The post where I introduce my kids...

As I was starting this blog I didn't know how much of it would be dedicated to my children, but they are an extraordinary part of my life and I would hate for you all to be lost when I mention them. I am extremely blessed with my four children and I am proud of each and every one of them probably at least once a day. They can also be some of the most frustrating people I know.

I think I will start with the youngest...

The cookie queen (her real nickname is too close to her real name to be revealed here), she is 5 and is a ball of fire. She is 5 years younger than her next closest sibling, and was an awesome surprise and blessing. I have never met anyone that doesn't like her (I know I am biased), and almost everyone at work will go out of their way to meet her. She loves baby pink, hound dogs, and almost every Disney movie ever made. She asks very insightful questions for a 5 year old and constantly surprises me. Even when she is in a pissy, screaming mood she can still make me smile.

The princess is 10, and as her name implies she in training to one day soon be queen bee. Even before the cookie queen was born the princess was training to be the boss. She is knock your socks off brilliant, and can surprise you with the intelligence of her questions. Lately she has been reading about the holocaust. She is one of the most socially conscious children I have ever met, and is always looking for ways to make the world better. She loves history, is worried about getting her period, and always arguing with one of her friends at school. Like me, she likes to argue about things she feels passionate about. Plus, doesn't every princess have to have a little drama in their life?

The soldier is the only boy in our house (bless his heart). He is 12, and can be one of the sweetest children I've ever met. He can also lose his temper in the blink of an eye, which can be kind of scary. He loves geography and military history (thus the nickname) and wants to be a Marine, or a cop, or a baseball player. He has some trouble in school, and has to be cajoled into any chore most of the time. But, this week he surprised us by taking out the trash without being asked and seperated the clothes. What a blessing! :) He is my biological first, so I do wonder many times a week how badly I did when trying to raise him through his toddler years.

I will say now that the middle two children spent many years with my ex-husband before I finally decided that they could possibly grow up as damaged as he was and left. Given that, they seem to do alright; but, I can still see the damage at least once a month. Then we have to figure out what changes to make and still further their growth.

The Diva is fourteen and I am so blessed to have her. I met her two and a half (almost) years ago when I met her mother. I am so lucky to get to be a part of her remaining years at home before college. She is a typical Diva, wherein she sometimes believes the whole world should revolve around her and what teenager doesn't? She runs track and is the fastest girl in her age group at the 200 meter dash. She loves Twilight, and is actually reading the fourth book now. Reading is sometimes difficult as she is dyslexic. She works super hard to maintain her grades and asks questions all the time. She is worrying about getting her learners permit, and has a semi-crush on a boy in our neighborhood who runs track with her. She is Incan Indian, Peruvian, with her mother's german mixed in for good measure. I love her with all my heart, and will miss all the hugs when she grows out of this phase.

So... now you have met my kiddos. Tomorrow I will introduce my partner, mo anam cara.