The Kohlmans

Yesterday I got to take engagement pictures for my brother, Daniel, and his fiance, Megan. They were very sweet and humored me with my crazy ideas for props and poses - although they are the ones who wanted "school themed" pictures, since they're both teachers. Thank goodness for Pinterest and smart phones (Daniel's, not mine), so that I didn't have to actually tell them what to do. I just showed them the pictures and they chose!

Today was our third (and probably final) snow day of the school year. I had the stomach flu on Saturday, so it was nice to have an extra day off to play and get some things done. One of the tasks on my "to do" list for the year is the big wall in our living room. I loved the picture collage we had for a while, but lately it felt a little too cluttered. Looking at that picture now, it's not surprising that it started to seem too busy. Today it all came down. Now the wall looks like this (messy piano included). Of course, you can't see the nail holes that have yet to be filled (we, of course, don't have any putty that was usable or primer to paint over the spots... come to think of it, I hope the paint we used in this room is still good!) or the scuff marks. But I'm excited for something new. My siblings gave me three large picture frames for my birthday, so my plan is to put something in those and put them up. I'm not sure, though, if I should...

Lincoln, Can it already be time to plan a birthday party? I guess so! Well, there was one huge change this month... You are WALKING! For the first couple days you would only walk a couple steps to a person or a piece of furniture. Now, you'll take quite a few steps in a row by yourself (up to about six, but who's counting?!) and are starting to venture out just for the thrill of it. You are still a little wobbly, but you're learning to pause or take a step backwards to regain your balance. You really like to hold one of our hands (just one hand!) and walk next to us like a big boy. Shoes are one of your least favorite things now; we don't put them on you often, but are trying to ease into shoe wearing. You love to "talk on the phone" and started grabbing a phone, putting it by your ear, and tilting your head to the side. You will say "eh-wo," which we think is "hello." Then you just giggle and grin. You'll also put the phon...

My son's first birthday is just over a month away. He has been the most incredible blessing - and the greatest challenge - of our lives. I have spent more than a few moments throughout the past year thinking about the world I want my son to live in, and, more importantly, the church I want him to know. I want my child to know a church where everyone's gifts are celebrated - and used.  I want him to know a church in which our differences are cause for unity because they make us stronger.  I want him to know a church where judgment is buried by forgiveness and healing.  I want him to see that the church strives to show each other unconditional love, in spite of our imperfect humanity. My prayer is that the Mennonite Church can become this church, sooner than later.

Lincoln took his very first unassisted steps today, one at a time. Sometimes little steps are a pretty big deal.

Santa Claus has been a discussion in our house for a couple of years. We have come to the decision that Santa will bring stocking stuffers only; all the bigger gifts will be from mom and dad (or grandparents, aunts, uncles...). This year, though, we didn't do anything since Lincoln was too young to understand any of what was going on. He was also sick and uninterested. Knowing that Santa will be coming for many future years, I had started to search for stockings before Christmas. I couldn't find any I liked. So what does a person do then?! Turn to Pinterest, of course! I found this pattern/tutorial and lots of examples of stockings that were burlap with a more festive cuff, so I decided to combine the two ideas. I hit the post-Christmas sales at JoAnn with my gift card (from Brad). All the Christmas fabric was 50% off, and fat quarters were $.99. It was one of those trips when I saved more than I spent (I think we can all agree that's the best kind of shopping trip, ri...

Every month it gets more and more difficult to take Lincoln's picture. He just will not stop moving! Here are some outtakes from his ten month "photo shoot."