Chula's Allergy Testing

So, this past week/weekend we went to Nashville - we were happy to see David's brother, Jonathan and his family...but unfortunately that was not our original reason for the trip.  Chula, our chocolate lab has battled with allergies for about 2 years now (she's 3 y.o.)...we have exhausted all of our "pill" resources without much help, so we finally broke down and took her to be tested.  Yes...we had to drive all the way to Nashville to do this (we were also given the opportunity of going to Jackson, MS...but seeing as how we have family in Nashville, and a place to stay...we chose this city.)

So, we took her Thursday morning and were about to have the testing done that afternoon.  Much to our surprise...she is allergic to almost everything that she was tested on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  When we returned to pick her up that afternoon, we walked into the exam room and a vet tech sat us down and handed us a paper filled with names of trees, shrubs, grasses, bugs, molds, etc.  She said "the highlighted items are what your dog is allergic to."  I really don't remember another time that I was so speechless.  Almost everything on the sheet was highlighted!!!!!!  So, after a long talk with the doctor and vet tech, we decided to start allergy shots.  But wait! - before your eyes get too big let me just tell you that they actually cost LESS than the pills she has been taking.  YEAH!  So, let me just take this time to insert a few pictures.

Here is the area that they shaved for the testing.

Poor Chula - I hope her hair grows fast!

Chula posing with her test results - the highlighted items are what she is allergic to...this is the 1st of 2 pages. :)

Chula says "Mom, I hate it when you get carried away with that camera...enough already!"

So, besides our adventure at the pet allergist...we had a great time visiting with our brother & sister-in-law - Jonathan & Julie and our nephew, Aiden.  Aiden is almost 10 months now and he is getting so big!  We had so much fun playing with him and just spending time with Julie and Jonathan.  Unfortunately we don't have any pictures of Aiden from the trip!!!!!!!  I know, that is horrible.  Everytime I got my camera out he was either sleeping or fussy and heading to sleep.  So, I just did a bad job of catching those moments.  So...maybe next time.

Thanks Julie & Jonathan for your hospitality!

Meeting Brooks

Okay, let's try this again...

I have been working on the post off & on for about 2 weeks, and have not been able to get these pictures to upload...so hopefully it will work this time!

A couple of weekends ago we were able to travel to Shreveport to see our newest nephew, Brooks!  We had such a great time and were happy to have the chance to go.  Isabella was so funny - she is 20 months old now and full of personality!  She really kept us entertained.  Here are some pictures!

Mr. Brooks!

So cute!

Look how big he is!  :)

Sweet Isabella lovin' on her baby brother.

I just thought this was a cute picture of Isabella...

So David and Isabella had this game...David would pretend like he was sleeping and then Isabella would go and "wake him up," and then David would sit up and point to her and say "What do you think you're doing?!"  She thought it was so funny and they played this for about 30 minutes (at least) one morning.  After awhile...once she woke David up she would point at him too and say something (in her own little language) and just laugh!  You can see what I mean in the next few pictures.


I'm so happy that I was finally able to post this...and we are looking forward to the next time we get to see Ben, Kristen, Isabella, & Brooks!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I'd like to wish a very happy 63rd birthday to my daddy! - Reid Pennington.  I thought he was 64, but found out this weekend he is actually just now 63.  :)  Anyway!  I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Dad!  I couldn't ask for a better Father than you.  I love you!

Brooks Anderson!

I'd like to take this chance to welcome our nephew, Brooks Anderson, to the world! He was born yesterday, June 5, @ 11:19am in Shreveport to David's brother, Ben & his wife Kristen. ...And was an amazing 9lb 15oz & was 20 1/2 inches long. Everyone is doing great, and we are so excited to see them all next weekend. We know that his big sister, Isabella, is doing a great job of entertaining him as well. I will try to post some pictures as I get them.





...on the other hand - I appreciate the comments that we have received on here. I am really new at this and still learning about it all. I do appreciate the encouragement though! :)

Graduation Party

David's coworkers recently threw a graduation party for David and me.  They are so sweet and it was so much fun to celebrate with them.  The party was a surprise for David, which is really funny because David hates surprises.  I had to sneak right past David's office so that he would not see me.  The girls were so sweet to include me in the party as well.  Here are some pictures.  Thanks Monique...and all!

A New Chapter...welcome to our blog!

Well, we are finally taking the plunge and creating a blog.  We have enjoyed reading the blogs of our friends and family for so long and think it is a great way to keep others up to date on what is going on in our lives.  So...here goes!

After 2 1/2 long years, David and I both recently graduated with our Masters degrees! We are so excited to have this accomplished, and are now looking forward to actually spending time with each other for a change!  I graduated May 3rd with my Masters in Science - Advanced Practice Nursing.  I will soon sit for the certification exam to be a Family Nurse Practitioner.  

Here is a picture of David and me at my graduation.

David graduated with his Masters in Christian Studies.  He will continue his job at the University of Memphis for now...as we pray about what direction God wants to take us in the future.  This is David and his friend, Wade.  We are so excited that they are finished!

For now, we are enjoying the summer - excited to be able to get out of the house and do what we want.  We have a couple of trips planned over the summer that we are definitely ready to take!