(NOTE TO LAB: THIS IS RUNNING IN 4-COLOR B&W. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN TONED BY TRACEY, PLEASE DO NOT ADJUST.)
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While Thomas sleeps, oblivious to the nervous energy around him, Lillie Southerland packs her bags to move out of her her room at the Alpha House, a residential shelter for pregnant women. Several outfits, a pair of shoes, and a handful of books make up most of the personal items Lillie has carried with her from home-to-home over the years.
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Lillie and Thomas' weren't the only ones who had to adjust to the first night in their new home, the Chandlers five other kids, were having to adjust as well. Especially Austin, 11, who was used to being the oldest, until Lillie came along. And Logan, 18 mos., who was used to being the youngest, until baby Thomas was brought into the house.
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By court order, Lillie is not allowed to be alone with her baby, until she finishes 15 hours of a parenting class, and completes her case plan. So when he needs to have his diaper changed, Amy Chandler, brings the Thomas into Lillie's bedroom, and supervises their interaction. The oldest boys in the family, Austin, 11, and Coletin, 10, watch from the doorway, after a strict house rule was laid down about how they're not allowed in Lillie's room.
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Lillie's frustration shows while her Attorney Norman A. Palumbo, Jr., left, and her Atttorney Ad Litem Nancy Neaves, advise her on what the judge may say, before an arraignment that will decide what's in the best interest of her son, Thomas.
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Getting ready to go to the park is a major production when seven kids are involved. After getting dressed and pulling her own hair back into a ponytail, Lillie stops to put Lauren's hair into pigtails while the other kids get themselves ready looking for lost shoes and must-have toys.
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Lillie, 14, spends her days sleeping late and lounging around the house watching television in her pajamas, while waiting to hear whether or not she's been accepted to the PACE Center for Girls. Lillie hasn't been in school in over two years, and said she wasn't looking forward to waking up early and being told what to do all day.
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Amy Chandler pulls out her digital camera to capture a family portrait of Dawson, 5, Lauren, 2, Lillie, 14, Austin, 11, Logan, 18 mos., and Coleton, 10, as they pose for pictures on the boardwalk during a picnic at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin.
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