Kevin Minnis

So the days go by and by so fast that we fall behind on a lot of things. Kevin mentioned the other day that we hadn’t written a blog for awhile. So…as I sit today, with a few minutes to spare I thought I would fill you in on the Minnis household.

Jayden has settled in to his preschool routine fairly well. We have had a couple rough days of actually getting him out the door. He loves going and playing with all his friends. Mommy likes the free time to spend with Josie! It’s amazing how calm and fun she is when Jayden is not around! But, as soon as he gets in the van, she turns back into high maintenance! As fall as almost gone, I look back on all the stuff we did. We spent a Saturday at Howell’s Pumpkin Patch. Always a good time! And it was such nice weather! That makes it even more fun. The kids also got to go trick or treating and loved every minute of it. I usually try and find a nice, warm costume for them to wear. Well, this year we didn’t need the warmth! Jayden was sweating pretty good in his dragon outfit! But a good time was still had and lots of candy brought home that we didn’t need! Josie loved being a butterfly and still talks about it. She liked to have daddy lift her in the air so she could “flap her wings”.

Kevin and I got to enjoy 4 days away from the kids! A much needed break for all. Thank you Grandma Pat and Aunt Chris! We were actually supposed to be going to California for a week, but that was canceled. So we settled for “balmy” Minneapolis. It’s our home away from home. We like to go there and just walk the mall and eat fun food! The rule was that we couldn’t eat anything that didn’t require utensils!! So we managed to eat Italian, Mexican, Chinese!! It’s great to eat food that doesn’t require it to be dipped in ketchup.

Josie is working on potty training. She’s about 80% there! She does really good for the most part, but then there are the random moments where she just comes and stands by you and pees. It can be so frustrating! I’m at least glad I am not changing diapers anymore!! I’d rather change wet jeans any day!

The last week was a busy, stressful week. My oldest brother Kevin was in the hospital. It comes down to that he is having liver problems. Hopefully things will get a little better for him, but we’ll see what the weeks ahead prove. Last week, we also lost a great, great family friend! I had known him since I was around 7-8 years old. He was like a Grandpa to me! He will be greatly missed by all. We just got back from spending time on the farm this weekend. Our little farmer had a good time and had to be out with Grandpa as much as he could. He loves to help feed the cows and ride the loader tractor! It was a nice relaxing weekend after last weeks stresses.

We are very excited to spend time with family this week and Jayden and Josie cannot wait for x-mas. Jayden’s list is about 10 miles long, but we’ll get it narrowed down. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Hopefully we will, as I have to take Josie to the doctor today. I think she has pink eye! I hate pink eye! We’ll wake up tomorrow and Jayden will have it, too! That happened the last time. Oh–the joys of kids and germs! Update: They both have it. Just like last time.

“Oh this is the Grandpa one.” - Jayden

This past weekend we took a trip to the Minnis Farm. Jayden was thrilled and couldn’t wait to help Papa and Great Papa. He wouldn’t take a nap on Saturday because he just had to help Papa feed the cows. One of his favorite things to do while on the farm. We also did some exploring with Jayden and Josie. Kevin took Jayden out on Great Papa’s 4-Wheeler. They both had a good time and could have ridden all day. Josie was infatuated with all the cows. Even though she wanted to see some sheep too. But there are no sheep on the farm.
Jayden actually let a cow lick his fingers. That hasn’t happened since he was probably under 1 year old. He thought that was cool. Josie was going to let it lick her fingers until it jumped and she got scared. Maybe next time. Good thing for their “farm boots.” It was extra muddy with all the melting and rain. Josie loves her “farm boots.” She would wear them everyday if i let her. Even the big boys like their farm boots too. Kevin is modeling his new boots for the next issue of “G.Q.” Quite the stud he is, huh? I, on the other hand, need to invest in some farm boots! “Cosmo”–here I come!!

The most exciting thing from the weekend was actually witnessing a birth of a cow! Tis the season for births and after 6 years, I actually got to see one live. “Ace” as I like to call it, was born around 9:30 Friday night. I gave him/her the name Ace because it was the first birth of the season and my first birth to see. (Except my own children). It was really really cool. Man, to think we as humans get the opportunity for drugs to cope with the pain! Poor animals have to go through it all naturally. Thank Goodness for an Epidural! The cow really didn’t make any noises, she just kind of walked around/laid down and had him/her. It was fun watching the process afterwards of the mama cow, owning her child. It takes awhile, but she warmed up to it and started to lick her clean. (could you imagine if humans had to lick their child clean, yuck!!!) I’m glad it was a good birth and not one of those where Kevin’s dad would have had to pull it out! So it was a happy ending!

Kevin, Jayden, Josie and I, rode out in the bucket of the tractor (loader bucket) the next morning, to see baby Ace. They had moved the mom and baby so that they could be alone. The kids thought that was really cool to ride on the tractor like that. They were also excited to see the baby. Great papa was even more excited to take us out on the tractor to see it! What a ride!!

Tonight Jayden sleeps for the first time without his “blanky” since he got it when he was just a baby. It’s quite monumental to have him part from it. He decided today that he would give it to another baby who really needed it. The baby he chose was Josh and Jodi’s baby, Olivia. He didn’t have too hard of a time going to sleep, but you could tell he was sad. I thought  it would be fun to write a short poem. So here goes.

I miss you so, my taggy blue.  

Please bid Olivia well.

You gave me comfort,

through thick and thin.

From the time of constantly carrying you,

to the having you only at night.

Take care my taggy blue,

I’ll miss you so.