For My Husband

Yesterday was my man's birthday. He woke up and was out of the house before the kids and I woke up, but once we were up we gave him a Happy Birthday phone call. Katherine and Sebastian sang 'Happy Birthday' with me singing along too! Later Katherine couldn't wait to give him his birthday card, which she had made. I think Katherine was more excited that it was her daddy's birthday than he was, but she had enough excitement for us all.

Wes' birthday didn't go as I had planned, and I feel very bad. I want to take the time on this blog to let him know how much I love him, and how glad I am that he came into this world some years ago. (A loving wife would never give away his age :-) Here's a hint: he is 13 months and 2 days older than I.) I am so thankful to have a husband who loves me as much as he does. Wes puts up with all my faults and rarely complains to me about them. I cannot say I do the same. He is much more of a romantic than I am. He thinks of little things like bringing me a Dr.Pepper back from the store just because he knows I like Dr. Pepper. He'll pop home on an afternoon and tell me to go to the store while he watches the kids. He'll help wash the laundry if I've gotten behind. (Then again, that could be because he needs clothes to wear!) He makes me laugh; holds me when I need to cry; encourages me; listens to me; and most of all still loves me when I mess up and don't make his favorite birthday cake! I am so blessed to have Wes Kenney as my husband!

As always, I am late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY WES!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!! :-)

Extended Family Visit

Last week Katherine and Sebastian had the opportunity to play with their cousin, Maya Brown. Jaime (Wes' sister) and Maya were in Hugo visiting with Ruby Lee (Wes' grandmother) and Cynthia (Wes' mom). Sara Posthuma (Wes' aunt) had also come for a visit. We had everyone over last Monday evening for dinner and some family visiting time. We enjoyed watching the kids play together; grilled hamburgers with all the fixings; swam in the pool; and topped the night off with homemade peach ice cream. It was a very nice time.

Summer Time Fun

On the Rock Wall

On the Water Slide

In the Sandbox

Showing off

Working Hard

Pool Time

Watermelon Festival (Day Two)

Saturday began early with our church having a men's breakfast. Otis Cayton, a former pastor of Trinity and the association's current Director of Missions, gave a short devotion while the men enjoyed their breakfast.

Around 9 AM the Watermelon Festival parade got underway. The parade ended at the Valliant Park and people began pouring into the park for the festival. It was amazing the see that amount of people coming in and our church booth was near one of the entrances. We knew it wouldn't be a problem to give away all our fans. The fans were gone by 1 PM! More people would walk over to receive a fan and and then realized they could register to win a digital camera. At the end of the afternoon, approximately 200 people had registered for the digital camera and all the fans were gone! The camera giveaway was drawn during the gospel concert Saturday night, and a 10 year old girl from nearby Millerton, Oklahoma, won.

One of the goals for our church during this weekend was to show our community that we are here for them. I believe we accomplished that goal. We were also looking for new contacts. There were between 40-50 people who admitted on the registration form that they didn't attend a church regularly, so that gives our church a good starting point.

Wes, the kids, and I enjoyed the festival and the free watermelon!

Watermelon Festival (Day One)

When Wes and I were interviewed by the pastor search committee from our current church, Trinity Baptist Church, we were told great things about the Valliant Watermelon Festival. Today marked the beginning of the watermelon festival.

Several months ago, Wes begin thinking of what our church could do to minister to our community during the festival. We came up with an idea to give away bottles of water throughout the festival. We found last week that because there would be vendors selling water we could not give away free water as the Valliant Chamber of Commerce didn't think that would be fair to the vendors. We came up with a plan B. Plan B is to give away free fans. These fans have information about our church printed on both sides. Last Wednesday night several church members put together 250 fans. We are also giving away a free digital camera at the end of the festival. On the registration form is a question asking the person whether or not they attend a church. If the answer is "yes" then after the drawing those forms will be thrown out, but those marked "no" will be used as prospects for our church.

The kids and I dropped by the Valliant City Park where the Watermelon Festival is being held this afternoon and evening. The kids enjoyed playing on the playground with some of their friends. Katherine had a watermelon painted on her check. This festival is a good family event. I am proud our church is there to show the people who will come through the park over the next 24 hours we love and care for our community.

Beaver's Bend

These pictures were taken at Beaver's Bend State Park.

