Category Archives: family

When the Reward Outweighs the Risk

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Kelsie Lou

I went to visit my Grandma in West Virginia after a long interruption to protect her from possible exposure to Covid-19.  We spoke on the phone and she genuinely wanted to see me.  My Uncle Rodney, who is her primary … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, family, landmarks, Photography, Teachers, Travel, West Virginia | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Kick-off the 2020-21 School Year Virtually: How to Create a Welcome Back Slide Deck for Your Students & Parents

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Kelsie Lou

A lot of school districts will be teaching classes remotely to start the 2020-21 school year.  We do not know how long this is going to take, but we have to hit the ground running as we would if we … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, family, Louisville, Teachers | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Meet Me in the Mangroves

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Kelsie Lou

I’ve been back and forth from KY to FL all summer in between teaching and professional development training.  I was helping my Mom recover from knee replacement surgery, and reminding my Dad of how wonderful a daughter I am.   This … Continue reading →

Posted in Beaches, family, fitness, Kayaking, landmarks, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Carnival Elation Cruise Ship Review

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

Oh Ship! It’s a Mother Daughter Trip! My Mom exposed me to cruising as a teenager when we took our first Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. Over the years, we have sailed to Bermuda, Cuba, and all over the Caribbean … Continue reading →

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Thankful for Miles

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

My Mom had a 48 hour notice about the Lake Wales YMCA Turkey Trot. I gave her the option to participate based on how she felt on Thanksgiving morning. She said if it was too hot, she was not doing … Continue reading →

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It’s Fall Good

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

Over the last few months my focus has been setting the tone for a successful school year, keeping a foster care routine, and getting settled into my new home. It is important to set high expectations and to remind my … Continue reading →

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Grandma’s 95th Birthday Celebration 🎉

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

My family will be gathering for the 90th annual Smoot Family Reunion in Madison, WV soon. While the fellowship amongst family since 1929 is a rich tradition, the milestone of my Grandma, Lucy L. Smoot, turning 95 is also worthy … Continue reading →

Posted in family, mothers, West Virginia | Tagged | 26 Comments

Long Time, No Sea

Posted on June 30, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

Summer Break in Full Effect I just returned from a two-week visit with my parents in the Sunshine State.  It was a chilled-out vacation with a visit from our family who lives in Morgantown, WV.  We were game ready for … Continue reading →

Posted in family, Florida, landmarks, Photography, Teachers, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Spotlight on Imane

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

Imane is one of my former Smootents (Ms. Smoot + Students) from Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center.  Her family moved from Chad to Louisville, KY in 2007. We met shortly after when Imane was scheduled to my Reading class. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, family, mothers, Teachers | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Spring Break: By Land, By Sea, By Air

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Kelsie Lou

Beach Cruisin’ I took my Mom to get a beach cruiser bike. This will give her another fitness option in addition to walking and swimming. My Mom has a few more weeks before she can ride due to another back … Continue reading →

Posted in family, fitness, Florida, health, running, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments