1. Where do u call home?
All over~ Alaska, Utah, Pennsylvania, and the hometown of Kris Allen.
2. Describe the perfect day.
Camping and a big ole breakfast, fourwheeling in some mud with the whole family picnicking by a nice lake, then cleaning up for a dinner date with Mr. Right to the symphony, finished off with star gazing on a trampoline or a nice sturdy porch swing...they have a tendency to break.
3. How do you spend your spare time? Spare time what is that? Reading adolescent literature, church books and the scriptures, being "Auntie", being outside with friends..y'all are awesome!
4. What are some of your skills, talents? Eating it is one of my best things =0) I have a pretty good memory, I have a love for light and truth and like to dispense it to others, people have told me I am funny, I like to make people feel welcome and at home, I am amazing with small children my brothers call me "Mary Poppins" ( maybe because I carry around so many bags =)
5. What is your favorite food, place, sport, indoor activity? I love my mommas lasagna, favorite place in the arms of someone I love; hugs are the best! keep 'em coming, volleyball, indoor activity--snuggling on the couch watching some John Wayne or old family home videos.
6. What is one of your favorite scriptures and why? 2 Nephi 9:54 feast upon that which perisheth not...and let your soul delight in fatness. This verse reminds me of what is really important and keeps me focused on the spiritual rather than the temporal. And 1 Nephi 21: 16 I will not forget thee, behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. When I feel alone or forgotten this one brings me around.
7. Who is your favorite Hero/Heroine? My mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. Complete this sentence: Happiness is...(in family life) is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ...really this was the first thing that popped in my head. Happiness is also the feeling I get when I am obedient, rocking a baby to sleep, laughing with my girl cousins at 2 am, feeling so close to someone, making memories, and traveling
9. Do you have any nicknames? Weechie from my dad, Larry from some cousins
10. Do you have a favorite church song? The primary song Love is Spoken here. Family isn't it about TIME? It is the dream I hope to create; one day.
11. Where all have you lived in your life? Pre-existence, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Alaska, and I don't know where else I aint dead yet.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Best weekend
So Thursday night I went with Laney to the temple and we did some initiatorys and then an endowment session. I love doing washings and anointings! Wonderful blessings promised to us there!!
Friday night was our wards baptism night. I did conformations and helped pass out towels. It was a great time. Afterwards a few of us went out to eat and had a great time. We went to a new place. I tried some of Kevin's lamb it was really tasty but the thought of it made me sad. Poor baby sheeps. Kevin also got some creme breulee to share and boy was it yummy! One of my favorites. When we left the restaurant it was pouring down rain and there was a beautiful rainbow!!! I met Erika to go for a walk down on the coastal trail. The sunset was gorgeous. It was so clear we could see Mt. McKinley which is 6 hours north of us.
Saturday I woke up and took Cessna my room mates dog for a walk. We went exploring a little creek. She is so funny. Then I had a stake Relief Society training meeting...or what I thought was a training meeting..it turned out to be a brainstorming for our stake enrichment activity. It was good to mingle with some of the other sisters from the stake. I recognized some of them from volleyball. We are going to do that next year again. So fun to play on Saturdays with just us gals; it will help the winter go by.
Then I went home and packed the rest of my belongings and then Xiong called and asked me to go to a show with him and some friends. I took a packing break and went and saw Star Trek. I am not a huge Sci Fi girl but I must say I enjoyed the show.
Then we had a ward service activity. We raked some leaves for a veteran who can't. It was good to do some yard work...it always feels good to work hard and see such immediate results. I miss that about the farm. Can't wait to have a home of my own and start a garden. After the project we went and did a fire down on the beach and watched the sunset. I love it here!!! There was a fox meandering around the beach he got pretty close to our fire. He was a curious little guy.
Sunday I slept in. With all the sunshine I have not been sleeping really well. I was sore from all the raking but again so good to feel like you worked hard. I walked to church. It was a gorgeous day! I will miss being able to walk to church ; the new place is too far. I am excited to be living with Laurie and Janell. Janell is here for the summer working for Royal. After church I got to talk to my family on the web cam that helps SOOOO much being able to see them. Baby Daniel was so cute he was smiling at me when I was talking to him. Oh, I can't wait to HOLD him again! Jared and Ann Marie will have a new one by the time I get home. Yay!! I love the babies.
