It's snowing in Texas!

We woke up this morning to snow!!!!! I love it!!!

It will be gone by noon, but it's a rare winter day to have snow in Texas. Sam kept saying over and over "cold, mama. cold, mama" He then insisted on wearing his boots for the day. lol

By the way...if you are reading this I am glad you found us. I feel much more comfortable with the blog being private so we will probably stay this way for a while. :)

I hope you found us

I want to write something so I remember it. So that some day when life is hard I can come back and read this.
Yesterday was a not so great day. We had problems. Some small, some big, and some very big.
Scott and I started to panic. I could feel the panic coming. It was like a turtleneck sweater that fits way too tight. It is the feeling you get when your baby has a fever and it is 2:00 in the morning and you don't know what to do. It is a suffocating kinda feeling.
But then something happened. Words came to my mind. Scripture. Verses of God's word and I began to think and meditate on those things. I began to pray and then we prayed together. We prayed words of the Psalms.
And calmness began to reign again in our home. Our minds were opened and we were able to think clearly. We began to work together to solve the problems. Without the panic, the problems seem much more manageable.
It doesn't always work like this. When you write things on a blog sometimes you don't mention that life can be ugly. That we sin every day. We only post happy pictures and someone could get the idea that we live in a bubble. But the truth is that sometimes I give in to the panic. It is almost as if I enjoy the feeling. Isn't that crazy? Because if you asked me, I'd tell you "heck no, I don't enjoy this. this is awful!" But I must enjoy some part of it because I know that the way to calm it - the way to make satan and his demon of anxiety back off is to start throwing scripture at him.
The bible says that we are to ascribe God's word to the walls of our hearts. We are to write them on the door frames of our houses. We are to know them. We are to teach them to our children.
Sam had no idea what was happening yesterday. He had no idea that his parents were working through some problems. But soon, very soon, he'll be more aware. He needs to see us relying on God and God's promises in these times the most.
The problems are not gone. But I have a calm assurance today that God is in control and that He will protect us from those that seek our ruin.

The answer is....

No...I have not had the baby yet.
Yes...I am ready to have the baby.
No....I don't know when she is coming.
Yes...I hope she comes soon.
Yes...I am aware that I am walking funny these days.
No...I don't think I should call the doctor.
Yes...I think Sam knows that he's going to have a sister.
No...we are not telling the name.
Yes...you may ask Sam what the name is.


*Because Sam just calls her sister! lol.

And to those who keep asking if we are going to have more children?!?!?!? I'm sure I've gotten the "you are insane" look down. Probably yes...do we want to even think about that right now...Definitely NO! :)

Christmas Lights

Right now these are going up on the Kenley House!!! Sam is going to be so excited tonight.

Scott had a crew that needed something to do for a couple of hours until another job starts and so he brought them to our house and they are helping him with the lights. I couldn't be more excited.

Almost every night we take a walk after dinner with Sam and he loves the lights up in our neighborhood. It's amazing what will entertain a two year old! :) I can't wait to see his face when we turn ours on tonight.

What a wonderful time of the year. Later, when the children are older we'll do the Advent Wreath at home. Right now we are just working on understanding the nativity scene. We are learning about Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. It helps that the Baby Jesus has been found. (He was not suppose to be put in the bag with the blocks!) :)

Countdown to baby

Well, we have about two weeks to go. I.AM.READY!!!!!

Baby girl looks great and she's moving a lot still. I go to the dr. once a week and we know that she'll be here by the 20th, but I'm hoping for a little earlier. Like, I don't know, today! :)

Thanksgiving was a huge success at our house. Scott and I spent the morning cooking and playing with Sam. John and Robin joined us for lunch and then the Ruples came over that evening to watch the A&M game. All in all, not bad for our first Thanksgiving at home together.

Friday we put up our Christmas tree and Sam is loving the train that we set up around the bottom of the tree. I'll try to post pictures. He'll lay there for 1/2 an hour just watching it go and go.

And today officially kicks off the Christmas season! I love this time of year.

This year is different from most. Because of Baby Girl we have been forced to slow things down a bit. No crazy schedules, no traveling. This has caused me to focus more on our own family traditions and how to shift the focus from being busy to remembering Christ's birth and ultimate sacrifice for us.

So, on the Kenley list of family activities for the season are:

1) Putting up our tree - check! Scott decorated most of it and it's gorgeous!
2) Santa's Wonderland - This is a local place that has a little town set up with an outdoor fire, fake snow (gotta love Texas!) and hayrides to look at Christmas lights.
3) Christmas in the Park
4) A tour of Bethlehem - a local church recreates Bethlehem with a petting zoo area, crafts, and stories of the nativity scene.
5) Christmas Cookie Night at home - We're inviting friends over to decorate sugar cookies and then we'll deliver them to our neighbors.
6) Christmas Eve service at church - with all FOUR Kenley's attending!!! :)
7) Christmas Eve meal - probably eaten in our pj's
8) Christmas morning breakfast

These are new things that we get to do now that we'll be town more. Usually, once December hits we travel until New Years.

We'll have family in and out during the season, but it's hard to coordinate everyone so we're playing that by ear. Mostly, I'm looking forward to some cozy nights holding a newborn and playing with Sam. This is a sweet, sweet time.

A Week of Thanksgiving

A week of thankfulness....

Happy Thanksgiving blog world!

This year our hearts are overflowing with blessings and fun memories. This picture above gives you a peek into our living room most nights. Life with a toddler is never boring!

This year we are thankful for:

1) Saving grace and an active church family

2) Good health

3) Family - We are so thankful for Sam and Baby Kenley. We're grateful for the opportunity to be parents.

4) The Ground Crew and it's continued success. We are thankful for the people who work for Scott and their families.

5) Our new home - We are thankful for a safe neighborhood and the parks that are close to our house. I'm personally grateful for doors that close and stay closed - a workable kitchen - a door to my toilet so I can use the bathroom in peace and the whirlpool bathtub. :)

Sam is thankful for Birdie and his boots.

This year we will be doing a quiet thanksgiving meal at home. I'm cooking the traditional feast, Scott and Sam plan to watch the A&M/UT game, and we'll put up our Christmas tree that evening. We are looking forward to making more memories and just being together.

Camping with Nannie and Pops

In October Sam went on his first camping trip, and he LOVED it. Nannie and Pops came down with their camper and away they went. I think the pictures tell the story best.

A daily hike. Look how serious Sam is about his hiking! :)

This picture screams "Pops you have taken 500 pictures in the last two hours; I am not saying cheese one more time."

Eating chili around the campfire. Sam LOVED this chili. He reportedly kept asking for more.

"Thank you God for good chili!"

"Guys, we have dishes to do in here! I could use a little help reaching the sink."

Sam is REALLY into writing and drawing right now. He takes his work very seriously. Rumor has it that he'll be receiving a lot of artwork supplies for Christmas.

Sometimes a boy just needs a lift...

This is an amazing trike that Nannie and Pops picked up for him. He can peddle, but we can steer it from behind. We use it now on our nightly walks.

Sam is definitely my son. He loves people and he loves to part of the action. Here he is waving to a group a boyscouts across the road. I'm not sure this kid ever meets a stranger.

Thanks to Nannie and Pops for these fun memories. I'm sure that Sam will grow up loving the outdoors!