This is a long one... or will be a long one... Today is December 31, 2013.... the last day of the year. I have had every intention of writing every day of the Christmas break, but I have a new addiction and it doesn't involve an iphone... (facebook, instagram, or candy crush).... yes, I have put my phone down for some reason.... I quickly scan the first ten entries on facebook and instagram and then I am bored... so I throw that phone down and head to my kitchen... We have a serious addiction in the McKinney family.... PUZZLES.... It all started with me cleaning out my closet a few days before Christmas... I found a Christmas puzzle I bought at Kohls back in October and decided to open it. I think this is the same feeling that alcoholics go through....they take one sip and they can't stop.... Mark, Ben, and I stayed up until midnight or after and finished that puzzle.... needless to say... I bought another one the next day. We finished it Sunday night... Monday morning... Mark got up and said he needed a hit... felt like he needed to do a puzzle... I was on the phone and noticed him ripping into a Precious Moments box.... a puzzle for children... he said he just needed to do a puzzle. Yesterday we got another... We all have a problem. This morning, before seven, he whispers let's go before the children get up. I am having a hard time sitting here writing knowing that he is settling in for putting the puzzle together... ugh... I have to hurry so I can help! I will say it is fun... it is challenging, and it has really brought some great conversations..... and the other thing... none of us have a piece of technology in our hands to communicate.
Okay- Year in review.... Big moments of the year... according to my facebook.... they may or may not be on the blog....
January- We opened in the year with a big win on NYE in Atlanta with Clemson beating LSU. Mike and Kathryn went with us and we had a blast! James was baptized. KB started tumbling when her dance studio was flooded and she also attended the Winter Ball.
February- The month of birthdays and baby goats... my children learned about birthing... and more!
March- Easter came early and KB was in the LCMS pageant.
April- I have wonderful Masters memories... but my favorite... I spent the cold, rainy day with my favorite girl watching two players vie for the championship.... we looked cute...but we were cold!
May- Busy month for us... Daddy got an i-phone and facebook... and eventually Candy Crush... who knew it would entertain him so much.... I laugh just about everyday with him about something on the phone! Ben was busy taking golf lessons, eating elderberry ice cream, and we spent a great weekend at the beach with the Harmons.
June- Ben attended football camp at Clemson and the entire family, including Butch and Jane, visited San Antonio!
July- In July we had the month of the lost dog...Dabo was gone just about every other day..... I started playing baseball and pulled my back. Ugh.... still limited...but better! Ben also attended the LAC camp at the recreation department and met some professional players who have come from Lincolnton.
August- We headed back to school and another long weekend with the Mitchells in Hilton Head. We went to the Braves game for James's birthday and ended the month with a Clemson/ Georgia game!
September- Ben was baptized.
October- KB did her final Tiger Dancer for a Day at Death Valley.
November- Ben played football, KB played basketball, and we had a girls trip to NYC. (PS.... I am ready to go back) We were also introduced to Gossip Girl... between GG and puzzles... we don't have time for all this technology!
December- Wow- what a month... I have laughed until I have cried... several times... I love those side hurting laughs... I just hope I can remember all them! We have had lots of sickness in the McKinney home this month...thankfully, I have been well.... It started with Mark... I really think he had the flu.... KB then had a virus to tag team his illness... and then Daddy started acting up right before Christmas. Today is the first day of my break that I haven't got anywhere to go... well at least not this morning.... So here begins our Christmas of 2013....
Our first stop was the Plum Branch cemetery.... We spoke to MaMaw and Papaw and headed to BC's.
Ben played a little football before we ate....
Jack went with us this year.... I know Bobby and Don never dreamed their grandchildren would be so close!
Mark carving the roast!
There were more children than adults, but they chose to sit at the "kiddie table".
He looks and acts like his daddy....
Waiting to play!
The best part of going to Mimi and JMac's is playing the balloon game.... all the balloons have money in them and the grands and their dates get to choose balloons and pop them to keep the money in them! Lots of angry words and looks passed during this... I have a feeling that the dates may get left out next year and told that Mimi isn't doing this anymore... they took home more than the real grands!
There was a small argument between these two... over a balloon! They remind me of another couple the way they pick on each other....
Ben and his cat lover aunt who gets in him trouble often!
I did not cheat Hannah!
Mark wrote us another song.... they had to demo....
We gave Mimi a picture book this year.... so sentimental and special....
Ben in Papa's overalls....
A watch... like the one his daddy wore in Lisa's wedding....
Some more football....
Summit.... no presents... sad....
TJ quarterbacking!
And then we hemmed dresses.... that's how we roll on Christmas Eve
After lunch in PB.... we headed to church and then to the farm...
Jane said it was sooooo gooooooooddddd.
Johnny... before he was covered in chili...that I thought was blood....
Thomas said the girls fighting over necklaces and scarves was a little much for him.
After the farm... we headed home.... the annual one gift to open on Christmas eve that is always pajamas!
And then we read the Christmas story...this year... only a few mispronounced words... we are getting older!
She may have to step on his toe!
Fixing Santa a little snack....
Such a good sport to write the letter to her elf....
And Ben's letter... my heart is sad it may be the last year of this...
After breakfast at my house.... we all headed to Mama's for Christmas at Butch and Jane's....
Guille played the Atari I gave Mark for Christmas and stalled us from opening presents....
Jim had the most presents this year!
Ben got "real" basketball shoes like the Red Devil basketball team has....
The smiles on his face make my heart smile....
This was the year that we didn't know what to get Ben....there wasn't anything big... so.... about a week before Christmas... he designed a helmet.... and Mark ordered it for Mama to give him...it was the perfect present!
He loves Rainbow Loom.... needed a carrying case...
Super Duper large Reese Cup!
And... James got a new motorcycle helmet!
Jim is so hard to buy for.... I called him one day when Mama and I were shopping in Greenville... I asked him what he wanted for Christmas... he said a red corvette... he is smiling as big as Ben... he loved it...
After a nap and cleaning up a little... we headed back to Jane's for a little Christmas dinner!
Shortly after we ate, we headed to hospital with Butch... this past week has been filled with a doctor appointments and a heart cath for Daddy....I think he is getting better... I just took him three sausage biscuits and he ate every one of them... I haven't had a day of doing nothing all break... but today is that day.... I still need to work on the puzzle though!
I have lots of plans for 2014.... but 2013 has a few more hours... As I reflect back on this year, I am so happy that I have spent more time focused on Him than on me... it helps when situations get stressful... I'm so glad my faith has grown and my priorities are more focused on my family than on me... I have laughed and cried with my children this year.... they make me smile every day....they make me thankful to have them every day.... they make me happy when it's just us together... I wouldn't give a million dollars for the trips in the car, the gatherings around our kitchen table, the conversations about "them", and the bond we have. My wish is they will always think that we are fun to be with... will always choose to take the high road... and will know that no matter what I have their backs! It was a great year... but don't look back... good things are in the future and great things are bound to happen!
