A sweet southern weekend.....

This past weekend was one of those weekends that just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. No big ticker tape parade, big shopping trip or monumental life moment this time, but none the less a truly great weekend filled with laughter and some of my favorite things.
Scott and I made it to our first "Shaggin on the Cooper". He tried to slide a few other ideas onto our plate and even procrastinated getting ready. Dancing is not one of his favorite pastimes. I LOVE to dance and haven't done nearly enough of it in the past few years. I know it was a true gift of love for him to concede and go along with my party plan! The band came thru with more than just shaggin music, playing some Van Morrison and a little Motown. We tried to do that thing we see the kids do and take a self pic....here it is post dancing our little feet off...

Sunday morning on the "camp Jerilyn plan" was kayaking around IOP. I found a jewel on the Nile. We started out of the marina and decided to cruise through Wild Dunes. Lots of boats and big houses. Fun dreaming. But the jewel came as we turned the corner and the houses disappeared and all we could see was water and reeds... birds...fish jumping in the water like acrobats and the most wonderful sound of nothing but mother nature. I have a quote on one of the walls in our home (yes, the kids make fun of all my motivational plaques) ...."Take time for the quiet moments, as God whispers and the world is loud". I could hear him whispering. It took my breath away!

The day finished off with Sunday night dinner at Morgan Creek grill at the dock. More fun music and a beautiful sunset! A sweet southern weekend, Charleston style.

The Squatter's Inn: I Know you're confused......welcome to my world

The Squatter's Inn: I Know you're confused......welcome to my world: "I forget sometimes about my 'tat'....guess who talked me into doing it? :-) Thanks Ashleigh...I truely love it and it inspires me and remind..."

I Know you're confused......welcome to my world

I forget sometimes about my "tat"....guess who talked me into doing it? :-) Thanks Ashleigh...I truely love it and it inspires me and reminds me of how God wants me to walk through this life. Mair Le Feda is "Walk with Faith" written in galic, taken from our Irish bloodline.
I was shopping in a furniture store today...looking for a couch for the newest "Squatters Inn" in Charleston. More on that later. Flip flops are 90% of my shoe wardrobe these days living in Isle of Palms. The sales woman noticed my tat and asked what it meant.  She honestly showed little interest in the depth of the meaning, but that was ok, because speaking the words reminded me of what I am presently doing in my life.....walking in faith. The ringtone on my phone is "Jesus take the wheel". So, if you're feeling confused as to why I'm burning up the road between Greensboro and Charleston, well then welcome to my world.
For those of you who haven't heard, I am spending more time this summer in Charleston, working part time at the Isle of Palms Recreation Department, which by the way is ridiculously fun, and settling a new "Squatters Inn" for the Cates/Turnamian soon to also include an adorable young lady named Betsy Tapley, Bryan's girlfriend. I will elaborate more on that later as well. I'm not really trying to string you along so you keep reading my posts, it's just such a big story that I need to break it down into parts. Betsy will be joining us on June 12th and Lauren...yes, that's right, will be moving down here from Wilmington a week or two after that!!
If you've read Ashleigh's blog today, you will see some fine print about her having a niece or nephew by the end of the year here in Charleston. Yes, our family is going to be blessed with a new member by Christmas.
The Squatters Inn is growing and Momma aka Nana is thrilled!

Happy Valentines Day...our first anniversary!

Head Concierge here.....
Where in the world did the last year go??!! I have a lot to catch you up on. The title of my blog, you ask? Well, we have 5 children between us and over the last year, first year of our marriage, 4 out of 5 of our children have lived with us...squatter style for a matter of weeks to months in one of the five bedrooms in our house.  Bedrooms in our house have "names"...the Marilyn Monroe room, Harry Potter room, etc. Does anyone else name the rooms in their house?  More later on the rooms and how they got their names.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love being surrounded by our kids! We always did have the "cool aid house" in the neighborhood. Ahhh....I miss those days more times than anyone knows.

Valentines Day is such a fun day! I worked today but skipped out to run a few errands. One of the errands was dropping off a print to be fixed at Hobby Lobby.  The very masculine young fella behind the counter graciously helped me and I quickly turned to leave and he quietly said " Happy Valentines Day"...it was so unexpected in the moment and simply adorable! I love being surprised and caught off guard in a moment! I spent the rest of the afternoon passing it on and catching others with the same. So...........
Happy Valentines Day! I love you! xoxo