Then Laurie had a group over for one of her delicious gourmet meals. We had roast, Brussels sprouts with walnuts and parsnips, peas with a sauce and bacon, fried potatoes, a yummy salad, strawberry shortcake with hand whipped cream, and brownies. I always do the dishes cause she won't let us bring anything...occasionally she will let me stir something. Living with her is going to be "a treat" punn intended =0). Tuesday evening I will be moving the rest of my stuff over. I took a small load when I went over Sunday evening.
It was just a great weekend ; productive, full of service, sunshine, friends, and family just NICE!!!!
Friday night was our wards baptism night. I did conformations and helped pass out towels. It was a great time. Afterwards a few of us went out to eat and had a great time. We went to a new place. I tried some of Kevin's lamb it was really tasty but the thought of it made me sad. Poor baby sheeps. Kevin also got some creme breulee to share and boy was it yummy! One of my favorites. When we left the restaurant it was pouring down rain and there was a beautiful rainbow!!! I met Erika to go for a walk down on the coastal trail. The sunset was gorgeous. It was so clear we could see Mt. McKinley which is 6 hours north of us.
Saturday I woke up and took Cessna my room mates dog for a walk. We went exploring a little creek. She is so funny. Then I had a stake Relief Society training meeting...or what I thought was a training meeting..it turned out to be a brainstorming for our stake enrichment activity. It was good to mingle with some of the other sisters from the stake. I recognized some of them from volleyball. We are going to do that next year again. So fun to play on Saturdays with just us gals; it will help the winter go by.
Then I went home and packed the rest of my belongings and then Xiong called and asked me to go to a show with him and some friends. I took a packing break and went and saw Star Trek. I am not a huge Sci Fi girl but I must say I enjoyed the show.
Then we had a ward service activity. We raked some leaves for a veteran who can't. It was good to do some yard work...it always feels good to work hard and see such immediate results. I miss that about the farm. Can't wait to have a home of my own and start a garden. After the project we went and did a fire down on the beach and watched the sunset. I love it here!!! There was a fox meandering around the beach he got pretty close to our fire. He was a curious little guy.
Sunday I slept in. With all the sunshine I have not been sleeping really well. I was sore from all the raking but again so good to feel like you worked hard. I walked to church. It was a gorgeous day! I will miss being able to walk to church ; the new place is too far. I am excited to be living with Laurie and Janell. Janell is here for the summer working for Royal. After church I got to talk to my family on the web cam that helps SOOOO much being able to see them. Baby Daniel was so cute he was smiling at me when I was talking to him. Oh, I can't wait to HOLD him again! Jared and Ann Marie will have a new one by the time I get home. Yay!! I love the babies.
Then Laurie had a group over for one of her delicious gourmet meals. We had roast, Brussels sprouts with walnuts and parsnips, peas with a sauce and bacon, fried potatoes, a yummy salad, strawberry shortcake with hand whipped cream, and brownies. I always do the dishes cause she won't let us bring anything...occasionally she will let me stir something. Living with her is going to be "a treat" punn intended =0). Tuesday evening I will be moving the rest of my stuff over. I took a small load when I went over Sunday evening.
It was just a great weekend ; productive, full of service, sunshine, friends, and family just NICE!!!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Birthday, fun, and KRIS ALLEN
Well my birthday was a-maz-ing but y'all knew it would be cause I am right? he he he I went on a first date with a man from "the valley" Wasilla on Tuesday and that really set the party off right we went to dinner and a walk on one of the coastal trails. Friday I went camping with my good friend Laney and her older brother Greg and their family. I had a blast. We went out to the Eagle River and had a great time. Driving on the road to the campsite the sign says city waste facility -> camp grounds --straight and then the correctional facility <-- right. I was a bit concerned after seeing that sign but all was well.
Greg and Emily have 3 little boys and a one year old daughter. I so enjoyed being around them...especially the baby. She is so petite so how should I say "un-McKinney." Holding babies just soothes my soul. In Relief Society --I just got called to be the Enrichment counselor-- we were talking about clearing our minds and some one said that they think about the beach and I pipped up ( you know I can't help it) and said I think about rocking my future babies and everyone was awe'ing me it was one of those hilarious communal "awes". YSA ward Relief Society. geeze. No I love it........ really I do.
Kids are just great.. esp. little kids. They say the funniest stuff. One of the boys was getting smoke in his eyes and he said something like my eyes hurt I got an eye sickness. One of the younger ones came up with a great new way to make smores. Put the Chocolate inside the marshmellow (yes chocolate should be capitalized it is divine =) Then it gets all melty too. Yummy! It worked so well. No more trying to balance a graham cracker with chocolate on a roasting stick for me. I am stuffing those succors inside the mallows!
