Sunday, June 21, 2020
Tennessee Day 4
So on day 4 which was Thursday, we had to get up and get going fairly early. We had tickets to the Titanic museum for 10. We had breakfast and all got dressed. We got into Pigeon Forge and arrived just in time for our tour. We loved the museum. This was our second time to go. Last time we loved it too, but Lindsay was 4 and she did not love it! Well this time she was totally into it too! After the tour we weren't quite ready for lunch yet and the kids had been wanting to do a mountain coaster so we decided to find one of those! OMG it was so much fun! Colby and Austin rode together and Lindsay and I partnered up! I was really surprised at how fast that thing got going!! After riding the coaster we went and found a Firehouse for lunch. We had a quick lunch then went back to the cabin to rest a bit. This was the earliest we really got back to just hang out. The day before we were gone all day and the other days we would be gone about all day as well. We got to the cabin to relax and rest. My friend Wendy called me and I chatted with her for about 30 minutes. I had missed her so! She had been in Tennessee herself for about 2 weeks and then we left. Plus she and her daughter were taking care of things around our house. Anyway we got up and cleaned up about 4 and headed out for an early dinner at the Old Mill. We only had to wait about 10 minutes. It was a yummy dinner and we just enjoyed the family time. After we shopped and found some souvenirs in the store. We then drove back into Gatlinburg and walked around some there. We then retreated back to the cabin for our usually resting and hanging out before bed.
Tennessee Day 3
So day 3 was our first full day in the mountains. We decided to use this day to go ahead out to Cade's Cove. Lindsay has been asking about riding horses for years! I think the last time we went she was too young. Anyway there was a slight chance of rain, but we decided to go ahead and risk it. It was about an hour's drive from our cabin to Cade's Cove. So I think we got there around 10:30 or so. We went right to the riding stables and got signed up and pretty much jumped on a tour right away. I must admit I was a little nervous. I don't think I have been on a horse since I was a young child! I ended up loving it though! Colby was also nervous, but he loved it as well. We went on about an hour ride through the woods. We saw a bear, a deer, and a coyote! Anyway watching Lindsay she was a complete natural on a horse. I was so glad we could make this dream come true for her! It was about an hour ride. Once we got back to the stables it started to rain! It was perfect timing. We hopped in the car so we could continue our tour of Cade's Cove. There was terrible traffic so it was really slow going. We got out at the first Baptist church and then decided to eat our lunch in the car. We skipped several cabins b/c of the rain. We did hike out to one. There was a lot of bear out! I think we saw 6 total. We really didn't get out the car as much as I would have liked, but between the rain, traffic, and the hour horse ride, we were all kind of tired. We did enjoy the few stops we made though. On the drive back to the cabin we stopped at a place so the kids could get out and wade in the creek. They loved this! They found some river rocks to bring home as souvenirs. Since we spent most of our day outside and we were all pretty spent when we finally got back to the cabin...which was near 5 or so. We decided to order pizza and have a night in. It was nice to chill out and just hang out. We also watched church. Colby also did YouTube and Zoom with the youth. While he did that I read my book and Lindsay and Austin got in the hot tub again. The evenings were about the same every night...the kids would shower and then crawl in bed and watch tv and Austin and I would watch tv downstairs. It was nice and peaceful! It felt good resting up for another busy day ahead!
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Tennessee Day 2
Tuesday we were up bright and early to get on the road. We stopped and got Chickfila for breakfast and ate in the car. We stopped a couple times between Meridian and Tennessee for bathroom breaks. We got to the TN state line and decided we would get Subway sandwiches and take them to the Rest Stop to eat them. It was a nice sweet picnic lunch. After that we were well on our way again. We decided to take the scenic route. We stopped in an outside town at a Walmart to get our groceries for the week. We then had about an hour left until we got to our cabin. We got to the cabin around 4. We unpacked and got settled in and started cooking dinner. The first time we had chicken tenders, mac n cheese, green beans, and cookies for dessert. It was quite yummy. After dinner we took a walk around to check out the cabin community then Austin and the kids got in the hot tub. The kids had a blast in the evenings playing upstairs in the cabin. The cabin was nice and spacious. They had the entire upstairs to themselves. There was a pool table and game system so they had plenty to do. That night we were pretty tired so we got settled and went to bed so we would be read for our first full day in the mountains!
