TO ATLANTA

About 6 weeks ago, we put our first born on a Delta flight to Atlanta to begin her training as a Delta flight attendant; the faces that we see as travelers and the men and women that train diligently to learn customer service and all of the emergency procedures should we need their expertise is such a situation. It is SO much more than learning to pop a soda and serve snacks. I have decided that when I fly, emergency or not...I want THESE attendants to be there!

On Tuesday of this week, we began our day much as normal, knowing that by noon, we would be heading to the airport in Little Rock (LIT) to travel to Atlanta (ATL)...I'm learning a few of the hundreds of city codes...to see our Natalie and witness her accomplishment and graduation the following day. We had instructions to message/call when we arrived to receive instructions on where to go next. So, like good parents, we did just that, never suspecting anything but directions. When we reached the top of the 3 story escalator (I'm probably exaggerating...but when you are wanting to see your child/adult child...it is a long trip up!) we hear "there you are!". Natalie and her new friend Alex were there to meet us! What a wonderful surprise! Alex's parents were to arrive about an hour after our flight. So, to the hotel for a "re-"union with Nat's new friends.

Best friends...

Laura, friend and soon to be roommate, was sitting across the way. Nat told me to go say hi...I didn't have to introduce myself...she just knew.

Then Alex and her family from upstate NY arrived, so greetings to them.

Ron and Laura checking out how the work schedule reads and where she will be going over the next month. Britt, from MN in the background.
Left to right...Amber, Angelo (from TX), Britt (from MN), Laura (from Atlanta).
It took a bit of time to understand the printout.
Just before calling it a night, Nat and Iris (from Switzerland-multi language speaker) check to make sure of the parents transportation to graduation the following morning. More on Iris tomorrow! What a Sweetie!
That is a peak at our Tuesday of this week. Such a sweet reunion with Natalie and meeting a few of the people from all over the world that have become her friends and extended family over the past 6 weeks of training. More tomorrow...

CHAD & KORI

We have a connection with Chad and Kori that looks back a number of years but each with different situations. Kori's family were fellow home school friends, but on rival basketball teams! Kori played at the time our Natalie did and Kori's sister played directly opposite our Amber. The younger two, due to their personality types, had some pretty heated competitions, where the two older played more for fun! All four were great fun to watch and cheer on.

Now, Chad we knew through his mom, Sheila. She keeps us looking presentable (our hair that is). So we watched him grow in pictures on Sheila's stylist station. Both Chad and Kori have grown into beautiful young adults, both inside and out.

A couple of weeks ago I talked to Chad's mom about the theme she was using for their rehearsal dinner and when she told me that she was using a baseball theme and wanted to do baseball cards, I thought that that was an outstanding idea! Obviously they are not fans of the same team, so this made it even more interesting. We all wanted to meet on a ball field, but with as much rain as we had had, that was impossible, so we took the competition inside. Things started off light and fun...
...and then the mood changed a bit...
...when the conversation turned to who's team was the best....
But all in all, they decided to agree to disagree. If they can keep that frame of mind in all of their disagreements throughout their married life, it will be much sweeter. Chad and Kori will be exchanging vows on June 14 in Benton. We pray God's richest blessings on your life together.

BRADY at 6 Weeks

We have had the privilege of praying for some very dear people over the past few years, asking that a baby would be brought into their lives. Around the holidays this past year, that prayer was answered with a yes! Now, Brady James is the newest member of Michael and Leah's family. And what a precious addition he is. Yesterday Ron and I got to play with them and shoot some images that tell a very special story. Meet Brady at 6 weeks of age. You will get to see him grow and change as we walk with him through his first year.


Thank you Michael and Leah for giving us the honor of telling the story of Brady's first year! We will enjoy every minute!