Meet the Hazards! George, Holly, Hampton (7), Hollis (4), Frances (11 months), and their dog, Wiley, are this month’s featured residents. The family came to The Waters from Mississippi in December of 2019 and have been “making a life of it” since.

George grew up in Columbus, MS, and left home at 14 to attend McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN. After graduating high school, he went to Auburn University and received a degree in forestry, followed by a master’s in business administration. George is a forester who works for International Paper as a fiber supply specialist. He enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking, and just being outdoors in general. In this phase of life, he is mainly focused on teaching his boys about these hobbies because there is nothing better than enjoying your favorite hobbies with the ones you love most!

Holly is from Hartselle, AL, and also went to Auburn University, graduating with a degree in biomedical sciences and then earning a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She completed a residency at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. Holly currently works in the inpatient pharmacy at Baptist Medical Center South. She thrives on social interactions and physical fitness, so it was no surprise that the first friends she made in the neighborhood were through an early morning boot camp class. She now has a wonderful circle of neighborhood friends that she considers one of the biggest blessings that came with the move.

George and Holly’s paths first crossed at Auburn in a statistics class their sophomore year. Neither would have ever guessed their status as study partners would eventually evolve into a happily married couple with three kids! The two married in 2011 and settled in Columbus, MS.

Columbus, MS, was home. They began their family and careers and established roots. They were there to stay, or so they thought! Man makes plans, and God laughs. In 2019 George was offered a job in Prattville, AL. After lots of discussion, prayer, and more prayer, they made the hard decision to leave family, close friends, a wonderful church, and all things familiar to set out on this new adventure.

When looking for houses, Holly remembered an idealistic neighborhood that she had fallen in love with in 2012 when she had been a bridesmaid in a wedding at the neighborhood’s chapel. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, it would be such a dream to live in a neighborhood like this.’ But never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought we would end up living in Pike Road one day — in that exact neighborhood! Once we arrived at The Waters to look at houses, it was even dreamier than I had recalled.” Holly immediately began envisioning George, herself, and their boys fishing in the lakes, playing at the parks, and enjoying golf cart rides. Any other potential options were off the table — The Waters is where they wanted to be!

Although a little nervous about the relocation, the family packed up and said their “see ya laters” to their dear Mississippi friends and family and enthusiastically began their new chapter of life in Pike Road, AL.

Hampton attends Pike Road Elementary School and is in the first grade. He loves all things sports! He plays football and baseball, and wrestles. You can find him at the Dawson Creek playground, rounding up a game of some sort on a sunny afternoon. He also enjoys hunting and fishing with his dad.

Hollis is in pre-K at FUMC in Cloverdale. He is very active and plays both soccer and T-ball. He also enjoys helping in the kitchen!

The family attends Vaughn Forest Church. One of the highlights of their week is attending church and small group together, then coming home for a fun-filled afternoon of fishing, swimming, biking, or just taking a sunset golf cart ride!

The past two years have been quite eventful for this family.

 

Shortly after moving and getting settled, the world went into hibernation — COVID hit. With two very active boys, George and Holly could not imagine quarantining anywhere else. The Waters allowed for endless outdoor adventures!

They wrapped up 2020 by sharing the news that they would be welcoming a new baby in 2021.

On a stormy July afternoon, just as they were approaching the due date of the newest family member, their lives were turned upside down when their house was struck by lightning. Things became even a little more complicated when they realized they would be welcoming their baby girl a few weeks earlier than anticipated! The next week, on July 28, 2021, their baby girl, Sarah “Frances” Hazard, entered the world. “God’s timing truly is magnificent! At a time when we were under a lot of stress, the most precious blessing was bestowed upon us and served as a blissful distraction from all the chaos that was happening with our home,” says Holly. “Frances has been such a joy, and we cannot imagine our life without this sweet surprise caboose.”

Friends and neighbors supported the family through the challenges of balancing the newborn season and little kids with displacement from their home through prayer, providing meals, and even hosting the Hazards in one of their own homes. “This is what sets The Waters apart from other neighborhoods,” explains Holly. “The people who live here are more than just neighbors, and without their love and support during this crazy time, I don’t know what we would have done. I often reflect on the countless blessings provided by the wonderful people in this neighborhood and am reminded of just how good God truly is!”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This biblical truth has provided comfort to the family throughout many situations, especially the most recent! “We are so thankful to live in a neighborhood with such community as The Waters!”