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There is nothing more monumental than becoming a parent. With parenthood comes, joys, trials, disappointment, humor, pride, humility, blessings, happiness, laughter, tears and most of all ...

A love that is indescribable.

It's not always been an easy road raising these 3, but through lifes struggles (big and small, depending whose eyes you're looking through) they grow and so do we as parents.

Most recently the hardest part is the letting go....I have to admit this ones got a tight grip on me, and by that I mean the youngest. Now 18 he's spreading his wings. Gavin, Gavin, Gavin....

...our quiet one. He wasn't always that way... Gavin was a goofy little kid, and that character stay with him today. He is quick witted, smart and has quite an imagination. He has big dreams, but not so much motivation. He's just happy to play any kind of ball he can get his hands (or foot) on. He's a talented athlete, so like his mom...he goes to school mainly to play sports, the education is secondary, but he's doing o.k. He's gonna soon graduate from High school and is enrolled at RCTC for the fall.

Gavin is opposite of "easy", but not in a bad way, he's just a hard one to crack... he's sweet and has a gentle spirit, but who knows what going on inside that head.

Unlike the other two...he keeps us guessing, his words are few, so I cherish the conversations we do have. He's the one who wants to do all the stuff I dont want him to. So no, I didnt let him go Hog Hunting in Oklahoma for spring break this week with his buddies. I told him, "Gavin, that's all I need, is to have you hog hunting in Oklahoma with a gun in your hands" (He's never had gun training). That's not unreasonable ...is it??? So instead, reluctantly Rick and I agreed that he could venture to Noah's Ark in the dells with another group of friends. I'm about having a heart attack....so there's alot of praying going on (both for Gaivn and his friends and for me, that I dont have a stroke from worry). I think of that saying, "he'll be the death of me yet, ha"

So slowly....I loosen the leash and just pray they use their heads and make good choices.

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Then there's that middle child, Brice (22)....

...always knew what he was thinking, he's the one who makes me laugh (hence the title of my blog when he went away to college). This one kept me busy as a young mom, he was energetic and quick and quite a little dare devil. Then came middle school... Mister "social butterfly", his best friends (other than Logan) were girls...GREAT !!! So we had the broken heart thing going on in 6th grade (that was fun) . It wasnt until the end of his sophmore year that Brice realized girls could wait. The next girlfriend was Jenny, she became his "steady" late in his senior year, she will become his wife in October....Perfect!

I never had to worry much about Brice... I knew his friends and they were always here, I loved that! Brice is layed back, unfazed, intelligent, and soon to be a college graduate. He's all grown up, but I still like to think he's my little boy. I miss him most cuz I see him least.

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Our oldest, Brianna was a breeze !

Sat up at 4 months, walked at 8 months, threw her bottle down at 8 months and started talking up a storm before she was two. She was a silly little girl and loved to play...and play....and play. She adored her little brothers and was a big help to her parents. The sweetest girl ever, so kind, unselfish and compassionate. She's so much like her daddy, someday I wanna be just like her :)

She was a little bossy at times but I think that comes along with being a 1st born. She was self-directed and a good student. Brianna was not your "typical" adolescent girl. She was very mature in all aspects of life, sure of who she was and what she wanted. She floated through high school, great friends with the same values and dating never happened...whew .

Seriously, not an ounce of concern for that girl. Straight A's in high school, graduated with honors from nursing school. Chris and her have been married 2+ years and are patiently waiting to be a parents. I pray they are blessed with a daughter like I was with her.

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I love being a mom, I dont always feel like I'm that good at it, but I do what I think is best. I'm sure my kids will say I sometimes say more than I need to, and I worry too much, but that's what mom's do ! So... they've learned to take what they need from my advice and babbling and they politely let me ramble...cuz I need to.

I will always be a mom, and these 3 will always be my pride and joy.

I look forward to the plans God has for each of them. Even now I look back and see that their little personalities are all part of the great big plan God has for their lives. I have prayed everyday for each one of them since before they were born, God is good and I thank him everyday for these 3 blessings he has so graciously let me raise.