Christmas 2015 ~ My Heart is Full

Side note before the Christmas post:  

KB on her 16th birthday at Applebees... She wanted a steak for her birthday... and they knew exactly what dessert would make her smile... those two brownies and two scoops of ice cream with nine spoons topped off her birthday! We all enjoyed it!  Happy birthday Sis!  

Christmas this year has been the best... I have to say my second favorite... nothing will top the Christmas bringing home KB from the hospital, but this one is a close second!  I couldn't have asked for a better time with my family!  It wasn't the best weather wise, but we just turned on the air conditioner and pretended it was cold outside!  

We started our festivities Christmas Eve at Betty Carrots!  We had sub sandwiches from a variety of slow cooked meats, laughs around the table, and Mark, Ben, and BC pretended to be motorcycle drivers with her precious bandanna arrangements for our silverware.  BC should be on a television show about how to make cute table scenes, dishes, and arrangements from the dollar store.... She has a talent for that!  

 Mark just before he discussed about the time in high school a yellow jacket bit his ear and he couldn't practice football because his ear was so swollen he couldn't put on a helmet.  He said he wore a bandanna like this every day.... and I quickly thought to myself that I was glad I didn't know him in high school!  Ha....

 So... of course Ben needed to do it too....

 And then we discussed how BC had her hair and a bandanna just like this the first night I met her.... I knew then that she was different... and she is... I love that about her... she doesn't care what people think about her... and she is quick to tell you what she thinks... she may not tell you what you want to hear... but she will tell you what you need to hear!

 I loved her tree this year... Pat came for a visit and doctored it up... you can't see the beauty in this picture, but I think it was prettier than it's ever been.

 I'm not sure if this Santa picture is new or not, but it sure is cute... I loved it too!

 We continued with the game of balloons this year!  My children think this is the best part of Christmas.... 30 balloons... money in each.... and this year everyone got six each!  My children have their money stashed, but I think I'm going to request to get to play next year... I'm still a child at heart!

So every year Mark and Hannah somehow get each others' names for Christmas... Hannah makes me laugh so hard... I cry.... Mark had to wear his new elf outfit... and was nice enough to play jingle bells while wearing the outfit with the bells on hanging from the underwear... I really think we could be on a reality tv show... I'm sure that someone would sit back and want to watch this!

 Waiting on the go signal to pop balloons.....

 Will and Ben decided it was time for a little game of headbands...

 Ben cheats... he gets it honest... Mark cheats at games...and so does Guille... always... so he doesn't have a chance!

 Hannah was a good sport to play with the boys....

 Notice in this picture that Rachel and Sis are trying to nap.... for the first time in my life... I didn't get a Christmas Eve nap at Mimi's....  I was laughing too hard at everyone else!

 After Mimi's we left to head to church... I wanted to take lots and lots of pictures because the church is so beautiful at Christmas, but I thought I would be better off listening to the service... I did try to convince KB to get married at Christmas, but she refused... she said she didn't care how pretty the church was.... if she got married at Christmas she would celebrate her birthday, anniversary, and Christmas all in one month... I don't see her suffering any now for having a birthday in December, but I understand!  I do have some really good ideas for a Christmas wedding... if only....

 After church, we headed out in the rainy weather to the farm for appetizers and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs... Butch made it to church and out to the farm....If I said it once, I said it twenty times that I was so excited he was sharing Christmas with us this year!  I know how lucky I am to have my close family here.... Fran on the other hand wants to know why in the world Jane fixed Butch a hamburger and didn't fix her one!  Just kidding... but it makes for a good story!

 Mama telling Jim that we are all going on a diet after Christmas... again... just kidding... but that's exactly what we all need after the last few days of eating!

 We ran to Mama's after going to farm to get "grits"... we always have to go to her house Christmas Eve to get "grits"... usually they are upstairs in the attic at her house... and they are in a bag that the children can't look at!  Maybe that is why Christmas was so easy this year... no sneaking... or at least I thought it wasn't... I had no idea what Mark was up to... Thomas might be old... and big... but he still digs under the tree looking for his name...

 Mark was in charge of cooking the prime rib for supper Christmas  night... he was checking measurements... on a scale... and he asked me to get on there and then hold that big thing of meat... and tell him how much it weighed... He cray cray if he thinks I'm getting on a scale for him to see my weight!

