Baby Land

What a week it has been! I think that most parents would probably agree that the first week ... or two or three weeks with a new baby is like living in a different world - we're totally there! We've been enjoying our time with our kidS (yeah for the plural!) and Mom and Dad Kinnan. Lacking in the sleep department hasn't slowed us too much, but we've been spending time at home working on getting a schedule down.


Ellie (or "Sissy" to Hayden), has made it known that she prefers (and sometimes demands) to be in the company of others ... she loves to be talked to ... she loves when Hayden gives her kisses, and she definitely enjoys her favorite fuzzy blanket. It's been fun to see the two of them interact and already begin to bond ... and also to see how quickly she has made her preferences known! Hayden continues to thrill us with his gentleness, love, and nurturing ... a GREAT big brother!


Hayden and Daddy have a new tradition of going golfing on Friday (Daddy's day off). They shared this tradition with Papa, and Papa got Hayden a new set of golf clubs to make him really feel a part of the experience. Hayden will go from being Daddy's caddy to the king of the course soon, we're sure!

Here She Is!

Yesterday we welcomed our second little blessing ... Ellie Grace was born at 2:58pm (SD time) and is doing spectacular!


Hayden is in love, and cannot wait to teach his "baby sissy" all about cars and trucks and other important things in life! :-)

Ellie is still getting used to daylight and has enjoyed her normal schedule of being awake at night ... we're working on that! She's very quiet and easy going, only "squacking" (literally) when she wants something, sleeping most of the day. We are all doing well and will get to head home this afternoon!

We'll keep you updated!
David, Katy, Hayden, and Ellie

Greetings from Rapid City, South Dakota!

We should apologize for our lack of posting ... we are very sorry! Moving to a new place and acclimating to new jobs have taken their toll on our time, but we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves and so thankful for what the Lord is doing!

Manhattan, Kansas
We were blessed with an incredible final service with our Real Life Church family ... it was a celebration of what the Lord has done and continues to do in all of our lives, and we said good-bye (or see you soon) to our friends and family there. On Monday the 26th we pulled out of Manhattan ... between our tears and the rain, we were soaked, but the Lord gave us safe travel and we arrived at our new home on Tuesday afternoon to an army of helpers to get our truck/cars unloaded.

Our New Church
Fountain Springs Community Church holds an incredible body of believers and we have been so thankful for their kindness and generosity as we get settled ... we have had opportunities to serve alongside, as well as share and listen and are blessed to be here! God is moving and working in and through, and we are thankful to be a part of it ... and excited for what is to come!

Our New Home
We have unpacked most everything and the house is really feeling like home! We have enjoyed being right in front of some beautiful hills, and even get to watch deer from our kitchen table while we eat ... it's been so great! We've also had the honor of hosting a number of people from our new church family and have enjoyed the time to get to know them!

Our New Town
This place is absolutely "Pleasantville"! People are so kind, and between that and the incredible amounts of activities for families, we have been thoroughly enjoying our time here!

• Old McDonald's Farm: A petting zoo with a lawnmower train that Hayden won't stop talking about.
• Pottery-2-Paint: We had a great family time there choosing then painting pottery - Hayden painted a puppy dog, David got a coffee mug, and I chose a plate. Although I realized that I am very low on the "artistic scale," we had a blast!
• Mt. Rushmore and Keystone: Definitely a family favorite!
• Storybook Island: A free park with dozens and dozens of toys and special things for kids, including a little theater with daily shows. Hayden was stuck on the big train and fire truck that he could play on!
  

Baby:
We are still waiting on baby - June 20 is the big day, but the doctor said today (and last Monday) that it could be ANY MINUTE! I am hoping for that, but am trusting that she will come when it is time! :-) My lower back says the time is now, but I'll be patient!











Hayden:
Our big guy is having a ball, and though random questions have come up, from "Why did God bring us here?" to "Why did Adam name the Octopus, Octopus?," he has been enjoying time with mommy and daddy and his new pals! We're working on getting him into the soccer league, and have found a great preschool for the fall (Praise the Lord!)!

Hayden had fun on a recent Saturday afternoon trip to Mt. Rushmore, and won't stop talking about a visit to Ellsworth Air Force Base with the B-1 Bombers with daddy and his buddies Josiah and Christian, and their daddies!














We love you and will post again as soon as we can!

Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk...Go KU!

I've received several e-mails and Facebook messages inquiring about the KU chant known as the "Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk" chant. Please visit this link to learn more: KU CHANT.

Transition Update

I thought many of you might wish to have an update on our transition from Manhattan, Kansas to Rapid City, South Dakota:

SOLD!
We put our house on the market on March 13th...showed it on March 14th...received an offer on March 15th...sold it on March 15th. You have to believe that God had His mighty hand in this detail of life. We will be closing on the sale of our home on May 30th.

REAL LIFE CHURCH (Manhattan)
I will be done "pastoring" Real Life Church on April 30th...they have given me the month of May to concentrate on packing and moving to our new assignment. This was an incredibly generous gift from our church...they are wonderful people who passionately love God.

