Hannah and Grace

Hannah spent the weekend with Mirva at William and Mary.

A good time was had by all.

They had a Hannah Brunch.

Pictured here, from left to right: Hannah, Hannah, Hannah

Meanwhile, in Batesville, Mississippi, Grace and company head to Arena One.

Arena One is the South's most exciting equine facility.

Thanks to William Cole and family for the invite.

Grace had a wonderful time!

Arena One

Grace also supported Rebekah Dean and Emily Sigler in their pageantry.

Rebekah was Top Ten at the Beauty Revue.

Emily is the new Miss Hospitality for Panola County.

Congratulations!

Then we got a FaceTime call from Grace.

Lucy did a poor job in containing her excitement.

Grace is now getting flowers from admirers.

Sorry, boys. She is a nun.

Winter Whiplash

The weather has been really unusual this winter.

It has gone back and forth from 72 to 17 (or 7) several times.

Susan and Samuel got caught in a freakish rain and hail storm

while walking back to the car from the grocery store (Sam's Club).

They both got soaked but no one was injured.

A little snack always helps one recover from such trauma.

A few days later we had a major winter storm with ice and snow and car wrecks;

lots and lots and lots of car wrecks.

Hannah stayed inside and, with Lynsey's help, made some gifts for friends

Then we all had shrimp and grits and thanked God for His providence,

Then it snowed some more.

Then it snowed some more.

The kids bundled up for the ride.

Richmond, VA can clear some roads.

Then this thing showed up and someone thought we should eat it.

Guess what happened next? Did you guess SNOW? You were right!

Annabelle took advantage of school cancellation to work on her reading.

(technically you have to read the lyrics to do karaoke, right?)

Matthew dropped in from Norfolk to see what was happening back at home.

Susan made 5 pans of cinnamon rolls three times.

Why are there none left?

Now the snow has melted again and we eagerly await springtime.

Prevenient Grace

I am always asking my older kids to send me some photos and stories about what they are up to all around the world. Grace does so unprompted. That is prevenient, Grace! Here she is with pal Bella.

Grace and Emily were hanging out with these cute PK's

(preacher's kids)

Tape on your nose can make you look porcine.

Grace helped Will stack his loose change.

Simple pleasures!

Mississippi snacking

Grace with new friends, Gene and Lillian

Grace and Martha toured the old homestead and discovered fur coats.

Call PETA!

Grace pledged Alpha Delta Pi!

First. Finest. Forever.

Alpha Delta Pi was founded by Eugenia Tucker on May 15, 1851,

making it the first secret society for women.

It was founded at Wesleyan Female College (Georgia Female College) in Macon, GA,

the first college in the world to grant degrees to women.

Contrast

While I worked the Thursday evening shift in the snow of Richmond,

Susan and Lucy drove to Virginia Beach for a gymnastics competition.

The next day was the big event. The Excalibur Cup is huge!

People come from all up and down the east coast.

This year there were many from other countries.

Looks like Lucy did well at Excalibur!

She came in fourth all around (and beat all the girls from Peru!).

When I got home Friday, Susan and I took Samuel to work out at the gym.

When we returned home, Lucy had arranged a Valentine's dessert for mom and dad.

Then the clouds began to dissipate and the sun shone through.