Thought of the Week

"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness.
Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose
without regret, how to acquire without meanness."

~ George Sand

Christmas again, yeah!

We were really good and Christmas was extended by a day. Dad & Mary came up Saturday and spoiled the kids pretty good! Emma looks way to old in some of her new clothes! The teenage years are getting close I'm afraid.

Snow, Hampton Roads style

We did finally get a little snow...and I mean a little! It did come when Karen & Archie were visiting from Florida though...he he he! I guess it was their little taste of winter before going back to daily sunshine!

Christmas over?

Wow...hustle and bustle...you blink and it's over! We had a great Christmas with lots of activity in the Kenney house. Since I'm a "new" AF civilian with no leave time built up I had to work a half day on Christmas Eve. I got home and we all got ourselves ready and went to the Ferguson Center for church. We all went to the 3:00 service and then Ang & I volunteered at the 5:00 service. All together Waters Edge Church had about 4,200 people come celebrate Christmas at one of the 3 identical services! After church we stopped at Wendy's (crazy huh!) for some hamburgers...that's what everyone was craving. We came home and opened up our Christmas Eve tradition presents (PJs and movie). We got the kids in bed and eventually started wrapping presents. Around midnight the Christmas tree fell down! This was the 2nd time this year! I definitely need to get a bigger tree stand. I spent the next 45 minutes getting it back up and put back together. I think we were up till around 2:30 AM. At 7:00 AM sharp (the "not before" time we told the kids) the kids were at our bedside getting us up!

It was a great day, and we all got great goodies! Nicholas' favorite toy was the little cell phone in the picture above, Katelyn's was her Ipod Shuffle, and Emma...probably her DS games or books! We pray everyone had a great Christmas too!

2 more days...

Only 2 more days...everybody ready???? We're not! Wow is time sneaking up fast. We're getting our babysitter tomorrow night so we can get our last minute shopping done...hopefully!

I had some firewood delivered last night. I managed to get moved to the back and stacked. Now we can have a fire on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Yeah! You mid-westerners, feel free to send some snow our way. :)

Thought For The Day

“Happiness is the only good.
The time to be happy is now.
The place to be happy is here.
The way to be happy is to make others so.”

~ Robert G. Ingersoll

Snow storm?

The news lies! They kept warning us how bad the storm was going to be...not here in Newport News. We are getting a little snow and sleet, but nothing like up in D.C. Maybe it will kick in over night while we're sleeping! It it going to be cold in the morning setting up outside at church though. Brrrr

Our Christmas tree fell over AGAIN this year. It happened to us 2 years ago too. I think the back branches were finally relaxing and dropping against the wall and pushed it over. It had been up a week before it fell. Lots of broken ball ornaments, but nothing too special broke. I got everything back on but it just doesn't look the same! Finally got the remaining Christmas decorations out today and put a few more lights outside.

The kids Christmas program was Thursday night. They were great! They were also blessed to have Papa Archie and Grandma Karen here for it and to enjoy over the weekend. Poor Papa Archie...he gets no break from Nicholas!

Dec02...

Wednesday

More time, more time! That's what Ang & I need. The house is almost decorated for Christmas, but there are boxes and stuff everywhere right now! Katelyn's gymnastics allowed parents inside the gym last night so Ang got to see a bit of it before she had to come home and get the other kids so I could go do some volunteer training with church. Our church is getting ready for an awesome Christmas Eve service(s) at the Ferguson Center.

Tonight brings our Christmas party with our Community group. It should be a great time. Hopefully before and after that we'll manage to finish the house up. The kids are all looking forward to Thursday since that's their Christmas program at school and Papa Archie and Grandma Karen get in town to visit!

Nicholas is starting to wear big boy underwear thru the night. He's been really good lately with keeping his pull up dry at night so last night he wore underwear. Just a tiny bit wet in the morning...it seemed like that's what woke him up. So all in all really good! Maybe we'll be done with pull ups real soon!

Weekend

Wow the weekend went by fast. Yesterday was a blur...we finally got our real Christmas tree for the family room. We have it up but nothing is on it yet...hoping to at least get the lights on tonight. We had family game day yesterday too...it was alot of fun...good friends, good wine, great food, and lots of fun all around.

We've spent today doing some house work and getting Christmas stuff out. It's been raining all day so during my 11 o'clock volunteer time at church I got soaked! I was a wet rat by the time it was all over. Had to completely change clothes when I got home. I also had Emma deliver most of the peanut order around the neighborhood tonight too...only 1 house left.

