2008 Reflections for the Garons and Frenches

Mary Harrell French - Aug. 24, 1930 - Jan. 14, 2008

The Mary French Scholarships established
for pastor's wives
* Southwestern Theological Seminary
* New Orleans Theological Seminary

Daddy - Tommy French
* received his honorary Doctorate degree
from Louisiana College
* retired from Jefferson Baptist after 50 years

Jefferson Baptist Church -
* 50th Anniversary
* Daddy Retired
* New Pastor - Dr. David Goza

Katie graduated from LSU - Dec. 19th

Chad got his first job at University Club

Brandt -
* PBS Golf team won State and Regionals
* Individually won 4 Arrowhead Jr. Golf Tour tournaments
******The Links at Pelican Point Jr. Classic
******Beau Chene Junior Classic
******Tchefuncta Junior Classic
******AJGT Tournament of Champions
* Runner up in the Coca-Cola Championship on AJGT
* Runner up in the Baton Rouge Open for Golf
* Traveled to Australia and Hawaii to golf for ISSI
* Won The Island's Club Championship

WOW!!! WHAT A YEAR!!!

Another Christmas Come and Gone

We made it and it was nice. My family came to the house Christmas Eve for Seafood Gumbo and to open presents. Christmas Day we went to Daddy's for lunch and then Danny's niece and nephew came over that night. We don't get to see them very often so it was nice visiting with them.

Things have been kinda quiet since Christmas. It's been great! I only left the house Saturday to go to the grocery store. For some unknown reason my family thought we needed food????...and Yes, I cooked. I know, I know...hard to believe.

Too much time makes you think too much though. It hit me that Brandt only has a little more than 4 months left in high school. That's not a long time. As busy as we will be with golf and school, it is going to fly by. I'm going to try to remember to stop and enjoy it all.

Hey, if you haven't seen my "sites I visit", go check out The Gosselins 10. This is Jon and Kate plus 8. They have a reality show on TV. I have always loved their show, but for Christmas, Katie and Ryan gave me their book "Mulitple Bles8ings". It is so good. It is a story of faith and they share their daily walk with Christ and how they trust him to get them through each day. What an awesome witness they are to our world. I pray that their book will touch the lives of many who are lost.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I pray that the Lord will bless you and your family in 2009.

Golf at The Peninsula

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LSU Graduation...Golf...YIKES!!!!!! Christmas is WHEN????????

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Yes!!! I am now in full panic mode!!!!

Great weekend though! Katie graduated from LSU, Friday morning. I am so proud of her. Why God chose to give me such a great daughter I don't know, but I'm thankful. It was so cool to see her walk across that stage and receive her diploma she has worked so hard for. The speaker asked for all of the parents of the graduates to stand up and when I stood, I kinda caught my breath and thought, "I'm the parent of a college graduate". REALITY CHECK!!!!! Yes, I'm getting old.
On the other hand, when I was her age I had been married almost 5 years and had a 1 1/2 year old. Imagine how my parents felt. Hmmmm!

After graduation, we took off to Gulf Shores for Brandt's golf tournament. We tried to get there early enough for Brandt to hit some balls on the range, but little did we know, it gets dark by 4:45pm in Gulf Shores and we were still traveling at that point. When we got there we found a lit driving range, so I dropped off Danny and the boys at about 6:55 and went to get food. When I got back they were standing in the dark. Apparently the lights were on a timer and they go off at 7:00 pm. They couldn't see where the ball was going, but they could see it to hit it, so they finished off their buckets. LOL!!!

Saturday, Brandt had a 8:24am tee time. It was cool, but nice. Daddy and I got a cart and Danny walked following Brandt. Chad was on Brandt's bag this weekend. At the end of the 1st round, Brandt was tied for 1st with 2 other golfers. He shot a 73...1 over par. Brandt was so excited that PaPa was there to watch him. This was the 1st tournament Daddy has been able to attend.
Sunday was a 8:26 tee time and by then it was cold and RAINING!!!!!!! Yes!!!! There was a siting of that homeless looking woman again. I had 3 layers, my ear wrap, gloves, towel, 2 blankets...just say anything I could get my hands on that might keep me warm. I told Brandt, if he wouldn't have been tied for the lead, I just may have had to sit this one out.
Brandt played like it was 75 degrees and the sun was shining. His best golf of the day was during the cold rain. In the end, he shot a 74...2 over par, giving him a total of 147 for both days. He won the tournament by 6 strokes. When we were walking out of the clubhouse, he turned to me and said, "I'm so glad I could win the one PaPa came to". Mr. Paul, the director of Arrowhead Jr. Golf Tour, is going to interview Brandt this week for an article for the newspaper so I'll keep you posted.

That leads me to my panic. Yes! I started shopping for Christmas today! I have waves of panic. One minute I'm fine, the next I feel like I'll never make it. Oh well!!!! It always turns out fine and I wouldn't trade these last few days for the world.

Merry Christmas to everyone! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!!!

SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!

