Kelli Trontel

↣ ↣ ▲▲▲ ↣ ↣ Disneyland ↣ ↣ ▲▲▲ ↣ ↣

Last Saturday marked three years since I last spoke to my dad….and the day he entered into the presence of the Lord.
[original blog posts here, here & here]

I remember June 15, 2010….like it was yesterday. I vividly remember the phone conversation I had with my dad- just hours before he took his last breath. He was driving….I knew he didn’t seem “normal.” I asked “on a scale of 1-10 how are you doing today, dad?”….and his answer was 7. Right then and there…I wished so badly that 3,000 miles weren’t separating us. He was in Las Vegas. I was in Nashville. There was nothing I could do…..but pray and call him back after a photoshoot that I was driving to. My dad was always a 10 or higher. He was a 10 on a bad day and an 11 on a good day. Hearing him say 7 was alarming. I knew he just didn’t want his daughter to worry about him.

Fast forward 3 years….and every anniversary has felt different and has met me with contrasting emotions. Last year I was weeks away from having my baby and this year….I have a son. Ezra will meet my dad one day in Heaven, but unfortunately will not experience life with him on this earth. This saddens me. My dad would have been the best grandpa ever. I wanted so badly for him to be here in this season of life with me. Even though he is not here…..in a way that my eyes can see….he is here in a way that my heart can feel. There are beautiful qualities about my dad that often come to my mind, which push me to be a better business owner and an intentional mom. This is what I choose to focus on….

↣ ↣ ▲▲▲ ↣ ↣ dad holding me ↣ ↣ ▲▲▲ ↣ ↣

My dad left a rich legacy for me. He had a heart for people…and this truly influences the way I run and operate our family business. Death was not the end to my dads story. His life continues to influence me and the decisions that I make. How awesome is this? This definitely makes me consider how I am living my life. It’s not just about me.

Each moment. Each day. Each year that passes by does not push me farther from my dad, but closer. I am thankful for the Hope we have in Christ. The promise of Eternal Life.

I am thankful to be planted in a House that speaks truth on this matter. To give you a glimpse into what our pastor often says on the subject of death is this:: “Death is a lot of things and comes a lot of ways, but tragically it is often a surprise. The way to truly live is to be prepared to die.”

I can’t end this post without asking you if you know God. This is a serious question…and THE most important decision you will ever make. If you can’t answer this question….please click here.

I miss you, dad.
XO.

Reed, Ezra and I spent last week in parts of Southern & Northern California [more on this trip coming soon!]. While we were there….we got to see family, which always makes my heart happy. Ezra got to meet his cousin Brandon for the first time!

Brandon is my nephew [my sisters son]….I love this photo of us sisters with our boys!

We love you aunt Kris and cousin Brandon!
XO!

I really try and drink a good amount of water each day, especially when I drink more than one latte a day at our cafe! Infusing water with natural flavors makes for a super refreshing beverage. My go-to’s are usually lemons and limes, but this time of year I love to pick up fresh fruit at our local Farmers Market. Adding herbs like mint or rosemary is pretty fantastic [and oh so pretty] too! It’s amazing how quickly I can guzzle down 32 ounces of water when there’s a treat at the bottom! This is also a fun alternative to plain ol’ water for your guests. Try it!

And…..how fabulous is this Mason Jar Tumbler? The perfect summertime accessory. My new friend Bobbi is the genius lady behind the Mason Bar Company, where you can pick one up for yourself. I met her on Instagram and instantly felt a connection to this sweet momma. I love her passion for Christ, her family and doing business in excellence. If you aren’t following her on IG- you really should. Bobbi will be featured on our My Everyday series tomorrow [Thursday] and she’s offering a super sweet deal on a Tumbler [with a pink straw!]- so be sure and visit the KELLI & VANESSA blog for all the details! [fyi…the sale is only good for tomorrow from 10-12pm CST]….. Next time you order a coke or juice-infused tea, proudly skip the plastic-wrapped plastic straws and use your own reusable straw. Whether it’s a stainless steel, glass or bamboo straw, these options force us to regain control over our mindless slurping habit. But are reusable straws safe? These reusable straws are also sturdy and dishwasher-safe — except for the two throw-away options, which are at least compostable and biodegradable, so still a better choice than conventional plastic straws that can clog up landfills and oceans.

What are some of your favorite summertime sips?!?
XO! -kelli