TGIF

Yeah, it's Friday! The computer says it's only 31 outside right now...crazy to think that 2 days ago it was in the low 70s.

I have one of my work computer accounts up and running, and people have started to realize that I'm back. On one hand it's like I never left (since I know everyone and the job) on the other it's different (since I'm not in uniform). I still struggle with answering the phone and not saying "Sgt Kenney"!

Ang & I are ready for the weekend...we still have to get our real Christmas tree for the family room!

Is it Friday yet?

Wow...it's been 10 years since Angie & I both worked at the same time. It's going to be an adjustment for all us until we get into a new routine. Last night flew by...no more nights off relaxing for Ang & I...stinkin kids! :) Angie took Katelyn to gymnastics tonight and the other two are going with me to church. I have some team leader "training" to prepare for the Christmas Eve service. One of these nights we might get some Christmas decorations up in the house!

The new job is going okay...kind of in limbo a bit right now until I get all my accounts and stuff back/turned on. Going to take a few days to get used to picking clothes out to wear each morning...that was one good thing about the uniform!

Emma's Day

Emma got to pick the activities for today...she started with french toast for breakfast. From there we went to the roller rink! Yep, I think it's been 20 years since Angie or I have had roller skates on. Anyway one of the local rinks had a 12 and under only (with parents) skate going on, so we went there. Nicholas gave up after about 10 minutes! The girls kept at it...but struggled. Some of my "skills" came back...I guess all those hours at the rink in Galesburg paid off! This is a little grainy...but...

From here we went to the movies and saw Planet 51 at the Movie Tavern in Williamsburg. We came home for awhile and then we went out for Italian for supper! It was one full day!

Emma's Camera Corner

Some pictures from Emma using her camera she got for birthday. The one of Nicholas is great!

Video of Week

Pics of Week

Employed

So my retirement is almost over...I start work on Monday! Lots of activity today by my previous bosses to get the package approved and thru the wickets. I'm happy...and have let a big WHEW out. What a process this was! I have to remember how to work that stinkin alarm clock again. :)

Emma's 10!

Today is Emma's 10th birthday...how did that happen? We gave her balloons and pancakes this morning before school. Plus Angie made a huge choc. chip cookie for her to take to her class today. She'll get her presents and cake after school.

I got the estimate on the truck yesterday...about $1300. Not too bad for a deer hit. Now I just have to figure out when to take it in...they estimated about 2-3 days in the shop to repair.

December 1st

Today I'm officially retired from the Air Force after 22 years, 3 months. Life is full of change isn't it?

Quote of the Week

"God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me."

Dr. Appointments

Emma and Katelyn had their annual checkups today. All is well and both are doing great. Emma was in the 90% for her size...plus she's a big wimp when it comes to shots and finger pricks. Neither had to have shots today, but had the finger pricks. Katelyn handles it no problem, but Emma gets extremely nervous and upset. She had some tears, said ouch when the prick happened, then said ohh...that's not bad!

The Doctor talked to them quite a bit about their likes, activities, school, and such. She must have liked them because before we left she gave both girls books.

Thanksgiving Break

We had a good 5-day weekend off as a family. Thanksgiving with family, home with the kids, football Saturday with a fire, church and football Sunday! We got the fall and Thanksgiving decorations packed up. I just need to get the boxes put up in the attic and then start bringing down the Christmas ones.



Emma's getting pretty excited about her birthday this week. Hard to believe she's going to be 10! Time flies...

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy those that are close to you and take a minute to notice all the blessings in your life.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" Psalm 107:1

We're at Dad's in NC for our Thanksgiving. Hit a deer on the way here last night! Booo!!! Luckily it wasn't too bad...I managed to slow down enough and just hit it with the driver side corner. The truck is driveable and only minor damage...

Pix of Week

Thought of the week

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rainy Monday

The rest of the weekend went pretty well. Katelyn had a good time at her parade and both the Hawkeyes and Huskers won their games. Ang & I went out Sat night with some friends...we were going to see Blindside but it was sold out at not one, but two theaters we tried!

