First Day of School 2014 and the rest of the story.....

          One of the biggest arguments Mark and I have ever had was about Katie Britt's first day of Pre-K.  I had told him all summer that he would need to be available to take her because I couldn't... I'm a teacher... I had to be at my school.... I reminded him over and over and over (maybe not that much... but it seemed like it).  A few weeks before school started Mark was giving me his schedule for the upcoming weeks and I noticed that he wasn't going to be in town on the first day of school.  Men aren't sentimental... I am over sentimental... He really considered me just dropping her off at school and leaving her without going in... He was crazy! 
     I cried, I worried, and I prayed.  The week before school started he told me he had asked his daddy to come and take her to school.  At first I thought... good grief... grandddaddies don't do that... it should be a mama or a daddy.  How will I have any pictures of the occasion?  I could have spit I was so mad that Mark didn't change his schedule! 
     Bobby Carol came to Simpsonville to spend the night and he actually followed me and I pointed out the window where to park and which door to go in... I snapped a picture of them going up the sidewalk... That afternoon he was still at my house when I got home.  KB asked him if he would stay for one more night and take her again.  Of course... he did!  They even stopped and got a BLUE bug juice before school... she went to school with a blue mouth!  I got over the fact that neither Mark or I took her, but I truly didn't understand why those events played out until that March... Bobby was so sick... I look back now at the pictuers and wouldn't give a million dollars for that special time between KB and Papa.  For the next few years the tradition was to take KB to school in Papa's truck to carry on his memory! 
     Mark has been able to take the children every other year until last year... Butchie took Ben to school for us and made another special memory!  This year was my turn...
     We were up and ready early, I made breakfast quiche, and we had plenty of time to drop off KB before heading to the elementary school.  (I wish I had walked her in too!).  As we waited outside for the doors to unlock, I couldn't help but think that Bobby would be so proud of Ben... He would love his spunk, his sassiness, and his smarts!  When we walked through the doors of the school a lump hit my throat.  I could see all the mamas and daddies holding their babies hands, telling them they loved them, and kissing and hugging them.  I could hardly talk this morning because of that lump.  I waited at the door of Ben's teacher so she could walk her little girl to her first day... I couldn't talk about to her because I would cry!  After dropping Ben off, I became a school employee and worked for about 45 minutes taking care of a few issues at the school.  As I walked out to the empty parking lot, I heard someone knocking on the window of  a car and the tears started.  We discussed how special the moment was for me to get that opportunity to walk Ben in to school.  For some... this isn't special... doesn't mean anything... but for me... I will never forget the feeling of satisfaction in being able to share that moment with him.   After talking with her, I went to my car and cried.  I cried because I had missed all those times with KB, I cried because I gave up special moments with my own children for other children, and I cried because I don't deserve to have those two precious babies who adjusted quite well without a mama at their every step!  
     Today is one of those days that I will always remember... I will always cherish... I will always love.  They both had a great day... I can see the smiles on their faces and glow in their eyes... I don't even have to ask.  Thank you God for this memory, this time with my children, and most of all for giving me the opportunity to realize a few things before they grow up and don't need me anymore! 

     I also have to say how such a small world this is... When KB was just a three or four years old and we were living in Greenville, Amberly brought her college roommate from Furman to our house to eat supper... I noticed she was pretty good with children and asked her if she was interested in babysitting.  She was WONDERFUL... she even took a job at one of best friend's schools when she graduated... little did we know the diapers she changed about eight years ago would be of a little boy sitting in her class right now!  I couldn't be happier that she has the opportunity to teach Ben! 

