Valentines... Shmalent... whatever..!

Yesterday was, I don't know my hundreth "single" Vday... which doesn't really bother me anymore. I am pretty good with where I am. My little fam feels pretty complete. I like to get the man-child something on Vday... and this year I added in the wee-one, cause he finally is old enough to notice he is missing out. Nothing major... some playdough.. and five 1$ bills... the man-child on the otherhand... is a bit more complicated. I ordered a game for him a few weeks ago... but he knew about it so, it wasn't as fun. An itunes card, some cash... done... gifts for the men in my life :) But as I looked online for something affordable (cheap)... I realized that for the most part that stage of his life is over... for a girl, it seems so easy to purchase little things... a scarf, lipgloss.. a pretty pen... but boys... good luck finding something under 10$ that isn't going to break in 2.3 minutes. I think it is a conspiracy or somewhere way up the marketing ladder is a sexist lady laughing her butt off. I hate that I can walk into a store and there is gobs and gobs of little trinkets for girls... and almost nothing for boys. Anyway.. that is for another post..
 My 5 year old was so excited over his 5 big ones... hehe.. it was so fun watching him count it and then shove it in his pocket while singing "playdough, playdough, PLAYDOUGH" over and over. As I watched my man-child, he is a bit more calm... and for a moment, I wondered if we were at the stage where small gifts don't register on his radar... he is almost 13!! EEK! He did not disappoint though... He came and sat by me, hugged and thanked me, and then whispered to me that he wanted so badly to get me a gift, but he didn't have any money, but could now spend his $20 on me.. It is an amazing feeling looking at your child and realizing that they desire to spend their last cent to bring joy to you... I know every day that I am blessed. My children bring such abundant joy to my life. I am not exaggerating though, when I say that my man-child, is the most loving and thoughtful young person I know. As I watch him grow, there is some anxiety, but for the most part I revel in the person he is becoming. He deserves the best. He doesn't usually get that. I pray today, that God help me to become the mother my children deserve. It is in these moments that I feel wholly inadequate to be their "Mom", but so very proud to know that I am. My Valentines... Everyday. :)