January 14th

January 14th was the 5 year anniversary of momma's passing. Can't believe it. So much has happened since then, but I still remember it like yesterday. I cherish that last week with her, being by her bedside 24 hours a day and was so blessed to have Debbie Parker and Martha Long as my administrators, allowing this to happen. God knew I needed to be at Parkview that year of school and placed Mrs. Almyra Johnson at mommas house that summer before to encourage me to apply that summer. I never would have considered PBS until she told me pay was raised and benefits were offered. It is truly amazing to look back and see God's work in my life and how he perfectly orchestrated every decision and move I've made. We serve a mighty God. I miss her dearly everyday, but I have no guilt or regrets because of our God. I love you momma and I cannot wait to see you again. I soooo much to tell you! XOXO

Catching Up!

So where do I begin to catch up this blog? So much has happened since the last post so I'll keep it short and sweet. May of 2011, Brandt graduated from Meridian Community College and finished the MCC golf season in Odessa, TX. MCC did not have a great tournament, but he ended his JUCO college being named NJCAA Player of the Year, also known as the Jack Nicklaus Award. Brandt, Sean (his MCC Coach) and I flew to the PGA tournament "The Memorial" in Columbus, Ohio and Brandt was given the award by Jack Nicklaus himself. We were treated like royalty. It was such a great experience. I'll have to come back later with more details. Our summer (2011) was the usual with traveling with Brandt to golf tournaments. He played the "Spirit of America" in Decatur, AL, the Louisiana Open, and some Baton Rouge tournaments. I started writing grants for PBS this summer and left the classroom to become the Elementary Curriculum/Technology Coach. The Fall of 2011, Brandt became a Ragin' Cajun at University of Louisiana, Lafayette. We had a great year planning for the wedding. It was so much fun spending time with Katie and helping her make decisions about one of the best days of her life. It seems like yesterday when she was born and now she is married. Because of Brandt's All-American awards, he was invited to participate in the Patriot All-America golf tournament in Arizona in December. He played in memory of a fallen soldier from Louisiana. It was such an amazing tournament. Dec. 2011 was the very first tournament. We met Brandel Chamblee from The Golf Channel. This past Dec. (2012) some of the tournament was on ESPN. Brandt did not play this one. October 7, 2011 was Katie and Ryan's wedding. It was amazing. Everything was perfect. We couldn't have asked for better weather. There was a wonderful turnout of family and friends and the night flew by. I almost blew it though. I had rented a cake pedestal for the bride's cake and paid for it in full a few months before the wedding in case I needed someone to go get it for me. The afternoon of the wedding, we took some things out to the plantation and as Danny and I were heading back to the house I realized I had not picked up the pedestal. It was 4:45 and the rental place closed at 5:00. We are on George O'Neal in the Friday afternoon traffic, so I call to see if they will wait for us, we were on our way. I was told no, they had to close when the other shop in with them closed. Long story short, I got there at about 2 mins. to 5:00 and got the pedestal. Whew!!! That was a close one! I have to say though, that was the only problem of the day. Chad worked at Sherwood Country Club for a while, but now he isn't working. He is looking for a job, he's just a little picky about what he wants to do. I'm going to do my best to blog more frequently so I don't have so much to catch up on. LOL!!! Stay tuned!

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.