Thanksgiving!

I took more pictures than even this loosely stacked pile. I put this on the blog to show you my amazing Butters and how still he sat for the camera. I took at least ten photos - some of them with a flash and he just sat there, looking at me, waiting for me to be done. He's such a great kitty. Below this picture is a shot from a little mishap we had at Thanksgiving. Butters was relaxing on the couch next to my mom as we sat knitting and watching Christmas movies. Before long we started smelling something burning. I had candles lit all over the house so ran around to check those first and then came back to the living room. The smell was stronger in the living room and as I walked closer to Butters I realized his tail was sitting just above a candle. It was on fire, but it was definately singed as you can see in the photo. He wasn't even phased - he actually seemed annoyed when I picked him up, took this picture, and then went and cut the burnt hair off. He's such a docile animal. He's sleeping next to me by the window right now -- I just wished he wouldn't freak out on car-rides b/c then he'd be a great dog.

Here is Tre carving up the turkey; it was amazing, as was the whole meal. It was really fun to prepare it all with him. We made two pies (apple & pumpkin), my mom's cranberry salad, stuffing, mashed potatos and a 22lb turkey.
Here's a shot of the family in front of our almost decorated tree. I love the PJ shot!

Go Elf Yourself!

Check out my Elf! I did this last year -- but it's still great. Have a great Thanksgiving and be sure to Elf yourself in time for Christmas.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9558141876

Kelly

My Ode to Fall

My Ode to fall.

So, I decided to go to Michael's after work a week or so ago to get some picture frames and decide to not only get frames, but enough crafts to keep me busy until Christmas. Lots of yarn, leaves, wreaths, pinecones, pumpkins, Christmas lights, oh and a few picture frames later I was good to go. I got home and began making this masterpeice. - the frame as $1.99, the leaves 4.99 (and I had enough left to have a significant garland to hang elsewhere, pumpkin scented pinecones and pumpkins 2.99 (I used the rest of the pinecones to decorate a pumpkin candle and put on a Christmas wreath and then I got the sunflower heads for $1.00. It was only $11 and I had a lot of stuff I could use elsewhere. So this is a picture of it hanging on the door of my house.

My little hummingbird is still sitting on her nest, which I have to say is quite a feat given our recent weather. The rain has come down in spades the last few days. I have to say - I like that much better than the weak Portland mist. Give me a downpour or give me nothing.

Tre and I have been involved in a class called IMarriage. We really like it and the people who are taking it with us. The content of the series is really right on to - which isn't always the case with Christian seminars. We have been going to that weekly and are being blessed by what we are learning. Tre and I are also going to be prayer leaders at our church. We're really excited to be part of the first team at Coram Deo to do this. It's something that will benefit the body of Christ and us as well. I know I don't pray nearly enough during my day, but being accountable to pray will help me push through that. Prayer is a funny thing -- I used to think if I didn't ask God if I could/should cross the street that I was blotting him out of my life--then the pendelumn swung the other direction. I really seek balance, but that's hard when you have an all or nothing personality. I have always struggled with little things - it's the big things that are a cake-walk.

My friend Charity told me about a website called www.getmortified.com. It's a place where people can post diaries they wrote when they were little kids and sometimes they have meetings where people can read there stuff in front of an audience. I located my journals and began to read through all my childish angste - I have a Sunday screening and hopefully Charity and I will both have a chance to share the emotional ups and downs of childhood with the audience we crave. :)

On Saturday I am going to Don Miller's writing seminar at the Hollywood Theatre. I'm way excited - I have to read a book called Plot and Structure by Saturday though - I called 13 bookstores yesterday looking for the book, but ended up having to borrow it from MBC's Library -Thanks Pam! I wanted my own book so I could write all over it. Now I have to be careful, but at least I'll be ready for the class.
I get to work on education for the IMATS again this year. I was in charge of it last year and Michael said it was much better than it had been in previous years. Tre got to go with me to LA, but I don't think London is in the cards for him. :( Yeah, I said London -- I have been on the phone with a couple makeup artists in that area already and I think it's going to be a great show. Well, I better go.