Tennessee Trip Day 1
So we just got home from a family vacation to Tennessee. The last time we were there was 4 years ago. It was neat to return with the kids being much older now. Colby has been 4 times and now Lindsay 2. Anyway we left last Monday. We left actually in the midst of a tropical storm. That Sunday a tropical storm made landfall in Louisiana. We stayed in all that day and worked on getting packed. The weather was never really all that bad, but then on Monday when we got ready to leave came a HUGE downpour. We didn't leave until around lunch which was nice to have the morning to get ourselves together. With flying we usually leave at the crack of dawn so it was nice to not be up early. We picked up Subway for lunch and ate a quick bite before hitting the road. We had to stop by my parent's house to bring the kid's special stuffed friends to leave at their house. We then drove to Hattiesburg to drop off Ruby with Austin's mom. It was nice to stop and stretch a bit. We visited for about 30 minutes and got Ruby settled then we were well on our way again. We drove to Meridian, MS. This is where we would be spending our first night. We had some good friends recently move there. Andrea and Beau Bredow we have known since before we were married. They have 2 boys around Colby and Lindsay's age as well. They have lived in Florida though since Colby and Blake were both 1. We had connected with them a couple times in Disney World and probably seen them a few times when they passed through NOLA. Anyway we stopped and checked into our hotel first. It was a super nice Fairfield Inn. We cleaned up and went to Mugshots to meet them for dinner. We probably stayed and visited about 2 hours. It was so great catching up! After dinner we tried to stop to walk off dinner, but everything closes early there. So we just went back to the hotel and watched some tv then turned in early.
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Graduation Drive By
Well this year concluded with some graduation Drive By's. Wendy and I had planned on going to see Kindergarten after our last East Drive By's b/c we had so much fun. So Wednesday morning came. She and I planned to drive together. We originally thought it might just be us, but the whole school or most of it ended up turning out which was fun.
I left my house at 8 to go pick her up. It was nice that the kids had spent the night out and I could get ready and leave without a whole lot of extra stuff to do. Anyway we decorated my van while we were at her house. We got up to the school around 8:45 and met up with everyone else. We got the rest of the cars decorated and loaded up. She and I were the lead of our caravan. It was nice spending the day together and catching up. I feel like we never run out of things to say! Our first stop was in Waggaman so we had about a 45 minute drive over there. The first one we saw was Ja'Sani. It was sweet seeing her. It was hard not to cry! Between being surrounded by all the teachers and the music! Anyway after that our next stop was Delvin who was in the same area so it was a quick trip. We then stopped at Micah's, Kylie's and Guilian's They were all in about the same area of town. After that it was lunch time. I had offered our house as a stopping point. I knew from the time Wendy and I went at Easter we would need a break. This time we were running about an hour or more early then we were the last time! It was still nice to take a pause. It ended up being myself, Wendy, Heidi, Marsha, and Rebecca who came here. We aren't quite sure what happened to the others. Anyway we had a nice visit for about an hour and lunch and potty break!
From there we went to see London, then Denver, Shechem, Arden, Noah and finally ending with Kaladin. Well we lost a good bit of our caravan after Noah then everyone after Kaladin. We had planned to go see my first graders after we lost everyone else. We stopped at Gavin's and Marina's house. It was so bittersweet seeing them! Anyway after we finished at Marina's it was about 3:45 and we were so DONE! We had planned margaritas and chips n salsa after. Well it was a night and experience I don't think either of us will soon forget! We had 2 medium margaritas and I'll leave it there. Somethings are better left unsaid. We were there from about 4 and I got home sometime after 8:30. Anyway it was a LONG day and I didn't feel the best over that night.
