My Children Save My Life Every Day - A Song Review

 

My Children Save My Life — Every Single Day

All my life, I've said this sentence without thinking twice: my children save my life every day. It was never a slogan or something I tried to turn into meaning. It was simply the truth as it lived in me — steady, quiet, and constant. I realize that's a lot of pressure to put on our kids, but nevertheless, it's an honest feeling.

When I wrote the song My Children Save My Life, I realized I wasn't just writing about my children. I was writing to them. I was also finally giving words to something I later discovered so many parents, especially mothers, feel but rarely articulate. 

Over time, I've seen versions of this same sentiment shared again and again on social media: my kids saved me, my children gave my life purpose, I wouldn't be here without them. Different words, same heartbeat. 

That's when I knew this feeling deserved its own song.

As you read this article, you'll find some of the lyrics I wrote for this song filtered throughout.

Wanting to Hand Them an Easy World - Yah, I Know, It's Not Easy!

I want my children to have an easy life. Not a perfect one. Just an easier one. 

When they were little, and even now, I want to hand them all the answers. I want to give them the map, the shortcuts, and the warnings written clearly so they can bypass that broken ground altogether.

I want to keep them close. I want to block the shadows. I want to win every battle for them so they can stay peaceful. 

I know, logically, that children are supposed to struggle sometimes, that challenges shape them, that lessons learned firsthand matter more than anything I could explain. 

But emotionally? Like many parents, I don't want my children to suffer. When they struggle, I don't watch from a distance (but sometimes I'm forced to), I dig deep alongside them.

Is that selfish? Maybe a little. 

If their life is easy, mine feels easier too. But mostly it comes from love. From instinct. From that deep, almost unbearable desire to protect their spirit. 

That's where the song begins — with that wanting. That hope that if I could just give them the book of life, filled with every secret to an easier road, they'd never have to stumble.

The truth is, that wouldn't work, because nine times out of ten, the likelihood they'd listen is slim to nil. But that's ok too, because it's evidence that, in the end, it's up to them.

Life, of course, doesn't follow the maps I draw.

Watching Them Become Who They Are

One of the hardest truths of parenting is realizing that no matter how much wisdom you carry, life still belongs to your children. They have to live it themselves. I've watched them stumble. I've watched them rise again. I've watched them make choices that require courage, quiet courage, the kind that doesn't announce itself.

There's a line in the song that holds a complicated truth for me: I'm grateful for their strength, yet at the very same time, I hope they never really need it. 

That's the paradox of being a parent. You want your children to be capable and resilient, but you don't want life to demand too much of them.

What humbles me most is realizing they don't need my book of life after all. They don't need every secret written down. They find paths I don't see. They bypassed broken ground, which I thought was unavoidable. And in doing so, they teach me something I'm still learning.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

Parenting is a constant balancing act between faith and fear. Fear wants control. Faith asks for trust. Trust is not passive — it's an active choice, one I have to make again and again. Letting go doesn't mean loving less. It means loving differently.

I'm still practicing. I'll never be a pro at letting them go. But even in silence, I feel their hearts. I send them peace. I remind myself that I'm not their answer — I'm the road that helps them through. I'm the doorway into living, not the path they have to choose.

My children don't just shape my life.
They save my life.
Every single day.

And that truth deserved its own song. It was my Valentine's Day gift to them this year. 

*************

I Write Lyrics About Life:

Facebook: Lyrics About Life on Facebook

YouTube:  Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Amazon: Drageda Lyrics on Amazon Music

iTunes:   Drageda Lyrics on iTunes

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National Toast Day Review

Toast Day is held each year on the 4th Thursday of February. It was begun in 2014 by The Tiptree World Bread Awards to celebrate toast and all the breads we make it with. (Tiptree is a brand of fruit preserves, conserves, and marmalade made in England by Wilkin & Sons Limited, so it makes sense they have an interest in toast.)

The organization is in the UK, but the popularity of this day has found a following in the United States.  

The Shades of Toast

Some people like their toast barely toasted (my mother, for one. I used to tell her that her version of toast was more like ‘warm bread’, LOL). 

Others like their toast almost burnt, which is a way I learned to eat it as a small child from my great-grandmother, Banny. At the time, the only toaster she had was a non-popup toaster used in the 1920s to 1930s. You lowered each side, inserted the bread, closed the doors and ‘watched’ it closely. Only one side was toasted at a time. One had to lower the doors, and flip the bread to toast the other side. And, yes, I do remember that toaster - it looked like the one pictured here. Banny, my GG, would wait until the smoke was coming out of the toaster (burnt), then toast the other side. Then she would lightly scrape the burnt part off.

