family. All 3 times it fell through and finally they “got it”. They proceeded with NO finances and their daughter is now home! Our personal adoption expenses doubled what we thought they were going to be when we completed our first adoption and since we were not planning to adopt again we had NO adoption fund for our last adoption yet all of our children are home safe and sound. We have plenty to eat, hot water, clothes on our backs and a roof over our head!

My plea to any of you holding off because of finances is this: PLEASE DO NOT LET FINANCES KEEP YOUR CHILD OUT OF YOUR HOME! I will personally partner with you, join forces and encourage you every step of the way. I have seen miracle after miracle in family after family. I would be honored if you allowed me that privilege on your journey!

For those of you who have testimonies like those above PLEASE share your stories. Be an encouragement to those who may be in a financial stronghold. You never know whose child may come home as a result of your trials and testimony!

To Him Be The Glory!

2008 Edition Of Getting To Know Your Friends

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends. What you aresupposed to do is hit forward and change your answers. Change all the answersso they apply to you, and then send this to your friends including the personwho sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little thingsabout your friends that you might not have known.
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1. What time did you get up this morning? 8am – and the kids are STILL sleeping!
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds
3. What 2 things do you always have with you? My kids and someone elses kids – it’s summer! 4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy, Big Brother, Survivor5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Honey Bunches of Oats
6. What is your favorite book? The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent. 7. What is your middle name? Lee
8. What food do you dislike? Mushrooms
9. What is your favorite CD? I prefer pure quiet of music.
10. What type of car do you drive? Honda Odyssey
11. Favorite sandwich? Rare Roastbeef12. What characteristic do you despise? Arrogance13. Favorite item of clothing? My Jammies!14. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I REALLY like home!!! But I would like to start summer trips to various orphanages beginning in Central/South America. 15. What color is your bathroom? Yellow
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Gap, Old Navy and Ralph – and I like it better when it’s on sale 17. Where would you like retire to? Right here in my home in warm sunny FL!!
18. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My 30th – It’s was when I became a mom!!
19. Furthest place you are sending this? It’s going on my blog so who knows!
21. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Good question22. Person you expect to send it back first? Good question23. Favorite saying? “Represent” It’s something our family says a lot and it means a lot.
24. When is your birthday? August 14th25. Are you a morning person or a night person? I’m stuck between the two. It's weird because I am not officially either.
26. What is your shoe size? 6 1/227. Pets? 1dog - Molly 28. What did you want to be when you were little? Fire Fighter29. How are you today? great30. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate, of course!31. what is your favorite flower? Gardenia – my husband recently bought me my own gardenia tree and hedge – LOVE THEM!
32. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? The kids “Gotcha” days.33 What is the last thing you ate? Krista’s FABULOUS ice cream, caramel, whipped cream dream come true. (last night)34. What are you listening to right now? The dishwasher – doing my job.
35. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Brown – like everything else I own.
36. How is the weather right now? It’s a Bright sun shinning day
37. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sister
38. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Love (and miss) her
39. Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke40.Favorite restaurant? The Tides 41. Hair colour? Brown with highlights43. Favorite day of the year? My kids birthday’s44. What was your favorite toy as a child? Easy Bake Oven – funny thing is I can’t cook!!!!
45. Summer or winter? Summer for sure46. Hugs or kisses? Hugs47. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate48. Do you want your friends to email you back? yes49. When was the last time you cried? I cry at commercials – this is an unfair question!50. What is under your bed? Who knows!51. Who is the friend you have had the longest? My Sister!52. Favorite smell? Cookies Baking
53. What are you afraid of? CHANGE!!!!!!!!!
54. Plain, butter or salted popcorn? BUTTER & SALT
55. How many keys on your key ring? 5
56. How many years at your current job. 4 years stay at home mom57.Favorite day of the week? Saturday58. How many towns have you lived in? 2 – as an adult 59. Do you make friends easily? I think so60. How many people will you be sending this to? A Lot! it’s on the WWW

Disclaimer

You may have noticed that there are ads appearing in the margin and at the bottom of this blog. I signed up with a company and I have allowed them access to my blog for marketing purposes.

These ads change frequently and with out notice or authorization from me...

