New Pictures of the Kinney Kids...

Blessed!!!

I've been thinking about updating for days and I don't think I have anything outstanding to say other than "my cup runneth over." It is such a blessing to be home with the kids, it is such a blessing that Coleman's heart surgery was a year ago and she's really doing well with her development, it's such a blessing to have this little, but much-loved house, it's a blessing that my parents have been committed for 50 years this August, it's a blessing to be pregnant and healthy, it's a blessing that we have all our needs met and more than we need, it's a blessing to know Christ and experience his grace and mercy daily, it's a blessing that we have a good marriage that gives security and stability to us and the kids, it's a blessing that we have a swing set, beautiful playhouse, driveway, landscaping (all of which were gifts and completely unaffordable for us), tons of toys for the kids including bikes, a perfect-sized swimming pool, two doves nests (one at the front door and one at the back where we get to keep an eye on the progress of those eggs), a freezer full of organic food that friends who are moving gave to us, two vans that run well (also gifts), a ton of paper products gifted to us because our dishwasher is out of order, a great job for Scott where he can use His gifts and talents to serve God and families, incredible friends and family and I don't think the list ever really stops. I'm so blessed to be middle-class American with amazing freedoms and opportunities. I'm so blessed to have been able to get a good education throughout my life. We are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo blessed!!! I know I haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg!! God is soooooooooooo good!! I hope you have a very blessed day!

Update on Hunter, my cousin's son.

Amber Faust sent the following email regarding Hunter's surgery and then a follow-up:

We went today to see Hunter's surgeon. The surgery is scheduled for July 17th. He will be in the Pediatric ICU for two days after the surgery and then in a regular room for three days following. This is God allowing there are no problems. I will be stay in the Ronald McDonald House while he is in the hospital. While he is in the ICU I can go to see him, but they ask that the visits are kept brief. So I'm sure I will be making brief visits every hour on the hour. I can stay in his room with him after he goes into a regular room. I haven't been away from Hunter overnight more than twice since he's been born. The surgeon was extremely nice. I asked what kind of care he should receive once we go home. He told me that there is no way to keep him from his regular behavior, all I have to do is not pick him up from under his arms. He will continue to see his cardiologist for several years after the surgery. I thank you all for your prayers for my family. We certainly need them.Sincerely,Amber M. Faust

Picture Time

Here are some new pictures of the kids - enjoy!

Every Daddy's Dream

Really quick... I was outside playing with Tradd and Cooper after work and out of the blue Cooper says to me..."Daddy I want to be like you!" Brings a tear to your eye doesn't it?

Creation vs. Evolution

Well, our little Einstein has done it again. He, Tradd, is voraciously eating up any info. I can give him on evolution. At the same time, his favorite book for me to read is the Bible so I figure he's definitely coming out on the side of creation right? Wrong! Well, at least he says he believes in Evolution. I think it's the typical pastors kid not wanting to believe what he knows his parents believe. Every time he talks about believing in evolution I tell him that's his choice but that mommy and daddy believe the Bible is the truth and it just makes the most sense. It's kind of like the whole Halloween thing. He would say that he doesn't like Halloween but that when he grows up he'll celebrate Halloween. I figure he's looking for a reaction so I tell him that's his choice but for now we don't participate. I will say one thing, these issues have caused me to pray much more for the kids. I love that he seeks information and that he seems to do it equally about God and evolution. He's such a compliant kid so it's disheartening that he seems to be using these things to assert his will and rebel a little. This could be a great thing as he grows up and hopefully stops playing this game and works out his faith. He could become a great apologist. But, he's certainly going to keep me on my knees (which is where I should be anyway, huh?).

Cooper, being quite the little competitor, has learned how to pump on the swings and he's very good. He's been doing it for a few months and he can't stand it when Tradd says he's swinging higher than Cooper. And oh does he strut like a peacock when he catches a bug or caterpillar or something and his brother doesn't have one. These two are pretty competitive!

And for the princess: she's sleeping through the night again now that she's cut 6 top teeth and no longer has any infections such as croup or pneumonia. She's crawling much more efficiently and is into everything. She looooooves to try and stand on her own and let go of things. She is getting better at it too.

Last but not least, baby Drayton is still wreaking havoc on my days. I actually had 5 days in a row last week where I felt my old self with no nausea. Then it came back with a vengeance. Anyway, I guess I'm about 12 weeks and I have an OB appointment next Friday. I think they're going to try and hear Drayton's heartbeat. I think I'm still in shock that we're back to this again! The consensus in the house is pretty much that Drayton should be a girl. Everyone seems to have their own reasons but I think Coleman and Drayton would be best buds and I just can't stand to have all these beautiful dresses not be worn by another Kinney baby. Imagine the competition in this house if Drayton is a boy!? Tradd is so sweet. He rubs my belly when I'm feeling sick.

Well, this has taken me an hour to write because I keep getting interrupted. I'm not much of a creative writer with this much interruption topped off by baby brain. So, although it lacked a bit of writing `color', there's the Kinney Kids update. Will be getting my hair cut tomorrow. Should be a dramatic difference. Will try to do before and after pics. Yea!!

A Cooper Story

The other night, when it was time for bed, I told the boys to go to the bathroom. In the process Cooper ended up peeing on his underwear. It upset him when I told him he had to change them, they were one of his two favorite pairs. He asked if he could wear his other favorite pair, which happened to be in the dryer and not yet dry. After trying to explain the whole laundry system to a 3 year old we had melt down. He just didn't want to wear the underwear I picked out, he wanted his favorite pair. I told him that he was not the boss, daddy was and that he needed to put the underwear on and head to bed. After some pretty heavy persuading we made it to the bedroom. While I was reading to Tradd, Cooper kept pushing me with his feet telling me to get off his bed. So when it came time for lights out I did what any father would do - I made him more upset at me by laying down on his bed with him. He pushed and kicked saying "get out of my bed daddy, I don't like you." When I told him I would not get out of his bed he rolled over in a huff away from me. When it was time for me to leave the room, I stood up and told both the boys I loved them and started out the door. Cooper stopped me and in a very sweet voice called out "Daddy".
Expecting to hear "I Sorry" or "I love you" I asked "What is it Cooper?" To which he replied...
"I THE BOSS" and rolled over away from me.
It was as if he waited to get the last word in. He's lucky he's so cute!