March 2011

It's scary how I try to look back and remember the last month and everything is just a blurr flying by to the next big blur. I've seen as I've gotten older, and as older people used to warn me that before I knew it my children would be grown and gone. Believe it or not, but I'm more than half way there already with my oldest children. Zac has grown over six inches just this last year, his voice is changing, and he has informed me that he needs Proactiv for his zits. What! In some ways I enjoy having this new kind of relationship with Zac and in other ways it scares the pants off of me. There are so many new things that I have to worry about. The basic necessities of food, clothes, teaching to share, potty training, abc's and 123's, not touching "hot" objects or sticking metal things in the outlet, keeping toothbrushes out of the toilet and stepping on those darn legos strewn across the floor seem like bliss comparatively. I'm still doing those things but add on teaching self confidence, a new level of testimony and knowledge of the gospel, preparing them for priesthood, mission, and marriage (not that we didn't teach them when they're really young but boy, it's really on now) Worrying about Junior High, friends, girls, bad influences( drugs, pornography etc,) not being smart alec, obedience, work, kind to siblings etc. I don't know how my parents did it with 8 children, the pressure to teach my kids and keep them safe, Ughhh! I get a headache just thinking about it. One thing for sure, it has humbled me and brings me often to my knees because I know there is NOOOO Way I can do this alone. I need my Father in Heaven's help. I think I'm always asking Him to bless me with patience and to be more loving. Keeping consistent in doing the things that I need to do to stay constantly close to the spirit throughout the day is also a challenge. It's a lot easier to pass time away with a project, the internet, or a chick flick to get my mind off of the crazy monotany of daily chores and responsibilities, but I find inspiriation and renewed determination by listening to the prophets speak through the scriptures and modern day revelation from prophets and apostles. I feel the weight of my "calling" as I raise our Heavenly Father's special spirit children and am grateful to know that he is on my side and tons more invested. My advocate. I was so grateful to have the opportunity this last Conference weekend to spend with my family and being uplifted and inspired by the Holy Ghost.

Well, on a less weightier subject. March was nice. On St. Patrick's Day, Jonathan's 2nd grade put on a puppet play. Jonathan was Browlin the Dinosaur. He did a great job, from the parts that I heard anyways. Ethan is in that "fun" stage where he won't sit still for a second on my lap. HA! You should see the video I tried to take of Jonathan while holding Ethan in one hand while he squirmed and screamed and the camera in the other.

So, St. Paddy's morning I made French toast for breakfast. Hailey sat there with a frown on her face. I looked at her like WHAT's WRONG? since it's not really unusual for her to be whining. She said, Where's the green milk, or the green eggs, or green toast etc. Well, I set myself up for that one. I had indulged my children every other year on St. Paddy's Day with a "Green Eggs and Ham" type breakfast, and this year, I had just plain forgot. After I reassured her it was not necessary to eat a green breakfast but a privelage and she should be grateful that she gets breakfast , I decided that I wanted to do something special-traditions are actually really important to me and I could see how it would be important to my kids. So my thoughts turned to what I should do for dinner. Wes and I love eating at Mongolian restaurant's and our kids have never eaten at one, so I decided to recreate it at home, in GREEN fashion.

Thus, green cabbage, green onion, green pepper, broccoli, celery, jalepenos, sugar snap peas, zucchini, garlic, thin sliced beef and oriental noodles. It was delicious, healthy, and GREEN I might add. Our dessert was green cupcakes.

This was Jonathan's first year in participating in the Pinewood Derby. I think he did a great job in designing and crafting his car but as competative as he is, you can tell by the look on his face that he was not quite happy that his car wasn't winning. I don't know if the lesson on "just have fun" , "your car looks AWESOME" or "Winning isn't everything" helped his attitude much, but, we tried.

We had quite a few fun family gatherings the month of March. Ryan and Meagan were PERFECT hosts as they invited all the Smith clan for dinner on a Sunday night. Everything was gourmet and Deelish and Meagan makes everything looks so elegant so you feel special. It was quite the house full but enjoyed seeing and spending time with everyone. My parents even made it down and it was the first time I got to see and hold cute little Georgia Beth. Nat looked great and seemed to be holding down the fort well while Kevvy was off in England. I even burned off a few calories playing a Dance game on the Wii-the kids LOVED it-it was so fun watching them dance together. My great Uncle Craig passed away mid-month from this terminal lung disease. I was sad to hear of the news because I really adored and was fond of Uncle Craig, but might heart just broke thinking of how Grandma must be mourning the loss of her last living sibling, and Aunt Barbara and their sweet children and grandchildren. The funeral was very nice and I even got to see where Grandmas parents and other sibling were buried in that cemetary. The next week Kevin and Natalie blessed Georgia Beth in their home ward in Logan. She is already getting so chunky, and already has a full head of hair on her head. Nat's grandma made her a beatiful blessing dress with a hooded cape to go with it. The blessing was beautiful and could only have been better if we all weren't stressing over my parents not being there. (They were about 30 sec. too late :( ) Natalie and her mom made a feast fit for a king. Potatoes, ham, rolls, salad, fruit, yummy treats galore etc. The cousins have fun with each other and I enjoyed a little R&R with the fam. The next weekend I made the trip to Idaho with the kiddos. It was fun to see and spend time with my cousin Amie and her cute cute family. I love reading her blog, she does so well capturing such a clear image of her family's life through pictures and her writings so I felt like I already somewhat knew her darling little family when I finally got to meet them. Jeffrey did such a great job during his "farewell" address on the topic of Forgiveness. He will be an awesome missionary and I was very proud of him. I was surprised when they announced that the choir would be singing a song written and directed by my Grandma Childers. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and I know it was a labor of love for my Grandma. Her and my Grandpa had pretty much lived in the mission field and she conveyed that well through her lyrics and I know she was so proud of Jeffrey for choosing to go. I also got to see my cute Childer's cousins who are growing TOOOO fast. My cousin Holly looks like a model and has the cutest little family. I was anamoured (sp?) by her daughter Macy, cutest, sweetest little princess!!!

So, tis the time again for the chaos of getting ready for my annual dance recital. My front room has become the costume room and tis also the time to reflect and think-WHAT the WORLD am I DOING!!!!! Costumes are such pain, time wise etc, yet, I know I wouldn't be totally happy with the performance unless the costume fit style, mood, of the dance. So, it would not be unusual to hear the drum of the sewing maching at the McKinney household most late late nights. 85 students, 2-3 costume changes for each students, ya, I know, that's a lot of costumes. May 20th is the big day, and so hoping I can get the last dance taught to all the classes to where they feel comfortable enough to perform. Well, busy month, and busier months ahead. Just grateful to have a home, food, healthy family, freedoms and knowledge of the gospel in these times where there is much chaos and trial throughout many parts of the world.