My Advice to My Children

Yes, it's Father's Day, but what better way to add a little advice for years to come from now!  I' m not sure who taught me this or if it is original, but...

KB - the best boyfriends are the ones you can look at and see that they will be good daddies one day... they have a heart for noise, they like to teach new things to little ones, and most importantly, they treat you with respect and love... after all...that's the best gift they can give.  You have a pretty good daddy... ok...he is great... and I can only tell you to try your best to find someone as close to him as possible... He is so much like Butch... he lets most things roll off his back, he is honest to the core, he wants the best for you, he will defend you when you are right, and YES, he will hurt your feelings when you are wrong... Your daddy got his ways from Papa.... who left you a sweet message on your first birthday (never marry a logger)... so I'm thinking you better heed to that advice and look for someone who has all the characteristics of the three men who molded you.  Papa would tell you the same thing!  I have to add in JMac too... for his patience with a pre-made family... for his love to us and how good he treats us...and more importantly, his love for Mimi! 

Ben- Proverbs 22:6- Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.  Your daddy is doing a pretty good job at this... except maybe when he yells at us for talking while he is on a business call... we know better, but we just get a little carried away goofing off and get caught!  Honestly, be like your daddy... your heart is so big... you have enough spunk about you to let hurt feelings pass, you have enough smarts about you that you figure things and people out quickly, and you have enough wit about you that adults fall in love with you from first sight... I'd love to take credit for all that, but I only birthed you... all those traits come from Daddy... I'd like to think that your athletic abilities come from me, but I'm thinking they are all McKinney/Wilkes too... be a good daddy one day and nurture those traits in your own children... Be like Daddy, Butch, Papa, and JMac and play every sport you can... strive to be the best in all you do... but most importantly, LOVE... love the women in your life... take care of them... show them respect... and let your heart shine! 

And to both of you... on each Father's Day... take a moment to remember those who can't be fathers, who don't have their father with them any longer, or who just hurt on this day because of situations out of their control.... you both are lucky enough to have great relationships with the term "father"... but there are those who don't... my heart hurts for them, and I want your heart to remember them as well... for you really don't know how lucky you are until you realize that everyone doesn't have a family like ours.  We are BLESSED, LUCKY people... and by the grace of God... I'm hoping you will always know that you both are loved so much... and Why? because of the fathers that have been in our lives... Butch, Papa, JMac... and on an almost daily basis... your Daddy... Mark McKinney... thanks for being the best!  You drive us crazy... but we love you... what we do without complaining about your silly antics, your crazy ideas, and your sleep habits.  Much love Mark... thanks for going above and beyond my expectations of looking for a mate... you fit the mold I wanted very well... I was right in choosing you to be the "Baby Daddy"... If I don't do anything else right... I did pick you!  



Happy Father's Day Mark, Butch, JMac, and Papa in Heaven....

IPHONE Clean-off

I can't think of anything else to call this.... I mean it could be titled lots of things, but I'm trying to play catch up with an update on SisandBoo.... to say we have been busy... really isn't even accurate... I think last night was the first night all four of us have spent at home without anywhere to go.... End of school activities, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, and life have kept us in the road.... I'll do my best to update, and I am promising myself that I won't get this far behind again! 

I'm not real sure why I took a picture of my Bible...I'm sure it was a post I was planning on writing, but looking at this... I need a new one.  Mine is dirty, worn, and I have run out of room to write in the margins in the New Testament... It's so true that the more you find out... the more you realize you don't know.  Our church has been blessed the last several years with pastors who have made me "write in the margins" more than ever before...It's fun to go back and look at what was said and the take that people have on what the verses mean... I'm learning that the words never change...it's the views... being able to interpret the correct way is something that will always blow my mind....some meaning gets lost through translation, but I hope I'm getting the message... anyway....I'm looking for a new Bible....

For several weeks this spring, I had time on the weekends to make pound cakes... I have tons of pictures with the cakes I made.... I think I enjoy cooking  more than anything else as a hobby.... But... making a cake takes a lot of time.... and it adds pounds to the hips... I'm reminded as I bake these cakes of my grandmothers...and for that... I'm thankful.... I use Boo-ma's pan (that I'm sure she never used...it was just in a box of her pots and pans and I "stole" it).... and no one could make a cake like Granny!  I'm sure mine aren't as good as hers, but I'm going to keep trying! 

I can't believe I'm adding this picture... but this was such a fun day.... I was reality tv star stalking.... this is one of those things that I know I shouldn't do.... but watching this show is like watching a train wreck.... it is a "hot mess".... I can't get over the lives some people live and my watching makes me realize that being a no-name, hardworking, "normal" person isn't so bad!  I'm a closet watcher of the show.... except for maybe a few of my closest friends knowing...I mean who would really admit to watching this!

