Hurricane Michael, San Fran, and other shenanigans

The past 2 weeks have been nuts. Starting 2 weeks ago, Hurricane Michael decided to blow in on the Gulf Coast at Cat 4 speed. It annihilated Mexico Beach and Panama City beach and brought it's hurricane force winds ALL the way up through south GA. Fortunately, it veered slightly west and Valdosta. We just caught some outer bands of rain and strong wind. Unfortunately, Albany, Thomasville, Bainbridge, Tifton, and other communities in that area were hit hard. Cotton crops and pecan trees were destroyed and many were without power for many days. The kids were out of school that Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

You might think that the school break was terrible, but honestly, it was nice to have a break from the afternoon activities and to get to spend some indoor quality time with the kids before we left for San Francisco Friday morning. On the 12th, Worth and I left the kids with his parents and hopped a flight to California. Worth had an ASA meeting out there and we met up with the Simrils and Hughes. We were out there for 5 days.

San Francisco was lots of fun and LOTS of walking/touring. The guys were in classes all day, so the girls just toured every day. We had amazing breakfast and coffee every morning, revisited the Golden Gate bridge, we want to Gheradelli, did a walking Chinatown tour, shopped in Union Square, went to Candytopia (a candy museum exhibition,) talked for hours, and  just enjoyed our time together. It was good being with those 2 girls, but we certainly missed the rest of our crew.

Upon returning to Valdosta around 11pm on Tuesday night, Worth and I couldn't get to sleep because we were still on California time. Needless to say, the jet lag really kicked in Wednesday and the remainder of the week. I think coming back in the middle of the week was quite difficult for post pacific time zone recovery.

These pictures and videos cover the last 2 weeks.

This cutie pie had a parent observation at dance. She will be one cute toy doll in the Nutcracker this year. 

Just a little entertainment by Mack while we await Hurricane Michael's arrival:

So impressive every time I see it. 

Me, Emily, and Nicole. We got an awesome young girl to take our picture. She did a great job! 

We ate some unbelievable breakfasts. 

Avocado is everywhere in San Fran. 

The coffee was pretty spectacular as well. 

Grace Cathedral. We walked up to it and began to walk in before we realized it was a Sunday morning and they were actually having a mass in there. Oops!

Chinatown!

I can't tell you enough how good it was to be with these friends!

Candytopis!! We were THE ONLY adults there without kids, but it was fun. Ellie and Emma begged me to go and take lots of picture, so I did. (and got quite a loot of candy for them)

Everything was made out of candy. It looked like a lot of painstaking work went into it. 

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"scoop dog"

the "Art Gallery"

Of course they had an exhibit of Willy Wonka!

I got a few close ups of the candy pieces. It really was awe inspiring. 

The red is gummy bears

Prince's hair was licorice

There was an "under the sea" area. 

Once again, this is ALL candy

The girls were really excited to see this unicorn

There was even a pig that pooped confetti

The marshmallow pit. Yes, we got in. It was gross 

On our tour bus out to Muir Woods, the driver stopped for a short time on the other side of the bridge. I got some other spectacular views from there - minus the city trash everywhere. 

We made it to the woods. It was a long WINDY road, and no cell service, but we made it and it was phenomenal. 

The pictures don't do justice to the trees. 

Our "over packers" Emily and Ross

Our precious friends, Jonathan and Nicole, who are the epitome of strength during this most difficult time in their life. They are determined to turn the tragedy into positive and live purposefully for their girls.   

Just to get an idea on size of trees

The air was amazingly crisp and clean up there. It was so quiet and peaceful and  smelled of trees and sap. It was a nice break from the craziness of the city. 

The morning after we returned from San Fran, Mack had a pumpkin patch visit with his class. 

His sweet class with their principal, Mrs. Morgan. 

His 2 teachers jumped in this picture, Ms. Tish, and Ms. Miranda

He got to pick a small one to take home. 

Double trouble, Mack and Luke. 

Mack asked me to take a picture of his new haircut and "send it to daddy and Mia" 

Being Bean Boozled was the entertainment this past weekend:

So far, Ellie's volleyball team is undefeated. I missed their first game because I was in San Fran. This was after their 2nd game this past Thursday and they won again yesterday. 

They are almost done painting our house. We are just waiting on the new front door!

This girl has a book every chance she gets. 

Emma rocked it at her soccer game Saturday. She scored 3 points for her team. She played so well, the coach from the opposing team came up to me after the game and told me she was a good player and hustled hard. Her team lost that game, so when this coach approached Emma to tell her how good of a player she was (after he spoke to me) she semi ignored him. (She is so competitive)

UGA vs. Vols and Fall Break 2018

I missed posting last Sunday because we had been in Athens all weekend for the Tennessee game. When we got home and were done with the whirlwind of unpacking the car, preparing for the week, and getting Ellie to her Sunday night bible study I was beyond brain dead.