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Baton Rouge actually got a Snow Day!!!! How crazy is this???
It is so beautiful. I don't remember ever seeing it this thick
in Baton Rouge. The electricity and excitement in the air is
so refreshing and fun!!!!!

Brandt wins at Tchefuncta!

This weekend we were at Oak Harbor Golf Club in Slidell on Saturday then finished up the tournament at Tchefuncta Country Club in Covington, Sunday. Yes!!! I froze!!! Brandt told me I looked like a bum, wrapped up in all of my blankets and cold gear. LOL!!! Do you think I really cared what I looked like??? It was everyman for themselves. I think I had a least 3 layers on before I even wrapped up in the blankets.

Brandt shot even par 72 on Saturday. He had 5 birdies and 5 bogeys. The weather was COLD, windy, and water everywhere...and if you've followed Brandt you know him and water usually find each other, but he didn't find the water at all Saturday. He went into Sunday's round with a 9 stroke lead.
Because this tournament was split between two courses, he had to make a decision as to which course to play his practice round. It gets dark so soon now and he can't miss school for practice rounds ( momma says so) there was no way he could play a practice round at both courses, so he chose Oak Harbor in Slidell. Saying that, he played Sunday's round totally blind, never seeing the course before. When we got there we thought we would get him a copy of the course layout, NOT!!!!! They had just re-done the course, adding 3 new holes so they didn't have the new ones printed yet. Well, he ended up with a 74, 3 over par. This course has a par of 71 (most are 72). 2 birdies and 5 bogeys.

There is a great article on the homepage of Arrowhead Jr. Golf Tours website about this weekends tournament. If you want to read it you can go to www.arrowheadjgt.com.

Friday, Dec. 19th, after LSU graduation, we are headed to Gulf Shores to play in Arrowhead Jr. Golf Tournament of Champions at the Peninsula Golf Club. This will conclude the Arrowhead Tour for 2008. WOW! What a year on Arrowhead. We're so proud of him.

Graduation Countdown

Yep! We are down to days before Katie graduates from LSU. Finals start next week and graduation is Dec. 19th. She'll graduate in Criminal Justice and after graduation she's going to take some time off to study for the LSAT and then go on to Law School. It seems like yesterday she was graduating from Parkview (probably not to her).

Congratulations Katie! We love you!!!!

JBC 50 Years

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It's Official! He's Retired!!!

Well, today Daddy preached his final sermon as Sr. Pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA.  Now, that doesn't mean he won't preach again at JBC, he just won't be the "Senior Pastor" when he does it.  Today at lunch I asked him how he felt and he looked at me and said "I don't know, I'll tell you next Sunday".  LOL

And the office...they have made huge progress with cleaning out his office (all 50 years worth).  I say "they" because I haven't been able to help much.  I put in a few hours, but not nearly as many as others.  Renee and Cathy have really helped a lot.  When I got there today, the bookshelves were bare and he really only had some loose ends to tie up.  Almost there Daddy!  Now we need to get your new offices put together back in the radio station.  

Back to school count down ... about 31 hours???

I have really enjoyed my week off for Thanksgiving, but it is so bittersweet.  I love the time at home with Danny and the kids, but it also makes me realize how much I miss Momma.  On holidays we would go shopping for a little while (most of our time was spent in Barnes and Noble Bookstore...sweet!!!), then we would have lunch at La Madeline's, splitting a roasted vegetable sandwich and bow tie pasta.  I really miss that.  

This past Tuesday, Brandt and I took a road trip to Meridian, MS to visit Meridian Community College.  MCC is a Division I Junior College.  The coach had contacted us about Brandt coming to play golf for him, so we went to check it out.  Brandt enjoyed himself.  We got a tour of the college, went to lunch with the coach, and then Brandt and another prospective golfer went and played 9 holes with one of the members of the MCC golf team.  Brandt said he shot halfway decent.  He was a little upset with himself because he ended up 1 over.  Nothing like putting a little pressure on yourself.

Katie and I went to Lowes Wednesday for a few things and ended up leaving with a real Christmas tree.  The kids have been asking for a real tree for years, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $100+ on a tree we're going to throw away in a few weeks.  Well...the price was right so I caved in.  It's really beautiful.  This year, for the first time ever, we have a "designer" tree (if that's what you want to call it).  It is gold, red, and green ONLY, with clear lights.  We've always had colored lights with a variety of ornaments, including all homemade ones from when the kids were little, so this was a big change for the Garon house.  We still have a little decorating to do around the house, but we're off to a good start (now I have to go do my classroom).  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  We have so many blessings to be thankful for and I praise God for all of them, no matter how small.  

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and eat until you can't eat anymore...and then come back for leftovers.

50 Years

Well, we had an exciting weekend, full of fun and fellowship.

Saturday we started with the Jefferson 70's youth reunion.  We got to visit with so many friends that were in the youth group with us, but we haven't seen in a long time.  It was so much fun remembering all of the crazy things we did, and the fun we had and everyone had different memories of the same trip or activity.  We decorated with toilet paper and balloons tied to forks.  Yes, we rolled many a house and forked a few yards (we were soooo bad).  Randy had a slide show made of all of the old pictures (some were quiet brutal...as Brandt would put it).  Some of us have changed with time and some of us look exactly the same.  It was so much fun.

