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

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.