Merry Christmas from the Kees Family

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! I will post tomorrow with pictures of presents and baked goodness from today.

Being the mom of an only child

Today, over at Kelly's Korner, she is doing a link of moms of only children. I do not know many parents of only children. We quite often get asked when we are going to have another child and have to explain WHY we are only having one. We were more than pleased that God allowed us to be the parents of this amazing little boy:

He has been such a joy these last 4 years. God has not impressed upon neither mine or my husband's heart to have anymore children right now. We feel that right now we love having the time to devote to him as well as to our marriage. Jon and I are in this until the end, through good times and bad we are in it together. Another reason why we are parents to our one and only sweet Jack is because we are a military family - a National Guard military family. I know you are probably thinking what is the difference. Well there is a huge difference. For the most part, the National Guard members live normal lives with normal jobs, except for Jon. He is an active Guard Reserve, which means he works full time for the National Guard for the State of Florida. He did a tour in Iraq and is now currently travelling 2 out of every 4 weeks of the month. It was hard enough to be a single parent to one the year he was gone and I can't imagine doing it with more than one. As people always say, God will not give you more than you can handle, and He hasn't.

Thanks for reading. Here is a picture of our family.

Look what I did!!!!

OK so I joined Pinterest and have found some really neat craft ideas on there. I am not the most craftiest person but I try.

I found on there someone made a prayer pot out of a a clay flower pot and some tongue depressors. I thought it would be something that Jon and I could use to teach Jack the importance and power of prayer. Jon was all for the idea so yesterday I made my first venture out of the house since surgery last week. We went and got all of the supplies for this project and another project that we are working on. Here is our prayer pot:

The other thing that I did tonight was make a tutu for my best friend's little girl for her first birthday. I finished it tonight and it looks so cute. Here it is:

That's all for now.

Kim

What a past 5 weeks!

These past 5 weeks have been interesting to say the least. 5 weeks ago today I had knee surgery to correct a problem that has been ongoing for the last 12 years. Everything went great with the knee except for a place down at the bottom of the incision. After keeping an eye on it and keeping it clean as I was told by the doc, he decided yesterday morning that it would be best to do surgery this morning. I do believe that if he could have gotten an operating room yesterday he would have done it then. He was very worried about it. I am now on an antibotic and a partial pain pill. The place that wouldn't heal looked gross but the wound now looks gross. I do believe that this will be TMI but you can see inside my leg. Yes I said that right - INSIDE my leg. Doc is letting it heal from the inside out. Should be interesting especially because I am having to change the dressing 3-4 times a day and it is awful. The first time I changed it I burst into tears - sobbing crying. Jon tried so hard to comfort me and it was so sweet but he had to leave the room because as he said "I'm a weenie." So needless to say I am having to change it out all by myself for the next week. Oh joy.

Next week is my 6 weeks post op appointment so I am praying the doc will allow me to take the brace off. I don't know if I could go even just another week with it on. I've also been "forbidden" to bend my knee and take a proper shower - that's almost as bad as having a gapping whole in my leg.

That is all for now.

Kim

First Day of School and an Announcement

Today was the first day of VPK for Jack. He was very excited about starting "big boy school." I know that we still have a year until kindergarten but it is still big. He had a wonderful day and made some new friends. No I didn't cry - I guess because he has been in daycare since he was 18 months old it's not really a big deal for us. Now next year will be a different story.

Next week I will have my 4th knee surgery to realign my knee cap and a couple of other things. To be completely honest, I am looking forward to having this surgery if for nothing more than the down time from work. Work has been monster crazy and I am finally going to get a few days off in a row. I am not looking forward to the cutting and what not but I will deal. The only other thing that I am not looking forward to is that Jon is leaving for at least a week on September 6th.

Last week, we received some news that we haven't shared with many people because we are just not sure what is going to happen in the upcoming weeks. NO, I am not pregnant. We found out that as of right now Jon might be deploying with his unit that leaves for mobilization at the first of September. He has a 50/50 chance of being deployed. We have no definite answers as to whether or not he is going but we have to begin packing everything that he might need for a deployment. I am not sure how to react to this because we were not expecting this when he got this new job. We will manage but we are adjusting to this new possibility.

