Ramblings...

It's been a week since I posted pictures and longer since actually writing anything. I would say it's been even longer since I've written anything of any substance, but I'm not sure I could say I've ever written anything of substance! :-)

I would like to say I've been extremely busy and that's why I haven't posted anything, but that wouldn't be true. This week has been a blah week for me. I've opened my computer to read some of my favorite blogs, check email, and not much else. I know, very exciting!!!

Keep with me over the next couple days, because I do have two posts in the making!

Pictures

These pictures were taken at the home of Nelson & Virginia Camp earlier this week.

Skippy & Sebastian resting

Sebastian and Katherine

Katherine

Grandpa & The 4-wheeler

Last Friday evening Katherine and Sebastian sat on the couch looking out the window waiting to see their Grandpa Homer drive up. They were thrilled when they saw head lights coming up the drive and even more excited when they realized he brought the four wheeler. The next day he and kids were busy outside by 9:15 AM playing and riding the four wheeler. He treated them to lunch at Braum's followed by some ice cream. They spent the afternoon playing outside and riding the four wheeler. As usual I don't know who enjoyed themselves more, the kids or my dad.

Ride 'em, Cowboy!

I took this picture of Sebastian this morning.

Grandparent Time

Last week Wes umpired a game near Muskogee, so we made a family trip to spend time with grandparents. Katherine and Sebastian were treated with rides on the four wheeler. They rode their tricycles in backyard and kept grandma and grandpa entertained. Grandma Faye bought corn dogs from Sonic and Grandpa Roy made coke & ice cream floats for dessert. Grandma played play dough with Katherine while grandpa and Sebastian played basketball. After we enjoyed playing and eating at grandma and grandpa's we loaded up and headed to the baseball game before coming home.

Riding the four wheeler


The kids were treated again when their grandpa Homer came to their house Thursday evening and stayed through Saturday afternoon. (Grandpa was already on his way when we had the bead incident, and he actually came to the er to see us.) On Friday grandpa treated the kids to lunch at McDonald's before we once again headed to a baseball game that Wes was umpiring; however, this game was in Valliant. Katherine and Sebastian had their grandpa working hard playing with them while he was here.

"Let's go racing!"

VBS Clinic 2007

As my faithful readers already know (all three of you), I was a part of the VBS clinic held at First Baptist Church in Antlers, Oklahoma last Saturday. This clinic is hosted by Frisco Baptist Association for the purpose of allowing churches to bring their vacation bible school workers for training. Those in attendance are exposed to the new vbs material; teaching techniques; ministry tools; decorating suggestions; craft, recreation, & game ideas; and various other topics. The goal is to prepare teachers and workers to present the gospel of Christ to the children attending vbs this summer.

The clinic began at 9 AM with an opening rally introducing the VBS Team before moving into the traditional vbs worship rally complete with flags & pledges. Then it was time to attend session one: Basic Training. The following classes were offered:
Pastors
VBS Directors
3's-Pre-K
Kindergarten
1st & 2nd Grade Bible Study
3rd & 4th Grade Bible Study
5th & 6th Grade VBX
Youth
Crafts
Missions
Music
Snacks
Recreation
Spanish VBS

Session Two offered Enrichment Courses:
The ABC's of Becoming a Christian (How to counsel a child)
Decoration Ideas
Overview of Pre-School & Kindergarten Rotations
Overview of 1st-6th Grade Rotations
Scoring BIG with VBS Prospects
Spring Training for Rookie Teachers

Rounding out the clinic was time to visit the bookstore and tour the different class rooms. The leaders remained in their classroom to answer any questions.

I was the leader for the 3's-Pre-K during session one & two. I did my best to provide those attending this class all the information I could concerning information about teaching preschoolers. I talked about the basic concepts of how preschoolers learn and respond along with some of their characteristics. I went over the vbs materials for this year, and I talked about the activities suggested within the material. I discussed how I decorated the room and pointed out decorations should not over power a preschool room. I reminded them decorations are nice, but decorations are not why we do vbs. It is easy to get excited with the theme and forget the importance of the bible stories presented each day. I shared ways to repeat the bible truths during music, recreation, snacks, crafts, and not just during the bible story and mission times. I pray I conveyed the importance of showing God's love and teaching Jesus' story to preschool children through out every word and activity done.

The lessons I try to teach are good reminder lessons to myself. I may have been the "leader", but those in my sessions also shared some good lessons and ideas with me. I praise God He allows me the opportunity to participate in this great ministry.

Katherine's the Winner!

Recently the kids were playing together rather roughly, and Wes raised the following question "Which one will visit the emergency room first?" At that time Wes and I decided it would be Sebastian; however, we figured if Katherine was the first one to visit the ER it would most definitely be because of Sebastian.

