I have a confession to make about a Christmas gift my son was given two years ago — I stole it from him. Yep, I liked it so much that it sits by my bedside and I use it often.

“Incredible You!” by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (with Kristina Tracy) is an excellent book that all adults need to have. It’s a children’s book like most others, complete with playful illustrations and lyrical prose, but it’s the content that is so touching and meaningful. It’s based on Dyer’s “10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace.” I assume that this adult-version of the book goes into thorough detail over each of the 10 ways he outlines in the children’s book, but so many people don’t have the time to read a long book. I’ve found this children’s book the perfect dose of reality I need to stay focused on what’s important.

Each page contains valuable insight into what we need to be reminded of each and every day. Things like:

• Find What You Love
• Picture What You Want
• Change Your Thoughts To Good
• Take Care of Yourself

While it’s an incredible gift to teach these traits to your children, I argue that most adults still need these lessons as well. If we don’t know and live by these codes of life, how can we teach them to our children?

Admitedly, I did read this to my son several times before I decided to keep it by my bed, but now he’s shown interest in it again. And, while I’ve returned the gift to its rightful owner, we have an agreement to share the book and read it often — together.

Whether you are reading this book for yourself or to your child every day, you’ll never tire of its lessons.

Can you say “Awww?”

Apparently, this little guy has a new brother … also with a heart on him.

We’ll, I’ve been balancing motherhood for over three years now, but I’ve been “BalancingMotherhood.com” for two years. Amazing how fast the time has gone by.

I started this blog thinking that it wasn’t good enough to launch. I didn’t have the perfect layout or graphics. I wasn’t sure what I would write about every day. All I knew is that I needed to start it. It has been one of the best decisions. I have learned that things don’t need to be perfect in order to proceed. Had I waited until everything was exactly as I envisioned, I probably wouldn’t ever have started it. Instead, I forged ahead and picked a Wordpress template, manipulated it as best I knew at the time and kept writing. I’ve done one redesign and have another in the works. Progress, one step at a time. Isn’t that what motherhood is like?

Would You Work If You Won the Lottery?

Most people I know would stop working if they won the lottery. I used to think I would keep working, but I have to admit that if I did indeed with THE lottery, I would quit my day job. I would probably travel for a bit and just enjoy being with my kids while they are young, but eventually I would go back to work in some capacity. I want to help inspire women and mothers to be the best they can be. It’s why I write this blog. If I won the lottery I would still write this blog.

Why Do People Come Here?

Some of you come here for inspiration. Some of you come to learn what I’ve been up to. Others come here to find out if Anna Duggar is pregnant (in case you haven’t heard, it’s a girl).

Over the course of two years I’ve covered a variety of topics … everything from the death of a child to why I think breastfeeding is good for babies and mothers. I love to tell you about good books that I’ve read and I love to have someone to talk about my obsession with junk TV (and some really, really good TV.)

Financial topics don’t do very well, but I’m going to keep pushing that topic because as women we tend to avoid financial discussions. Many women I know, myself included, shut down when the topic is brought up. But, especially now, we must all know and understand finances. I will continue write about Suze Orman as long as she keeps offering good, free advice.

I’ve written about pregnancy and my bouts with gestational diabetes and I posted my hospital packing list that I hope is helping moms-to-be know what to bring with them when they go to the hospital to welcome their new baby.

You’ve followed the cakes that I started to make for my son’s birthdays. I swear, the last one … THE Mickey Mouse cake … I wouldn’t have finished it had I not intended on posting it on this blog. Not only would I have regretted quitting, my son would not have had his favorite cake so far. He talks about his Mickey Mouse birthday cake with great fondness and never once has he uttered the words that it’s lopsided or ugly. He though it was a masterpiece!

All the while, you’ve kept reading. I’ll probably play the lottery this Saturday — it’s my actual birthday. You’ll never know if I win though, because I’ll still keep blogging — for me and for you.

I got this in an email today (thanks April) with the subject “all parents and children need to watch this.” It’s pretty moving. I think there are multiple lessons in it. Let me know what you think.

The journalists are free! The journalists are free! God bless Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

But, all I need to see is this moment when this sweet, young girl is reunited with her mother. Every mother in the world knows exactly what this mother is feeling — we can see it in her face. Does the heart good.