tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59730950992726779482024-03-13T05:02:58.320-07:00Hall Family: Our Journey to...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-36763224715391450502014-07-09T09:29:00.002-07:002014-07-09T09:30:33.455-07:00My Pearl of Great Worth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-74836454543476298222014-07-01T14:46:00.003-07:002014-07-01T17:23:34.909-07:00Last day in China!!!Yesterday we traveled to the US Consulate and took the oath and today we should receive Landon's visa around 4:30pm. During Landon's nap-time I ventured to the Pearl Market which was a pretty exciting experience. I love pearls and it was such a treat to watch those ladies work. To say they are lightening fast is an understatement. Last night we had dinner as a group at a Portuguese restaurant chosen by our guides. They ordered for us and all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the family style dishes. The menu included roasted pork, rice, noodles, chicken with curry, and garlic/butter cauliflower. Interestingly enough, the green beans was one of our favorite dishes. That makes two restaurant experiences where green beans were a big hit with the Hall family!<br />
All that is left on our agenda is a group picture and a final travel meeting. On one hand it seems like we have been away from family and friends forever, on the other hand our time here has passed quickly. You know that feeling of spending a long-awaited vacation at the beach and the week just flys by? Well, this isn't the beach...but...we have been so busy with appointments that two weeks passed faster than I anticipated. All any of the adoptive families can talk about in our upcoming travel. Other than falling madly in love with these precious babies we have another thing in common...we ALL dread the upcoming travel.<br />
Our day will look like this:<br />
In 24 hours we will be boarding a plane to Beijing. Once in Beijing we will "enjoy" a six hour layover before boarding a thirteen hour flight to Detroit. Following a very quick pass through immigration (our layover is only one hour and forty minutes = nervous) we board our final flight to Knoxville. If you are counting that is 18+ hours of flight, 8 hours of layovers and 1 additional hour of taxi/car rides. Including boarding etc. we are looking at a day and a half of travel. BUT...When we arrive in Knoxville at 9:30pm we will joyfully introduce our boy to family and friends! I can't wait! Other than the crying and general fussy behavior, we also expect the baby will do his fair share of crying and fussing! LOL. I have reserved a few new toys and a couple new snacks (yogurt melts, etc) that he has never seen before in hopes that he will be occupied and content for at least some of the trip. Also, we only let him see the TV a couple times while in the hotel hoping that once he sees the screen on the plane he will be intrigued enough to watch a movie??? Who knows?<br />
Keep us in your prayers for travel mercies and a hedge of protection around us and our pilots!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-91591268604992590542014-06-30T16:13:00.000-07:002014-06-30T23:48:53.646-07:00Consulate Appointment today!!!We can't believe it! Today is FINALLY the Consulate Appointment and day after tomorrow we will board a plane for our (long) journey home to Tennessee.<br />
The medical appointment went off without a hitch. It was all about $$$.<br />
The Pearl River cruise was very nice. We took Landon to the top deck and he loved it! He thought the lights were beautiful but going under the bridges made him super excited. Danl says it's the engineer in him. He may be right!<br />
We have decided he has the Thacker dimples (Mamaw Brenda noticed that right away). He produced what I refer to as a Kinder-fit (tantrum) yesterday. Temper much? And he definitely has Danl's self proclaimed flair for drama.<br />
He is perfect!!!<br />
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Pearl River Cruise</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-45128170111596930872014-06-29T16:45:00.001-07:002014-06-29T16:51:13.739-07:00Medical checkup today.Say a little prayer for Landon today. He is scheduled for a medical exam. Who am I kidding? Say a prayer for his mom and dad!!! He screams when we put him in the stroller or when a stranger gets too close to us. Can you imagine how much he is going to love seeing a doctor and nurse? Thankfully he is under the age of two and doesn't have to have blood drawn.<br />
Tonight is the dinner cruise and we are looking forward to that. Everyone says it is beautiful and a great way to see the city.<br />
Just a few more days and we are Tennessee bound!<br />
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Banana=love!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-44925290165801009432014-06-28T14:17:00.001-07:002014-06-28T14:19:41.458-07:00Guangzhou!!<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAX-ioP9-0ARzsnlLxHXpZWPOmwUZJx7jgZDtfaNm_XxfdQs5w2cZqBTQ-Gd9mpxwa2aCpOJWTFQA9MRiROLKOzWkPsIDIGpe92NEBFfYrYZj3aFFCMdbYCDd4XV1_CvgVd_qm0Fihw/s640/blogger-image-625246945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAX-ioP9-0ARzsnlLxHXpZWPOmwUZJx7jgZDtfaNm_XxfdQs5w2cZqBTQ-Gd9mpxwa2aCpOJWTFQA9MRiROLKOzWkPsIDIGpe92NEBFfYrYZj3aFFCMdbYCDd4XV1_CvgVd_qm0Fihw/s640/blogger-image-625246945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEYoFiiYQDGLtoeMzL5pBbGnok7nYoeo_zJkL9SnqEQ2nfUYvXFli6RpdK8scRcvUl2WSR2Pb7LIKAK3MQv3wXAofIXPPgapkfyBNIv5X8uqt9va7rgi1Ohj10bThsNmv2JEAIo7aXw/s640/blogger-image--434002035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEYoFiiYQDGLtoeMzL5pBbGnok7nYoeo_zJkL9SnqEQ2nfUYvXFli6RpdK8scRcvUl2WSR2Pb7LIKAK3MQv3wXAofIXPPgapkfyBNIv5X8uqt9va7rgi1Ohj10bThsNmv2JEAIo7aXw/s640/blogger-image--434002035.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Guangzhou! We are one step closer to bringing our little guy home to Tennessee.<br>We flew (Landon's first flight) to Guangzhou for the big day...Consulate Appointment Day! <br>This place is hot. The airport was 92 degrees, but I think it felt more like 93. LOL! Just about everyone in our group was pouring sweat and lapping up the water our guides handed out as we boarded the bus. <br>Today, Sunday, we have a free day and get to sleep in! Kristen and Justin have us excited about the breakfast bar according to their glowing reviews. <br>Monday is the medical appointment and a River Cruise complete with Papa Johns pizza. Tuesday we visit the US Consulate in the early morning and will get to spent the afternoon doing a little shopping. I am super excited to visit the pearl market. Danl is not as excited about shopping for pearls. What's up with that? LOL. Wednesday we wait for Landon's visa and then Thursday we fly home to Tennessee! <br>Landon ate a good breakfast on Saturday morning and spent the ride to the airport playing and laughing (mainly obbessing over his ability to adjust the air vent). We spent all of our time at the airport walking and exploring. Like any American boy he got excited when we passed a store with cars, toys, etc. He even started reaching out his hand and walked toward the store. We walked past a Mickey and Minnie store (the airport version of a Disney Store) and he wanted to go in there too! Danl and I can't get over how opinionated he is already! We are taking that as a good sign that he is feeling secure with us. If he did not feel safe and secure he would most likely appear timid and accept anything that comes along. That is not our boy. He knows what he wants and he is happy to let us know. Once he acquires language things will get really interesting!