Following the reunion, we all walked over to the gym for the 50th Anniversary/Retirement party for Daddy.  Dr. Kelly and his wife came up from New Orleans Theological Seminary to MC for us and then Dr. Paige Patterson and his wife Dorothy came down from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas.  They both spoke at the banquet and then Daddy had a few things to say.  Our closing was by Dr. David Goza, our new pastor.  We are so excited that he and Dana will be coming to carry on at Jefferson.  I just love them.  =)

And, of course, we finished the 50th Anniversary celebration with Sunday services.  Dr. Paige Patterson preached and I could have sat and listened to him all day.  He was great.  His message talked about Daddy's retirement, but concentrated more on how we must carry on and complete the task started.  We must stay united and focus on what the Lord commanded us to do, reach others for him. 

When church was over we were able to take the Patterson's out to eat and was able to visit with them.  Mrs. Dorothy came and spoke at Momma's funeral, but we weren't able to visit with her much then, so it was good to have time to visit.  We will be going to Southwestern in April for the first awardment of The Mary French Scholarship for pastor's wives, which Mrs. Dorothy has headed up.  That will be exciting.

Now it's time to tackle "the office"...remember it is 50 years worth.

Golf and Volleyball

Well, golf was tough this past weekend.  Let's just say we nicknamed Brandt the "b-man" and no the "b" does not stand for Brandt...it stands for "bogey".  For those of you not into golf lingo, a bogey is 1 over par.  He just wasn't shooting well, but thank goodness for his putting.  He was putting lights out this weekend.  I'm scared to think what his score would have been if he wasn't putting well.  Oh well, that's the game of golf.  He can't complain, he came in tied for 7th out of a field of 50 golfers.  A good friend of his, that is also a member of Parkview's Golf Team took 1st place, so Baton Rouge was represented well.  Next stop on the golf tour will be Covington and then he was invited to play in Gulf Shores the weekend before Christmas.  

And then there was volleyball.  We went into the state tournament a top seed, but were upset Wednesday by the #13 seed.  Of course this was not what we wanted or expected.  It was truly an upset.  I feel for the girls, especially the seniors.  Been there, done that, and a state tournament loss seems to be the worst.  For the underclassmen, we have next year.

Bound for Destin and a little golf!!!! Yeah Baby!!!!!

Friday we head to Destin.  Brandt's in a golf tournament there.  I know...you're thinking "man, she's a great mom to suffer through all of these trips for her son's dream".  ;>)    It's tough, but you sacrifice for your children.  

Anyway, there are suppose to be some college coaches at this tournament so we thought it would be good for him to go play this one.  I'm just looking forward to getting away for a weekend.

When I get home, I will hit the floor running.  Parkview's volleyball team has made it to Bi-District so we play Monday.  When we win Monday, we head to New Orleans for the State Tournament Wednesday - Saturday.  How much fun is this!!!!!!!   It should be a sin!!!!!!!  I can't wait for all of the volleyball ahead.  When we're not playing, I think I'll just sit and soak it in.  There's never too much volleyball!!!!

2 weeks til Thanksgiving vacation!!!!!   This has been the longest beginning of the school year I think I've ever seen.  Thanks Gustav!!

A Special and Great Day at Jefferson

We have a new pastor!  

It was one of those days that you know is coming, but never know if it will actually get here or not.  Well, it's here and I am so excited.   

I'm excited for Jefferson because we will be moving forward with a godly man, truly chosen by God to continue the work Daddy and Momma began.  I'm excited for Daddy because he can now do all of those things he has been saying he's going to do forever, like writing a few books.  I'm excited for our family, because now PaPa can attend events of the grandchildren and just spend time with us.  

I know many saw my tears today, but please know that they were tears of joy.   If there was any sorrow, it was only that Momma was not here to see it.  She would have loved knowing that Daddy is FINALLY retiring (you notice I said retiring - that doesn't mean he will be slowing down).  She talked to me about this many times during her last few months.  She would always say, "he is so tired".  If she were here, she would share our excitement in this turning point at Jefferson.

Investing in Eternity

There is a great article in the Southwestern News, Investing in Eternity, about the scholarship that has been set up in memory of momma.  To read it go to the following link 

                    http://www.swbts.edu/swnews/     

                           click on Donor Profile

We are so excited about this scholarship.  The first one will be presented in the spring of 2009 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  We are still building the one at New Orleans Theological Seminary, but we're off to a great start. 

Brandt takes another 1st place - Mom takes a long hot bath for her aching body

This past weekend Brandt played in Mandeville, LA at Beau Chene Country Club. After Saturday's round he was in 3rd place with a 75. Sunday he came back and played an awesome front nine with a 3 under par, 33 and finished the back nine at 3 over, giving him a par round of 72 on Sunday. I was afraid he was going to be a little rusty after no competition for a few months, but he didn't seem to miss a beat. Check out the hat - his new trademark. Tell me he's not a leader.

