The Rest of the Story

I know that some of you have been waiting with bated breath to find out if we ever actually made it to Colorado or not.  I apologize for the delay.  To be honest, I didn't really want to think about our last travel day for a while.  Now that I have gotten over it somewhat, I am pleased to present the final installment in my Holiday Travel Poetic Trilogy...

One Sunny Monday

At five in the morning my alarm made its sound.

I jumped out of bed and began looking around.

We needed to gather all of our stuff,

For if we forgot it, life would be rough.

We woke up the kids, and we went out the door.

Logan International Airport is what we're headed for.

That's when things started to go not our way,

and the next 21 hours were a really "unique" day.

It started with traffic--both outside and in.

People were everywhere, we just couldn't win.

We were randomly chosen for a second screening.

The security guards gave us a good preening.

They patted down Evie and Eldan too.

I'm not really sure what they thought kids would do.

We got on our plane and were doing just fine,

Until the pilot said we wouldn't leave on time.

Our flight out of Boston was an hour or so late,

And that destined us to a traveler's worst fate.

Our connection to Denver we missed at midday,

And our disappointment I can hardly relay

When the man at the counter said our next flight

Wouldn't leave Atlanta until nine that same night!

It was just barely lunch time when we got this news,

And I'll tell you the truth--there were some "Boo-hoos!"

We ate and we waited and we waited some more.

We walked up and down the Concourse E floor.

I paid seven dollars to go internet surfing,

But, par for the course, the connection was not working.

People around us were grumpy and mad.

While we were just tired and lonely and sad.

There was one idea that we could all try.

It was leaving earlier by flying standby.

On the four-thirty flight we didn't get called,

And for the six-thirty flight my hopes were a bit stalled.

Yet, lo and behold, there was room for us all.

And when our name they said, we answered the call.

A row to ourselves we were given with glee,

And look! They even have in-flight entertainment for free!

Yet, the four hour flight was spent with some groans,

From hunger, fatigue, and malfunctioning headphones!

"Oh well," I thought, "Just a bit irritating.

At least I know my family is waiting!"

I thought this because I had texted our flight

To my mom on her cell phone earlier that night.

Yet, unknown to me, a problem with the phone

Meant all of my family was sitting at home.

When our plane in Denver finally landed

Another full hour we would be stranded.

By this time it was nearly ten in the night

And our two little munchkins were losing the fight.

They both fell asleep--get some much needed rest.

I have to admit, they both did their best.

In spite all the troubles with which our pathway was paved,

Both of our children were quite well behaved.

I wish I could say the same for their dad.

On several occasions, my attitude was bad.

And now this poem I am glad I'm concluding.

Sometime after midnight we were in our bed snoozing.

Tuesday we woke with our attitude sunny,

And looking back now...our trip was quite funny...

Well, sort of.

Before I finish my holiday rhymes,

I feel I must add two final lines.

There is one bit of info this poem can't lack.

A week from this Saturday...we have to fly back!!!!!!!!!!

A Flourishing Poet

Now that I have started, the rhymes just keep coming...

One Windy Sunday

We finally woke up about eight-thirty or nine.

With nowhere to go, we had plenty of time.

A mid-morning breakfast of the continental kind,

And we were quickly putting our troubles behind.

But, then, a hiccup of no small proportion--

My wife informed me of a horrible notion.

Our diaper supply was running dangerously low,

And our children's bowels were not very slow.

If we didn't do something in one glorious swoop,

Our hotel room would be swimming in piles of diapers.

There was no alternative--the decision was quick.

Off in the snow, I would bound like St. Nick.

"Why must you walk?" wondering you are.

The answer is simple--We don't have a car!

I bundled up tight, and I went out the door.

Diapers and lunch is what I'm looking for.

The wind is ferocious--it's over the top.

But I soon find my way to the store Stop n' Shop.

A few minutes later, I'm carrying my sack.

Only this time I have the wind to my back.

A victorious return to my Comfort Inn pad,

And for the most part the walk wasn't that bad.

Lunch, naps, and football take the rest of the day.

Oh, and more Mexican dinner was coming our way.

I tried checking in online for our flight,

But for some unknown reason Delta wouldn't bite.

So it's until early Monday that we must all wait

To learn if flying is our Christmas fate.

8:25 is our target time.

So check back tomorrow for my last traveling rhyme.

Here We Go...Again

It appears that I will have some time on my hands today, so...
I thought I would try my hand at some poetry.

One Snowy Saturday

We woke with our hopes as high as the sky

That we would get on a plane and be able to fly.

Colorado was our destination

For a glorious family Christmas celebration.

But, alas, as in the airport we found ourselves standing,

We realized our plane would not soon be landing--

Or taxiing, or cruising, or any such thing.

