Let me start by saying this is not a "justification" post but a post on WHY I do what I DO...Besides homeschooling our children, I love to throw a great playdate/party/gathering (yup that's right). Call it whatever you want to, but don't judge me for it....to some, my parties might seem "extreme"....lots of money spent (wrong), lots of time went into them (right), lots of LOVE went into them (double right).
Love how I found a re-purpose for my chidrens' crib at her Night Owl Party!
I see so many wonderful parties out there in blog land and am in awe of them. A lot of you will say that there are parties out there are very extreme and just a "show off"...might be true...but I know in my heart of hearts, if I had the means (financially and otherwise) I would be one of those moms who has a pony ride, carnival rides and $ 20 goodies bags for our childrens' parties.
I am reminded this past week that life is short, precious, not to be taken for granted, live each day as a celebration. My friend lost her husband on Friday to a heart attack and now she and her two small children are left without a husband and daddy. I feel such a sense of loss for her. I don't know how I would pick my pieces up and recover from such a devastation like that, I would, but it would be hard as you can imagine. Puts things into perspective for most...
When I was in my teens, I was diagnosed with cancer, non-hotchkins lymphoma. Today they have wonderful treatments for this type of cancer, but back in 1983, not so much. I was given 2 years to live. (we all know how that turned out)...Went through many surgeries, chemotherapy, side effects, told I could probably not have children (yea...call me Fertile Myrtle) ...it was not a pretty scene....my family split up...my sister and I had such a distance between us....life was at a very low point for my entire family! It was not acceptable! I am a fighter, a survivor and liver of life! I was saved by the Grace of God alone and HE has given me this passion that I "run" with and welcome into my heart...we all have different passions, talents (how I wish I could sew) and blessings.
So what does all my rambling mean? It means....I WANT to celebrate each day....give our children wonderful parties, celebrations, playdates and share them with our friends. I WANT to invest the time, the effort and sometimes the money into celebrating life. I go BIG or go home...but that does not mean that you have to! Each mom, family, situation is different..not to be compared to ours..I am no Super Mom...just super in love with my family and providing every Joy I can for them!
If you are some of the special people in our lives who share these special events with us, I pray
you are blessed by our gatherings and continue to enjoy them!
Just sayin'.....
Comments
I love the fact that you stick to your guns on homeschooling, it is not for me. And to each her own, we all make our own choices in life.
Thank you for being my friend when I have needed one, be strong and carry on!
Jeanine - love it!
Kimberly - 8) I am glad we met and our children are growing up together! We love having you at our parties too! 8)
my dh had cancer right after we were married and somehow god saw him through it when he also was not given a good chance to live or ever have kids and now its 11 years past his dx and we 6 kids!
you have such a positive attitude!
i like all those party blogs too but i don't like the ones that someone just paid a designer for. i love the ones a mom made with love. some seem show-off-y but the ones made with true love you can just tell. yours are fun and joyful. they're great.
Keep on partying Mama!! We all need a party and a laugh and good friends to share it with!!