Fireworks, Cousins, and Puddles

Fireworks!

We had a very exciting but restful Independence Day ... we went to Wamego to watch their fireworks show ... it was a lot of fun and Hayden didn't seemed to be too bothered by the loud noises they made ... in fact, he's asleep in the picture below!


We wanted a family picture with the fireworks in the background ... and since David is a genius with the camera, he got the timing just right ... but Hayden doesn't seem as excited!


Happy Birthday, America!


Cousins!

Ailee
Hayden got to see both of his cousins this week! On Monday, Ailee, Heather, and Jeff came to visit ... Grandma and Grandpa Kinnan came too, so Hayden had a blast getting to run around with another littler person! We had a great day and a barbeque with the biggest steaks ever! Dad Kinnan grilled and they were sssssooooooooo good!



Liz
Hayden and mommy got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Kerby's this week, too! We spent all day Friday playing with cousin Liz ... we especially liked the activity table with water and sand ... a very exciting combination for toddlers!



Hayden got to "help" Grandpa Kerby, Uncle Pete, and Uncle Ryan put siding on the house ...



Actually, he just provided the "technical support" from Pete's truck ... which basically involves trying to honk the horn and push buttons. He LOVED this truck almost as much as the food Grandpa Kerby grilled for us on Friday night! On Saturday we got to go shopping with Grandma Kerby! Hayden discovered his newest favorite thing ... matchbox cars! He spent the whole visit playing with them and saying "beep, beep, beep!" No wonder he likes the real truck so much!



Ok ... so, the matchbox cars are actually a fun new thing for mommies and daddies, because they're not mud puddles - Hayden's other discovery this weekend! It had just rained and so Grandma and Grandpa's driveway had a huge puddle in it, and Hayden was determined to investigate it! Mommy finally let him go for it, and although he ended up covered in mud, he had a great time and even got to see some little frogs!

Play Date in the Park!

Yesterday morning Hayden and I met Lilu and her mommy, Migi, and Kyra and her mommy, Becky at the park! We spent the whole morning there and while the kids had a great time running themselves silly ... we moms had a great time gabbing away!

Hayden LOVED this little wheel and was enamored with it for the longest time!


But then he discovered the "big boy swing" and was unwilling to get down for anything ... even snack time!


After Hayden and Lilu got down from swinging, we took a long walk around the park where they got to smell the flowers ... Hayden was kind enough to help the gardeners out by pulling some of them! (AAAHHH!)


We've had an absolutely wonderful week with other great families ... on Tuesday Hayden was invited to swim at Kyler and Kaden's house which was so much fun, because I hadn't seen Amy (their mom) forever, and she and her husband Chris have been such wonderful friends and encouragers for David and I!

Today, Hayden and I will be heading North to go to my parent's house while David has a softball tournament this weekend ... we'll fill you in on all the great details about our trips when we get back!

Love,
Katy

Women's Brunch

We had such a great turn out to the brunch on Saturday morning! David and Hayden came out early with me to help set up the projector and sound system! The morning went on without a hitch and words cannot express my excitement and thankfulness for such a wonderful group of women ... such blessings to me ... and to Real Life Church!

The morning started with introductions, where I spoke a bit about the book that I had read that inspired me to name this brunch our "FRUITful Gathering." We played a fabulous ice-breaker game that even had "fruit inspired" prizes for the winners ... "Berry Reliable" nail polish, a copy of the "Naked Fruit" book, Mike and Ike Fruit Candy, and some Cherry-Blossom lotion from Bath and Body Works! It was so much fun ... then we had a lot of great food to eat ... and then musical worship time! Finally, I jabbered a bit more and read from Galations 5:22-23 and then we had "table talk" where women picked one or two of the Fruits of the Spirits and read a verse and answered reflection questions that were provided on a pamphlet I'd made ... it was such a great time of fellowship and sharing ... and food!

Parks, Papa, and Dave's BBQ

BIRTHDAY
Today is Mom Kerby's official b-day, even though we had her celebration a few weeks ago ... Happy Birthday, Mom! We Love You!

PLAY GROUP
Yesterday was such a busy day! In the morning we went to the park with other moms and kids from our M.O.P.S. group (Mothers of Preschoolers) from Westview and other area churches. I was impressed to see how well Hayden kept up with the older boys ... he can run and climb and is absolutely fearless (so I was never too far away)! Hayden and I had a great time and were definitely exhausted afterwards ... and spent quite some time getting all the sand off of ourselves!

Hayden LOVES to swing ... this swing was the only one not taken when we got there, and ended up being the only one Hayden wanted to ride for the whole morning. He must like all the room it has ... I myself like that it has a seatbelt to keep him put!

In true Hayden fashion, we went through several cups of water! We have the thirstiest boy in the world ... if that's even a word!

GRANDPA
David had a KS District meeting in Topeka all afternoon, so we got to go with him and visit Grandpa Kerby at work ... he works in the Docking State Office Building right across the street from the capital, so we got a great picture of it! Hayden had a blast playing outside with "Papa" and we even got to see some firetrucks while we were out there!




B-B-Q
Today we went to lunch with David and his co-workers; Roy, Chasity, and Eunice. I know it'll be a surprise to all of you who know David ... but we went to Dave's BBQ!



David spoiled us by using his gift card ... what a wonderful husband and daddy! Hayden enjoyed his chicken tenders and fries, but thought he might like to try mommy's salad ... well ... maybe just the dressing!

FRESH BREWED LIFE
This evening marks the first of five Wednesdays that I'll be co-leading a women's Bible study with Kodee, (and awesome friend). We'll be taking the ladies through Nicole Johnson's study "Fresh Brewed Life: A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul." I'm pumped!

