Bookcases

Several weeks ago Wes put together the new bookcases for the living room. I'm slowly putting all our books and things on them, but here's a couple pictures.


Here's the rest of the living room. It hasn't really changed.

Backyard Project #2

We expanded our back porch!





As you can see, it was only a small expansion. Not! It is now large enough for our pool to sit on during the summer, and plenty of other outside items the rest of the year. We LOVE it already!

Backyard Project #1

Phase 1: Unloading the heavy railroad ties.


(and NO I wasn't lifting only holding it steady for Wes to reposition it to get it off)

Phase 2: Laying the ground work for the pea gravel.

Phase 3: Spreading out the pea gravel.
The longest & hardest part of this project!

Little helpers.

Working hard.


Taking a break for a picture.

Phase 4: The finished project!



Woohoo! Not sure who is more excited Wes & I or the kids to have this project completed.

Katherine's Puppet Show

Spring Changes

Wow!  Spring is flying past, and it's been crazy around the Kenney house.  Maybe I should say busy rather than crazy, but crazy is how I feel.  Anywho,  we have been making some changes around our house which we've wanted to do for awhile, but were unable until now.  Instead of starting and finishing one thing at a time, we jumped head first into several projects, which is why I feel our lives have gone crazy. 

On Monday I had LASIK surgery on both my eyes to correct my vision.  I've worn glasses or contacts since I was three, and absolutely love that when I wake up now I can see across the room without having to reach for my glasses first.  I am excited to see!  Wes commented this morning how weird it was to see me reading email using my phone without glasses.  It's awesome! 

(Deb on Monday afternoon after surgery.)

Last week we finally upgraded our internet at our house. When Wes and I began to play with our iChat video, we discovered my computer's microphone wasn't working.  Bummer, but the video feed was great!  My computer has been at the Apple Store at Stonebriar Center in Frisco, Texas, since Friday, and I'm looking forward to getting to it back Thursday.  Thankfully we have a laptop I can use until then.  

After leaving the computer at the Apple Store Wes, the kids, and I decided we would stop at Ikea. Wes and I had decided several months ago we wanted several bookcases to make a unit in our living room.  I've want bookcases for storage for a while, so we decided to get them since we were there.  We also picked up a storage unit for Sebastian's toys.  Needless to say Wes spent the rest of the weekend putting together bookcases.  

We are also making some changes in our backyard, but I'll get to those in another post.  My eyes need a break.  I'll add more pictures once I get my computer back.  

Trinity Baptist Church Egg Hunt 2010

Katherine's 2nd Piano Recital

Speed Zone & Ikea

Wes and I had a meeting in Dallas a couple weeks ago, and we took the kids with us. After our meeting we took the kids to Speed Zone, where we rode go carts. The kids played a few video games before we headed over to Ikea.




Enjoying some chocolate cake with milk at Ikea in Frisco, Texas.

Hmmm, it was GOOD!

It was a fun day!

Outside Fun (Pictures)

A couple weeks ago Katherine, Sebastian, and I visited a couple of friends at their school for lunch. The kids were invited to play with their friends class for recess.

Katherine, Sebastian, & Ryan spinning.

These next couple pictures are taken at the park in Hugo, OK.




We're really enjoying the wonderful spring weather!

Red River Museum Field Trip

*Update: Added video

In February our homeschooling group took a field trip to the Red River Museum in Idabel, Oklahoma. After the museum tour the kids had the opportunity to make a clay pinch pot in the activity room. Sebastian wasn't interested, but Katherine did choose to participate. She enjoyed making her clay pinch pot.








Katherine let her pot harden for a couple days at home then she painted it. She now has a cute little earring holder for her dresser.

Spring Break or Blogging Break?

I've been taking a bit of a blogging break this spring, and I'm not sure how long this break might last.

Even though there has been a lot going on in our lives these last couple months it has not been blog worthy. Keep checking in if only to read my twitter updates!

Thanks.

DEB
:-)

Happy Resurrection Day!!!!

Today I received an email update from a family serving in Asia on the mission field that said Happy Easter was translated Happy Resurrection Day. I love it!