Woke up the next morning ok but not super, but decided to go ahead and do the 8th grade drive by. Wendy actually got dropped off at my house around 10:30. Emily stayed here with Colby and Lindsay. I was so glad to not have to drag them along. We got up to the church and touched up the car decorations and met up with everyone. There were only 4 8th Graders but 2 lived in Algiers and the other 2 lived out towards Laffite. So it still took a couple hours. Even though we had literally been together 12 hours the day before I don't think we ever run out of things to say to each other. Although we were probably a little quieter due to us not feeling well. It was really hot too. By the time we were driving down to Laffite I really wasn't feeling good and I don't think Wendy was either. I knew we needed food. We skipped out before some of the other teachers, and headed for Chickfila. We got back to my house and ate lunch with the kids. We then had to drive up to the school so Wendy could pick up some papers and then I dropped them off at their house. We stayed and visited for a short while. It was such a crazy end to the school year.
I left my house at 8 to go pick her up. It was nice that the kids had spent the night out and I could get ready and leave without a whole lot of extra stuff to do. Anyway we decorated my van while we were at her house. We got up to the school around 8:45 and met up with everyone else. We got the rest of the cars decorated and loaded up. She and I were the lead of our caravan. It was nice spending the day together and catching up. I feel like we never run out of things to say! Our first stop was in Waggaman so we had about a 45 minute drive over there. The first one we saw was Ja'Sani. It was sweet seeing her. It was hard not to cry! Between being surrounded by all the teachers and the music! Anyway after that our next stop was Delvin who was in the same area so it was a quick trip. We then stopped at Micah's, Kylie's and Guilian's They were all in about the same area of town. After that it was lunch time. I had offered our house as a stopping point. I knew from the time Wendy and I went at Easter we would need a break. This time we were running about an hour or more early then we were the last time! It was still nice to take a pause. It ended up being myself, Wendy, Heidi, Marsha, and Rebecca who came here. We aren't quite sure what happened to the others. Anyway we had a nice visit for about an hour and lunch and potty break!
From there we went to see London, then Denver, Shechem, Arden, Noah and finally ending with Kaladin. Well we lost a good bit of our caravan after Noah then everyone after Kaladin. We had planned to go see my first graders after we lost everyone else. We stopped at Gavin's and Marina's house. It was so bittersweet seeing them! Anyway after we finished at Marina's it was about 3:45 and we were so DONE! We had planned margaritas and chips n salsa after. Well it was a night and experience I don't think either of us will soon forget! We had 2 medium margaritas and I'll leave it there. Somethings are better left unsaid. We were there from about 4 and I got home sometime after 8:30. Anyway it was a LONG day and I didn't feel the best over that night.
Woke up the next morning ok but not super, but decided to go ahead and do the 8th grade drive by. Wendy actually got dropped off at my house around 10:30. Emily stayed here with Colby and Lindsay. I was so glad to not have to drag them along. We got up to the church and touched up the car decorations and met up with everyone. There were only 4 8th Graders but 2 lived in Algiers and the other 2 lived out towards Laffite. So it still took a couple hours. Even though we had literally been together 12 hours the day before I don't think we ever run out of things to say to each other. Although we were probably a little quieter due to us not feeling well. It was really hot too. By the time we were driving down to Laffite I really wasn't feeling good and I don't think Wendy was either. I knew we needed food. We skipped out before some of the other teachers, and headed for Chickfila. We got back to my house and ate lunch with the kids. We then had to drive up to the school so Wendy could pick up some papers and then I dropped them off at their house. We stayed and visited for a short while. It was such a crazy end to the school year.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Corona Life
Well I tried blogging when all this first started and then honestly I abandoned the idea. So Covid-19 life started in March...and here we are ending May almost. Well mid-March was when we officially got out of school. We spent a week prepping to teach online and that we did. I started a YouTube channel and videoed my lessons daily for my students. The kids did online work. It wasn't awful...but I am glad its over. We did settle into a nice routine and we will have lots of good memories I think from it. The weather was amazing throughout the entire time so we were very blessed. We had a lot of outdoor picnics. The kids and I would wake up and do school every morning. I was up by 6 and ready to video most days by 8. The kids would get up around 9 and start their day. We would break at 12 and they would get lunch and we would eat outside and then I would allow them recess. Most days I was through filming by lunch or atleast shortly thereafter. It was lovely getting to nap and relax most afternoons. I picked up Bible studies for the first time in YEARS and also read a few books.
The hardest part has been missing friends! Luckily through all this my friend Wendy and I have stayed in touch and forwent social distancing.