Laney lives with her sister Rebecca ( not for long in August we are getting a place) and she has two little girls and they are sooo adorable. They both call me Auntie Katie and it just melts my heart. The youngest just turned 3 and is so cute...and says the funniest stuff. I look forward to some Auntie Katie sleep overs when we move in August. That will get me through the winter...and maybe someone else too?
I also wanted to say congrats to Kris Allen -- I am sure he is reading this right now. I am so proud of him. I bet Conway has been so excited and all reeved up about him too. Go Kris go!! I just got down with my 3rd dinner and a walk date with "Mr. Valley man" and am having a lot of fun and enjoying getting to know his ambitious self. I will keep you posted..or is it blogged?? Oh second date was dinner and a play and ice cream AND guess what? a walk. We can't help but want to be outside... the weather has been GORGEOUS highs in the upper 50's-60's depending and tons of sunshine.
Oh I also wanted to put a Happy Mother's Day out there to my momma she is one of the most Christ like people I know. She is a truly a "Mother who knows" --sis beck '07 GC address. She cares more for the fashioning of her children and grandchildren than the fashions of the day. She knows that doctrine changes attitudes and behaviors and she obtains the word and loves the gospel. She is constantly serving us and those around her. She never sits still and is always wishing she could do more. I am so grateful for the woman she is and that I get to call her mom. Too bad Eldon does too...just kidding... Eldon you are one of my favorites. I still can't believe we took that crazy trip last year.
Greg and Emily have 3 little boys and a one year old daughter. I so enjoyed being around them...especially the baby. She is so petite so how should I say "un-McKinney." Holding babies just soothes my soul. In Relief Society --I just got called to be the Enrichment counselor-- we were talking about clearing our minds and some one said that they think about the beach and I pipped up ( you know I can't help it) and said I think about rocking my future babies and everyone was awe'ing me it was one of those hilarious communal "awes". YSA ward Relief Society. geeze. No I love it........ really I do.
Kids are just great.. esp. little kids. They say the funniest stuff. One of the boys was getting smoke in his eyes and he said something like my eyes hurt I got an eye sickness. One of the younger ones came up with a great new way to make smores. Put the Chocolate inside the marshmellow (yes chocolate should be capitalized it is divine =) Then it gets all melty too. Yummy! It worked so well. No more trying to balance a graham cracker with chocolate on a roasting stick for me. I am stuffing those succors inside the mallows!
Laney lives with her sister Rebecca ( not for long in August we are getting a place) and she has two little girls and they are sooo adorable. They both call me Auntie Katie and it just melts my heart. The youngest just turned 3 and is so cute...and says the funniest stuff. I look forward to some Auntie Katie sleep overs when we move in August. That will get me through the winter...and maybe someone else too?
I also wanted to say congrats to Kris Allen -- I am sure he is reading this right now. I am so proud of him. I bet Conway has been so excited and all reeved up about him too. Go Kris go!! I just got down with my 3rd dinner and a walk date with "Mr. Valley man" and am having a lot of fun and enjoying getting to know his ambitious self. I will keep you posted..or is it blogged?? Oh second date was dinner and a play and ice cream AND guess what? a walk. We can't help but want to be outside... the weather has been GORGEOUS highs in the upper 50's-60's depending and tons of sunshine.
Oh I also wanted to put a Happy Mother's Day out there to my momma she is one of the most Christ like people I know. She is a truly a "Mother who knows" --sis beck '07 GC address. She cares more for the fashioning of her children and grandchildren than the fashions of the day. She knows that doctrine changes attitudes and behaviors and she obtains the word and loves the gospel. She is constantly serving us and those around her. She never sits still and is always wishing she could do more. I am so grateful for the woman she is and that I get to call her mom. Too bad Eldon does too...just kidding... Eldon you are one of my favorites. I still can't believe we took that crazy trip last year.
Friday, May 1, 2009
May -my birth month and Bluegrass month
I was listening to our great Borealis Bluegrass station and heard that May is Bluegrass month. Growing up music was a big part of our lives..not in the sense that we all played but watching our old family videos there was ALWAYS music playing in our house. My dad plays the guitar and some of my favorite memories involve him behind a guitar at a campfire somewhere. I was just thinking how much I really enjoy bluegrass music mostly because I was introduced to it as a young kid through two artist/bands 1) Ricky Skaags and 2) New Grass Revival- which broke up in the early 90's into-- Sam Bush, John Cowan, Bella Fleck..they have all gone on and had great solo careers. Since then I have enjoyed listening to a host of other pickers.
