Kole' 5th Birthday Party

We decided to have your party early this year with so many folks gone for the Thanksgiving holidays. You wanted to have it at the Crossett bowling alley. So we invited a few friends. You are so into Transformers. So I got you a Transformer cake which was so yummy. We had Johnny's pizza, too. You guys were so cute bowling! I think some of us adults got to bowl a little. Mamaw and Grandaddy came down. It was such a fun time! I love you so much! My little boy is becoming a little man now!

Kole's Deer/Conway visit

We went to Conway last week for deer season. Benny wanted to hunt on the Kinley farm. It was so cool b/c this year Kole is so into it! So Friday night we had a campfire and did all the roasting hotdogs/marshmellows. I loved being home. But Crossett is now home for us. Of course I had to dine at my favorite places: Marketplace, Chili's, TGIFriday's, and downtown Conway's Old Chicago. I got to see Emily and Melinda, Alisha, and Shelly! Of course time with April my sis in law who is a blessing in my life. The kids got to play with Lauren , Ashlyn and Luke. They did a celebration for Benny and Kole's November birthdays. Check out the deer that Kole and Benny killed. The funny thing is Kate is so gonna be a hunter. She was all about gutting th deer. Sorry, won't post those pics!

Kole Pre-School Thanksgiving Feast

On Friday Kole's school had the annual Thanksgiving feast. All parents were invited to attend. We were to bring something to go along with the feast. Kole had to bring 2 apples on Friday as the class prepared a "Friendship Salad". I love how good the teacher are at his school. As a fellow educator, I feel like he is already in kindergarten b/c he is learning so much. I asked him about the first Thanksgiving and why we have it. It was cute getting the story! They all dressed up like Indians and made the cutest decorations.!

Happy Halloween 2009

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween. When I was a kid I just loved pretending to be someone else. Now it is fun to watch Kole and Kate live out the fun! I got up this am to a cold but beautiful sunny long run and got to see all the decorations. We then watched "spooky cartoons" and I made us a big lunch. After naps we headed to the Crossett library for trick or treating there. Kate and Kole won the cake walk and got cupcakes. Then we were off to Beth's house to meet up with friends to trick or treat! Afterwards we ate delicious chili , hotdogs, chips, and goodies. The kids went wild and got lots of candy. We then came home and did a little trick or treating down out street. It is only 8pm and I am tired. Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Kole's First Halloween Party

Today I went to Kole's pre-k class and helped with the party. They had goody bags and cookies from Teresea's bake shop! (NOT AS GOOD AS MAGGIE'S IN CONWAY). But it will work! They played games and danced. So cute! I am so glad I am a stay-at-home mom and can participate in events!

Kole's Field Trip to the Crossett Zoo

Here are a few pics of Kole's class at the Pumpkin patch/Crossett zoo. We had such a good time. Kate came, too. She loves being with her big brother! We got to pick our very own pumpkin out and decorate it with stickers. There was even a gracious scarecrow who helped us!

Dinner with Friends

So Bridgette turned 38! WHOO HOO! We had to celebrate at Fiesta Linda's!! I have some incredible women in my life. These girls and I just have a blast when we are together! I think we almost got kicked out of there that night we were so LOUD!

Long Time, No Blog!

Busy is the word in the Kinley household! Kole is in pre-k 5 days a week and Kate goes to Wee school 2 days a week. I am still so busy personal training and teaching classes at the gym. Here is some pics!

Here are a few pics of Kole's field trip to the fire station. He was scared of the fire truck. His best friend Bryce is so cute! They are inseperable!

Big Dam Bridge 100

Before you think I rode 100 miles on my bike let me correct you now! I am not that crazy! I have been training 3x a week to riding my bike and increasing my mileage getting ready for the Big Dam Bridge Ride. My great buddy from Conway got me into biking while I got him and some others into running. I love to ride and never had anyone in Crossett who had a road bike. Then Brenda entered my life! She is a very strong rider who had done Big Dam before. So we set a goal to ride the 5o miler. I was very anxious and scared of the ride. So many folks, like over 2,ooo, were there. I was so nervous how we lined up all packed together. I am just so scared of a bike wreck. (even though I have fallen all the time off mine when clipped in ). The weather was perfect and God just was everywhere I looked Saturday. When we approached the Big Dam bridge, which I have never seen before, it knocked the breath out of me! The way the sun was on the water and the glow, I had to shout! PRASIE GOD! THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BEAUTY. I think I prasied God all thru the ride. Brenda knows I prayed a lot when we hit the hill section. I cannot explain the experience of the ride itself, all I can say is that I am hooked, addicted, and loving to ride.

Reach In, Reach Up, Reach Out

We started reach groups last Wednesday night at church. Benny and I signed up for the parenting class. There is such a need in many churches to have Godly background and scripture that helps support us as parents. We have a small, intimate group of 4 couples. I love how every week we are in the same home and we get to eat and fellowship before getting into our studies. We are studying: "Parenting God's Way:A Biblical Look At Parenting your Children. Last week each parent shared concerns on their hearts and I just felt this closeness we all share wanting to raise our kids in healthy, loving, God-enriched environments. Our group has two wonderful leaders named John and Diane Wooten. They have children who are grown, so their mentoring is absolutely uplifting. Here are some of the scriptures we studied and meditated on this week in our quiet time:
Psalm 127:3
Mark 10:13-16
Proverbs 17:6
Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 29:15

Our title this past week was. "Is your child a burden or a blessing?" I feel everyday that I fail my children in some area. Sometimes I don't have the very best day with them and everything falls apart. I feel like a failure. What I am learning is that yes, I am a failure if I try to do ANYTHING without God's help in parenting. I must daily seek His help and guidance. As Shannon pointed out in our group, they are only ours for a little while. They are a gift. God hand-picked me to be Kole and Kate's mommy. I must invest daily in prayer and opportunites to show my kids what it means to love God and obey His commandments. I am so thankful for our group! I know God is going to show us something new every week to apply in our hearts!

Kate's 1st Dance Class

Little Sally started dance last week. We got here all dressed up and she was ready to go. She only has one other little girl in her class. Kate was all about dancing for the first 3 minutes and then she refused to dance and instead wanted to investigate the huge "water bug" as Crossett people call them. I call them "ROACHES". After 30 minutes of encouraging her to dance, she finally did the "piggy dance". That girl has a mind of her own. Sounds so familiar! I can't wait to see what she does tonight!