 Sis and I were at Wal-Mart the other night and saw these t-shirts... we decided because the hot, yucky weather was going to be coming in that we would get these to wear... mine could easily read the McKinney family Christmas because it was good old fashioned fun!

 The children after they put on their pjs for Christmas Eve... KB had requested a onesie.....it was too hot, so I had to get her an extra set of pajamas....

 They were so excited...

 And my heart is full because of those smiles... I do love them... they only got my nerves a couple of times today... but they really are good children who help me when I'm struggling and know how to make me smile inside!

 The cat and dog don't like each other... But at least we got a picture with the animals too!

 We started reading the Christmas story each Christmas Eve... we've been from us reading it... to them reading it... we finally made it all the way through without any wrong words... they are growing up so much... they are reading from Bobby's Masonic Bible...

 My Christmas tree this year...

 Christmas morning I always cook breakfast... this year instead of the honeybun cake, I decided to do something a little different... SLAP YO MAMA.... I loved this cinnamon roll creation... it was easy and delicious..  I had plenty of time to make it this morning because my children didn't get up until 8:30.  We thought they would never go to sleep, so we tricked them and had Santa put their things in the office and the dining room.... that way they could get up all they wanted and come down stairs because they would never think to look behind those doors to see their goods!

 Breakfast of sausage quiche, ham quiche, grits, and cinnamon roll cake....

 I'm so glad that my children's grandparents are able to be a part of their Christmas morning... We know how lucky we are... family is truly everything!

 And then... we head to Jane's for presents over there... we usually wear our pjs, but it was too hot at 11:00 AM.... so I pulled out my shorts!

 Poor Guille... Mama put all his presents in three or four boxes... I got the most this year!  Finally....

 And this makes my heart smile... both the little boys got five or six books from Jane for Christmas... I love that they love to read now...

 Guille stole my phone... our noses are huge.... we are swollen...


After Jane's... I headed home to get ready for Christmas night supper!  There is nothing I love more than to entertain people... and tonight was SO MUCH FUN!  

 The kitchen table.... complete with my new place mats from BC... There are also boots on the table that have come from special people in my life...

 The dining room table... it was Mark's grandparents... and I know they were thrilled to have it full tonight with lots of chatter... I used Boo-Ma's silver, MawMaw's glasses, and my china... that after twenty years still had the tags on some of it!

 This table was for Ben, James, Mark, and me... I realized that when you host the party... you really never sit down... I now know why Mama never sits down when we are there...

 And this is when my heart was so full I could hardly stand it... My mama, my mother-in-law, my sisters- in -law, my niece, my daughter... and the other two ladies in my life that have served as mothers to me... Lolly and Veve have their own grandchildren now, but they still love my children and me so much!  I'm not sure where I would be without the ladies at this table....

 And the men.... what can I say.... they loved the food, they loved the sweets, and they even stuck around and visited instead of leaving as soon as they ate.... except for Cole Baby!

 The sweet "little" boys who aren't so little anymore.... but they will always be the little ones...

 Daddy and JMac reliving some of the old days in McCormick... they get to giggling and make me laugh... I'm not real sure they should even be here in their 70s after I hear their stories, but I'm glad they are!

 And  this... this is family sitting around and visiting and having fourteen different conversations...

 I wanted a picture... well... Guille decided he wanted to be in my family... and Ben jumped on my ankle.... such love....

 Check out those shining shoes... the ugliest things I've ever seen in my life... I hope he likes them... maybe that is why Christmas was so easy this year... he wanted something like this... shoes... that I can't really pass an opinion about!

And then... there were no shining shoes!  BUT... Mark doesn't know how to smile for a picture... we are all tickled because we know he isn't going to be "acting" right in the picture! 

Thank you Lord for the many, many blessings you have given my family this year... we are so lucky and know that you have blessed us way more than we deserve.... a little boy with new shoes... a little girl with a car tag... me... with a new calendar for my kitchen that will be the envy of every OCD person in the world... and husband who throws things in like this on Christmas morning to surprise us!


I'm hoping this link will be live to click on and see what he did!  

When Daddy is in charge of the big item for Christmas...

Christmas Eve 2015

It's quiet in the house except for a little King of the Hill that Mark is watching... I'm so excited for some reason about Christmas this year...