Let's start the story here...Yesterday afternoon Sebastian was peacefully taking a nap while Katherine was in the kitchen coloring. I was busy paying some bills and doing other household chores. Around ten till 3pm I hear footsteps coming down the hall and Sebastian enters the living room. Katherine and I greet him as he crawls up into my lap asking for a drink. Just then Katherine comes back into the living room and tells me she has a bead up her nose. After my not so calm reaction of "WHAT?", I told her to sit down so I could take a look. Sure enough there was a small brown bead in the left nostril. Now, earlier in the day she had found two small beads that she and I had missed picking up after a bracelet broke. I figured she threw these in the trash like we did with the other beads we had picked up. I was incorrect!

I did my best to remain calm and try to get Katherine to blow the bead out, but my comment not to breathe in through her nose started her crying. I made the decision that I was not getting this bead out without some assistance, so it was time to head to the ER. (For those of you wondering where my husband was during all this...he was umpiring a baseball game.)

At this point, I become stressed trying to keep Katherine calm while getting us ready to go. Sebastian needed a new diaper, shorts, and shoes while Katherine changed out of her play dance outfit. I really would have taken her in the dance outfit, but changing provided her with something to do other than cry! During all the madness I did manage to find someone who could take care of Sebastian while Katherine and I made our little trip. It really didn't take long to actually get out the door, but it seemed like forever.

I took Katherine to McCurtain County Memorial in Idabel, Oklahoma. We spent over three hours there for a procedure that actually took less than a minute. Katherine did great in the ER, and I am so thankful our first visit wasn't a more serious one.

(By the way, a hospital can be a great place to play I SPY.)

Got it done!

Whew! It has been a busy last couple weeks; however, I have accomplished two very important projects. I finished painting the new church highway signs to be posted off highway 70 at either end of Valliant. This project look a long time to complete, but the finished product is a wonderful tool for Trinity Baptist Church. (By the way, my husband came up with this good idea for new highway signs at the edge of town and promptly volunteered me to paint the lettering. Isn't he such a sweetheart?)

My other major project has been working on the associational vacation bible school team. This group of men and women from churches across our association assemble to put on a clinic to help prepare vbs teachers and workers for the precious opportunity to touch children's lives with the truth that Jesus loves them. Our church association does a terrific job putting on this clinic every year. I am humbled to be a part of it!

For those you who would like to hear more about the vbs clinic hang in there. I will post more about my preparations and the clinic a little later.

Ladies Retreat

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Oklahoma Baptist Ladies Retreat at Falls Creek in Davis, Oklahoma. Jami Smith led the music worship and Priscilla Shirer was the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions were offered three times through out the retreat and lead by various women from Oklahoma Baptist Churches.

God began speaking and dealing with me on Friday night as the first prayer was prayed, and He continued to reveal the good and the bad area's of my life during each session. I was broken and humbled. It is my desire to worship Him; walk in a more intimate relationship with Him; serve Him; and lead others to Him in a way I've never done before.

Three other women from my church attended the retreat as well. The four us came home with funny stories of things that happened to us along the way and deep spiritual blessings!

"Thank you God!"

Easter Celebration

The Kenney's enjoyed a wonderful Easter Day celebrating our Risen Lord & Savior. We pray you did as well.

Katherine is pictured with Baler Bain.


Sebastian is pictured with Averie Bain.

The Bain and Kenney children play together in their respective classes waiting for their other friends to arrive.

Caldwell Zoo

This morning my dad and I took the kids to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. To my surprize, this was the first time my dad had ever been to the Caldwell Zoo. I had been several times on school trips, and once or twice as an adult. We had a nice time together. I forgot to take my camera, so don't look for any pictures of the kids at the zoo! Wes couldn't believe I forgot the camera either!!! Sorry!

Family Outing to Paris

Saturday morning, March 31st, our family made a trip to Paris, Texas to visit the newly opened Starbucks. During this trip Katherine received her very own Starbucks travel mug filled with hot chocolate. She is excited to have a mug like her mom and dad. As you can see, she enjoyed the hot chocolate topped with whip cream and chocolate syrup. Don't ask how she managed to get the chocolate on the bridge of her nose.

Finished Project

Katherine and Sebastian absolutely love their completed swing set & play house. They're having a blast.

Building Project

It was a busy day around our house yesterday as Katherine and Sebastian's swing set was being built in our backyard. This project only took seven hours to complete (with a few minor adjustments this morning) and four adults. Actually, it was two adults working really hard and two more helping with kids and minor building tasks.

