The Mysterious Flowers

About a month or so ago, I went and bought flowers to take to the cemetery for momma. Well, when I got out there I couldn't get the vase out. I decided to go on home and when Danny got a chance he could go back with me and get the vase out. Finally another day, we had time to go by but the way it was jammed, he couldn't get it either. I told Anne about it so one day her and Scott went out there and when they got there they called me. She said, "You got the vase up?" I said no and she preceded to tell me that it was up and there were flowers on momma's grave as well as grandma and grandpa French's grave. I didn't think too much about it and said that Daddy must have done that.
With today being Mother's Day, I had a hard weekend, missing momma. Daddy had texted me about something and at the end of the conversation I shared with him that I was planning on going to church, for the first time in a while, then realized it was Mother's Day. I just didn't think my first time back in church should be Mother's Day, too sad for me since momma was such a huge part of the church. Not much later I got another text from him asking if I wanted to go put some flowers out at the cemetery. Well, to make a long story short...Daddy didn't put those flowers on the graves and we have no idea who did. We do know that there are many people out there that loves our family and would do something like that. Whoever it is, Thank You! Thank you for remembering our family members that have gone on before us, but also thank you for loving us like family.

Brandt wins again!

Two weeks ago, April 11 & 12, Brandt and MCC competed in the Red Wolf Invitational. MCC was the only Jr. College in the tournament. All of the other schools competing were 4 year colleges. MCC made a great showing placing 7th and Brandt was the medalist. I wasn't able to make that tournament, so I was sitting on pins and needles waiting for the live scoring updates on Golfstat.com. I don't know when I'm more nervous, being at home waiting or on the course watching!!! I'd much rather be on the course though. A lot more fun!!!!

Then a week later, April 18 & 19, MCC played in the NJCAA District IV tournament at Willow Point Golf Course in Alex City, AL. The weather was great and there was a lot of great golf. After the first day of play (36 holes), MCC was in 4th place and MCC had the top two medalists, Jake was #1 and Brandt was #2. Tuesday was another great day of golf, but mom was very nervous. We played with CACC and Darton CC. The top 3 teams were put together. It was a tight match in every group. In the end, Meridian took 2nd and qualified to go to the NJCAA National tournament in Odessa, TX. Brandt won medalist, adding the NJCAA District IV medalist title to his resume'.

We will go to Odessa the middle of May. There will be some stiff competition at this tournament, but our boys can do it. I'm looking forward to a great time and some good golf.

House full of boys!

Jake and Adam came home with Brandt for Spring Break. They stayed for 6 days with us and we really enjoyed their visit. Jake got to know Rini (the boxer) real well. She found her way on the couch with him a few nights.
They played golf everyday, getting ready for their next tournament. Sherwood has a good driving range and then they could play a round of golf if they wanted.
Got to see Travis. He is in town for a couple of weeks before his unit leaves for Iraq. He will be gone a year. They had a crawfish boil at his house so the boys got to eat crawfish. Brandt was so glad to see Travis. Hopefully he will get home one more time before Travis leaves.
The boys leave first thing in the morning for the Spring Fling at Goose Pond. Praying that they all shoot well and bring home the hardware.

MCC wins by 15 strokes at Black Bear!

What a great few days with the MCC golf team and friends. The boys were playing in the Mississippi/Louisiana College Invitational at Black Bear Golf Course in Delhi, LA. Talk about in the middle of nowhere!!! The boys stayed in the cabins. When we first pulled up one of the first signs we saw said "Black Bear Habitat, Don't feed the wildlife!" Haha!! Well, there were no bear sightings, but the Eagles kicked butt and took names.

After the first round, the Eagles were in first place by 15 strokes. MCC has #1 & #2 man, Adam Monsen and Brandt, respectfully. Coach promised the boys steak for supper if they shot even par or better as a team. A little motivation goes a long way!! They got steak for supper. Par for the team was 288 and they shot 286, 2 under as a team. Also, Tom, the teams chaplain showed up about halfway through the round. This helped turn things around too! The boys absolutely love Tom and love having him around. It was like their day brightened up when he showed up.
This morning, day 2, we woke up to rain. They started the tournament and actually Clemens and Oscar had teed off already when they suspended play. They came in the clubhouse soaking wet...and that was only the first hole or two. Around 9:15, when it started raining again they called the tournament, making MCC the winners! Adam won medalist and he, Brandt, Jake, and Clemens all made the All Tournament team.

It would have been a miserable day for the boys if they would have played all 18 holes today. Yesterday was freezing! Thank goodness it was dry!

Great times! What an awesome group of boys! I thank God everyday that he led Brandt to this team. It has been an unbelievable journey, but that's the only way God does things!

Golf!

Chad and I will be headed to the big city of Delhi, LA Sunday to watch Brandt and the MCC golf team. Because of his poor finish in the last tournament, Brandt had to qualify against his teammates to go. This is the first tournament he has had to qualify for since his first semester at MCC. He has always been exempt because of his tournament performance. Oh well, that's golf for ya!! He's still struggling a little with his game, but it's coming back. Can't wait to spend a few days on the golf course.

