Molly Elizabeth Perkins

August 8, 2007

2:45 p.m.
6lbs. 9 oz.
19" long

BIG NEWS

I have a new job! I accepted a position at Dell Computer in Austin, TX! We are packing right now and will move next weekend! I have decided not to finish my Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee because I realized that career path was not a good fit for me. I'll be on an inside relationship sales team at the Round Rock campus, and my client set will include state and local government agencies, municipalities, etc. We are very excited about this move and my new job!

Kristen is feeling good and the new baby is another girl!

Due August 13

Our next little one is on the way! Kristen is due on August 13 with baby #2. We went to the doctor yesterday and saw a 3-D picture of him or her. It's amazing what you can see so early. The baby, which is only 4.5 cm long right now, was curled up resting, and it looked like she was resting her head on her hand. Kristen is doing well, and so is little Meredith. Although this morning I accidentally woke everyone up before I left for work. I was quietly opening the fridge when the magnetic singing barnyard on the front of the fridge came crashing to the floor echoing about the house. I held my breath, and then I heard the little whimper from Meredith's room...yup...she's up...no turning back. I tried to rock her back to sleep, but she's too smart for that, the day has begun.

Here is a picture of Meredith when we visited Abilene during the break.

1st day of class

Well, it starts again. Today is the first day of class. The campus is buzzing again, but with less electricity than the fall semester. I teach a 9 a.m. class this semester...I can't imagine any of my students being excited about that. I also teach a 3:35 p.m. class...I can't imagine anyone being excited about that, either.

It snowed here yesterday morning, big, thick flakes. But by the afternoon, the white coating was gone, and things just looked a little wet. It was in the 20's this morning. I tried to unrolled my window in the car this morning, and it was frozen; it wouldn't go down. How 'bout that.

I'm off to class now to meet these bright eyed freshmen & sophomores.

End of the First Semester

Finally, the end is near. My first semester as a Ph.D. student is drawing to a close. I have turned in my final project and only have a few more things to finish before the Christmas break. My students must give one more speech next Tuesday and then it's officially over. It's been a whirlwind, but I'm happy to be hear.

I enjoyed the UT vs. Memphis basketball game last night. UT jumped out to a twenty point lead in the middle of the first half and the Tigers could not bounce back. I'm from Memphis, so I had a small conflict of interest, but since I'm enrolled at UT, I'm a Vol for now.

We went to our first Christmas party Tuesday night. We had a great time eating good food, singing Christmas carols, and of course having a cheap gift exchange. I've always heard this game called a "White elephant gift exchange" or something like that. However, our invitation to this party labeled this game the "Dirty Santa" gift exchange. Ummm...I don't know what to think about that...it sounds like something you don't want to do in front a lot of people from church. But, we participated, and Kristen came home with a medium sized Christmas wreath that is actually pretty nice. She is surprised that no one stole it from her.

I've decorated my office desk with chili pepper Christmas lights. It reminds me of San Antonio. What a great city.

It's difficult to believe it's already November. There's only about 5 weeks left of my first semester at UT, and I'm looking forward to the long Christmas break. Here in Knoxville, the buzz is twofold: UT lost to LSU in the last minute of Saturday's game following a great performance by the back-up QB, and secondly: who can run the cruelist political ad, Corker or Ford? I'd rather not listen to the analysis of either topic, but unfortunately, the media didn't ask me.

Meredith had a great time being a pumpkin for Halloween; she got lots of candy, which we hope she has forgotten about by now. Kristen's parents, Floyd & Kay, are in town for the week. They drove all the way from Abilene, TX in one day, last Saturday. I was tired all day just thinking about their trip.

My students start presenting their persuasive speeches today; it should be exciting. In fact, I think someone today is going to convince me that daschund's are the best dog in the world...I don't think so.