I got some bad news Saturday night; one of my early supervisors in my AF career passed away early Friday morning in his sleep. He had been retired from the AF for awhile, but was now a gov civilian. I still got emails from him every once in awhile and had breakfast with him about a year ago when I was in Omaha. When Ang & I were stationed in Omaha, he & his wife (Helen) had us over for cookouts and stuff. Rest in peace Big Dave.

Today was the kids Thanksgiving feast at school. There was a pretty good spread. The kids were released early from school so they came home with me. I actually brought one extra kid home! Emma brought home a friend. They ran up to Emma's room and I've not heard anything since!

Starbucks morning

While Katelyn and Angie went to the Hampton Christmas parade (Katelyn's in it...gymnastics) we went to Starbucks for hot chocolate and coffee. It was a good morning

Christmas shopping

The one good thing about me being at home is we have some of our shopping done. I managed to get out a couple days this week and get some stuff. Amazing that Thanksgiving will be here in 5 days! Wow.

Picture of the Week

yummy

Quote of week

"Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night" ---Unknown

Final Nor'easter Update

We lost power around 6:30 last night. We played some games with the kids by candle light until it was their bedtime. Power finally came back sometime this early morning while we were sleeping.

The yard is a soggy mess. Still have water standing in the backyard. The wind blew over my grill (and all the chairs). We were lucky though...the ocean side towns have it much worse since they are dealing with tidal flooding. No school again today...5-day weekend for Ang & the kids!

Nor'easter update

Our backyard...

November Nor'easter

Nothing but rain since early yesterday morning. It's supposed to continue with an additional 3-7 inches of rain today with high winds. Our backyard is a lake...standing water everywhere. All the schools (except Newport News) are closed today. The girls are happy (their school is in York county)! Hopefully we keep power all day; there's about 13,000 without power in the area right now. The weather forecasters are comparing this to Hurricane Isabel. They are predicting tonight's high tide to be just a few lower than what it was during Isabel.

Emma, the song writer?

I found this today while going thru some tubs that had some of Emma's "treasures" in it. I find this amazing! This is word for word how I found it written on her piece of paper.

Believing in God

My world, this place
The unending trail of your mercy and grace
This life You gave me
I never knew what it means, and now I see...

(chorus)
Reach up and touch the sky
Don't you feel like you can fly
Soar high, and keep on believing in God
Believing in God

My friends and family,
Lord you gave them to me
They are another one of the blessings you gave me

(chorus) x2

Believing in God
Believing in God
Believing in God
Keep on believing in God
Believing in God

Thought of the day

Learn to be happy with what we have, instead of dreaming what we don't have.

All I Want For Christmas...

two (sort of) front teeth...

Veteran's Day

Veterans Day
By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue
The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.
The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes
Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free
These are the heroes that represent you and me.
They stood up strongly, untied as one,
And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,
We pray for each one of them.
And now that their souls live on forever more,
Above in God's hands.

They watch over our nation,
And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.
So every year, when this day comes by,
Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people
With fire and passion embedded inside.
They die for this country,
So remember and honor them with pride

VA weather

Crazy weather...low 30s Fri night with a nice fire in the fireplace. It's already 72 today! It's November people...I'm supposed to be enjoying nice crisp chilly fall weather!

Katelyn's chapel day

Isn't she a ham?!

Garden

My attempt at a garden this year was pretty much a failure with the exception of cherry tomatoes.  I'm still picking them almost every other day or so!

Lazer Tag!

So Angie & I went out to dinner and then played lazer tag with our community group last night.  It was a blast!  The 1st game was a free for all; everyone on their own.  The 2nd game was teams...our team won!  We were all hot and sweaty when we finished!

Tuesday

Angie and the kids were off from school today because of voters day. Emma had a piano party (they played for a convalescence house and then had some food at the teachers house) and Katelyn has gymnastics tonight...so still not really a day off.

I took the Explorer in to the dealer this morning to get a safety recall item fixed. They were pretty fast with it, I was in and out in an hour. I did find my new 2010 F-150 Lariat 4x4 on the lot! Hmmm...who's going to win the lottery so I can get it? Got the yard mowed and moved what firewood we had left from last year from behind my shed over along the fence so it's easier to get to. We made our 1st fire of the season on Sunday.

Our neighbors across the street are officially moved out. The new neighbors were over there today and while our girls were outside playing they managed to meet them! I guess they have 3 kids...2 girls and 1 boy...10, 8, and 2! Hopefully our kids will like them so they'll have new kids to play with in the neighborhood.

Remember When?

