A Just Because Party for Baylee

Last summer we began the tradition of allowing our kids to have a “Summer, Just Because Party,” which really is a glorified play date with some close friends. The purpose was to get Baylee and Nathan acquainted with some classmates to make going back to school easier since relationships were established. Being the fact that Baylee knew so many kids in her upcoming second grade year (since it’s a two-year class), we allowed her to pick friends she doesn’t get to play with very often as well. It was so neat having them all together under one roof! Baylee needed to be “pinched” because she was so happy to have them all with her! Baylee chose the theme of Webkinz, a very popular stuffed animal with a virtual world. Each gal brought one Webkinz from home. They began with a drawing lesson on how to illustrate a Hippo Webkinz, and then proceeded to make clothes and jewelry for their pal. It was off to the “beauty parlor” as they fluffed and brushed down their critter, then to the veterinarian for shots and a check up. All along the way, the gals earned Webkinz cash which eventually was used to purchase donated items in our living room. The gals collected jewels in the forest and decorated their cups for Shirley Temples to compliment their homemade Pizzadillas (lunch). Baylee sure has a neat group of friends. It was a very enjoyable day!

Hannah's Hippo...what an artist!

The gals drawing

Aimee and Lisa working hard as fashion designers

Kristin's jewelry creation, she has a real knack for it!

Sabrina giving shots.



Hayley "fluffing" her white pal

Jewel collecting, with their little tossies!
Baylee's sweet friends and furry pals!
Baylee
Kristin
Cassandra
Nicole
Hayley
Alyssa
Sabrina
Hannah
Aimee and Baylee (her only classmate here)
Lisa and Baylee

Gratituesday-Jon's availability

“Give thanks in all circumstances”…even with Jon’s job loss and no interviews this week, God? Yes! Scripture says ALL! So, here I am, doing what I know is right until it feels right. And besides, I know I am to run on head knowledge, not heart knowledge. There’s always something to be grateful for.

I am thankful that Jon had time and was willing to endure Nathan having to have more “routine” blood work done today. I absolutely, positively, without a doubt despise taking Nathan in and watching the technician, who has a job at hand to do (with a long needle in hand too, I might slip in here) show no sign of caring how my sweet (but totally scared) five-in-a-half year old son is feeling! It’s pure torture for Nathan, I know…but it is also pure agony for me too. What do you say to your kid when they’re about to suffer through the fourth series of blood being taken in two months, knowing that there is much more to come in the weeks and months ahead? Not much. So, thank you God (and Jon)…I am so very thankful for the fact that Jon didn’t have a job to do today, this Gratituesday. I love you Jon, you’re the best!

It's So Good to Be With You, Mrs. Runyon!

I love having two-year classes for my kiddos! Because Baylee is going into second grade, she already knows her teacher and half of her classmates. Can I tell you how much easier that is on her? Walking into Baylee’s classroom wasn’t a bit scary. It was as if we hadn’t even left. The only change besides the new layout of the classroom and the first graders entering, was the size of sweet Mrs. Runyon’s belly. It’s so fun to be a part of such a blessing and miracle of the upcoming birth of Mrs. Runyon’s second child. Second grade is going to be wonderful!

Meet Mrs. Zavisch!

Today was "Meet the Teacher" at school. Nathan has a sweetheart of a teacher, we can tell already. His class is full of familiar faces for me...and even some to him. His cousin Kaydon is even in his class. The countdown clock keeps getting smaller in number and to be honest, that doesn’t make me excited. I’m going to miss my kids but know that they are in wonderful hands and once we get back in the swing of school, it’ll all be okay for me. I’m sure you’ll see many postings of Nathan’s fantastic kindergarten year on the blog.

Merry Christmas (in July) From Our Family to Your's

We're unable to blog today...we're off celebrating Christmas in July, the Kempiak Party of Five style. More details will apprear later, Tuesday. Merry Christmas!

Pita Jungle

Our family had a special treat this weekend, going out for lunch. It's been several years of suggestions from friends building up and now finally with one just two miles down the street from us, we gave Pita Jungle a try. One word…YUMMY!

