I Love You toast on You Are Special Everyday plate.

As a Mom I find it is second nature for me to encourage, build-up and compliment my kids. Yes, I also find it second nature to growl, snare and fuss at my kids but that is for another blog post.

I credit my parents for raising me with the ability to express verbal praise. They loved me verbally before I was ever born. I heard their voice throughout the years even when I believed very little in myself.

True, I am a part of the self-esteem generation that was given a gold star for every little thing in school and told that losing was okay as long as the game was fun. Compliments for compliments sake are useless. However, promoting confidence is helpful. There is a fine line I guess.

Comforting yet hollow ringing from teachers,

Good Job for your C-. You are really showing an effort! No F!

Obligatory but heart felt praise of caretakers

You can do anything! You are so smart and beautiful!

They leave me with a thirst for more. I can always count on God to tell me the truth.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31)

Stamp I Love You on your skin because you are precious.