<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"In trying to fend of debt by aligning my spending with my values, I try to tell myself on a daily basis that the best attitude to have is one of gratitude. Whenever I find myself wanting to spend, spend and spend some more, (believe me, this happens more than you think) I take a minute to count all of the blessings that I already have and it seems to fill me up enough to where I feel that I have nothing else in the world to want for. This weekend was no exception. As I told you, I have a family membership at a local private golf club and I spent the entire weekend with my children and friends, splashing in the pool and laughing like I didn&amp;#039;t have a care in the world. It was pure heaven. Having races and handstand contests, getting thrown into the water with my clothes on and laughing so hard my face hurt, made me feel like I was seventeen again. There was nothing more I could have wanted or needed; who cares about those &amp;quot;Joneses&amp;quot;? The idea of having fun with my kids used to mean a surprise shopping spree at the toy store or taking my daughters out for a day at the mall and out to dinner; looking back, I feel so stupid for ever believing that buying new toys or clothes would give my kids (or me) any special memories. Was I really duped by sleek marketing executives to believe that my kids would grow up to say, &amp;quot;I had a great childhood. My mom bought me lots of stuff&amp;quot;? The answer to that is &amp;quot;No Way.&amp;quot; An entire weekend of joy with family and friends, watching my friend throw the kids into the water like a tossed salad and sharing jokes over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pink lemonade for nothing more than the cost of the food was one of the most joyous moments of the summer. And as I write this, my ten-year old son Matthew is outside playing wiffle ball with the big boys next door, illuminated by nothing more than the moon and our back porch lights and it is splendid. The girls are on the trampoline watching the game and the giggles are wafting in the screen door as I&amp;#039;m sitting down to write. This is summer. This is fabulous. Would I trade any of this in to have more material goods? Hell, no. These are the type of weekends that will keep me smiling long into the hectic work week. I really hope that they keep my beautiful children smiling too. What are your most cherished summer memories with your family? "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/a42590/summer-joy-11924/>