<br>When we boarded the plane all the walking and exploring paid off. He was asleep before take off and slept until we landed. I was in shock. ***PLEASE pray that our long trip home goes half as smoothly.*** We will spent 20+ hours traveling on Thursday. I can't begin to imagine that kind of exhaustion, but I guess we will find out soon enough. Frankly, the plane ride/travel home is the only thing that is causing me anxiety at this point. The trip is as follows: We leave Guanzhou early <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Thursday morning</a> and fly to Beijing. That flight is followed by a 6 hour layover before we board the 12-13 hour flight to Detroit. We only have 1 hour and 40 minutes to get through customs with our new little citizen and board the next 2-3 hour flight to Knoxville. The incredible part is that with the time difference Danl and I (and Landon) will have traveled 20+ hours and must then subtract 12 hours from that, arriving in Knoxville <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3">at 9:30 pm</a>. Confusing? I can't wrap my brain around it!!!<br>Our hotel in Guangzhou is very nice. They obviously cater to Westerners and adoptive families. There was a pink basket with a small bear and baby wash in our room when we arrived. Apparently they don't come in blue? lol. <br>We found one important location right away...Starbucks. I had something similiar to a Chai tea latte, which was good enough for me!!! lol. Danl ordered a coffee and then we visited the small hotel market and purchased something Landon and Daddy enjoyed more than you can imagine...frosted flakes. It was so cute to watch them eat their cereal before bed. We also got Landon a banana. He ate about half of it without letting up before hitting the frosted flakes. Danl and I just sat and watched him chew. Precious!!!<br>Landon still won't let me put him down for a split second...not even for a stroller ride. We have only ventured out (successfully) in the stroller for a few minutes on two occasions. The stroller is a work in progress. Thank God for the ergo carrier. Chloe' helped me shop for one right before we left for China and I have been very grateful for that purchase!!! His attachment to us is obvious and we are so thankful. This little guy has been the picture of health (despite a tiny runny nose) compared to what we expected. Putting on some weight and developing musle tone is our #1 priority for him. Bathtime is his biggest deal (he is not a fan). We will have to ease him in to that transition. <br>We don't know how long it will take him to build trust but for now I hold or carry him whenever he wants, which is all the time. We call him a spider monkey (insert Danl's Talladega Nights impression of Ricky Bobby's son here..."Son, I am gonna climb you like a spider monkey"). You get the picture.<br>Continue to keep us in your prayers...</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i2qwmCQvC1kmj8iKh1prU5tfpAfxOEEyCdh-lCjcBX3ggOIbIEKwMPn-jDOcRNcJQQkPjZM3vgXEBfJ_oVF4aldvKChrPXn-SB76rL6hf7uMp_VTHW4qmLZfOIc__0Tlte36MOW5LA/s640/blogger-image-1968894039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i2qwmCQvC1kmj8iKh1prU5tfpAfxOEEyCdh-lCjcBX3ggOIbIEKwMPn-jDOcRNcJQQkPjZM3vgXEBfJ_oVF4aldvKChrPXn-SB76rL6hf7uMp_VTHW4qmLZfOIc__0Tlte36MOW5LA/s640/blogger-image-1968894039.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Outside the orphanage where Landon lived for 18 months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2e7PfAFNyZadxetLGd6qq9CRNBgfCvTz4QRnZNh_g3NnaNpZnqIpRb-IRUa9bXeiLBJLG_mPeeEN05YPkSx-2w-Gf3J_RnSUtvOZc2ZrGKasfIxqYCR2UUDG6OphZB6YZ9uXdRTVw/s640/blogger-image-1407127708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2e7PfAFNyZadxetLGd6qq9CRNBgfCvTz4QRnZNh_g3NnaNpZnqIpRb-IRUa9bXeiLBJLG_mPeeEN05YPkSx-2w-Gf3J_RnSUtvOZc2ZrGKasfIxqYCR2UUDG6OphZB6YZ9uXdRTVw/s640/blogger-image-1407127708.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbsU5DeHD0vWrzZyOhHkAoRJizp63aL01Vi3z-ybidLZR-Z_PrTD8NcVxC8h-uWy5KHQEHUMDEPOI7KxYX0zVJnXLXt9MKcINPN7BEQ4wekzhKRPPIO1I1Un2gcdibb1ON1wRIBx1mg/s640/blogger-image-1609249569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbsU5DeHD0vWrzZyOhHkAoRJizp63aL01Vi3z-ybidLZR-Z_PrTD8NcVxC8h-uWy5KHQEHUMDEPOI7KxYX0zVJnXLXt9MKcINPN7BEQ4wekzhKRPPIO1I1Un2gcdibb1ON1wRIBx1mg/s640/blogger-image-1609249569.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They are obsessed with the World Cup and have placed a huge screen by the pool at the hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo-puFn6igdw-1aJ2eoOm9yn7BIgQXLvwFPR9hyphenhyphenQ8l1p7PGrxgizeIAX3r3jkDseveLBszmP6Gq6v5z28eRbgqOS1_NpxIaN8EBhowCVHDSyTjGFcqvAZDcxy_wODiqqBqqMcDVf9RA/s640/blogger-image-1173431899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo-puFn6igdw-1aJ2eoOm9yn7BIgQXLvwFPR9hyphenhyphenQ8l1p7PGrxgizeIAX3r3jkDseveLBszmP6Gq6v5z28eRbgqOS1_NpxIaN8EBhowCVHDSyTjGFcqvAZDcxy_wODiqqBqqMcDVf9RA/s640/blogger-image-1173431899.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With their guide Rita in Zhengzhou.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFGuq06Buvp8wYk9L12RG-4tr1sNWRobxCJEqhaZsJ3_ZRyeFJ2Kgf6Y5KkTUffPNcrACfWOcVec5-ZC5iOZcXMISkWeQeGm2iTY7xJM37TnlwwTGEnEQ92kGdqFIsREuIzijwhOVQQ/s640/blogger-image-2065153260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFGuq06Buvp8wYk9L12RG-4tr1sNWRobxCJEqhaZsJ3_ZRyeFJ2Kgf6Y5KkTUffPNcrACfWOcVec5-ZC5iOZcXMISkWeQeGm2iTY7xJM37TnlwwTGEnEQ92kGdqFIsREuIzijwhOVQQ/s640/blogger-image-2065153260.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Waiting on Landon's passport in Zhoukhou City.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHpyDw1p1zxsE2AMm92KlssHhMXwRjS9TLwIgAkjEVbBCxUUr9tVFPAAqRLI7NO-YCdN8jMl9phHBCXm5sjAuA58jT0xkaUKV2gudrk4KkFPQJuaG3VNKbW60-gPIjSKdgqGNLFrfow/s640/blogger-image--1595536794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHpyDw1p1zxsE2AMm92KlssHhMXwRjS9TLwIgAkjEVbBCxUUr9tVFPAAqRLI7NO-YCdN8jMl9phHBCXm5sjAuA58jT0xkaUKV2gudrk4KkFPQJuaG3VNKbW60-gPIjSKdgqGNLFrfow/s640/blogger-image--1595536794.