Changes~

     I hated baby dolls growing up.... I think Mama bought me about five or six throughout my younger years... but I didn't like them... I loved holding a real baby though!  I liked real things!  For little girls...if you didn't play dolls... you played school.  That was me!  From the time I can remember...even way back to when I was four years old... I played school.  I mocked my teacher and everything she did.  I had a coffee cup in my room, a chalkboard, and a real grade book.  I had a cat named "Doober" who had to raise her hand for free lunch everyday... and she got in trouble for always sleeping in class.  I was in my element... I loved talking and acting like I was in control of the classroom.... the best days were when I was at Boo-Ma's house and Leah and Bobbie would have their own rooms too.... And look where we are now! 
     I'm not real sure where this post is going, but I know that I am sitting here tonight writing because I need to capture this memory...good or bad.  It's one of those times that I feel like I am on the verge of tears.  Many people email me and tell me that my post has made them cry... that is not my intention... I just write what pops out of my fingers... no filter... tonight... that emotional build up is overwhelming.   I'm afraid it will be who tears up!   I have a lot going on in my life right now... I almost had a nervous break-down yesterday afternoon because I sat in an MRI machine for an hour ( something is obviously wrong with my back because I can't bend over, stand up, or sit down without lots of pain)... I have a thirteen year old who is starting her last year of middle school tomorrow and it scares me to think that it seems it was just yesterday that she went to Pre-K.  I have a little boy who knows more than he should about lots of things... and seeing his heart these past few months has kept me teary-eyed.  But I think the thing that bothers me most... is the teaching. 
     This past year has been hard...for lack of a better word.  I didn't say no to anything and stayed in a "mess" all year long.  It didn't take but about two months of the new job for Mark to say that something had to give.  I can remember sitting at the Huddle House (he is such a romantic date) and him looking at me and saying, "You are doing a great job trying to raise everyone else's children in this town, but you are leaving your two behind!".... It was that night that the idea of me giving up a few things came to being.  I kept a lump in my throat at each event... at all the ballgames, at all the matches, and even in the classroom... I knew that I would give up coaching and teaching. 
     After being in the classroom almost 20 years... I won't be there anymore as a teacher.  This next year will be filled with wonder and excitement... and I am guessing a little bit of sadness.  I will miss the children and the excitement of game day, I will miss being in the know of all the fun things, and I will miss the friendships I made with some of children and teachers.  I'm not missing spending the night in a dorm, creating the football program, and riding on a bus to the games!  In all honesty though,  I am going to miss cheerleading and golf!  I'm going to miss the classroom the most.
     Working part-time is going to be good for me.  I can already tell that some of the things I have missed the past thirteen years being a mama are finally getting done.  This afternoon I made little treats for all the third grade children in Ben's class.   Not much.... but I had time to do it!  (Mama came and helped me too!)  I'm excited that for the first time I get to take my children to school... I'm excited that I get to pick up my children from school... I'm excited that I get to be with them and hear all about their day firsthand instead of over the phone! 
    This past year has made me realize what a blessing my children are to me... yes, they drive me crazy at least once a day, but I am so lucky to have them!  I know I can never replace this past year of being gone except for a couple of hours each day from them, but I am going to do my best to make it up to them this year!  It's a shame KB doesn't think it is cool to hang out with me...except maybe when she needs my debit card!  Ben has already ordered a "homemade" snack for tomorrow afternoon! 
     Tonight I go to bed with butterflies for my children, my children's teachers, and for me... we all start a new journey tomorrow... may we make the most of it, may we find the good in every moment, and may we make memories that last a lifetime! 

