Weekend in Marmaduke!

After grandparent's day was over, we were able to take the children home from school.  So we hurried to our house, and ate a quick lunch and hit the road to NEA.  David was to be the speaker at a Wild Game Supper on Saturday night in Marmaduke, where we first began his ministry 15 years ago.  

 On the way to Marmaduke, we drove through Jonesboro, so the children could see where Daddy went to college.  

 He went to Arkansas State University and graduated the December before we got married.  

 NEA selfie with my favorite.  

 We made it to Marmaduke in no time and enjoyed seeing so many sweet friend.  The Marmaduke Lady Greyhounds won the state title this year, and we couldn't be more proud for them! 

 Many were up at the church setting up for the Wild Game Supper.  

 The children and Miss Lana had fun playing with all the big horns.  

 Saturday morning, we took the children to the park to burn off some energy.  I've walked many a lap around this park in the early morning hours before work. So many good memories.  

 We spent a lot of time with the Long girls.  Their whole family is so special to us, and their girls love our children so well.  This is Bethany.  She is getting ready to go to Africa for 8 weeks next month! So exciting! 

 David spent a lot of time with this guy.  We call him Brother Kim.  He's super special, too! He officiated our wedding a few years ago ;)

 Here's the other Long girl, Hannah! We love her so! 

 Here we are with both of them.  The Wild Game Supper was a big success.  We loved spending time with sweet friends in Marmaduke, a place that will forever hold special memories for our family.  As soon as David was done talking, we hit the road back to our house.  

Sunday morning at our church, we had a special guest! David's college roommate, and his family surprised us by joining us for worship.  It was such a treat to see them! Such a fun weekend full of time with so many special people! 

Grandparent's Day!

Last Friday was Grandparent's Day at the children's school, and for the first time ever, we had real grandparents in attendance! The children were beside themselves with excitement! Papa and Gigi have never seen our children in performance action, so it was fun to watch the children through their eyes, too! 

 Tilly and Story's classes performed first, and it was so cute.  Tilly was a tomato, and she was hilarious in true Tilly fashion! Story was a pea, and none of my pictures picked her up on camera very well, but I could see her ;)

 Right after Tilly and Story's classes finished, Carter and Summer's classes came onto the stage.  They did a wonderful job, too! 

They were positioned on opposite sides of the stage, but thankfully, we could see them very well.  They all did a wonderful job! After the program, Papa had to run to work, but Gigi was able to stay and walk to each of the children's classes and see some of their work and meet their teachers.  

 Carter was so excited to show Gigi around his classroom.  They got to do a scavenger hunt together to make sure they saw everything.  So fun! 

 I saw this on Carter's desk and had to take a picture to send to Peyton's mom.  Peyton is Carter's very favorite friend in all the land.  They have the sweetest friendship!

Carter's diorama was on display in the hallway, and we got to take it home.  He got an A+ on his project, and we are so proud! 

 Next, we went to Tilly's room to see where she spends her time.  Tilly is doing really well and loves her new class in Arkansas.  Her teacher, Mrs. Slayton is especially awesome!

 There's our little pea! Story's room is right across the hall from Tilly's.  I love that they are so close! 

 And last but not least, Summer! Her room is just down the hall from her two sisters, so great! 

Summer's Flat Stanley poster was on display in the hallway for Gigi to see.  She did such a great job!

After we visited all the classrooms, we headed to a reception in the gym.  Gigi's good friend and hair dresser put together the reception, so it was fun for her to meet our four little ones.  And there you have it, Grandparent's Day, 2015 in the books! 

Easter weekend.

Easter is one of my favorite holidays! I love making memories with my family and talking about the importance of what Jesus did for us and His resurrection.  Our weekend got off to an early start because we had Good Friday off.  So nice! 

 The Thursday before, the children got to wear their favorite team jerseys in honor of the Final Four weekend.  Look at those little bulldawgs! Friday, Carter and Tilly had eye appointments, and the rest of us stayed home to clean.  Friday afternoon Papa took the children home with him when we got off work, and David and I had the staff and deacons fellowship meal.  It was so much fun! 

 Saturday morning, we made resurrection rolls, one of our favorite Easter traditions.  After breakfast, we headed over to Papa and Gigi's for lunch and fun with our cousins.  We enjoyed a picnic at the park, and then we headed out to hunt some Easter eggs.  