And...about mom's aching body. Beau Chene does not rent spectator carts, so...yes...we had to WALK all 36 holes. Danny was Brandt's caddy Saturday, then Chad was on the bag Sunday. Saturday night I made Danny go with me to Academy and we bought those little 3 legged seats so we could at least sit some while out there. It made a big difference. Ok, you can say it...I'm not as young as I used to be. ;)

If interested, go to http://www.arrowheadjgt.com/ and read about this tournament.

                                                   

Representing the widow of Thomas Jefferson Shaw

Daddy with the leader of the Son's of the Confederate

Family of Thomas Jefferson Shaw - DeMent and French

Empty chair for Thomas Jefferson Shaw

Sons of the Confederate

Honoring your ancestors

This weekend, Daddy, Anne, and I took off to Paragould, Arkansas to honor one of our ansestors, Daddy's Great Grandpa Thomas Jefferson Shaw.  

Daddy found his grave site in Paragould, Arkansas about 3 years ago.  It did not have a headstone so Daddy decided to get one.  After talking to a friend, he found out that the federal government would purchase it for us.  Well, it came in and Daddy started making arrangements to have it installed.  

Yesterday, it was installed and a service was performed by the Sons of the Confederates, memorializing Thomas Jefferson Shaw.  I will share pictures with you soon.  It was great.

A Journey Back in Time

This past summer, the youth group of Jefferson Baptist - from my youth days - got together for a reunion.  Of course, I wasn't able to attend.  I was in Utah for a Curriculum Mapping conference for school.  Well...they brought out the old "Lightshine" musical we did.  Randy Alford made copies for everyone and I got mine in the mail yesterday.  Can I tell you how much fun I had watching that musical again.  :)   Just like Randy said, it all comes back to you and you remember all of the words to all the songs. (I wonder if Jim Doss remembered all of his words...hahahaha - he was a mime)

Of course, me and Melody were sitting right next to each other (I don't think back then we did a whole lot without each other).   I recognized a lot of people, but I was surprised how many I didn't remember.  We all had the feathered (Farrah Facett) hair and I don't remember being so thin (Oh... to go back...I think I would appreciate it a little more).

I caught glimpses of Marty (our youth minister/minister of music) sitting on the floor, directing us.  

Oh the memories...All of the musicals, youth choir tours, Fort Walton Beach (spaghetti, raw eggs, pay back from the chaperones, Tweety Bird, etc...), softball at Judson, planting grass for the new building, and so much more.  We had sooooo much fun in youth group.  

Randy and Charlotte are working on getting everyone together again the weekend of the big 50th Anniversary celebration at Jefferson, which I think is the 3rd weekend in November.  As soon as I know for sure I will post it.  I'd love to see everyone again.

Quick update

There really hasn't been a lot going on.  We did have a "normal" week last week for a change.  The hurricanes kinda messed up everyone's schedules.  Hopefully the rest of the year will continue without anymore hitches.  

Volleyball is finally back to normal.  We played our 2nd game of the year tonight.  We are now 2 -0 (2 wins, 0 loses).  Usually at this point we have at least 10 games played by now.  We have missed 2 tournaments and I don't know how many regular games.  The good thing is that we haven't missed any district games.  We are at Woodlawn's tournament this weekend (my alma matta).

Golf gets started back in October.  The hurricane's messed this up too!  I'll keep you posted.

School is going great.  If you haven't been lately, log onto my class' website - http://carolgaron.tripod.com    I have a picture of my homeroom class posted on the front page and I have added pictures to the photo album of them working in their literature circles and building a castle.  We are reading "The Minstel in the Tower" so we are building castles.  They are having a blast and they are so creative with their decorative ideas.  I will post some more pictures of the finished product soon.

Have a great week!

And then there was light...

Praise the Lord...we have lights.
We thought it was going to be 14 to 21 days and Saturday night we were blessed with lights. It's amazing what electricity and air conditioning will do for your outlook on life. And to sleep in your bed too.
We went to daddy's for the storm because in Westminster our lot is nothing but old trees. We also have a dead tree next to the house in the back yard that we have been trying to get cut down for a couple of months. Our schedules just haven't worked out for the tree man and Danny to be at the house at the same time. Anyway, we were very blessed. We only had a limb through the roof and Danny was able to patch it up for now. We really thought we would come home to a house full of trees.
Once the storm was over we came back home with a generator. We were able to run a small a/c window unit to keep us cool. We all slept in the den since the a/c didn't quite make it to the back of the house.
I realized something through all of this. The internet is the reason why the house and clothes don't get cleaned all the time. Without computers and internet this last week I cleaned house, washed all of the clothes, cleaned out closets, and reorganized the drawers in my kitchen. Things I've been saying I needed to do but was "just too busy". Now I realize what my "too busy" is. Go figure!!!!!!!! Am I willing to give it up????? Let's see...clean house - g0 online - wash clothes - go online - clean out closets - go online...Nahhhh...the house can wait!!!!!
I hope that everyone came out as well as we did through Gustav.

He took it!!!!

Go figure!  He did it!  In the rains from tropical storm Fay and in another sudden death playoff, Brandt's name will be on the trophy as The Island's 2008 Club Champion.  

