It's Official!

Well, he did it! Brandt is a graduate of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. It was such an exciting day. Not only did he graduate, he graduated as an honors athlete and was recognized in the General Studies College ceremony. One other athlete was recognized in this ceremony. Also, Brandt's coach, Theo Sliman, attended the ceremony. This is the first graduation he has attended for any of his players. We love you Theo! There were two ceremonies. One was a general assembly of all of the graduates, then they split up by colleges. It was in the individual college ceremonies where the diplomas were handed out. Of course everything ran late. We got out of the last ceremony and back on the road to BR about 4:00 and we had a party scheduled for 6:00. Katie and Ryan were ahead of us and I get a text that traffic was stopped from Gross Tete to BR. Still had so much to do before everyone got to the house and now traffic problems. We quickly started texting to push the party back and had to call Danny's brother to go pick up the food. When we got home, Katie and I took off to Sam's to pick up the cake, only to be told it wasn't there. They gave us one out of the cooler (since I had a house full of guest and NO CAKE!!). All in all, it was a great day and night. So many friends to celebrate with and support Brandt in all that he does. We are so proud of Brandtman and can't wait to see what God has planned for him in the future. Oh...and Sam's called the next morning...the cake was there, the girl "overlooked" it. Hmmmmm!!!!!

Fast and Furious...or Crazy!

Crazy would probably be the best way to describe it. A week from tomorrow, Brandt will graduate from University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Daddy was right...life doesn't slow down, it just gets faster. Every time a new chapter begins, I feel like I blink and I'm writing about another new chapter. This journey has been amazing. Who knew when Mike Phillips was at The Island Country Club, trying to talk Brandt into golfing for Parkview, it would lead to this trip. God has been so good. Whoever thought Brandt would end up in the little town of Meridian, MS because a JUCO coach, THE Sean Covich, took the time to send a letter to 3935 Drusilla Dr. in Baton Rouge, LA. Really??? Out of all the Jr. golfers in the USA, Brandt??? Not competing until his junior year of high school, he only had a year of competing on his resume'. Then he got to Meridian, competed against his teammates for 1st pick of golf bags...he came in last...got the worst bag on the team. Travels to the first tournament with the team...WINS it!!!!! and it was only up from there. Because of that letter from Sean, our house if FULL of honors...many Medalist honors, Arnold Palmer Award, Jack Nicklaus Award - NJCAA Player of the Year (and met Jack in Ohio to receive the award), All-Patriot Golf Tournament (invitation only), in Arizona, and so many more. With all of this, Sean Covich started getting calls from Universities wanted Brandt to come play for them, but being the good ole' Louisiana boy, Theo Sliman from University of Louisiana-Lafayette said he'd sign Brandt to play for him. Brandt's first year at ULL, the golf team qualified for it's first NCAA Division I Golf Championship since 2007. What an honor!! His senior year, he was captain of the team and finished as a member of the All Sun Belt Conference 1st Team. As his college golf career ended, he qualified for and played in the Southern Amateur Championship, but the ultimate qualification was for the US Amateur. We traveled to Boston, MA. What an amazing experience. I am so glad he had that opportunity before he turned Pro. Speaking of Pro...his Pro career begins in January. It's a new journey...uncharted territory...but one he is ready for. God has directed him this far, so he is trusting Him to continue this journey. Only God knows when this amazing journey ends...until then, Brandt's up for the ride.

Ragin Cajuns Athletics - Garon Places Fourth At 28th Annual Louisiana Classics

Ragin Cajuns Athletics - Garon Places Fourth At 28th Annual Louisiana Classics

28th Annual Louisiana Classic - ULL 2013

Today has really been emotional for me. Today concluded the last home tournament Brandt will play for ULL and his friend, Nick Ward, that he golf with and competed against while he played for MCC passed away yesterday from his injuries. How ironic that we learned of his passing during the golf tournament. My heart breaks for his family and friends. Brandt played very well. These last 2 days we saw the Brandt we've known of the golf course for the last few years. He has struggled so much, fighting his way to get back. Although he had his difficulties, he had so many more positives these last two days (3 rounds). He had the low score for the tournament with a 68 for his 2nd round. This same round he carded 4 birdies in a row. He shot 73-68-73 taking 4th place out of 84 players. He surely had his struggles, especially on par 3's. We saw a shot today that we (Danny, Coach, or I) have NEVER seen him hit, but he worked so hard and fought to get it back. We are so proud of him and his character. Love you Brandtman!!