Happenings

Well, it's been a while since I have posted something. Not much has been happening - oh, who am I kidding stuff is always happening, it's just not happening to me as of late. I last wrote mid-summer and now we are fairly well into fall. The leaves are changing and the clouds are rolling in and the rain is pouring down. Sitting inside my cute little house with an afgan and a cup of joe, reading Uncle Tom's Cabin (my latest read) sounds so good to me right now.


Me and my wonderful Grandma!


Tre and I went down to Santa Cruz, California for my Grandma's 88th birthday. We had lunch at a beautiful resort on the coast (where my cousin Steve got married in 2006 and where my parents tried to chop down their first Christmas tree -- great story, ask me about it some time). My Grandma was delighted to see everyone and she really took to Tre - by the end of our visit she was showing him the "right" way to brew tea and she gave us one of her beautiful paintings. Tre kept saying, "your Grandma is so precious."


We tried to go the boardwalk, but it closed at 10 and we got there too late to ride the rollercoaster. One of these days we'll do it. We had Katie take a picture of us outside of the locked down boardwalk. Isn't it romantic?



Speaking of romantic... Tre and I went to dinner for our 77th day anniversary. We were seated for a good five minutes before we realized that the restaurant had personalized our menu. Tre and I dressed up and had a great time. I love him sooo much -- He sent me flowers at work too. He's sent me flowers at work twice before - he sent me a peace lilly when I was having a hard time with my boss one day and a yellow rose after our first date. He is so thoughtful...
Happy 77th Day Anniversary



I found a nesting hummingbird at work. She's been sitting on her eggs for about a month now, so I'm getting worried that they're duds. She'd know, I just keep hoping they end up hatching. It seems like a weird time of year, but I'm probably worrying for nothing.

Here is a picture of her.

Butterz iz fa-mouse

Butters is going to be famous! Well, as famous as a picture like this among thousands like it can be. Isn't he cute? Becca Sue showed me and several others at our Inkling House dinner a website where people have sent funny pix of their cats making weird faces or in weird positions. In this shot it looks like he's got a bit of a go-tee -- he really has an outbreak of kitty-acne -- who knew cats got zits.

I have some better shots of Butters at home-- like when I was trying to toilet train him. :)

He's four years old now! Such a big guy- but not fat. Some of the cats on this website are just grotesque. Butters really is just fluffy - ask my sister. She brushed him for almost two hours last weekend, filling up four brushes full of hair and half a garbage can. That was after a bath that plugged up our tub because of all of his hair. What do you guys think of shaving him? I've never done it because I heard it can mess them up, but I'm getting sorely tempted these days.

Butters has adjusted well to Tre. Tre, of course, has bought him all sorts of little toys to make their bonding sure. My sister even bought him some Organic catnip -- all she got for her troubles was a scratch on her hand and a hyper Butters with eyes as big as saucers.

All in all - Butters is adjusting from his nearly month long abandonment of him -from June 20th to July 14th. He began talking to himself - Lisa claims he'd sit on the porch in front of our house and make all sorts of kitty comments back and forth. He's a long way now from his near break-down. He and Tre are buds and we're all adjusting to life in our new house. We've definately decided to wait at least until spring for a puppy.

My life as Kelly Wilbanks

So, my life as a married woman has paced itself much better than the crescendo that was the end of my single-hood. This is a picture of me on the phone - I'm sure I am making an important call, since I took the time to take a picture with the webcam on my work laptop. Speaking of work - I got a promotion and I am now a full-fledged employee with Key Publishing Group. I found out about that just before I got married - it was great knowing I would be coming back to a secure position and a more substantial paycheck. Oh, and I get health care coverage as well, which was something I gave up at my other job after finding out I had cancer. Fortunately, by God's goodness - I was able to have my medical bills covered by insurance for the month of May -- when I had surgery and am now back on board with Health coverage - hardly missing a beat. God has been able to work miracles for me on that end. I almost have my bills paid off at the Petroff Clinic -- where I got plastic surgery. I have paid off the cost of my biopsy - and now am just waiting for the bill from the doctor who removed my cancer. One bill at a time -- and I've had insurance working with me all this time to cover these bills.
God is good.