Anyway in response to bluegrass month borders books has teamed up with Rounder Records and is sending a free cd out with an order from any Rounder Record artist..Allison Kraus and Steve Martin are on that label. FYI If you have not heard her and Robert Plant together on Raising Sand it is worth a listen...I think.
May 1st has always been a fun day growing up thinking about only a week 'til my birthday. I love birthdays. They are so much fun. Being with people who love and care about you and think you are just great. I think I want to go camping on the river for my birthday. Nothing better than good friends spending some time in the great outdoors...of ALASKA none the less. Days like the last three remind me 1 why i moved here and 2 why i am staying for another year. Picture perfect weather!
Anyway in response to bluegrass month borders books has teamed up with Rounder Records and is sending a free cd out with an order from any Rounder Record artist..Allison Kraus and Steve Martin are on that label. FYI If you have not heard her and Robert Plant together on Raising Sand it is worth a listen...I think.
May 1st has always been a fun day growing up thinking about only a week 'til my birthday. I love birthdays. They are so much fun. Being with people who love and care about you and think you are just great. I think I want to go camping on the river for my birthday. Nothing better than good friends spending some time in the great outdoors...of ALASKA none the less. Days like the last three remind me 1 why i moved here and 2 why i am staying for another year. Picture perfect weather!
Monday, April 27, 2009
The cleanest gutter....the best compliment
So today my TA and the TA next door were talking about old shows and cartoons that have some pretty hefty innuendos and my TA said, "McKinney you probably wouldn't get them now ..you have the cleanest gutter." I thought that was the best compliment you could get...or at least high up on the list.
I think at first she was a little nervous about me after she found out I was .....duhnt duhnt duhnt....Mormon and she lives an alternative lifestyle..but we have gotten along really well. She is a sweet girl from Texas so we have been able to commiserate about missing Sonic, (although my waist line is not- although I have been a slacker for over a month....got to get back on my routine) , whataburger, wal-mart super centers, olive garden, lightning storms, the stars and a dark night, lightning bugs, family, friends, an overall respect for older people...and things we don't miss like snakes, ticks, chiggers, armadillos, people who are missing 95% of their teeth....
I think at first she was a little nervous about me after she found out I was .....duhnt duhnt duhnt....Mormon and she lives an alternative lifestyle..but we have gotten along really well. She is a sweet girl from Texas so we have been able to commiserate about missing Sonic, (although my waist line is not- although I have been a slacker for over a month....got to get back on my routine) , whataburger, wal-mart super centers, olive garden, lightning storms, the stars and a dark night, lightning bugs, family, friends, an overall respect for older people...and things we don't miss like snakes, ticks, chiggers, armadillos, people who are missing 95% of their teeth....
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Indoor Camping
So last night it was so HOT in my room I opened my window. It felt like indoor camping. The sounds of the cars on the road were like a river running near by. The chill in the air. The sunlight streaming in my face. It was great! ( can't wait to do some real camping though) Sometimes I forget I live near the ocean and then I hear Seagulls doing there thang and then it hits me all over again; oh yeah the ocean is 7 miles that way!! So this morning this scenario happens to me. I am looking out at some tall pine trees behind our town house wondering what it smells like here doing some indoor camping..it rained yesterday and the sky and mountains were just breath taking! ..I was really enjoying my thoughts and then I heard some 'gulls and was reminded of the ocean. The thought came to my mind that this is what the Holy Ghost does for me. I go about living my life and then I see, hear, or feel something and it hits me; oh yeah Heavenly Father is 0 miles that way! He will always let me know He is near if I want to know and remember. How thankful I am for this special gift of the companionship of the Holy Ghost who reminds me how near comfort, hope, cheer, true love, and forgiveness really are. Love it!!
Yesterday was a blast! Other than the fact my eyes were dilated for a few hours. That is the funniest sensation to have your eyes numbed...and then dilated. Me and Laney went to go see the BYU-I Collegiate Singers at West High School. They had some really cute funny songs. One that really touched me was one about taken from Voltaire's "Candide" --the chorus lyrics went something like "We are not particularly good but we will work and grow our garden." The singers all got in couples to sing this song slowly throughout this song. It was a reminder that that is what life is about. There is no perfect person out there waiting to be discovered for/by me; there are just two people who love each other and are willing to work at a good life together. I need to find me a good gardener. =0) ha...At the end of the show a singer came up and gave Laney a squishy byui potato and me a water bottle. I also so Elder Jarvis- my brothers brother-in-law we share a nephew and soon a niece. He told me they had picked out the name Kelly. I will have to talk to Justin and clarify this. How did Elder Jarvis know before me?