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eating Congee (milky rice), favorite of Chinese kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf4jaI65iU5gH57oLzZMSSi_O9SHjBj7Z4syBwK-Z_3fn3uMVSeG19AdvQXv95Nb2J6bd03vf26PbJaTnXwp14rOnPdot0TgN6ZmAYtEE-vHgDwvXynj_E_Um4m0IqOvI2VlbNgRbWw/s640/blogger-image--209678175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf4jaI65iU5gH57oLzZMSSi_O9SHjBj7Z4syBwK-Z_3fn3uMVSeG19AdvQXv95Nb2J6bd03vf26PbJaTnXwp14rOnPdot0TgN6ZmAYtEE-vHgDwvXynj_E_Um4m0IqOvI2VlbNgRbWw/s640/blogger-image--209678175.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-10577765922531992192014-06-26T14:26:00.001-07:002014-06-26T15:17:40.510-07:00He's doing fabulous!!This is a guest post as I am filling in for Dedra due to technical difficulties with uploading pictures and video in China. So here are a few I have received over the past couple of days from them. Landon seems to be doing extremely well and other than not being too happy about bath time yet, he's learning new things every day and really enjoying his mama and daddy. He is particularly fond of his mama and I know that Dedra is head over heels for this little guy! He has laid on daddy's arm to sleep though which is so so sweet. Keep the prayers up for health and safety! They have one day left in Zhengzhou and on Saturday will fly to Guangzhou in southern China for their US Consulate appointment to get Landon's visa to enter as a US citizen next Thursday!! Enjoy the pictures! <div><br></div><div><a href="http://vimeo.com/99286192">http://vimeo.com/99286192</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://vimeo.com/99286148">http://vimeo.com/99286148</a></div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZIciKbf8d2tc-X-mlh1njaGcVXMHpiawfnwk8hpyR_s2vcvGe0Y04AbFJjMZAzQ5lat1kkDNqC2RVKBuuGD3btSGqzTDUZbF16WVFqBBDlECXpLDOTC5Kn7pDL95xlpfO6VtDhy5dw/s640/blogger-image-627963887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZIciKbf8d2tc-X-mlh1njaGcVXMHpiawfnwk8hpyR_s2vcvGe0Y04AbFJjMZAzQ5lat1kkDNqC2RVKBuuGD3btSGqzTDUZbF16WVFqBBDlECXpLDOTC5Kn7pDL95xlpfO6VtDhy5dw/s640/blogger-image-627963887.jpg"></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjVOoOrsXpRwXpIpYpKXcLj1yp9HGyqhy2CPynRe6koXbQRQSS7-wMBWZLZoCSL9ulCnlIQkNSLn8zSsGvK4g44sBzoGSuWM022q2mD9ax4KA5mp7Os-09Y-fkyq6Xz6Fx_7Vfk95Vg/s640/blogger-image-520054363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjVOoOrsXpRwXpIpYpKXcLj1yp9HGyqhy2CPynRe6koXbQRQSS7-wMBWZLZoCSL9ulCnlIQkNSLn8zSsGvK4g44sBzoGSuWM022q2mD9ax4KA5mp7Os-09Y-fkyq6Xz6Fx_7Vfk95Vg/s640/blogger-image-520054363.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr5MBoNFICgfRhM_2XpwJQKuVsaXU7wg4krVAjuNLffKkUeW_glZXYXAZK7CqpoOAMe5eK4unJO6KLfHNj_eYpRyOoOsVhxeNB_iE0lD73L5JADbOA6g2Y5elNIIg_AYBPTRDp2KZ_g/s640/blogger-image--590729146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr5MBoNFICgfRhM_2XpwJQKuVsaXU7wg4krVAjuNLffKkUeW_glZXYXAZK7CqpoOAMe5eK4unJO6KLfHNj_eYpRyOoOsVhxeNB_iE0lD73L5JADbOA6g2Y5elNIIg_AYBPTRDp2KZ_g/s640/blogger-image--590729146.jpg"></a></div><br>
<span id="goog_1006791785"></span><span id="goog_1006791786"></span><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-18352512318375811962014-06-25T22:44:00.001-07:002014-06-25T22:47:13.573-07:00First smile!<img src="webkit-fake-url://C6AF2C0F-E460-48BA-85CF-2CAD6BF919F1/imagejpeg" /><img height="200" src="webkit-fake-url://2A3DC4B9-8B87-4F75-9182-A9ECEC62E32E/imagejpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-51723351827427125132014-06-25T01:51:00.000-07:002014-06-25T01:51:53.259-07:00Meet Landon! Gotcha Day-presentIt took a couple days for us to settle down and fiddle with the VPN enough to update the blog.<br />
First and foremost, thank God for what we have experienced over the past 2-3 days. As you all know, we fell in love with this little guy through pictures a few months ago, but nothing could have prepared us for the feelings of love and joy we have experienced in such a short time. Words can not express.<br />
Landon was at the pickup location when we arrived and we walked in to him standing there waiting for us. He has had an exceptionally easy time (compared to what we feared). There were a few tears on his part (tons on our part-lol) and other than obvious fear for all the newness of the surroundings he was doing well enough to eat and sleep through the night on the first night!<br />
He is about where we expected him to be developmentally and other than being 21.5 pounds we could not be more pleased with his appearance and health. He is a champion eater. We snipped a larger hole in the nuk bottle and he downs 8oz in no time! This little guy is a fighter and trooper!<br />
He has even been super easy to travel with over the past two days of acquiring applications, etc. from various government offices. Today we traveled to Zhoukhou (his home city) to apply for his passport. The drive was 2 1/2 hours each way! He was a live wire on the first leg of the trip but slept almost the whole way back.<br />
Now that we have the VPN working I will try to post again soon.<br />
Continue praying for our travel. We all need to stay healthy and survive three more plane rides, one of which is almost 13 hours!!!<br />
God has big plans for this little man!<br />
We love you,<br />
Danl, Dedra, and Landon <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-61935649692921770122014-06-20T04:06:00.001-07:002014-06-20T04:14:12.927-07:00Beijing Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHgo4GUIN4edzMOXYZZLzVrcp2d9l-u-4yYldSFZefdP4jQe4Ij_q0K-5xuWUxv_NQZYxM67BhJ5tAwtWRHqx52WQWqvIKNSatSVQHMH-bJ9OpC0frFFn9IkfMzGOb1Qwl2T4cUKnFQ/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHgo4GUIN4edzMOXYZZLzVrcp2d9l-u-4yYldSFZefdP4jQe4Ij_q0K-5xuWUxv_NQZYxM67BhJ5tAwtWRHqx52WQWqvIKNSatSVQHMH-bJ9OpC0frFFn9IkfMzGOb1Qwl2T4cUKnFQ/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I am thinking about hiring out baggage packing services. Each of our bags met the weight limit! One bag was 50 lbs exactly and the second was a meager 49 lbs. First miracle of the trip! Lol!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-69969820605523336692014-06-19T06:43:00.001-07:002014-06-19T06:43:56.619-07:00Travel is happening tomorrow! Landon, we are on our way!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E1lMtP8v7A26wVpdTK0BoCi2I_xBU1TX5zzsRuvmsjwP48tQZOyhyr8HU3SsYKypUAW3PEI71VV7H2SMHVnP_4qe-FwV9gmt2tIdCNq_5nSOs0mx_lxhMWLb3y1ITmfc4EpXhCk23Q/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E1lMtP8v7A26wVpdTK0BoCi2I_xBU1TX5zzsRuvmsjwP48tQZOyhyr8HU3SsYKypUAW3PEI71VV7H2SMHVnP_4qe-FwV9gmt2tIdCNq_5nSOs0mx_lxhMWLb3y1ITmfc4EpXhCk23Q/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-25912069836179224272014-06-04T14:28:00.000-07:002014-06-04T14:28:27.687-07:00Travel to China in two weeks!!! Landon, here we come!Our Adoption Journey Continues:<br />
4/4/14- Soft LOA (Letter of Acceptance)<br />
4/7/14-Hard LOA (Letter of Acceptance)<br />
4/12/14- 1st Care Package sent<br />