If you live in Arizona, you'll have to give it a try. The food is unique, wonderfully yummy, and healthy. And if you need an eating partner, I’d gladly sacrifice my “time” to join you.

Playing with Cousin Carlie

Our 20 year-old niece proved her independence this weekend by driving out on her own through the desert from southern California to visit. We had a super time Saturday night and Sunday early afternoon, playing with her. She’s such a young lady with an amazing head on her shoulders. The kids absolutely loved having her here, as us adults did as well. Carol Patrice Kempiak, Carlie, we love you!

The Power of Prayer

Many would classify me as a prayer warrior, an honoring title I’d gladly take! For me, I’ve seen miracles done for those that have been fervently on their knees and know that nothing is too small or big for that matter to bring to the Lord.

Once we knew Baylee was accepted into Edu-Prize for kindergarten, a public charter school, God laid on my heart to hold a prayer time with other families that are believers that send their kids there. I knew of nothing “wrong”, I just knew that I wanted to make this school thing, a partnership with God as the leader. I contacted our church, asking them for suggested families and then got the ball rolling with invitations.

Since then to this past Friday night, we’ve meet a total of 5 times (twice a year…the Friday before school starts for Fall and then for Spring) and I can’t begin to tell you how simply wonderful it’s been. God’s presence is amazing and it’s also knitted many of us families together in a beautiful way.

On Friday night, 23 adults, including 3 teachers, joined us in prayer in our family room for the campus, curriculum, children, volunteers, and staff. It brought me to tears and gave me chills, uniting ourselves for One purpose. It’s calmed my anxiousness of the days ahead and truly is the BEST way to begin any school year!

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right and his ears are open to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

(Thank you to the Keller family for watching our kiddos on Friday night so it could be an "adult only", peaceful night. They had a super time!)

Sneaky Chef

In the constant pursuit to healthy eating, I had an idea that I just had to try out on my kids. In our home, we love to have fresh smoothies and slushies, handmade. It’s almost a daily staple in our home, especially when the temperatures are scorching outside. Well, last week, instead of having the kids assist me, I made up some new concoctions once the kids went to bed. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the kids to help, however I had to be sneaky because of my new “Special” green ingredient. Seeing spinach in their drinks would give them an automatic, “I don’t like it” statement, so keeping them ignorant for the time being was the best I thought. I made my drinks with the same ingredients as usual, this time adding 1 cup of fresh spinach puree and they were completely clueless. Watching them “down” their drinks just makes me smile, especially knowing that I’ve just added another serving of vegetables and folic acid in their precious bodies! Now my mind is racing on other ways I can slip more vegetables in my pile of recipes.

This Slushy recipe had:
2 cups strawberries
1 cup peaches
1 cup water
5 drops Stevia
1 cup spinach

I froze for several hours. An hour before serving it to the kids, I pulled it out so it could soften a bit. Then the kids spoon fed it to themselves for a nice refreshing morning or mid day treat.

(I’ve also done similar drinks smoothie style…yogurt, blueberries, raspberries, banana, water, and spinach)

Gratituesday-the gift of a listening heart and for a super doctor

God is always good to us, yet today it was so clear in one particular area. Nathan had a doctor's appointment with his specialist for his treatment of Colitis. Although there is little improvement in his case thus far, Dr. Janet was very hopeful. After listening to us thoroughly and finding out that again, we were about to be uninsured due to Jon's loss of job last week, she ransacked their supplies to get Nathan the medications that are vital for him to take daily. We walked out the door with two bags full, month’s supplies! She assured us that this was just the start to what she could do, telling us that Nathan and his medications were the LAST thing we needed to worry about. Even before we left, she contacted a drug rep to ask him to supply her with abundance, for Nathan's sake! Isn't that truly amazing?! So today, this Gratituesday, I thank the LORD for Dr. Janet and how she listens with her heart. I thank Him for the fact that Nathan won't have to go without these medicines and for the abundance we have in our home. We are always taken care of by Him!

Through Baylee's Eyes

I'd like to introduce to you my very favorite blogger in the whole wide world (drum roll please)...BAYLEE ROSE KEMPIAK!

