FunkLand

I didn't blog yesterday because the last few days I've been in a funk. Yesterday was the worst. Funkland...that's where I was all day. Ever just been down on yourself, feeling like a failure, like no matter what you do it's not good enough or it won't work out anyway, so why try?

Then I remembered something last night. A conversation I had in Alabama with Russ, Chris and Darryl over dinner one night. We were talking about kids and I said, "I have 3 great kids." Russ said, "Yes you do." I told Chris, who doesn't have any kids, that I really do have 3 great kids. Never been involved in drugs or anything illegal....blah, blah, blah...you know, the usual braggings of a mother. Russ made the comment if he ever has kids (doubtful) he hopes they turn out like mine.

But seriously, no matter how far down the ladder of self esteem I am, it is always reassuring to know that if I haven't done anything else right in my life, I raised 3 great kids! I raised two amazing daughters and a wonderful son in spite of my shortcomings. When your children become young adults, that is when you reap the real rewards. You seem to forget the messy rooms, the all night sleepovers when they promised they'd go to sleep early and didn't, the running to and fro to get one here and the other there. I am proud that they grew up to be persons with minds of their own and a kindness towards others, with forgiving and loving spirits.

They each are their own unique person. Kelly is a mom of 3 and I am in awe of her when I see her interact with her kids. She is an amazing mother. She never yells at them! Three kids and she stays calm....I yelled! Supper on the table when Brent gets home so they can run off to whatever church or sporting activity is on the agenda. Plus, she provides day care for a little boy during the day and for Chloe a few times a week, keeping her at night and day.

Nicole amazes me because she marches to the beat of her own drum, and I've always wished I could do that. She doesn't give a hoot what someone thinks as long as she knows she's doing what's right. I've always said Nicole is the one with the sweet spirit. She has a heart as big as a house. She was born completely blind and the doctor's said she'd never see nor ever go to a regular school but God had other plans. She's visually impaired but she sees probably as well as I do without my glasses (cause I am legally blind without them) . She's never let this keep her from doing anything she wanted to do. She was very active through her school years and graduated with honors. She's now is going to school full-time working on her law degree AND she works at a day care! ! All this while raising 2 kids and a husband!

Nate, now he's my baby boy. Before I got pregnant with Nate I said, "If I knew that I'd have a boy I'd have another baby." Darryl said, "Where's your faith?" So, we prayed about it and I told God if He'd give me a boy I'd name him Nathan because that means GIFT OF GOD. And I prayed "God let him be all boy." Well, God has a sense of humor because Nate is all boy! He works full time getting up at 4 am every weekday morning and goes to school full time. He is due to graduate soon in Computer Science. He also does the dad stuff with his soon to be 2 year old. He's always willing to help out here when Darryl's gone or to help out my parents, never mind he has his own house to take care of. I love to hear him laugh. When he moved out his laugh is what I missed the most. He's a great kid!

I gotta say I'm happy they all have wonderful spouses. Brent, Jason, and Jessica.....they all 3 have great work ethics and come from good families. They are each genuinely good-hearted, loving people that made it easy to accept them into our family with open arms.

So, when I find myself going to Funkland again, I'll try to remember that at least one other person (Russ) besides myself and Darryl (oh yeah, and my mom and dad) know I have super kids. And I have 6 wonderful grandchildren that I adore!