Kellisa's Path

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Luray, Virginia

August 2010

ZOOS

HOME

Kellisa - Orlando to Chicago Midway

May 17, 2000

We were flying home to celebrate Kellisa's 1st birthday with family and friends.

Egypt - Jacksonville to Las Vegas

November 19, 2010

Our trip to Death Valley National Park almost never happened. It was booked before Egypt was placed in our house on October 13, 2010. Needless to say, our entire lives had changed for the better, but everything was up in the air. As our departure date approached, we didn't think it was a good idea to fly across the country and then drive for hours with a 17 month old baby that had been in our home for just over a month. After going back and forth, we decided to "go for it". Since Egypt was not a legal Kain at the time, we needed a judge's written approval to take Egypt out of Florida. We received permission the day before the trip was to start. I will add that Egypt was already a Kain in our minds and hearts!

The trip was almost cancelled at the last possible second. After passing through security in Jacksonville, I placed Kellisa on a bench as we waited for her wheelchair to pass the TSA screening. In a split second, Kellisa fell face first off the bench, landing on the tiled floor. Blood immediately started to flow from her nose and mouth. Kellisa was crying as I held her trying to figure out how bad her injuries were. I used my shirt to wipe some of the blood to access her teeth and fortunately, none were broken, chipped or cracked. I could see Kellisa's nose swell before my eyes. I was fairly confident that she had a broken nose.

TSA called for a medical response and they were there in less than a minute. As the paramedics checked Kellisa, she stopped crying and started to smile and flirt. They were able to determine that Kellisa's nose wasn't broken. They asked if we wanted to be transported to a hospital. I asked Kellisa if she was ready to fly to Las Vegas and with a smile, she signed "yes". We thanked everyone and rushed to the gate where they were holding the boarding process for us. A big thanks to our hometown Southwest Team.

HOME

Cheaha Mountain

2,407ft.

Alabama

December 2012

Egypt's first state Highpoint:

As we arrived, we found Cheaha Mountain surrounded by clouds

Napping

The rain and clouds made the easy drive to the summit a little challenging

Summit of Alabama

(We were getting out either way, but didn't mind that the rain stopped for a few minutes)

Overlook near the summit

Egypt enjoying "Gingerbread Junction" in front of the camp store

As we left, this is the same vantage point as the first picture

HOME

Britton Hill

345ft.

Florida

March 2013

Egypt's 2nd state Highpoint

Exploring Lakewood Park:

View from the parking lot:

HOME

The Birmingham Zoo

December 2012

Egypt enjoying the "mingos"

Egypt's eyes had tears from the cold wind while riding the train. At one point, Egypt looked at me and explained the tears as: "daddy, my face isn't working right".

Egypt taking a picture of a baby orangutan:

Egypt made three new friends while riding the train. They were visiting the zoo on a high school field trip. I let Egypt walk with them to see the monkeys and elephants. While in the monkey house, the girl's teacher caught up with them and they introduced Egypt as their new friend from the train. The teacher got very concerned thinking the girls had let Egypt wander away from her parents. I was standing about 10 feet away at the time. The girls quickly pointed to me and explained that I was Egypt's father. The teacher sighed with great relief.