A New Member of the Family
There’s a knock at my front door one afternoon a couple of weeks ago. My neighbor says she needs some help helping her next door neighbor with a stray dog.
Apparently, this dog found its way to this lady’s porch and decided she wouldn’t move from there. The Augusta July heat was tremendous that day and the poor little dog wouldn’t take water or even let anyone get close to her. I told the lady,
“I’ll come back down here when my wife gets home to watch the kids and get her”
I went home to pray not to wait.
The wounds of Chase and Butler still haven’t healed all the way and I didn’t want to get “Stuck” with this dog. I didn’t mind taking care of her until some little kid or older lady came to claim the dog, but we were NOT keeping it.
I got her home and while washing the fleas off of her I explained to Gabby that we were not keeping the dog. We were just going to take care of it while her owners searched for her. Gabby asked if we should make some signs to help the owners find her. Later that night we did just that.
A couple of days later, I left for my second year of Bankers School, a graduate degree program in banking, and also left my wife with this flea-bitten mutt.
Amber was ANTI-DOG at this point. For me to say the wounds hadn’t healed from Chase and Butler was the understatement of the year for her. She had obviously erected this wall agains getting hurt again and wanted nothing to do with the dog.
By the time I got home, the dog was being called “Peanut” and was working it’s way into the family. No calls came in from the signs and I could feel the tension mounting to one single question…
Can we keep her?
I must of said that a thousand times as a child. As a parent to my two favorite parents, I am so sorry mom and dad.
What a tough question. I prayed about it and decided that we needed to have a family meeting to answer this difficult quandary.
We set some ground rules and Gabby changed her name to Pickles.
I cannot help but think that this dog is an answer to prayers. Maybe not mine or even Ambers, but Gabby seems to really have some strong prayers. None-the-less, our little Pickles is the newest member of the family.
It leaves me with this lesson. Ever heard that saying that love finds you when you are not looking? Well, so far it has.
McKinney Kid Pics
I love when my kids act crazy. That natural born sense of humor they show.
Dear Gabby and Evan,
I hope that one day you realize that your childhood was not only a series of good times and laughter, but your good times and laughter were medicine to those around you. When I am having tough day, it is your smiles and laughter that turn it around. You are both a gift to us and we are grateful.
You both have the ability to change the world with your smiles and laughter. You are amazing. Never let that go. God gave it to you for a purpose.
Love,
Daddy
Kooper Week 4
My nephew is 1 Month Old Today!
Don’t forget to leave a comment and cast your vote for the best picture. 
Dear Kids | The Columbia Zoo
Dear Gabby and Evan,
Several weeks ago I decided to live up to my stance against Saturdays spent inside watching TV. I bought tickets for the Zoo and your mother and I planned a little trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. Just like any other trip we “plan” to go on, I “planned” to leave an hour before we actually need to so we could leave on time (shhhh….that’s our little secret). We grabbed a little Mickey D’s on the way out of town and adventure was ours.
We did encounter several problems. One in particular was what I refer to as the “ATM Situation”. The Zoo brochure brags about 2 ATMs on site so I didn’t stop and get cash. Yes, I know. I am a banker and I didn’t get cash before coming home. Tisk. Tisk. Anyway, when we arrived we found that ALL ATMs were out of order and the cashiers in the gift shops don’t allow cash back on purchases. Normally, not a problem, but the zoo also only accepts cash for their highly popular Merry Go Round and Rock Climbing Wall. Luckily there was a nice “older gentleman” that was not of “Generation teXt” that understood what I needed. He guided me to the theater where I could buy tickets for you to climb that Rock Wall, Gabby and for both of you to ride the Merry Go Round.
You both may have been learning about animals that day, but I wrote this because I wanted you to know what I learned from you that day.
Gabby,
The way you approached climbing that Rock Wall showed me how to approach the adversities in life. You took on that wall with child-like innocence, dogged expectation, and the pure belief that you belonged at the top. That is what got you there. You didn’t get to the top and then believe you belonged there. You did it how God intended. Believe, Do, Have. Thank You.
Evan,
The way you looked at strange animals and then looked back at me for an answer to “what is that” before forming your own opinion reminded me of how to approach new things in life. I should turn to my Father in Heaven first and then form my opinion with his guidance. Thank you, Son.
The day turned out Amazing. Not just because your mother and I pulled off a Zoo Adventure, but because we all relaxed and enjoyed the time provided for us to make powerful memories.
Love,
Daddy
Kooper Week 3
Week three pictures of Kooper are here!
April and Kenn had a photographer come to the house and take some pictures of the beebee.
Which picture is your favorite?
Make sure to leave a comment with your choice for this weeks favorite!
The Not So Father’s Day, Father’s Day
You may know the plot, but not the story. As a child of divorced parents, an only child, and the husband of a child with divorced parents holidays and special events spell extra strain. Holidays are stressfull for the hosts in any case, but add the fact that you can’t be in two (or three) places at once to enjoy the holdiays with everyone in your family and it can be a nightmare.
So, how do I balance a nice relaxing day with my kids and honor the Father’s in my life without wearing myself out? A not Father’s Day, Father’s Day. That’s right. We’re going to do Father’s Day on Saturday this year.
Pop came up from Jacksonville and we invited my Suegro, Suegra, and my Mom for a Saturday cook out at our house. I wanted to honor two of the dads in my life by cooking my Coffee Crusted steak for them and have some good ole fashioned Father’s Day fun (not doing much of anything).
Yesterday was truly a great day. No drama. No nerves. Lots of laughing kids (including me) and lots of good food.
Of course there was some family that we missed yesterday, but we had a great time regardless. I beleive the key to yesterday’s success was no expectations about how the day would or should turn out.
The steaks rocked, the conversations flowed, and the kids danced into the night (including me). I cannot remember a better not Father’s Day, Father’s Day.
Special thanks to everyone that helped pull it off, especially my loving wife.
If you’re a dad, Happy Father’s Day. Hear your kids laugh everyday even if you have to tickle them.
P.S. If you want a printed copy of this picture leave a comment to let me know.
Kooper Week 2
Leave a comment and vote for your favorite pic!
Check back each Friday for new Kooper pics!
NANA!
You have never seen a kid as crazy about Bananas as this kid. Seriously, he’s at his happiest with a nana in hand. What does tht say about his family?
Kooper Loves His Auntie
Kooper loves his Auntie! He’s only a week old, but he knows who butters his bread.
Which Auntie? Leave your guess as a comment.
Kooper – 1 Week Old Today
Hard to believe that little boy was born a week ago today. He’s an amazing little fellow with personality and style.
Do you think he’s changed in a week? Leave a comment and tell how.
Recent Comment
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April Maas:
Said on 2012/05/15
My nephew is out of control!
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Said on 2012/05/14
Omg thanks a lot Ryan for making me cry! Punkie Brewster your Auntie and Uncle...
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Ryan McKinney:
Said on 2012/05/08
Forgot to mention Bible Study is tonight. Andria Corral officiating!
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Said on 2012/05/04
Gabby is a good motivator.
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Said on 2012/04/29
YOU WIN! You are the proud winner of a chicken dinner ;)