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With the house building process finally in full swing Hubby and I decided that we probably needed to keep our vacations this year state-side, even though I am eager to collect more stamps in our (my) passport.

I have been asking for YEARS to go on a road trip to New Orleans as I have never been to Mississippi, Lousiana, or anywhere really in thag general area….

So after spending Easter with the family we headed out on our first road trip journey with a TODDLER in tow. We traveled through the night and arrived in our first destination, Pensacola, FL in the wee hours of the morning. Addie did very well and slept for much of the ride.

The next few days were spent with Waring’s sister and brother-in-law, Trish and Ryan. We went shopping, to the beach, and Ryan grilled us the best steak I think I have ever eaten! Visiting family was so relaxing, and it feels so great to just catch up.

After two nights in Pensacola we headed out to NOLA around 9pm. Addie once again slept the majority of the ride. We stayed in a Hilton Garden within walking distance to the French Quartee, but still out of the craziness.

The next morning we hit the ground running! We ate a nice breakfast downtown, took Addie to her first aquarium (she loved it), walked and window shopped in the French Quarter, strolled along the mighty Mississippi River, looked at art in Jackson Square and the French Quarter Market, ate a bug at the creepy-crawly insectarium, took a pedicab to dinner, ate BBQ, bought Addie some fleur di lis earrings from a local artisan, ate the local pralines, and then CRASHED in the hotel room!

The next morning we were at it again! We checked out of the hotel, drove to the zoo to see lots of animals, and then drove to the Hard Rock casino in Mobile for dinner and a magnet, and were on the road again. We made it back to our home in Georgia around 3am!! What a wonderfull whirlwind!

I didn’t really mean to take a two month blogging hiatus, it just happened. In my attempt to conquer the ever-growing to-do list, blogging has been seriously neglected. Here is my meager attempt to fill you in on the latest happenings:

The Good:

1. Visited two new states! (LA and MS)

2. Spring Break to Pensacola and NOLA was just the break from reality our little family needed.

3. Successfully argued my thesis for Ed.S graduation

4. Ate a bug! (It was on the bucket list…)

5. EASTER!

6. Beach days with Addie

7. Broke ground on our new home!

8. Addie. She brings so much laughter and love to each day. Her favorite things now are ELMO, Barney, Doc McStuffings, saying the color of EVERYTHING, letting the dogs out and calling them back in, playing in the DIRT, EATING, butterfly kisses, running, swinging, coloring. Love everything about this little girl.

The Bad & The Ugly: (this may not be the most appropriate title for this section because I know that God reveals his glory in ALL things.)

If it hasn’t been apparent by the lack of posts, the past several weeks have been challenging. Even with Spring Break, there have been several areas of life that have contributed to higher than normal stress levels! Anxiety at work has intensified with the upcoming high stakes testing season, finishing my thesis and preparing for oral defense has had my stomach in knots, building on the house has required constant communication with the bank and builder, and time for family and friends and fun has seemed to be scarce.

The loss of a dear family member this month has soften my heart and made me yearn for the kind of comfort that only the Holy Spirit can bring. He was such a sweet and spirited guy with a love for others and for life. I remember at Easter how Austin called for Addie to come and sit with him and give him a hug. Our last conversation he asked us how we liked our trip, and specifically if Addie had fun. He loved family and words can’t describe how he will be missed. My heart is struggling, but I know that all things work in His time and for His purpose. I know that God is showing me the importance of living in the moment each day and that I need to be intentional about the love, mercy, grace, and humility that I try to show others in my daily walk. We are called to live boldly for Christ, and I want to remember that each day and let Austin’s memory live on.

This week shall henceforth be referred to as Flu-mageddon in the Harvey household. I started feeling not too great last weekend and had the flu blown flu by Monday, which landed me out of school and out of commission until Thursday. How is it that I have made it this far in life and have never had the flu before? I don’t know….but I NEVER want it again.