4/12/14- CCAI's fees 3rd prog fee and post adoption fee and BLAS<br />
4/15/14- Fees received at CCAI<br />
5/6/14- Visa pick up and mailed to us<br />
4/28/14- I800 approval<br />
4/24/14- 2nd Care Package sent<br />
5/19/14-Article 5 pickup<br />
6/3/14- Travel Approval<br />
6/4/14- Consulate Appointment Confirmation<br />
6/20/14- Fly to Beijing<br />
6/22/14- Fly to <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Zhengzhou</span><br />
6/23/14- Meet Landon Brennan Qianli HallAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-7613049656738959882014-02-13T16:04:00.002-08:002014-02-13T16:04:57.536-08:00LANDON!!!<h2>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">
Hold on, to me as we go </div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">
As we roll down this unfamiliar road </div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">
And although this wave is stringing us along </div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">
Just know you're not alone </div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">
Cause I'm going to make this place your home....</div>
</h2>
Our journey started many years ago and through years of wishing, dreaming, and praying Danl and I have decided to being the adoption process.<br />
<br />
Time line:<br />
May 8, 2013 MCC<br />
Scanned and mailed paperwork Thursday, May 16 to CCAI<br />
Friday, May 17, 2013 approved by CCAI and downloaded home study packet from Harmony.<br />
Sunday, May 19 typed all day!<br />
Monday, May 20 returned paperwork to CCAI<br />
Wednesday, May 22 got username and password for CCAI website<br />
Friday, May 23 birth certificates, etc. arrived via UPS. Danl spent the evening writing his bio.<br />
Saturday, May 24 Danl spent half the day sorting and organizing paperwork. He put everything in a binder and shipped it off to Harmony!<br />
9/25/13 Danl, Dedra, and Chloe' travel to get fingerprints in Nashville<br />
10/1/13 government shutdown (seriously!)<br />
10/31/13 1800A approved<br />
11/5/13 received I800A in mail<br />
11/6/13 Danl took documents to Frankfort to get KY Secretary of State certified<br />
11/7/13 Everything is notarized and taken to the county clerk!<br />
11/8/13 Dedra and Chloe' headed to Nashville to get Secretary of State certified<br />
11/9/13 Fedex to Caring Hands<br />
12/27/13 DTC<br />
1/3/14 LID<br />
1/29/14 emailed CCAI to review the file of a beautiful baby boy. Received file within a couple hours!!! We think he is perfect!<br />
1/30/14 Spent the entire day on the computer and in communication with Kristen (official adoption advisor) to submit file for a doctor review recommendation.<br />
1/31/14 Doctor advised to ask for update.<br />
1/31/14-2-/7/14 Chinese New Year (seriously!)<br />
2/11/14- Could not wait one more second! Called to claim our boy and received update (photo and 2 videos!!!) and within 4 minutes (yes, that says 4 minutes!).<br />
2/11/14- submitted LOI<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-61425345690639125712011-02-13T06:58:00.000-08:002014-02-13T15:48:20.860-08:00Tons of happenings....<div>First blog post in two years! What could make a person wait so long? Laziness? Procrastination? It's called...I have a J-O-B that keeps me crazy busy. English teachers grade too many papers...</div>
<br /><div>But I am posting to share good news. 36 months after putting our house in Kentucky on the market and it is SOLD! What's next? Who knows? </div>
<br /><div>I completed my three year evaluations this week! Tenure anyone? Yes. Thank you. Have I been teaching in Tennessee for three years already? Where does the time go?</div>
<br /><div>Baby Cole is due and our family is over-the-moon awaiting this next event. Big brother Nolan is the light of our lives and I can only imagine the joy of nephew x 2!</div>
<br /><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-30992776305130814352008-07-26T10:41:00.000-07:002008-07-26T10:47:44.012-07:00The school year is starting soon and...<span style="font-size:130%;">I got a job!<br /><br />God blessed and on Monday, July 14, I got the call. I will be teaching 9th and 10th grade English at Karns High School.<br /><br />If you ever question how God works, here is proof that He is looking out for us and has a hand in our move to Knoxville. Our townhome, which we leased in June, is located less than 5 minutes from the school. Of all the high schools in Knoxville we could not have leased a home in a better neighborhood any closer to Karns High School! I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't happened right before my eyes.<br /><br />I will post pics of my classroom as soon as I get it finished!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-45672073811850678242008-07-26T10:38:00.000-07:002014-02-13T15:48:20.849-08:00I got a job!<div>Monday, July 14th, while driving to Gatlinburg to visit Biscuit, I got the phone call...God has blessed...I have been hired to teach 9th and 10th grade English at Karns High School. </div>
<br /><div> </div>
<br /><div>I will post pics of my classroom as soon as they are available!</div>
<br /><div> </div>
<br /><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-53300675059295079752008-07-26T09:57:00.000-07:002008-07-26T10:38:38.322-07:00Visiting with the family...<span style="font-size:130%;">Justin, Kristen, Logan, and Riley came for a visit the second weekend in July! We went to dinner at Mimi's, visited the Knoxville Zoo, had ice cream Brusters (yum!), ate at Mexico Lindo's (best homemade tamales), and played in the pool. </span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtTGiXnli_lGDJQ89FbRchbZOic69_gAvYgAiJ0mjyaUfm-DMqtzyesIyAFHRvLHNVN7fGX9__jBvcTUgsT5xBmtn2g_bvAyTzslPNzr7sS7qJEhdvp1KrTcrXOkIZdNCH42dZGMV_w/s1600-h/IMG_7311.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227376136482234226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtTGiXnli_lGDJQ89FbRchbZOic69_gAvYgAiJ0mjyaUfm-DMqtzyesIyAFHRvLHNVN7fGX9__jBvcTUgsT5xBmtn2g_bvAyTzslPNzr7sS7qJEhdvp1KrTcrXOkIZdNCH42dZGMV_w/s200/IMG_7311.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCfxagCTYJSJdD-K5LK4jFQCtThI1rP4UCi09tf_Q2FXumpZ5n6KMDGH3JSYnL0kaz-GPVBShqbJZara6-xtCr1OZcEdidLNQazK-f6KuN4VV9Wndr0nLriB4z_uAf7amjSMYKFS4zw/s1600-h/IMG_7316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227375389124919522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCfxagCTYJSJdD-K5LK4jFQCtThI1rP4UCi09tf_Q2FXumpZ5n6KMDGH3JSYnL0kaz-GPVBShqbJZara6-xtCr1OZcEdidLNQazK-f6KuN4VV9Wndr0nLriB4z_uAf7amjSMYKFS4zw/s200/IMG_7316.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCfxagCTYJSJdD-K5LK4jFQCtThI1rP4UCi09tf_Q2FXumpZ5n6KMDGH3JSYnL0kaz-GPVBShqbJZara6-xtCr1OZcEdidLNQazK-f6KuN4VV9Wndr0nLriB4z_uAf7amjSMYKFS4zw/s1600-h/IMG_7316.