Please note that not all of these ads are not intended, sponsored or approved by me! I have not yet figured out a way to moniter the discretion of what is posted and I am diligently working on it.

Blessings,
Jen

A Child Waits

On Saturday we hosted an adoption reunion here at our home. There were 4 families that were able to make it. We all meet in 2003 when we each started our adoption journey's. At the time only one of the 4 couples had a (bio) child. On Saturday the same 4 couples now had 9 children. 8 of which were all brought home from various countries and joined to our families through adoption. Had the additional 2 couples been able to make it there would have been another 6 children brought home through adoption. Unbelievable!



I spent that evening celebrating the joy of adoption, my life, and the cherished friends I made on the journey.



Before bed I checked my emails one last time and I received this real picture of real children STILL waiting to belong to their forever families the same way my children and those here on Saturday do. They long to know a mom and dad, to be held, to be tucked in, to be read a bedtime story....My heart aches for these waiting children...Please look at their picture and pray with me that they have a forever family and that they are united soon!

Children depicted are 3 and 4 year old boys and girls from the Nadvirna Children's Home in Nadvirna, Ukraine. Photo by Melanie Bevan.

A borrowed poem

Some houses try to hide the factThat children shelter there,
Ours boasts it quiet openly,
The signs are Everywhere.For smears on the windows,
Little smudges on the doors,
I should apologize I guess,
For toys strewn on the floor.But I sat down with the children,
And we played and laughed and read,
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Their eyes will shine instead.For when at times I am forced to choose,
The one job or the other,
I'd like to cook, and clean, and scrub,
But first I'll be a MOTHER.

PSA - SAFETY ALERT

Hey Readers:

I'm not sure if this is true or not but I thought I'd pass the Public Service Accouncement along JUST IN CASE.

SAFETY ALERT:

It has come to the attention of the National Propane Gas Association that propane cylinders are being used in the manufacturing of Methamphetamines. This drug is commonly referred to as 'crank'. Manufacturers of this illegal substance are using propane cylinders for the storage and the use of anhydrous ammonia. These cylinders have been found in many states at cylinder exchange and refilling locations as well as in hotel rooms and mobile laboratories, where the manufacturing of this illegal substance takes place.

Meth cooks are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, gas stations, etc. and emptying them of the propane. They are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which is used in their meth recipe). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store. They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be extremely dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc. You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that one.' If you suspect you already have one of these tanks, don't touch it. Notify the fire dept, DEA, or HazMat Emergency Response Unit immediately for disposition. Source: Check out the following website for more details. They also have pictures showing what contaminated tank valve might look like. http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

"Nutshell Philosophy

I received this from a friend...I hope you will take some time and reflect on this "Nutshell Philosphy"

1. Be Fishers of Men.... You catch 'em, He'll Clean 'em.
2. A family altar can alter a family.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. Don't put a question mark where God put a full stop.
5. Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
6. Exercise daily... Walk with the Lord!
7. Forbidden fruits create many jams.
8. Give God what's right, not what's left!
9. Give satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
10. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
11. God grades on the cross, not the curve.
12. God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts"!
13. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
14. Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible!
15. He who angers you, controls you!
16. He who is good at making excuses, is seldom good for anything else.
17. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!
18. Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
19. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.
20. Never give the devil a ride! He will always want to drive!
21. Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.
22. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
23. "Pray" is a four-letter word that you can say anywhere.
24. Prayer - Don't give God instructions - just report for duty!
25. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
26. This Church is "Prayer Conditioned"!
27. To be almost saved is to be totally lost.
28. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning!
29. Watch your step carefully! Everyone else does!
30. We don't change the message, the message changes us.
31. Wisdom has two parts: 1) Having a lot to say. 2) Not saying it.
32. Worry is the darkroom in which trouble is processed.
33. Remember God answers all knee mail.

That's what I am here for...

That's what my 6 year old daughter said to me this morning. Here is how it went:

Mom: sweeping the floor

Sadie: can I help you mom?

Mom: Sure honey, I will sweep the dirt into piles and you can pick the piles

Sadie: Thanks mom

Mom: No, honey, THANK YOU. I don't what I would do with out you

Sadie: No problem mom, that's what I'm here for...

So sweet!!! That girl is something else.

