Jane and Betty Carrot....Happy Mother's Day!

Things I learned from Mama that she didn't even have to tell me... I just watched her!

1.  Always save room for dessert... the sweets are the best part of the meal and no matter how much you have to eat... there is always room for a "little something sweet"....
2.  Never let them see you sweat... my oh my how I have learned this over the past year... no matter how you feel about someone who may have hurt your feelings, crossed your path, or even stabbed you in the back... smile when you see them... never let them know you are hurt... never let them see you sweat... and never waste time on worrying about what "they" think... if you do what is right... it is right!
3.  Put on makeup... you never know who you will see... I've learned in the last few months that some people don't recognize me without my makeup on... Mama thinks you should put your makeup on to go to the mailbox at the end of the driveway... with crows feet and splotchy skin on my face now, I'm seeing exactly why she thinks this!
4.  Your children can always be defended.... no matter the mistakes we make, we know that we have her support... mistakes are going to happen... but look for the good in things... look for a way to support... no matter what...
5.  Mamas are not your best friend every day... recently, on more than one occasion, I have heard Mama's words coming out of my body... sometimes we have to say things to our children that might hurt their feelings... that might make them angry... that might make them cry... but they are so, so true... I'm learning as a Mama that I don't want to ever look back and wish I had said this or that... when it comes to giving advice... I hope I don't ever put my filter on..... On the other hand, I can be a best friend... the best friend who is here when I let my children make the wrong choices to learn a lesson... no matter what I'll be there.

And finally, other than number 3... Betty Carrot is the SAME WAY.... She loves a little something sweet, she is always nice even when she doesn't care for someone and their ways... she defends us to the nth degree... and boy does she have good advice!  I have said more than once... I don't call her as often as I should, but when I do... there is a peace like no other... my conversation always starts out with, "You know when I'm worried about something I always like to pass it on to someone else , so I don't have to worry about it anymore..."  and she always listens... and always takes away my worries... I appreciate that more than she will ever know.

Mark and I are both lucky... our mamas probably have people who think they might be busy bodies... who think they sheltered us and didn't let us do things... who think they are unrealistic in their expectations that we always do well... who tried to make us out as a little bit better than anyone else... but you know what.... I look at that as values/morals... they instilled in us to do the right thing... don't be found in a situation where "if Jesus came back would He be happy where you are right now", who can fault that.... I'm glad I learned that sooner than later.  I can only hope that I'm half the mama to KB and Ben as BC and Jane were to us...

I know everyone else has said that they have the best mamas in the world... I agree with a post I saw on Facebook this morning... "that is tacky to say that your mama is the best".... but just so you know... I think it... Our mamas are the BEST, but I'm not going to post that as my status!   

On a side note:  thank God that they also taught us a gift isn't always necessary!  No gift-giving this year, but I'm sure by July I will see something they need and surprise them with it! 

Happy Mother's Day!  Who knew that 19 years ago we would be where we are right now... with two beautiful, smart, loving, and sometimes aggravating, irritating, sassy-mouthed children who get to tell me Happy Mother's Day today! 

I saw a post about being blessed with material things... my blessings are right here... God-given...

Happy Mother's Day! 

Easter 2015

Some people spend Easter afternoon visiting, taking a nap, playing tennis, watching television... Me? I took an hour nap and then I was excited to get to this post.... it's my relaxation... except when a few people beg me to hurry up and do it!  It's my blog, it's my thoughts, and it's perfect because I get to say everything the way I see it!  

Jack is spending the day with us.  KB and Mark picked him up early this morning and he gets to be on this crazy journey of a day with us.  I hope he doesn't mind a silly lady with a camera in his face because he has been asked lots of times today to smile.

 And what would my pictures be without unposed, quick shots of the happiness of two children who I'm lucky to call mine.  I'm so glad their lives aren't perfect, they learn lessons each day, and they know that life goes on....

 Too much cuteness in my opinion... but they are mine... so I can say that! 

 So... KB is the only one who can smile and not squint... we never have a good family picture... why would today be any different. 

 Sweet Huddy.... he was so excited about Easter and all the details... I could eat him up.... he has my heart too.... so precious. 

 The real McKinneys... I could just post the ones that are good, but the struggle is real... it takes 1,000s of pictures to get one good one... and sometimes... we just stop and move on... it wasn't meant to be... I can always rely on him to be the clown... always....

