Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Friends In Guatemala


Tomorrow, a team of 4 will be returning to Guatemala to finish filming footage for the Athentikos documentary.

Please keep them in your prayers... and, follow along on our Athentikos Blog. The guys will be updating from in country.

Here they are... Bobby, Bengy, J.Mac, and Scott.


On another Guatemala note: We have neighbors and friends that are there NOW on mission trip. The Lutes family is a sweet, sweet bunch with BIG hearts for Guat. You can read about their trip HERE.

I love that we have so many friends there now... It's a beautiful thing!

Guate Lovin,
K

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009

Friday Fun


"Let's get a little bit rowdy,
R-O-W
a
D-Y"

Emma had cheer camp all week and today was her big "show".
Pretty. Darn. Cute.


And, Mac played "Mac in the Box" this afternoon.
I love this kid.


Listen to what my little guy said to me today... I'll never forget it...

(After picking him up from gymnastics)

Me: "Mac, do you love gymnastics?!"
Mac: "No."
Me: "You don't???" (very surprised because he really does).
Mac: "No."
Me: "Well, what do you love then?"
Mac: "You."


I think my heart melted right there on the spot. :)


Happy Friday,
K

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Kickin' Butt

In the words of my great friend, Scottie Dancy...

"I've been busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest!"

And, that's no joke!
Here are some pics to catch you (and me) up to speed, since our return from Guat:

The 4th of July Bike Parade.


My kids look like Daisy and Bo Duke in this picture. Now all we need is the rebel flag flying from the monster truck.
It's the East Tennessee coming out.... it's in our blood. Ha! :)


Here are some sweet friends from the 'hood.


Then, we had Mac's Birthday "Extravaganza"... okay, so more like pizza and cake for all the little "Backyardagins".

Fun night with great friends!




Next, we took a little unexpected beach trip.
Good for my soul... and, great family time.


As soon as we returned from the beach, I went to a bridal shower for my sister.
Yes, BRIDAL!!!

As you can tell, I was a little excited! :)

Cali is the most BEAUTIFUL thing... truly, inside and out.


I am thrilled that she and Will are getting married... I cannot wait!

Will and Darrell are already "practicing" for the BIG DAY. They even dress alike.


Cali's sweet friend, Amy, came ALL the way from Australia to help celebrate!
Love. Her. "Heaps."


This past week, I shot Cali's bridal portraits... and, I'm SO EXCITED to post them!!! They turned out so well... and, why wouldn't they? She's gorgeous!!!

Since I can't let you see the portraits before the wedding, here's a sneak peak of a few engagement photos. Go HERE and show them some "comment love."



Hmmm... what else???

Oh yes, in my spare time Darrell and I have been working on Athentikos and planning mas ("more" in Espanol) vision trips to Guatemala!!!

Woo Hoo!!!


Kickin' It,
K


Saturday, July 11, 2009

Favorite Moments, Week 5

Haha.
Yes, so this blog is about 2 weeks late... sorry.

Our last week in Guatemala, we definitely packed it all in!
We stayed SO busy... probably in order to keep ourselves from feeling the sadness of leaving.

It didn't work.

Here are some of my most memorable moments from Week 5.
  • Hermano Pedro... over and over.
  • Getting to hold Gloria, one more time.
  • Hearing Henry and Elmer yell out, "Emma!" in their excitement to see her.
  • New friendships with the HP nurses, Estella and Mary Louisa.
  • Cafe Barista's latte
  • Los Gozosos... saying "hasta luego" with a SpongeBob Pinata Party.
  • Sacred time with the Ortiz family.
  • The afternoon with our friend Cesar.
  • Visiting Hogar de Ninos (Children's Home) and meeting Sean and Glendi.
  • Meeting with Pastor Mike and catching a vision.
  • Dreaming with Melissa and Scott over Pollo Campero. I. love. them!
  • 2 (yes, 2!) birthday cakes for Mac... long story.
  • 1 adorable little birthday boy.
  • Victor's last visit to our casa.
  • Walking the cobblestone streets and saying "goodbye" to Antigua.
  • 1980's minivan with 8 people crammed in + ALL of our luggage + no air conditioning for a 2 hour road trip.
  • Meeting the Reyher family in the Guatemala City hotel and talking adoption.

Ahhhh... I love this country. Love the kids. Love the people. Love the cities. Love the culture.
Love.Love.Love.

As much as I love the country of Guatemala, I love MORE of what its done to me and my own heart.

It's changed me. Forever.

The poverty, injustice, and hopelessness has given me a path to engage my own brokeness and need.

I desperately need a Rescuer.
The Rescuer.

So do the people of Guatemala.


-K


***If you are interested in traveling to Guatemala, Darrell and I will be leading some "Come and See" trips this Fall and next Spring, Summer 2010. These would be great for families, groups or individuals.
Shoot me an email or comment if you want more info.

Unexpected Bliss


I am sitting here in my pj's, watching The Holiday with my sweet husband...
my newly tanned feet propped up on the coffee table...

Today I began reflecting, relaxing, playing, and breathing deeply.

We showed up yesterday... an unexpected, unplanned, quick trip to the beach.

Bliss.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The Baker



I can't get this man and his family off my mind.
Incredible story that is still in the works... I can't wait to share more later.

Also, I know I need to update the blog with our Week 5 moments, July 4th pics and so on.

I'm just behind a little... and, I'm okay with that! :)

I'm still on "Guatemala Time" friends.
It changes this "Type A Momma".

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Home


We arrived yesterday afternoon and we're officially in what I call the "re-entry" phase. Every time I return, I spend some time in a fog...

Grieving the friendships, culture and country I left behind.
As well as, beginning the difficult process of adjusting to the wealth and routine of home.

HOME.

HOME.
Thank you to our sweet friends, the Lutes family, for the welcome home signs and balloons that awaited us.

Please pray for patience, humility, and lots of rest as we return... we are returning home changed and different than how we left. And, my heart is longing for my eternal home... more than ever.

-K