Being proud of my kid is something I feel often. My kids are great. They are fun, happy, loving, full of energy, hilarious, compassionate, well behaved, smart and talented in a million different ways. Sure, they get on my nerves now and then for bickering or shouting when the baby is asleep or leaving socks on the floor, but that is to be expected. :)

I am proud of them when we all file into a restaurant and get nasty glares from everyone, (one waitress admitted to considering quitting on the spot when we first walked in), and then as we finish our meals, other restaurant patrons, the waitresses, etc. all stop to compliment the kids on their wonderful behavior and tell Josh and I what great kids they are. (We know.)

I am proud of them when I visit with their teachers at school and they go on about what good kids they are…how hard they try at school, what good students they are, how well behaved they are, how kind they are to others.

I am proud of them when their Sunday school teachers comment on how sweet it is to see how my kids look out for each other and help each other.

I am proud of them when we spend the day at the lake or an amusement park or the zoo or any other such place, and at the end of it we are tired but happy, because they are fun to take places and spend time with.

I am proud of them when we talk about Belane, and they are so genuinely excited for her to come home and so willing to open their hearts, home and family to another child.

I could go on and on…Yes, I am definitely a proud mama.

This week I was extra proud of Des. Des is one of our quieter kids. She had a rough start to life and is the child we have seen the biggest changes in… physically, emotionally, spiritually and any other way you could imagine.

Des was SO excited when we told the kids about Belane. She tells everyone about her, everywhere we go, never forgets her in her prayers and talks about her a lot. Last week she asked if she could bring some pictures of Belane for her first show and tell (she is in third grade).

So I put some pictures in an envelope and sent them to school with Des. When she came home I asked her how show and tell went and she said it was great. Her friends thought Belane was cute…they asked where she lived…when her birthday was…whose room she would sleep in…when she was coming, etc.

I asked her if anyone said anything that bothered her and she said, “not really. But one kids asked, “Why do your Mom and Dad keep adopting all them kids?”

I was curious to see how Des handled such a question, so I asked her what she said.

And Des said, “I told him that you just adore kids and we all belong together.”

Yes, I am indeed proud.