I can hardly believe the school year is almost over.

Depending on what area of the country you live in, you could already be planning summer camps, family vacations & neighborhood cookouts.

Yet instead of focusing on the fun that lies ahead over the coming months, I find myself feeling retroactively guilty.

What do I mean by that?

The end of school serves as a reminder of all the things I didn’t accomplish over the year: the piano lessons I never taught my kids, the Bible verses we didn’t memorize, the chore charts we never completed and the play dates we never made.

I remember having such visions of organization last August. It was to be the first year I’d have two kids in school full time, so the possibilities were endless. I imagined my kids would be successful household managers – mastering self-control as they learned how to do laundry, cook at least 5 meals by themselves and organize their toys by size & color.

I also had lofty goals for myself. I figured I could easily write a book, launch a few ‘how-to’ and ‘best-of’ video series, finish every photo album I’d missed from years past, clean out the garage from the last three moves and become the proper Southern wife my husband always dreamed of having.

But then I had to get real.

I had similar emotions right before my first child was born; I actually recall telling someone, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with all my time once the baby is born!” (No joke).

Perhaps no-one felt comfortable enough telling a first time mom who was 8 months pregnant that she was crazy to think that she’d accomplish anything other that taking a shower by herself once a week and successfully taking the diapers from the changing table to the trash! But it was the same feelings of delusional super-powers I embraced then as I did at the beginning of this school year.

But when push comes to shove, it will most likely be decades before they ever recognize whether I wrote a book or finished a photo album. What they will realize tonight is whether or not I played tickle monster with them after dinner or read them a story before bed.

Their expectations are minimal, but the rewards are endless.

It’s not to say my goals are not worthy or worthwhile, but simply a check to encourage and challenge you to actually stop and ask your kids what matters to them. Chances are you’ll find that they’re much more concerned with family fun night & making forts with you at home then they are about having you work late so you can afford an exotic family vacation.

Always remember, just because the goal may not seem as big in your eyes does not mean it’s not infinitely important in the lives of your children.

In fact, if you’re looking for the perfect book to share with your kiddos in time for Mother’s Day that summarizes just what is important in the eyes of your child, read the sweet words of Amy Parker in Thank You, God, For Mommy. I guarantee you will make more time for hugs after this one!

What are you looking forward to making time for this summer?

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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging in 2009 to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. Sami appears regularly on TV & Radio as a Frugal Expert and has been blogging for Tommy Nelson since 2010. Sami and her husband of seven years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children.

For as long as I can remember, Easter has marked a trepidatious journey between the secular and the spiritual. From comedians to theologians, everyone has questioned the bridge going from Jesus dying on a cross to hiding candy-filled eggs in a basket.

As Christians and as parents, I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on us that comes from a variety of angles this time of year.

We’re expected to somehow teach our children the significance of this holiest of holidays while still dressing up in coordinating outfits for pictures and having a full-blown feast ready to eat right after Sunday church!

If we have trouble making sense of the day ourselves, how then are we supposed to embody the truth for the littlest of ones God has entrusted into our care?

When I first became a Christian, I’d venture to say I went too far in one direction – denying all cultural components of the holiday. But not only was it slightly uncomfortable to try to avoid all the bunnies floating around town, I’d dare say it didn’t make me or my family any more spiritual as a result.

Over the past few years as our kids have grown, so have our views on Easter.

Just because we believe whole-heartedly that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again three days later does not mean we also can’t gather around a table to enjoy a meal dressed in spring colors while watching our kids run through the grass to find Reese’s Peanut Butter eggs (really, is there any better candy out there?) But I digress…

What I’m trying to say is that we ought to take the best of who we are as a family and celebrate that in Christ! And if there happens to be coloring of hard boiled eggs and the making of Resurrection Buns at the same time, then that should only enhance our celebration of our faith.

As long as the truth is proclaimed, faith is demonstrated and questions are fully answered, I believe each of our family’s Easter celebrations can be a beautiful blend of all three. Wouldn’t you agree?

If you do have young children and want some great suggestions for resources that beautifully illustrate the Easter story, might I suggest a family favorite, The Story of Easter: Read & Share, or another sweet story, The Parable of the Lily?

What are some of your family’s favorite Easter traditions and stories?

