This was a terrific weekend.

I had my cataract surgery on Wednesday, and all went well, thank you again, for praying for me. Following my afternoon check up where it was determined that all was just fine, we packed our bags and left for South Carolina on Thursday.

We had beautiful weather. The drive down I-81 through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and into South Carolina is full of beauty. Rolling countryside, animals grazing, mountains and hills. 

We stayed at an Airbnb in Greer, SC, which was great! Considering we had Tim and I, Kyle, Mom and Dad, and then Wes and Rachel for Friday and Saturday nights, it proved cost effective, and much nicer for hanging out together than hotel rooms.

It was racing themed, and everyone loved the PS4 racing game that the hostess has provided for her guests. You actually sit in it and drive! The camaraderie and cheer of the guys, and girls too was fun to watch or listen, too.

Thursday was my dad's 83rd birthday, so when we arrived in the Greenville area we found Monkey Wrench Smokehouse and enjoyed a nice dinner of pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken wings, mac n cheese, fries, broccoli salad, baked beans and bread. Sarah met us there, and after dinner we went to our Airbnb and Sarah went back to school.

Friday we drove around and showed my dad a road near where we were staying that was named the same as my maiden name. He loved it! We took photos of him with the sign, and he spent time researching who it was named after. Wes and Rachel arrived in the afternoon and then in the evening Tim and I went to the graduation banquet.

The lovely centerpieces at the banquet.

I sat with a lovely woman, Pamela, who is the mom of a friend of Sarah's. We both are "conspiracy theorists" so we enjoyed talking about the many things going on. She and her husband live about an hour and a half away from the Georgia Guidestones, and she said it was an eerie place, and the atmosphere felt "dark." You can find a link {here}to information about the guidestones when the page loads; just scroll down to the second listing. 

We also spoke of the Airbnb they have and other interesting things.

Saturday morning we woke bright and early for a breakfast out. Well, everyone except Kyle. He'd rather sleep. Teenagers. (grin)

We highly recommend Barista Alley in Greer for breakfast crepes! This was fantastic! It is large too, I couldn't finish mine. I enjoyed it with a lovely London Fog.

After breakfast we went back to the Airbnb and got ready for graduation. Each student graduating gets 2 minutes, to share a testimony of their two years of study. It was so wonderful to hear of how God met each student in the struggles they were having. Here is Sarah's testimony.

We enjoyed catching up with our friend Max. We are close friends with his family, and he's been a student, then an intern at the school. He is preparing to do an internship in North Africa for two months this summer. 

I just loved talking with him, and getting to know him as an adult. We met their family a long time ago, when he was a boy.

I loved getting to see my adopted daughters, Carlie 

and Mary. They are precious young women who have spent school breaks with us. Carlie finished the third year, and Mary is in Sarah's class. 

We sure are proud of our girl.

Saturday evening we went to dinner, for celebrating Sarah and Mother's Day, and had a lovely time. Later we got frozen custard. Yum!

We had loaded all of Sarah's stuff, into her car and ours and she stayed at the Airbnb with us Saturday night. Sunday morning, Wes and Rachel left early, we left for home around 7:15, and Sarah left for a friend's house. Later they both left to meet up with a group of students who are camping for a few days. She sent me this photo last night.

We arrived home around 5:00 in the afternoon, I unpacked mine and Tim's things, and settled in for the evening.

It's a busy week for me, and I'll talk about that more tomorrow!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend celebrating your mothers, whether they are still with you or not. The work of motherhood is so vital.