 No one would ever notice the tight grip that he has on his sister's shoulder... you could call it love if you wanted... or you could call it meanness... I know the real answer... make your own judgment... and as I have told them over the last few weeks... when Daddy and I aren't here... you will have each other... learn to get along now and life will be so much easier. 

 These two... I couldn't have gone to God myself and described Guille and gotten two children who are so much like him that it is scary.... He is in both of them and it makes me giggle to see it come out in them EVERY day....

 The Guil Mattison Family... the ones who hate to see me coming with the camera... the ones who will look back and say thank you one day.... the ones who know that Aunt B will always take care of them! 

 Emmie and Veve.... I can't say how much I love these two... Each is special in their own way to me... One like a sister I never had, and one like an extra mama....

 Mayonnaise.... when I was taking this picture today, I couldn't help but be thankful that he was still in this picture.... we are so lucky... I'm glad things are getting back to normal... and I'm really glad he was here to help cook our lunch! 

 So much personality in this picture... Huddy has a mind of his own... he decided to pose like this... and I LOVE IT! 

 Wow... Butch is back.... he didn't make it Christmas and it wasn't the same... I'm so glad he is doing better... He is returning to his old self and who knew he would ever be able to walk  back down to the fence without falling!  And Mama.... I'm thinking she is deciding whether to throw him forward in the rocking chair... she could have easily... just kidding.... they are lucky... real lucky.... for several reasons... three children and six grandchildren...

 The two who didn't grow up here as babies... the two who call her to bring them ice cream.... the two who know Butchie will pick them up and take them wherever they want to go... the two who worry and hope each day that these two will slow down and enjoy life! 

 The three who they raised... we are lucky that we had parents who were very honest, too honest with us... told us the truth... even when it hurt... told us what we should and shouldn't do... told us what we would and wouldn't do... told us decisions to make without any choices... and how grateful I am that I was led that way.... by the way... at 44... I still get told what to do, how to do it, and what decisions to make... but it's okay.... I wouldn't want it any other way.   

 These two are the milkshake boys... doesn't matter how long it's been since we have eaten at her house... they want a milkshake... and she makes it! 

 This family is the family they love the best... I know they love me more than the boys.... Mark knows they love him more than Christie and Janice... and of course...if this was their blog... they would write the exact same thing... they love us all... equally... and treat us the same... even when we don't always deserve it! 

 The Rusty Spratlin family!  I really got on their nerves today.... James wouldn't even smile at me.... but he knows I love him anyway! 

 And we couldn't leave out Liz!  So pretty, so sweet, and a great addition to the family. 

 The Marcus Spratlin family... Marcus probably dislikes me as much as James, but this picture is great!  He will be so happy one day to look back and see how pretty his family is! 

 Lollie and Johnny.... Even Johnny didn't mind sitting in the chair today! 

 Nana's girls..... she would be so proud of you two!  Beautiful, smart, and sweet....

 and throw in Sis and it just makes my heart even bigger! 

 All the children.... under 35 was the rule... even Huddy did great for this one! 

 Jack and KB AGAIN....

 These three have been playing together since diapers.... a little bigger now, a little less hair, a little more grey... but the bond is still there...

 Huddy did our blessing today.... Mayonnaise is passing on the tradition to the sweetest little prayer! 

 Ju and Janice eating lunch... Ju has Mama's sweet tooth... cupcakes for lunch? 

 And we don't hide eggs.... we play baseball.... too big for eggs I guess?  We decided as we were getting the car that next year each family is going to bring eggs with $20 in various forms of bills and coins and we are all going to hunt!  Anyone else want to join us for the money eggs? 

 Baseball isn't just for the little boys! 

 We needed a few more for a game...

 And since we don't hide eggs... we might fish... these two are just like their daddies... been playing together since diapers...

 My favorite picture of the day... Boo-ma's birthday was yesterday... there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her... I sound like her often... in her words " Ju, your shorts are too short, and KB your jeans are too tight"... She was honest... would have come right out and told them.... she did it to Leah, Bobbie, and me... I think it's only fair that these two experience what we did!  She would be so proud of you two beauties... pretty on the outside... and just mean enough on the inside not to let anyone run over you! 