I really don't have a special gift for my children... no big things... just little items....


I have baked four different cookies and brownies and a chocolate delight... I love to cook....


I have all my presents bought... and one left to wrap... It makes me mad the stores went green and didn't have boxes this year.

I'm hosting Christmas supper this year!  I can't wait... I love a party!

We are leaving in a little bit to celebrate the McKinney Christmas... it's my children's favorite because of those darn balloons!

I have tried to think why this Christmas is the best... I even told Mark yesterday that this was my favorite so far... I'm not sure if it has to do with Daddy being well... my children helping with everything... or the extra few days at home before Christmas Eve... but whatever it is... I'm excited!

My favorite gift that I know I'm getting is a Bible... I have ordered special pens and markers to write all in it.... I can't wait!  It may as well be a new car!

I'm so thankful for that little baby born in a manger... the one who sees my  mistakes and forgives... and let's me have many, many blessings to focus on instead of worrying about things that are out of my control.

I hope this Christmas Eve continues to be Merry... I'm waiting to see if it will top the Christmas of 1999 when I came home from the hospital with my very own bundle of joy about 4:30 PM... with no Santa... no food in the house... and overwhelmed at becoming a mama... Oh what joy that Christmas was... I was so blessed that year... and even more so now!

Merry Christmas!

Sweet Sixteen

December 21, 1999, you made your debut as Katherine Britt McKinney!  I honestly think life began to fast forward on this day.  You have literally changed from the precious little girl in a smocked dress with a mo-hawk (rooster tail) to a teenager who would much rather be in a flannel shirt and jeans than a dress with your hair brushed in a flash of time.  I marvel daily at the lady you have become.  No words can ever express the joy, love, and happiness that I have watching you grow up!  Each morning I thank God for letting me have an easy blessing to raise... one who makes good decisions (most of the time), one who wants to please those around her (most of the time), and one who often shows me that God is so good to those who are still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

In an effort to leave your sixteenth birthday a memorable post, I decided to write 16 of my favorite verses  I do hope that whenever you need comfort, or even a good laugh... you will come back to this post.

While I don't have a new car, a special piece of jewelry, or a trip to Paris for this birthday.... I'm hoping my words will forever be a remembrance for this day!  I did offer to carry on the tradition of a Sweet Sixteenth Birthday party like Jane and I had, but... you refused!

1.  Isaiah 53:cents - Yes, that is supposed to say Isaiah 53:6, but it is the first Bible verse I learned when I went to preschool at the church.  The verse says, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray".  First of all, I'm so glad that Butch and Jane put me in a Christian environment.  From an early age, I had that gut feeling when I was doing right or wrong.  No matter how many bad things I did when growing up, I knew in the middle of doing them that they were wrong.  It helped a lot in those teenage years when I would quickly avoid trouble.  I included this verse because I want you to know that you are going to be like the sheep that goes astray.  You will make mistakes in life, and you will have regrets in life.  I just hope that you know that no matter what you do... I'm your mama and will love you unconditionally.  You will always be able to find comfort in  my arms... after I beat you to death!  Just kidding, Sis.  It's okay to make mistakes... we all do.  And one day... your children will get a laugh  about the boys you liked and be really grossed out when they think that the other man could have been their daddy!






2.  Philippians 4:13 - So... I didn't like spending the night away from Mama and Daddy... not even with Boo-ma... I hated it!  I had worked hard on my DPA project and had to go to Rock Eagle and spend the night away from home to present.  I was miserable and cried the night before because I didn't want to go... you know... the same way you have done many nights!  Jane shared this with me, and I shared this verse with you... and I hope you find the same comfort from it as I did that night many years ago when I recited it over and over again to fall asleep.... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"... You can do anything you want or dream or imagine... just don't sing!

3.  Proverbs 22:6 - I never knew the importance of this verse until a few years ago... The past few years I have tried with all my might to make you proud of me... to show you how to be a good person... to love unconditionally even when people hurt your feelings or your heart.  In no means am I perfect, but I do hope you watch and see that this verse is how God intended for children to be brought up.... Train a child in the way she should go, and when she is old she will not turn from it.  I pray you will stay the sweet child you are now forever and ever.  I know you love the Lord, and I hope you know that no amount of money, no perfect boyfriend, and no ideal job is going to make you happy... just Jesus... just Jesus and maybe throw in a little chocolate ice cream on the side...

