and Jane... wink

and Ceilidh's...

They load faster individually. ha

First productions...

Part of school this week, we are talking about the elements to a good story. Ceilidh and Graeme both authored a story trying to focus on setting the stage as well as a climax. I think Graeme got the idea of a climax, so he decided to jump right to it, and put it in the second line of his story! ha After they dictated their story to me, I filmed them acting it out. Hilarious is all I can say! And not to be out done by some studious students, we have Jane cutting up at lunch. wink

One of the many reasons I loved college...

... is that you meet and grow to love amazing people like this! I lived with Melinda for a year in college and she was one of my bridesmaids. I am excited for Jonathan (and Melinda) to be bringing such awareness to such a sad but real issue. Help spread the word, and cheer on Jonathan Oct. 28th!

http://fiveforfreedom.tumblr.com/

Here we are again...

This year was particularly tough for some reason. I don't know if the "Jane fog" was still clouding my emotions last year, or what. Thank you to all of you that emailed, called, texted, and sent cards and flowers.  I really am so thankful to you for honoring Kenan's memory. There is always an unexplainable draw to take a stroll through campus and visit his tree on the 22nd. So that is what we did. We love you, Andrew Kenan.

C and G placing a flower at his tree

Thank you for the beautiful flowers, Susanna and Ryan!

This is part of a traveling art exhibit on display all over CH right now. There are a number of steers that are sponsored/painted by the local artists in the city the exhibit is visiting. This one, we clearly had to take a picture of! ha

Happy First Birthday, Jane!!!

Major partying in the Clendenin home yesterday, as Graeme and Jane both were dedicated at church and had bday parties! My sweet baby Jane is a year old! I really truly can't believe it. In so many ways, this year has FLOWN by. We also celebrated Graeme's bday, which is actually the 29th; simply b/c all of the family would already be here for the dedication and Jane's party. We had a wonderful ceremony at church. I love that all of our children were dedicated by their grandfather. That is a neat experience.

We also had a great time at the party, even though the Carthage Fire Department is definitely on my "naughty" list for Christmas! We had scheduled a fire station tour for part of G's celebration, and the fire fighters never showed. frown I am still waiting to hear from the chief this afternoon! ha Graeme didn't seem too sad though, b/c Granddaddy gave everyone a hay ride through the neighborhood as a surprise! Thank you so much, Daddy. It was a huge hit! G is definitely loving the present aspect of gifts these days too. ha

Jane obviously was just along for the ride; but she is a total ham. She loved the attention, and LOVED her cake. I think I have another sweets lover on my hands. It must go with the name! wink She is our only child that ate the whole cupcake. ha Thank you to all who came and your thoughtfulness with your gifts! After the party, we met up with Mr. and Mrs. Binkley who had just gotten back from their honeymoon. It was great to hear all about their wonderful trip. Thanks for coming to visit!

Good morning, 1 year old!

I LOVE this one. "Come on people, pictures this early?!" ha

First bday snuggles

Jane leaning in for a kiss!

I ran out of black icing for the wheels. frown Oh well... G didn't seem to mind too much. wink

Ready for the hay ride!

Jane has "fluttered" into one!

I'm so glad Mikayla and Holly got to come for the day!

Graeme jumped up in the front of the trailer like he was King! ha It was pretty humorous!

Yum... this is pretty good!

Look at this face! ha

So much going on...

Susanna and Ryan are officially Mr. and Mrs!!!!! The wedding is beautifully intimate and the bride was breathtaking. Susanna is lovely in sweatpants, let alone a gorgeous wedding dress. We got through the pre-ceremony pictures, and the bottom fall out of the sky. frown And though I know she was disappointed to not be married under the open sky; the ceremony taking place on the little dance floor under the reception tents actually turned out to be amazing. I am crying now as I can see Randy, Suzanne, Teresa, and Gerald sitting/standing within an arm's length of their respective child. I was close enough to see even the slightest smile exchanged between the two. It was really special to have the intimate view of such a spirit-filled ceremony. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day. I love you, Mr. and Mrs. Binkley!

Graeme wanted to shave like daddy before the wedding! wink *No worries, no razors were involved*

The morning of the wedding. Check out the shirt. wink

Ceilidh's pre-wedding preparations!

The adorable house at Ward's Hollow

A Ceilidh picture... wink

The lovely place settings

Ceremony dress and reception dress... such a diva! wink

Jane kissing the baby in the mirror. ha

Pre-humidity curls! ha

Love love love love this shot. Such a sweet moment I got to watch and capture!

First day of Sycamore Academy and preschool!

Susanna knows us so well. Look at Jane's PRECIOUS honorary flower girl gift!

Beautiful programs!

Not only are there fun new things happening for Sus and Ryan; but for Ceilidh and Graeme as well. They started Kindergarten and pre-school this week!!! I am still trying to work out a few kinks with our schedule b/c Jane is in such a transitional time with naps and nursing. Most of the time she still takes a morning nap, but sometimes not. We are dropping her nursing schedule for the most part to 3 times a day; but she has her days when it is more. wink I am trying to give myself a break and know that it will all come together with time. It has only been three days! ha I like things done right, and done right the first time, though. I think homeschooling is well on its way to breaking me of that! ha

And as always, September comes with its ups and downs. This weekend will begin our continual birthday celebration until the second week of October. And tucked safely in the middle of all that celebrating is Kenan's day. My amazing friend, Alicia, texted me a few days just to tell she was thinking about me this month. You will never know how much people "remembering" Kenan, encourages me.  Being completely honest, I don't believe I will ever  be able to call his death a "blessing." But I do believe our trials can be God's mercy, they do make it very clear that this earth isn't our home, and our aching reveals a greater thirst than this world can satisfy.  I would have signed up for any other trial though.... any day.


*I don't usually watch the videos, just the music; so sorry if it is cheesy. ha

Ahhhh.... a few more!

I couldn't help myself. I might be buying more pictures from Sus' wedding than my own! HA Modern Bride Photography knocked it out of the park last night!!!!!!

Just a sneak peek!

This is just a sneak peek of a STUNNING bride, cute kids (wink), and a beautifully intimate wedding! I can't wait to see the rest!