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCfxagCTYJSJdD-K5LK4jFQCtThI1rP4UCi09tf_Q2FXumpZ5n6KMDGH3JSYnL0kaz-GPVBShqbJZara6-xtCr1OZcEdidLNQazK-f6KuN4VV9Wndr0nLriB4z_uAf7amjSMYKFS4zw/s1600-h/IMG_7316.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Logan and Riley with their belated birthday gifts of matching Viewmaster/Binoculars with tons of animals slides.<br />Now they are ready for the zoo!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227369285933550242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s-wcSrVR2DoNTFiy_NzA-0zsU007brbYItr1f3SZBPMIu_1XpzqVcUP0HJ8WmyJoE7LA_sGgJikHlqF_Sh_TxdD47U_e3CHjAzz2-yVbSbPU_TYaTJrX_cSqljNTTy8aRYvH2bG-bg/s400/IMG_7335.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;"> Riley and Poppy Danl</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Riley decided to call Poppy Danl "Danl Hall" this trip and as he is famous for his Tommy Bahama print shirts (that he loves) Riley made Danl's day when she commented on his shirt when he came downstairs dressed for the zoo, "<em>Danl Hall, nice shirt</em>."<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Logan with the map. Logan has a "thing" for maps and likes to act as the offical tour guide when he visits parks, etc.</span><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227370815101477490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw7Pvw57RjUrPzqZydRpPMzAaiSjOnSWrjCHftWdIIUWy1auLsX5zeUtBXyhkmvMGQRlJ7gZ6uCQrqFQ1cTBvAH3Ryxgu54xWDoFPoCucKkAGlba3Tml15_Nvb1crDNoT3asHCuhuNA/s400/IMG_7324.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227370823875982546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdgquKxKIz4VbLZSAm3V3tXWwqU15GhWZU11pLmtTFtXqZiBbwoHu7hcEu2pCpj7VCWUYVC6isIXMpmoz_BS1WKK6ArGA4y1PuZiRjsxOyWnDRC_pt7ijC8MJP5FH2XPTUCE72GSWKw/s400/IMG_7334.JPG" border="0" /> Our group (in the shade).<br /><p align="left"></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227373088188151602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmo6MbrBCsX405cdTuqslOh8bdBd6daawhfgc3r9x2ryGIloxIdvaPfH9RRiOMathVs7vghPJcLibtmE5RycCAdZDhGdvZ8TcmJUeWnHVZakpRfyFWAZi7VC7DRZgv000SaQzoNFR_g/s400/IMG_7323.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Two baby girls...</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227376981968493218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc87By-fNNTQcaTXULBNIGHA4ug-_9l5Y6LKxS8Vc_bH7vtfJaNONeDV8qqAl6fit5zn5h-0I9sV_5p4NLPfvPtt95YLidzrd0TyjXBLvf4UpKiWG2auWZxY-5eBXAnxuJTio_ah5D0A/s320/IMG_7317.JPG" border="0" />Kristen with Riley in her ponytails!<br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">We had a great visit and can't wait to see them again!</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-657740864571609782008-06-30T19:54:00.000-07:002008-06-30T20:02:07.297-07:00KNOXVILLEWe have relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee!<br />Danl has been here for a couple months and we joined him Friday, June 27th. After spending the night in Lexington and putting Rae and Nolan on the plane back to San Antonio, Chloe' and I rolled into town about 5pm just as the movers were unloading the last of the "stuff".<br />Friday night was rough and we worked hard Saturday but, we were settled in by Saturday night.<br />Danl has been working to help us acclimate to the area. He found a great location to live (Forest Ridge Town Homes) and a church! We attended Knoxville Christian Center for Sunday services and feel very blessed to have found a church.<br />So far we are enjoying our new city. I will post with job and school details as they develop.<br />HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-81558217198353282122008-06-30T19:31:00.001-07:002008-06-30T19:54:18.583-07:00Rachel and Nolan visit Kentucky...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM_5JuUnv00Hmh_RzEaVmTZSC7P1JKb0cph4cUwWBOprZKNDH-JN_i4R_138z5fb0axXmoyuT_je5SmrlarXhiW_J2ueJsYqKH5vGbPKw1XC-D7rhr2FLy_iAr5gPVTR0BAYaGM4xCQ/s1600-h/100_5113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217868638521954274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM_5JuUnv00Hmh_RzEaVmTZSC7P1JKb0cph4cUwWBOprZKNDH-JN_i4R_138z5fb0axXmoyuT_je5SmrlarXhiW_J2ueJsYqKH5vGbPKw1XC-D7rhr2FLy_iAr5gPVTR0BAYaGM4xCQ/s400/100_5113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqEpjz8MPOjGTyfpDRLQI4negaOwttSJbtoTHgn71uaEwbeo6Bc4k6_Kbv60LJyr9TDjY4xzyJxBqjhPRop3w4OFqbfhHaR6IZPrKpgzsDVRMwIc-Y-VbE2ZVmVRpVYkmGOMxkHbVcg/s1600-h/100_5136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217868642067128690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqEpjz8MPOjGTyfpDRLQI4negaOwttSJbtoTHgn71uaEwbeo6Bc4k6_Kbv60LJyr9TDjY4xzyJxBqjhPRop3w4OFqbfhHaR6IZPrKpgzsDVRMwIc-Y-VbE2ZVmVRpVYkmGOMxkHbVcg/s400/100_5136.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj432l3sSVHAn4ZuTySutUPsJKUhnR303MW_lHUdoyu6osMb2Sk0fuqbjsdu8OzqSnlsOmJDt9roRs91mKRvVFhyXVb2kqMmsMV9QT6zQZpRW9u9OYc_qB7dYhyphenhyphen2rxDxYTt9dysMZvw7Q/s1600-h/100_5156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217868652119485426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj432l3sSVHAn4ZuTySutUPsJKUhnR303MW_lHUdoyu6osMb2Sk0fuqbjsdu8OzqSnlsOmJDt9roRs91mKRvVFhyXVb2kqMmsMV9QT6zQZpRW9u9OYc_qB7dYhyphenhyphen2rxDxYTt9dysMZvw7Q/s400/100_5156.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DnpK0sq02pWa_VXb2dKqqpiUdiaSTu01lVR0rX62wXGhldKrPhTe39KzNInUkJ8G2XffC3m2hvY0j-E47zBtN9W3pGZA7dEOtfaEyO9rkAZOss_EVdxgqfRxCJuesLI6ZRcXM4zvGQ/s1600-h/100_5031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217868657133155890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DnpK0sq02pWa_VXb2dKqqpiUdiaSTu01lVR0rX62wXGhldKrPhTe39KzNInUkJ8G2XffC3m2hvY0j-E47zBtN9W3pGZA7dEOtfaEyO9rkAZOss_EVdxgqfRxCJuesLI6ZRcXM4zvGQ/s400/100_5031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJO9Fxyu5J-qBQSYPLq8QYAv2i8OXh-lBTGoA_OgibQ_IlmF1fta-Xds6rwrJuSkKvlPqhLcbAJIzyqoKQylYaK05yRJ7OY81yL6N6Hrkr-vlsPLZo1DFe-e87KaiLuwo_G9UZ21Ptg/s1600-h/100_5043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217868660111917458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJO9Fxyu5J-qBQSYPLq8QYAv2i8OXh-lBTGoA_OgibQ_IlmF1fta-Xds6rwrJuSkKvlPqhLcbAJIzyqoKQylYaK05yRJ7OY81yL6N6Hrkr-vlsPLZo1DFe-e87KaiLuwo_G9UZ21Ptg/s400/100_5043.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> Nolan and Mommy visited Kentucky for 2 weeks at the end of June. The visit was riddled with allergies, runny noses, ear infections (Rae's) and The Hall Family migration to Knoxville which made for more than a few rough days. Jed was a trouper in San Antonio missing his Rachel and chunks-a-bunch (kudos to Jed for having to work and miss his family).<br />But all and all we loved our visit. Nolan enjoyed spending time with Noah and Chloe'. Check out the picture of him riding the "Chloe' car" which was Chloe's Cozy Coupe. Francis and Corkie ending up riding too. Nolan is growing exponentially and does something new everyday! We took him for his 7 month pictures.