There's No Place Like Home

Well, if ever there was a night to babble on, this is it. I came home so excited that I could finally blog from home and use some pictures, but I couldn't get on. I'm still not sure why. But I spent much of yesterday and ALL of today working on this computer and downloading virus software and spyware software and we are so good to go. I can't believe how much of my day is sucked up by technical support people and downloading and running scans. We were a mess.

When I wasn't on the computer we were registering Grace for middle school. I am excited for her. She's growing up so fast, and changing. It's hard to let her make her own decisions about what she gets involved in. I don't want to insist she does things my way. It is her life. But on the other hand, I believe we (meaning John and I) have some wisdom to offer. I want to have balance. She was involved in every single thing there was to offer at elementary school. She liked it, to my knowledge. And she probably was too involved. But this year, it seemed like she was pulling out of everything academic related. She's a sharp girl, and I want her to be challenged and learn, and that may or may not happen in class. They offer a few extracurricular programs and I wanted her to give a couple a try. We didn't see eye to eye, but we worked it out. She is a reasonable girl. I am a reasonable mom. As our Heavenly Father says, "Come, let us reason together." I am parenting prayerfully, though. I want to do what's right.

On a lighter note, we had another little fellow over, Derek, that I was watching for a friend tonight. Ethan and Gertie, Derek and I rode our bikes over to the park tonight. We've had so much rain here. There is just a minimal amount of flooding in town. The sand was wet, the slides were wet, but we had good fun. When we came home I threw Gertie--the dirtiest of the pack--into the tub for a bath. While she was bathing, Derek's brother joined the crowd and the boys were "helping" Gertie scrub up. The floor was very wet, their shirts were very wet, but there were smiles on faces and we all laughed hard.


Now, for the serious backtracking. I am just including a little photo album from our summer so some of our family and friends can catch up with our pictures. I've never put this many on, so I hope it goes well.




This is my Ethan playing in the little league. He did very well. John says what he lacks in power he makes up for by paying attention, and knowing what the plays should be (even if he can't pull it off, he's aiming for the right place). He did well for his team this year. He took a serious grounder to the mouth one night, and made the play BEFORE he fell apart. True hero in my book.







This is John and I at my 20 year class reunion--did I say 20 year? I meant 10. I had so much fun catching up with so many classmates I haven't seen in years. I stayed up into the wee hours all weekend long. I asked, "Where do you live?" and "How many kids do you have?" so many times that it all blurred together by Sunday, but it was a blast. My class looks great, and everybody seemed to be doing well too.




This is my beautiful Mom and sister Julie as we celebrated my Mom's birthday with a lunch cruise this year. We just had a great time, despite the rain. Julie (my thoughtful gift-giving sister) got my Mom this lovely corsage. She was happy and we laughed and talked and sang "Happy Birthday." A great day. I love you, Mom.





When we saw Mark and I told him about my blog, he said he'd never do that because he doesn't trust all those sickos out there. I was afraid to put his kids up before I had permission, which he graciously gave when we saw him at Myrtle Beach.

So this is Zachary and Grace at the ball game in Greenville.


And this one is of Allison and Gertie at Mark's hotel. I love this picture. Gertie was hiding in the curtain, and Allison drew her out. Allison has a sweet heart and devoted much time to loving Gertie.




This is that beautiful baby that I was so afraid to travel with. How could I have such evil thoughts? She is the sweetest peach, and she treated us just right all the way to our front door.


(I have absolutely no idea how to turn this picture right side up.)








And last, but not least, my kids at Sunset Beach. I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but Tate made it into this one. We had such a great time relaxing and playing in the surf and sand. Thank you, Dad and Judy, for making that possible year after year. We love to see everyone all at once. A treasure and a big smile.