It may sound weird to you today, but as a tiny child who adored her ‘Banny’, I thought it was great, and I loved the burnt flavor. The rest of the way we ate that toast was dipped in coffee (Banny) and cocoa (me). To this day, cocoa and toast is a favorite of mine. Although, I no longer eat my toast burnt! Most people prefer their toast toasted somewhere in between barely and burnt. 

Toast Toppings

Now, the toppings for toast are endless, and depend on your preference. Butter is a standard topping, but favorites run anywhere from jam/jellies to peanut butter to avocados. Then there are standards like poached eggs on toast and toasted sandwiches. 

Summary

So, if you like toast (and most of us do), mark the 4th Thursday of February on your calendar in order to celebrate this ‘toasty’ day! 

Related Holidays:

• National Cheese Toast Day - September 15
• National Bread Day - November 17

For more Holiday Reviews, Click 
on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*A review of National Toast Day was written by Wednesday Elf

*Images: 

• Vintage Toaster image from Rare Historical Photos/Vintage Toasters toasters/
• Toast/toaster images from Pixabay

 

Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Long Slot 4 Slice Toaster, Reheat, 6 Toast Settings, Defrost, Cancel Functions, Built-in Warming Rack, Extra Wide Slots for Bagels & Waffles, Stainless Steel & Black

Oregon Growers, Marionberry Jam, Strawberry Jam, & Red Raspberry Jam Variety Pack - Marionberry Preserves, Strawberry Preserves, Red Raspberry Preserves, Organic Jelly - 12 Oz Each (Pack of 3)

Nature's Own Butterbread, Sliced White Bread, 20 oz Loaf

Thomas’ Plain Bagels, 6 Pre Sliced Bagels with No High Fructose Corn Syrup, 20 Oz Bag

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Mischief and Manors Book Reviewed

I have recently started reading through the Change of Heart book series by Ashtyn Newbold and I have not been disappointed.  

This entire series is a  very romantic, very entertaining series built around characters with charm and wit.

Book 1 of the series is Mischief and Manors.  The title describes well what a reader should expect.  The mischief element is introduced by the two young brothers in the story.  Manors is also clear in reference to the homes.  Changing the spelling to "manners" would also have been appropriate since having the proper manners in society definitely matters.

Romantics at heart always love books with gentlemen and heroes.  This series is based on women who need a real gentleman and hero in their lives.  All Regency Romance novels are written based on a time period in the past when woman have little or no control over their own lives.  Happiness and romance are secondary to financial security and marriage arrangements may not include the woman's personal considerations.  

 

Synopsis of Mischief and Manors

Annette Downing and her two young brothers are orphans who were taken in my their uncle's widow when their parents died 5 years before the book's beginning.  Ruth Filbee is a cruel, selfish, and viscous woman who didn't want the children, but also didn't want to be criticized publicly for not taking them in.

 Mischief and Manors:
A Regency Romance (Change of Heart Book 1)Check PriceWhen Annette and her brothers were invited to spend the summer at Kellaway Manor, Annette couldn't get away from her aunt and the town of Silton fast enough.  Even though she thought she had found a way out of Aunt Ruth's house by accepting the vicar's marriage proposal, it would not be a love match.  Simply an escape from her aunt's abuse and guardianship.  She hoped to have time away from all of the stress by visiting her parent's friends, the Kellaways.  

Annette had visited the Kellaways in the past with her parents, but her brothers had never been there.  She knew their mischievous antics could cause problems, but she hoped she would be able to instruct them.  She had done the best she could to raise her young brothers, but she knew she needed help.  The need for help was another reason why she was considering the vicar's proposal.

Dr. Owen Kellaway remembered Annette, and she certainly remembered him and his own mischievous ways when he was young.  After all, when she was previously there, he had led her into an "adventure" that ended up with her being hurt.  

Owen was immediately drawn to Annette and her dedication to her little brothers.  The more he learned about their lives, the more he wanted to help them, but Annette wasn't interested in a relationship with Owen.  However, she did realize he could help her instruct and properly teach her brothers to be gentlemen.  She finally agreed to a proper friendship.  She had no desire to be taken in by his charm or flirtation, but she thought she was safe to have him as a much needed friend.

____________

It is pretty evident early on that Annette and Owen's friendship will develop into a love relationship.  However, Annette's aunt had accepted the vicar's proposal for Annette and she has threatened to send her brothers to an orphanage.  No matter who Annette marries, her aunt is still her brother's guardian and has total control over them.

As with any "Cinderella" story, you really want to see the wicked guardian's plans thwarted.  

 

        

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Books by Ashtyn Newbold Previously Reviewed on ReviewThisReviews.com

• The Last Eligible Bachelor 
• The Ace of Hearts 
• The Captain's Confidant  
• With Love, Louisa
• Lord Blackwell's Promise
  

   

Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com

Mischief and Manors (Change of Heart Series) Reviewed by:

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Jumbo High Corner Cat Litter Box Review

We currently only have one cat, but we got her a jumbo litter box anyway. There are several pros to this choice.