We were together every day up until the Wednesday that we were all finished and then we went about a week without seeing each other. I had enough and brought her b-day cake the following Tuesday and socially distant visited in her driveway. The next weekend we were shopping at Target with masks on. We then went to visit all our kids for Easter. We started the day in separate cars but joined up after lunch and from that point on we knew if we got Corona we would go down together. It was just TOO HARD to not be around each other.
We also talked nearly every single day...it has helped so much to have someone to laugh and cry with throughout this. We have cussed, prayed, talked through emotions, drank, and talked about Jesus.
We have had a few drive way visits and we also even went out and took family pictures together in the Quarter one Saturday. I would say I was by her house at least once a week throughout the whole event.
We even had a day where Austin took the kids to visit his family in Hattiesburg for his b-day. Since it was still a school day I chose to stay here and enjoy the peace and quiet. I had held down the fort with the kids for nearly 2 months and was quite anxious for a quiet day. That afternoon Wendy came over. We got chickfila and daiquiris and just chatted. It was nice just having friend time.
Anyway life has been interesting this spring. Church is online and we have Lifegroup via Zoom. Colby has Youth Group through YouTube and Zoom. I feel like Lindsay has probably missed out the most. She's had some school Zoom meetings, but I think she's missing her friends fiercely. She's social like me.
It hasn't been awful, but it hasn't been easy either. I miss friends, church, and it was really hard being ripped from a class 2 months early. It felt like we had so many memories left to make. All in all we have survived and now school is finished and we are heading into summer.
Its going to be quite a different summer... we aren't going into it tired and ready for a break...we've been able to sleep in for months now! We also aren't starting our summer break getting ready for VBS. So here we are just not exactly sure what summer will look like. We will have swim team and I am super excited about some normalcy!!
The hardest part has been missing friends! Luckily through all this my friend Wendy and I have stayed in touch and forwent social distancing.
We were together every day up until the Wednesday that we were all finished and then we went about a week without seeing each other. I had enough and brought her b-day cake the following Tuesday and socially distant visited in her driveway. The next weekend we were shopping at Target with masks on. We then went to visit all our kids for Easter. We started the day in separate cars but joined up after lunch and from that point on we knew if we got Corona we would go down together. It was just TOO HARD to not be around each other.
We also talked nearly every single day...it has helped so much to have someone to laugh and cry with throughout this. We have cussed, prayed, talked through emotions, drank, and talked about Jesus.
We have had a few drive way visits and we also even went out and took family pictures together in the Quarter one Saturday. I would say I was by her house at least once a week throughout the whole event.
We even had a day where Austin took the kids to visit his family in Hattiesburg for his b-day. Since it was still a school day I chose to stay here and enjoy the peace and quiet. I had held down the fort with the kids for nearly 2 months and was quite anxious for a quiet day. That afternoon Wendy came over. We got chickfila and daiquiris and just chatted. It was nice just having friend time.
Anyway life has been interesting this spring. Church is online and we have Lifegroup via Zoom. Colby has Youth Group through YouTube and Zoom. I feel like Lindsay has probably missed out the most. She's had some school Zoom meetings, but I think she's missing her friends fiercely. She's social like me.
It hasn't been awful, but it hasn't been easy either. I miss friends, church, and it was really hard being ripped from a class 2 months early. It felt like we had so many memories left to make. All in all we have survived and now school is finished and we are heading into summer.
Its going to be quite a different summer... we aren't going into it tired and ready for a break...we've been able to sleep in for months now! We also aren't starting our summer break getting ready for VBS. So here we are just not exactly sure what summer will look like. We will have swim team and I am super excited about some normalcy!!
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Summer Week 4
So it felt like we hit the ground running after getting home from vacation. We got in at dinner time Saturday and then Sunday was Father's Day and church both services. I was happy to be back there though and see friends and such. We had lifegroup. I got to catch up with Wendy which was nice. After church we went to eat Mexican with my family. It was sort of a long day, but I was happy to spend more time with my family and celebrate Father's Day. It was like a sort of extended vacation. That afternoon we mostly just relaxed and worked on getting life back to normal. Oh and we brought Colby to my parent's house that evening though to spend the night. Austin also had to go into work...it was nice having a little quiet time with Lindsay.
