Goodbyes are hard to do

Thursday January 24 marked the end of a chapter for me. For 6 years, 2 months and 3 days, I worked with County Commissioner Al Higginbotham, District 4. While working with him, I got married, bought a house, had a baby and grew up. Thinking back on my beginnings with Al, I realize how much I've grown mentally, professionally, emotionally, etc. 

My amazing coworker, Eli, coordinated the aides of all the commissioners to take a group photo with me. Also included are awesome staff who support the BOCC and have been there my entire time at the County. 

The day was really hard. I cried several times and I felt like I was leaving my family. Al has been such a mentor and guide that sometimes I feel like he is a second father. As I move onto different challenges, I will always look back at the County and Al with great fondness.

January 19, 2013

Today Matt and I decided to take Maxon to Busch Gardens. It was so fun. We went to Sesame Street where Matt chased Maxon around to get some energy out. Then we walked over to the tiger exhibit, where we saw two tigers fighting over a spot in the sun. From there we walked to the Edge of Africa, where we saw the hippo swim around and the lion sunbathing.

Maxon saw the lion and said, "Daddy, I want you to throw me to the lion." We explained that the lion would think Maxon was steak and that wasn't a good idea.

January 12

Today we decided to "pick strawberries in the garden," as Maxon says. Michele, Mandi, Matt and I took all 8 kids to pick strawberries at a u-pick hydroponic farm. The strawberries are grown in the pillars with no pesticides so they are bigger and beautiful. The kids enjoyed trying to find the biggest, ugliest, reddest, etc.

Each adult had 2 kids to walk around with. These were my two.

January 7, 2013

Today I was off work and took Maxon to Magic Kingdom. The big boy wanted to ride the new Ariel ride in the New Fantasyland. After we got our fast pass to go back later, we walked over to see the dance party by the castle. Maxon  was jumping and dancing in his stroller but did not want to dance with the characters when we got close. After that, we saw Woody and Maxon showed him the Mickey shaped confetti he got at the dance party. After Woody we rode Ariel and visited with Mickey Mouse. After that, Maxon was ready for a nap.

Things he said:

When driving up to pay for parking, he said "Mommy you get your fast pass?"
When taking a photo with Mickey, he said "Mommy you come on too!"

This winter, we took our first family vacation as the three of us. Matt finished school and we headed out. Our first stop was Savannah. We got two parking tickets for apparently not knowing how to park in downtown (street sweepers come through Saturday mornings). We visited my Great-Grandmother's old house, where my dad used to sit on the back porch and watch the car dealership unload cars onto the lot. We walked along the River and rode the ferry over to the hotel to see the Gingerbread House competition. We walked all through the squares and looked at all the fun parks! 

We went to Paula Deen's restaurant to put in our reservation first thing in the morning. When we got there, we found out they were giving out free buffet if you gave blood. My husband gave blood and while I waited, I stood in line to see Paula Deen! She was in town for one day signing her new cookbook. After 4 hours of waiting, she signed our ornaments and cookbooks and said my son was the cutest thing. What a great memory! 

Savannah is such a beautiful town and a great start to the vacation. 

Maxon on the road trip 

First time using Maxon's backpack. 

 

Meeting Paula Deen and sons

Forsyth Park 

Our next stop was Charleston, where we stayed for two days. We drove across the bridge every morning, which Matt and Maxon loved. We visited Fort Sumter, the aquarium, and the Battleship and submarine. so fun.

From Charleston, we drove to Asheville to see the Baltimore all decorated for Christmas. Let me tell you, WORTH IT! They had trees and lights everywhere and choirs singing Christmas carols. The only downside was that Maxon couldn't be in his stroller and he is heavy. By the end, we just wanted to go put him down. 

 Our final stop was Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. Matt's parents met us here and we did the light show after the gardens closed. So great. Maxon stayed awake the whole ride and we saw an hour's worth of lights.

We drove home on Christmas Eve and got here just in time for C