On Thursday, our family was supposed to be taking a much anticipated trip to St. John, USVI.  However, due to the Covid pandemic that has escalated rapidly since I’ve been out here in blog world, we had to cancel.  On the bright side, Jake qualified to play at the US Kids World Teen Championship in Pinehurst, NC.  Brian and I both decided that we didn’t want to miss this event since it is a bucket list item for Jake.  So today, Brian’s Ford Explorer made it’s way to KCI airport with a set of golf clubs, a pull cart, 2 suitcases, and 3 backpacks for the first time since March 11th maybe!?  I’ve completely lost track of time.  Honestly.Without a doubt this is the most strange traveling experience I’ve ever had.  We wore our masks religiously and before we even left the ground, Jake was already watching golf.He loves this sport through and through. But by flight #2 to Raleigh, he was passed out on the tray table.Traveling with Jake makes me think back to earlier times of him scurrying through the airport with tiny crocs on his feet and a perfect outfit looking up at me with big brown eyes and needing my help, usually with a smile.  Today I am feeling thankful for the time that I look up at him his beautiful brown eyes and still always making sure he is by my side.  He doesn’t need my help but I’m so happy to be here, needed or not.

After finally arriving in Pinehurst, we checked into our hotel and went straight to the course for a little practice.  He could barely wait 1 minute to get there.  I’m trying to document this as best as I can you see, so we had to stop for an embarrassing picture.  The first thing I noticed is, I have hit the mother-load of pine cones here.  Jake just laughed as it is a family joke that I picked up a back pack full of pine cones at a previous tournament.  Honestly guys, it’s the little things that make me happy.  Even pine cones. 

As he met up with a friend and spent a few hours out there practicing, I enjoyed a little time reading a book and enjoying the time that isn’t spent in a mask or in my home or obsessing over what will happen with the start of school.  This is bliss for him and for me. I am insanely proud of this young man.  He’s 14 and let’s all remember back to our days of being 14.  They’re hard.  I was hard.  I remember that I knew everything possible in life.  I still do!  Just ask Brian and my brother-in-law, Scott, and my sister.  It’s a long-standing joke.  I love his passion for sports.  I love his focus and I’m happy that we can get him here to NC to play with some of the best in the world.  I don’t care what his score is (and those of you that know me know that is the very honest truth!).  I am truly blessed to be a part of this journey with Jake this week!  In large part to Morgan who is helping me out so much.  You ROCK!

After a little practice, we were able to look around this amazing and adorably quaint town, and have dinner.  He reluctantly took a picture in front of a flower pot (it’s a family joke!)And he’s already tired of my documentation and we just arrived!!Back to the hotel and he’s already on the chipping/putting area here.  He’s in the ZONE you guys.  He can only think about golf right now!And then we just go ahead and come up with some short game options in the room.  This is what I’m dealing with here folks, traveling with a 14 year old boy and his golf clubs!Check out a couple little videos I managed to capture before he caught me and told me to stop;) 

and finally he is settling in to go through all of his golf paraphernalia.  This just cracks me up…It’s like me going through my bags after an amazing shopping experience! Also settling into a little PS4 to top off the evening. Practice round tomorrow and he can’t get there fast enough!

Good night for now…