My boys are almost fully cooked.

This summer, they all have birthdays. The oldest will turn 19 and then twins will turn 16.

We aren’t done and I completely embrace that. Still lots of conversations about how to treat women, how not to crash your car, why vegetables and sunscreen and exercise are important if they don’t want to die young.

But can I tell you, moms and dads of little ones, I am so glad the research years are behind me.

What are the research years? Well, I’ll tell you, they’re the ones where you read stuff on the internet or, back in the day, in magazines or in the newspaper and . . .

It scares the living daylights out of you.

You either read the stuff and are made aware of something you aren’t doing that you should be such as:

“Studies show that children who’s mothers do yoga are 5X more likely to become heart surgeons.” (not a real quote)

Crap. I don’t do yoga.

Or . . . .the equally evil twin of this concept which is you read something you DID do that you now know, because you read the article, is going to RUIN YOUR CHILD’s  CHANCE OF A HAPPY FUTURE.

“Children who are forced to walk up stairs without being carried at a young age are at far greater risk for toe nail fungus.” (also not a real quote)

Dang it.

But now that the kids are all old and junk, I don’t really worry about it anymore. Well, at least I try not to.

Because it’s Christmas Eve, Baby, and what’s done is, as they say, freaking done.

Why Christmas Eve? Well, you know that moment when you realize that everything that’s got to be done is done and you can’t do anymore and whatever you neglected to buy or cook or wrap is just going to have to go un-bought, un-cooked and un-wrapped?

And you can finally breathe? Because although it may not be the best Christmas ever, and yes, someone might be disappointed and no, you didn’t get everyone the perfect gift . . .

It’s still Christmas. And it’s still AWESOME.

Did I fail my kids? A LOT?!?! Yes.

Absolutely yes.

But did I give it all I had? My absolute best? Well, my absolute best most days. Some days, I’ll admit, I was just really tired and I mailed it in and drank wine a little too early.

But we’re human, all of us, and Scott and I love our flawed humans and we love ourselves, and so we’re going to Praise God for the gift of parenting, the gift of our wonderful children, and the gift of knowing . . .

That they are who they are because of the grace of a loving God.

And we’re going to pat ourselves on the back and say “good job” not because it was the best parenting job ever, but because if was OUR parenting of OUR kids and we did the best we could.

The End