<br />We spent a couple days in Knoxville checking out the new townhome while I went to a job interview. We also visited the Pikeville City Park where Nolan enjoyed swinging. He loved his baths and gave everyone extra doses of sugar (especially Uncle Danl). Rae and Chloe' went for mani's and pedi's. I worked on the computer one whole day and finished my Rank 1!!!<br />We ended the trip with a night in Lexington and took him to the UK bookstore and he got to "swim" in the jacuzzi tub at the Doubletree.<br />My best memories are feeding him and making him laugh, which is pretty easy to do considering the kid laughs for pastime.<br />Rae and Nolans visit was a great start to the summer!<br />WE LOVE YOU GUYS BUNCHES!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-9436004865683166512008-06-06T16:46:00.000-07:002008-06-06T16:49:09.157-07:00School's Out!It's official...<br /><br />School's out for summer... Chloe' graduated from Johns Creek. She is a Freshman!<br /><br />Let the moving begin!<br /><br />We have not officially moved yet. Danl is loving Knoxville and his new job.<br /><br />As soon as a job materializes for me I will post...<br /><br />Have a great summer!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-36338088544151236602008-04-21T19:09:00.000-07:002008-04-21T20:44:32.794-07:00Spring Break<span style="font-size:130%;">Things could not have been any busier during spring break! Danl started his new job at Vaughn and Melton and moved into his apartment in Knoxville, Noah worked and spent time at Hillbilly Days eating all sorts of yummy food (4 funnel cakes, 3 gyros, 1 polish sausage, 2 mountain dew slushies, 5 full throttles, 2 strawberry smoothies, 3 slices of pizza, 1 blooming onion, 1 flaming stick of pork and God only knows what else!) and for basically the same amount of money that it takes to feed Noah at Hillbilly Days, Chloe' and I flew to Texas.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYaoQwVhkNqqafCTwK8oEugH5AUeqB_-m68SoSYX2O_QSiuvMggDqzni1ernBfJZnB37RCXPrAQ13BIe4ZKUHtGcHWnF7CDQDVsIV-e64FNOCCLc7p1QdwBHypbkqFbtHWMj2PpaMnQ/s1600-h/Chloe+Nolan+for+a+walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191891994339211362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYaoQwVhkNqqafCTwK8oEugH5AUeqB_-m68SoSYX2O_QSiuvMggDqzni1ernBfJZnB37RCXPrAQ13BIe4ZKUHtGcHWnF7CDQDVsIV-e64FNOCCLc7p1QdwBHypbkqFbtHWMj2PpaMnQ/s400/Chloe+Nolan+for+a+walk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:0;"></span><br />Chloe' and Nolan going for a walk.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Texas (i.e., NOLAN) was a blast. Rachel and Jed picked us up at the airport (luggage and all) and we spent the weekend stealing sugar from the cutest baby in the world. We toured a model of their new house! Woo Hoo! Beeaautifulll! Sunday we got to go along with Rachel and Jed to have Nolan's five month pictures made. (Uncle Danl will love the golf pictures!) Nolan also started eating green beans and peaches during our visit! We purchased him a walker and he is offically mobile now. This kid is off the charts amazing.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPTEd_PksqLwcXgg3FpBigCbTdoXl1I3N7B3LsyHDayJ1DLZtpnjwhL781VAHc004iGsZ3PLbx7n0AEDKpzLYZ4qhkDf4neiWP2pJdl37zcsUGtmkpvSSexp9U7_ddGyt7-BUnFrZ8w/s1600-h/Nolan+exersauser.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191891998634178690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPTEd_PksqLwcXgg3FpBigCbTdoXl1I3N7B3LsyHDayJ1DLZtpnjwhL781VAHc004iGsZ3PLbx7n0AEDKpzLYZ4qhkDf4neiWP2pJdl37zcsUGtmkpvSSexp9U7_ddGyt7-BUnFrZ8w/s400/Nolan+exersauser.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkO7PJM5HBWAQDdR4rrfF90dVIGfAtZf6pYC-vh4n-9PcyTBvvTnoGjPoGGgzZZrKrdHlLR0RzX7uJNlT02IMBYI-AWhPYl5f_CsQTBafF2Z7e-EdW3OnxB3QxpBH-6SoV6TyfyF3Qg/s1600-h/Nolan+exersauser+face.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191892002929146002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkO7PJM5HBWAQDdR4rrfF90dVIGfAtZf6pYC-vh4n-9PcyTBvvTnoGjPoGGgzZZrKrdHlLR0RzX7uJNlT02IMBYI-AWhPYl5f_CsQTBafF2Z7e-EdW3OnxB3QxpBH-6SoV6TyfyF3Qg/s400/Nolan+exersauser+face.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(monkey face)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tuesday night Rachel hosted a Bunco night for 16 of her closest friends and everyone enjoyed a "girls night" with a taco and ice cream bar.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvhiSjnwATGlJ2DkqMafPHn9o7LEFxY5PZoj1xvoSTgiTc0Ac8FedgTwLRwwyTpyrgHlMSy-G4xc3jXhwbXANXjYOC5a4jEQkl0y5T3uQhqEFOljW9O0I51agQPf9YMrhJzd5BjnqUQ/s1600-h/Bunco.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191891998634178674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvhiSjnwATGlJ2DkqMafPHn9o7LEFxY5PZoj1xvoSTgiTc0Ac8FedgTwLRwwyTpyrgHlMSy-G4xc3jXhwbXANXjYOC5a4jEQkl0y5T3uQhqEFOljW9O0I51agQPf9YMrhJzd5BjnqUQ/s400/Bunco.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We spent Thursday at the Witte Musesum viewing the Human BODY exhibit (amazing) and had lunch at Le' Madeline's French Bistro. Yummy french onion soup and a super yummy lemon tart! (Nolan liked it too!)<br /><br />Friday was a beautiful day at the pool and Nolan loved the water.<br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191890336481835090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 95px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="72" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OFRfBMh7TRMgKnL5pqXBQnMHkYHKc-hB7E1BcTS6Co50wGh7ITNJthD7VMydHVTT2yXyLCd1Y17XTlkNMQEpt1TtdN-Cn2tNRpdpU1xEwcFHsV_tKFt_7zmfxoUnWRlMPFv6Nn0vdA/s400/Nolan+pool.jpg" width="170" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:130%;">All and all, Spring Break was tons of fun and now we are back to school for two weeks of CATS testing! Danl is busy at his new job and learning his way around Knoxville. The house hunt begins!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-1899431960236085052008-04-06T05:23:00.000-07:002008-04-06T05:54:00.773-07:00Exciting, busy, long, interesting week of changes...Where to begin...<br /><br />Let's start with my favorite subject-NOLAN!<br />Nolan is changing everyday and thanks to Rachel and Jed's commitment to photograhpy I am loving every minute. Snapfish, our families mode of sharing, has seen a lot of changes this week.<br /><br />This week alone Nolan has:<br /><br /><p>started giving kisses (sweet gobber kisses). Check out Nolan and his mommy as she gets all of Auntie's sugar. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxILjuPV8XbVt0GAlKDCbPC5hPRgZHNXo0hRxfpVFBdyz-8vetkEtAcaYk5rWtpy0f6Xl2o2r7x0yYGmjmCyz3CIqQHInqlIcaDPX9BFw6hoF50szKP2iVohPRANASumQovKrkYNqMkA/s1600-h/Nolan+giving+Mom+kisses.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186109142245736482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxILjuPV8XbVt0GAlKDCbPC5hPRgZHNXo0hRxfpVFBdyz-8vetkEtAcaYk5rWtpy0f6Xl2o2r7x0yYGmjmCyz3CIqQHInqlIcaDPX9BFw6hoF50szKP2iVohPRANASumQovKrkYNqMkA/s400/Nolan+giving+Mom+kisses.