 And if you don't catch a fish.... it might be a turtle... ugh...

 Him is my heart too.... He was the first boy... the first grandchild... He was my baby doll.... We are going to put some milk on his chin and let the cat lick the hair off.... ~that's what Daddy says~  I can't help but laugh as I see that patch on his face in this picture. 

 And some of us relax... and just chat... in the sun...

 The Jim Mattison family.... I'm thinking Jim needs to go get his "hair did"... dyed... his isn't matching theirs... maybe they made his hair that way... just teasing... he sure did make some good chicken, and good sauce... and a good place to make memories that will last forever...

 These two... the two who call them with any and everything they want and need...

And who couldn't smile surrounded by this?  We know we are lucky to have a close-knit family... and I don't take it for granted... My heart is full today... for many reasons... but mainly... my heart is full for the love that I see in this pictures...and the celebration of Jesus... because I know when one or more are missing from our gatherings... we will see them again... and in that... I find comfort. 

*I have just  been summoned to the tennis courts... no time to proofread... but I'm hitting publish anyway... I'll fix errors later.

Nine Years~ but I still think of you almost every day!

Dear Bobby Carol~

It's been nine years... I can't believe it!  In so many ways it seems like yesterday.  I can't help but see you in so many things... almost daily....

KB is growing up...too fast... When she drives a car... she is a lot like you... slowwwwwww.... which is a good thing I guess.... She is still excelling in school, and I know you had a lot to do with that!  She has determination and drive to be the best, and I see you in her when she sets her head on doing something that seems impossible!


 




You would be so proud of Ben... his spunk is getting worse...all boy...  he can't keep his mouth shut at school... he picks on KB continuously... and I think of you every single time he writes with that left hand.  I'm so glad of that personality...even though it gets him in trouble!  His heart is growing so much... I think he gets that from you too.... he cares about his friends... gets his feelings hurt if he thinks they are mad at him... and he gets the giggles when he shouldn't....





I know you are smiling when you see Mark... can you believe the change in him?  He owes it all to you... he ranks up there with "Daddy of the Year" with the best of them... thanks for loving him so much when he was little... after Sunday School this week he talked about how you got him out of trouble all the time... you didn't want him to experience disappointment... he learned from that... he saw the love you had for him ... you wanted to protect him...even when he may have needed a little discipline...

I couldn't help but think of you this weekend... for the first time in my 44 years, I made a pound cake from scratch... I used the mixer that Granny gave me when I got married... never used it before... I used Boo-ma's cake pan, and I used eggs from Jim's farm.... you would have been so PROUD of me too!  I know you loved a sweet better than anything... do you mind running around up there and finding Boo-ma and Granny and letting them know I was thinking about all ya'll!  I don't get the chance to cook a lot anymore, but many times you cross my  mind because you always loved whatever I made... even when it wasn't fit to eat! 

I miss you so much... your memory is still in our hearts and our love for you is still growing stronger in these two "McKinneys" that I gave birth to... I've seen that red bird several times this week.... I even asked someone with me if it was for him... He said it must have been for me... Keep watching over us.... and... always know that you are on our minds!

Love,



Me

Brag Post or Either a Call to DFACS

I'm not really worried about the call to DFACS because they don't answer when I call for a real reason.... but... I'm so proud of my children today! 

This morning I had to leave LC at 4:45AM to go with Mama for Daddy's surgery.... I left my children at home... alone... they got up, they got dressed, they fixed their breakfast, and they got to school on time!  It's the little things... I'm so proud of their independence... I'm so proud of their ability to step up when I need them to... and I'm so proud that I can trust them to be home alone.

Thanks to Mayo for running a special bus for them... in the form of a red truck! 

It's been a great day!  I'm tired, but I'm a happy girl that Butchie is finally on the mend!  I'm going to bed now... if Sis and Boo are still up after midnight and get in trouble... I'll take this post down in the morning... besides...if they can get up and get to school by themselves... surely they get themselves ready for bed alone! 

Thank you God for answered prayers in so many ways.... it works... prayer really works! 

This is Mark.... and it's his birthday....