Halloween

We had a good day yesterday. A little laziness in the morning around the house, then we loaded up the truck and went over by Surry, VA for a Plantation Christmas craft festival at Chippokes Plantation State Park. We took the ferry from Jamestown across the James River to get there...the kids liked that. We bought a couple small things...Katelyn got a new handmade silver bracelet and Emma got an American girl doll outfit. There was food and some of the vendors were in the oldtime clothes.

From there we came home (back across the river on the ferry) and made a quick stop at Sam's for pizza (dinner) and a couple bags of candy for the trick or treaters. I took the kids through our neighborhood to do a little trick or treating. They made out pretty well between last night and Harvest Fair at school on Friday. We only had few trick or treaters here at the house...so we have lots of candy left over! I think Angie is going to take some in to school for her treasure box in her classroom.

Pix of Week

From family game night

Words of today

"I've learned to look for answers in those born before my time
As I listen to them tell me what they've learned in their lives
I talk to friends with understanding much deeper than my own
And gain wisdom beyond measure I could never find alone"

(Walk with the Wise, Steven Curtis Chapman)

More Car Fun

I managed to get the truck all cleaned up today. The kids are PIGS! Geez lueez. It took forever to clean the inside...let's just say long drives across the country this summer took its toll. A list of some "treasures"...goldfish, sprees, pencils, pens, crayons, scrap paper, paper clips, hair ties, matchbox cars, french fries, chicken nugget, crackers, chex mix, necklace pendant, coins, and empty water bottles. Whew...I'm sure there's more, but you get the idea. I had to keep pulling the truck in and out of the garage to get it washed and waxed...dodging rain.

We found out today that our neighbors across the street are moving this weekend (their house has been up for sale for a few months). It sounds like an Air Force family is moving in, but our neighbors haven't actually met them yet. We also found out the neighbors girl (13) had the H1N1 flu last week. No problems with it though, they just "quarantined" her in her room.

Waters Edge Church rocks

Last Sunday WEC had a special song for us celebrating the spontaneous baptisms from the week before...nothing like a little "rain" in church!

Check out the video
http://www.vimeo.com/7280049

Wash and Zombies

Back to school for Ang and the kids today. I did some dishes and laundry (fun stuff huh?), picked Nicholas up at lunch, and then vacuumed-cleaned out-washed-and waxed the car. It's probably the 1st time it's had wax in 18 months or so! Had dinner with the family then I went out with a couple other guys and saw Zombieland. It was pretty good...lots of humor (and blood/guts in the beginning).

Hope to clean the Explorer tomorrow, but forecast is showing rain. Hmmm

Go HAWKEYES!

What a game!

"The Hawkeyes are 8-0 for the first time in school history and have sole possession of first place in the Big Ten at 4-0. Iowa, sixth in the BCS standings, has won 12 straight dating back to last season, the second-longest streak in the nation. "

good thing I love the kids

My fingers (from holding knife slow and steady) and neck (from stooping) are killing me! Yep, you guessed it...it was pumpkin carving night! The kids each get to take a pumpkin in to Harvest Fair tomorrow at school, so they drew what they wanted on their pumpkins.

(Katelyn's/Nicholas's/Emma's)

Summer again?

Crazy weather...we had cold and wet weather last weekend but it's almost 80 today!

Cleaned out the military uniforms from my closet today. Boxed some up to put up in the attic to keep for my "mandatory" period, put some in the Goodwill pile, and kept some of the BDU pants to wear as work pants.

Nicholas and I also scrubbed down the back deck. Scrubbed all the mildew off the surface with bleach and a brush. Hopefully it will be dry by tomorrow morning so I can re-stain it.

Harvest Fair prep

It was a pretty normal Tuesday...Nicholas didn't have school (he has school M/W/F) so he stayed home with me. We went to the commissary and got our weekly groceries, I sold some stuff on craigslist, painted Katelyn's window seat and the front hall door frame, and made Angie's game project for Harvest Fair this Friday. It was pretty easy; just painted a 5ft board and then screwed 5 buckets on it. Kids will throw a small bean bag in each bucket as far back as they can to get equal # of pieces of candy. The Harvest Fair is smaller this year. It's usually at night and outside, but this year it's 12-3 and inside. I'm guessing budget cut backs.

Peanuts!

