Get The Picture, Then Hang These Words On Your Wall

Welcome to my true story of the day rant. I run into baby daddy at what he referred to as "his Wal-Mart" and we decided (mutually) to venture to IHOP and get some breakfast with our little man.  That part is not the rant, I am coming there. I get a text message that says simply, "Hi!". I send one back, "Good morning. What are you doing?" In return I get a message to the extent of I'm bored send me a pic. So I send him a lovely picture of me and my youngest daughter I took the day before. In return I get two responses.

For those of you that tune in often to my blog, you are well aware that men often send me pictures that they wouldn't send their grandma. I got one of those this morning. Baby daddy knew immediately by the look on my face what I got a pic of as I only seem to get them when he is around. (Better timing is requested guys. (Only because I need more to write about though)) Mid baby daddy lecture about stopping conversations with men that send me such things I got the second text. It read, "You look really hot, but it would have been better without your daughter." That my friends will make me stop talking to you. Forever.

You see my kids are in my picture. They are in my present. They are in my future. This also means that all future pictures include all 5 of my children.

                              In this picture we have Skye (4), Manda (5), Austin (8 months), Sydney (5), and Christopher (7)

You should be so lucky as to be allowed to know my kids. My kids are not only cute, but they are smart, funny, creative, loving, and kind. My kids are the first thing I would want to see every morning and kiss goodnight. Choosing between having a man or having my kids, I will always choose my kids.

Often men will tell me I am lucky they are even taking me out because of my kids. they make me feel like rather than my greatest asset, my kids are my greatest downfall. Yes, they are a responsibility. They are a responsibility that one person is not only capable of handling, but is handling very well. They are well fed. They are healthy. They have 3 swimsuits each, 17 outfits each, 7 pairs of jammys each too many shoes to fit on a rack and tons of toys. I didn't borrow money for any of it. Yes, I do get food stamps. I work. I am not ashamed that I have to be able to feed my children and $63 dollars a week in child support won't even buy one of them all their school supplies, let alone food.

You see men, you mention my kids in anyway less than flattering and this single mom will not be taking you on a single date. I will not be removing my kids from any pictures. If you are lucky enough to be in any picture with my amazing kids take it as a blessing. If you are so lucky that you get to be considered for the job of step-father, take it. You see my greatest joy is knowing that my 5 kids can make a difference in this world. Part of the joy in this is knowing that I am responsible for instilling their morals and values and helping them establish a life path. How many guys out there can actually say they have the power to help change the world? Marry me and you get to do that.

I am not desperate. I am picky. I have a list, but remember so do my kids. My Sydney prays every night for a new daddy, because she hates the one she has. She doesn't know I hear her, but I do. So does God. Sydney, one day you will be old enough to read this and I just want you to know, one day some man will be lucky enough to be a part of your life. You may never get the dad you pray for, but I am praying too. I am praying that one day you will marry a good man and he will be the father to your kids that you may or may not get.

In conclusion, if you want me (even in a picture) expect my kids. Unlike a married family with kids from both people together, my kids go away every other weekend so you would be blessed with some alone time with me. I know it's a commitment. I take it seriously. Please do the same.