Y’all. This was not my intention. When I got back into blogging, I planned to post once a week, at least. Well, it’s been over a month now and I’m here to start with these words…best laid plans. With (lots of) church stuff, school stuff, travels, Easter, and celebrating Joseph’s birthday, it has been non-stop for our family. And I’m asking myself, where does the time go?!
I actually know where it goes. To all those things listed above. To helping get this church started. To taking care of children. To running errands and keeping house…
Sometimes life just happens, doesn’t it? Things creep into our schedules and take over our days, and all our plans and to-do lists and intentions fall by the wayside. Both of my kids were sick…several times in March and April. We had strep and flu (Joseph), ear infections (both kids), and two terrible stomach viruses (one of which involved blood work and almost landed us in the hospital) – that was my sweet girl.
So, please allow me this post to recap what we’ve been up to. We did do a few fun things…
On its opening day, we took the kids to see Beauty and the Beast. We all love the animated Disney classic and Belle is mine and Hannah’s favorite princess. We LOVED it. All of it. And can’t wait to see it again!
Joe asked me at one point, “Is that what my daughter is going to look like?” Yeah, very similar I have a feeling. We think Hannah has a certain likeness to Emma Watson. Taking the age difference into consideration, of course. The hair color, eyes, lighter skin tone, and freckles…it’s funny to me. Having Hannah’s favorite princess resemble her is delightful for sure!
She got this Belle shirt in her Easter basket from my mom…
We celebrated our Mollie’s 12th birthday!
Spring Carnival at the school was a lot of fun. Both kids were temporarily well and could enjoy all the excitement. As a member of the PTO, I helped with set-up and put in my shift at concessions. Then it was time to play. The bounce houses always seem to be the main attraction, but Hannah and Joseph tried out just about every game and especially loved their “PLINKO” experience.
Spring break was hijacked by illness. We had fun plans for that week, including a trip to the beach, that never happened. But we made lemonade out of lemons, and created memories right here stuck at home. We did get to spend a pretty day down on the lake…
…Before Joseph came down with the flu.
Most of the week we were at home. The kids were quite proud of the fort they built. Joseph constructed a “garage door” by using a leash to draw up and lower the sheet over their little play table. Of course, electronic surveillance was also put into place.

Lunch in the fort!

Skyping Granddaddy
We did end up going to Savannah that Thursday. Spending our first night with Joe’s parents, we went straight to Burnside Island. The kids got to play on the dock, and with Joe’s “vintage” childhood toys, and Hannah got to play dress-up and perform in Aunt Sarah’s old dance costumes.
On Friday, we moved our bags to my mom’s house. Joe and I were able to join family for a fancy dinner out (and limo ride!) to celebrate my cousin’s 40th at 700 Drayton, the restaurant at the Mansion on Forsyth Park, a hotel in downtown Savannah. First, a picture with my niece, Stella:

With Joe, my brothers, and sis-in-law Crystal
We had a great time celebrating the birthday girl!
Early the next morning, Joe and I drove to Augusta for “Moving Day” at the Masters. I’ve never been (and have always wanted to) and Joe’s only been once. As a parting gift from our previous church, a member offered us his badges for one tournament day. We were super excited. Even better, was that we gave my brothers the other two and got to share the awesomeness with them!
We arrived earlier than my brothers, one thing led to another, and our plan to meet up at the pro shop did not happen. I was getting really upset but then we finally saw them over an hour later at an previously-discussed location. Seriously, it is hard to find someone in a place where there are lots of people and not cell phones allowed. Hindsight is 20/20, and we learned a backup plan is necessary.
Since no phones (or cameras) are allowed during the tournament, sadly, we couldn’t document our day, but it was such a great time. The weather was perfect, everything was as beautiful as you can imagine and we got to see all the big-time golfers we wanted to see. At one point Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, and Justin Rose were all right in front of us warming up on the driving range. We ate the famous egg salad sandwiches, drank beer from the souvenir cups, and walked the hilly course. {Due to our crazy winter/spring, most of the azaleas had already bloomed.} At the pro shop we picked up some things to take home: a golf shirt for Joe and matching one for Joseph, a polo shirt for Hannah, a coffee cup for Meme, a couple of koozies, and a t-shirt for me. The merchandise is pricey, and we kinda didn’t hold back, but you don’t get to go to the Masters every year. At least when you’re us, you don’t!
My first time at Augusta National was pretty great.
Joe and I drove back to Savannah, picked up the kids and drove on home to Valdosta. Yeah…it was a late night. But totally worth it. And the next morning at church, this kid looked handsome in his new shirt:
The following week, I went along on Hannah’s school field trip to a big farm. It was a long drive but so worth it, as I got to spend time with my girl and experienced the joy that time with her usually fosters. We tasted fresh honey, saw all sorts of animals, picked strawberries, and watched a pig race.
Sure had a fun time with my girl.
And then it was EASTER! I have a whole post about that coming up next…
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