Let me back up..I went to school for a few hours and left early to go to our last lunch devotional at the Institute building. Then I had a massage...ah so nice!! Then I had to go see the eye dr. again to make sure my contacts fit my eye and so he could dilate them.
Then we went to Katie Hill's birthday party. Katie Hill and I served in the same mission. It was so good to be around some real chill ysa's. Me and Katie arm wrestled...and I was shocked there was no declared winner but the boys were saying I was cheating bring my elbow in and "cocking" my wrist. Whaterver, I would never cheat...or would I? It was some good clean fun with some good clean amigos.
Tyler who is interning here is going to Bentonville, AR to intern with Wal-Mart and so we were talking about the "hill" people and what to expect as far as an accent goes. He was practicing his numbers --he is an accounting guy-- five and nine because there they are feyeve and neyene. I was also recommending some very neat Arkansas things to do. I can't wait to be home in July except for the fact that it will be July which means it will be hotter than HELL...seriously Satan doesn't even visit there in July and August..Hell is a dream vacation comparatively.
Got to jet going to the temple this morning with Minna. She is great. Served a mission in Russia a degree in Exercise Science from BYU and now doing Dental Hygiene school for fun. I am blessed to get to know some really great folks here. Hope you are all wonderful!!
Yesterday was a blast! Other than the fact my eyes were dilated for a few hours. That is the funniest sensation to have your eyes numbed...and then dilated. Me and Laney went to go see the BYU-I Collegiate Singers at West High School. They had some really cute funny songs. One that really touched me was one about taken from Voltaire's "Candide" --the chorus lyrics went something like "We are not particularly good but we will work and grow our garden." The singers all got in couples to sing this song slowly throughout this song. It was a reminder that that is what life is about. There is no perfect person out there waiting to be discovered for/by me; there are just two people who love each other and are willing to work at a good life together. I need to find me a good gardener. =0) ha...At the end of the show a singer came up and gave Laney a squishy byui potato and me a water bottle. I also so Elder Jarvis- my brothers brother-in-law we share a nephew and soon a niece. He told me they had picked out the name Kelly. I will have to talk to Justin and clarify this. How did Elder Jarvis know before me?
Let me back up..I went to school for a few hours and left early to go to our last lunch devotional at the Institute building. Then I had a massage...ah so nice!! Then I had to go see the eye dr. again to make sure my contacts fit my eye and so he could dilate them.
Then we went to Katie Hill's birthday party. Katie Hill and I served in the same mission. It was so good to be around some real chill ysa's. Me and Katie arm wrestled...and I was shocked there was no declared winner but the boys were saying I was cheating bring my elbow in and "cocking" my wrist. Whaterver, I would never cheat...or would I? It was some good clean fun with some good clean amigos.
Tyler who is interning here is going to Bentonville, AR to intern with Wal-Mart and so we were talking about the "hill" people and what to expect as far as an accent goes. He was practicing his numbers --he is an accounting guy-- five and nine because there they are feyeve and neyene. I was also recommending some very neat Arkansas things to do. I can't wait to be home in July except for the fact that it will be July which means it will be hotter than HELL...seriously Satan doesn't even visit there in July and August..Hell is a dream vacation comparatively.
Got to jet going to the temple this morning with Minna. She is great. Served a mission in Russia a degree in Exercise Science from BYU and now doing Dental Hygiene school for fun. I am blessed to get to know some really great folks here. Hope you are all wonderful!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Pallin glasses
Alaskan's are serious about their eye gear. Gov. Pallin frames are nothing compared to what some of her constituents wear. I just had an eye exam last Friday and my eyes, well one of my eyes was better than it was before.,I had no ideas eyes could do that. ( Our bodies are amazing) I am having the hardest time picking out new frames. Glasses become such a part of who you are and here this is no joke. Folks wear some way cool frames and I just don't know if I am that cool. We are talking rhinestone studded, lattice metal work on the arms, funky colors, and some with all three. Anyways, I should be reading my scriptures right now so off I go.
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