Happy and Full

Hello internet land...

Yes, it has been a long, long time. Too long actually.

However, the lack of blogging is definitely not an indicator that we have nothing going on here in the Vanzant house. Quite the opposite.

Over the past month we have started school, started a business, my sweet sister got hitched, and we all 4 got some pukey virus. Throw in 4 wedding showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, 9 meetings about Guatemala, doctor visits, photo shoots, Young Life, 4 birthday parties, school functions and traveling and... whew!!!

It makes my head spin just thinking about it all.

We are still here, I promise. Though most of August and September felt more like "survival"... this past week has been AMAZING! The routine of school, healthy kiddos and cooler, beautiful Fall weather has definitely lifted my spirit.

My heart is happy and and my life is full.

And, I love it this way.

And... because every post is better with a picture... here are some of our last two months.

First day of school. I love how the word "booty" in the morning makes my kids laugh hysterically!

The Mommy Tackle

Short but sweet visit from the Goodfellow's. Riley and Emma, BFF.

And... Riley has started a REALLY cool project that you should check out here. Amazing.

Lingerie Shower pics for my sis.

Benefit of being Maid of Honor = Embarrassing the Bride.

Due to the nature of the party, I can only show you a very few...

haha...

but, I adore the next series of photos.

Priceless!

And... poor Mac. This picture just makes me laugh.

It embodies the last couple of months for us.

Okay... I have MANY more pics to come.

But, this is enough for now.

Happy and Full,

K

The Bus.

Excitement filled the air, as hyped up kids clinging to pillows began saying their goodbyes to parents. We were finally boarding the buses for the annual 5th Grade Safety Patrol Trip to Washington D.C.

It was a right of passage. An honor to be chosen. And a nightmare for me.

I was a nervous wreck. Full-on-hot-mess, in the bathroom, crying, and begging my mom not to make me go. It was my first trip away from her, away from home, and I was scared to death. Lucky for me, she decided to push me on that bus... for my fate was waiting for me there.

A couple of hours into the trip, I noticed this little blonde boy in the back of the bus making all the girls laugh. It was someone who I'd never really met before, probably because we were never in the same class. And I'm not quite sure if it was his easy going personality or the way he knew every word to The Jets or Janet Jackson... but, I was instantly smitten.

As the Story would unfold, a friendship began on that bus way back in the 5th grade... and, by the 6th grade we were best friends. We never "went together" or even held hands but in 6th grade I knew I would marry this boy one day. Sounds corny, I know. But, it's the truth...

I just knew.

Many twists and turns on the road of life... and years later we reconnected at the end of tenth grade. Still just best friends, we shared laughs, love, and scars from previous relationships. Wounds still fresh from other people's attacks... we confided, wept, and hurt for one another. Two kids trying to figure out life together. It was then that we began to dream and hope for the other one... and it was that same hope that eventually led us to our own faith and trust in God.

Our anger and passion for each other would lead us to much healing in the years ahead... and slowly (but surely), in God's perfect timing, we would begin a dating relationship that would blossom into a Union of two souls.

August 7, 1999.

A best friend like no other... a relationship... a deep soul connection love that would last for eternity... that started on a bus.

We've been best friends now for 24 years and married today for 10.

It's real.

Deep.

Forever.

Happy Anniversary Baby... It just keeps getting better...

I love you,

K

Athentikos: Watch & Pray

My friends arrived in Guatemala to finish filming for Athentikos.

Here are some behind the scenes.

Watch the short videos and then pray for Scott.

Thanks,

K

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

Best Friends

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

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