This is a picture of Melody and I at Becca Sue's wedding in June - aren't we cute. Speaking of weddings - I'm going to Steve Brock's wedding tonight, I'm in a wedding next weekend - yeah Laura and Rod, and Kim and Daniel are getting married on the last day of the month. I have weddings every weekend for the rest of the summer.

Tre and I have really enjoyed getting settled into our new home. It's so nice to have a house - Butters loves being able to run around. Last Sunday Tre and I walked over to the lot that we thought about purchasing when I was on a house-buying kick. When we last saw it - it had someone squatting in it (living w/o paying rent) - it had a deck with burn marks on it where angry renters had left their mark and a fairly rocky foundation. Now the front part of the house is there, but a new foundation, walls and three levels. I think it's going to look great when it is all done - but, boy had that house been spoiled before.

So, this is me as a Simpson -- what do you think? I couldn't find a button that had freckles - an essential to any recreation of myself. Oh well - I've seen Simpsonized versions of people everywhere and had to do it myself. Well, I better get back to work- my lunch break is almost over and I haven't had a chance to read from my current book Uncle Tom's Cabin. Now, that I've finished the Potter series (in record time mind you - I blew through the entire series in two weeks), I want a little more than lit-candy.

Well, take care and have a great weekend.

Just reconnecting

So, I know I haven't posted in a while, but I think most of you know that life has been pretty full lately. After surgery to remove cancer on my nose, my new job: which has included a trip to New York and LA, a trip to Disneyland and one of my close friend's weddings - my big wedding day came. I've been told it was a real classy wedding and reception and I think this picture say's it all. I'll write more soon, but our lack of internet and being on our honeymoon has made all that a bit difficult. I will write and share photo's of our honeymoon - we had a blast. We went into the deep, dark woods, we went on a jet ski, stayed in a cabin, went to slidewaters and winetasting. It feels like we did it all. It was a wonderful vacation and I got to take it with the man I love. Now, I'm just setting up house and enjoying married life. I'll resurface soon -- I promise.

Slow Down

New York was crazy. I wish I'd been in a better place health wise. I got my stitches out on Thursday afternoon and then flew to NY early the next morning. I had a pretty ugly skin graft going through various stages of healing while I was there. It was a dark purple for the majority of my time in New York. I forgot about it for the most part, until a kind New Yorker would say, "Hey miss - you got something on your nose!"

I did get to do some touristy things while I was there -- I shopped on Canal Street, and went to the top of the Empire State Building, got lost on the Subway -- asked the New York fire department for directions when I got lost.

We ate at some really fine restaurants - and it was all paid for, which was really nice. Fortunately, there was a guy on the trip who'd never experienced New York before; unfortunately he was a guy :) It would have been nice to see more of New York, but didn't want to cause any weirdness -- no carriage rides through Times Square etc... :P

Times Square was amazing all lit up -- Another thing I was amazed at was all the cheap shopping, maybe the women I was with just knew where to shop, but I was impressed by all the deals.

I feel like I haven’t had a moment to breathe in all of this. There has been so much transition and there will be so much transition for the next couple of months. Sometimes I feel I can hardly breathe from the weight of it all.

Tre and I have been moving our stuff to our new house. I think he was shocked by all my books - I'm shocked by all my books. He's living there now and I'll be joining him in 38 days. It's such a short distance away and is compounded by the fact that I'm in a wedding in 2 1/2 weeks and I'll be going to LA between now and then for 10 days.

Life is not slowing down -- please pray that I can stay afloat.

It's over!

