Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Today is our sweet girls birthday!

We have great plans for a fun party in the park playing "backyard" olympic games

She brings us such delight and I thank God for her daily.

Happy Birthday Kacey Girl

Butterball

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

There is no other sentiment that could better describe our weekend. On Friday Kacey took her shoe box with her to school with great anticipation that she would be selected out of her class to receive 1 of four baby chics that were being given to students with good behavior. The teacher picked names out of a hat and after the first three names were selected Kacey was still not one of the chosen ones and as she says -- she was very HOT and nervous hoping her name would be selected in which it was. She said the whole class clapped when the teacher read her name aloud. She was so excited about her new pet whom she named Butterball! And as her parents we were very proud of her. She is a good girl and deserved to get the baby chic! She and Breck both had such fun playing with Butterball over the weekend but on Sunday afternoon they were running around the yard with her and Kacey accidentally stepped on her. In Kacey's words she went cheep cheep like asking for help and then died. Such sorrow... such sadness... such loss and a first taste of death for my precious daughter. Something none of us will ever escape here on earth.

As mom, I have felt her sadness but also admired her growth as she has processed this with tears and wisdom. She told me she doesn't know why this had to happen, but God does and that God created Butterball special even if her life was only 3 days.

Bye Bye Butterball - we miss you!

Every ONE Matters

Below is a clip from a daily devotional that I get. I firmly believe that every single ONE matters - no one who crosses our path is by accident. It is an ordained meeting planned by God. This devotion captures the essence - that we do make a difference in how we embrace every one we come into contact with. I hope this finds you encouraged! The Evil one would want all of us to think that what we do doesn't matter but in God's eyes each one of us matters and how we love others matters as well. Enjoy!

One
Wendy Pope
“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV)

Devotion:
What difference can one make? In a world of over 6 billion people, what can one do? In Jesus’ three years of ministry on this earth, thousands followed Him. Thousands needed Him. Out of the thousands Jesus ministered to, one mattered …

the one waiting at the pool of Bethesda.
the one leper who was healed.
the one woman at the well.
the one whose son died.
the one who touched the hem of His garment.
the one whose demon was cast out.
the one whose sight was restored.

One matters. One can also make a difference. One has power.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to think of Jesus sending us into the world to preach the good news. But it doesn't have to be. When we reach out to just one person in Jesus' name, we change the world.

www.Proverbs31.org

Celebrating the Gift of Your Life!

Happy Birthday Kristi!

Today I celebrate you and your friendship.

Of two sisters one is always the watcher, one the dancer. ~Louise Glück

Thank you for being the Dancer in my life!
For being a person who celebrates life, who seeks out fun and laughter, who desires for life to be more than the mundane duties that we often catch ourselves living in. Today I hope you feel the JOY that makes you want to DANCE!

Hugs to you on your special day!

It's a celebration!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOVIE STAR!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JOHN AND KATY!

you look like you belong in Redneck country!

Missing you already

Bye Joshua! We miss you lots already. What a privilege it has been to have you living with us and close to us for almost 3 years! A time we will always treasure. Yesterday as you were leaving our house Kacey said - we are his family - he lived with us! What special memories we hold and as a Mom I'm so grateful for your sweet relationship that you have with each of my children. They Love you Dearly as do I! Although sad to let you go we are excited for you to get to share this next chapter of your life with dad, mom and the Kennedy Krew. Savor every moment!

Below are a few memory making moments we got to share with you!

Including Saturday nights dinner prepared by Chef Billy

Memories - Precious Memories of our Times Shared With You!

You are Loved by Us

Speaking of biking

After I posted that last post it reminded me of a recent bike ride we took with the Wright family as well as Josh and Katy - there was a particular hill that Breck could not make it up and needed a little help from Uncle Josh!

Thanks Uncle Josh!

A new accomplishment

I feel like in the last few months our family has entered in to a new stage of life that does not incorporate toddlers and we are seeing doors opening to new activities for our family. The most recent one was that our kids can now ride their bikes around our neighborhood - which for those of you who know where we live that is not a joy ride but rather encompasses many hills. There are a couple we run and push from behind but they keep peddling. It's a joy ride for them and exercise for their parents!

God Speaking...

Lately I've read or heard a number of stories of how God specifically revealed something to someone. Last night I had one of those encounters of knowing that God woke me up for a reason. After awakening around 1:00am I went to check on my kids and found Kacey sound asleep in our room on the couch (I was sleeping in her room b/c Jeff has been sick) so I found it odd that she would leave her room and go sleep elsewhere, I then checked on Breck whom was fine and was making my way back to bed when I heard this low humming noise and instantly I knew! God woke me up b/c my dryer was going and had been going now for almost 4 hours and was quite hot! I crawled back in to bed once again amazed at how God uses different events in our lives to show us how real and personal He is. Our dryer is on it's way out and I've been very cautious to not leave it running when I leave the house but I didn't even think about it when I started it before I headed off to bed. -- Today I praise God for being a very personal God! - I trust that today you may SEE Him too in a very real and personal way. HUGS!

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! Daniel 4:2

Kacey's Thoughts:

I like spinding time with my ants and uncles and cusins! My cusins love me I LOVE them. BY KACEY!!!!!!!!!!!!