"Earl Crawley, 69, better known as Mr. Earl, earns $20,000 a year as a parking-lot attendant. But he has amassed a stock portfolio worth more than $500,000'.

Articles like this inspire the snot out of me. If this guy can do that, then my kids can rise up out of the pits of their former lives where they were mistreated, abused and neglected.

They’d have a big old pity party if I’d let them do so, but I won’t. I spend a great deal of time redirecting negative comments, thoughts and attitudes. I have to speak out often positively, and be the cheerleader for our family that doesn’t believe good things can be possible for them.

Millions of children worldwide don’t get adopted, mine did. They were called out for a purpose and I tell them that many times until they begin to believe it themselves. I read them articles like this to encourage them and I try and set their sights on higher possibilities each day.

Even with their soccer teams, I pump them up before their games, “Y’all are gone win, each of you just kick two goals.”

“Mom, I’m defense.”

“Then stop two goals.” Jeepers.

Break the game down into pieces, just concentrate on each small part, then plow through the entire game. I’m always on the sidelines shouting encouragement. “Great kick, CW!” or “Way to run, Chuy!”

The same with their grades, right now we’re on a good run, most of my kids doing well in school so this afternoon all my middle schoolers got to go to their school football game with spending money. “You know without good grades, you’d be sitting at home with me,” I’d hollered after them, the van door slamming on my words.

They seem to need to know that I believe they can do it, then my enthusiasm and feelings are contagious as they too start to feel confident about their abilities. They come to me so beaten down at first, they go through all the stages of grief, rages and acting out over the years and usually leave as strong, cocky individuals.