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WXDKUHnuZ8myLHGY7cFD10aLmLMeI62hNncwcHBPGuw4bSNW5u01LUz1dnjku-OgjH-P1Gymg-FSbsk2qdcIS8xBGVQm9GNRTK2ZhWiR1735GBRJLZfOdIbEXziKzUitbj8RFFypSA/s1600-h/Nolan+giving+Mom+kisses.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br />started using a "jumper" for what looks like an admirable attempt at walking. In the videos, you can his determination. He desperately wants to run with Lexi.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g4PtNtMso2B4kb-JkeXWT9MNrC4CLvKOeD9DoBjUnwo1qUPinql8r3Bci8Je3FEopCox8KQjMHwaD-C6-NDqBhRGetZx-xJF62er43oQmhwKIEgB_7SBM2DVAZ-Hwmg-_Li_-YoRFg/s1600-h/Nolan+in+jumper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186109142245736498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g4PtNtMso2B4kb-JkeXWT9MNrC4CLvKOeD9DoBjUnwo1qUPinql8r3Bci8Je3FEopCox8KQjMHwaD-C6-NDqBhRGetZx-xJF62er43oQmhwKIEgB_7SBM2DVAZ-Hwmg-_Li_-YoRFg/s400/Nolan+in+jumper.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelgAtXlcf0ngVhWkFctNrQ9jTW16l5Yf5IUQzwALUSE-sXHVqvf9v6IdK_wksw0-fwzq96hmRmTdMQUSWh7pwf9rij44UpgEmx-HyWftKqnf-1VfAz6q_dpqSB0fpkXYSVFkDbge4mw/s1600-h/Nolan+in+jumper.jpg"></a></p><br /><p></p>started mimicking what he sees...he rocks his head back and forth as Jed does the same giving him belly goobers. You can almost hear Nolan saying, "Do it again Dad." The video is priceless. You can hear Nolan giggling and turning his head back and forth just like Jed. The funny part is, Jed is laughing as hard as Nolan. Too cute.<br /><p> </p><p>Work was unbearable this week. One word: PORTFOLIOS</p><p>As Writing Cluster Leader at our school this is the toughest time of the school year for me. I spend almost the entire day reading portfolios entries and conferencing with students. By the end of the day my eyes are cross and my thought process is useless. The good news...one more week until Spring Break! Assessment begins the week we return from Spring Break and portfolios are offically a thing of the past. Which brings me to my point-Spring Break!</p><p>Our Spring Break is the week of "Hillbilly Days" in Pikeville this year. Chloe' and I have opted out of the food at Hillbilly Days for a week with our little nugget, Chewy! (E! network's Chelsea Handler/Chelsea Lately reference) We are so excited to spend a week with Jed, Rachel, and NOLAN!!! By the looks of how fast our little spicy taco is growing we should arrive just in time for him to pick us up at the airport. </p><p>Now for the big news of the week-the life altering news-the big change!</p><p>Danl has offically accepted a job with Vaughn and Melton, Inc. engineering firm in Knoxville, Tennessee. Our family will be relocating this summer. We are all excited and happy for Danl and we know this is something he has worked for and prayed about for some time now. We will all be making changes, Danl with his job, obviously and me with my job, which is still a work in progress. Noah has some decisions to make and for now plans to stay at Pike Central for his Senior year. Chloe', she will finally get to move to a city with a Qdoba Mexican Grill! She is looking forward to starting high school in the fall! This is the perfect time for her to make a move. Please pray for us! Our house will be going on the market this week and we are desperatley praying for the perfect neighbors for our Dustin, Leslie, and Madi family. Seriously, we have the best neighbors in the world, people who are family to us, and we will struggle leaving them most of all. I will keep you posted on my job search. Knoxville has more schools per square mile than Pikeville so I am very optimistic.</p><p>Like I said...exciting, busy, long, interesting week of changes!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-9899675363347474052008-04-04T20:27:00.000-07:002008-04-04T20:37:34.485-07:00HILLARYThursday, April 3, 2008, Bill Clinton made a campaign visit to Pikeville, Kentucky. The Expo Center was filled with young and old waiting to hear the president speak.<br /><br /><br />This was Noah and Chloe's second time seeing Bill Clinton although they were too young to remember the first time.<br /><br /><br />Leslie and Madi, Danl, Noah, Chloe' and I had a blast. Madi made "Mr. Clenton" (as she spelled it-which is pretty good for a 4 year old) a drawing and as he left the Expo she had the opportunity to give him. Chloe' got to speak to him as she handed him the drawing and well, I think the pictures say it all....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_zerFK3CIiS9MAKddesslkmTck6OoHI6DRJbQi4nvmDbXoJOfe3myOGYo96zqAKmBvl1LQWCAi1f-s7fPcUYJQrqX7ZtKLS6NZvWeQF0Xyf9OsKBSU_nMjVragxoRhvJ8lX-I8LElA/s1600-h/bill+clinton2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185599402642145202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 99px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 81px" height="160" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_zerFK3CIiS9MAKddesslkmTck6OoHI6DRJbQi4nvmDbXoJOfe3myOGYo96zqAKmBvl1LQWCAi1f-s7fPcUYJQrqX7ZtKLS6NZvWeQF0Xyf9OsKBSU_nMjVragxoRhvJ8lX-I8LElA/s400/bill+clinton2.jpg" width="225" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntPMlNAubw2TDEdLlIRSbCz99V5rU1wQbOEGhhstCkv2d3uHPyCRq9ZzHfAUaSEUCc6HX6DgnaHB30rOM-_YWKp6DRITwHCJ3UMcLWvN6hXcokjjZBzkXajgbwylr7gq-5Kl_vLnRXA/s1600-h/chloenoahmadileslie.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS02gTiDoh5jbhHG66HI87N2yVBtG2e-kvLXTIQ4GLyfWrSsooGqnEq6FNvrvUVRmuCif2yLsae1HLRRTfJXf2odTgAar7cDbFm7maS5P2EsLSquKH1ObPMkQ5IAqED2DPBmOUh8m3A/s1600-h/bill+clinton1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185599406937112514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS02gTiDoh5jbhHG66HI87N2yVBtG2e-kvLXTIQ4GLyfWrSsooGqnEq6FNvrvUVRmuCif2yLsae1HLRRTfJXf2odTgAar7cDbFm7maS5P2EsLSquKH1ObPMkQ5IAqED2DPBmOUh8m3A/s400/bill+clinton1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33LWIoXw7S9KEPeOfBCrRF6A0sgCUEey34gdmszdZF7UnDv0D4aj-pcK4upa6cXKFYcALkmShBurwttM9_9tO3KfKBgbvnWdJO8OME0Nn9N_sJb1vrWferhPORV4gZs4DDr9QdCd3ig/s1600-h/Chloe+bill+clinton+background.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185599406937112530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33LWIoXw7S9KEPeOfBCrRF6A0sgCUEey34gdmszdZF7UnDv0D4aj-pcK4upa6cXKFYcALkmShBurwttM9_9tO3KfKBgbvnWdJO8OME0Nn9N_sJb1vrWferhPORV4gZs4DDr9QdCd3ig/s400/Chloe+bill+clinton+background.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMjAOSYdHXNa7IjBNLvGCJAPNq0aVYhAo2_MCQHQr6NcgNoXesZ-ONTsIvso11OTJNz8Gl7YLnGuj8VDZJOlC1hXFtVOatpHafzwYeHSl5-wJzv5_YJvW_-YE48b5E44xdo5-pkUcCg/s1600-h/dedra+madi+bill+clinton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185599411232079842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMjAOSYdHXNa7IjBNLvGCJAPNq0aVYhAo2_MCQHQr6NcgNoXesZ-ONTsIvso11OTJNz8Gl7YLnGuj8VDZJOlC1hXFtVOatpHafzwYeHSl5-wJzv5_YJvW_-YE48b5E44xdo5-pkUcCg/s400/dedra+madi+bill+clinton.