Thursday, January 15, 2009

They aren't like me.

I wasn't a very brave kid.

OK.  So I was a big weenie.

And if we are going to be honest here, as I always try to be at Mrs. Troop. . . 

I'm still not so tough.

I know, I know.  Eight babies.  Nine pregnancies.  And maybe I did have five of them without any drugs.  But I hated it.  Whined, complained (and sometimes screamed) through all of it. The epidural?  It's a gift from God.  I believe that. 

Before the kids came along, I traveled all over the world.  To Greece, Italy, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Taiwan, Singapore.  Shared my testimony with crowds (one time in front of 17,000!).  Played the piano in recitals and for judges.  Danced ballet and tap.  

All of which would terrify the living daylights out of me today.  And I guess it did back then, too.

So sometimes I watch my kids in amazement.  

They do the most impressive things!

From winning class president, to climbing rock walls and repelling (I did that.  Once.  Cried the whole way down).  To babysitting six younger siblings.  Organizing drawers and closets.  Cooking entire meals.  Having surgery, playing team sports (something I was terrified of), acting in programs and giving speeches.  And that's the short list.

I'm so proud of them.  All of them.  

And today, when I got SIX report cards from school, I cried with gratefulness.  All excellent grades.  Between six kids, only 4 B's.  That's a LOT of A's!  They are doing so well.

Truthfully, I don't think I would have made it at their school.  With the difficult academics, the high expectations, the leadership that's required, the projects, reports.  Not to mention the peer pressure, time away from mom and "cool" kids.  

I wasn't a cool kid.

Let's just say, if the Coach had known ME in high school, we wouldn't have hit it off.  

But my kids?  They must have more of his math-degree, super-smart, good-looking, cool-guy genes than they do of my scaredy-cat, geeky genes.

(they seem to have his THIN genes, too, thank heavens!)

And I'm glad.

Because they are six very awesome, wonderful, SMART and talented kids.

I'm honored to be their mom.  Thankful for all of their hard word and perseverance.

And grateful for their amazing teachers who do an incredible job!

11 comments:

jo said...

That is indeed something to be thankful for. High fives all around.

Brooke said...

Congrats to 6 smarties!! (I'm sure the little ones are just as smart, if not smarter). You were a cool kid in elementary! At least *I* thought you were.
My kids are fearful (not sure about the youngest yet, she seems to be fearless), and I was NOT. My oldest wouldn't go down a slide until she was 4! Fearful kids can be frustrating, but fearless kids are SCARY!!

Zimms Zoo said...

That is so funny! I am/was the complete opposite of you. Even if I was scared I still did it anyway.

The only thing that scares me now is all creepy-crawly things and some sports that involve almost certain death (sky-diving, bungee jumping).

Except for roller-coasters, the zookeeper is much more reserved about things and several of my kids are like that. Some more like me.

Congrats on your smartie-pants kids!

Lori Leigh said...

What a nice tribute to your kids. :) They really are great kids! It probably helps that they have such a kind, generous and brilliant mama!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news, so thankful with you for such a wonderful troop! I don't know about the scaredy-cat part- you always seemed so outgoing and unafraid to me. And as for childbirth, how can that be compared to anything! :)
Congratulations on working together with your husband and children to succeed in having such a great family! Have a great weekend!

Hilary de Haan said...

I can totally relate...minus the sports things. I think I was most afraid of performing because it was usually solo and all attention was solely on me. I remember feeling my heart pouding in my chest thinking it was going to come out through my mouth!

I don't think you give yourself enough credit. I always thought you were one of the cool kids in high school ;-) In fact, I looked up to you then...as I do now :-)

Heidi said...

Congrats to the kids and their parents too!

The Pennington Point said...

Hooray for the small victories in life. I know you are so proud and pleased with your children. They are a delight! Lisa~

Connie Hughey said...

Thanks for sharing the joy and pride you have in your children...it must be a great encouragement to them to hear such praise come from their mother who loves them so much.

Anonymous said...

sniff sniff - what a sweet post! I miss those amazing smarties...am in MN with Sarah and we were talking today about how when she comes down in August we are definitely coming to see you :P so put us on the calendar :)

Jen S said...

Karen, you are so cute, but I think too hard on yourself. I'm sure you were never geeky! But, I'm with you on the scaredy-cat thing. I was and still am a big one too. Thankfully, my kids seem to have inherited Kent's non-scaredy cat (and very smart) genes because they all amaze me too. Let's not discount the childbirth!!