KB coming home from Clemson.... She was lucky to attend a weekend being acclimated to the Clemson campus.... it looks like all our dollars will be sent to SC...anyone want to buy our house so we can move a few miles over the bridge and not pay out of state tuition? 

My Mother's Day card from Boo.... I love that he remembers the book we read... both my children have been diagnosed (by me) as having separation anxiety.... this book is really good to help with that... and I love that Ben notices me trying to get my steps in.... he and KB both have decided to let me do everything for them now... "Mama, can you do "XYZ" .... you will be able to get more steps in" 

I'm stress eating lately... end of year reports, conferences, and schedules have added pounds to the hips.... or as Mark likes to say sometimes "junk in the trunk"..... so I'm going to work on the Fitbit....and keeping my lips shut.... I'm sure Mark would make a little smart comment about there being nothing to eat in our house and dieting shouldn't be a problem.... but I'm going to shop today... one of those trips that might need two buggies! 

What a difference 11 years makes!  This is "Mandarosa" as Ben calls her....Mark nicknamed her that because we watched Celebrity Apprentice with her...  this year they were reunited when she came to LC to teach... he didn't get her as a teacher and was so disappointed... She loved on him the first months of his life when she came to live with us!  I don't know what I would have done without her!  She has her own little boys now, but Ben still thinks she belongs to him.  He worried about her everyday she was out on maternity leave... he just couldn't understand why she would stroll the babies around town and not be able to come back to school!  He found her at the awards ceremony to get a picture! 


Ben did great this year in school and enjoyed his teachers... I am sure they are just as excited about summer as he was... I would love to go back in the classroom, but I'm thinking I would take a leave of absence if I had to teach him! 

We have often said we don't know where he came from.... He doesn't look like anyone... he was born with very dark hair and beautiful skin... and he has the ability to draw what he sees... unlike anything else that lives in this house!  He received a special award for art this year from Smokey the Bear... but I, nor he, knows what the picture looks like.... but anyway... he was recognized for a great picture...

So... the last days of school I got a call from Mark that said I had a card in the mail.... people don't send cards anymore, so I told him to open it and see who it was from... it made my YEAR... a mother of one of our students sent me a card telling me how much she appreciated me and the kindness I had shown to her.  I'm glad I could be a small part of this family's life when they were making some tough decisions... I consider myself a "fireman".... I have often said that working in the central office of a school system requires thick skin and a filter on the mouth because 99 percent of the time I deal with a problem.... anyone who knows me knows that those aren't my characteristics.... I struggle daily with both.... but for once, this was one of those pleasure calls that I was able to give some words of encouragement and guidance that led to great things... I took a picture to remind me that it might take years... but one good thing did come from decisions I was a part of...

KB's turn.... there are lots of things I'm proud to say about her.... she has had an eventful year of being second in her class, making Varsity cheerleading, experiencing and surviving her first heartbreak, and spending every day of summer doing something besides sitting on the couch eating Doritos!  I think the thing that I'm most impressed with (not that those other things aren't special) was her piano recital!  My baby can play!  I'm so excited for her!  I have said it many times, but I wish our school could offer a second piano class.... she loved every minute of it and I was proud as a peacock to hear her play! 

I'm posting this picture to show my model body.... HA... not really... just motivates me even more to keep the lips shut... I'm really posting because I impressed myself.... I could only turn one way, but figured out how to paddleboard...I spent the afternoon watching everyone else do it, and I decided that I wanted to try.... I waited until late in the day so if I fell... not many would see it!  I didn't fall, but I did realize that I need to work on getting in shape...it's hard work and using core muscles (which I don't have) is key to being successful! 

I'm adding this picture because Guille and Christie hosted youth at their house a few Sunday nights ago.... We had a great turnout and when I yelled for everyone to get in line for a picture... look at the tall kid in the back row.... second from the left.... he is really twice (some three times)their age... but thinks he is  a teenager.  I'm so glad my children get to be a part of a good group of kids.... moving home has had its ups and downs, but being surrounded by children who don't mind getting together as group of "church kids" is a plus no matter what way you look at it.  Having a core group to turn to when struggles are evident...  my hope is they will look around them when they are tempted to do something they shouldn't and gain encouragement from their friends! 

Baseball was short and sweet this season.... Ben had the opportunity to play catcher and pitcher.... He missed being with his grade level .... I'm hoping next year will be a little better and we have enough to have a team.