I finished reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha's World and decided to order Having a Mary Spirit.... It is so much better than the first book.... I loved the first, but this one is hitting home with lots of things... I like for things in my house to be "fluffed" as Betty Carol says, but sometimes having a fluffed house isn't the most important thing.... Without a doubt, Mark has a Mary Spirit.... I have a few examples below that I have taken just this week... while I hope I never become so relaxed I come to these measures.... I do hope I can live a life more like Mary....I mean Mark... the one who always stays calm during trials... the one who always sees something good in bad situations... and the one who has a good answer when I can't think of one.  My hope is I can be a good combination of both Mary and Mark.... 

I can't help but think of the story of Mark being little and MaMa took him to the doctor...he didn't like to get a haircut so his hair was a little long... the nurse called him "Mary".... from that day on.... you will never find a picture of him with long hair.  Who knew at 42 I would be calling him Mary too!  

He just drove in from Atlanta after being in San Diego this week... I admire him in so many ways... he is sleeping soundly already... along with KB who has hit the teenage years of being able to sleep until noon... and of course, Ben is asleep because he went to the lock-in at church... Mark picked him up on the way in from Atlanta.... So while this birthday won't include a party, or visits, or a cake.... I know Mark won't care because he loves a good rest... his chickens under our roof.... and a day with nothing planned! 

 This is Mark- he can't shut a drawer.... I'm not sure how a grown man gets this far in life... but what I can learn from this.... maybe I should change my attitude and when people hurt me or make me upset... I shouldn't just shut them out... maybe I should leave that drawer open a little...I'm trying...

 And here is another example of Mark.... the trash drawer... he can't shut that either... he loves to throw away some trash.... sometimes things we need.... but he has a hard time closing it completely... when I get finished typing this... I'm going to wipe the cabinet down.... filthy!  Sometimes it takes a picture to see what things look like.... even though I look at it everyday... I didn't notice this....

 Mark has taken a loving to this dog too... yes, it is on my couch... without a blanket... NASTY... I don't like dogs... I like cats.... but Mark with his Mary spirit thought we should save this dog who was thrown into a driveway by a passing car.... She is Mark's best friend... she comes to work with him... rides to pick up the children... and is his sleeping companion on the couch...or even in the bed.... I'm overlooking a lot of things that get on my nerves, but I'm also learning that life is much easier when I do! 

 Just this morning I almost broke my toe on this.... the suitcase that is never completely emptied... this past year it almost got him arrested, but it's a sign that he is hard at work... providing for a our family... and while he may not like all the traveling, I sure am glad he has his spunk back! 

I have also learned this.... no matter how full the bag seems in the drawer... if you take it out and let it hang on the cabinet for a few days... you can always add more.... While this drives me crazy too... it's Mark... I look at it as he is still working on emptying bad things even after we think we have a fresh new start.... there is always room for a little more evil to get out of our lives...

Happy Birthday to "My Baby Deddy".... thanks for everything you do for us... the paths you lead us on... where you are taking us to... and most of all, your "lead by example"... except for all these things above that get on my nerves... you couldn't be any better!  Here's to 42.... WE love you! 

It has to be shown...

So... the other part of Ben's birthday that I haven't talked about yet... the after party... Mama and I usually don't ever stay on course with the plan, and this time we had Christie to help us out too!  We decided after we ate supper that the Kohl's in Anderson probably had some really good stuff to look at... so the big girls rode home and sent Mark and Guille with the children... It's been years since I have done this, but I was still celebrating my birth "month" and used that card....

Anyway... I got home a little later than everyone else... I decided not to write my blog until Monday because I wanted a fresh mind.... and I wanted to process the day.... all of this was decided after I watched the video that I'm posting at the bottom of this blog... I wanted to write about it... the words were ready and right on my fingertips... but I knew that I needed to write about Ben's birthday first... so I did that yesterday... and now... tonight.... everyone gets to see the real Ben...

The real Ben is always into something... he is scary smart at what he knows how to do... we took his GOPRO to the ballgame and Mark held it during the pitch/warmup... evidently when they got home, Ben decided he needed to shoot some more footage... It won't be funny to anyone else but me... It amazes me that he can make all this noise, all the dancing, all the filming... and a man, a teenager, and a dog never even notice him... one day I hope he looks back and appreciates the freedom he had as a child... to be adventurous, to be a thrill seeker... ... he threatened me to show this so it isn't on his birthday blog that he saw today... but this is the McKinney life... silliness and all....

