Joel Turns 7

It is so hard to believe that just a few weeks ago my little guy turned 7 years old. The time has really flown by. I have cherished each and every moment. I am so blessed to have Joel in my life. He has brought so much happiness and joy that words can describe. I love being his Mom.

There has been people that have said my son is a spoiled child. Really he isn't. My son is really loved. He is given what he needs, and he earns the rest. 

I will admit at times I feel like I have to go above and beyond for my son. Not because I want to spoil him, but that I need to make up for him not having his paternal side involved in his life. One thing is I never put my son's wants above his needs. His needs come first. To tell the truth 90% of the time his needs will come before my own (that is just the Mom in me).

What many do not know about Joel is that he is not like most children. He can careless about the newest toy or in thing. He is happy with what ever. He thinks before he spends money. Take for instance last year with his birthday money. I asked him what he wanted to do with it. Most children will say new toy or new game. Not Joel. His response was.... "Mom, what do I need the most." I told him that he needed winter boots, and shoes for wrestling." He said, "Okay, Mom since I WANT to do wrestling I will pay for my shoes." Yes wrestling is a want to do and not a need to do. I believe every child should be able to do sports or activities that they love. I makes them grow and learn. Even though the winter boots were a need in a way the wrestling shoes were too. But my son paid for them on his own.

Also what people don't know is that my son has saved money for 6-11 months. He saved earnings from losing a tooth, wrestling pins and wins, soccer goals, and helping people that chose to pay him for little kindness he does. He called it his Wii fund. He has wanted a Wii for so long. He knew that I could not afford it. Plus he knew that I will buy what he needs before his wants. So, my little man pinched and saved. Even sometimes in his savings he would donate a little bit of it to special offerings at church "Alabaster (help build buildings in mission fields around the world), and World Broadcast (help people hear the love of Jesus through radio). " Finally my son earned enough for his Wii this year for his birthday. I surprised him. He had not a clue until he opened his gifts. I took his money and bought him a "Gently Used" Wii. My son didn't care that it was used. He just was happy he had one, and he earned it himself.

I am so proud of my 7 year old. He is such a sweet young man. He is unselfish. He embraces the love of God, and it shines through him. Yes my son had 3 birthday parties so what. Do you know that each party was simple? He wanted to make sure he celebrated with all his family, and even a few of his friends. He cared less about getting gifts. He just wanted to be with the ones he holds dear to his heart, and thank them all for being involved in his life. I can not imagine my life without Joel. These last 7 years have been precious the good and bad. Really the bad is nothing. They are precious moments too that are dear as well. I try seeing the joy in it all. I can not wait to see what this next year will bring. Looking forward to next year when he turns 8.

Just to let you all know about another milestone real quick. Joel will probably be asking Santa for his two front teeth. He lost his 4th tooth end of last week. So proud of my little man he even let me help take it out. No tears even.

My Cub Scout

Well, Joel has started a new chapter in his life. This year Joel was old enough to sign up for Cub Scouts. We both were very excited. He is in the Tiger Den group. Many of his friends are also are with him. 

I think that it is good for him to be in Cub Scouts. I was a Girl Scout, and my brothers were in Cub Scouts. Scouting teaches so much. I believe it helps teach life long skills that will go with him through the years to come. I am really excited to watch him flourish through the year and years to come.

Our neighbor boy is also in Cub Scouts. He is in Bear Den group. Due to his Mom with a busy work scheadule, and car issues. I make sure he gets to go to his meetings and events as well. Since I do that. Joel will sometime get to do activities with the Bears. One Saturday the Bears went to the park to clean up trash. Since I had to take our neighbor boy, they let Joel go as well. Both boys had a blast. Joel did an awesome job keeping up with the older boys. They all did a good job of picking up trash.

Right now for the next 1-2 little man is selling popcorn for his den. So, if you want some popcorn, or donate let me know. I will need the money soon.

Change of Seasons

  Well, it is that time of year. The change of seasons. Not the typical change of 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall). There is what I call the 4 Mommy seasons (well what this Mom goes through anyway). In this family we also have Fall Soccer Season, Wrestling Season, Spring Soccer Season, and Summer Activity Season.

  Well, it is a change of season for sure for us. It is fall soccer season. Joel moved up to U8 this year. New team, new coach, and new rules. Joel is having fun this season. He is improving more and more each week. The play 4 on 4 with one being goalie. He has practice once a week, and a game once a week.

  The team had a rough first couple of games, but they are improving each week. Joel has played goalie a couple of times, but he does really good in all areas that have to be played. He is has also scored a couple of goals this season.

Watching him this season has been a delight. I am a proud Mom. He has taught me so much this season. Not about how to play soccer either. He has taught me so much more. Joel has showed me the joy of having fun even when you are having a bad day. He refuses to give up. He loves to be challenged. 

Soccer season only lasts 6-8 weeks. It is a lot of fun. This has been a busy season for sure. With practice and game on seperate nights it has us running for sure. Tuesday and Thursdays are short nights for us due to soccer, but atleast we are together at the games. 

We are both looking forward to another change in season soon as soccer gets done. We will have about a week, and then it is wrestling season. Then for 3 months or more it is running to more practices, and tournaments.

The change of seasons is so worth it all. Every goal, washing uniforms, sitting in the cold watching my son play is pure enjoyment. I love being there for my son, and watching him participating in things that he loves the most.