4.  1 John 1:9 - One of my "new" favorite verses that Lil Bill showed us is If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  When you make mistakes... it's okay... confess and you are forgiven.  I hope you won't get stuck on problems or mistakes you make.... I have seen people hurt for years over past mistakes... I want you to know that the only person that matters in what He thinks is God... talk to Him... write to Him... and tell Him.  Remember that Mary was probably ridiculed as a young, unmarried, pregnant teenager... and look at the beauty that came from that.  You have an opportunity every day to be purified.  I'm proud of you and your relationship with the Lord... you make me smile... and I know God is happy!  When you are down, or feel like a failure, or think you are unworthy... don't... you should just remember this verse and don't dwell on the past... for the future is all that matters!

5.  1 John 2:17- It only took me forty years to realize the importance of this verse, but I pray that you will learn it a little earlier than I did... The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.  One day... you will realize that the world presents many, many things that at the time seem to "complete" your desires... but I promise... it doesn't work like that... I wanted a husband... then I wanted children... then I wanted a big house... then I wanted the perfect job... I can honestly say that if something happened and your daddy and I had to move to a one bedroom camper and live in the woods... I would be okay... God will take care of me... and of you.  Know that the desires of your heart will only satisfy for a short time... you will always want something more... and until you become satisfied with Him... nothing will make you happy... but once you have Him in your heart... you learn to become a little less frustrated... a little more apt to smile...and  a little kinder along the way... so seek Him first... and the rest of your world will fall into place... I think you are on the right track.

6.  Jeremiah 29:11- I pray this often for you and Ben.... I know that God has a plan for you.... I pray for your future... your work, your husband, your children... I had a preacher once say we should bathe our children in prayer... I hope I have done that over the both of you... but sometimes I feel inadequate in my requests... but I see this verse... "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."...I know God has a special person with special children picked out just for you... As you grow the next 16 years, I hope you will remember that He has the plan... just talk to Him and let him guide you through the process.  I pray you find a kind, Christian man who will love you... P.S.  Try to find someone like Daddy even though he drives us up the wall most of the time... He's a good one!

7.  Joshua 1:9- I can't lead you the rest of your life every day... eventually, you will be out on your own... (Be careful to those others who are reading this... a white, Ford Fusion... with a new 16 year old driver will be on the roads).... not only driving, but at school... at work... at college... everywhere... you will need encouragement on those hard days... I want you to remember this ~  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go".  When you want to cry because your feelings are hurt, or you are disappointed because you didn't get what you wanted, or you are just in a bad mood... God is with you wherever you go... call on Him whenever you are afraid... you are in the palm of His hands... I ask that each morning... "Keep her in the palm of your hand... and her heart near You".... When you are driving... remember the song Jesus Take the Wheel... but don't really try that with your blonde self!  And one day when you drive yourself to see "Kizney Cheesnee"... please be careful and wear your seat belt at all times...

8.  Deuteronomy 6:5- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  I'm not sure I ever remember this verse as a child, but I heard you trying to sing it one day and it stuck... I love it... and this one simple statement is so true... all you have to do is Love... you are so lucky to have the opportunities in life that you do... but just remember that when things don't go your way... God has other plans... and just love Him no matter what... I know this song will stick in your head... sing it over and over... just don't open your mouth and let sound come out!

9.  Psalm 119:105- Life will get harder one day for you... you won't have a daddy who makes your breakfast and lunch every morning... a mama who washes and irons your clothes... or anyone who cleans that ring around your toilet... you won't have a mama who talks you through big issues in your life... frustrations... or temptations... one day, you will have to figure things out all by yourself... and I want you to know that "Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path".  No matter what issues you face in life... the answer is always found between Genesis and Revelation... I promise.   Just look... it's there.  It's all you will ever need to guide you... Daddy and I are just here to help...

10.  Luke 10: 41-42- I love this passage... I have a few books I want you to read about it when you get older... I love to watch people and decide if they are Mary or Martha... I know you will never get accused of cleaning up and cooking... like Martha... so you will be sitting at His feet like Mary... I find comfort in that... I hope you will be listening and watching for signs from Him to guide you along the way.  My only advice to you is find a roommate that is more like Martha or you may struggle with a clean house, and clean clothes, and food without fur in the refrigerator, and all those other gross things that might occur if you don't get up and do a little work sometimes!  I have confidence that you can win souls to follow Jesus too.

