A few of my favorite things...

(A Kerns family sing-along to the tune from Sound of Music)

Smiling Tori

















and my big boy "Bubbers",






















Kisses for Daddy,


















and more for the mommy,


















Adrion showing his sweet pearly whites,






















Garon exploring beneath autumn light...



















Do doo doot, do doo doot...

















Okay. The end. :)


















Oh wait, one more just cuz they're so cute...

Tori's 1st Riding Lesson

Tori started riding lessons today, and there are no words to express how EXCITED she was! Her teacher said that she had a natural sit, and she was able to lead the horse a little. Go Tori! Here is a camera phone pic of her first ever real horse experience. Maybe one of these days we'll have a little barrel racer.

Blessings

My cup overflows.

Spinning

That's what we've been doing...spinning our wheels. I know that the time we spend at work, driving, getting ready, cleaning, paying bills, maintaining, is purposeful, but it also feels like a rat race a lot of the time. This world we try to exist in (sometimes hanging on by our toenails) with its ever-escalating technological, economic, career-driven, mentally/spiritually deprived demands is exhausting. My sentiment of late is "I don't like being a grown-up".

This past week a first-grade teacher at a nearby school left her 16-month-old baby in her car all day long. The car was parked at the school, and no one saw. My baby is 18 months old, and this incident absolutely tore me up. I'm that busy. My mind is scattered in that many directions. I have had to turn around in our school parking lot because I have forgotten to drop off my baby. It could have been me. It could have been anyone trying to super-function in this ridiculous fast-paced world that we've created for ourselves. Why?

I don't know. Disheartening? Yes.

But then again, I do know. Even though this world may be ridiculous, so are my blessings. With the utmost humility, I am so grateful for what God has given. The beauty in the faces of my children, in the love of my husband, in the warmth of our home, is indescribable. Truly. I am blessed to spend every work day in the same building with my daughter. My son is a stone's throw away in a facility where he is loved and nurtured by people who love God. My husband is a devoted provider and leader.

So, even though it's hard, I'm thankful for the enormous growth that comes from living in faith that God will take care of us. We are so small and know so little. Everyone has their own story with God, and He uses our circumstances to shape and build us. I am so, so grateful, and I try every day to give my life to God--to be his arms and legs and voice. Casting Crowns has a song with lyrics to the effect of "If we're the body, then why aren't His arms reaching, his voice calling..." Anyway, THAT's why.

Thank you, God, for the difficulties of life. Please help me to be still in the chaos and know that you are God.

Kerns Khaos

It's seriously a thrill a minute in our household lately...some cases in point:

Two Tuesdays ago:

Totally true conversation:

Janelle: Waking, well-rested, noting the sun coming in the windows; looking at the clock; abruptly snapping out of her happy little moment; yelling "GARON, IT'S 7:15!"

Garon: Jumping up; spastically looking in circles, "What happens at 7:15?"

Janelle: "Isn't this Tuesday?"

Garon: "Tuesday? What? What's going on?"

Janelle: "It is Tuesday, isn't it?"

Garon: "I'm so confused."

Janelle: No comment. Equally confused.

Garon: "*#@#@!"

Random day about a week ago:

New tire, $160. After hours pro-med appt. for the baby with a diagnosis of "It's a virus. Treat symptomatically and come back if anything changes", $92.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009:

Spur-of-the-moment family fun trip into Ozark National Forest turns not-so-fun with loud, demanding daughter; fussy, tired baby; moody, angry, bug-eaten daddy; and trying-to-stay-composed mommy, who obtain 5-inch spike in new $160 tire while on dirt road on top of a mountain and have to boogie home before tire goes flat because they don't want to have to change to the spare and no tire shops are open on Sunday...

Monday, Sept. 7, 2009:

Family is very proud of a day spent cleaning, organizing, mowing, carefully placing all bags for next day by door, and then...

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2009:

Mrs. Kerns arrives at school without any of her materials, lesson plans, or curriculum books necessary for a non-khaotic day.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009:

Getting ready for work/school. Mrs. Kerns going to VB to observe a classroom. Must leave earlier than usual to get kids to BadDad for ride to school then meet teacher friend. Tori is underfoot. Baby is clinging to mommy. Mommy is stressed. Daddy is reacting to Mommy's stress in his helpfully explosive way. Everyone makes it into cars 10-or-so minutes late. Kids are dropped off. Mrs. Kerns heads out for VB. Mr. Kerns is standing in the yard doing a 2-arm wave. His truck is dead. Tone for day is set, and it doesn't improve much...

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009:

A monsoon straight from SE Asia arrives in Arkansas just in time for family to head out the door. Despite heroic attempts with umbrella, and after fording previously unseen rivers in yard and workplaces, family members arrive at destinations ridiculously soggy and dripping.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009:

Not there yet, but looking forward to a fresh start! As Scarlett O'Hara says, "For tomorrow is another day!"

Hooky...

Some days you just have to take a moment, breathe a little, and play hooky. So on this Sunday I am praising God for the beauty in my life as I crank MJ through the house, try to put my house back in order, and love on my babies and my hubby. Thank you, God, for a beautiful day...

Bead-dazzling...

...as he helps clean his sister's room. Idn't he sumpin'?