Great Start!

Brandt finished in the top 10 for his first tournament for this season. They played in San Antonio, TX at the Oak Hills Invitational. He had a rough start yesterday with shooting +1 in the first round and then +2 in the second round...yes...college plays 36 holes on the first day. He hung in there today and didn't do anything fancy, just stayed steady shooting even par (71). He moved up from 15th yesterday, to 10th today. The team as a whole struggled. ULL finished 12th place.

College Golf 's last chapter

I just made our first reservations for one of Brandt's first tournaments of his last college season. It seems like yesterday that we were in the PBS gym for his signing with Meridian and here we are beginning his final college season. Although time has flown by, what a journey it has been. As a parent, you always believe your child can do and achieve anything they set their minds to and Brandt accomplished so much. I must admit, with each big win, we would think "it couldn't get much better than this", but God said "Yes it can" and He showed us how. With each honored award, we would think "it couldn't get much better than this, but God said, "Yes it can" and He showed us how. God has truly had control over Brandt's golf career and it has been so amazing to watch Him work in Brandt's life. So, as I retrieve golf tees from the dryer, sweep golf balls from under the couches, have golf balls teed up on chapstick, find golf balls mixed in with my Easter eggs under my Easter tree, and get kicked out of my own kitchen while trying to cook supper because of a quick chipping game between my boys, I have to say, "I'm going to miss this one day". It was excitment when he move on from high school to JUCO, then JUCO to ULL, but I have to say it's nervousness(for mom) for the next big step. Turning pro is a whole new ballgame. Can he do it? ABSOLUTELY and especially if it's God's will for his life. We have totally trusted God with Brandt's golf and He has paved the way down this special path (once he finally got our attention to get on it - we're a little hard headed), I think we'll let him continue to lead. We are praying that Brandt has a great spring season, strong finish, he stays humble, and that God will continue to bless him on and off of the course. “I believe in a big God and special things can happen,” Tim Tebow

A dirty house...since when do I care!

If you know me very well, you know that house cleaning and laundry are not my strong points. Especially when my kids were small. If you walked in my house there were dishes in the sink, clothes on the floor, toys everywhere, and shoes to trip over. The best part though was...I DID NOT CARE!!!!! There wasn't time for house work. Between working and running the kids all over, that was the least of my worries. I kept it up just enough to keep us sane. The two-story on Harrell's Ferry Rd. helped too, because we could close the kids doors and the laundry room door and it looked like we had it all together...Haha!! You never know what's behind closed doors. So...I seem to be changing. I'm starting to want everything in it's place and clean. I have been cleaning out and throwing away things, making room for everything to have a place. It hasn't been easy in this house and I have a long way to go, but I am on a good track. I guess this is considered a new chapter in my life. Time to clean! How crazy! My motto used to be..."there will be a day when I have time to clean, until then, I have kids to raise." So, I guess, for the most part, my kids are raised. Yikes!!! Now don't get me wrong...I'll drop it all to support my kids in anything they do, so I must not have changed too much, just now I'm home looking at it more! LOL!!!! I'll never forget I had a girl that played sports for me and I would bring her to and from games because her mom "couldn't make it". One time her mom told her that she couldn't make her game because she had to get this house straight. Her response to her mom was, "Coach Carol's house isn't clean, but she is at all of her kids games." I have to say, I'm so glad a clean house did not bother me and I couldn't use it as an excuse not to support my kids in all of their activities. Thank you Lord for showing me how important it is to spend time with my children, no matter how old they are. "I learned that we can do anything, but we can't do everything... at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything." Dan Millman