This is a very, very special day! Because today is the day that the young man who has been the inspiration for many of my tales over the past year and half turns seven! *sigh* Can't believe that he's getting so big! The other morning he had rolled off of his bed, and was bundled up in a pile of blankets on the floor, and consequently, lying in the walk way. I attempted to jump over his body long-ways, judging by eye where I needed to land...only to land on his leg, nearly giving me a heart-attack (and waking him up in the process). I didn't realize he has gotten so LONG! But just because he's now seven doesn't mean he can't still sit in my lap (well, when he's "in the mood"!) while we're watching a movie, or let me crawl into bed with him and read him a Thomas the Tank Engine story, and we definitely can still wrestle!!

Happy Birthday, Stuart!

I believe that I have the prettiest house during Christmas time! Last night, after working hard all day, Mom put the finishing touches on what is another Christmas decorating masterpiece.

The sparkling tree is a picture of past and present, with the delicate store-bought ornaments hanging right along side the simpler, yet equally special one painstakingly made of popsicle sticks and glue. Boughs of greenery decorate the windows and other various places, lending a dash of holiday color wherever they've been placed. Under the dimmed lights, the myriad of sweet-smelling candles sprinkled throughout the house lend themselves together to create the special ambiance of peace. And in places of honor, quietly sit the nativity scenes, who just like the tree, are quietly sharing their memories of past, present... as well as the future.

All this, along with the comforting warmth coming from the roaring fire inside the wood-burning stove, come together to create the peaceful, yet celebratory feel of another month to celebrate one of the greatest moments in history.

Yes, it's definitely Christmastime at the Trout's!

With the Christmas season comes the whispers and secrets that, after a "sneaky" shopping trip, gradually materialize beneath the laden bows of the tree. And with little siblings, it definitely gets even more "sneakier" and the need for secrecy is even more vitally important! I love to see Stuart, my 6 year old brother, snuggled up close to Mom, pouring out all his little ideas for presents into her listening ear, with the occasion side glance at me, to make sure that I am not eavesdropping! And of course, since I am the oldest sibling at home right now, it's the most exciting thing for them to try and think of the best presents with which to surprise me. Doncha love it...

Stuart came scooting up to me last night with the excitement of a brilliant idea on his face. He came up close to me in the chair I was sitting, and quietly told me, "I'm going to get everybody ONE present...but I'm going to get you TWO!" Ah, that boy breaks my heart!

The new look is on hold for now. As the days went by, I suspiciously began to feel extremely cross-eyed and out of visual touch with the real world. And so, after a brief and business-like conversation with the gal at the doctor's office, it looks like after all that...they probably gave me the flippin' wrong prescription. Now I have to go and start all over again. And I'd just managed to finally get it down to taking only 5 minutes to put the contacts it. Now there's a record down the drain....

But woopee! It's the first day of Christmas-time and I'm busting out with the decorations! Hark, oh little town of midnight clear, joy to the kings of orient-are, oh come all you faithful angels we have decked on high! Yah!

The cutting of my hair made a big difference in my appearance, that's for sure. But I now have to say, that was nothing to the change that has now taken place. The glasses are gone. What? The glasses are gone, you ask? Yes, that's exactly what I said. Today I walked out of Costco without my glasses on...but able to see clearly. Surely you would agree that 9 years is long enough to have been wearing glasses, and haha..when the optometrist put the contacts in the first time, and my vision came into focus, I wanted to cry, I was so amazed that I could actually see!

Anyway, so for my RC Team and other Life Action friends who wont be seeing me for awhile, here's an updated picture of me, new look and all.

Thanksgiving has been pretty slow here at the Trout homestead so far...except for when that spider mysteriously appeared on my shoulder and sent me into hysterical convulsions all over my bedroom.  But other than that brief moment of energetic occupation, it's been slow and relaxing. Frankly, with half of the family being gone to their corners of creation, the house feels empty, and kinda lonely on this first holiday of the holiday season.

But despite the empty house syndrome, I am still so thankful for so many things! I had a sweet time with the Lord this morning, as I spent time thinking over, and thanking the Lord for the multitudes of blessings that He has given me. And you know, folks, I AM so blessed! So many good and lifelong friends (Happy Thanksgiving, RC Team and the rest of you Life Action buddies!), a wonderful family -- and this year, a new and wonderful brother-in-law has been added to the family (do I get extra points for that one, Mark? ), so many material blessings...and a Savior who is beyond all the thanks that I could give Him!

Well, a little home story for you all to chuckle over. Some of you may remember my vain struggles in my cooking, or should I say, burning skills. The other night I was making dinner for my siblings, and mind you, nothing was burning in the least, but as a joke, I called out to my siblings "I think I smell something burning!" In reply came the droll, drawling response from Stuart, my 6 year old brother. "Something burning, eh? Ha! Kellie must be home. When ya smell somethin' burning...Kellie must be cookin'!" Sheesh, what confidence! I am thankful for little brothers who trust me so explicitly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday night was the "Holiday Party" for the RC Team! Termed "Holiday" not to be politically correct, mind you, but merely due to the fact that as we were all going home the next day, we wouldn't be together for any of the holidays of the holiday season!! And so, all of us guys and gals duded up, and went for an elegant, but fun and relaxing evening out...the last time for me and my team to be together until January.

What a good lookin' bunch of guys!

And of course, don't forget the ladies...

Me and my dinner table companions (Anna, Jordan, Steve, Crystal, myself)

And of course, a moment of frivolity and memory making between me and Matt....

It is good to be home, altho I do miss my team considerably. Adjusting to a "normal" life again is interesting, as I feel like I have nothing to do, compared to my fast-paced lifestyle of the past 5 months! But I'm glad for the break, and the chance to relax and regroup before another long hall of ministry. Now, if I can just find something to do to keep me occupied until then....

What a hectic day! Seeing as how it's the LAST DAY of our LAST CONFERENCE for the year of '06, there is so much that has to be done! And the fact that our beloved bus is in the shop (yes, Blue Team, we're in this together! Our good ol' bus...) doesn't help the stress factor any. But, we'll fly with whatever happens, I guess! It's supposed to be back with us tonight so that we can head back to camp in the morning, but if not, Daniel is already on his way down to camp to pick up the 15 passenger van for us, just in case it doesn't happen. Tear down, packing, etc, etc...

Well, let me say it again...folks, I'm a'comin' home!!

Alright, here's the "big moment" I briefly refered to earlier. And it was....SNOW!!!! Yes, maybe not such a big deal to most people, but it was my FIRST time seeing it snow! I was so excited!! It was gorgeous, and it has stuck around the whole time we've been here in Cadillac, just blanketting everything over with a white veil. I've never seen anything quite like it before. 

And so, with my first snow fall...came my first snow man!

Me and Beth went out and played in the snow Saturday morning, and had the time of our lives! That night, Daniel and Steven came over and we had a massive snowball fight before it was time for supper. Ah, fun times forever to remember!

 Ok, finally got some wedding pictures for you all!

"Sisters, sisters..never were there such devoted sisters!"

Now, there's the hansomest lad in the crowd! My little brother, of course

The wedding party

The Trouts siblings all together for one last picture....

Katheryn, me, and Karis...bridesmaids and bell-ringer/jr. bridesmaid

Sisters of the bride and groom...tennish shoes and tear-down!

Me and Katheryn....