We never miss an opportunity to laugh and giggle and be silly.... I'm sure our teachers sent many praises to the Lord when our class graduated... I was lucky enough to part of a great group of students who were all "perfect"... we weren't trashy, we weren't wild, we weren't troublemakers... oh wait...maybe a few of us could be categorized as that.... just teasing... we loved each other like brothers and sisters... It was fun getting back together at a wedding and as I look at this picture, some of us have colored our hair a little bit... some have lost our hair.... some have gained a few pounds... some have their hands where they shouldn't in the picture... but one thing remains the same... our smiles... we all love being silly... we all love being in charge....I'm so glad we can pick up where we left off in 1989... we haven't changed a bit... except our feet hurt, we were ready to go to bed at 9 that night, and we had our significant others with us! 

And while we were taking this picture below... we may have wet our pants a little... someone had the great idea to play wife swap and be silly...

So this picture could be in Southern Living... boys in seersucker pants, smocked dresses, and FROGS... during this wedding there were these children... I'm sure it wasn't MY CHILD's idea to get frogs out of the pond and come put them in the pool... I guess we should have been paying attention to our children instead of taking pictures! 

My hearts.... we cleaned up and attended a wedding... I don't know what I'm going to do when Ben gets a little taller... I always make him stand in front of me.... to hide the hips... I guess I can just photobomb them and poke my head through

Look at this precious one who came to see BUH.... I had to bribe him with a sucker to get his fingernails cut, but I love that he stops by when he is with Mayonnaise to see me!  He wanted to dress like his Papa and wear boots with shorts... I remember Ben doing that too....

THIS NEXT PICTURE IS X-RATED....
so... we like to ride around town... I always have.... the other night as we rode up Main Street, I yelled for Mark to turn around.... I told him I had to do a double take to see if what I thought I saw was really what I saw.... I took a picture and told the store owner that Mark wanted to buy the dress!  So, so funny! 

Ben is sitting with me as I type and insisted I put this picture on here.... it is a cute dress, but I don't do spaghetti straps! 

KB missed this picture because she was at River of Life... this was her third year participating, and she loves it more and more each year... I loved looking at all the pictures they posted...I think she does it to get dressed up and live in a motel for a week.... she loves calling me to pick up her dirty clothes... If I would pay for her to stay at the Cullars Inn each week... she would do it... the four girls she stayed with would not win the cleanest room award... I've never seen such a mess in my life... but it didn't bother them one bit!  At the end of the week she was a little closer to God and recognized as a Keeper of the Water... tears flowed as I heard someone else say how sweet my child was... that makes me smile... and my heart happy...

Another reality tv stalking.... KB wanted me to buy her something from this store in Atlanta, but I didn't get out of sessions at the conference on time to make it to Lennox to make the purchase.... however.... the store is really small...and I was expecting something much bigger! 

And while I was in Atlanta at a conference all week... Boo was at Clemson.... he had a great week with Mimi and JMac carting him around, spending time with his cousins Noah and Harper AND OF COURSE ASHLEY.... I'm thankful for family who can step in when work makes me be somewhere else! 

He worked hard and was named 1 on 1 champ for his division... here is the video of him receiving his award. 

I'm finally done with the pictures and videos from my phone... I haven't even looked at the camera yet... there are lots more there.... I won't let this happen again... I'm excited for this next week... I hope it flies by.... I'm ready to have just a few worries...like when the tide is going to hit my chair... what I'm going to have for supper... and if my book is going to get wet that I'm reading.... until our vacation.... have a great week! 

To My Friend....

This started as an email this morning because in the next several weeks I think my friend may need a little guidance and help from above.  Sometimes hearing that a friend is praying for you, worried about you, hoping the best for you or even just thinking of you helps get through difficult times.  As I started composing the email, I realized that one day my children will go through difficult times, times of worry, times of "oh my gosh", times of "where do I take my next step"... so I decided to blog about it. 
Before I even got up, I had decided that I would send a quick note and remind my friend about Jeremiah 29:11.  For I know the plans, I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  It's very clear in the Bible that God is going to take care of us no matter what our situation is... it may not be in the way that we want it to be, but His ways are best.  No need in fighting that...
When I opened my devotional, Jeremiah 1:8 "I am with you..." declares the Lord was the verse.  I think that is even more comforting than knowing that God has a plan.  Knowing that He is right there with you, He is always watching out for you, He is always there to lend a hand....gives a peace like no other.

So to my friend, my family, and my children... storms, hard times, difficult things are evident in life.  Just because we believe in God's love doesn't mean that we won't have hard times... I have recently fallen in love with James - the book in the Bible- not a man!  James 1:2-3- Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. 

And finally, 1 Thes. 5:17-18, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Good luck with weathering this storm.... just think of it as entering a washing machine on spin cycle... and coming out clean and refreshed.  I'm excited for you... even though you are scared to death!  Now... do what I say... hold your head up... put on some new shoes... and remember that I will always have a Bible verse to throw back at ya when you start questioning matters! 

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.