Enjoying Fall

Last Monday the kids and I enjoyed playing outside.

Reality

I am tired of pretending I have it all together. I don't. I struggle spiritually. I don't read my bible daily as I should, and my prayer time usually takes place in the shower. I've started more personal bible studies than I can count and I think I've only finished one. I am a minister's wife, and I struggle to tell people where to find verses or stories in the bible. I struggle with bitterness and anger. I yell at my kids, and say things I shouldn't. I give in to gossip. I have financial problems. I show up with a bad attitude and spread it to others. I'm selfish. I am a sinner!

The good news is God sent Jesus to earth to die on a cross for the sins of the world. Then He rose from the grave, so those who confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts can be saved. (Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 15 & 16; Romans 10:9-13)

I'm not the spiritual prayer warrior I want to be. I don't have the spiritual maturity, wisdom, and knowledge that comes with studying the Bible daily, but I want these in my life. I desire to be broken for change in my life. I desire to be a godly wife and mother to my husband and two precious kids. I desire to be part of a prayer meeting where each one of us is united in prayer with a brokenness for each other and the unsaved of our families, friends, and others around the world.

Let's get real and honest!

TV Show, Smelly Dishrag, & A Lesson

Sebastian was running around the house in his Superman pajamas, and Katherine was lying on the couch watching TV. Extreme Makeover Home Edition was now playing on the living room and kitchen TV's. I was standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes and feeling frustrated. The dishrag I picked up to use was old and smelly. It had been washed, and I'd only used it once. I began thinking how I needed to purchase more kitchen dishrags, and about how it seemed there is always something that we need. I was bummed that I don't have all the things I need want.

It was about that time I started watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition. All of the sudden God reminded me how much I do have. I saw the conditions the family was living in and realized I've never had to live in conditions such as those. Here I am feeling frustrated over a smelly dishrag while standing in a beautiful home provided by God. At that moment I stood in my kitchen and began to thank God for the situation I'm in rather than complaining about it, smelly dishrags and all!

God continued to bring to my mind all the ways He's provided and blessed our family and extended family. I praise Him for His sinless life, dying on the cross for the sins of man, rising from the dead, and saving my poor wretched soul.

Dress Up

Wes and I LOVE them SO MUCH!

Big Plans Equal Hard Labor Then Relaxation & College Football

It's been a busy day at the Kenney residence. When Wes and I woke up we had big plans for our day. Wes began working on cleaning up our flower bed, so we could replace the mulch in the flower bed with river pebble rocks. He worked really hard until we ran out of rocks, so next week one of us will be making a trip back to Home Depot in Paris. Anyway, I had big plans to clean and organize inside the house, but the kids and I ended up at the store (and that's all I'm saying on that subject). By the time the kids and I arrived home we decided to relax with a pregame movie and snack.

At 6:30PM we'll be tuned to ESPN 2 for the Arkansas Razorback/Texas A&M game being played at the new Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Gig'em!

Blocked? (or Something)

There are many things floating around in my little mind, but nothing seems to be coming out when I sit down to blog. I must have a case of writer's block or something. When this has happened before I always try to at least post pictures of the kids; however, I haven't been taking many of those recently. What few pictures I have taken I've used in tweets on twitter. I am hoping some of you haven't actually looked at those, so I can post them below! :-) Here's my favorite...

I'm sure you can figure out why this one was my favorite.
The next one is Sebastian enjoying Katherine's piano lesson a couple weeks ago.

I REALLY LOVE my kiddo's.

Nana Knows Best

Just over a week ago, we stopped in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, where we visited Luan Adams (aka Nana). Not long into our visit the kids started hinting that they were hungry. Of course their Nana picked up on the hints, and she happily fixed them a snack.

Sebastian let her know he didn't need his apple peeled just cut up.

Sebastian showing his appreciation!

What's New with School

On Monday, August 17th, our family began a new journey. As public schools were starting in this area our family choose to homeschool. Wes and I had considered the option of homeschool before when Katherine was beginning kindergarten, but I wasn't sure I could handle teaching Katherine to read. I felt I would be alone in the journey and kept using the excuse that there wasn't a homeschool group for us to be part of like in more metro areas. Deep down I knew homeschooling was what God was leading Wes and I to do, but I wasn't ready to trust the Lord in that decision.

Two years ago we enrolled Katherine in Swink Public School. Swink is a very small community about five miles west of our house. When Wes and I visited there and met with the Superintendent and Teachers we were very impressed. Almost of all the teachers were Christians and were active in church. It felt more like a small Christian school than a regular public school. Katherine did very well in kindergarten, and we were pleased with the school. The following year Katherine had a wonderful teacher and excelled in the academics, but the school atmosphere had changed quite a bit from the previous year. Grades that had been separated the year before were now combined in the same class. Several of the wonderful Christian teachers moved to another school system, and Swink lost what we loved most about it.