Baylee has wanted a blog since the day after I made mine. I embraced the idea, however wanted her to "work" for it by showing me she would put forth the skills I already knew she had. Well, after writing many things for months, in school and out, she's shown me her dedication to detail and the beginning skills of many other important writing traits. Baylee I am so very proud of you. This is going to be fun (except having to "share" the only computer in the home...he he).

My daughter is quite particular, knowing what she wants on her blog page. It’s taken us weeks to pick the “perfect layout”, put photos into a slide show, list reading books, her favorite music selections, etc. on there. She’s still wanting more but now having to practice some patience as well. See, there are many great lessons she can learn through this whole process!

Baylee's blog is a "closed" or "by invitation only" site. If you would like to see it and I have yet to email you the "invite", just let me know. We need to be cautious and not have it out there for complete strangers. Thanks for understanding!

A Date with Nana and Papa D

Nana and Papa D (Jon's parents) called a few weeks ago asking if they could take all three kids out on a date during the day. They are such sweet grandparents that truly enjoy time with each kiddo.

They eagerly picked Baylee, Nathan, and Owen up with the first stop, lunch at the Rainforest Cafe then off to the Arizona Science Center where they spent many fun-filled hours. Baylee, Nathan, and Owen had a great time and can’t stop talking about the Grossology exhibit the most, where the focus is on the slimy, oozy, and stinky bodily functions of a human. While in there, they got to walk through a nose, play “Gas Attack”, visit “Burp Man”, and see Blood Suckers.

They all came back tuckered out and full of smiles and stories. As you can see, Owen couldn’t even stay awake for the quick photo right when they walked in the doors!

To Nana and Papa...THANK YOU! from your favorite Arizona grandkids

John Bailey Kovatch

A year ago today, my life as I loved drastically changed. We got the call from the police that my brother had died, sending us all in total anguish. You’d think that with a year down our belts, it would be easier…not yet. My brother John had a life story that could be written in books or be made into a heartrending movie. His life was less than perfect or envied by others but with all he went through, his life story touched and taught so many. He was a wonderful brother, loved son, super dad, delightfully silly uncle, and God loved man. I am very proud of my brother and feel like the most blessed person to have had him in my life. I miss him greatly and can’t wait to see him again in heaven. Praise God I have that assurance!

Below is a photo slide show of my brother’s life. Thank you for taking the time to watch it. His life is worth celebrating and remembering!

Gratituesday-the Gift of Prayer and Changed Lives

Although today is a hard day, I have much to be grateful for- even under the same circumstances I am saddened about!

"Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give Thanks in All circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

At the tail end of our drive home last night from our vacation in Greer, we decided to stop at a local supermarket to grab a few essentials to get us by for the next day or so. As I closed the door to the van, a homeless man approached me asking for any spare change I might have so he could eat. I declined passing money over to him but quickly offered to buy him dinner if he’d like. He was overjoyed and thankful. When I asked what he wanted, he told me, “Water and a sandwich would do.” Needless to say, just those two simple things wouldn’t “do” for me. I went around the store grabbing some other things I thought he’d like and need (Chapstick, Vitamin water, fruit, veggies, etc.), being sensitive to the fact that he didn’t have a place to store it all. I was so honored to serve this stranger his new belongings. Tearfully he thanked me and said, “God bless you!”

I was too choked up to tell him my whole heart, although I did tell him he was loved by God and that it was God that blessed him that night. Then I went to the van, closed the door, and wept. Let me explain. My brother too was a homeless man for over 6 years of his life. Although he was deeply loved by his family, this was the lifestyle he chose for a time being, due to drug addiction and shame. All those years while Johnny was “out there” I would pray continually that someone would “be a Jesus” to him (a blessing). I prayed that the people he asked to feed him, knew Christ and showed that to him.

Skip forward to the present time, the anniversary of Johnny’s death. Coming down from the mountain, I was silently praying, pleading with God to help me with my emotions and showing me what I can do this week to honor my brother and keep his memory alive. Then wham! Out of nowhere, this beautiful homeless man walks up to me!