Since I wasn't there, I don't a lot of details, but I heard he did great.  Went through a lot of towels trying to keep his grips dry, but he didn't let the rain stop his game.  

Poor Chad was soaked from head to toe and didn't have a good round either. :(  By the time he got home he was freezing.  Danny withdrew after the 2nd hole when he couldn't hold onto his club.  He loves the sport, but not enough to play in the rain.

Another great weekend on the golf course...for Brandt.

What a Service!

Sunday's service was so sweet and the reactions Daddy, Anne, and I have received has just been overwhelming.  What an impact Momma has had on so many people's lives, even during her time of death.  Oh, to be like her.  What a witness...and she was MY mom.  I am so blessed.

Daddy and I were talking, saying how Momma would have never let us call attention to her when she was here.  Especially the pictures in the newspaper and journal.  I can hear her fussing at us now.  :)  If she could only see how she has touched so many people.  The Lord is doing great things, continuing to use Momma for him and his kingdom.

Happy Birthday Mom! I miss you!

Sunday is Momma's birthday and Daddy will be preaching on her last few days with us when she saw heaven and was able to share it with us.  It was truly amazing and that was such a special time with her that I would not trade for the world.  I'm kind of dreading it though, because I know how emotional it is going to be.  I have been so busy with school that I think I have put the grieving process on hold, which will make things so much harder Sunday.  With the Lord's help, we'll make it through this.  He's been so good this far.

I miss her so much and have so many things I want to tell her.  I still catch myself saying "Oh, I need to call Momma and tell her..." then I catch myself and realize she's not there to tell anymore.  No one can take the place of your mother.  

I love you Momma!

Off and running - FULL SPEED

Yep!!! School's started and it's crazy.  Between school, volleyball, and the Olympics, I'm experiencing major sleep deprivation.  I don't think I have cooked in weeks.  That's ok because I'm having fun.  It's great being back on the volleyball court.

I have an awesome class this year.  They are blogging for me too.  They had their first blog assignment and they were so excited.  I had one student ask if they could blog every week.  How cool is that!  Kids wanting to do school work.  

We have another weekend of golf ahead.  This weekend is The Island's Club Championship and all of my guys are playing, Danny, Chad, and Brandt.  Brandt probably should be playing Arrowhead tour this weekend to add to his resume' for college ball, but he wants his name on the trophy at the club (go figure).  He already has him name on the Jr. Club Championship trophy at The Island.  It's ashame he's not very competitive HaHa!!! :)  I'm just praying for late tee times (sleep?????)  And - who do I follow????????? Maybe I should stay home - Hum!!!!

2nd place in the Baton Rouge Amateur Championship!

The weekend was full of golf again, but this time we were at Santa Maria Golf Course for the Baton Rouge Amateur Championship.  Brandt teed off Saturday morning at 8:50 for his first match play round.  He won that match on the 16th hole. He was 3 holes up with 2 to go.  That afternoon he played his 2nd match play round, teeing off at 2:30.  He won it on 18.  He went into 18 - 1 hole up, he had to tie his opponent or win the hole and he tied it for the match win.  That one lasted much longer than it should have.  He had a chance to close it out much earlier, but just couldn't do it.  Oh well...he won that match.

Today he played his 3rd match play round, teeing off at 7:00 a.m.  These early tee times are KILLING me...I am NOT a morning person.  Anyway, he won that round on 17 with 2 holes up.  After that win, he was now 1 of 8 players left in the tournament out of 64.  He got a small break (which he needed because he was able to practice his putting) before the top 8 teed off at 1:00 and 1:10.  He played a much improved round (from his previous 3) and scored a 75 placing 2nd in the tournament.  

When he started this tournament, we just wanted him to make it to the top 8, taking one match at a time.  Once he made it to the top 8, I kept thinking "just don't be 8th, you can be 7th...just not 8th."  We'll take 2nd all day long.  I'm so proud of him.

He will be in The Advocate again tomorrow.  We're still awe-struck that they actually want to interview him about his rounds, but it's so cool for him.  He's so funny about it too.  He says he doesn't know what to say.  Go figure...Brandt with nothing to say????????

I forgot to mention, spectators had to WALK the first 3 rounds of match play.  That was not fun.  I've never walked so much in my life...I'm beat!  

You know, we thought the Lord was leading us to Parkview so Brandt could be seen in baseball.  Well, he led us to Parkview, but little did we know it was because of golf, not baseball.  He has blessed Brandt with this talent in golf and we give him all the praise.  We know he couldn't do this without the Lord's help.

It's Friday!!!!!

What a week!  Chad got a job, school started, and I was asked to be Assistant Volleyball Coach at Parkview.

Chad got a job at University Club Golf Course.  Apparently the Lord didn't want him at the other course because U Club called him for an interview and hired him on the spot.  It is so strange seeing him get up (at 5:15 a.m.) and go to work.  This is his 1st job.  He seems to like it, so hopefully he will be there a while.  He has to work at a golf course for 6 months before he can begin his online courses for golf school.  What he likes the best is he gets to play the course free.