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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging in 2009 to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. Sami appears regularly on TV & Radio as a Frugal Expert and has been blogging for Tommy Nelson since 2010. Sami and her husband of seven years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children.

You know that feeling when Christmas is just around the corner or you have an upcoming vacation to look forward to?

We act differently. We think differently. Our priorities are different. We have a sense of hope and expectation unlike our normal day to day routine.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. ~ Psalm 5:3

The problem is, nothing is guaranteed: not our plans, not our jobs and certainly not our days here on this earth.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

I was reminded of this fact recently when my mentor shared how she and her husband when to dinner with another couple not long ago (who happened to be their best friends). In fact, they all spoke and shared thoughts on this very topic. Ironically enough, her best friend’s husband died that very next morning. Instead of the husbands meeting for a round of golf, my mentor’s husband found himself delivering his best friend’s eulogy.

So do we live our lives in fear of what is to come? To the contrary, we live each day as if it is our last, without taking one minute for granted.

Why wait for Christmas to come to get excited about Christ? What does your life look like the other 364 days of the year? Is it possible to live our lives to their fullest here on earth while still looking expectantly for what awaits us in heaven?

Definitely. Just look to your child.

Join them in finding wonder in the rocks at the playground. Climb in bed with them as they let their minds wander on an adventure through space. Sit up late talking with them about whatever might come to their mind, even if you could never possible comprehend why they would think that way…

Children not only find thrilling in the mundane, but they look upon the eyes of God with a sense of wonder and amazement most of us could only hope for.

Today, instead of drilling your children about the necessity to take responsibility and grow up faster, ask their permission to go on a journey with them on their level. Feel free to share your wisdom with them, but don’t let it overtake their passion, creativity and child-like spirit.

What are you looking forward to? How do you communicate that to your children? How do you allow your children to join on that journey with you?

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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging in 2009 to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. Sami appears regularly on TV & Radio as a Frugal Expert and has been blogging for Tommy Nelson since 2010. Sami and her husband of seven years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children.

I’ve learned a lot of things about my kids in the short seven and a half years that I’ve been a parent.

Some days I think I’ve got it all figured out; but those are usually followed by days where everything I’ve thought to be true backfires on me.

Other days I stand in their darkened bedroom after they’re asleep, watching their chests rise and fall with each breath, and simply marvel at these little lives God has blessed me with.

Still on some days, I struggle simply to get everyone out of the door on time and then collapse into tears in the car line after shoving them out the door 30 seconds before school starts.

And yet in all those instances, over all those years and in every circumstance, there has only been one piece of parenting advice that I’ve found to be universal: Pay attention – it goes too quickly.

As of the moment I’m writing this, I’ve yet to find a way to freeze my children and stop them from growing. That said, we must not only enjoy every moment with them, but we must also put aside other worthy things for their sake…because what you deem as so important so that you can ‘give’ them more, actually robs them from all they truly want: YOU!

Your time, your presence and most of all, your love.

This Valentine’s Day, I want you to have fun with your kids. Go ahead, make cupcakes, cut out paper hearts and put stickers all over the windows if that’s your thing. But beyond the pink & purple, beyond the sugary sweet and beyond the chocolate filled fantasies are little hearts waiting to be held, molded, nurtured, disciplined and of course, tickled

“We love because He first loved us” ~ 1 John 4:19

Give your children the best gift of all: your presence. But if you are not first being filled with the love of our Heavenly Father, you certainly will not have anything left to overflow into your children. Run to Him daily to get your love tank filled so that the time you spend with your own precious bundles of love will resemble the time you have spent in the lap of King Jesus during your private moments with Him.

Just as your own children would suffer if they were never spoiled by your undivided attention, so will your own relationship with God if you don’t make a priority to steal time from your busy schedule to dedicate to Him.

So what are you waiting for? Get going! If your family is anything like ours, your kids also spell love “T-I-M-E”

Happy Valentine’s Day!
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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging in 2009 to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. Sami appears regularly on TV & Radio as a Frugal Expert and has been blogging for Tommy Nelson since 2010. Sami and her husband of seven years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children.

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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging in 2009 to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. Sami appears regularly on TV & Radio as a Frugal Expert and has been blogging for Tommy Nelson since 2010. Sami and her husband of seven years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children.