I too am just a mom with a [semi nice...if slightly out of date] camera!!!
But I do shoot almost exclusively in manual. I have no desire to become a professional but that doesn't mean I don't want my photos to look like they were taken by a professional!!!
I have the kit lens, 50mm, 35 mm and a 75-300mm. My 35mm hardly ever leaves my camera!!! It works the best for in my house and for outside in my yard with my kids!!! Now there are certain times I do use my zoom lens...but really I hate it and I only use it so I can have a few photos of my kids in their various concerts at school...also that's usually the only time I switch out of manual and got to Program mode.
I agree that if you love your photos then stick with the lens you have...I don't at all feel bad that some of my lenses sit in my bag.....I did use them at one point in my life but I just out grew them!!!