Sebastian on the only motorcycle his mom will let him ride!

Katherine with a look of panic.

Mom's favorite kiddo's.

What sweet children!

Grand Rapids Children's Museum

Grandma Linda, Katherine, Sebastian, and myself spent several hours on Thursday, June 14th at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. We had a great time playing and learning together.

Playing in the sand

Grocery shopping


Grocery checkout with mom

Sebastian & Grandma

Katherine & Sebastian

Katherine

Katherine at Work

Sebastian at Work

Katherine gone fishin'

The Play Ground

One evening after dinner the kids and I went with their Papa Verne up at an elementary school play ground. Take a look at the fun...

Papa & Sebastian

Katherine

Sebastian, Katherine, Papa, and the dinosaur

Katherine

The Cottage

Linda Kenney's parents, John & Donna Klein, own a cottage and the kids and I spent Monday there. Katherine and Sebastian enjoyed being able to play with John and Donna's granddaughters, Bella and Sophia.

Bella, Sophia, Katherine, & Sebastian

Bella & Katherine squirting water at each other

Sophia, Bella, Sebastian & Katherine

Sebastian cleaning the dock

Sebastian with the water hose

Start of Adventure Week

People say "A picture is worth a thousand words" so here...

Katherine & Mom (Debra) riding the carrousel at Grapevine Mills

Katherine in her new swim suit

Cutest kids in the world sleeping!

Kids playing at DFW

Change of Plans

Hello from Grand Rapids, Michigan! Our week plan changed a little bit as Dean was unable to fly to DFW to pick up Katherine and Sebastian. So on Sunday morning I boarded the plane with Katherine and Sebastian to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we are having a great time. The kids were thrilled to see Papa Verne and Grandma Linda at the airport. As we came down the corridor the kids spotted their grandparents and they took off running. Katherine ran straight towards Grandma and Sebastian right to Papa. I, of course, was left behind carrying our luggage! What a precious site to see them all together and happy.

The kids were just as thrilled when we arrived at the house to see their Uncle Scott and Aunt Julia. Uncle Scott really wanted to come to the airport, but since I was along there wasn't room. (Sorry Scott!)

We are having a great time, and I will post more on our activities later when I can add pictures as well.

By the way, Wes is having a great, but busy time in San Antonio. He will be driving home Thursday.

Adventure Week for The Kenney's

Over the next week my blogging will be slower than normal. In about twelve hours Wes, the kids, and myself will head to Dallas to begin what we all hope will be a wonderful and smooth transition for the week ahead. Katherine and Sebastian are to fly with their Uncle Dean to Grand Rapids, Michigan Sunday morning where Katherine & Sebastian will spend the next several days with Papa Verne and Grandma Linda. Once Wes and I see that they are on their way to Michigan we will begin our travel to San Antonio, Texas for the Southern Baptist Convention. Wes and I will spend Sunday evening through Wednesday night there in San Antonio before heading back to Dallas where I will get on a plane to Grand Rapids. I will spend a day or so there before the kids and I fly back to Texas where someone will pick us up! Whew, it will be a week of adventure for us all! See ya in a week or so!!!!

Surprise by Mail

Our family received a really cool surprise yesterday in the mail. We received a package from Jim Whitaker (better known as my Uncle James). We were a bit puzzled because we certainly weren't expecting anything and wondering what this could be. When we opened the package we found a large book full of family photos. My uncle took pictures I'd emailed him and many off this blog, and he had them printed and bound together in this wonderful book of memories. We were blown away. Wes, Katherine, Sebastian, and myself sat on the couch and looked through the book. My uncle even had it inscribed to us on the second page. What a great idea and a treasured gift!




*Thank you Uncle James. We love it!!!!

**Update: This terrific book of photo memories was created through My Publisher Photobooks.

Friday's Adventure

Wes and I took seven students to Six Flags over Texas on Friday. There was one student who had never rode a roller coast and another who had only rode small coasters, so the very first coaster ride for the day was the Titan. To brake David, the one who had never rode a coaster, in right he and Wes rode in the front seat. We followed the Titan with The Texas Giant and then Mr. Freeze. The seven students we took on this trip were great and we had a blast!!! The lines couldn't have been any better and the weather turned out perfect! All in all we had an absolute wonderful time. The only draw back is I have a few sore leg muscles today.