Here is a picture of Jack today:

A Change

Since I have returned from Israel I have seen the Lord moving in my life and in the life of our family. It has been hard for both Jon and I to completely turn everything over to Him and let Him show us where He wants us to go. It started when I answered His call to go to Israel. I didn't know where the money for the trip was going to come from. I knew that I just needed to trust God and He would provide and He did. As my trip was drawing near Jon told me about a new job that was opening closer to our house. We had been praying for God to show us the direction He wanted us to go with our car situation and my job situation. Many of you know that I work only part time for the church. We only have one car as that is what is feasable for our budget. Jon was having to drive back and forth to St. Augustine everyday for work and back and forth to Tallahassee for drill once a month.

When Jon began to tell me about this new job the first thing he told me was that this was a deployable job. By this point God had given me a peace about the job and the possibility of another deployment. I told him to apply for the job especially because it is only 15 minutes from our house. We were hoping that he would hear something before I left to go to Israel or even while I was gone. He didn't hear anything and began to worry. A few days after I returned home we learned that he DID get the job. Such a huge answer to prayers! He started on the 18th and he doesn't have to deploy with the unit at the end of August.

Another answer to prayers was that once I returned from Israel, we began to aggressively work on potty training Jack. Up until just recently he has shown NO interest what so ever to go to the potty like a big boy. It took about 2 weeks for him to be out of pull ups and into underwear and then another week or so for him to be completely in underwear and completely potty trained. I am so thankful for amazing teachers at the Junior Academy that didn't pressure him to be potty trained and that worked with Jon and I to accomplish this huge goal. I am also thankful for Shelly Taylor and Amie Shields and that they had the forethought to realize that every child is different and not making it a requirement for children to be potty trained by a certain age.

I have also been feeling a pull to go back to Israel. There is so much work to be done there and I don't feel that God is done with me there. The people that are working in country are amazing and we were able to form some amazing bonds with them. I was able to share with some coworkers and it even looks like some of them are wanting to go and that makes my heart happy. I throughly enjoyed my time there and can't wait to get back.

We are looking foward to going on a short trip to Orlando in a little over a week. Jon will be down there for a work conference for a week. Jack and I will be heading down on Thursday afternoon after work/school and staying until late Saturday afternoon. We are all excited to spend this time together since in the weeks following we are going to be super busy with school, choir and Mom to Mom starting.

For now,

Family Pictures and a 4th birthday

The Saturday before the 4th we had our annual family pictures with the amazing Sarah Orgunov. We included our dog in them as well assome in Jack's room. Here are some for you to enjoy:

A certain little boy also had a FOURTH birthday on the 7th. I can't believe he is 4 years old. He had a really good birthday. We took cupcakes for his friends at school - in Iron Man colors. After school, my mom and step dad took us to Chuck E Cheese for dinner and for him to play games. We had such a good time. He got quite a bit of wooden parts for his wooden Thomas the Train set. He had his 4 year check up on Friday. He weighs 36 pounds and is 40 inches tall. He is growing like a weed. Next year I will have a kindergartner. It was just like yesterday that he was born. I love you James Alan!

I Promise...I Promise

I promise, I promise, I am working on a post about my trip to Israel. It has been a full week full of work since I have been back. I hope to have it up by the weekend.


For now -

2011 Passion Play

Yes it is that time of year again! The first of 2 weeks of rehearsals began today. It is going to be an amazing program this year. I am here to plug it. If you are in or around Jacksonville, you must come and see this play. If you are not near Jacksonville, then on Sunday April 17th log on to http://www.fbcjax.tv/ and watch it. We will be streaming it live and even though you can't be there to see it in person, you can at least watch it.

Here is the important information:
Performance times are Friday April 15th at 7pm, Saturday April 16th at 2pm, and Sunday April 17th at 6pm.

A Quick Vacation and an update

Well 2 Thursday nights ago we took a quick trip down to Orlando. We decided at the last minute to pick a day that Jon was off to take Jack to Disney. We really needed a weekend away and were looking forward to going. We told Jack that we were going on vacation and didn't tell him where we were exactly going until Thursday night when we got there. Friday morning, Jack got up especially early. He was very excited about going. Around 7:25 am we headed out to the Magic Kingdom. What an exciting day we had! Jack was excited to see all of the characters and even ride some of the rides. Here are some pictures from that day:

We had a blast and are looking forward to going back again before I go to Israel.

We are all doing well. I am busier than ever at work. There have been many changes happening and many responisibilities have been added to my plate. We have also been having some problems with Jack's behavior at school and because I am the one that is the closest to the school I am the one that has to deal with them everyday. Needless to say I am getting worn out very quickly. The Lord is good and He will not give me more than I can handle. It is just figuring out to handle all that He does give me.

