My name is Stephanie Louden, and I am one of the moms on the LPGA Tour. I travel full time with my husband Mike, and 3 year old son Lucas. It is a blessing for us to be able to travel together as a family, though sometimes it gets a little crazy. Not too many 3 year olds are experts at airport security, or have been to 35 U.S. states. He is a real trooper though, and he looks forward to all the little adventures we have in a day; such as pressing the numbers or letters on the hotel elevators, dancing to Pro-Am party music, or muffins and waffles during hotel breakfast.
We usually try to stay in housing with families while out on the road. It makes everything feel a little more "normal". We have made such wonderful friends in housing over the past 10 years, and we really look forward to returning each year. It is like a homecoming every week. I am very fortunate to be able to play golf, and still be a mother. The Smucker's LPGA Child Development Center with Ms. Bardine and Ms. Joy is a life saver; I couldn't do it without them.
We had a lot of fun while in Mobile, AL last week for the Avnet LPGA Classic. There were activities for the Pros and their families, along with the sponsors and their customers each night. We danced with the band at the Pro-Am party, played a baseball game at the Hank Aaron Stadium (I even got a hit-very exciting for me), and then we got to tour the USS Alabama, a submarine, and see retired fighter airplanes and helicopters up close. It was an awesome week and Lucas just loved being part of everything.
He is becoming such a big boy, and I just really love this age. He likes to come out to the golf course with Mike and I when we are home. He spends most of his time playing in the bunkers and having a great time! He has his own little bag and clubs, and looks really cute carrying it around. I am very grateful for all the amazing gifts I have experienced in life, but on this Mother's Day 2011, I am most grateful I have had the opportunity to be a mom.
Stephanie Louden
Topics: Louden, Stephanie, Florida s Natural, Moms on Tour Blog, Mobile Bay LPGA Classic