11.  2 Timothy 2:22-  I have watched you already practice this... and I'm so proud... I only hope you will continue this way.  Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. I have to pinch myself sometimes at the maturity level you have when it comes to drama.  I hope it stays that way.  I'm secretly hoping this license that you are about to get doesn't mean that I won't see you too much anymore... I like you to be here with us... and stay out of trouble.  You know I may let you stay out until at least 9:30.... I was twenty the night I met Daddy... and I had to be home at 9:30 that night... I found a man without staying out until the wee hours of the morning... so let's try that too... ok?  And you have almost made it past all that girl drama of high school... who cares that you get called "Goodie, Goodie"... I sure don't... I'm proud of that name calling... remember... your reputation isn't something that can ever be given a "do over"... it's there and once it's gone.... it's gone... so you keep being called "Goodie, Goodie"... and I will just keep smiling knowing that you are prayed for every day to be a role model for little ones... and God has a special plan for you!

12.  Romans 12:2- At sixteen, I hope you will remember this verse as temptations and opportunities arise... Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.   The Devil wants us to look like the world... he doesn't want us to look Godly... We, You, can't change the world without looking Godly... yes, you will be an alien... you won't be like everyone else.  I want you to be proud to be an alien... to be different... renew your mind daily with God... His will is perfect... He wants good for you... Let Him guide you through all those situations that you are going to face the rest of your life... Being different is part of being a Christian... and I'm so glad that we are lucky to have a Bible in our home, the Lord in our heart, and a sweet, kind church to lead by example for you to be aliens with!

13.  Hebrews 12: 2-4 - Disappointments are a part of life...sometimes they come at you like flies on watermelon in the summer... I would do anything in the world to stop them for you, but I can't... the only thing I can do is to let you know that God isn't going to give you anything you can't handle... He will guide you through it all "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Don't lose heart, Sis.  Look to Jesus when you are hurt... when your heart is broken by a boy, when you don't get recognized for something you worked for, when you deserve something you didn't get... Fix your eyes on Him... Don't grow weary... keep doing the right thing.... for the right thing isn't always the easy thing... but it's always the right thing!

14.  James 1:12- Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.   How we act in bad situations is the truth of our heart.  You often bring tears to my eyes with your reactions to things... If I could bottle up that heart of yours and make sure that it always stays this way... I would do it... Through tears of hurt and disappointment, you always come out on top.  You are my heart... you help me every day realize how love is supposed to look... you forgive so easily... you don't let those who have hurt you bother you... and you care about those that I would like to stomp on..... I need to follow your example and be more like you... I think this verse is something you have already realized at an early age... you have persevered... and God has shown special love to you... in many situations... and I'm so glad for your example.

15.  James 1:19- I'm not sure how I got so lucky with this one... You are nothing like me in this regard... My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry~  Yeah, you didn't get this trait from me... I should write your name beside this verse in my Bible because you are such a good example to this.  I'm lucky to have you in the house with me when I get fired up about something... I want to live vicariously through you with this verse... I'm learning, but I still don't have it down pat like you.... I love to watch you... even when I want you to shoot lizards on the front porch with a bb gun (only you will really understand this statement) ... you still find good and have love for that creepy creature who doesn't deserve to be anywhere near my ferns!  Your patience is wonderful... and I respect you for that.

16.  Matthew 19:26- And last, but not least... I hope you know that you can be whatever you want to be... I know right now your heart is set on being a nurse... and I have no doubt that you will be the best at that or whatever job it is that you decide to be... I want you to successful, happy, and satisfied.  I think your life will be a lot easier if you know that " With man things are impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Anything, Sis... anything you want to be... the world is wide-open for you to take over and be...

On the eve of your birthday as I write, I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes... I'm so blessed to have you... You have made being a mama easy... you have made me cry with happiness for you.... I couldn't be prouder of the young woman you are becoming... I can only hope that you will continue down this path and let God lead you along the way.  I hope you enjoy your 16th birthday doing something "out of the box"... like playing basketball all day!  HA!  ... As Poppa used to say.... I love you first, best, and last!

Love,

Mama