Does all this have a familiar ring?

Our flight had been cancelled--rejected, denied!

I looked at my wife and we both almost cried.

Nothing out of Boston today, I'm afraid.

Our Christmas vacation will be slightly delayed.

I talked to the lady at the counter for a while

Who tried to assist us with a half-hearted smile.

She said, "I can get you on a flight tomorrow for free."

But she failed to mention that it passed through Chile!

"No thanks," I responded as I looked at the gates,

"For now we will try to stay in the States!"

She had one more flight that left on Sunday,

But another snow storm was headed our way.

I decided to try and get ahead of the game,

So for a flight on Monday, I put down my name.

Rather than drive through the weather as well,

I decided we would stay in a local hotel.

After freezing while waiting for the shuttle to come,

We dragged all our stuff to room 821.

After a Mexican dinner and some Sour Patch Candy

We lay in our beds--for once feeling dandy!

But then the baby, she started to cry,

And for the life of us both, we didn't know why!

My wife tried to calm her and settle her down,

But poor little Evelyn was stuck with a frown!

After what seemed like an hour or two

She finally calmed down. But then, you know who!

Mr. Eldan decided to wake up and scream,

I think he was having some sort of bad dream!

At last both the kids were sleeping away

And we could call an end to a difficult day.

If you want to know how things will conclude,

Just check back here soon--for the next interlude!

One of My Most Favorite and Least Favorite Quotes

"Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Here We Go

I woke up this morning and spent an hour shoveling nine inches of snow off my driveway.  I noticed that I sounded a little like a women's tennis match as I grunted and groaned with each shovel-full.  At least I have a real snow shovel now instead of using the midget-edition I had to work with last year.

Despite nearly 14 hours of snowfall, the airport at Boston appears to be running normally, so...we are about an hour away from loading up the van and beginning our annual Holiday Trek across the country to be with family.  If all goes according to plan, we should be touching down in Denver shortly after 9 o'clock this evening (Mountain Standard Time).

The real question is...will everything go according to plan?  The Lord knows and we will too soon enough.

To those of you traveling this week--may God be with you.

To those of you not traveling this week--pray for those of us who are.

To everyone--Merry Christmas!

Season's Greetings (Video Version)

Season's Greetings (Still Version)

Although we would like to include everyone we know on our Christmas mailing list, alas--our finances do not allow for such a thing!  As a consolation to those who do not receive an actual Christmas card from us, I have posted the image below.  Enjoy the holidays responsibly.

Election Reflection

It's hard to believe that it has been just one week since Election Day. Although I must say, I have rather enjoyed the sudden departure of all the political ads and signs.  As the ripples from last Tuesday's events radiate across the country and the world, I have done a fair amount of contemplation.  As a voter that the media would classify as one of the "evangelical right", I have been somewhat discouraged at the knee-jerk reactions I sense from those in my circles.  Please don't misunderstand.  I voted for John McCain.  I am conservative--both in my theology and my politics.  The majority of those individuals who won last Tuesday are not people with whom I find myself in agreement at a number of different points.  And yet...I am not overly discouraged.  Maybe I am just naive.  Maybe I have my head in the sand.  I guess my response (or the lack thereof) to the election is more the result of my confidence in God's sovereignty and my confidence (though far less than the former) in our system of government, specifically the design of checks and balances.  I could be wrong.  Maybe things will get as bad as some of my fellow Evangelicals think they will.  But maybe they won't.  Either way, there is very little we can do right now except pray, stay faithful, and stay informed (Of which I need to do a much better job, I will admit.)  I am trying to remember that God is neither Democrat nor Republican, Conservative nor Liberal, Blue nor Red.  God is holy, righteous, loving, and infinitely above our little world of American politics.

Bearing all that in mind, I do have some thoughts about our president-elect that I would like to share.  I have decided that the best way to do that is to share them directly with the one to whom these thoughts pertain.  And so (with the realization that there is very little chance of him ever actually reading this), I hesitantly present...

An Open Letter to President-Elect Obama

Dear Mr. Obama,

Let me begin by saying "Congratulations!" on your recent election.  Although I did not vote for you, I understand that you ran a vigorous campaign that will most likely change the way future presidential campaigns are run.  I also understand the significance of your election in terms of the ongoing struggle against prejudice and bigotry in the human race.  I admire anyone who endures the year-long meat-grinder we Americans call a presidential election, and I can only imagine what it must be like to work so hard for something you want so badly, and then to reach your goal.