Monday it was nice to feel like we were starting our summer groove. Although we were up early! I had made plans to go to breakfast with Wendy. We were so anxious to get together and catch up. Even though we had been together every day during VBS... a week apart seems like we have a million things to tell each other. She got to my house at 8. Her daughter Emily who is 14 stayed here with Lindsay. Its been such a sweet friendship. Lindsay has developed such a love for Emily. And Emily truly is like a big sister to her. Wendy and I are also basically like sisters we say. Anyway its a completely natural friendship and its been so fun the last year! So we went to Another Broken Egg Cafe out in Lakeview. This has sort of become our "thing". We've been 4 times to get breakfast and mimosas. Even just the drive out there was hilarious and we had the best time. Breakfast was great. We had a pitcher this time of mimosas and we stayed about 2 hours. After our leisurely breakfast we decided to do a little bit of shopping. She and I had discussed going to Trader Joe's since before school got out to buy some wine. We did that and each got 4 bottles! It was so cheap though. Afterwards we went to Fleurty Girl and another little boutique type shop. It was fun just shopping and talking. We then drove back to the Westbank. We did a little driving around though before we came back to my house. We drove through her neighborhood and she showed me a house for sale that she really wants to buy. We got back here and the girls did great by themselves! That afternoon we rested up a bit before going to swim.
Tuesday we were supposed to have swim team. Well it was storming and raining that morning. We ended up driving there though to find out it was cancelled. It was ok though. We came home and re-grouped a bit then went on to the grocery. Afterwards we got back out to go to Petsmart and buy puppy supplies. We picked up lunch and had a low key afternoon around the house.
Wednesday we made plans to go see the movie "Aladdin". I hated Austin was going to miss it , but its hard to wait around to do things during the summer. Anyways we invited my friend Rebecca to go with us. The movie was great! We loved it! Afterwards we had to stop by the grocery and get some stuff because we were going to be keeping Buttercup the bunny for a week. We then dropped everything off at our house then went by the Schifflin's to pick him up. Wendy was in the midst of making a b-day cake for Andrew. We got to sneak a peak and she even sent us home with a smaller version. It was fun getting to visit for a bit. We packed up the bunny and gave them our puppy supplies and came home to rest before church time. This was our first Wednesday of the summer. I hate pretty much made up my mind during VBS that I wanted to help out with the youth some this summer. We went and ate dinner. Also my Aunt had come in town so this was our first opportunity to see her. That night I really enjoyed the youth. It brought back so many fond memories of my childhood experiences. I was hoping to get out of any type of "teaching role" well they had the kids get into small groups and next thing I knew I had 5-6 girls flocked to me though. It was sweet and I really enjoyed it. I had Ella and Emily in my group who are both like daughters and then I had Christa who I have been getting to know and a couple others. Anyway it was a fun night.
Thursday we were up early again for swim team. I kinda like the early start to our day honestly. We also made plans to get Ella from her house and bring her swimming at my parent's house. She has been going to the church with her parents a lot of the summer, so I figured this would be a good break for everyone! So after swim we picked her up and headed to my parent's house. We also got to visit with Aunt Ree. The kids had a blast and played together so well. I love that about Ella. She's able to balance my kids out! After swimming they decorated a cookie cake. I didn't want to barge in on my parents too much so I left with the kids and took them to Canes. I enjoyed hearing the 3 kids just talk about life and school! After I dropped Ella off and we came home to relax!
Friday we got out that morning to run some errands. My mom and Aunt wanted to stop by to see the house and visit. I hated we didn't get to spend more time with them, but with life and kids we have just been SO busy. We had a nice visit here. We stayed in the rest of the day.
Saturday the kids had their FIRST every swim meet. I was super excited on how they would do and that would go. They actually did really great! I mean neither won anything, but I was just proud of how brave they were. It was a long morning though. We had to be at the Y at 8 and the swim meet didn't end until around noon. We were all quite exhausted by the end of that. We rested and just did some projects around the house.
Sunday we had church. We went to both services and had lifegroup. My friend Wendy is out of town with her 2 younger children so we had offered to have her husband Phil and oldest son Philip over. They declined though due to Philip having tests that he needed to study for. I was a little sad, but also relieved b/c then I knew we could relax longer.