School started this week.  I feel like we just got out for the summer and now we're back.  I had a great week and seem to have a great class.  Thursday (our 1st day) after school, I can honestly say I was glad to be back and look forward to a great school year.

The highlight of my week though was being asked to be Assistant Coach for the high school volleyball team.  Just weeks ago I had resolved myself to the fact that it just wasn't in the Lord's plan for me to continue coaching volleyball.  I stopped coaching about a year ago so I could be around to help Daddy with Momma and then teaching elementary school makes it hard to coach high school because we get out at different times of the day.  Well, the Lord had other plans...and I'm glad.  I didn't know how much I missed it until after I got back on the court this week. I LOVE THIS SPORT!!!!!!!!!!

And yes...more golf this weekend.  Brandt's tee time is 8:50 a.m. Sat. at Santa Maria for the Baton Rouge Amateur Championship.  I'll try to keep you posted.  

Have a great weekend and I'll post again soon.

Unbelievable weekend on the golf course

Wow!  What a weekend!

As I mentioned, Brandt played in the Arrowhead Jr. Golf Tour Coca Cola Championship at Beaver Creek in Zachary.  He teed off Friday morning at 8:05 and at the end of the day was in a 3 way tie for 1st place with a score of 71 (1 under par).  Saturday the 3 leaders teed off together.  Another great match.  Brandt and one of the other boys in his group remained tied for 1st going into Sunday's match with a score of 74 (2 over par).  Sunday's match was unbelievable.  Brandt started with a birdie on hole 1 and remained in the lead for 17 holes.  At one point he was 3 shots ahead, but the other player didn't give up, he just kept coming after him.  When they got to the 18th hole, Brandt was 1 stroke ahead, but had a bad shot and ended up with a bogey which put the 2 of them tied again.  This put them in a sudden death play off, so we went back to #8 - they tied it...#9  Brandt skyed his 3 wood, then hit his next shot in the water :(  this opened the door for the other player and he won the hole over Brandt, taking 1st place for the tournament.  For their round Sunday they shot a 68, which is 4 under par.  Brandt was 6 under after hole 14, but just couldn't put it away.  The other golfer was good and he wasn't going anywhere.

Brandt handled the weekend like a champ.  Saturday we had so many people following him.  A writer from The Advocate (Baton Rouge's newspaper), WAFB - Channel 9 Sports, a friend of Brandt's that we haven't seen in a year or more came out to watch Sat. and Sun., a friend whose son went to school with Brandt at Starkey saw the article in the paper and just showed up to watch, and a friend of ours, Tim Guedry, came and watched Sunday.  We had our own little entourage.   It was really cool.

It was a crazy, but awesome weekend.  I think I went through every emotion I had.  I told Daddy, at one point Sunday, I was so nervous, I thought I was going to throw up.  I have never felt that way in my life, even when I played volleyball.  Not long ago Danny and I were talking about how much we enjoy watching him play golf and how it was a whole lot less stressful than baseball was...I take that back now.

The Advocate writers did a great job reporting the tournament, but I do want to say how impressed I was with the last article of the weekend in The Advocate.  The writer did a great job capturing the true essence of the day, not taking anything away from either golfer.  That means a lot to the mom of the golfer that didn't win after giving it everything he had through 56 holes of golf, with all eyes watching.  Also, on Arrowheads website www.arrowheadjgt.com they put Brandt's picture on as the runner up.  I have never seen the runner up on the site, just winners.  Thanks Mr. Paul!  

Brandt plays again Saturday at Santa Maria. 

Stay tuned and hang on...we still have a lot of golf ahead of us.  

I'm exhausted and school hasn't started yet.

Yep!  I'm beat.  I've been working in my room all week and I'm not ready for kids yet.  I'm moving rooms, so I've had a lot of furniture and things to move before I could even get started putting my room together.  Last night I came home, took an Aleve, got in a HOT bath and just soaked.  It felt soooo good.  I'm not too worried though, it always seems to come together by the 1st day.

Brandt plays in an Arrowhead Jr. Golf tournament this weekend.  He tees off at 8:05 tomorrow.  In last weekends tournament he qualified for a match play next weekend.  Danny and Chad didn't do too good.  Oh well, maybe next time.

My brains too tired to think, so I'll be in touch.

Yes! I do have other children besides Brandt.

Since I have written so much about Brandt, I want to catch you up on Katie and Chad.

Katie is finishing up summer school at LSU and working.  Only 1 more semester and she graduates.  She's excited.  I think she has decided to take a semester off after graduation and study for the law school exam (I don't remember what it is called).  Maybe by then, Louisiana College will have their law school opened in Central (B.R.).  We'll see!

Chad's dream of golf school seems to be getting closer.  He has applied for a job at Pelican Point Golf Course and it looks very promising.  Before he can begin his online classes for golf school, he will have to play 2 rounds of golf at a specific golf course and score around the upper 70's and work at a golf course for 6 months.  That's all I know at this point...his daddy helped him with this and I haven't asked for details, but as soon as I get them I will pass them on to you, but it looks like he's a step closer to his dream.   There really is a method to this golf madness.

