Halloween, blessings and a messy yard......

I didn't realize getting a new sea wall would look like this!! all I can say is IT BETTER BE COMPLETE BY THANKSGIVING!!!!

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sleeping out in the back yard tonight.....

Let me be the first to say, I am not good at carving pumpkins, even with stencils. So, instead of worrying over that, Michael & I (the only one who was interested this year), we just got some beautiful pumpkins, 2 pocket knives and have fun together. Went to the dollar store and bought some simple decorations and put those up also last night. He sat out on the patio and finished carving in front of the fire pit. It was relaxing...

Matt and cousin David decided they were going to sleep on the trampoline last night, so they dressed in camo and made it until a little after midnight, then crashed inside. Lucky for them, me of little faith left the back door unlocked....

Morgan is at the USC game this weekend with cousin Lindsey. She comes back today.

I am including pictures of my yard at the moment as the sea wall is being rebuilt. Oh yes, it is quite a mess.

Lastly, I am counting my blessings and still praying daily. It is amazing how God just re enters your heart as quickly as the first prayer came out of my mouth. I am already feeling a sense of peace. My BLESSING OF THE WEEK this week was...Michael finished up his football season and did his best, even though he had begged to quit this year because he said "I am too stressed out with doing too much!"

Ever stressed and don't know why??? Well, that describes me and Bruce right now. Personally I think I am in a dry spell with my faith. That happens from time to time. So, I am putting it in writing right now, tonight, I AM GOING TO START MAKING MORE OF AN EFFORT!! There, I said it. Yes, I am going to pray more and be thankful for all I have been given. Recently in our lives we have changed our church. We are growing and changing.... it is sometimes difficult to leave the familiar behind and try new things.... growth is hard and scary

Here is a final picture of the yard as I know it. We are getting a new sea wall, ours is falling apart and the creek comes in the yard when the tide is high. It will be much better, but will mean lots of wood, tractors, pluff mud and mess. It is another change. OK now what I am thankful for tonight

: Morgan has a job at Outback as a hostess and came home excited about her first day!

Michael went on a field trip to the Tea Plantation and is snuggled up in PJ's drinking Oolong tea and actually understands the tea making process....

The smile on Matt's face today when he got the title for his boat and his name is on it.....

Bruce relaxing and watching the World Series

Seeing the lab and golden retriever asleep together in the kennel....

Good night!

Jo

Confessions, doubts, parenting......

This is a post where I admit, I am a mother who many times has doubts about raising children. I am really pretty old fashioned in my beliefs that kids need lots and lots of unstructured play. I think its ok to be bored, gives them time to think, create, imagine. We have had a lot of play time since we moved into our new home. The yard just SCREAMS to come out and PLAY!! But, our generation SCREAMS of structured play, sports teams, play groups, ect....so I admit, I feel that nagging feeling some days that am I causing my children to miss out? should they be in more sports, or lessons? am I giving them enough opportunities to develop their talents? I don't know the answer. I'm not sure if we are doing this right or not.....Sure they have played on countless sports teams, they each still do extracurricular activities, but we have suddenly slowed down and are home playing a lot.

So, as I think about the "free play", I realize that Michael figured out how to make a rope swing, learned how to catch blue craps and boil them, he can climb a tree, kyak, and build a great fire in the pit on the patio. Matt has learned to fish, drive a boat, fix up an old john boat, repair a dock... Morgan now has her first job, drives Michael back and forth to school, is not afraid to get dirty in the pluff mud, has painted and decorated her attic rooms, removed wallpaper from her bathroom.

So, in writing these accomplishments and seeing the growth, I think there is no right or wrong way. Parenting can be structured, it can be a little unstructured, it can be a little of both....I think we all have doubts, but when our hearts are in it and we are doing the best we can, God will fill in the blanks for us. I know He is with me everyday helping me raise His children. Every child is different and unique, mine seem to thrive on some structured activities and lots and lots of play time.

Enjoy your weekend, and your children,

Jo

The Middle Child

Don't we all sometimes worry about the middle child?One of Matt's teachers told me they were reading a book about a middle child and "Matt was so interested and opinionated about it." Hummm, I started thinking, you know, you here those stories about them feeling like they aren't important, or not as loved? I think Bruce and I try hard to make Matt feel loved, special, etc.. He is such a unique person, very capable for his age. He just bought a john boat and is taking us all for rides in it. I actually feel very safe with him. I love the way he can play the guitar and fix and assemble just about anything. He is repainting one of his guitars and spends most of his day outside. He rides the bus home from school now that we are in district. I am so proud of him and what he has accomplished. School has been a struggle for him, but he has been on the honor roll his entire middle school time. So heres to to all the "middle children" out there, you are almost always easy going, getting along with everyone, understanding others, and yes, you are all special!!!

The truth hurts......

I spend lots of time enjoying the kids and thinking about how it will be when they are grown and gone away from home. I am so thankful for each one of them and all they have taught me in life. I never thought about the Cello, until Michael decided he wanted to play it. I always wanted a piano in the house, but would not have gotten one if he had not started lessons. Boiling crabs? not me, until he caught 6 blue crabs off the dock. I could not bring myself to eat them, but I did boil them for him. Yes, I admit, I love football, but it is hard to watch the tackles sometimes...I pray he is enjoying his childhood, I hope he learns a lot, I hope he feels unconditional love...Last Sunday after church he said he knew what I "needed to work on" I was afraid to ask, but he was not afraid to tell me. " You are too snappy" he said. " Yes, I am, I have been working on that my whole life, Michael" Ouch, it was soo true and so hard to hear. I AM SNAPPY!! So since that day, I have worn a rubber band on my left wrist and when I am snappy to anyone, I give my self a snap. Yesterday Michael noticed it and asked about it. I told him what I was doing. He said" So that's why you've been so much nicer!" Love hurts.

Citadel games

Today, I'm home. Not feeling well at all. Chris & Bruce are taking the kids today. I hate missing out on anything, I love family outings and feel so blessed to have 3 children to take to so many fun events. So I hope they are enjoying the day with Bruce, because he is a great dad.... I am going to rest and watch Life Time movies today.

Morgan brought some friends last weekend.. Michael invited 2 friends

This is what I am missing today.... It is Citadel football season. I love going to the games. What a great way to enjoy family time. We've been going since the kids were babies. This is a picture from a couple of weeks ago. Everyone brings friends, usually Chris and Adele come. We just have sooo much fun.

Morgan

Morgan, the oldest, and the ONLY girl in the group! you are so cherished...sometimes that comes across as "overprotective" maybe "too strict" I am so proud of you and all you have done. So artistic and talented. Thank you for always offering to run errands, take your brothers to practice and music lessons. I love your fun personality and beautiful smile. Your room is always a celebration of color and style(although sometimes it is hard to see with all the clothes on the floor!!) A great girl to take shopping or for pedicures. You never give up, you are always there for your friends and family. Keep smiling and know that you are very loved!!