Our family is worshiping our risen Savior, and we pray you are doing the same with your family.

So, HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!!!

Wes, Debra, Katherine, & Sebastian

As I Prepare

This week I am finishing preparations for the 1st & 2nd grade vbs class I will be leading for teachers at the Frisco Baptist Association Vacation Bible School Clinic to be held this Saturday, March 27th at FBC, Antlers.

This year several of the daily scripture verses are some of my favorites, and I've decided to share them with you. Here are the scriptures verses I've been focused on this week...

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14

Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

"For I know the plans I have for you" -this is the Lord's declaration- "plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

And some people think vacation bible school is only for kids. God has been convicting me with these verses daily as I read and prepare. Oh how I thank Him! I hope you will be convicted and encouraged as well.

Weekend Fun With Dean

Friday night my brother, Dean, drove up to spend the weekend with us. We enjoyed his visit and here is some video of him playing with the kids.



Yes, they LOVE their Uncle Dean!

Draw Me Nearer

For your nearness Lord I hunger
For your nearness Lord I wait
Hold me ever closer Father
Such a love I can’t escape

For your nearness I am hoping
For your nearness Lord I long
Have no need of any other
I have found where I belong
Yes, I have found where I belong

So draw me nearer Lord
Never let me go
Closer to your heart
Draw me nearer Lord
Draw me nearer Lord

In your nearness there is healing
What was broken now made whole
Restoration in its fullness
Lasting hope for all who come

In your nearness I take shelter
Where you are is where I’m home
I have need of only one thing
To be here before your throne
To be here before you throne

So draw me nearer Lord
Never let me go
Closer to your heart
Draw me nearer Lord

So draw me nearer Lord
Never let me go
Closer to your heart
Draw me nearer Lord
Draw me nearer Lord

And keep me here, keep me here
There’s nowhere else I rather be
So keep me here, keep me here
There’s nowhere else I rather be
There’s nowhere else I rather be

So draw me nearer Lord
Never let me go
Closer to your heart
Draw me nearer Lord
Draw me nearer Lord
Draw me nearer my Lord
By Meredith Andrews from her album The Invitation

A Scripture for the day...

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVEY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 (New American Standard)

Sebastian Shares His Adventure

*UPDATED: Added pictures.

Last February Wes took Sebastian on a father/son day trip (known as Sebastian's Adventure) to the Dallas Auto Show. Sebastian probably had his best day ever, and since then he has been looking forward to going back to the auto show and taking his mom & sister. Yes, today's the day!

Katherine and I will be joining the guys this year to check out all the totally awesome and cool cars & trucks. Sebastian informed me that we could eat there too, which apparently is pretty important in his precious mind. I'm looking forward to it, and I think I've convinced Katherine that it will be fun too.

I'll try to snap a few photos & maybe some video.

* We had a GREAT time at the auto show.

Texas Independence Day

I am a native Texan and as a rule Texans are proud of their state. Today is Texas Independence Day (March 2, 1836).

Check out some of the fun blogs I read, who also happen to love Texas.

Vicki Courtney
In the Midst of It
Baby Bangs

Bow the Knee

There are moments on our journey following the Lord
When God illumines every step we take
There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us
As we try to understand each move He makes but
When the path grows dim
And our questions have no answers
Turn to Him

Bow the knee
Trust the heart of your Father
When the answer goes beyond what you can see
Bow the knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven
And believe the one who holds eternity
When you don't understand
The purpose of His plan
In the presence of your King
Bow the knee

There are days when clouds surround us
The rain begins to fall
And the cold and lonely winds won't cease to blow
There seems to be no reason
For the suffering we feel
We are tempted to believe God does not know
When the storms arise
Don't forget we live by faith
And not by sight

Bow the knee
Trust the heart of your Father
When the answer goes beyond what you can see
Bow the knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven
And believe the one who holds eternity
When you don't understand
The purpose of His plan
In the presence of your King
Bow the knee

Words & Music by Chris Machen & Mike Harland

* Bow the Knee has been a song I would listen to when I was ready to give up, because I didn't understand what or why I was dealing with all the things going on during the last year and a half. Every time I listened to this song I was reminded of something different, and I pray God will use these lyrics to draw you closer to Him today.