All 3 of the men in my house are playing in the Baton Rouge Amateur tournament tomorrow (and they tee off together...  :)  They'll have fun...I hope.  Then next weekend, Brandt plays in the Coca Cola Classic for Arrowhead Junior Golf Tour at Beaver Creek in Zachary.  

So, if you've read my blog so far it is obvious that our house functions around golf.  I know many think golf is boring, but when your in the middle of it and your family is involved, it's amazing how exciting it can be.  What I enjoy is spending a day following them in the golf cart and since it must be quite, there are no cell phones, no television, no radio, no computers...just the players and God's amazing creations.  It is so peaceful.

Have a great weekend!  (2nd to last before school starts...YIKES!!!!!!!!)

And you thought I was just a worry wort!

Did you see the news today?????   Yes!  Qantas Airlines is what Brandt flew on to Australia.  For those of you that did not see the news.  A Qantas plane traveling from London to Australia lost cabin pressure, dropped the air mask, and nose dived 20,000 feet due to a hole in the side of the plane. It landed safely, but I was thankful it wasn't Brandt's plane.  

I'll be honest.  I don't think I had ever heard of Qantas Airlines until Brandt flew on it and now it seems like I here about it all of the time.  The day he was traveling from Brisbane to Sydney to Hawaii, I turned on the television in Utah and the first thing I heard was a Qantas aircraft was evacuated due to a bomb threat.  My heart dropped.  It turned out to be a flight from Los Angeles to Australia.  

Daddy put a prayer request in the journal for Brandt as he traveled to Australia.  THANK YOU to everyone that prayed for him.  The Lord answered our prayers.

Heee'ssss Baaaaack!!!!

Brandt touched down in New Orleans at 5:20 p.m. today.  I am sooooo glad he is home.  I didn't know how many more plane changes I could have gone through.  I usually don't stress when my kids are out of town, but there's something about him flying by himself (for the 1st time) that just stressed me out.  He did great!  No problems.  Made all of his flights ( 7 total) and didn't lose his luggage or golf clubs.  Praise the Lord!!!!   I feel like a new woman.  Everyone is back home in the nest.  You know, all these years I was thinking I wouldn't have a problem with empty nest syndrome...but now I'm rethinking that.  Hmmmmmm!!!!!  I may be in trouble.

Park City, Utah

Wow!   What a beautiful place.  I have been in Park City, Utah at a Curriculum Mapping conference for school.  This was my first trip to Utah and it was unbelievable in beauty.  It is summer now, I can only imagine how magnificent it is during the winter.  

The conference was great.  My brain took in more than it could hold, but we got so much we could bring back to school to help move our school into the 21st century.  

Park City was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics and they still have the Olympic Park and it is open to the public.  Jill and I were feeling a little daring and decided to ride the Bobsled...it is the same track that the Olympic athletes used.  It pulls about 3-4 G's, goes about 70 mph, and is equal to about a 40 story drop (not free fall).  Well!  We bought our tickets and took the shuttle to the top and as soon as we stepped in the building to sign our lives away, it started lightning and thundering :(     They put us on a 20 minute lightning watch.  Well...to make a long story short, we had quite a few 20 minute watches and we never made it down the track :(  :(    We tried to convince them that a little bit of lightning was nothing...we were BOBSLEDDING for crying out loud.  I think our risks were already maxed out.  Anyway, we were bummed, big time!  It would have been so cool to show my students a picture of me on the bobsled when we learn about the Olympics this year.  Oh well!  It wasn't meant to be.

It's so good to be home.  Now it's time to track Brandt home from Hawaii.  He'll be home tomorrow.  I can't wait!  My nerves can't take much more of him flying.  I'll post some pictures soon.

Goodbye Australia...Hello Hawaii

Just talked to Brandt...like I've done everyday, at least twice a day since he left (he's kin to me...what can I say). Today is their last day in Australia and will be flying to Hawaii tomorrow (Saturday for them). He said their team placed 2nd in the tournament against the other states, he placed 6th overall...out of 100+ golfers. He wasn't too happy because he shot in the 80's which is not his norm. Parkview's players made a great showing though - Coach Phillips would be proud. As Brandt would say "we ARE state champions, what do you expect" LOL. Chris was 5th, Brandt 6th, and Taylor 7th. I think that is pretty darn good!!!! Their game against the Australians wasn't as successful, but he said the course was great (if you were hitting the ball straight). He said he should have taken pictures, but he was too aggravated at the time. Oh well...hind sight's 20/20.

Today was their free day and they were going to watch Taylor take his surfing lesson. Brandt said he is waiting to surf when he gets to Hawaii - it's too cold in Australia. It is winter there. I know my information is weak, but we don't talk long. I'll get more when he gets home.

Australia or Bust!