KATY
We have decided that Katy will "stay at home" for the next 1-2 years as she concentrates on helping our family transition into a new home. With our baby girl entering the world around June 20th, we both believe this to be the direction we ought to go. Katy will serve as the "Office Assistant" for our new church which will require 15 hours of her week...must better than 50 hours a week of teaching :)

HAYDEN
It has been recommended to us that we put Hayden in Kindergarten this coming Fall...he'll turn 5 on August 26...we feel like this is early. He's academically capable, but we are concerned how his behavior would be affected. So, we're praying and researching. We'll know more once we get more information from the school in Rapid City...any comments on this one?

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH (Rapid City)
I am leaving for a quick trip to Rapid City on April 9th...I'll spend a few days trying to find a house for us. We've done a lot of preliminary searching while visiting RC and also on the internet. I think I'm prepared to buy a home without Katy "actually seeing it". Pray about this for us.

I've had some conversations and passed back-and-forth some e-mails with some folks as I look for a "teammate" at Fountain Springs Community Church. The church has a newly established Student Ministry and I'm looking to bring someone on who can firmly establish a thriving Student Ministry who minsters to Generation Y while also helping in other areas. This is a new experience for me (hiring staff) and it's extremely fun hearing the dreams and goals of other people as they seek God's will.

ISRAEL
I am leaving, again, for a tour of Israel on April 28th...I'll spend 10 days in Israel and it is dominating my mind right now with extreme excitement!

THE WELL
Our new worship gathering is only two months old and it is going really, really well! We are starting a new series for the month of April which will deal with self-image, lust, and marriage...it's called Dirty Little Secrets. We'll discuss what Scripture talks about in regards to self-hatred, porn, sex, and marriage affairs. We will have folks giving real testimony each week in relation to the topic at hand. We will hear how God has restored those who have abused their bodies...those who have conquered sexual addictions...those who have sought and accepted forgiveness for an abortion. I believe some big stuff is gonna happen. Please pray for us during this time.

BABY KINNAN
Our little baby girl (yet to be born) is very healthy. She is making herself known more and more each day as she kicks and pushes. We are truly blessed by our Creator.

We'll keep you filled in on how life evolves for us. It's an exciting for the Kinnan family!

- David

It's a sweet, sweet day.

Some folks have hobbies...sewing...hiking...scrap booking...picking their nose...

Me...I have a few hobbies, but very few recreational activities bring me joy like that of watching my Kansas Jayhawks fight their way to the Final Four. I know...many of you wonder what I'm talking about...that's because you follow teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and Kansas State. You see, the Final Four is the the best event in all of sports...it sits just above The Masters and College Football BCS Bowls. It would classically be defined as the "pinnacle" of all sports.

This Saturday brings about a match-up that all KU fans have anxiously awaited. It proposes to be a time of sports redemption when our former coach (Roy Williams...of whom I named my dog after and then that dog, fittingly, ran away) and Roy's former team...my team...the Kansas Jayhawks, engage in a basketball battle. Please do not be mistaken...this is not a game between UNC and KU...it's is simply a battle between two former family members who were forced to part ways.

Saturday is a big day...Monday will be even better...be watching and waiting...be ready for KU to Rock, Chalk up another National Championship! Go KU!

(I appologize for you those of you who are not sports-enthusiasts...just know, I'm having a good time.)

Moving to the Black Hills

We have news for you. With a tentative date set for June 1st, we are moving to Rapid City, South Dakota where David will be the Lead Pastor of Fountain Springs Community Church. We have visited the area twice and we literally fell in love with the community and the people we were able to meet. It's so exciting to dream about this new chapter in our life, but we've also done a lot of reflecting on the chapter which is about to close. We have so many friends here in Manhattan and it's gonna be a tough transition as we leave the city we fell in love in and with. We'll be leaving Real Life Church, the church we helped plant over 3 years ago and the church who is made up of friends we consider to be family. A "roller coaster of emotions" is certainly a fitting expression.

So...that's what we've been wanting to tell you and now you know :)

What is Going On!?

"Happy Face: We LOVE the warm weather!"

"Mad Face: I don't want it to get cold again!"

"Surprised Face: If it snows I can play on my sled; bonus!"

"Strong Man: I can help daddy shovel the snow; extra bonus!"

Yesterday it was 62 degrees outside ... today it was 18 degrees. Kansas = Krazy! While the "heat wave" lasted we spent some time playing outside and having a barbecue!

Yummy, Yummy in My Tummy!

Hayden chose chocolate pudding for a dessert last week, and even helped make it!

Mommy was teaching about Ancient China at school, and brought home some extra chopsticks for our family night - Hayden did an INCREDIBLE job and didn't want to eat with his fork anymore. We had spaghetti the next night and he decided chopsticks weren't always the best option.

It's A ...

All is healthy and well ... she's quite the mover and shaker, but we managed to get a DEFINITIVE answer from the doctor!

Hayden thinks that Hannah Montana would be the best name ... we're just thankful we have a few more months before we have to decide!