But since I *am* a mom . . .

I'll go ahead and write about my kids today!

Rebecca is a senior at Searcy High School. Absolutely unbelievable! The baby that changed us from a couple into a family is about to leave home. She is a talented writer, actress, and thinker. She is planning to come to Harding next fall and major in English and minor in drama/ancient languages. Of course that could change a few times but she's been pretty consistent about it so far. Until March 15, you can see her senior pictures here. Look for "Rebecca" toward the bottom of the page. On her facebook profile she said, "I want to have lots of babies and work in a library like my mom." Made me want to cry!

Noelle is in the middle of her freshman year. She's playing softball on the school team. Their first game is later this week. She'll be starting on the varsity team even though she's a freshman! She was really excited about that because the practices have been hard. Noelle is the tallest female in our family. Lately she's been teasing me because I won't say she looks sexy. :-) I told her it just had a completely different meaning to people my age than to people her age and I just couldn't say it. Hey -- I work with college students! I try to understand their mindset and see things from their perspective! I just cannot in good conscience use that word as a synonym for "pretty" or "nicely dressed." Sigh -- I guess I'm getting old.

Emily got braces today! She was looking forward to it, but I don't think she was quite as excited after she actually had them on her teeth. Her mouth was achy and she seemed a little self-concious. Lots of her friends have braces so I think it'll be fine once she gets to school. I've already threatened her brothers within an inch of their lives if they tease her. We're going to have pancakes and sausage for supper tonight. That way she'll have something soft enough she won't have to chew if her mouth is still sore. Emily's as tall as I am, by the way. I usually wear shoes with about a two-inch heel so I didn't really notice it until today when I wore flats. It's amazing how quickly they grow.

Caleb is nine and comes up to my nose. He loves helping in the kitchen and is fascinated with musicals. I think his current favorite is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It's a great, fun family musical, but it comes with a WARNING! Get it on dvd and SKIP THE SECTION WITH MRS. POTIPHAR. Just skip it altogether if you're watching it with your kids. You'll be singing the songs forever, so it's really worth the watching other than that scene.

Daniel is seven and you would never believe that he and Caleb were the same size at birth. He's tall, but he not any bigger around than my little finger. He's a great reader and loves dressing up like a superhero (hmmm -- maybe I rubbed off on him?). The funniest thing he's ever done is run around with his Darth Vader helmet and underwear on. BIG black, scary head, scrawny little body and tighty whities. Some day he'll learn to wear clothes at home. I hope.

Well, that's it. Those are my kiddoes. I'll try to update you on them more often. They're really amazing. I can't believe God has blessed me so tremendously. Sometimes I feel like Sally Fields at the Oscars -- "You love me! You really love me!" -- when I look at my children. At one point in time I really thought I had to get it all right or I'd completely mess 'em up. Now we all admit we're imperfect, do the best we can and love each other and forgive each other. Praise the Lord!