Night Light

There is an organization called NightLight who is in Bangkok, Thailand. They rescue women from prostitution. Click here for the full story:
http://www.nightlightbangkok.com/purposeandgoals.htm

Some women who are rescued make jewelry. Click here to see:
http://www.nightlightbangkok.com/catalogue.htm

And it's beautiful stuff. Looking for something unique that will support a precious cause? Look no further.

Prayer Needed

Hello my friends...this request is for a friend of a friend. I do not know Misty or Darren directly but at the recommendation of my friend I spent some time on their blog and in prayer for them. Even though I do not know this family my heart breaks for them and what they are going through. At the same time I am inspired and encouraged by their faith! They are in need of a miracle and so I ask the same of you...please spend some time on Misty & Daren's blog at http://www.leblanclife.com/ in prayer for them. To God be the Glory!

Joke

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, 'You should do it because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee. The husband said, 'You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.' Wife replies, 'No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should brew the coffee.' Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.' So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says 'HEBREWS' .

Boomerang Consignment SALE

As most of you know...My friend Jill Saenz owns Boomerang Consigment store here in PSL. Well she is having a summer sale this week and I thought you'd like to know. See below for details...

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Happy Summer from Boomerang Consignments & More!

Can you believe we have been open for a year already?!? Thanks so much for making this year such a success.

We hope you are having a happy and safe summer. To show our gratitude to our best customers, just mention you saw this email and you will receive 10% off your entire purchase through Saturday July 12th.

Feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might enjoy the shop - we'd love to meet them and introduce them to our store.

Thanks again!

Jill Saenz
Boomerang Consignments & More
6538 NW Selvitz Road
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
(772) 204-9078
www.boomerangconsignments.com

Root Clip

My Friends from our Life Group are in the following video http://rootclip.com/clips/good-luck/6/a-hero-is-born/. Please take the 2 minutes to watch their clip and if you agree with me that THEY ARE AWESOME please vote for them. Their clip is called A HERO IS BORN. If my friends win this round they will win a trip to the Film Festival where their clip will be shown on the BIG SCREEN. They will also get to meet Michael Moore. This is really BIG for them please watch their clip - I know you will be glad you did! MANY THANKS!

NEED WASHING??

I received this email from a friend...

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this
beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said.

" What?' Mom asked.

'Lets run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God
can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all
stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.

Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh
it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

Coffee Mallow Parfait

I'm reading this book by Nicole Johnson. It's called Fresh Brewed Life and in it I found this receipe for Coffee Mallow Parfait. Sounds so yummy, I had to share.

Here's what you'l need:
24 regular-size marshmallows (about 3 cups)
1 cup double-strenth coffee
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

Here's what you'll need to do:
In a medium saucepan combine the marshmallows and the coffee.
Cook and stir over medium heat until the marshmallows melt.
Chill until partially set.
Fold the whipped cream into the marshmallow mixture.
Chill again until partially reset.
In parfait glass, start with coffee/mallow mixture and layer the mixture with the cookie crumbs so that there are at least three layers of cookie crumbs.
Top with the coffee/mallow mixture.
Chill again till serving.
Just before serving, add a dollop of whipped cream. Garnish, if desired with a drizzle of Torani Mint or chocolate syrup, and top with a large chocolate shave or an Andes Mint Cansy.

Enjoy :-)

Cutco

Friends,

Have you heard of Cutco?

It's a company that employs college students and allows them to earn $$ while in school. A friend of ours has a son selling this product. He gets credit just for showing the merchandise even if you do not buy anything. Of course he gets more credit and money if you do but there is NO obligation. The demonstration takes less than and hour and its even entertaining.

Please reply to this post if you would you consider opening your home for him and help earn some credit for school.

Many Thanks!!

Mean Moms

Mean Moms

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as my Mean Mom told me:

I loved you enough . . to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough . .. . to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too. And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.

Was your Mom mean? I know mine was.

We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too. Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less. We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do. She always insisted on us telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds and had eyes in the back of her head. Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn't let our friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet them. While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. Because of our mother we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shop lifting, vandalizing other's property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.

Now that we have left home, we are all educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom was.

DOES THE WORLD NEED MORE MEAN MOMS?