Back to Tennessee

We had a great time at DH's family reunion this past week in Gatlinburg, TN!



We started our trip staying with friends in Georgia overnight and were able to celebrate the Feast of the Two Hearts together. It was a lovely Feast Day, complete with the completion of our Novena, Sacred Heart Spritzers, a Sacred Heart Cheese Appetizer, and Pork Roast. We were all so tuckered out that we missed out on ice cream with strawberry hearts.



After our overnight in middle Georgia, we made the rest of the trip into Gatlinburg on Saturday. Word to the wise, if you are prone to motion sickness, come prepared. I should have gotten those wristbands because driving was no fun the entire week.

During our week stay, we visited with lots of family, saw the Ripley's Aquarium, trolleyed through the Smokey Mountain National Park, purchased local jams, ate at a wonderful Country restaurant, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, relished in Pearl playing with her cousins.



On our trip home, we stopped in Savannah, GA to visit another friend of ours. Her husband in currently deployed with the Army, and he had asked if his brother and DH would take his boat out for him while on tour. DH was happy to oblige:) The boys had great fun on the water and us girls got some sweet fellowship time.



Overall=a wonderful time!

Anne's Wedding

This past weekend, we headed up into North Georgia for the wedding of a household sister from college (similar to a sorority).


(Pablo and Anne, the newlyweds)

We left Thursday and stayed the night at my mama's and then spent Friday with her. We had a great visit and were able to help unpack some boxes as she settles into her new house. We decided that it is true that Pearl is allergic to her cats. The eczema flared back up and she was really itchy.

Saturday morning we got up super early and hit the road by 7AM. Pearl took one nap in the car...that was it. Yikes, I knew it was going to be a long day. We got into GA and found a place to stop for lunch and then went over to the church to dress and get some prayer time in before the Nuptial Mass.

It was a lovely ceremony and it was so nice to see a lot of college friends. Pearl took another quick nap before Mass started but after that was up for good. DH was awesome helping to handle a very cranky little girl. We traded off eating dinner and watching her run around.


(my household sisters)

She was terrified of the camera man; very unusual since she normally loves cameras. (She loves the clicky sound cameras make)

Pearl did dance a little which was fun to watch; I was able to visit with friends and get some pictures taken, and then we saw that she was fading fast, so we made a fast exit and headed to a friend's house who was putting us up for the night.

My former youth director! His family hosted us and it was so nice to see them as well. Got a little sleep and then up for Sunday Mass. Visited a bit more with them and then headed back home to Florida. A long 8 hour drive. Pearl did better on the ride back then up there. She got two and half naps in which really helped her mood. She played with her toys better and enabled DH and I switch off driving too. Normally I have to be on call in the back seat, but we were able to switch and I took a 3 hour shift.

A long trip, but so worth it to see my friends, witness Anne's marriage, and visit with family.


(Michelle, a bridesmaid, and she was one of my senior year roommates; hadn't seen each other since graduation!)