With the exception of our oldest son, Seth, we spent Holy Week in Georgia, barely making it home in time for Keats to change clothes and head to Easter Vigil with Seth on Saturday night. Our original plan was to drive home on Good Friday so we’d have a day to get ready for Easter, but crazy tornado-filled storms delayed our return. I had hoped to attend Easter Vigil as well, but decided to stay home and unpack and then iron all the younger kids’ clothing for Mass the following morning. The girls needed to arrive at 7 am to rehearse with the children’s choir, so there wouldn’t be much time for getting ready Sunday morning unless I wanted to get up at an unreasonable hour. Mabel started throwing up late that night, and the following morning Larkspur was really sick as well. So, in the end, I didn’t attend Easter Mass at all. I spent Sunday taking care of sick kids and disinfecting bathrooms. We finally celebrated Easter mid-week, and I feel like I’m almost recovered from it all. But, the house is a mess, and I can’t seem to get all the laundry washed. I’m praying that Mary Poppins arrives soon because I’m in over my head.
We spent four days in Georgia, and you can tell from my photos that we spent the first couple days with Jonny’s family because there are somewhat organized group photos. My energy had faded by the time we got to my family’s side of town (our family is spread around suburbs of Atlanta) and I stopped attempting to make children stand in groups and look at the camera. In fact, I hardly pulled my camera out at all. Most of my family is absent from my photos. Next trip, we’ll have to reverse things and start with them. I’m more of a candid photographer anyway, and anytime I attempt to take group photos they are crooked and cropped funny, with half the kids looking away or making weird faces. The funniest moment I captured might have been when Mabel insisted that my sister, Angie, read to her from Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience. Of course, that didn’t last long.
I’ve been saying all along that Mabel is a blond version of Jonny’s mom and looking through her baby book on this trip confirmed that. Judy, on Easter 1951 with her hands on her hips is so Mabel. Same eyes, same mouth, and dare I say, same sass. I love that.
There are pink lady’s slipper orchids naturalized in the woods behind my sister Abby’s house. I feel the need to mention them because they are somewhat rare and considered “unusual” in Georgia (in quotes because I read that on Wikipedia). I should also confess that I can’t place all the blame for my messy house on the trip and subsequent illness. I’ve been spending as much time as I can outdoors working in my flower beds. My kids asked me yesterday if this is what gardening is: digging up plants and moving them to new places every spring. I’ll get it right eventually.
I finished knitting a shawl on the trip, and am working on one I started ages ago now. It’s time to start some new projects, though that might have to wait until later this spring. This weekend I’ve got a plant sale to attend and my gardens are calling me.
p.s. Most of you voted in favor of a puppy, and I’m sure all of you knew we’d get one. Seems that bringing dogs home from Georgia is a thing for us. And if you are in the north Georgia area (Angie lives north of Atlanta) and have been thinking of adopting a puppy, Angie is looking for homes for four more babies! Mama is a rescue dog who was spayed last week. The puppies are well socialized and super cute. It was hard to take just one. Email me if you’d like more information!
p.p.s. The title of this post is a reference to this book.
Lana says
I feel like you probably passed within a mile of my house cruising by on I-85 through SC. Our Easter ended up all weird as well and we don’t even have kids at home. It is what it is! I’m sorry yours was barfy.
Elizabeth says
Every Easter is different! I am glad you got to visit family! God’s blessings on you in this Easter season! hope the puppy turns into a wonderful dog! Such blessings!
Lori says
Hi Ginny,
I read everyone of your posts but rarely comment. As soon as I saw that little black and white school photo I thought it looked just like Mabel! Seeing such resemblances is really amazing. Congratulations on the new puppy he looks adorable,
karen says
a puppy!! what fun!! Like you, I look at my kids and see different relatives in them when they move a certain way. Sorry you missed Mass. We attended an Easter Vigil at a motherhouse (convent) and it was only 2 hours since there were no baptisms etc. Two hours is still a bit long for me but my family voted for the vigil.
Marion says
It was nice that you were able to visit with all of the families. Lovely photos. Congratulations on the new puppy.
Marion
Marilyn says
Love the family photos. You have a beautiful family.
Marilyn
Joan says
Ginny Thank You for sharing the family photos.
Joan
isabel daSilva says
I loved reading that book with my daughter…so many times! Lovely to have it brought back to memory
Wonderful memories being made in your family whether the “formal” group photos get taken or not.
Bobbie in AK says
Oh, I’d love a puppy! Such wonderful coloring. If only I lived closer. Alaska is too far away.
Monique says
Before I even read your post I was thinking that your kids favor their grandma! I hope you had a nice visit. Visiting family can be nice but also stressful…I’m glad that we live a fair distance from ours, although maybe visiting would be less stressful if we did it more often?!
Anne Weber-Falk says
Do you still have your other little dog? She seems like such a nice little dog.
Ginny says
Yes, we are a three dog family now!
Christy says
We need pictures of the three dogs together!
Laura M says
Yes to this! That puppyis so adorable
Kate says
Oh yes please! is Weasel well? Let us see them all -or even start a monthly adventures (and trials/ mishaps) of the 3 dawgs! ? Heehee
Heidi says
Yes, Mabel looks like Judy! So fun to see the family traits passed along! Loved the photos of the porch…bet it holds a lot of love & memories.
Go outside! Housework is so overrated.
Happy Easter…late. Always look forward to your posts & photos.
Diana says
Awww, I might’ve passed you I’m those Atlanta suburbs. Happy Eastertide!
Diana says
*in those Atlanta suburbs* ?
Eileen says
Happy Easter! Congrats to being a new puppy family too! Lovely post of your trip to Georgia to visit family, the pictures are amazing. Mabel is a little Judy with blond hair. I love seeing my ancestors in my children and grandchildren. Glad everyone is on the mend, the laundry will eventually get done, the gardens are far more important to play in anyway.
laura smartt says
Love that old porch. Love to see a picture of the house. Looks like my mama and daddy’s old house I grew up in. Now that I am gone it is finally getting a new face. I miss the old one. Anyway, love all your sweet little family. And God bless.
Tara says
Lovely family photos! I live in Virginia too and have all my family in Georgia! Your visit photos makes me want to get on down the road to see my family! Hope everyone is well now! Love your blog so much–following it for years now.