Kinley's first flight

I know I do not use this blog just for status updates, but I am kind of anti facebook right now so this will have to do. The kids and I flew to Maryland on Monday to spend a week with my family at the beach. This was Kinley's first flight and she did GREAT! Hunter was such a big helper. I did some pretty good planning I must say. I brought my double stroller, and used the front to hold our carry on bags and the back for Hunterbear to ride on. This was so great especially during our short lay over because I did not have to constantly redirect Hunter to keep walking (he tends take his time whenever we need to be somewhere.....go figure). Kinley spent most of the time in my sling. I was able to have free hands to maneuver the stroller, play with Hunter on the air plane and grab a quick meal between planes. She loves the sling and was able to take a nap on the go.

We are just enjoying the sunshine, the sand, the ocean, good food, and great company. Check back later for more updates and pictures!!!

Faith unveiled

I have recently had some very deep and moving conversations with family and friends that have inspired me to write. Most of these conversations have centered around faith. Faith is something that is so personal, yet so uniting among us all. I have come to realize that those people in my life that don't have faith and don't know God are really selling them selves short on such a powerful gift. Honestly, I do not understand how some of my friends and family face such tragedy without God by their side. Now I have not always been very open about my faith, but it has always been a part of my life. I started this journey of faith the day my son was born, and it has only grown stronger since. I now feel a strong push to share my faith with those around me and I am so happy that I have finally gained enough confidence to do so.

Simply put, this life is not about us....it is about Him and discovering His purpose for us.

I have been very saddened lately for those people in my life who experience life without Faith. Without my faith in God and in His plan, there would seriously be days where I probably could not go on. If I was living just for myself then it would be so easy to focus on all the bad stuff, big or small, but what a miserable life that would be. Instead, recently I have chosen to look at my life as a small piece to His master puzzle. If I can spend my days enjoying what God has given me like my kids, my husband, and my family and friends then I can make my piece a beautiful part of His masterpiece.

I know that I am not guaranteed a perfect day everyday, but I am guaranteed a perfect life after this one. I just need to believe and live this life for Him. When your life becomes about Him, then the bad stuff won't seem so bad. Instead the bad things become about discovering the good that God has in put in place for our life. For example, out of tragedy can come support from people you didn't even know cared. God has a plan for our lives, and if we can let go of the reigns and let Him guide us then we will see His plan is way better than anything we could imagine!!

Date Night

I have got to say, I never thought I would enjoy being a stay at home mom as much as I have these past few months. Technically, I still work full time, but my hours are on the weekend ( kind of a sweet deal...weekend package nurses get paid time and a half so I make full time pay but only work two days). Anyway, this wonderful opportunity has allowed me to stay home with Hunter and Kinley during the week. I never got to stay home with Hunter when he was this age, so I am treasuring every moment with my new baby because I know how fast this stage goes.

Summer has already been in full swing at our house for two weeks, and we have been busy enjoying so many fun activities like playing at our local parks, swimming in the splash pads, exploring the zoo and the science center, playing at the mall play places, and enjoying LOTS of play dates. I have LOVED every moment I get to be with my big boy, but to be honest despite being home all week most of my time and energy has to go to Kinley...and that little princess requires A LOT of attention. Don't get me wrong, Hunter is still getting as much attention as I can give, but it is definitely hard to get that one on one time we used to have.

I shared my frustrations with my loving Husband over the weekend. He was so understanding that he came up with the idea of date night....not for me and him, but for me and this guy

So this Friday, Hunterbear and I are going to dinner at this fun restaurant called HuHot and then we are going to see the new moving Marmaduke. I am so excited to get to spend a whole meal with Hunter and get to catch up with him without being distracted by Kinley (and even by Paul...haa). I am so happy that he is just as excited. He has been asking me every day this week, 'now how many more days until our date mommy?". I feel so blessed to be able to still get to spend some one on one time with my oldest kid and know my youngest one will be in great hands with her daddy......God, life is great:)

Lots to update...

Well, because I have been so lazy in updating, this blog will consist of many subtitles.....because there is A LOT to update on.

VISITORS

We have been very fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends. Some of them are so wonderful they have flown and driven cross country to visit us. My cousin Shawn flew in to keep me and the kids company while Paul went to New York with his brother to attend a Yankee game in the new stadium (this was a b-day present from the ladies in their life). I thought this weekend would be very hard without my better half, but Shawn was quite a hit with my kids, especially Hunter, so it ended up being a very fun filled weekend. One of the highlights of the weekend was going to racoon river park (one of the few places I can go when I am homesick for the water). We spent all afternoon playing in the sand and on the park.

(doesn't Hunter look like he could be her's)

We also were very lucky to have a very good family friend of mine (Corey G.) come visit for two nights on his way back to the east coast from Washington State. I hadn't seen Corey since our wedding, so it was so fun to be able to catch up and just hang out. The highlight of our weekend together (or at least the highlight for me) was when Corey and Hunter decided it would be fun (and very necessary) to wash my car......

Gotta love those boys:)

What has Hunter been up to?

Well, to sum it up he has been playing the field and moving on up

Hunter is playing tball for his future school district (Johnston, IA). His team is the Marlins and his coach is 'Daddy'. He seems to really enjoy playing, and his favorite thing to do is be the last hitter up because they get a 'home run' every time...in other words the last hitter gets to run around all of the bases, NO MATTER where the ball lands. It has been really great watching Paul and Hunter get to share this time together. And it has been really enjoyable for me that Hunter still runs over to me in the middle of the game and says 'Hey mom, love ya' as he lands a big one on my lips. How old are they when they are embarrassed to kiss their mom in public?

Hunter also had a HUGE accomplishment this past week. He graduated from preschool. He is now officially 'movin on up'. Paul and I are so proud of our little graduate.

His teachers Miss Kris and Miss Kathy have become such a big part of our lives. I am not just being corny, they really have. They were Hunter's teachers when I had my miscarriage and they were there throughout my pregnancy with Kinley. They were very good about updating me on how Hunter was doing after Kinley was born. They helped guide Paul and I on ways to help engage Hunter in learning at home. With their help, Hunter has learned how to add, subtract, read and write 3 letter words, write his name, understand parts of a story, comprehend patterns, and most importantly he has learned valuable social skills that will serve him well in his coming years of school. I couldn't have asked for better teachers for my Hunterbear.

What has Kinley been up to?

Kinley is two months old and here are some of the things she is doing.

She is smiling at us and not just in response to some gas.

She is starting to coo, which is the sweetest sound. She starts to get all excited when she hears a familiar voice.


She finally likes her carseat. This was quite a challenge the first few weeks, but as you can see she has learned it's really not that bad.


She is able to hold her head up very well for an 8 week old. At 6 weeks, she was able to sit up in her bumbo all on her own, which is definitely a sight to see.

Hunter is still really enjoying having a little sister at home to hug, kiss, cuddle, and of coarse use as a dart board.

Like brother, Like Sister.

That's all for now...check back later for more on the Covill Clan:)