Ben's Story~

     When I was pregnant with Katie Britt, all I could do was to pray for her to get here safely and I wouldn't have to worry anymore.  Somewhere along the way to parenthood, I never got the message that after the birth is where the worrying really begins.  It was the same with Ben.  From the day I held them in my arms, I knew they were gifts... and I would constantly worry about every aspect of their life. 
     This week I attended the funeral of my forty-four year old cousin who lost her battle with Lupus.  As I stood looking at the hundreds of people gathered to honor her, I was in awe that she touched that many people in her short lived life.  As I listened to the preacher discuss how her life had been such a struggle... she had a baby die of SIDS, she had arthritis, and she had Lupus on top of her mama having cancer... How did she have the will to live?  Each person who knew Karen discussed how she was a fighter.  The preacher talked about her and witnessing to everyone she could in the hospital.  After the graveside service was over, her mama told me that Karen had planned her own funeral.  I have thought a lot about that the past few days.  I find comfort in knowing that she was at peace and confident that she would enter Heaven's gates, but I also know that as she looked in her son's eyes she couldn't help but be angry she would miss important events in his life.  And then I thought about myself... I thought about how great it was for her son to hear how much his mama loved Jesus, how she fought to live, and how everyone in that building knew she was healed in Heaven now.  What greater gift could there be? 
     Tonight I am still teary-eyed from thinking of the past few months events in Ben's life.  At the beginning of the summer, a sweet, newly-engaged couple walked the aisle of our church to join.  As soon as Ben saw this young man who he had admired and looked up to while he played football... he turned to me and said, "Mama, I want to do that!".  I was so surprised and shocked because we had never really discussed any of this with Ben except through casual conversation.  I left for a conference the next day and got a text that week from Mark that told me Ben had prayed for Jesus to come into his heart.  The next week, Ben and Mark went to visit the preacher.  After discussing things with them, he suggested that we talk with Ben some more and come back when he was a little more sure of the real reason for joining. 
     Throughout the summer, Ben has been a witness to many things that involve him asking more and more questions and seeing the importance of being a part of the church.  At the very last minute, he was able to attend a football camp at Clemson.  He left the house planning on playing football all weekend, and actually heard from some former players and coaches who gave their testimony. His eyes lit up when told me of the stories.  Katie Britt attended River of Life this year and Ben went the last morning for the final service.  The music was great and the song "Child of the One True King" was played.  The goose bumps, the clapping, and the spirit were all over him.  I fought hard that day to hold back the tears because I could see him changing.  Mark and I both told him when he was ready to walk down he could go.  We both agreed we didn't want to make him walk down... it needed to be his decision.   For the past three weeks of church he has struggled, gotten as close to me as he could, and wanted so badly to walk down the aisle.  I bought a book at the drugstore a few weeks ago that he and Mark have been reading every night.  This past week there was a prayer about courage.  We need to have courage to do things when we are afraid. 
     This morning Ben had courage.  He took that step out and walked down the aisle.  The emotions can't be described how special that moment was and that I was there to witness it.  What greater gift can he give me than to know he has asked Jesus in his heart.  To hear his side of the story is precious... I wish I could videotape him.  He told me he was "bout to cry when they voted him in"... he got to shake everyone's hand and got more hugs and kisses than a newborn baby! 
     There were so many people there today that have touched my life, his life, our entire family's life.  We shook their hands, but I also couldn't help but think of those that weren't there who would be so proud of him today.  Mark's grandmother's sister, who doesn't come to our church, was there... I think she represented Mawmaw today... One of my cousins who looks just like my great-granddaddy was there... I know Boo-ma would have been so proud of him and given him a little bag of candy in a brown paper bag... I know Granny was looking down saying "He had the BEST time at church today"... Ben has made some special relationships with others that were there as well... His favorite golfers from my golf team, our next door neighbor who told him he made him cry, and a sweet little boy who told him "Ben, what you did took a lot of courage and I don't think I will ever be able to do it".... From old to young, these people are his foundation... they are the ones he looks up to..they are the ones he will look to for guidance... what a blessing to be a part of those believers...
     Ben~ One day you will look back and read this and I want you to know that you can play football for Clemson, be President of the United States, own your on grass-cutting business, be a policeman, or a doctor...and I am more proud of your decision to ask Jesus in your heart than anything else!  Your decision will guide you throughout the rest of your life... if you stay focused on that...you can do anything!  I love you Benny-Boo-Boo.... my heart is full, my eyes are teary, and you have given me such joy today! 
     I have always heard that life goes full-circle... and life goes on.... My prayer tonight is Ben's heart will be like Karen's... I want him to be a fighter, an influence to others, and to make his mark on the world in all that he does...

Signed,

Proud Mama
    

San Antonio 2013

     For the third year in a row, our family has had the privilege to follow Mark to a summer conference.  The first year we went to Philadelphia, last year we went to San Diego with Mama in tow, and this year we headed to San Antonio with Mama AND Daddy!  The last few years I have focused on making memories with my family that will always have them remembering laughter, fun, and silliness!  
     I have to begin this trip with saying I am very impressed with Daddy and his abilities at traveling...and Mama's ability to go, go, and go without stopping!  
     We left LC last Thursday afternoon and headed to Atlanta to start our trip with a Braves game.  I felt like I was riding with Mark because Daddy said we needed to pull over for a "snack" about an hour into the trip.  Ben got his usual oreo flurry from McDonalds, KB got a double cheeseburger, Mama got a strawberry creme pie, Daddy got an apple pie, and I got a frozen lemonade.... I list all of this to remind us that a good trip is measured by the food we eat!  While McDonalds isn't on our menu for a meal during the trip, the snack started us off just right!  
     The Braves were playing the NYMets and we arrived early for batting practice, pictures, and a little pitching and hitting practice for Ben.  Even though the Braves lost, we had a great time and I see many more Braves games in our future!  By the way... for you money crunchers like me... you can't beat the family four pack!  

 Cutie Homer and Cutie Ben! 

