We
started with a 25K race across the desert in Big Bend National Park in January.
Kellisa was the first wheelchair finisher in the history of the race.
After three surgeries in 2011, Kellisa was able to go another year without a surgery.
We
started the year off on the 1st of January with a day trip to the Okefenokee
Swamp followed by a few local hikes, and Kellisa's first driving lesson in a
golf cart.
Top
Left- Chasing Egypt (Okefenokee Swamp) Top Right- Julington-Durbin,
Jacksonville, FL Bottom- Golf cart driving lessons, Peace River, FL
The year started off on a high note as Egypt’s adoption was finalized in January.
Lisa
received an unexpected phone call in October. “We know you’re only interested
in school age children, but would you be interested in a 16-month-old
girl?”
They
needed an answer immediately. I was out of town on business when Lisa called.
Without hesitation or deep discussion, we agreed that we were interested. I was
still out of town the next night when Lisa called and asked me, “Where can I
find a hammer?”
Lisa
needed the hammer to build our crib, just in case we were chosen as the family
for this little girl. Instead of saying, “You don’t need a hammer to build the
crib,” I told Lisa where to find a hammer. I also figured we had zero chance of
getting the girl.
We continued submitting on children into the new year without any success. We were lucky if we received an automatic email reply with the subject, "Your Submittal Has Been Received".
Our first
trip of the year was during Kellisa's spring break a week after I completed my
2nd Bataan Memorial Death March. The first weekend was also Easter, so we spent
a few days in Texas visiting family before Lisa went home and Kellisa and
headed for a week in the Southwest. While in Texas, we went for a nice hike at
Brazos Bend State Park where we enjoyed its abundant birds and alligators.