Engagement Party!

Well, it's on the calendar! Ryan and Katie's engagement party is just around the corner and of course it is at an awesome restaurant, Little Village. Hopefully Stuart won't have to work and can come to the party. We are excited about the start of wedding festivities. We have a lot of the wedding plans in place, so we can enjoy the celebrations without stress...and I am loving shopping for outfits for the different events(and of course shoes and jewelry for each one). Momma taught me well! LOL!!! Now to get the boys and Danny outfitted...and NO they will not be wearing golf attire or hats.
Now to get the guest list together so the invitations can go out. It's going to be fun!!

Great week, but the wedding nightmares have started!!!

Danny and I got to go watch Brandt and MCC play in their first match for the spring season. It wasn't Brandt's best golf, but we enjoyed being away and back on the course. We are so excited to see what God has in store for Brandt's future in golf. He truly has a passion for the game and it is so contagious.
Now I have to figure out how to retire or work from home so I can travel with him. Haha!! One day!!!!

Then...last night I had a dream that it was the day of the wedding and Danny, Chad, and Brandt forgot to go get fitted for their tux. No tux...not good!!! The funny thing is, I haven't been worried about the wedding at all, so I don't know where that came from. Maybe that was just reminding me that I need to dot my "i's" and cross my "t's". I am enjoying the planning though. Probably because Katie and Ryan are doing most of the work. It's going to be beautiful!!!

Busy week!!!

The wedding plans are coming along nicely. This last week I finally found my dress and shoes. I feel so much better. Whew!!!! Now to enjoy the rest of the planning. We got the orchestra booked and now Katie is working on the horse and carriage. We are looking for some really cool favors, so if anyone has any suggestions, please let us know. We have an engagement party around the corner and I guess that will officially kick off the wedding festivities.

Daddy's pathology report came back negative, so we are praising God for his goodness. Now he and Sue can start getting ready for Israel. Of course, he never had any doubt he would still be going.

MCC kicks off their spring season next week. They will be in Fairhope, AL at Rock Creek Golf Course. Beautiful weather is in the forecast and I can't wait. Hopefully this will help my spring fever or it may make it worse. I can't believe this is Brandt's last semester at MCC. It seems like yesterday we were at his signing. God has been so good!!!

I Can't Believe It's Been A Whole Year!!!

Wow! I knew it has been a while since I blogged, but didn't realize it had been a year.

What a year! It would be shorter to tell you what hasn't happened this year. Haha!

Well, in October Katie and Ryan got engaged. The wedding will be this October, so we have been busy planning. It hasn't been difficult though because Katie already knows most everything she wants. We have the venue, photographer, dresses, flowers, band, cake, invitations picked out, and Ryan has already booked the honeymoon. They are on the ball. Although, I am having problems finding just the right dress! LOL!!! Katie said I could wear jeans if I couldn't find one!!

Chad is now working at The Island Country Club on the golf course. If he could pass his PAT he could begin his PGA course work. He has to play a round of golf and shoot below a certain score to pass. He's working on his game, so pray he passes it soon. He got a puppy this year. It's a bloodhound named Cleetus. He is the size of a horse, but loves Chad. He is so funny. When he smells something, he doesn't stop until he finds it. Although, that nose gets him in trouble sometime too!

Brandt has a great first year at MCC in golf. Yes, his grades were fine too, but you know us...golf is why he's there. He has a much more in depth golf resume' now. A few highlights are he won the NJCAA tournament in Huntsville, Alabama and because of that win he received the Arnold Palmer Award. Click here to view more of his accomplishments at MCC.

Their season is beginning soon and I can't wait. I miss being on the golf course.
When he finishes with MCC, he has signed with University of Louisiana, Lafayette, the next step in his incredible journey. God has given him an amazing talent in golf and we look forward to what He has in store for Brandt in the future. It's all in God's hands!!

Danny is doing well. He is still at Georgia Gulf. He was put back on shift work, but in Dec. 2010 he got another straight day job and loves it. Much less stressful. He is hoping to retire from this position. Of course, he is still cutting grass on the side. I don't know if he'll ever give that up.

And then me! I am still teaching 3rd grade at Parkview Baptist and still love it. This past summer I began the journey of a master's degree. I am getting it from Louisiana College and will graduate in May. It is a lot of work, but I'm so glad I've done it. I was also asked to be an assistant coach for Parkview High School volleyball team, which of course I agreed. I coached the freshmen this year and was one of the assistants for varsity. We had a great year. We got an awesome head coach, Becky Madden, and I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching under her.

With all we have going on, we really miss momma. She would have loved all of this, especially helping plan Katie's wedding. Katie though will always have a piece of MeeMaw with her, for you see, her engagement ring has momma's solitaire in it.

We covet your prayers because we can't do any of this without the Lord's help. He has protected and guided us thus far and we know he will not abandon us now. We seek his will daily and praise him for all of our blessings.