Hey everybody, this is Tre. Kelly's taking some time to recuperate, so I posted an update over on my blog for all you who can't wait. Enjoy!

MY KRAZY LIFE

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged. Mostly, that's because I feel like I've been surviving my life for the last couple of months and haven't really had the time or energy to engage in reflecting or updating anyone about my life. So, now I have a lot to share. Tré posted a blog earlier today and he decided to share the news via bullet points, so I'll do the same. There is good news and some bad news so stay with me.

1. First, some good news. Some of you know that I've been looking for a new job. Well, after several weeks of debating the timing of this transition with my impending wedding, and then several more weeks of searching, sending out my resumé, and interviewing -- I landed a really great job. I'm going to start a full-time paid internship at Classic Style Magazine as their new Public Relations Intern. In fact, they are flying me out to New York on May 11th to help with a trade show to get my feet wet in the business. I'm really excited for all the potential this job contains and the joy of being able to work in a job that's more in-line with my skill-set.

2. Now, some bad news. This new job is fantastic and a great opportunity, but because it is an internship it's technically a temporary position and does not provide health insurance. The job is definately worth it (have you seen The Pursuit of Happyness?), but the lack of health insurance has become a larger concern recently. I found out on Tuesday, the same day I accepted the internship, that I have skin cancer on my nose. I have had a scratch on the side of my nose for almost eight months and I asked my doctor to take a biopsy of it a couple of weeks ago. After the fact, I felt a little dumb -- a small chunk of my nose was sitting in a jar on the counter and the doctor was telling me I probably picked at it too much and hadn't given it time to heal. I was pretty sure that was the case and I was actually a bit surprised to find out that I have skin cancer. I have basil skin cancer - which is actually a pretty easy cancer to manage. They have a treatment called Mohs (spelling?) where they cut out a small section of the area where the cancer is concentrated and test to see if any of the cancer cells are outside of the circumferance of their sample. If there are cancer cells outside the circle - the doctor takes off a bit more -- until there aren't any cancer cells left. This kind of cancer doesn't go very deep so it should be fairly easy to remove. I have surgery scheduled for Thursday, May 3rd - so you can pray I'm not left too butchered. Fortunately, the editor of the magazine where I'll be working is a makeup artist -- so if I do get butchered, he's offered his services :).

3. More good news! Tré and I found a house. In fact, he's going to move in on May 1st -- that's only weeks away! We're looking for someone to stay with him for the month of May and June -to provide accountability for us. The rent will be $200 for the whole month (a pretty good deal for this area) and it would help us out, so let us know if you're interested or know someone who might be. We'll be able to have Butters - my adorable 15lb cat, thanks to the kindness and understanding of our new landlords and the recommendation given to them by the Sticklers. They said you had wonderful things to say about Butters, Molly-- we thank you! The place has a great yard - so Butters will be able to go in and out as he pleases. Hopefully, he'll be smart enough to stay away from all the dogs encompassing our property. Speaking of dogs -- Tré and I really have the puppy bug -- so we're hoping to get one after we move in and our landlords get to know and love Butters.

4. More good news! We got our engagement pictures back and they are wonderful. If you are thinking about getting married and need a photographer, we recommend Jelani. He's starting his business now -- so he still has prices that are workable for brides and grooms on a budget -- check out his site www.jelanimemory.com. Check who's on the home page :)

5. More good news! I found out last week that I get to go to New York to help promote Classic Style magazine. I get to stay there Friday through Monday and take part in a tradeshow. We're going to stay at http://www.theroosevelthotel.com/ - I've never been to New York and I'm really excited to have this opportunity. The only bummer -- and it's a big BUMMER is that I fly out on May 11th -- so I'll miss Tré's birthday and the pampered chef party that Melody Olsen is throwing Tré in Yakima. Tré completely understands - but we're both sad that we don't get to share in that together. Fortunately, I don't need to travel on our wedding day :P

The good news certainly outways the bad news -- and fortunately I'll be able to utilize the insurance provided by Multnomah throughout the month of May. We're not sure what we're going to do about my health insurance after that because Tré's job doesn't provide spousal health insurance -- but I'm sure we'll do something.