 Daddy and Ben looking a little too serious about the game.... it's JUST the Braves....  by the way... this is the first game I have ever been to that I remember... Mama and Daddy said I went when I was four years old...but I don't remember it!  So happy to experience with Ben and Daddy and all their knowledge....I even learned when to chop! 

    

     After leaving the game, we headed to the hotel to meet up with Mark and get ready for our day of travel.  Mark took Mama and Daddy to the airport Friday morning while the rest of us got dressed for our flight.  My family traveled all day!  We ate lunch in the Memphis airport.... of course we had to have BBQ, and Ben ate noodles.... he is stuck on those right now!

     I love this picture of Ben and Mark... constantly following him and trying to be just like him... Oh be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, and be careful little tongue what you say.... we are working on that!
     Mark was tired for some reason.... 
     

We arrived in San Antonio in the late afternoon and decided to do a little sightseeing before we ate supper.  Every time I googled things to do in San Antonio the "boat tour of the river" came up as a choice.... As we were walking along the riverwalk, we saw the boat and decided to take a ride.... WHAT A MISTAKE.... I am not sure I have ever been hotter or more miserable in that thirty minutes in my life.... it ranked up there with the glucose test pregnant women have to take... and when it is over you breathe a sigh of relief and hope to never do it again!  For fear of being in Paula Deen's category of making fun of people... I will only say that there were some very large people who didn't speak English sitting in front of Daddy and they couldn't understand that turning their legs would make them and him more comfortable...we could smell each other we were so close.... you can tell from the pictures the misery we experienced... I tried to take a lot of pictures of the boats so everyone could see how close people sit on these...and everyone looks miserable...we should have known!

Can you see the happiness on their faces.....

After the misery of the boat ride, we headed across the street to Casa del Rio....the oldest restaurant on the riverfront... ( I think)... We ate real salsa, real Mexican food, and real birds ate with us... needless to say... it was pretty hot and miserable during that supper too!

These two right here analyzed each outfit and person who walked by... needless to say... I was glad I was with them and not walking by them!

 Yes, the birds were this close.... no zoom... just right here eating with us!

 Somehow we picked up Rickie Fowler Jr. on the trip... glad I brought some orange outfits to match the hat!

       

Girlllll.....

Did you see that?

 Day Two.... let's go see the city!  Temperatures ranged in the 100s while we were in San Antonio and Georgia ain't seen nothing compared to the humidity in Texas...Lawd have mercy it was H O T!  We all look sick in the pictures... and most of the time I was too hot to take a picture!  But here are our days! 

 

 

Saturday we spent the day touring the city… we walked to the Alamo and hopped aboard a hop on – hop off tour.  It was nothing like the New York ones, but it was a good way to see what San Antonio had to offer.  At lunch, we stumbled on Tex’s Sports Bar…it was air-conditioned, had the golf tournament on, and no waiting!  Ben fell in love with our waitress… she waited on us hand and foot!  If Ben didn’t eat noodles on the trip, the alternate meal was wings… He says none compared to Miss Sheila’s… they were good and he begged to go back every time we walked by there! 

 Georgia native at the Menger Hotel.... haunted.....

 Even ole Butchie enjoyed Fiesta Noche Del Rio

 I hope people can see how many people are in a boat... ugh...misery!

     We headed back to the hotel and swam, relaxed, and enjoyed the pool.  For supper that night, we ate at a restaurant called The River’s Edge.  It was delicious and included a big piece of chocolate cake for dessert!  After supper we enjoyed a play at the amphitheater…. KB thought she was a better dancer than some of the performers, but we still enjoyed the play!  A little culture and education must be included in each trip! 

I would love to see Lincolnton do something like this… the Kiwanis club does this every Friday and Saturday night in the summer and the proceeds go to the Children’s Ministries… what a great idea!  I thought it was a great performance!  

Sunday morning we decided to visit the Alamo… we didn’t attend a church service, but the Mission was famous and we had to visit it!  Daddy said he needed to go because he wanted to see where John Wayne died… and I wanted to make sure that Pee Wee Herman’s bike wasn’t still in the basement…. (both movie jokes…ha ha !)

For Sunday lunch, we headed back towards the hotel to drop off Daddy and we ate at his favorite restaurant WHATABURGER… I have heard stories from the time I was little about how the What-a-burger in Augusta would stay open for the McCormick basketball teams… I have heard Mama complain about the stinky onion smell it leaves in the car… I have to say…IT WAS DELICIOUS!    I am not sure if there are any still left in Georgia, but it was quite tasty! 

