Monday, August 5, 2013

We're Back!

Okay, we never really went anywhere, except maybe a little crazy. But we are going to do our best to post more on this blog and bring everyone up to speed with our wonderful, crazy, exciting, ever-changing lives! Stay Tuned!

Saturday, December 12, 2009





































I've been really enjoying this advent season! I started off a little behind the 8-ball but I think I've caught up and I'm just enjoying all the things we're doing that are traditions which enhance our celebration of the gift of Immanuel (God with us). As I was doing a special Christmas unit study with the boys and we were talking about what advent means and the definitions of several other "Christmasy" words, it all of a sudden dawned on me what this season is all about. Ha, it's about time right? Well, I've known for forever that it's about the birth of our savior, the Messiah. But I asked myself this year, why do we celebrate this every year with such a great amount of time and money devoted to this celebration? All of a sudden the word "remember" came to mind. God tells us to "remember" what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross. Communion is the remembrance of that act of God. All throughout the history of the nation of Israel, God told them to do things to remember what He did for them; have ceremonies, build stone piles as markers to remember. That's what Jewish festivals are all about. I don't know all the festivals and specifically why they are celebrated but I do know they are mostly celebrated to remember what God has done. There's a festival celebration to remember God's delivering Israel from slavery. There's also one for remembering that God spared the lives of the children of Israel when Queen Esther risked her life to reveal to the King, an evil plan to kill the Israelites. Well, there are many more but the point is that it blesses God when we celebrate and remember what he has done for us!! Christmas (and Easter) are set aside times when we remember something specific that God did for us. And, whatever we do to celebrate what he did and to remember it and to make it holy (or set apart) from other days, is a blessing to God!! For the last two years I've had conversations with friends about christmas trees specifically and are they pagan or what? It's taken me two years to come to the conclusion that, regardless of why the first person put that Christmas tree in their house, it's something I do because of memories, traditions and it enhances my experience with setting this time apart to remember what God did in sending His son to be my Savior. I'm so glad God spoke to me about Christmas. I've always thought it funny when people would say "are you ready for Christmas?" I've always thought it was more than just a day. This year especially I've enjoyed each and every day of the Advent season because it is more than just a day. For our family, it's a celebration that starts with Thanksgiving and continues as the decorations go up and the parties begin. We are being intentional about remembering what God has done for us. He sent His son to be our Messiah, Savior and King. A humble baby born to make us right with God. Celebrating such a momentous event should be special and longer than just a day and should be filled with lots of wonderful things to enhance our remembering. I feel so full right now!! I mean full spiritually and very blessed. In addition to the Messiah babe in the manger and the Savior on the cross, God has done soooooooooooo many things in the lives of our family and we have lots of amazing things to remember and celebrate! Merry Christmas and happy and blessed remembering what God has done for you!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

No school today. That was a last minute decision. Actually thought we'd do school in the afternoon after our trip to the Aquarium but we got there later than expected and stayed later than planned, so . . . . Scott and I switched cell companies and upgraded phones like you wouldn't believe. We got free Blackberries with our new plan so we have been having fun trying out all the stuff on it. This video was taken of Drayton (AKA "busy bee") at the aquarium boat play area. This short video is a sample of what she did for a solid 10 minutes - over and over and over again! Funny and busy little lady! What a doll. She'll be 1 on the 6th. WHEW! Enjoy.

Everyone in the house has a different idea of what must be going through her head and the kids' ideas make us laugh just as much as the video itself. I need to take a video of Cooper laughing at this video. Really sweet.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Buddy Walk Pictures

Here are some pictures of the DSAL Buddy Walk!
Every year we make "Coleman's Buddy" lanyards - here is Tradd taking a picture of his Coleman's Buddy Lanyard

Daddy and Coleman at the Buddy Walk

I received (on behalf of Seacoast Church) the "Walk the Walk" Award - here is a write up from the Seacoast Blog;
Scott Kinney, Children’s Pastor, Long Point Campus, was honored with the Walk the Walk Award by the Down Syndrome Association of the Low country. Scott was honored for his work with the special needs community, specifically his vision for the Won by One ministry and the Disability Awareness Conference he spearheaded. The award was presented to Scott by Gene Carpenter who thanked him for “making the world just a little brighter for our kids.” Scott’s passion for extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability, whether it is the disabled person, a family member, or friend, is reaching far beyond Seacoast’s walls and we are blessed to have him. Congratulations Scott!

Wando High School marching band - heading up the walk

Picture of the walkers

Another shot of the walkers
Coleman got a little tired of "walking"


Both Girls fell asleep on the walk - Tradd rode on the front of the stroller and Cooper rode on my shoulders.


Cooper enjoying some Cotton Candy at the Buddy Walk


Tradd enjoying Cotton Candy at the Buddy walk - they don't like cotton candy in a bag - it's sticky.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Painting Party

Here are some pictures of today's house painting party - It looks great! Thanks everyone.

Before Picture

After Picture


Mr. Mark Painting


Mr. Craig painting

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

More Pictures and video

Drayton - Our big girls walking
Coleman - the happy princess

Tradd taking a rest at Soccer


Cooper making a kick

Homeschool beach learning day

Mr. Jim dragging the net

Cooper ice skating

Tradd skating with a walker


Homeschool t-shirts (back)

Kinney Kid's Academy t-shirts (front)

Soccer playing Cooper



Cooper ready for play



Look at that form!


Another smile from Coleman

Look at this cutie






Friday, September 11, 2009

First Days of School

I'm going to let Meghan do the writing on this, I'll just post the pictures and videos.


Welcome to Kinney Kids Academy!!!!
Cooper 4K
Tradd 1st Grade


Cooper learning to ride a two wheeler!


Tradd learning to ride a two wheeler!


The boys are taking Ice Skating as one of their classes this year - here are some photos and video of Tradd and Cooper on their first day on the ice.