The wedding is coming up quick -- less than three months away. We're getting down to the details of things -- we're getting our invitations printed soon and plan to have them in the mail by May 7th~ Time is flying, but I think we're pacing things out well. I'm so glad we're done registering -- on the one hand it's really fun because you get to shoot things with a gun, but on the other hand -- you start feeling really materialistic - remember we need money for our honeymoon fund, so if you really hate shopping... we won't complain :).



Tré really has been a rock through all of this -- he's been caring when I've needed it most. He's been assertive when I really needed to change my work situation, he's been such a consistent support to me. These last few weeks have been really trying for both of us -- and he's been such an incredible rock. Thank you Tré!



This post is freaking long -- Can you tell I'm a writer... but I wanted to show you one more thing. Here is a picture of the ring that Tré and I designed. It turned out beautifully -- and Jelani's camera really shows that off.





Well -- that's all I have time to share for now --take care and please pray for all these new life transitions and for my surgery on May 3rd.

My Future Ring

Here are two wonderful shots of my future wedding ring. Yes -- the image is green. It's a wax molding -- the real ring is ready now though and we're going to pick it up Saturday. I don't get to wear it until the day of, but it's here!

Now that we're engaged all of the crazy planning has begun. Within a week we had a church, a reception site, and a photographer. We have a wedding Coordinator and a Reception Coordinator. I have my dress, shoes, veil, slip -- and other accessories. My girls have their dresses and shoes, we've picked out the tuxes. I've bought the flowergirl dresses and a wedding cake topper.

We have flowers left to figure out (well order -- I know what I want) and wedding decorations. Tre and I both have gotten our rings this week and are going up to the church on Saturday to have a look around and begin working things out with both our wedding and reception coordinator.

Oh, and we start marriage counseling next week. It's been such a whirlwind -- sometimes I feel it's coming to slow, sometimes I feel like I need a break, and sometimes it's not coming quick enough.

People have asked me what's different between then and now. There's a lot of differences between my exhusband and Tre', but as I think about it -- I think the biggest difference between then and now is me.

I'm just a different person now than I was then... and I think that's a good thing. I watched the movie "Catch and Release" with Jennifer Garner a couple weeks ago and really connected with a lot of what the main character went through. The basic synopsis of the story was about a woman who's fiance' died two days before their wedding. There is a lot of grief and pain because of that loss, obviously, but as the movie progresses you see that there was more to the woman's fiance' than she knew. You find out, as she does, that her fiance had secrets -- secrets that she would never have found out about without his death.

Her fiance has a large sum of money and a child that he has been secretly paying child-support for. In the end, after things have been resolved - the mother of the child turns to the main character and say's "You didn't have to know about this, you could have had good memories about him and we messed that up for you..." But, that would have been false -- it would have fed the illusion and would have impeded the growth of Jeniffer Garner's character.

I'm honestly glad that I know what I know about my exhusband. I remember thinking that it would have been easier if he'd just died from his cancer -- then at least I'd have good memories of him. Then he could have been my hero instead of my betrayer. But, that's not what I got. I got a difficult, but real dose of reality when I found out my exhusband had cheated on me. That reality -- that truth changed me -- changed me, I think, for the better.

I took a class called "Recovering in Grace" last fall and the instructor talked about absorbing our pain. It's different than relogating it to the side and pushing it away -- absorbing our pain makes us larger people - people who understand how the world really can fall apart. It's been a harrowing experience, but I wouldn't trade that truth for anything.

So, as Tre and I pick colors, decide on rings, and plan out our ceremony -- I have this vantage point -- and it doesn't make things more scary -- it, crazily enough, makes things more solid.

We're Engaged!

On Sunday morning I wrote in my journal: “I have been divorced two years now today, 01/7/07. Each year, the pain of that day lessens and I’m so glad for that. I know this marker is fading in my life, please fill it with new makers, Abba, new anniversaries.”