Check out the video to hear the song. The video is not about 9/11, so please don't let the picture keep you from watching the video & hearing the song. That's just a shot & a very small piece during the five minutes of the song. A warning though...it's powerful and you might want a tissue. Well, worth it!

Valentine's Day Party

Many of the kids decorated boxes or bags to collect their valentine cards from their friends. The older kids came in first and delivered their valentine cards then some of the younger ones did the same. Sebastian wasn't interested in passing out his valentine cards, so he diverted that job to his sister, which she was more than happy to accept.


Once the valentine cards had all been delivered it was time to eat!



After ingesting plenty of sugar (and all before lunch) it was time to check out the valentine loot!

Perspective on Kid Interruptions

On Sunday, while I was staying home with my allergy induced sick kids, I came across the story of Layla Grace and her family through a tweet on twitter. Layla Grace is a precious two year old who has stage 4 neuroblastoma. If you would like to read her story go here, but I wanted to share a section of what this mother wrote on February 16th in her blog entry Sleep, Valentine's Day, and Regrets.

Layla now spends most of her days sleeping. 30-45 minutes after she wakes up, she is ready to lay down and sleep again. Is this God’s way of preparing me for all the quiet time that is coming soon? The house is quiet. I am able to go through the motions of laundry, dishes, cooking and picking up without interruptions. But I WANT interruptions. I WANT Layla to be under my feet asking for cookies. I WANT to hear her playing with her toys. I WANT to take 45 minutes to unload the dishwasher because she keeps trying to help. For every time I uttered the words “I just can’t get anything done with these kids under my feet all day” I am eternally regretful. The days that I looked forward to naptime so I could get a grocery list made, or finally fold all the piles of laundry…I regret those days too. If I could do it all again, I’d enjoy EVERY SINGLE WAKING MOMENT I had with her. I would never wish for her to sit still or take a nap or go to bed early. I would never look forward to the days when she could sit through an entire episode of Dora silently. I would treasure every second with her.

So I’ve spent the last few days in a quiet house, able to do whatever my heart desires. But all I want to do is wake her up and hold her. She doesn’t really want to be held much anymore. She prefers to be rocked in her dark bedroom for a little while, then laid down in her bed. She gets easily overstimulated by the noise of the other children downstairs. She wants dark, silence, peace and sleep. So we give those things to her. As much as it breaks my heart to not be able to hold her all day, I know her little body needs peace and sleep.

There are so many times am I that mom that wishes my kids would leave me alone so I can clean or fold laundry. Oh how I wept over my selfishness. I got up from sitting at the computer and spent time treasuring my kids. I prayed and thanked God for blessing me with Katherine & Sebastian and allowing me the opportunity to be their mom. Oh how my perspective changed!

PLEASE, join me in praying for Layla Grace and her parents, Ryan & Shanna Marsh.

Still Here

Okay, I am a little behind on the blogging this month. My life has been crazy this month, plus I've enjoyed a few very lazy days in between the craziness. The kids are fighting allergies with the nutty weather changes. We loved the snow and warmer temperatures that followed; however, now it's cold again with warmer temps to follow, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to May when the weather finally seems to adjust to warm before it turns to really hot!

I still have pictures to post from our homeschooling group valentine's party, which I hope to get done by this weekend. No promises though! :-)

I am looking forward to spring when I hope to find a beautiful field of bluebonnets where I can take a few pictures of my kids. It's been a couple years since we took the kids picture in a field of bluebonnets, and I feel it is time for another one. Plus, it's been a while since I sent the grandparents some pictures, and I'm sure they would like a few newer pictures of their precious grand kids.

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!!

Back to the craziness of my life!

New Look Equals A Work in Progress

Katherine picked out the new look for the blog. Can you tell?

It may take a couple days for me to get everything as I like it, so please pardon the blog mess in the mean time. I do appreciate it.

Thoughts for this Valentine's Day...

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4: 10-12

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthhians 13:4-8

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

As a friend put it " Love God...Love Others...It's simple! Happy Valentine's Day!"