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntPMlNAubw2TDEdLlIRSbCz99V5rU1wQbOEGhhstCkv2d3uHPyCRq9ZzHfAUaSEUCc6HX6DgnaHB30rOM-_YWKp6DRITwHCJ3UMcLWvN6hXcokjjZBzkXajgbwylr7gq-5Kl_vLnRXA/s1600-h/chloenoahmadileslie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185599411232079858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntPMlNAubw2TDEdLlIRSbCz99V5rU1wQbOEGhhstCkv2d3uHPyCRq9ZzHfAUaSEUCc6HX6DgnaHB30rOM-_YWKp6DRITwHCJ3UMcLWvN6hXcokjjZBzkXajgbwylr7gq-5Kl_vLnRXA/s400/chloenoahmadileslie.jpg" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-46631659946286804502008-02-20T21:22:00.001-08:002008-02-20T21:24:30.956-08:00Welcome Michelle!<br />Check out The Kinder's new blog.<br />I am so pround of my bff for getting her blog up and running.<br />Rachel (our resident blog guru) will have to tutor us in "prettying up" our pages.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-33189252324135448292008-02-13T15:30:00.000-08:002008-02-13T15:50:10.770-08:00Happy Valentines Day-Danl has been my Valentine for 17 years!The last week has been busy.<br /><br />First, I spent two days with a migraine of massive proportions. Then I had to attend two Rank 1 classes in Magoffin County both Friday and Saturday. On the up side-my Rank 1 will be complete at the end of this summer and my colleagues and I enjoy the adventure of completing classes together as opposed to traveling alone.<br /><br />I spent Sunday grading papers and getting caught up on paperwork and getting makeup work ready for all the kids who missed school last week due to the flu. Then as luck would have it, Chloe' got sick with flu symptoms Monday night. I stayed home with her Tuesday now Kentucky is getting a dusting of snow, just enough to keep us out of school! We were thrilled to hear that we are out the rest of this week due to weather/flu. Hopefully a few days off will give everyone time to get healthy. Chloe' has had a rough few days and I have been prodding her to take medicine so she can rest. She has been so pitiful.<br /><br />The writer's strike is over so we are all holding onto our seats waiting on new episodes of Greys and Desperate Housewives. Yeah! Thank goodness for American Idol. I will post our families Idol predictions soon.<br /><br />I had to reschedule this week's Book Club tea but I will post pictures and an update as soon as we can meet. Early reviews have been mixed, in reference to The Poisonwood Bible, so I can't wait to hold the discussion. We will definately have to pick something "lighter" next month.<br /><br />P.S. Nolan is three months old today! Cutie x 3 months!<br /><br />LOVE LOVE LOVE TO ALLAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973095099272677948.post-41596989457258553142008-02-04T18:51:00.000-08:002008-02-04T19:47:22.566-08:00It's FebruaryWhere did January go?<br /><br />I spent part of last week in Lex-Vegas at the KCTE-LA Conference (Kentucky Counsel for Teachers of English and Language Arts). Imagine the blissful sight of 400 English teachers running freely about the Radisson without a principal in sight. However, it was a good conference and I learned a lot. There were several amazing authors presenting and the poetry was fun.<br /><br />Chloe's cheer squad spent Saturday competing and earning another 1st place finish at the Bluegrass Games (held at Henry Clay High School). This was the squads second year finishing 1st in their divison at the Bluegrass Games. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ6lEC9424ASGeiXMPvZtHfULef0IxCdgQ9jI5U5kNL0rXwJlTCir33GYr262K0bzN_Kt1739IlwdYXJesOZ9CjDuT_SERwFpUVLV1GvpQwnICluNsQOYy0wQhyphenhyphendLpCFhOcmRg8VrAA/s1600-h/8th.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163324565640522402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" height="174" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ6lEC9424ASGeiXMPvZtHfULef0IxCdgQ9jI5U5kNL0rXwJlTCir33GYr262K0bzN_Kt1739IlwdYXJesOZ9CjDuT_SERwFpUVLV1GvpQwnICluNsQOYy0wQhyphenhyphendLpCFhOcmRg8VrAA/s200/8th.jpg" width="236" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Go Cats!<br /><br /><br />C-A-T-S<br /><br /><br />Go Cats Go!<br />Chloe' is standing-fourth girl over-holding the trophy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUb3m4C7jvWaQSaFmfbkSSu8O9qojbIIBWwSDFSqp1v0u2lLBOE3IbVVzQ4wHjq9HUkbme8fRpbJkKIyjhA98bnbGcV_o-iOC3DHrJgOUS68Axq6Pm3GZ8ysISK5GMSHt2ZJaZE4ZKQ/s1600-h/jcs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163325390274243250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUb3m4C7jvWaQSaFmfbkSSu8O9qojbIIBWwSDFSqp1v0u2lLBOE3IbVVzQ4wHjq9HUkbme8fRpbJkKIyjhA98bnbGcV_o-iOC3DHrJgOUS68Axq6Pm3GZ8ysISK5GMSHt2ZJaZE4ZKQ/s400/jcs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Chloe' is standing left of the sign.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While in Lexington we visited with Justin, Kristen, Logan and Riley Kate. Anytime we can play with the kids we are happy. Then we attempted to go out for dinner at Olive Garden (the wait was just under 2 hours), then we ventured over to the Japanese Steak House (an hour wait there) so we literally ate at the next place we could find without putting both kids back in their car seats- Corky's Bar-b-que. It isn't Rudy's but it was great! We were all starved and munched down on fried pickles, cheese sticks, and nachos with Bar-b-que beef (a first for us). The highlight of dinner was Logan saying grace and Riley letting us know she was finished eating. First, we practically had to "sing Logan down" as he blessed everyone he knows (twice) and it was beautiful. He is amazingly smart and quick-witted. Then, Riley (thief of hearts-especially Danl's) finishes meals with a flourish. She simply throws everything she has finished on the floor. Justin and Kristen assures us that when her sippy cup hits the floor you can be sure she's finished eating.<br /><br />After a long weekend traveling, the whole football Superbowl thing did not go uncelebrated. Danl, Noah, Chloe', and I spent the evening at Ray and Paula Jones' Superbowl Party eating "blazing hot" hot wings (Hooters Three Mile Island none the less) playing with Grayson, and visiting with good friends. The guys watched every second of the game and the girls were thrilled to have some uninterrupted chat time.<br /><br />The cutest baby on the planet, Nolan, spent his first Superbowl watching the game while reclining on his dad. It was a proud moment for Jed! Check out Rachel's Blog for super cute Superbowl Nolan pics.<br /><br />At PCCHS, Madonna Morley (the school's media specialist) and I have started a book club!<br />I will be hosting a Valentine Tea on Wednesday the 13th. The book selection for this month is <em>The Poisonwood Bible</em>. I am thrilled and excited...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942758210755393842noreply@blogger.com2