#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! 

#odellspringbreak2015, Hattiesburg!

We left New Orleans Sunday morning after enjoying beignets at Cafe du Monde.  We arrived in Hattiesburg in time to eat lunch with some sweet friends.  

Bianchi's was one of our favorite places to eat while we lived there, and the Morgans and the Gunters are some of our favorite people, so it was just perfect!  Only, the time went by way too fast! 

After lunch we rode out to see some more sweet friends, the Berteaus.  Look at those happy faces.  So glad to be reunited! 

They had the best afternoon riding and playing.  

Sunday night, we met up with lots of sweet friends for supper at Canes.  Flat Stanley got to meet Miss Sarah, which is a privilege in itself! 

Tilly's friend, Hannah, and her family popped by for a visit.  

And here's the whole crew.  Love these faces.  So much.  They have touched our lives in ways they will never know.  We love them big! 

After supper, David took Carter to spend the night with his favorite friend, Peyton.  Those two have been together since T-one, and they have the sweetest friendship.  While we were in Hattiesburg, Carter got to spend two nights with his friend.  So special.  

And then, I got to see this girl.  What a treasure she is to me!  Sherry is the kind of friend you meet and you know you will be friends forever.  She is so real and so genuine and you always know exactly what you will get with her.  I love that!  We sat at Starbucks and laughed and talked and drank coffee, and the time was gone in a blink! I am forever grateful for the many ways she has invested and poured into my life.  Whew, Sunday was a full day! 

Monday morning, we drove Story to PCS preschool to see her classmates.  She was so bashful! But they were sooo glad to see her.  One sweet little girl said, "Story! We have missed you so much!" I thought I would burst into tears on the spot! Here is Story with Miss Gin, her teacher.  Oh, how we love her! 

Monday afternoon, we drove the big three to PCS to see their classmates and friends.  Here is Summer with Mrs. Davis, her sweet teacher and Flat Stanley, ha! 

And Tilly with Sarah and Sarah Ann.  

And next few pictures, well these are my girls.  For the last two years, I have worked at PCS with the sweetest ladies in all the land.  They have been so precious to me, and I think about them daily and miss them so much!

Beth Ann started coming to the Bible study I led at church on Wednesday nights, and I am so thankful for her friendship.  She loves our children so well, too! 

And this girl, she's been my partner in crime for the last school year, and I miss laughing daily with her!  I got to see my students in Mrs. Brock's class, too, and it just made my day.  I got the sweetest hugs ever! 

PCS, we love you and are so thankful for the way you have invested in our family through the lives of our children.  We will forever be thankful for our time on this campus! 

Monday afternoon, Story got to go see her friend Mallory, while I took the big girls to the park with some other friends.  Story has been asking for Mallory and talking about Mallory ever since we planned our trip back to MS.  She was so glad to see her! 

Meanwhile, we were at the park with the King girls.  We love them so much, too!  It was such a great few days seeing so many people whom we love so much.  While we were in Hattiesburg, we stayed with the Powells, who lived across the street from us.  They are like family, and we love them so. Tuesday morning after breakfast at Cracker Barrel with the Brelands, we hit the road east towards Georgia.   

#odellspringbreak2015, New Orleans!

Our spring break got off to an early start due to a commitment David made before we moved to Arkansas.  However, on the Thursday before we left, David got to speak in chapel at Arkansas Baptist.  

Carter got to introduce him beforehand.  I love how proud our little fella looks! It was also spring picture day, hence the lack of uniforms.  

 David shared with the children a passage from the OT.  He used the Jesus Storybook Bible to tell the story.  If you don't have this book, it's a must.  It's our all time favorite! 

After school, we packed up our car and hit the road south towards New Orleans for the weekend.  David was to be the speaker for a city wide DNOW at First Baptist New Orleans.  

I love this bridge that crosses over the Mississippi River, so pretty! We arrived in New Orleans by mid-afternoon.  It's really not a bad drive from where we live now, which is good to know because you know how much we love New Orleans! 

 David had a speaking engagement Friday night, so he and Carter took off not long after we got settled.  The girls and I stayed behind at the seminary.  

 We played on the playground and took baths early, so we could get a good night's sleep.  

 This sweet girl popped in for a visit Friday night.  Callie was a student at USM in Hattiesburg, but she has since moved back to New Orleans and is studying at UNO.  She went to our church while in MS and came to a Bible study at our house on Thursday nights.  I adore this girl, and it was so great to see her! 

Saturday morning, we all went with David to the morning session at DNOW.  

 We ate lunch at this place.  It's one of our all time favorites.  Best po boys in the city in our humble opinion! 

We spent a lot of time on the playground.  Tilly loved the rock wall.  Summer loved the merry - go - round. And Story impressed us all with her monkey bar skills! 

 Carter made a new friend at the DNOW weekend.  Xa, short for Xavier, took Carter under his wing, and Carter had the best time following him around all weekend.  

 It was so much fun to watch our children worship! The big 3 can read the words on the screen and they sang their little hearts out! 

 Carter and Xa.  

 With the big girls, too.  

 Our family.  We had the best time at the DNOW weekend.  It was fun to meet some new friends and spend a weekend worshiping together as a family.  

 Saturday night after DNOW, we headed to the quarter to Mulate's for some live cajun music.  Carter was invited onto the stage to sing with the band by the restaurant owner! So cool! 

 And we also put away some yummy bread pudding! 

 Sunday morning, we left the seminary, but not before getting a picture of Summer and Flat Stanley in front of the chapel.  Flat Stanley had quite an adventure over spring break! 

Cafe du Monde was our last stop in New Orleans before heading out of town.  After a yummy breakfast, we headed east to Hattiesburg to spend a couple of days with our friends there! As you can tell, our spring break week is off to a great start!