We dropped Daddy off at the hotel and the rest of us headed to “Broadway”…not really, but the Broadway hit “Flashdance” was being performed at the Majestic Theater.  We decided to go.  I have become a fan of plays and any opportunity I get I want to see them!  I think it interests KB too with her heart for dancing! 

Our favorite meal was Sunday night… we went to Texas Land and Cattle!  I’m in love with a wedge salad now and Daddy found a bone-in Ribeye!  I think we waddled back to the hotel that night because we were so full!  I felt about this place like Ben felt about the wings! 

Monday was my favorite day… I have always loved Sea World… I knew when we were going to San Antonio that this was on the top of my list of things to do… besides…we had spent the last few days doing all the cultural things… Another reason I loved it was I knew that Daddy was going to have a “scooter”… we have been picking on him for almost ten years that he was going to get a rascal one day and follow us around… Well… we got him one for Sea World…with an umbrella… and he outlasted us!  He only got out of it to go the bathroom!  He was had it made in the shade!  Needless to say… Ben and KB had a great time and we stayed for almost eight hours… we were beyond exhausted when we got home!  Because we were so hot from the day we ran down to the river and ate a salad at Charlie Wants a Burger… it was good… and Daddy and KB got a BLT to go… and they said it was delicious! 

 Clyde and Seamore.... my favorites!

 Feeding the sea lions... ugh... I don't touch raw fish.... they loved it! 

 

 

 This is at nine-o'clock at night... he was starving after Sea World and needed a snack of wings!

     Tuesday we rented a car and headed to Corpus Christi, Texas… we have been to the Gulf Coast before, but we wanted to see it from that side… It was amazing to see the land and the farming with the interstate in the middle… it is truly indescribable and must be seen… it won’t fascinate most, but to see cacti and flat lands like these compared to our roadsides was pretty neat…

Thank goodness for YELP… while there, we decided to eat some gulf coast seafood… It was our best lunch by far… the shrimp were awesome and Ben had gumbo that was good, but it wasn’t as good as Ms. Katrina’s! 

We made it back to San Antonio and headed to the Rivercenter Mall before supper.  Trying to get souvenirs for all those back home and find an outfit for a picky teenager was a feat in itself!  But we did it! 

 Mama and her afternoon coffee.... and a little Facebooking, Words with Friends, etc....

 Daddy with a little FaceBooking!

Monday night we chilled out at the hotel and watched Ben literally climb the walls! 

Wednesday…we shopped during the morning, packed our bags to move to a hotel closer to the airport, and ate one last lunch on the river! 

Wednesday afternoon we relaxed at the pool…ate 18 grams of fat in a warm chocolate chip cookie from the hotel, and mooched off of Mark’s supper from Pappadeaux’s…. Mama and the children looked like vultures! 

Lunch at the Iron Cactus... Please notice how many pictures it takes to get a good one... I love my children so much.... 

 Finally a good one!  Take 42.....

 He will smile for me!

We headed to bed early and got up at 3:15 AM to leave for the airport by 4:30 AM…. Our final stop was the Chic-fil-A Dwarf House in Atlanta… so cute!  As I am typing and downloading pictures… everyone in the house is asleep… WORN OUT!

I am so thankful for the memories my children will have of their grandparents on this trip… Daddy and his funny ways, Mama fussing because we have to stop and wait on him, and most of all… that they say thanks for taking me to this or that!  I am blessed to still have my parents, blessed to be able to take these “educational” trips, and blessed to be back in my own bed with snoring, talking in the sleep, and a laundry room full of dirty clothes! 

The McKinneys are “makingmomemories” and having a fantastic summer!  We aren’t quite ready to take the wheels off our butts yet… a few more trips here and there and school will be starting right around the corner! 

 Daddy at the airport... as soon as he landed in Atlanta we got him a wheelchair... he walks too slowly for us... the man pushing him took him in the elevator to meet us... while in the elevator, a woman dropped her bag on Daddy's leg and took a chunk of meat out of it... he nearly bleed to death... but other than that... ole Butchie survived it!  He likes Cinnabons for breakfast too! 

 Mama attacking a Cinnabon at 5:00 AM in the San Antonio airport! 

 As we were pulling by the BOE this afternoon on the way home... Ben sent me this text... I love that is it is misspelled, I love that they are normal fighting children, and I love that we back in LC!  :)