Merry Christmas!

 

Ballerina Kennabear...

Here is a clip from Kennady's first public performance with her four-year-old ballet class. Her teacher posted this video from last Saturday's Festival of Trees Family Day.





**tummy flip**

1,000 Words

to me this photo says, well, lots of things, i don't even want to get started on that. (too much!) i just wanted to put this up real quick and say that i miss being on trenkletoes, sharing our adventures. (i can't believe it's been a month!) but we've been pretty busy out there living them, that i can't even sit and write about 'em. so, soon, very soon, i will be back with some tales of these tippy toes... maybe with a sentence or two, but i promise there'll be several different "thousand word" glimpses into what we've been up to.

yeaaaaaaaaaaaah... God is good.
**tummy flip**

"The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:18-22

Karsyn, 3mos old!!!

Karsyn, 3mos old!!!

Kennady & Karsyn (3mos old!!!)

Karsyn, 3mos old!!!

what do you see?

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:10-12

My girlfriend, Amy, over at Meanwhile Back at the Ranch posted an illustration you need to see and a post you HAVE to read about her and her sister. (I love them both!) After seeing her post, I wanted to upload this illustration, too. I had such an emotional response to these renderings of Jesus in action (total tummy flip). Both are so emotive... affective... poignant... so... real.

When I look at this, I see:
PURE. JOY.

And that's really what I find in Him.
What do you see in this illustration?

true fashion

I am learning a few things about style from my daughter:

1-Always give clothing the twirl test. If it twirls, then clearly it's made beautifully and definitely worth wearing.

2-Always dress for several occasions all at once. You never know when you'll simultaneously need to twirl, run really fast, hide in pink bushes from the neon police, be prepared to meet the queen (wearing a couple pseudo-boas and the oh-so-affordable faux satin) in the rain, not to mention ride in on your stick horse in high style.

3-One layer is never enough.

4-This may seem redundant, but honestly, one can never have too many layers, especially in the summer months with temperatures averaging 90 degrees.

5-Always wear what makes YOU feel beautiful.

(please note:
there's also a fancy polka-dot dress
underneath the lovely neon long-sleeve jammie gown;
this outfit best suited for bicycle riding thru the neighborhood)

My cheeks hurt from smiling the whole time I'm uploading these photos. She is so funny. She just walked in here... (library/quiet time is over and it's time to make lunch together), and she sees these photos up on the screen...

"Oh! (high pitched exclamation) Now that's a cute outfit, Mom. Yes, I do like that black shirt. (pause) Can I wear that black shirt, Mom? And those black pants, where do we find some of those?"

LOL. I'm sure the black top and bottom she's looking for as I finish this up will beautifully complement the apparel she's wearing right this moment: the pink-on-pink track jacket (seen above), her favorite green twirly dress (also pictured above... and mentionably totally vintage Wendy Doschades couture -- that's my mama -- custom made for me 26 years ago), and a pair of yellow long underwear style pajama bottoms.

If you need style advice, refer to Kennady's top 5 tips. (Here's another tip: you can never go wrong when you "put on Christ." Romans 13:14)

Backwards

My little man Kev is so funny.
This is his favorite hat.

And I don't think he's ever worn it with the bill facing forward.

And actually this is how he wears every hat. Whether it's a stocking cap or a ball cap, if it can go on backwards, that's how he wears it. We were in the front yard the other day and this is Kev, getting ready to take off in his Little Tikes mini-van...

Even the bike helmet goes on backwards. He's so funny!

My green eyed little man.
**tummy flop**

My man.

This is my man.
And this is one of my favorite pics of my man.

It was taken March '07 when we had our first hint of spring. We Trenkles (Party of 5 at the time) were all playing in the backyard. Kev was in a walker to keep all 9mos of him out of trouble. Kennady was off sucking her thumb in the shadows. Bryson was batting. You were pitching. That's why you look all tough in this photo in your sexy ball cap. Yeah, I digg that ball cap. And I really digg how you love to play with our babes. You are SUCH a good dad!

Hey, Babe.
Just wanted you to know:

You are an amazing husband.
You walk in integrity, you love Jesus passionately.
You are funny and smart.
You are logical and wise.
You are my best friend.
You are my love.
I am so glad I get to "do" life as your wife.
Thank you for doing your best to understand me.
Thank you for listening while I talk.
Thank you for talking so I can listen.
I love your sunflower eyes.
I trust you. I respect you.
I appreciate you.

Thank you for
providing this home
and this family,
thru God,
for me.

I am in awe of His goodness toward me.
Happy Birthday, Schwann, Happy Birthday.

I am yours and you are mine.
Beloveds.