100th entry

Ok. So I just realized that this is my 100th entry on my blog. I guess it should be some profound post about the things that have been going on in our lives or some annoucement of some sort but I'm not. This post is going to be complete randomness.

First - I have apparently become a History tutor. If any of you are going to school and need help in any of your classes just let me know.

Second - We are taking a quickly planned family vacation next weekend to Orlando and Disney. Jack thinks that we are going once he is potty trained but we have decided to go early. He doesn't know and we won't tell him until we get up to leave for the park. Also on the agenda is a trip to IKEA!!!!!

Third - We are preparing for our first season of Tball in the fall. We have a glove, a tee and a soft bat. Practice will begin after we return from Orlando. He is excited.

Fourth - Jack got some hockey sticks. Apparently he wants to play hockey too.

See complete randomness.

My Funny Boy

So this 3 1/2 year old little boy that lives in my house is absolutely hysterical. Here are some of the things that he has said today:

We pull up to the ATM and he yells out "money, please." Well at least he used his manners.

While driving home from church today, he and my mom are playing in the back seat and he gets the hiccups. He then takes a drink of coke and proceeds to burp. His hiccups go away and he gets really mad. My mom asks him what is wrong and he says "I WANT MY HICCUPS BACK!"

We got home from church and I told him that he had to take a nap. He told me that he couldn't take a nap because it was morning time. I told him that it was afternoon and he said "uh-uh mommy. The moon is down so it is morning time." 

I am beyond blessed to have such a happy, funny little boy.

Here's to 2011

2011 is going to be a great year! Jon is away right now for 2 weeks for AT with his unit. This week is going to be a busy one for me at work. Jack has a pre-op appointment on Friday afternoon for his surgery next week. Also on Friday is PJs, Pigs and Pancakes at his school. It is going to be so cute. Friday night Jack and I are heading to Gainesville to watch the Gators battle Nebraska in their first gymnastics meet for the season. We are so excited.

For now -

A Look Back at 2010...

2010 was a busy but amazing year for the Kees Family.

January - this month started with just 4 months left on a year long deployment. Jack was getting excited about his dad finally coming home. I think that he was more excited about going to Disney World. A new book shelf and toy clean out. January went by so fast.

February - Pastors' Conference 2010 - I didn't have to work much this year. I spent lots of time with Jack and Jess and Will. There were trips to Savannah and Gainesville. 15 years since my uncle donated one of his kidneys to my dad. The Vancouver Winter Olympics and Jack being in love with all of the winter sports. Flowers from Iraq for Valentine's Day. A new TV. And a fabulous cupcake from Luli's.

March - A VERY busy month. To start the month off, someone abducted a little boy from a family down the street in my neighborhood. You can read my thoughts here. 2010 Passion Play - one of the best so far. I got to hold a little lamb! A trip to the zoo. New Chucks for Jack and a trip to MOSH.

April - 1 month!!! Jack's countdown chain. Easter - Christ the Risen Savior! Will's 2nd birthday! School pictures. Getting everything ready for Jon to come home and his welcome home party and my grandmother's surprise birthday party!

May - my 27th birthday, Mother's Day and our 5th anniversary. A surprise trip to Ft. Stewart to see Jon when he got off of the plane from Iraq. Eating our first meal (McDonald's). HE FINALLY CAME HOME!!!! Waiting patiently for him to be released - Jack telling the governor to "hurry up." A hug I will remember for the rest of my life. Going home as a whole family. A welcome home from our church family for a hero. A SURPRISE birthday party for my grandmother and Jon's welcome home party.

June - Family vacation to Disney: some one on one time with Mickey for a VERY excited little boy. Learning to ride his bike (with training wheels). Back to church as a whole family. A refurbished table for our munchkin.

July - Jack's THIRD birthday! Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks with great friends. Amazing family pictures by a sweet friend.

August - time at the lake with family. Jack starting FBC Junior Academy and LOVING it! Playing soccer!

September - More soccer. Spending lots of quality time with dad! Lots of quality time as a family! New IKEA catalog! Jon going back to school.

October - Air show - Blue Angels. JSO visit to Jack's school. Grandparent's day at school. Pumpkin patch with Will. Jess's baby shower for Reagan! Katie and Aaron's wedding!

November - Jacksonville Fair. Thanksgiving luncheon at school. 10 years since my dad passed away. Trip to Savannah - eating at the Lady and Sons! Thanksgiving with family.

December - Christmas parties. A sick little boy. A sick mommy. Reagan Hailey Braig born on December 10. Candlelight Christmas Eve service. Christmas! Lots of toys, food and fun!