I am also preparing for our monthly women's brunch which will be held this Saturday ... it's entitled "A FRUITful Gathering: Learning to Live Out the Fruits of the Spirits in Our Lives!" I was inspired to focus on these fruits Paul describes in Galations after reading the book "Naked Fruit" by Elise Morgan. Ladies ... it's incredible! Read it!

Alright ... Hayden is waking up and we're going to go water the flowers and play some basketball outside until it gets too hot ... unless it's already too hot ... then we'll break the "rules" and just play basketball in the house! :)

Have a Beautiful Day!
Kate

King for a Day

As you know, Sunday was "Father's Day" and in our house it felt like I was king for a entire day! Waking up later than usual because Katy had already taken care of Hayden, I took my zombie looking self into the living room to be with my family. Once there, I was served a hot, heaping portion of breakfast casserole (my fav b-fast food). This delicious meal was accompanied with a nice, carmel colored coffee...just the way I like it.

We just relaxed during the morning, enjoying each other. Katy has an inability to keep surprises a secret, so by Friday, I'd received a portion of my "Father's Day gift": a bottle of smart water (what's dumb water?) and white/royal blue batting gloves! Ladies and gentlemen, the softball uniform is now complete.

On Saturday...as we make our way to the actual "special day"...I was given Coldplay's new album. It's incredible...I like #3.

Well, now we're back to the actual Father's Day. I'm working on my breakfast casserole and Katy brings in a bag...I open it and find a GIFT CARD TO FAMOUS DAVE'S BBQ!! Oh my! To top that off, Katy took us all out to lunch...at FAMOUS DAVES! I didn't even have to use my new card...wow...what a woman!

We got to Famous Dave's and had to wait for a while to dine on the delicious ribs. Here, Hayden is pretending to be our "driver" for the day:

My father's day was wonderful. Later that evening, Katy and I got to work in the nursery together! That never happens! Let me say, the children were especially well behaved.

So, dad's of the world...my wife is better than yours!

So Much Fun!

Today Real Life Church had a "Community Block Party" and invited neighbors from the surrounding communities to come and learn more about our church, eat a free lunch, and enjoy some great games!

David was working there all day, and Hayden and I went out all morning ... he and Ben loved playing on all of the games ... he's snoozing now ... exhausted from all that playing!

It's Official!

I am a college graduate! Our mailman delivered my diploma to our door yesterday afternoon ... I was getting ready for my interview for a position at Junction City Middle School! I went for one and then had another that had been scheduled for this Monday ... it was that second position that totally intrigued me ... and following the interview they offered me the position! Praise the Lord! I'm so excited and will give more details to come! I'm so thankful to be working in this district! They're fabulous!

Hayden posed with me before giving me a "bye-bye" kiss and wishing me good luck!

Batman Begins

Went to the midnight showing of BATMAN BEGINS last night with 10 other people from our church. As I'm half asleep right now...from what I remember it's a good movie! Not sure how Katie Holmes got her part, but it was exciting to see how Batman started off.

Go see it.

We need a favor

Katy has just recently applied for two different teaching positions in our area:

1. A local Christian school needs a History, Bible and possibly English teacher. It's certainly not "ideal" but it would allow her to teach, which she finds very fulfilling. It would involve a lot of prep work...6 different lessons plans everyday because of the different subjects. If you're a teacher, you understand the difficulty in that requirement. However, she'd be in an environment where sharing her faith isn't illegal.

2 Junction City Middle School is searching for a Special Education teacher. Again, at first glance, this isn't ideal...but it's teaching! The school would pay for Katy to obtain her Special Education certification while she taught and some of her school loans would automatically be forgiven by teaching in this district. She enjoys this district and it has familiarity in that she student taught in the High School.

Katy submitted her applications to both schools...she has an interview with the Junction City Middle School on Friday at 2 pm (Central time). The Christian school would like to have a good knowledge of who they intend to hire by Friday of this week.

Here's the favor: Would you pray that we have wisdom in evaluating and engaging this possible opportunities? Perhaps Katy will interview and feel that niether situation is best for her, but maybe this is the open door/confirmation that we have been asking God to reveal. Either way, we'd like you to be part of our lives by talking to God about us. We're not requesting one or the other...we want to know what is best for us. Our hope is that we see God's will...not just ours.

Thanks...and...if we can ever do you a favor, we'd enjoy the opportunity.

Now, back to my unfulfilling job...haha!

Family Day!

Today was such a very special day ... although weeks before her birthday, we had a day of celebration for my mom, who deserves a day completely dedicated to her more than anyone I know!

Aunt Marla and Uncle Kirby were terrific hosts for our gathering, complete with smoked ribs (David's favorite), grilled salmon, and of course, hamburgers and hot dogs! We had a great time and enjoyed spending an afternoon with family!

We Love You, Mom!



Hayden enjoyed playing with his cousins! They were "building a house" on Marla and Kirby's deck ... and I must say, were very focused and efficient builders! It's so much fun to watch him interact with other little guys his age ... they seem to get along so much better and have so many less "skirmishes" than when he plays with little girls ... but between the many girls in the church nursery who outnumber the boys by far and cousins Ailee and Liz, he's usually always around girls ... what to do, what to do.





I've realized that we have so few " lovey dovey" pictures (aka pictures of David and I) that I am now going to take every opportunity to have one taken ... so here you go!



We hope that your day has been as special as ours ... nothing like refueling with family (and some great food!). It's truly a blessing to have families that love us and encourage us and are just so much fun to be around ... I pray that today and always you will find peace and comfort in a "family," whether it be friends or relatives, church members or the quiet moments with the Lord ...

In His Grip,
Kate