OK Parents, here is your chance to tell us all the good things about your kids. Shameless bragging is encouraged!!!!!!

Some good things about my kids:

Kadia is such a good little artists. She has done some pictures for me that I have framed and they are very good. She has a cute style, she draws pictures with a sort of Victorian/Country look. She is going to do some up, and try to sell them at our community yard sale this summer.

Megan is so organized about her school work. She makes everything easy. If she has a project it is always done days ahead of time, with little fuss. She takes a lot of joy in doing her work well, and she loves school.

Lindsey is such a help with the animals. She knows exactly what to do,and is very conscientous about making sure everything is being taken care of. She loves to read, and we can spend a lot of time talking about books.

Brady is such a hard worker. He loves to help with carrying wood, and help his dad. He is one of those rare boys (in my experience) who keeps his room very clean. When he does dishes he makes sure they are SPOTLESS!!! He worries a lot about germs!!

My children are a source of great fascination for me. They are all so good, and smart. I am amazed they are in my family. They can do so many things, like swim, dive off the high dive, roller blade, ride horses, they are all excellent students, play the piano, they work hard to be good people!

~I love them all dearly with all my heart~

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 05, 2002

Answers

Oh boy! And I do mean boys.... My oldest son is eleven years old, his name is Cade. Always beyond his age, he has been a source of wonderment for us. When they called us to the emergency room for Vince, Cade held his father and comforted him. Cade stayed with me for two days in ICU. He hugged his dad, held him, talked to him and prayed. He has tryed to remain strong for his little brother Max and myself. I work hard to remind him he is eleven and to enjoy the activities every young boy deserves. Academically bright and motivated to do his best at school. Struggling with social issues, (he's not quite sure where he fits...) like not being invited to a classmates birthday party. He remains philosophical, even though it hurts. And of course, as his mother, I hurt for him. Max is five and a live wire! Diagnosed with learning disabilities a year ago, I have seen him blossom this year in kindergarten. With every success his self-image grows. Definately the comedian of the family he keeps the atmosphere light. Although I took him to see his father regularly the first few months, I don't anymore. He is afraid of Vince now. Vince cannot respond verbally and Max feels rejected. Better to let him adjust to Vince's condition at his own pace.... This has been an opportunity for growth for all of us. As painful as this has been for all of us, we remain close and stronger as a family. Learning the true worth of friends and community. We are truly blessed! Terran

-- Terran in VT (homefire@sover.net), February 05, 2002.

My children hardly qualify for the title any longer. In any event, here's what they're up to now.

My "little girl" married a wonderful man in May. Elizabeth is 23 and in her first year at Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis, IN. Her husband, Ben, and she were graduated from Indiana together with degrees in business. He is in the Kelly School of Business pursuing his MBA at Indiana University, having been one of only fifty accepted into the program this semester. They are building a new home in Fishers, IN on the North side of Indianapolis which is to be done May first.

My "baby" will be graduated from Purdue University with a business degree in May. David turns 22 later this month. He interned with GE Medical in Milwaukee last summer. He loved the work and the company and the people there. Apparently it was mutual as he was offered and signed an employment contract with them. He'll start a two year rotation there in August. His starting salary is about 50%-60% over the norm for his degree so he's really happy.

David's best friend, Drew, is my "other son." These two have been inseparable since about fourth grade though they are not the same age (Drew is a year older) and have never attended the same school. They will be life-long friends. Drew was graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, IN last May with a business degree. He wanted to take a year off before he entered law school and took a job with a local law firm after I arranged for him to intern with a local judge the summer before. His plan was to just work one year as an office assistant. Within two weeks of starting there he was offered a position as office manager provided he sign a two year employment contract, which he did. He loves working there getting the experience he feels will help him in law school next August.

Needless to say, I'm very, very proud of all of them. They're all doing well and I couldn't be happier. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 05, 2002.

You did say shameless?;) I'll just take the time to brag on #1. Eldest got all A's, except for a B+ in dance, his first semester at BYU:):) I'm thinking that'll be good enough to maintain his scholarship.

This semester, he tried out for, and made, the dance group for opening ceremonies for Paralympics, and is working really hard and long on rehearsals for that. Also was just elected treasurer for the college group of his political party.:)

We pray every night for his safety, for his ability to keep up with his school work, and for his continued faithfulness to his gospel standards.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 05, 2002.

I have am amazing bunch of kids! How they came from ME is a mystery. Crystal is an amazing artist. She is 19 and has a 2yr old son(cutest child on the planet!) Her and her boyfriend and son are living with us right now.

John is 17, 6'2 and 220lbs. Would make a great football player but hates sports. He is a genius. He looks so much like his dad that people mix them up.

Matthew is also a Genius.(180IQ) He is 15, has long blond hair and the girls at school go crazy over him because he's SO cute! He has an attitude though and is one of those "bad boys" that girls like so much.

James is also a serious cutie! He's 13 and is still young enough that he doesn't mind me hugging him. He was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder 2 years ago but is doing very well now.

Becky is my baby at 10yrs old. She is beautiful,tall,thin and graceful.(everything I'm NOT). She has such a sweet disposition and is very responsible.

How did I get so lucky? Now If I could just get them to clean their rooms!!!

-- Buffy in Dallas (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), February 05, 2002.

Okay -- shameless bragging -- we homeschool two of the smartest little cusses you'd ever want to meet. On Friday, both took part in the Canadian Tests of Basic Skills -- a standardized test given to every child in the country in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 to establish national levels for education. There are also tests available for other grades, but they are not used for statistical purpuses. The tests take about five hours to complete.

My third grader scored in the 100th percentile. My first grader in the 99th.

Can you say "Proud Mama"?

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), February 06, 2002.

Both of my kids qualified for Super Saterdays- a gifted and talented program at Western Ky University so all through Febuary, we go to Bowling Green on Saterday so they can go to classes. My son is learning computer programing and designing web pages, my daughter is learning clay animation. Also, my son made the History Bowl Team and will (with a couple of others) represent his school for the state wide History Bowl at the Jr. Historical Society Convention in April. While academics is great, more importantly is how you behave and treat others. Neither of my children have ever had a diciplene problem at school-my son has had to stay in for recess a few times when he lost or forgot his homework, but never for misbehaving. The teachers frequently comment on how well behaved they are, and they are very helpful. They are very funny and loving children.

-- Kelly (KY) (Homearts2002@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.