I seem to have what I would call the opposite of the "Midas" touch.  Meaning that when I touch something, I usually mess it up.  Computers come to mind.  Recipes for cornbread.  My kids' hair.  Get the idea?  My husband knows.  Oh, how he knows.  Anyway, when I have days like this (we won't elaborate, o.k?) I am thankful for three things in my life that I didn't mess up.  Yet, anyway. 

I'm talking about my kids.  I know I can't take much credit for the way they were formed in my womb.  And one of them was born with a partial cleft lip, which I take full blame for, even though everyone and everything I've ever read says it wasn't my fault.  Still, it's that "mom guilt" thing.  We did everything we could to make sure he had the best surgeon in our state and he looks terrific.  But basically, my kids are the best thing I've ever done.  When I feel like I'm a walking disaster, and this is a life-long affliction, I look at my kids and know that I didn't mess them up.  They are pretty awesome.  Every mom should feel this way.  Every child has at least one thing about them that is truly remarkable.  Isn't that great?

My oldest son has become a walking tome of information.  Case in point:  I was looking through a Daedalus catalog (they sell remaindered books at discount but read the descriptions carefully - there's a REASON they are remaindered!) and I came across a book on John Oglethorpe.  Quick - what did he do to warrant a book written about him?  Three stars on the chart if you answered correctly!  I decided to see if my 11-1/2 y.o. knew this person.  So, I asked Chad if he'd ever heard of John Oglethorpe.  He thought for a minute and said, "Wasn't he the founder of the state of Georgia?"  My mouth dropped.  I asked him how on earth he knew that and he gave his typical reply, "Mom, I read a lot!"  Now, maybe John Oglethorpe is a household name in your home and maybe you live in Georgia and know your history (you should!)  I didn't.  We live in Oregon and I've never studied the history of Georgia.  But it made me a happy mom to know that my son loves to absorb all kinds of info.  Hey, I gave birth to him.  I did something right! 

9 y.o. son, Alec, spent yesterday morning trying to recreate a scene from the marionette series, Thunderbirds, a show made in the 1960's.  His dad helped him with this, to my delight.  Alec is famous in our house for having big ideas and getting frustrated that neither he nor his mother can do what he wants to accomplish.  A few years back, he was angry that we couldn't build a lifesize replica of a Concord jet!  (Sorry, Alec, we just don't have the room.)  But I love how creative he is.  And, yes, I gave birth to him, too!

I've already written a post about Carmen, my 6 y.o.  Today, I took her to swimming lessons and we were actually on time.  Unfortunately, I dropped her socks in the shower.  Sigh.  But she enjoyed her lessons.  I just wish she'd get her face wet.  She'll get there!  We came home and she drew a picture out of her Nature Friend magazine (get a copy if you've never seen one, we love it!)  They have a section that briefly shows how to draw something, in this case a couple of goldfinches, and asks for readers to draw the picture and send it in for possible publication.  She decided she wanted to send her picture in so we got that ready to mail.  And everytime I look at her sweet face, I'm so very glad she's my daughter. 

I know that my kids aren't the only thing that I've done right.  But when my outlook on life is sagging and I need an emotional pick-me-up, I look at my growing, happy kids and smile.  And I thank the Lord.  It makes my day!