To make matters worse, we were so worried that I may give it to Addie that my mom kept her from Monday until Thursday afternoon. Before this flu-event Addie had never spent the night away from home. She, of course, was well taken care of at Gigi and G-pa’s but we missed her like crazy….

The day I picked her up she had been running a fever, and by the next morning the doctor had confirmed our fears….. Addie had the flu. Today she has been in remarkably good spirits considering her nose is a continual snot fountain and her little croupy cough could rival a grown man’s. She has been playing around the house and making the most of her Saturday quarantined inside. I am praying for a good night’s rest and a speedy recovery all around.

The flu may have us down, but we are not overcome! I am thankful to have such a strong support system of family , friends, and colleagues eager to step into the gap when needed. God truly has taken great care of us this week.

I have always wanted to complete this wacky Tybee tradition, but never really found the time or energy on New Year’s Day to make it happen…until this year! Look who else I ropes into this adventure as well!! The poor guy has bee through a lot in the name of my crazy bucket list obsessions.

One down, 42 more items on the bucket list left to go!!

This morning we woke up this morning and Addie was in a mood to read and cook…so that is, of course, what we did!

Next we worked on our antique trunk ( a project that has become a Saturday tradition on and off for the past few weeks), and I did a little big of work on our taxes (yuck!) while Addie played outside with chalk and flowers!

For dinner Addie and I brought our hot date (hubby/daddy) to the Meldrim Methodist Church Youth Valentine’s Dinner.

Another good Saturday in the books!!

Wow! Another Addie-venture for us! We took Addie to see snow! Well…it wasn’t real snow, but it is the closest thing we have here in south Georgia.

We woke up, got a quick workout in and then went off to Madrac Farms! They had sledding slides, goats, campfires with s’mores, a snow ball fight, snacks, and even a visit from Elsa and Ana!! Addie had a blast!

After going home doing some taxes (blah…) hubby and I got to enjoy restaurant week at Leoci’s! We missed Addie (honestly) , but it was nice to get to hang out together for just a few hours! Oh yeah, and the food was delicious!

I LOVE my job, but this Christmas Break was one of the most needed in my teaching career thus far! Our entire family has been burning the candle at both ends, so it was nice to get to spend a few days with Addie and Hubby. Here are just a few things that we did during our time together:

-Taught Addie how to sleep in past 6am. (She is used to waking up at 5am with us for work!!!)

-Attempted to make some holiday baking classics (and a few new recipes) with Sis

-Shared LOTS of dinners, breakfasts, and lunches with family

-Had a FUN dinner with one of my FAVORITE people!

-Made Christmas crafts with Ryder and Parker

-Spent time with friends and family from out of town

-Spent 7 hours with a crew building Addie’s AWESOME new swing set (thanks Gigi and G-pa)

-Made tea with Addie in her new play kitchen (thanks Mimi and Papa)

-Pulled roots on our FUTURE PROPERTY

-Received our finalized blueprints to our NEW HOUSE

With such a great break it was easy to go to school with a smile on my face! I am so thankful for the chance to spend a few days with my favorite people. Here’s to an AMAZING 2015!

Christmas is only a couple of weeks away. What is on your CHRISTMAS LIST?

 

Check out our Christmas Bucket List To-Dos:

1. Make Christmas Cookies/Holiday Baking

2. Make Christmas Ornaments

3. See Christmas Lights

4. Christmas Pictures

5. Get a new Christmas Book

6. Get new Christmas PJs

7. Share with a family in need

8. Watch Christmas Vacation

9. Set up a Christmas Tree

10. Make an Advent Calendar

11. Make homemade Marshmallows

12. Drink Apple Cider

 

Life has never been crazier, but we have managed to add in a bit of fun to all of the hustle and bustle.

A couple of weeks ago I also had the opportunity to spend my planning with these beautiful girls. Jade and Erica were my “god daughters” from Beach and I have watched them grow into amazing young women in the past couple of years. If I ever feel like I am not making a difference I think about all of my time spent with them!