Chilling at the airport...around 11:00 pm. It was a red eye flight and so Bobo and Dev slept the whole way on the first flight. When we arrived, Bobo said, "When are we going to fly?"
A very warm welcome from Papa D! (Andrew's dad)
We had a fun driving tour on the way home going past all of Andrew's houses he once lived in and the school's he attended. One startling image was seeing the YMCA. It was here that he was a summer lifeguard and played hours and hours of basketball in the gym. What we saw was a shutdown building and all of it overgrown...looking as thought there had never been any life. There was another couple of blocks with abandoned houses without doors and windows, it was really sad and made me realize what a sheltered life we lead in CA.
(Deveraux tried the famous Krystal burger)
Papa D and Tia's kitchen...in Hazelhurst, MS
After sharing a meal, we all headed outside to explore!
Milk dud, a dog loved by the kids while we were there.
Andrew "reliving" an old job of his....killing the ant beds
Deveraux said she loved running in the grass, the yard, being bare toed...they had freedom of playing and just going in and out and all around.
Papa D has a wonderful way of being present and just watching with engagement.
Teaching them about drawing straws and picking numbers to see who goes first on the tractor!
I looked at Dev that morning and realized those pants used to be long..had to take a pic...
They have a big yard!
Making fruit pizza
Now that is licking the pan!
Tia thought she would help him!
The tree stump in the front was a tree that fell in the middle of this house during their last hurricane!
Had to take a picture of Pips Lips in the gas station
A home we went into with a framed photo of the Obamas along with all their family photos!
It's hair cutting time! A highlight is going to the Upper Room and receiving a Tia cut and style!
How many hair dressers give a free spin at the end!
We met up with Susan, Andrew's sister for lunch at a dinner made famous for being in the movie,
"The Help."
Tia called Deveraux, Monique (Monie for short), her assistant and she got to work on Papa D!
I wanted to look like a Mississippi lady with my hair under the dryer. We left the shop that night around 9:30...but happy with haircuts! I felt like I had hair again and a style after 10 months...Tara blesses every time with a renewed look and I am so grateful!! It is amazing how a cut and style can be such a lifter!
A concert...
"Holy Holy"....
Singing with Tia
Hannah, Deveraux's cousin
Pealing craw fish!
only in the south....
Aunt Amanda and the first time meeting Ella Grace
Uncle Johm, Andrew's brother
Uncle John showing Bobo how to play drums!
Next stop that night was Aunt Phyllis, Hannah's mom. It was really good to re-connect and see our Mississippi family and for Deveraux and Bobo to have time with all of them.
So a big project I did while in Hazelhurst was a porch make-over. It was not planned and Tara now says I was there 5 minutes and next thing I was moving furniture off her porch. I can't even remember how it all started, but about 20 cans of spray paint later, we had a beautiful porch.
Everyone got in on the finishing touches...
Tara said she was so blessed, I was so glad to be there so I could do it. We all wanted to hang out on the porch when it was complete!
Good to be in Papa D and Tia's home. We stayed here most of our days in Mississippi, it is our kiddos grandparents home and now they have a picture in their heads of this place that will be there for them next time. Blessed indeed....next stop...Natches, MS
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