For the Grandparents...

Pardon the brief narrative, but I've gotta go pick folks up for Corps Council.  Stick with me...

This is Nolan showing off his vertical leap:

Here is Hannah playing poker with a few of her new friends from our "hood".  (Just kidding - they were playing a harmless game of UNO.)

Here is Hannah on the morning of her 9th birthday (Aug. 25).  She was enjoying a scrumptuous plate of birthday pancakes.

My beautiful boy...

My hillbilly husband in uniform...

An ENTHRALED viewer of the newly released 3-D Hannah Montana concert...

Finally, an actual yard in Danville that I pass when I pick up for Home League...(look closely - bonus seating in this yard)

Love to all ~ Gotta run!

Rollin' Nolan...

Where to begin?

The last week and a half has been such a whirlwind for us.  It's 11:20 pm...almost a week since Dan's Commissioning/Ordination...and I am finally able to grab a few moments to share about all of the incredible experiences we've had in recent days.  We're on vacation right now in Fairview Heights, IL (a stones throw from St. Louis).  This afternoon, my dad's side of the family - the Fultzes - gathered to celebrate my grandmother's 75th birthday.  Here's a pictorial journal of the past nine days.

The Commencement Ceremony of God's Fellow Workers Session (6/6)...

In addition to degrees and diplomas, there were also awards presented, which were earned in various ways throughout the two years of the cadet's training.  Dan was presented with one of the top honors - the Commissioner's Award.  I am SO proud of him.  The moment was made even more special by the fact that both sets of our parents were there and Dan's sister and her family.  Here is Dan and the other award winners...

Before a cadet is commissioned a Salvation Army officer, they have a very special opportunity to pay tribute to two individuals who encouraged their spiritual growth and supported them in their calling.  Typically, this honor is bestowed upon the cadet's parents, but there are exceptions.  A silver star is presented to each parent and worn in representation of their officer son or daughter.  Here are Dan's parents - my wonderful inlaws - receiving their silver stars. 

We were fortunate to have relatives from seven different states make the journey to Atlanta for the weekend.  We descended upon the Holiday Inn at Gwinnett and darn near took the thing over.  Here are a few of "Lt. Dan's fans"...

This is the actual moment Dan was commissioned a Salvation Army officer, with the rank of Lieutenant.  I felt very privileged and blessed to kneel alongside Dan.  God has truly matched me with a perfect partner for ministry.

Before the conclusion of the service, there was time for a "family altar".  Each new officer was able to spend some moments in prayer with their friends and family who came to witness the occasion.  Dan took advantage of the moment and asked his mom and dad to replace his blue cadet epaulets with his crisp, red "Lt." epaulets.  He gave them stars ... and then they gave him stars!

Introducing...Lt. Dan Nelson! (6/8)

We had a celebration at lunch, which was followed by Nolan's dedication service (pictures to come...).  The Nelson's are ready to move to Danville, Kentucky!  Whoo-hoo!

Following the big weekend, Dan and I worked like crazy to get our house packed up.  We were totally moved out by Thursday and on the road to St. Louis Friday afternoon.  This morning, Nolan took his first dip in the pool.  He LOVED the water!  As I mentioned earlier, we also attended the 75th birthday celebration for my Grandma Fultz.  Here is a picture of Nolan meeting his great grandma Fultz for the first time, a picture of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and finally, a picture of my grandma with her own "kids".

We're going to the zoo tomorrow - really looking forward to that.  I'm sure it'll make for some fun photos! 

A VISUAL UPDATE...

Here is what's happened in the Nelson household during the past two weeks.

I went to Trevecca Nazarene University for a week and took a class.  I also gathered with my session (Bridgebuilders) for a reunion dinner.  There's never a dull moment with these folks.  Before we ended the reunion, we all gathered around two of my great friends, Matt and Becca Trayler, and said a special "send off" prayer as they are now on their way to the Caribbean Territory to begin the Army's work on a small island.  We're ALL so proud of them.

When I finally got back home on Friday (after school), I went straight to Hannah and Nolan's graduation from the childcare program at the Training College.

About 4 hours after the graduation, things took a nose-dive at home.  Nolan developed a 103.5 temperature and we were advised to take him to the children's hospital.  Testing showed that he had a virus and infant Tylenol was all we could treat him with.  The next day, he seemed even more inconsolable and his fever had not broken.  At 4AM on Sunday morning, we were on our way back to the hospital.  The diagnosis had not changed and we were sent home.  By Monday, Dan and I decided to take him to his regular pediatrician.  She made the official diagnosis of a virus that had caused ulcers to form down the back of his throat.  Nolan could not even suck on a bottle without screaming.  It was a horrible thing to watch a baby endure.  This is Nolan's daddy trying to "cure" him with a good baseball game...

Today, Nolan is feeling SO much better.  He's back to his normal, smiling, slobbering self.  We noticed this week that he's starting to reach for things and he can hold certain things in his hands.

Hannah's last day of third grade was yesterday.  I went to her graduation in her classroom.  She was awarded the character trait of "virtue" by her teacher - with the explanation that Hannah consistently connects and applies the Bible to the things that happen in her life.  As a parent, you can imagine how proud I was to hear such a thing.  Hannah is setting a great example for her mommy too.  She also received the "Ouch" award for going to the school clinic more times than anyone else in her class.

Tomorrow is Dan's Covenant Sunday.  Please be in prayer for him as he moves toward his Commissioning and ordination.  In his heart, he has no struggles with the committment he's entering into. 

We'll be seeing many of you in Atlanta soon! Until then, may God bless and bless and bless you.

Appointed to Danville, Kentucky!!!

Last night, our family walked across the stage at the Atlanta Temple Corps and received our appointment from the Commissioner.  We're very excited ... and admitedly, a little nervous.  As soon as the service was over, I climbed in the car and drove to Nasvhille.  I'm attending a week of school at Trevecca Nazarene University.  I hated to leave my family following such a "loaded" moment.  This is just one of those times when the calendar wasn't on my side.  We were so fortunate to have both sets of our parents present at the Appointment Service.  For the benefit of the rest of our family (and our friends), this was the moment we'd been waiting for...