Sebastian looks back to make sure he doesn't miss anything while Katherine poses for the picture. Nelson Camp & Wes busy working and reading the instructions.

"Where does it go again?"
(Wes & Nelson)

Wes, Nelson, and Virginia hard at work.

On the home stretch!!!!
Katherine and Sebastian wait patiently.

Katherine and Sebastian enjoy the slide while Nelson, Virginia, Wes and I work to complete the set.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Nelson & Virginia Camp for helping us get this massive thing together!!!!!! Wes and I couldn't have done it without you.

Gratitude

Each day there is so much for me to be thankful for. I have a place to live; food to eat; clothes to wear; and a wonderful family. Many days I take what I have for granted. I tend to focus on the things I don't have instead of all the things God has blessed me with. Much of the time I fail to even say thank you to God for the daily blessings he provides and yet He continues to provide.

God has provided for my family in ways I could have never imagined recently. He has used people's generosity to remind me how awsome He is, and how life isn't about me. It's is all about His love. I am so grateful for God's faithfulness even when I am so unfaithful.

Sebastian bedtime story

There are nights when Sebastian is so sleepy he will come and tell Wes or I he's tired. Then there are other nights when he isn't interested in going to sleep and certainly not in his bed. Last week he had one of those nights where he wasn't interested in sleep. Wes did Sebastian's bedtime routine while I did the same with Katherine. Several minutes later Sebastian was up, so Wes put him back in bed. After Sebastian getting out of bed a couple times, Wes and I thought Sebastian was finally down for the night. We then headed to our room, but soon after here came Sebastian. This time Sebastian's approach was different...Now, he wanted to lay in our bed! I took him back to his room. About five minutes later I heard his door open again, so I headed to his room and found him going into Katherine's room. Once again I put him back in his bed. I was hopeful this would be the last time, because I was seeing he was getting tired. I waited outside his bedroom for several minutes making sure he didn't get up. I decided he was probably going to sleep, so I went back to my room.

Wes and I were up for a while longer watching TV. Before I went to sleep I decided to go check on Sebastian. As I approached the kids rooms, I noticed Katherine's door was open. I found Sebastian sleeping in Katherine's bed with her and Dora.
Aren't they precious? Wes and I love them so much!!!!!!!!

Wes at Work

On Monday night Wes was umpiring the Valliant vs. Idabel game. Wes worked behind the plate during the first game, which lasted for nine innings. The kids and I arrived late during the first game, and I took a few pictures. Here's Wes working hard.

(Sorry about the fence view)

Deb's Take

For those of you who read Reason for the Hope, this is my take on Back in the Saddle Again.

When Wes and I married he enjoyed umpiring baseball, and it was also a part-time profession for him. During our first year of marriage he umpired spring ball in Michigan before accepting a professional position umpiring in an independent minor league. Wes chose not to return to professional umpiring after our first year of marriage, because he and I were apart much of the time. (Just a note here...this was his decision not mine.) Wes continued to umpire college games in Michigan and Texas before God changed Wes' direction, along with mine!

After ten years, Wes the umpire is back! Many things in our lives have changed since then, but the excitement in his eyes when he's packing his umpiring bag is still the same. He enjoys it and that makes me very happy.

Please join me in prayer that God will use Wes in a new way on the baseball field.

Surprise Visit

This weekend Wes, the kids, and I received a surprise visit from Jim & Wanda Stevenson. They are from Wynnewood, and Wanda was in our choir there. Jim & Wanda were on their way to Wright City (about 10 miles from Valliant) to visit family when they realized they were driving right by our house, so they decided to stop and see us. It was a pleasure to welcome them in our home,and we certainly enjoyed the visit. It is always nice to reconnect with friends.

Speaking of reonnecting with friends, the kids and I had the opportunity to connect with friends Sunday. We attended church with Steve & Evonne Gardner at Union Hill Baptist Church, where Steve is the pastor. That afternoon Katherine and Sebastian enjoyed playing with Evonne outside in the sand while I took a nap. We headed to Sulfur, Oklahoma to visit with Tiffani Jolly early evening. After a short visit with her, the kids and I stopped by First Baptist Church Wynnewood to see Luan Adams and a few others. We had a great time, and everyone enjoyed seeing how much the kids had grown.

Playing in the Sand

Katherine and Sebastian love to be outside. It breaks Sebastian's little heart for him to have to come inside, so this week of nice spring weather has been terrific. Their favorite activity at our house has been playing in the sand; however, the highlight of their week was going to Nelson & Virginia Camp's Wednesday and spending the night. The kids enjoyed riding the 4-wheelers, playing in a dirt pile, and eating a banana split before bedtime. They are having a fun filled week. (I enjoyed the break this week too! )