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KELLI & VANESSA

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March 23, 2014
← How we spend our time ...My Everyday featuring ... Whitney English →
  Kelli + Vanessa is a collaborative lifestyle blog that combines creativity, passion & a crazy love of motherhood. Our hope is that this blog becomes a source of inspiration & encouragement to those who are already moms ... or dream of being one someday.

 

Kelli + Vanessa is a collaborative lifestyle blog that combines creativity, passion & a crazy love of motherhood. Our hope is that this blog becomes a source of inspiration & encouragement to those who are already moms ... or dream of being one someday.

What in your life do you need to lay down to pursue a life of great love? Because a life of great love writes a beautiful story.  K&V

What in your life do you need to lay down to pursue a life of great love? Because a life of great love writes a beautiful story.  K&V

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I’ve done more adventuring this summer than all my years combined, living in Montana 🐻🌲 Granted, my coffee shop [@red_caboose] sold in May and it freed up some time, but I was very intentional. Funny how life works. It’s so easy to get set in cruise control, but how fun it is to take over and do some living. And you don’t know it, until you do it! This is one example of what climbing out of the pit looked like for me. Doing things I didn’t feel like doing. Doing scary things I’ve never done before- like 10 hour road trips and camping- just the three of us. I did things I never thought I could do. My friends called me BRAVE for traveling long distances without any help. But, I realized this was my new normal, and I had a choice......and I chose to start living. Snacks were packed, movies were loaded, we blasted our favorite worship songs and hit the road. There were definitely a few road trips I was trying to talk myself out of, but I never regretted going. Ever. Summer Road Trip Adventures: Glacier National Park • Yellowstone National Park • Boise, ID • Bend, OR • Coeur ‘D Alene, ID _______________________________ We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. – C.S. Lewis, Letters of C.S. Lewis
This kind of living inspires me. This is why I share my life.....in hopes that it lifts even one persons head and encourages their soul. THANK YOU! Thank you to each and every one of you who commented and reached out in response to my previous post. We need each other. We need to hear each other’s stories. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Always have. But sharing such a deep personal loss was not easy. These past 10 months I’ve been on my knees. Broke down in tears, but never backing down. Cried until my eyes were red and puffy. Grasping for breath. Nauseous. There was nothing pretty about it. But the good days always centered around worship. Turn up the music and sing, even when it hurts. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Even if you don’t feel like it. Worship radically changes my perspective, shifting my eyes from my nightmare.....towards Him- the only One who can bear the burden. The One who sees and knows it all. The One who bottles up our tears. The One who makes all things new. The One who redeems and brings fourth beauty from ashes. The One who will not be mocked. This mess is my message. Your mess is your message. Let’s RISE UP & SHINE BRIGHT! #lovewritesabeautifulstory
March 19, 2005 was the day we said Till Death Do Us Part. November 16, 2017 was the night I found out about the betrayal, the hidden affair. My attorney called last week to let me know that September 6, 2018 was the date the divorce was declared final by the court. It should have only been one date etched into my heart, but I’m left with the burden of three. The rings are officially off. It takes two, a husband AND wife to choose to fight to stay together and stay strong and connected. Three is a crowd....& certainly not Biblical. *Ladies, God will NEVER send you another woman’s husband as your soulmate. This adulterous epidemic must stop. My soul has once again been shaped by suffering. Suffering is hard. This wasn’t my first rodeo with grief and loss, but this level of betrayal was a first for me. Ultimately, to walk through fire and be refined is a gift. Thankful for Jesus who has walked beside me every single step of the way....& continues to do so. To be honest, I cried all winter long thinking about my future. Today, I laugh. Why? Because God is so good. SO GOOD! Until you're broken, you don't know what you're made of. Grief is messy business. Some of the people in your life won’t be able to hang with you in this for the long haul. And that’s ok, don’t get offended. Pain gives you the ability to build yourself all over again, but stronger than ever. My children have seen me crawl out of the pit.....& I pray that they cling to the radical truth that God doesn’t allow us to be put in the fire to burn, but to shine. This is what life is truly about. The strongest women I know have all been refined by fire. And these same women were the first responders in this mess. Like firefighters who run into a burning home, they ran towards me. This happened both online and in person- thank you for every note, prayer & word of encouragement. My mess is my message.....Pain is a microphone. Ladies, let’s RISE UP & BURN BRIGHT. Let’s support each other, not take from each other. Thank you friends, for your love....in this heartbreaking season. -KELLI