So today, I have much to be grateful for, don’t you think? Just in this example, I am thankful:
-for the power of prayer
-that God hears and answers our prayers
-for the fact that I have a sensitive heart towards homeless people due to my brother’s past circumstances and that I didn’t judge or look down on this stranger
-that I had the means to buy him food and remind/tell him of God’s love
-that God can use ME!
-that God is in control of all things and has the power to change lives (like my brothers…from being addicted and homeless to coming to know Christ in a personal way and turning his life over to him)

Please pray with me for this man too. Pray he can learn and love God and lean on Him to have a changed life. Pray for his protection in the meantime and that others will be used by God to show this man love in practical ways with no strings attached.

So what are you grateful for today…this Gratituesday?

Prayer Request

Please pray with me...

#1 My nephew Josh (Johnny's son) is now in a 30 day rehab center to ‘detox’ from his addiction to heroine. Last week he was picked up by police for speeding, possession of heroine, possession of needles, etc. He spent a little more than 24 hours in jail and then was picked up by his loving mother and driven to the upper state of Nevada. My prayer is that God would speak to Josh while he is there and that Josh would truly surrender his life to Christ and then live a totally transformed life. God’s power is much stronger than any addiction!

#2 Also, please continue to pray with me for the men involved in my brother’s death. We know of at least three men who were involved and one man who was with him while Johnny died and didn’t call out for help, but instead walked away from him. Pray that the images of my brother’s death and the sorrow would bring these men to their knees (if they haven’t’ already) and that they’d call to Christ Jesus for forgiveness and then have a personal relationship with Him. The best gift out of my brother’s death would be that others would come to a saving faith (like Josh and then men mentioned). Indeed, God truly would be glorified!

Vacation Time

What a fantastic time away we all had! Being in Greer for six days and five nights was wonderful. Papa John (my dad) and Grandma Pat were amazing hosts to us, as usual and we had a lot of great laughs, smiles, yummy food, and times we will all put in our ‘memory banks’. Besides our Fourth of July activities (other blog entry), we did so much more, mostly outside to take in all the beauty and cooler weather!

First off, on Wednesday we all went fishing (well, Pat and I were spectators/cheerleaders). We have a little fisherman on our hands! Our Nathan was a fishing maniac! In the first 10 minutes he caught 3 trout and was jumping up and down for joy. My dad and Jon did well too, making the other fisherman around come asking for advice. Baylee too was a trooper, determined to catch one on a new fishing pole. Thank God her perseverance and patience paid off. Just minutes before we said we’d all be done, she got a ‘catch’. She’s very proud of the fact that she has the title of being the “first” to catch a fish off that pole! In the hour and a half that we were there, twelve fish were caught, pretty good, I’d say!


(No squeamish boy here. He loved having Papa teach him how to cut, clean, and cook his fish!)
(Nathan was very proud of the fact that he cut open the fish, right down to its "guts".)



We found some new sights in Greer, which is funny because I thought I knew that place inside and out. Little did we know that we could easily get to the backside of the lakes. What beautiful sights we saw, from a waterfall to a beaver swimming.


The beaver and fish weren’t the only animals we saw! We even had a bobcat in our front yard one evening, elk other nights, our customary chipmunks, squirrels,cattle, a coyote, and a new friend…a Horney toad, named Spikey! The kids were a little bummed that they didn’t get to see a bear yet, although we know they are in the close vicinity (and have been to the cabin before).

We pulled out the go cart for the first time to take up the hill in front of the cabin which was a lot of fun (except for hiking up the hill with it each time).



Baylee and Pat had some special "girl time" playing beauty shop and making some homemade, all natural popsicles for us all that were very yummy!

We also hiked, played in the rain, had our Frisbee golf competition, watched Enchanted and old Batman classic TV shows, Baylee and I crafted, we wrote letters, practiced our target shooting with the bow and arrow, hung new birdhouses with the kids' names on them, and much more. Once Jon and I got the kids tucked in for the night, we played Four Up Four Down (thanks April) and watched an entire season (3) of Lost.

Truly our time together as a family was a blessing and invigorating.