First, it keeps more litter in the box. The cat only digs litter out onto the floor if she happens to be facing that particular way. So my floors stay cleaner.

Second, out cat likes the extra space to turn around in the box, and to text out multiple dig areas. She seems much happier with this litter box.

Third, with the larger litter box, scooping once a day for one cat is plenty.

I chose this particular box because it doesn't come with a lid. Years ago we had a high side one with a lid, and one of our cats at that time, peed just high enough to have it go in between the lower box and the lid. It was not fun trying various options to keep it contained and cleaned up.

This particular litter box is plenty high enough on the sides to keep any higher sprays contained in the box.

The entrance is midway through the front side, making it easy to enter and exit if need be. She also steps up onto the edge of the higher sides, and that works too. But with this, she has a choice.

I preferred the corner box as compared to the rectangle box. The corner box is still spacious, and takes up a little less room than the rectangle box. I also prefer the entrance/exit location on the corner box.

This box also is smooth on the inside and is easy to wipe down.

So Phresh Jumbo Litter Box. Check price on Amazon.

Please share with any other cat parents that you know. Thanks.

Cheryl Paton

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Fisher-Price Toy Reviews List

Welcome to our resource or index page for new, retired and vintage Fisher-Price toy reviews. Here you will find information and links to a number of pages that review in greater depth and provide technical details about some of the company's toys designed for children of all ages. 

EIGHT GREAT FISHER-PRICE TOYS

When my children were young Fisher-Price offered some great, quality children's toys. However, they cannot hold a candle to today's Fisher-Price toys, which include a much larger selection of toys that are all made with improved safety measures with your children in mind. These newer toys make ideal gifts for birthday and Christmas because they can be chosen with a child's age in mind and because they are made by a reputable company. 

If you are looking for an out-of-production toy that evokes feelings of nostalgia, you will find some of them included on this page, too. Be sure to note that vintage toys do not meet todays safety recommendations and are likely not safe for young children.

Included on this list are:

Discovery Cottage
Brilliant Basics Hug 'n Giggle Baby doll.
Christmas Sing-a-Ma-Jigs
Zoo Talkers Little People Animal Sounds Zoo
Laugh & Learn Fun with Friends Musical Table
Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy
Corn Popper
Octonauts Vegimals
Go Baby Go! Poppity Pop Muscial Dino

The toys you find here are arranged in no particular order. Each of the title links will lead you to a page that provides an in-depth review of that particular toy. I know there is an inspirational choice here for you.

Find Fisher-Price's Discovery Cottage, as shown above, on eBay.

FISHER-PRICE TOY REVIEWS

Discovery Cottage

This is an old one! My children thoroughly enjoyed playing with the Discovery Cottage in the 1990s. I have fond memories of this toy because of that fact.

Brilliant Basics Hug 'n Giggle Baby

The Hug 'n Giggle Baby doll is a delightful toy that was produced in 2010 and intended for the youngest baby girl and once adopted by your daughter becomes a treasured doll.

Christmas Sing-a-Ma-Jigs Reviewed

The Sing-a-Ma-Jigs were designed for older children but even adults collected them. They were produced in and around 2010.

Zoo Talkers Little People Animal Sounds Zoo Reviewed

This Little People-themed toy from 2011 introduced young children to wild animals. My young grandson was here recently. Learning animal sounds was definitely something we did during his visit. This toy would have been a brilliant addition to our play.

Laugh & Learn Fun with Friends Musical Table Reviewed

Released in 2008 and reissued in 2011, the Musical Table is great fun for children aged six to 36 months. With or without the legs, allowing it to be versatile for babies and toddlers.

Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy Reviewed

Recommended for children aged 6 months and up, this puppy is very popular and has been released in various versions since about 2003. 

Fisher-Price Corn Popper Toy

An annoying but much beloved toy, the corn popper will have your new walker doing laps! It was first produced in 1957 and it is still being produced today. You can buy the one today here on Amazon.

Octonauts Vegimals

This toy series was inspired by a 2010 television program and consists of little people who are half animal and half vegetable. Great for imaginary play based on the series.

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That's it for my list for today. Stay tuned for additional reviews.

Are you and your children fans of Fisher-Price toys? Do you have a favorite toy by the company or maybe multiple favorites?

See you

at the toy store!

Brenda

Quick Link:

Click here to find new, used and vintage Fisher-Price toys in my eBay store.  

eBay is also a great place for replacement pieces for toys that you already own. I have a selection of them in my eBay store, too.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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