Monday it was nice to feel like we were starting our summer groove. Although we were up early! I had made plans to go to breakfast with Wendy. We were so anxious to get together and catch up. Even though we had been together every day during VBS... a week apart seems like we have a million things to tell each other. She got to my house at 8. Her daughter Emily who is 14 stayed here with Lindsay. Its been such a sweet friendship. Lindsay has developed such a love for Emily. And Emily truly is like a big sister to her. Wendy and I are also basically like sisters we say. Anyway its a completely natural friendship and its been so fun the last year! So we went to Another Broken Egg Cafe out in Lakeview. This has sort of become our "thing". We've been 4 times to get breakfast and mimosas. Even just the drive out there was hilarious and we had the best time. Breakfast was great. We had a pitcher this time of mimosas and we stayed about 2 hours. After our leisurely breakfast we decided to do a little bit of shopping. She and I had discussed going to Trader Joe's since before school got out to buy some wine. We did that and each got 4 bottles! It was so cheap though. Afterwards we went to Fleurty Girl and another little boutique type shop. It was fun just shopping and talking. We then drove back to the Westbank. We did a little driving around though before we came back to my house. We drove through her neighborhood and she showed me a house for sale that she really wants to buy. We got back here and the girls did great by themselves! That afternoon we rested up a bit before going to swim.
Tuesday we were supposed to have swim team. Well it was storming and raining that morning. We ended up driving there though to find out it was cancelled. It was ok though. We came home and re-grouped a bit then went on to the grocery. Afterwards we got back out to go to Petsmart and buy puppy supplies. We picked up lunch and had a low key afternoon around the house.
Wednesday we made plans to go see the movie "Aladdin". I hated Austin was going to miss it , but its hard to wait around to do things during the summer. Anyways we invited my friend Rebecca to go with us. The movie was great! We loved it! Afterwards we had to stop by the grocery and get some stuff because we were going to be keeping Buttercup the bunny for a week. We then dropped everything off at our house then went by the Schifflin's to pick him up. Wendy was in the midst of making a b-day cake for Andrew. We got to sneak a peak and she even sent us home with a smaller version. It was fun getting to visit for a bit. We packed up the bunny and gave them our puppy supplies and came home to rest before church time. This was our first Wednesday of the summer. I hate pretty much made up my mind during VBS that I wanted to help out with the youth some this summer. We went and ate dinner. Also my Aunt had come in town so this was our first opportunity to see her. That night I really enjoyed the youth. It brought back so many fond memories of my childhood experiences. I was hoping to get out of any type of "teaching role" well they had the kids get into small groups and next thing I knew I had 5-6 girls flocked to me though. It was sweet and I really enjoyed it. I had Ella and Emily in my group who are both like daughters and then I had Christa who I have been getting to know and a couple others. Anyway it was a fun night.
Thursday we were up early again for swim team. I kinda like the early start to our day honestly. We also made plans to get Ella from her house and bring her swimming at my parent's house. She has been going to the church with her parents a lot of the summer, so I figured this would be a good break for everyone! So after swim we picked her up and headed to my parent's house. We also got to visit with Aunt Ree. The kids had a blast and played together so well. I love that about Ella. She's able to balance my kids out! After swimming they decorated a cookie cake. I didn't want to barge in on my parents too much so I left with the kids and took them to Canes. I enjoyed hearing the 3 kids just talk about life and school! After I dropped Ella off and we came home to relax!
Friday we got out that morning to run some errands. My mom and Aunt wanted to stop by to see the house and visit. I hated we didn't get to spend more time with them, but with life and kids we have just been SO busy. We had a nice visit here. We stayed in the rest of the day.
Saturday the kids had their FIRST every swim meet. I was super excited on how they would do and that would go. They actually did really great! I mean neither won anything, but I was just proud of how brave they were. It was a long morning though. We had to be at the Y at 8 and the swim meet didn't end until around noon. We were all quite exhausted by the end of that. We rested and just did some projects around the house.
Sunday we had church. We went to both services and had lifegroup. My friend Wendy is out of town with her 2 younger children so we had offered to have her husband Phil and oldest son Philip over. They declined though due to Philip having tests that he needed to study for. I was a little sad, but also relieved b/c then I knew we could relax longer.
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