We briefly considered enrolling her in the Valliant schools in second grade, but we were concerned that in a large class of second graders, she would quickly become bored, and the teacher in Valliant, because the class is larger, might not be able to give her the attention she would need.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the reasons I was against homeschooling two years ago was because I felt Wes and I would be essentially on our own. That has changed in the intervening time. There is a homeschooling group in Valliant and another one in Antlers. The Valliant group has at least seven families with about 24 kids. This group meets once a week, and this year has began a physical education class. Each month there will also be a field trip, and this group partners with other homeschooling groups around our area and in Oklahoma City. Wes and I will not be in this alone!

Ultimately, we chose to homeschool because we recognize that Katherine's and Sebastian's education is our responsibility. We are not against public schools; they are one tool available to be used in carrying out our responsibility, but for now they're not the best option for us. Homeschooling will allow us to ensure that the things they learn will be taught from a Christian worldview perspective. They won't learn "real" history in a classroom, and "Bible" history at home & church; they'll learn it in a integrated way. It is valuable to us to see that their education is Christ-centered, and so that, in combination with everything else, is why we're doing what we're doing.

We are in week five and loving it. We've had a few not so good days where our schedule has been messed up, the the good out weighs those days! We've enjoyed a back to school swimming party and our first physical education class with our homeschooling group. Last week was a scheduled field trip to the McCurtain County Fair. We did not go as a group, but allowed each family to go on their own. The kids and I went on Thursday and enjoyed seeing all the animals while taking time to enjoy some food as well. We were able to watch some new friends from our group show their animals, and Katherine thought it was cool to see one of her new friends win a first place ribbon for her pig.

Life is different around our house; however, it is a good different!

Two of us enjoyed a funnel cake. Some little boy wasn't interested. Not sure what's wrong with him!

To celebrate making it to the end of our first week of school we went to the donut shop for breakfast.

Katherine jumped off the diving board. She's under the splash of water. I was so proud of her! This was at our homeshool swimming party.

(Some of the paragraphs written in this post were copied from previous emails from Wes & I to family and friends.)

Trying new things

As you can see I changed and added a few things to the blog. If the coloring of text is hard for you to read I would appreciate you leaving me a comment to let me know. It is always hard to tell when I'm choosing colors and sometimes I pick one that is hard for others to read.

Thanks for the input!

Missing Blogger

So I'm a little behind on the blogging these last several months, and I apologize. I would like to offer some really extravagant explanation, but there isn't one. I could probably make one up for you, but that's not good either. Please accept my sincere apology, and I'll try to do better in the coming weeks.

SEVEN!!!!

On Sunday, August 9th, our dear sweet first born turned SEVEN! She woke up to find that her Uncle Dean & Aunt Diane had arrived during the night. She received a phone call at breakfast from Grandpa Homer wishing her a happy birthday. What she didn't know was that he was almost to our house. She was really surprised to see him standing in our living room a few minutes later. After church she received a birthday call from Papa Verne & Grandma Linda Kenney. Later that afternoon we celebrated with a party. Her and her friends played on the water slide and in the pool. It was hot, but everyone had a great time!

The opening of gifts...

Barbie's The Diamond Castle

Thumbelina

Barbie's My house

Wedding Day Barbie

"Yea!!! It's The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe."

A 4-n-1 Celebration

Last Saturday, August 1st, our family drove to Lake Tenkiller to celebrate birthdays. We were celebrating Sebastian's 4 1/2 birthday (read here if you wonder why we celebrate his half birthday), Katherine's 7th birthday, Wes's birthday, and Taylor's birthday (Wes' brother's girlfriend).

These were SO GOOD!


Presents!!!!

Barbie clothes and then a Barbie car!

Aaaaahhhhh.....

A remote control boat!!!
Man, those grandparents hit the jackpot!
It was a fun day!

Watermelon Festival

For the last three years Trinity Baptist Church of Valliant, Oklahoma has made fans and given them away at the Watermelon Festival held at the Valliant City Park. The last two years we've given the opportunity for kids to make watermelon picture frames and magnets. Everything we provide is free of charge to the public. Our goal is to let the people of Valliant know we care and love them, and we, as a church, are here for them.


Sebastian and Ryan cooling off with a snow cone!












Sebastian and Ryan handing out TBC fans.











Raeli and Katherine found the face painting booth.



Trinity's pastor. (Yes, that's his iPhone in his hands. I believe he was twittering!)

More Summertime Photos

They are such a blessing! We love them so!