 Story stopped to open hers to check out the loot first, ha! Saturday night, we enjoyed supper with Papa and Gigi while we watched the Final Four basketball game.  

 Sunday morning, David headed out early because our church had two services for Easter.  The children and I stayed behind to wait for the Sunday School hour and the second service.  Aren't they sweet?  

 I heart my husband.  He met us at the car when we arrived at church and immediately had someone take our picture.  He knows me so well!  One of my favorite things about Easter is looking at everyone's family pictures from the day.  We had lots of guests at church with us on Easter.  Papa and Gigi were there along with the Calhouns.  And Aunt Karen came for the first time and cousin Drew.  It was so special to have so many family members present for this special day.  After church, we went back to Papa and Gigi's for a yummy Easter lunch.  

All the cousins, minus little Josie.  The children had fun making a fun Easter treat.  It was such a special weekend remembering all that Jesus has done for us and enjoying so much time with family.  

#odellspringbreak2015, Georgia on my mind!

We made it to Mama's house about 8:00 on that Tuesday night once we left Hattiesburg.  Wednesday, we hung around Mama's house all day playing. 

We spent a lot of time with this girl!  We love our cousin, Keri, and are so thankful she got to spend the day with us.  

David was on the hunt for a G to put on his new cooler, and we found one! 

Flat Stanley got to see the Turpentine Still built by my great grandfather in 1930.  Pretty cool, don't you think?

Thursday, our little family took a day drive to Savannah for the day.  We drove across the Talmadge Bridge just so we could say we were in South Carolina.  

And of course, we took Flat Stanley's picture with the sign.  

Next, we headed over to River Street to do some sight seeing.  

We ate lunch at our favorite, Spanky's.  Their chicken fingers and spuds are amazing! 

We took a family picture on River Street after hitting up River Street Sweets for some salt water taffy and pralines.  

Then, we drove out to Tybee Island for ice cream and a walk out on the pier.  We saw some surfers, who didn't seem to mind the colder water.  We also saw someone who caught a sting ray on their fishing pole.  

Flat Stanley had his picture made with the Atlantic Ocean.  

I had to take a Savannah selfie with my favorite.  

Then, we drove to the other part of the beach to the Tybee Island Lighthouse.  And we climbed it!  All 178 steps of it, whew! 

It was quite windy at the top, as you can see.  We tried to climb it last year when we went to Savannah on spring break, but it was closed because they were repainting it.  

It's so pretty, don't you think?

My little family, plus Flat Stanley.  

Friday, we spent the day with Mama, and took her out to eat that night at one of her favorite places.  On the way for supper, we stopped at Pittman Park UMC, where I grew up, so Flat Stanley could take his picture there.  

They had the pretty crosses out for Easter.  

This church holds so many special memories for me.  From Girl Scout troop meetings to youth group events to high school graduation celebrations.  

And, David and I were married here on January 5, 2002, at 3:00 PM.  This little chapel behind where Summer is standing is the first place David and I saw each other on the day of our wedding.  

Saturday morning, we got up to head back home.  It was a long drive from Mama's house in South GA to our house in Arkansas.  Thankfully, it was on the interstate the whole way, so we didn't have to drive on any little back roads.  As always, this sign is a welcome sight.  We had a wonderful spring break with our family and are so thankful for yet another safe journey home! 

#odellspringbreak2015, Selma, AL.

When we left Hattiesburg, we decided to go a new way to Georgia, which we won't do again because it took way longer, but we were able to do something really cool that we would not have been able to do had we gone the regular route.  

 We got to drive through Selma, AL.  The week before we were there marked the 75th anniversary of the original march over the Edmund Pettus bridge, resulting in "bloody Sunday."

 First, we drove over the bridge as we entered the town, which was powerful in itself.  

 But, then we got out and walked across.  It was incredible.  I don't really have the words to describe this event.  We did our best to explain to the children the significance of the bridge and the event, but I fear we didn't do it justice.  

 After leaving the bridge, we drove over to Brown Chapel, where the marchers gathered first.  

 It's really a beautiful building.  I wish we'd taken the time to inside, but I think you have to schedule a tour, and there was a large group already outside.  

Brown Chapel is where Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke so many years ago.  I am so thankful we were able to share with our children this important piece of history.  I was so thankful to experience it myself!