doing what you love...

Spiderman pose.

I've always tried to support my kids in their interests. When Ava was about 5 she was obsessed with The Wizard of Oz. I bought her the movie, the dress, the shoes, the basket, the dog and some dolls. Graedon loved pirates when he was two and had a pirate ship, eye patch and the works. Now it's superheros and Redwall.

Their interests now are a little more expensive. The older girls are into movie making so I bought Lauren a Flip video camera for her birthday.

Ava loves horses so every week I drive her out to take lessons.



Maddie loves dogs and we recently adopted two whippets with the express agreement that she trains them and scoops their poop.




Fortunately one of Lauren's interests doesn't cost me a thing. Twice a week she volunteers for our library shelving books. Boring to me but she loves being there. It will look good on a work resume to have references other than her parents or friends!

It was so hard that first day to drop her off and drive away. What if she needed me? What if there was a problem? Nevermind that she is 15 and can use a phone to call me. It was just weird to me. We homeschool so I've never had the experience of having my kids gone all day.

Sometimes their interests are just being together as a family and experiencing the wonder of watercolors. The little kids thought this was so neat. When the older girls were young, I shied away from crafts because it made a mess and didn't go perfectly. Now, I don't mind the mess and love to see my kids creativity. My house is filled with their drawings and paintings.







We're blessed to have my business, Miss Label to support those interests that do cost money. But really they just love when I sit and listen to what they are thinking. And that doesn't cost a dime but does reap big rewards even though sometimes their stories go on forever and I try not to fall asleep.

I'm looking forward to what the littler kids interests will be and where the older kids interests will take them. And I pray that they will always know that I supported them wholeheartedly when they become rich from their ideas. Maybe even kickback some of that money. Hint, hint.