Now, I will be honest with you.  If you and I were to sit down for a cup of coffee (which I don't even drink) and a conversation about politics, I fear there would be very few things on which we would agree.  In some areas (such as the plight of the unborn), I believe you to be absolutely wrong in your position.  That notwithstanding, I want to ask you to do a couple of things for me as you begin your presidency.  I know your time is limited so I will try be brief.

1) Please remember that you are now (or rather will be as of January 20th) my President.  I have always had a patriotic streak in me, and I have always had a sense of wonder and amazement at the office of President.  I love the White House.  I love Air Force One.  I love all the decorum and protocol that goes with the position.  Please don't do anything to lessen my respect for this office.  I have two young children, and I intend to raise them with the same patriotic spirit.  I realized tonight that what I want more than anything else from you (more than a better economy or improved healthcare) is that you be an honorable, reliable, trustworthy, decent leader--both on and off the camera.  I may not appreciate many of your policies, but please don't ever give me reason not to appreciate your position.  If you will treat the office with respect, I promise to do the same for you.

2) Please don't ever underestimate the potential of those around the world who seek to harm us and our way of life.  Please don't forget how you felt on a Tuesday morning several years back.  I, like so many others, think that peace is a much better option than conflict.  But please don't purchase peace at any price.  Please be wise in how you utilize our armed services.  But remember, they have made the commitment to defend our nation at any cost.  If some of these courageous men and women have to pay that ultimate cost in order to prevent our enemies from prevailing over us, please accept this as a difficult, tragic, but necessary part of living in a free land.

3) Please give your two precious little girls the guidance and leadership that they need.  I know the demands on you will be great and that your time will be limited--maybe more so than any other father in the country--but your girls will need you.  Your wife will too.  Leading a family is not an easy task by any means (I have failed mine more times than I care to recall), but it is a necessary task.

4) I don't know exactly what your beliefs are concerning the Bible, but I ask lastly that you seek God's wisdom in all that you do.  I believe that God can and will use you to accomplish whatever He wills for our nation.  Please align yourself with His plan in every way possible.  If that means you have to do things differently than you were originally planning, please do things His way.  We will all be a lot better off, but you will be the one to benefit the most, I promise.

I don't know how you will take these suggestions, but I can promise you this from me and my family.  We will pray for you and your family, we will honor and respect you, and we will do our best to live honorable lives as citizens of this country and as justified children of God.

Oh, and one more thing--have fun.  You are gonna be the PRESIDENT!

Your fellow American,

Andrew D. Doan

Cake or Pie?

As the holiday season approaches, I have been considering the importance of this question.  For your information, I am decidedly pro-pie.  The reason is simple.  In a pie, the vast majority of the dessert is good stuff--the filling.  The crust takes up very little of the overall whole.  In a cake, however, the good stuff--the icing--comprises a very small percentage of the complete dessert.  Let's be honest.  Very few people really like the cake itself.  It's all about the frosting!  The cake simply provides a convenient platform upon which to place the frosting.  I think I would be more open to the cake persuasion if someone were to invent a cake that was like a pie.  The inside would be all frosting with a thin layer of cake on the outside!  Now that would be something about which to get excited!  Anyway, you can weigh in on this important subject by submitting your vote in the poll to the right.  The holidays are quickly approaching, so you had better make up your mind soon!

Oh How Fast They Grow!

Here's a few of our latest pictures. Both Eldan and Evie are growing fast...much too fast! We're just trying to enjoy every day along the way! Trust that you are as well.

DFV is Back!!!

To date, it has been almost 9 months since the last episode of Doan Family Videos.  The reason for the delay had nothing to do with the writer's strike or anything like that.  The truth is...I just didn't do any.  It's not that I didn't want to--it's just that...I didn't (do any).  I have been busy with school, moving, babies, and other paraphernalia for the last nine months, but that's not really an excuse.  I guess maybe I just needed a sabbatical.  Anyway, the videos are back and better than ever!  The look is new, but the heart and soul of DFV remains steadfast--to capture the moments of the unfolding drama that is the story of our family!  Below, you will find the first installment from the exciting third season!  (Approximately 10 minutes long) Thanks for taking time to look at it, and be sure to check back soon to see what happens next!

A Family of Four

It's official...we are a family of four!  Eldan is very sweet and loving towards Evie, and he loves the Thomas the Tank Engine toy that she "bought" for him.  We arrived home from the hospital just before lunch on Tuesday.  The only difficulty we had was the cell phone charger that we left in the room at the hospital.   All in all, we are tired but happy.  Enjoy some images of the last few days...

Keep it Short

I have already posted a number of times today, so I really want to keep this one short.

Thank you to everyone who has posted comments on the blog, written on Danielle's wall on Facebook, or dropped us an email.  Danielle has enjoyed hearing your congratulations as I read them to her from across the room!