Sunday afternoon, Melody picked me up at my house to run errands for Scott’s surprise birthday party. Scott turned 30 on Saturday so Melody was planning a surprise party for him at the A-frame, or so I thought. Melody had been sick for the last couple of days so it made sense, at least to me, that we’d be doing errands that late. She and I went to the World Market to get Scott his favorite beer, to the Dollar Store to get some noise makers, and to Burger King to get him a Burger King crown to wear at the party. Our last errand was to get some posters at the church office to decorate the A-frame.

I’d never been to the church offices before. We drove up and I saw a car that looked suspiciously like Tre’s, but Melody diverted my attention quickly. We walked up a flight of stairs to the office, turned a corner, and walked down a dark hallway.

Melody got out her key, but I could see what was awaiting me in through a window next to the door. The room was lit by candles, silk rose petals covered the table, and Tre’ stood in the corner of the room with a dozen roses. I was shocked. Melody got the door opened and I took a few hesitant steps into the room. I think she said I’ll see you later, as Tre’ came over to the door and helped guide me into the room.

“What a Wonderful World,” was playing in the background and Tre’ led my stunned form into a slow dance as I adjusted to the surprise. A basin of water was on the table, along with soaps and perfumes. He sat me down on the chair and took off my shoes and socks.

Nine months earlier, Tre performed a similar move when he told me for the first time that he loved me. He promised to love me as Christ loves the Church – sacrificially and as a servant. He also told me later that night that he’s always planned on proposing to his wife that way… with a toe ring.

When he sat me down, I knew what was coming. Tre’ added hot water to the basin and knelt down in front of me. Just a warning to all you ladies: always shave!  He washed my feet and said some wonderful, private things. He slipped a toe ring on my foot and then reached for a small, box hidden on the table. Tre’ asked if I would marry him and in my head I said, “I will,” but apparently all that came out was a big smile and vigorous nodding.

After hugging and kissing we stood to take communion together. Tre’ served the elements and then we hugged and kissed some more. We held each other close and danced again; it was good to have a time to absorb the moment.

Little did I know that Tre’ was actually stalling. He showed me the office after that and the posters Melody and I were supposed to get. Then we left the office to go to “Scott’s party” at the A-frame.
We walked downstairs and around the corner to the car. We passed by Café Delirium – all the windows were closed except one. I glanced through it and saw people that I knew. I stopped 10 feet away from the door as I realized that we weren’t going to the A-frame. Our engagement wasn’t part of Scott’s party – Scott’s party was a cover for our engagement.

We walked through the front door of the shop and were greeted by over sixty of our close friends. They cheered and then cheered again when Tre’ said, “She said yes!” I didn’t move from my spot for the next two hours. Friends kept coming up to me – friends from all areas and time periods of my life, friends who know my story and are excited for me and for Tre'.

Heidi and Shari made coffee drinks for everyone, while a slideshow played in the background and people played board games and talked. It was beautiful! I am still recovering from the shock and perfection of it all. Everyone was in on it and it made the evening so wonderful. Thank you all so much for keeping this night secret for me.

After it was all over Tre’ showed me all of the emails he sent back and forth about the party. He told me long ago that it would happen right under my nose – and it did. He handed out invitations to the party right in front of me – he even gave me a fake invitation to Scott’s party while everyone else was invited to our surprise engagement party.

We are getting married six months from the night of our engagement 07/07/07. Tre’ said he wanted a six month engagement – no more, no less. So, mark your calendars.

I couldn’t sleep Sunday night and found myself journaling into the wee hours of the morning. At 2:45am this is what I wrote: “Well Lord, you are one for answering prayer. Tre’ proposed to me tonight and he nailed it. He took a day, a marker in my life and redeemed it. You Lord, took a day that left me shattered and broken and brought me healing. I am awake now and cannot sleep. I just wish morning would come.”