1st day of Kindergarten for my little man today. Last night was rough. His heart was sad, but we worked through it. I thanked the Lord all day that he woke up with a happy heart, ready to face this big day with courage and bravery. And that’s exactly how he walked straight into his new classroom. He actually wanted to walk to school by himself [HA!]....not yet, little man. Soon! I know without a doubt that the hand of God is all over Ezra. I’ve sensed it since he was little.....his heart is tender, he’s very attentive to people and his surroundings...and the questions he asks always has me growing in my own faith. He’s a gift. I love being his mama. Seems like yesterday I was holding him in the hospital and blogging about the phrase “the days are long, but the years are short.” Didn’t realize how quickly Kindergarten would come. Love you, Ezra. Don’t ever forget.....You’re The Head, Not The Tail.
Just because your spouse didn’t keep their vow doesn’t mean that you have to break yours. If God says to fight for your marriage, you better fight! God made it abundantly clear over and over that I was to stay in my marriage. At one point I removed my wedding ring as I started to focus on what other people might think vs what God had called me to do. Even if it made me look crazy and didn’t make sense to those around me. Oh hey Noah, I’ll help you build that ark! It wasn’t an easy decision......Oh the war within our flesh is real. There is no option that would take away the pain. Not a single one. No matter what decision I made in regards to my marriage, there would be pain. And I know pain. But I honestly believed that I had endured enough these last 8 years alone.....and that I had legitimately earned a pass for at least a few more years. Friends, don’t ever underestimate the war raging against your soul and your family. Your marriage. The enemy sometimes even comes as your dreams in disguise, hoping to destroy your stand for your marriage. But God allowed the rain. From where I stand tonight, I can see that His plan was to make sure that I stood in a place where I had to choose God, or choose my own path. As I sat in a 7 hour settlement meeting last week.....I fought for honor. I re-wrote “boiler plate” verbiage to reflect my stand. I say this for those who might be walking this same path. You have a say so, even if it is ignored this side of Heaven. Fight for honor. You’ll find peace in that place. Love you all. Goodnight. #lovewritesabeautifulstory
The Worst Day Of My Life. Many of you have rightfully sensed that I [@kellitrontel] have been walking out a difficult season in life. It’s been a while since our last post and I’ve received countless messages and texts since Christmas. Unfortunately it is true....& I’ve shared my heart on my personal blog [link in profile]. Thank you for loving my children and I. Please pray for us. #lovewritesabeautifulstory #ichoosethankfulness XO, KELLI
Goodbye Red Caboose. After 7 successful years of business, @red_caboose will be closing the doors this Sunday, May 20th. The building/business has been sold so although I have known about this day for over a year, I still write this post with tears in my eyes as I have loved the Red Caboose as many of you have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for supporting my family and business. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for loving my children and I well. As we navigate this season of change, please keep my babies and I in your prayers. I truly believe the best of days are ahead of us……we’re just taking one step at a time right now. I poured my heart out on my blog....LINK IN PROFILE! blog.kellitrontel.com
10 totes by @moxieandvalor! up for grabs!!! And yes...those are leather handles. 😍 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Ok, I have TEN tote bags to give away!!!! You'll need to be quick because these are going to go fast! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here's how to claim them -- this is open to MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS!!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Order your Premium Starter Kit! Choose from oils+diffuser, makeup, antioxidant/immune support or ditch and switch your cleaner and personal care products! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. If you're a member and NOT on essential rewards, enroll today and place at least a 250 PV order! You'll get a few extra freebies for this one...a bottle of Thieves cleaner, glass spray bottle, dish soap, a bottle of lemon and a bottle of citrus fresh. Plus 10% back on your order in points. No contracts either. It's a beautiful thing! DM me for more info. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. If you're already on essential rewards, refer your mama to a starter kit! Or your sister, cousin, friend, etc. You'll get a free tote and $50 cash from Young Living. To make your referral link, grab your member ID and go to: http://yl.pe ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. For my builders: If you purchase a flip kit, you'll get a free tote! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ READY? SET....GO!!!!!
Imogene Joy. She sure does live up to her name. Her birth ushered in gratitude, peace, love & joy into our home. She continues to fill our hearts with so much sweetness. Her ginger hair and blue eyes.....melt us every single day. We celebrated her 1st birthday last Saturday. Gosh, time sure passes us quickly. Savoring this season.....even though it’s a bit crazy. We can’t turn our heads without her crawly quickly towards the stairs or pulling everything down in sight. She’s a quick one!
Can’t believe my baby girl is ONE! Will be sharing photos from party....it’s amazing what happens when you link arms with your creative friends everyone contributes their strengths. We can’t do it all, mamas. I wanted to enjoy the planning process & be present during the party. This party was so dear in so many ways.

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Kelli & Vanessa xo

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