Ben, 

I love you so much... I go from wanting to choke you at the questions you are forcing me to answer right now... to wanting you to crawl in my lap and give me a hug telling me I'm your favorite and you love me the best... I have no doubt that you will always be doing something as you grow older... and probably get in trouble for it... but remember this... Everyone makes mistakes... everyone makes poor decisions... everyone wishes they could have done some things differently... just know that no matter what you do... I will love you... because that it my job.... don't let others worry you with their talk about how you shouldn't have, didn't, or can't... focus on doing the right thing and it will always be worth it!  And finally, remember that your mama has a blog to keep every second of your life recorded... and when you use the GOPRO to make a video.... It will get posted!  

Love, 

Mama

Expect the Worst, Pray for the Best

 We left Lincolnton yesterday morning fully expecting freezing temperatures that would make us miserable sitting outside at a game of baseball... and out of nowhere... the sun was shining, we were warm, and a little boy was as happy as he could be!  The sign above says first pitch at 1:00 pm... Ben actually threw the pitch out about 12:50! 

 Here he is heading out on the field...

 Some last minute instructions about what he could do! 

 I didn't notice the sign with his name on it until I uploaded the pictures... He picked his favorite player "Duggar" to catch the pitch... Ben loves anything Clemson, but last year when he came out to Dougie... he immediately held a special place in his heart for him! 

 He is ready! 

 I wish I could remember the words about winding up...

 getting ready...

 pulling back

 and getting ready....

 to release teh pitch...

 and he caught it! 

 Ben was a nervous wreck! 

 As Mark and Ben left the field, I noticed them taking a picture with this player from West Virginia... I wondered why, but the video at the end explains it all... Ben got to warm up with the Mountaineers... their players were extremely nice to him and he even got a retweet today! 

 We didn't know about this, but Clemson let all the children come out on the field and stand with their favorite player during the National Anthem... Duggar giving knuckles.... I'm not sure if he knows how much this meant to Ben, but even more... to his mama... Ben will never forget this special day.... He and James were thrilled to be out there! 

 One last knuckle before the game started!

 James got knuckles too! 

 Zoom in and see the smiles on their faces...

 Running off the field as fast as they can... I like it that they choose an outfielder...sometimes I think people look over them... they choose a pitcher, or catcher, or first baseman.... the team wouldn't make it without the outfielders! 

 Coming off the field....

 It was cold...and of course no one wanted to sit at a game and watch in the cold... so we had fantastic seats... when I walked in... the man saw that they stadium was singing happy birthday to Ben and he told me to sit where I wanted and if someone came... to just move... no one ever came to our seats!  It was great! 

 Right behind home plate! 

 We were spread out...

 The Mattison family...

 Another fun thing they did was "break" into the little practice area and play for a little bit...

 KB... you aren't going to catch a ball with your hands in your pockets...

 Ben had to buy a hat... like he needed one more hat....

 He looks like a natural...

 He might brag a little too much about his excellence... HA!

 James having fun! 

 I love seeing smiling faces... especially on little boys who think that they want to come to Clemson when they grow up!  (Let's hope Guille will keep his mouth shut and not persuade James to go back to the other side)

 Have to have a picture of the PAW!

 Baseball field...

 We love tigers... in Clemson only...

 Flying proud....

 Thomas had to get in on a little action too!

 And then I had the great idea to do a posed picture... and this is what I got...

 A fall down...

 not sure here...

 and not a good one in the bunch... the sun was in their eyes... they had their eyes closed... they were looking goofy... regardless... they  had fun... I'm sorry Ashley and David got away before we could get them with the boys! 

 It's hard to believe that in a three years, we will be preparing for her to head across the river... I'm thinking Mark and I need to move to SC to be able to afford it... I promise to move back to LC as soon as they graduate! 

 And this... this is my heart.... whether standing still and posing... or sneaking kisses... I love them with all my heart... and when they smile... I smile! 

 And for the McKinney photos... well... they are all terrible... Mark is gritting his teeth here...

 KB's hair is messed up...

 Mark is doing something funky with his mouth...

 KB's eyes shut...

 Again....

So.... we had a fantabulous time.... We will be back... just hope it is a little warmer...

The first video is Ben warming up with the Mountaineers...and don't mind Mark's nose hairs in the video... I am not sure what he was doing...

And here he is throwing the opening pitch!