Well, we got Brandt off to Australia.  He flew out Friday.  Yes, I was nervous, but excited.  I didn't realize how nervous I actually was until we had to leave him.  This was the first time he had flown and it was by himself to Los Angeles.  I watched him walk down the corridor until I couldn't see him anymore.  With security the way it is these days, there is no where inside of the airport to watch planes come and go if you don't have a ticket.  Needless to say, I made Danny drive up and down the street by the airport until I knew he was on the plane (I made Brandt call me when he was in his seat on the plane).  I wanted to wait and watch the plane take off, but Danny talked me into leaving.  Anyway, as soon as I got home, I pulled his flight up on the computer and watched it all the way to LA (www.flightaware.com - live airline tracking).  Once he reached LA and caught up with his coach and teammates I was fine.   I will confess...Sat. morning when I woke up, I tracked him to Australia.  I can't imagine not having the internet.  I would have been a basket case.  As soon as the airlines reported that his plane had landed I took a deep breath.

Brandt called around 9:30 pm tonight, Sunday (which is Monday at 12:30 pm in Australia).  They are 15 hours ahead of us.  Said they were at a theme park, but would be heading to the golf course in about an hour.  Said Australia is expensive.  A coke, 20 oz., cost $3.30.  Gas is $8.00 a gallon.  If nothing else, this will be a great economics lesson. :)

Catching Up!

Hey Everyone!

I am so excited about starting this blog. I am so bad about keeping up with everyone, so maybe this will help. I'm not promising frequent writing, but my goal will be once a week (hope I can reach it). :)

Everyone is doing great, we just stay busy with life. You know how that is.

Danny is still working at the plant and cutting grass on the side. I went back to LSU and finished my Education degree and this will be my second year teaching 3rd grade at Parkview Baptist School and I love it. Danny and I will be married 26 years August 7th. Wow, how time flies when your having fun. It seems like yesterday when we were cruising around town in the black mustang.

Katie Ree is 23 now and will graduate from LSU in December. Her major is Criminal Justice. Her next step will be law school. We're hoping that Louisiana Colleges Law School will open soon because that's really where she wants to go. We'll see.

She is still riding her horses. Last year, in her final year on LSU's Equestrian Team, she qualified for nationals in Mass. It was an awesome experience. She still has Ruff, her show horse, but she has recently had to retire him because he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. The vet said eventually we would have to put him down, but hopefully that is a long way off. For now he is a happy, lazy, pasture horse. Then there is Scat. Scat is a thoroughbred off of the track (like Ruff) that Katie is training and then she will sell him. He is doing so good. Katie's trainer really likes him. Since she retired Ruff, she thought about keeping Scat, but he is such a good mover that he will be a hunter and Katie wants a jumper. It will be tough to let go of him. If you know Katie, she gets attached quickly. Both Ruff and Scat are with Katie's trainer in Folsom, LA.

Chad is now 20. He has been going to Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) but he wants to make a change. We are looking into golf schools for him. He's still at home (as is Katie). Golfs everyday possible and when not on the golf course he's watching sports on T.V. When LSU baseball made it to the SEC Championship game, I decided last minute to go and Katie, Ryan (Katie's boyfriend) and Chad went with me to Hoover, Alabama. Anyway, we went to Hoover High School (featured in reality tv show - "Two A Days") and walked around. We were able to go onto the football field which was unreal. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were on a University campus. I think Chad enjoyed Hoover High School more than the SEC Championship game (go figure).

Brandt is 18. We don't have anymore minors in our house (yes we are getting old - God's little reality checks). He will be a senior this year at Parkview Baptist. We moved him to PBS to play baseball, but found out that Brandt has 3 bulging disk in his back. The neurologist told him golf would be better for his back, so he gave up baseball. Looking back, we knew that the Lord wanted Brandt at PBS, but we got the baseball part wrong. Since he is now only focusing on golf, his game has improved. He has been a scratch golfer (shoots par more than not), but now he is bringing in scores under par. He alternated as #1 & #2 man on the PBS golf team, they won quiet a few tournaments during the year, they won metro, regionals, and are State Champions for 3A golf in Louisiana. He also was named All-Metro in golf. He joined the Arrowhead Jr. Golf Tour and won the first tournament he played in and this Friday, July 11th, he leaves to play golf, representing Louisiana, in Australia. The will come back through Hawaii and play for fun. He is so pumped about this trip. I'll post pictures when he returns. He doesn't know where he will go to college yet because he wants to play golf, so it will be determined by who picks him up. I do know he wants to stay in Louisiana if possible. I'll keep you posted.

For those that don't know, my mother, Mary French, passed away on January 14, 2008 from non-smokers lung cancer. She left us much sooner than we expected, but we were so blessed that she did not suffer. I'll write a little later and tell you of her last days with us. It is incredible what she saw and was able to tell us about, just days before Jesus called her home. Our lives are so different without her and we miss her soooooooo much, but we know we will see her again.

Hopefully this catches you up with our lives. Busy, busy, busy, but Danny and I tell each other all of the time "we're gonna miss this one day", so we are trying to savor each minute. Please write, I would love to hear from you and your family. Like I said earlier, I am terrible about keeping up with everyone. This way I can write at all hours of the night and not bother anyone. Hope to hear from you soon.

Love ya!

Carol