a l i v e & a w a k e

It's amazing what a couple of months will do. Here we are at the end of July and it seems like yesterday Carys was added to the family. For those who check in once in a while, here is a very much needed update.

As you can see, Carys is growing, gaining almost doubling her birth weight and maintaining fantastic sleeping habits (about 3 hours in between feedings). She is daily increasing in alertness and her ability to interact with her environment.

Rhys.... well Rhys is your typical 2 year old; experimenting with words, experimenting with everything in reach (and that is increasing everyday as well), and experimenting with boudaries and rules. How could I describe him best? He is a high energy, social, adventurous little boy with a very real need to be in control of his world. When he gets enough sleep he is happy and occasionally is caught singing to songs on the radio or dancing (sometimes naked!) across the living room.  So far he is enjoying being a big brother and is learning how to be gentle. 

Jane is taking being a 2-time mother all in stride. For those of you who have children, you know how the second one changes the dynamics of the household. And now that her husband is home more for the summer, she is very busy running the home, and taking care of the rest of us. I must say, she's doing a great job. 

I am enjoying a different pace for the summer. The first 2 weeks were spent at Dovercourt Recreation Centre running the LIT (leader in training) program. 30 kids being 12-16, lots of energy and full of ideas. Very fun.  I am in the midst of 3 weeks off until the second LIT program kicks in. Then it's 2 more weeks and then school! In my "free time" I have been spending lots of quality time with the fam, reading lots, biking everyday and occasionally can be caught singing to songs on the radio or danicing across the living room with my boy (for all you visual people - that's with my clothes. on!).

So there you go. Hope all is well with you and your family. Make sure you take time to stop long enough to imagine shapes in clouds, listen to the song of the wind and smell the roses (or whatever weed is closest).

Jon 

How pleased am I to welcome Carys Louise Tenthorey to our family! She was born May 28th at 10:31 in the morning, weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz. I don't want to upset any of the mothers out there, but she arrived after about 5 hours of labour and 10 minutes of pushing; and then 2 hours later Janie walked out of the hospital with her! What a trooper my wife is!

Both Mom and baby are doing well and beginning to establish a daily routine. Thanks to everyone for their kind support and emails. For sure, there will be updates as life goes on.

Jon 

Jon Tenthorey is a husband to his beautiful wife, Janie, a father to his incredible boy, Rhys and master to his spaz of a dog, Maggie. He currently teaches at Nepean High School in Ottawa and is passionate about making a positive impact in the world by empowering his students. He loves talking about living a full life and being connected to the things that really matter.

To get a hold of Jon, you can email him at alive-awake@hotmail.com

Jon has been a keynote speaker at various conferences, retreats, workshops, camps and seminars. He has vast experience particularly working with youth and has a passion to see people get caught by the dynamic life-changing truth found in Jesus. He has also worked with leaders from various organizations such as Trent University (Peterborough), The DAM drop-in centre (Missisauga) and currently runs a Leadership Development course for Nepean High School in Ottawa.

If you would like to contact Jon regarding speaking engagements, please contact him at alive-awake@hotmail.com, or call him at (613) 828-9930.