Roadrunner Time.....

Well, I haven't posted much on Jesse lately because he's sent me zero pictures and literally just studies all the time!  He's taking 19 hours with his EE/Computer Engineering major and that's pretty much his life these days....however, right before Covid hit last spring, Jesse was picked to be a MSU Roadrunner.  Apparently at MSU this is a big deal, but he will be one of the faces of the school and help give tours, recruiting stuff, and so on.  Anyway, it's such a big deal that he's receiving college credit and taking a class with just the Roadrunners.  This is their first pic together (Jesse in front) and I should have a solo one soon.  He will give his first solo tour next week I believe, as high school kids rush to make their college visits and decisions this fall!!!  More on Jesse soon!!!

 

Claire is going to State!!!!

 

Well, we are two proud parents today, as Claire's crazy ridiculous work ethic paid off.....Claire played for SBA in Regionals today in horrible conditions at first at Timber Truss in Olive Branch, MS....battled it out all day, and tied for 2nd overall!!! Earning her a trip to the State Tournament to represent SBA!  Claire will play at Willowbrook in Manchester,TN in 2 weeks!  We knew she wanted to make State as a freshman, but knew that was going to be rough....I guess our little bit has something to prove ! 

Claire and team...they didn't make it as a team, but Claire will be proud to rep SBA for them!

Her short game did it for her today!

Coach Hervey and the girls!!!

First Place!

Claire smiling big from her 1st Place finish today at the US Kids Golf Tournament at River Bend Links in Tunica, MS.  We are especially proud because she has never seen this course before, the greens were brutal, and there was water everywhere!  Go Claire Go!!!

Claire Shoots a Commercial......

Well, we were suprised beyond belief about a month ago when we were approached by the LPGA to do a #Drive On PSA/Commercial featuring Claire.  Typically the LPGA only does the #Drive On for the pros. but her essay from earlier this year and the Lydia Ko shoe thing garnered some attention.  Apparantly they loved Claire's story and asked if she could be in one for LPGA Girls' Golf!  Claire said she'd be fine sharing her story, and so today the LPGA Send down a crew of 3 (decreased size due to the pandemic) and they shot the entire thing in one day...voiceover and all.  Claire was not too shy and really had fun with it.  The commercial will air during the month of October on the Golf Channel during LPGA events and we are tickled for Claire.   Can't wait to see how it turned out!  And God blessed us with the most beautiful 73 and sunny degree day today!  

Our local golf course, Quail Ridge, was thrilled to host the LPGA employees and Claire today and we had our run of the course!  They used drones at the end and Claire was tickled about that....we just were sad sweet Jesse couldn't be there for that!

Drone got a little close to my hair at times for my comfort.....

Claire and the sweet crew!  Drive on Claire!!

 

Drive on little bit!

Well, SBA played in an 18 hole invitational today at a difficult Windyke CC in the heat!  Our Claire shot a stellar 79!  50 girls participated, and we still don't know how she fared overall...more to come!  Go little one go!

 

So this is what football games look like now....

Well, The Tiger Season has started, and boy does it look different!  We came with our snarky signs, cheered enough for 10 people, and pulled out a great win!  Go Tigers! 

 

Go Little One Go!

So proud of this little Freshman for her 76 today and coming in 1st in the US Kids Fall Tournament today....She's really coming along!

 

Small but mighty!

Well, Claire has been battling it out every match against usually upperclassmen, and much bigger ones to boot!  Claire has had 2 matches at 2 difficult courses so far this week!  Claire was in a 6 team match Monday and came out with a 2nd place tie against a senior! The team came in 2nd overall.... Can't wait to see what the futue holds for Claire!

This was taken from quite a ways away, but this is the size of girls that Claire plays much of the time.....They may outdrive Claire, but the short game and precision is where Claire is able to hang in there!

We have some wonderful people in our lives that truly want to help Claire ....Mr. Robert is our friend from Quail and he had been working with Claire on her course management...so grateful for all the little blessings we all have around us!!!  More matches coming up this week....go Claire go!

 

And so Claire's High School Golf begins......

Well, our little one started her high school golf career yesterday against a fierce St. Agnes team and Hutchison.....she, as a freshman, is the #1 seed on the team.  So the pressure was immense for Claire yesterday and she faltered a bit but hung in there....... She had the low score for her squad!  She has been playing with some of these girls for 3 years and to play against them in high school was a treat for Claire!

The fact that even if she shoots well, but maybe the others on her team do not, is new to Claire.  She didn't love that they lost Monday as a team, but she individually did well.

Today, SBA had another match, this time against, ECS, ST. Mary's, and Fayette Academy.  Claire hung in there and had the low score on her team. She had water trouble on one hole but overall had a good round... They came in 2nd by only a couple of strokes to ECS.  Claire should be getting the hang of this now!

Claire with Coach Hervey....Coach Hervey has been in our lives for 6 years now as Jesse's SBA golf coach for 4 years, and then last year we had a "gap" year at sba...and here she is coaching Claire...she's tickled to have another Hollingsworth (at least that's what she says)..She gives nothing but positive reinforcement to the girls and we love her for that!

 

And so Jesse's Sophomore Year at MSU begins.....just looks a little different this time around!

And so we dropped Jesse off for his sophomore year at MSU yesterday!  This time Jesse will be staying in some on campus apartments with his best friend Eli in a 2 Bedroom.  His apartment has a great pool, workout facility, study rooms with clear glass boards to write on etc.....Half of his classes are synchronous online, and the other half are in person.  They get really hard this year, so we pray he's ready after the long break!  No fall break this year due to covid, so Jesse is recommended to stay fully on campus until the day before Thanksgiving, where he  will be done with exams and out until Jan 6.  We will miss Jesse, but know he's getting a great education!  Good luck Jesse and stay safe!

 

And so a new chapter begins.....

Well, our litte bit has officially started high school!  She is following her big brother's footsteps and attending SBA, and we are thrilled!  She only had a half day Freshman orientation, and will start full days with the entire school on Friday.  I pray for a safe, God -filled freshman year!  Monday, she will officially play her first high school golf match.....and of course will be playing the defending state champs right off the bat.  Sheould be a great learning experience for Claire! 

 

Jesse gets a wish granted....

 Well, sweet Jesse has been working every day since his Freshmen year in college came to a close.  Jesse received an EE Internship and really focused on 3D modeling, rendering, and EE power sources (no idea what that all means)...anyway, he had his last day Wednesday, and traveled for a few days with the Cardosi Family to a much needed vacation!  Well, Jesse is obsessed and has been obsessed with all things NASA, Space X, and Tesla for years.....and don't you know that last night Space X had a launch at 1 am!  Jesse was able to see it directly from his hotel room and he is walking on cloud 9.  So glad he got to see this in person last night!

 Jesse will retrun in a few days, be quarantined, Covid Tested, and if all is negative he will head back to MSU in a little over a week.  Proud of our Jesse....oh and by the way, he worked so hard during the summer that he was able to already pay off his small loan for his sophomore year that we make him take out yearly......Go Jesse Go!