Secondly, I would like to clarify the correct pronunciation of our daughter's name.  If you want to say it correctly, just remember the title of this post--keep it short--the "E" in her name that is.  It is pronounced EH-vu-lyn not EE-vu-lyn, EH-vee not EE-vee.

And so, having mentioned these two items and endeavoring to keep it short, I will now retire...

Labor Day

I know that most Americans celebrated Labor Day last Monday.  Never ones to be slaves to tradition, however, Danielle and I decided to wait a week before celebrating ours.  To be more accurate, Evelyn decided that we would wait a week.  Oh, where's my brain?  You don't know Evelyn yet, do you?  Well, let me introduce you to Evelyn Donna Doan...

She was born at 11:09 in the morning. (A rather speedy arrival in comparison to Eldan's experience.)  She weighs 8 lbs. 11 oz. and is 21 inches long.  Both mother and baby are doing well.  We have noticed that little Evie (as we will be calling her) seems to be a little spitfire.  She has no qualms about expressing her displeasure over certain activities that she feels are unnecessary.  She is beautiful.  Her dad is a little shell-shocked at the thought of raising a girl, but hey--it will make life interesting, right?

More pictures and videos will be posted as they become available.  Thank you to all for your prayers and support!

Andrew and Danielle chose to use the middle name of Donna in loving memory of Danielle's grandmother--Donna Woodward.

The Game's Afoot

It is 10:10 Eastern Standard Time on Sunday morning, September 7, 2008.

The game, as they say, is afoot...

Check back soon--don't miss a moment of the unfolding drama!

I Know Why You Are Here

I know why you are here right now.  I know why you have come to this little corner of the internet.  I know what you seek.

But, alas...

I am unable at this time to give you the information that you desire.  I am unable to provide the images that you long for.

All I can say is this--

In due time, my friend, in due time.

Until such a time arrives, I bid you a fond farewell...

Familiar Territory

Well, here we are again.

Been here...done this.  (But only once.)

Our baby (the gender of which remains unknown at this point, although I can see from the poll to the right that the girl-lovers are winning) is due to be born one week from today.  Whatever.  How can they really know the exact date?  The truth is they can't.

So...it dawned on me toward the end of last week that this birth could happen at any time--it is imminent.  That is what put me into familiar territory.

I find myself looking at Danielle and thinking, "Is she gonna go today?"  When I am in bed at night, I think, "Is tonight the night?"  Every time I get a text message I think it will contain the code words that Danielle and I agreed upon--"Bring the dollar!"  I am getting a little bit anticipatory (a little too anticipatory according to some).  Feel very much like I did in the days preceding Eldan's arrival.

Well, he finally showed up (with a little help from the doctors) and it has been awesome ever since, so...

I guess I can handle a few more days of waiting.

Then again...maybe tonight is the night?  "Bring the dollar!"

I'll let you know when everything comes out okay...

Powerful

In November of 1996, my family moved to Denver, Colorado and began attending South Sheridan Baptist Church.  For the next 2 years, I was under a youth pastor named Jason Janz.  Pastor Jay was one of 3 or 4 individuals who has had the greatest impact on my life.  Anyway, throughout our time at SSBC, I would hear occasionally about Pastor Jay's brother--Jeremy.  As I recall, Jeremy had graduated from Northland Baptist Bible College in 1994.  That summer, Jeremy was struck by a truck while riding his bicycle in Utah.  For the next 14 years, Jeremy lived in a persistent vegetative state.  A week ago Sunday, Jeremy died.  

I never met nor knew Jeremy, but I did feel a sharp sadness when I heard the news because of my friendship with Pastor Jay and others in his family.  I receive occasional email updates from Pastor Jay who is planting a church in downtown Denver.  In the most recent update, Pastor Jay included an article about the passing of his brother and a link to a tribute video that was played at the memorial service.  After watching the video on YouTube, I decided to post it here on my blog. (I don't think Pastor Jay would mind.)  I want you to watch it carefully.  The juxtaposition of word and image is compelling and convicting.  Sometimes God's ways stand in sharp contrast to the happy, healthy, hip Christianity that is being marketed these days.  Sometimes the problem doesn't go away.  God is still good.  God is still sovereign.

I post this video in hopes that it will expose Jeremy Janz's story and the message it proclaims to many who would not have otherwise known about it.

The Latest

Here's a little tour...

(BTW, for those of you who are wondering--the immensely popular series "Doan Family Videos" has not been cancelled.  New episodes from Season 3 will be appearing on this blog in the not too distant future!  Keep dropping by!)

A Touch of Summer

Here are some summer pictures from as far back as our June vacation up to yesterday.  (The headless pictures were taking by our aspiring photographer--Eldan Doan.)