New Year’s Eve is celebrated in many different ways across the world. A favorite for many families during this time of celebration is a fireworks display. Living in the country, our family enjoys a good show. We plan for the evening by clearing a launching pad, gathering the water hoses (just in case), and securing a sturdy base for our launch tubes. The weather is checked for wind conditions and burn bans. The kiddos select the fireworks they would like to shoot off and the purchases are made. Once the evening arrives, our anticipation builds. Will the plan come together? Will our expectations be met?

As a Boy Scout for almost 13 years, I have taken part in many camping trips. I have learned that to have fun while camping, you must be miserable—at least part of the time. If you go camping to be comfortable, you’re missing the point: to have an adventure!

Listening, adjusting, focusing on what is truly important will help facilitate strong relationships as they grow to productive adults.

Ok, I admit it, I am one of those moms. I home school two awesome teenage boys, have graduated three before them, host cooperative classes in my home, care for elderly family members, love my best “coffee” gals, and have a wonderful husband. I should have it all figured out by now, right? Truth is, I wonder sometimes why I ever talked myself into teaching my children at home. Why do I still order curriculum I don’t have time to squeeze in even though it “would be so much fun to do”? I often wonder if I’m doing it all correctly or if my kiddos will be scarred for life. Finally, I just found part of a peanut butter sandwich from a few weeks ago hiding behind my printer. I’m quite certain that it has some flavor of failure or inadequacy attached to it.