Update - please let us know if you do order from the website so we can keep track of the kids sales...thanks!
----------------------
Guess what time of year it is...that's right it's Virginia peanut time and time to support your grandkids (for those grandparents reading this) school fundraiser. It's easy to order online at:

http://www.virginiadiner.com/

- Select a product category on the left and start shopping
- Click the shopping cart at the top when finished
- Select Viriginia - all other
- Select Living Word Academy
- Enter Emma, Katelyn or Nicholas Kenney
- Click Next, review, and checkout now
- You'll need to register if you didn't use this last year
- review and checkout now

Emma, Katelyn & Nicholas thank you!

Excellent weekend

It was a great weekend. The Hawkeyes won to continue their unbeaten season and even the Bills managed to pull a win out. We had a good time with Dad & Mary and enjoyed the Greek Festival. It wasn't as good as the Spring time festival, but at least the food was good.

My facial hair experiment (goatee) ended today. I shaved it off this morning. Didn't mind the way it looked, but just didn't like the way it felt on my face. I'm sure Ang and the girls like me better without it as well.

Rain rain

Lots of steady rain today...but at least it hasn't been a torrential down pour. Doing a little painting in the house today. Trying to finish up Katelyn's window seat that I started...oh I don't know...months ago! Angie loves my 90% projects!

Had Community Group at our house last night. It was nice to have everyone here for a change. Made some chili, corn bread, banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies for snacks. It was all good!

Guys weekend

My wife is wonderful! She sent me to St. Louis to spend the weekend with Brad. We hung out, had a BBQ with some other old AF friends, went to Octoberfest, went to the Rams-Viking game, went to the casino, and generally just had a good time.

Thanks honey!

Pumpkin Patch

Today was the school field trip to a pumpkin patch. Nicholas and I went along too! It was a beautiful day for it...not a cloud in the sky and high 60s low 70s. They got to see some animals, take a hay rack ride to the field, pick out a pumpkin, and play.

Life

Wow, isn't life weird? Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut feeling and surrender to the direction of God on your life.

Katelyn does it!

Katelyn did her round off back handspring last night at gymnastics! No help, no spotters, no vault; just her! She was really excited and proud of it last night (and her parents too!)

Emma's volleyball team lost their 1st game last night...it was close though. They are now tied for 1st place with the team they lost to (we beat them earlier in the season).

Added twist to retirement

From our pastor this Sunday at the beginning of the sermon...you've got to listen!

(I had to turn it into a movie to post it)



The General mentioned was the one who did my ceremony!

Little man

Nicholas was very excited this morning...he wore his new tie and new socks for chapel day. He was big grins!

Car Inspection

I just love it when the yearly car inspection sticker comes due. The inspection cost $16...well 3 days and about $500 later I have mine! Ughh...I want my new truck!

Nicholas & I took it back in this morning (they had to order a part on Tues when I 1st took it in) expecting about an hour. Well, after they tore it apart to get the new part in they discovered something else...took all day to get the part from the supplier to them and get it fixed. Nicholas and I walked home this morning from the garage...about 2 miles! Nicholas walked the whole way and didn't complain once. What a trooper!

Busy Tuesday

Yesterday was busy in the Kenney household. Nicholas stayed with me. We went to a garage to get the yearly safety inspection done on the car. I was expecting about 30 minutes...well about 2 1/2 -3 hours later we finally left; with a REJECTION sticker! I have to go back Thursday to get some work done on the car to get my sticker. From there we went to the commissary to do some grocery shopping. We came home, unloaded groceries, then took back off to Big Lots and a local landscape nursery for a couple things. We came back home and put a couple plants in pots, put some pumpkins out and loaded back up to go to Emma's volleyball game. We saw Angie & Katelyn there for a bit until they left so Katelyn could go to Gymnastics. Emma's team won their match (undefeated this year at 4-0) and we came home. Emma changed and started homework, while I started supper. Katelyn & Angie got home about 6:30, we scarfed supper down and took off to church. There was a special Tuesday Night Live praise/worship service. We got home around 8:30 or so. Scrambled to get everyone cleaned up, changed, and into bed and then Ang & I managed to watch the last hour of Biggest Loser. Whew!

Retirement pictures

Got the CD from the base photographer...good pics.


Angie comment - Troy making big deal out of hair (or lack thereof), reference Nicholas picture. Please don't mock him too much. Okay, mock him. He can take it. And ewwww, yuck, kissy face! What's that all about!?