So, the week of September 24th started out rough. That Monday we said goodbye to Freddie. He was suffering so much and the after the vet looked at him Monday, he agreed that it was time. It was heartbreaking. Worth and I could not bear to be there for the actual procedure so we left him in the hands of our wonderful vet who has always treated Freddie like he was his own cat. Freddie will be cremated and his ashes will be spread in a garden that is affiliated with the pet crematory here in Valdosta. Ellie took it the worst, she cried all Monday morning and then as soon as she got in the car from school. We forfeited all activities that day and I took the kids to get frozen yogurt and celebrate the good times we had with Freddie. We all cried and laughed and had a good afternoon together remembering the pet that my kids have known their entire lives. That night, Ellie had trouble sleeping and so I had to lay down with her until she could calm down and get herself to sleep. I do believe she was upset about Freddie, but I also feel a lot of it was repeat emotions from this summer. I know it was for me.

We ended the week on a good note, however, heading to Athens for UGA vs. TENN game. The Berrymans graciously hosted us again, and it was as wild as usual with all the cousins together. We celebrated Grey's 2nd birthday and the kids were thrilled to be there with him for it.

Saturday, the Hughes family came to Athens and met us at the tailgate to hang out before the game. It was so good to see them and to spend time with them again. I would love to say Nicole is doing good, but it isn't true. She misses Levi, and hurts daily. I want so bad to change that, but the more and more that summer tragedy sinks in, the more I'm realizing how little we have control of anything in our lives. I am grasping more that I must soak up each moment, because no matter what you do to protect your family or yourself, anything can happen at any moment, and it can't be changed. All I know to do for Nicole is to be there for her and to be myself. That is all I can give them at this point.

Sunday, on our way out of town, we stopped by Amos and Anna's house to hang out with them for a bit and see sweet baby Hardy. The girls fought the entire time for his attention, and I do think Hardy thoroughly enjoyed it. He really is the happiest baby.

This past week we were back on a somewhat normal schedule. Emma went on a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee on Tuesday (I couldn't attend because I had a crazy work schedule that day.) She said it was so much fun, I went with Ellie's class when Ellie was in 2nd grade and it was a very cool space and science center. Volleyball practice is going strong for Ellie and her first game is this Thursday (Oct. 11th.) She is loving it so far, so we'll see how things go once games get started.

Friday was fall break for the girls and Mack. Our neighbor's little boy, Mason, came over and spent a couple of hours with Mack while Worth was home on Friday, and the girls and I went to pick up groceries and spend Ellie's Wal Mart gift card. Saturday we headed up to Hahira for the Honeybee festival. It was very hot, but lots of fun. The girls did some rock climbing and spent their money on homemade slime. Mack rode a pony and got a leather Go Dawgs belt with his name engraved on it. There were so many arts and crafts booths and activities for the kids, as well as food and treats. We were there for almost 2 hours and still never got around to all of it. There was a parade, but we decided to leave prior to that happening as we were all hot, sweaty, and exhausted by that point.

Today was Ellie's first Sunday as an acolyte. She did so good! At the end she got a little caught up singing the closing hymn and almost missed exiting. She was so precious. She looked so tiny up there. Worth would not allow me to take pictures, so there is no photo proof. She did good though and even made it through communion by herself!

We will miss this sweet boy. 

Ellie couldn't even look up at me to smile with him for a last picture. She was so heartbroken. 

Ellie wasn't the only one with a birthday gift card burning a hole in her pocket. Mack finally got a chance to spend his last week. I try to stay away from Walmart at all costs, but seeing them so excited to spend their gift cards is pretty fun. 

Mack had a death grip on his card. He wouldn't even let me hold it for him. 

Ellie had a parent observation night at dance. I got to see her in her Nutcracker costume as a Gingerbread Girl. 

Ellie's friend from church and dance,  Jane. 

In Athens with all the cousins together. 

I can't believe this little guy is 2! 

I promise Grey was not injured in this picture. Jay was just guiding his head to blow out the candle. 

Lily and Ellie

Bowers and Hughes girls

Great day with even greater friends

Worth and Ellie headed into the game. 

My seat partner for the game. We ate a lot of junk food and sweated a bunch!

Sunday fun day with Hardy!

Hardy getting Emma

Emma can't resist getting a hug when she gets the opportunity. 

Sweet cousins

Ellie bought a cash register with her gift card.

She was all dressed up for Wal Mart. She even sported some press on nails for the occasion. She fit right in. 

Italian ice and a little break from the walking at the Honeybee Festival. 

Emma had a hard time on the rock wall because she was a little too short to reach. 

Ellie climbed pretty quickly

i missed the picture, but Emma almost made it all the way to the top. They gave her more than the 2 tries we paid for. They were so nice, and were even cheering her on. 

Ellie made it to the top twice and could barely move her arms after it was over. they were so fatigued. 

Mack was too small for the rock wall, so he opted for a pony ride. 

Hollywood, always camera ready!

Emma's teacher sent this of their sweet class at the learning center.