New Baby

This is Quincy's newest little guy Daniel Jones from church history and Daniel is a McKinney family name and Jones is my moms moms maiden name. He is such a handsome little guy. He was born December 27th at 1:02 am. We thought he was coming Christmas Day but he teased us....we know he is a McKinney already teasing in utero.

I am so happy being home. I miss the snow though.

Home sweet home

Dang! It has been so good to be home. I got to come home and surprise my family a week early. I first surprised my dad who was cleaning the church with the rest of the high priests. Oh the lies me and mom had to tell to keep him in the dark. It was worth it though. He was truly surprised.

Then I went to momma's where Justin and Amanda and my baby Kade or as we call him Kadekins was. They were so surprised to see me. Justin was still asleep so I got to wake him up. He was definatley surprised to see me. He did not think we were going to get to see each other at all over Christmas. We have gotten closer since Kade has been born. Mom and I drove down (all night) to Florida when Kade was born and we stayed until Luke was born 3 days later...then we drove straight through to see Luke....good times. Justin is a firefighter for Marion County and is going to paramedic school now. Amanda is a teacher at a virtual school. Kade is so cute and eats a lot, he loves Baby Signing Time.

Next on the list of people to surprise was Quincy and Amy because they were the closest geographically. I hid in the bushes outside their house and mom, Justin, and Amanda went in first then I rang the doorbell a couple minutes later. Gabe was screaming and could not believe it. Ben kept saying Katie is here Katie is here; it was so cute!

Quincy then called Jared and Ann Marie to come down to his house for an important announcement from Eldon. Why they came I don't know? Eldon never has important announcements like "I am getting married or having a baby" what is the coolest thing he could have said??..... Someone hit me and I want McKinney and McKinney to represent me. I hid in the bathroom downstairs and after they came in Sam asked Emily, "Who is your favorite aunt?" and then Ben said someone is going to come out of that door and surprise you so at that point I might as well come out. Emily was so excited she ran over and jumped into my arms and cried. Her birthdsay is the 18th and she has been telling everyone that Aunt Katie is coming home for her birthday. We tried to go on an Aunt Katie date the day it started sleeting...we at lunch at Guy Perkins school with Ben, Gabe, and Sam and then went to Conway and had to come back almost immediately because of the weather...but not before I got to see McKinney and McKinney law office and take Jared to lunch at Larry's Pizza ;the best pizza buffet in Conway.

Coley Bob is talking like crazy. He is the cutest little guy ever. Baby luke has changed so much in the last 6 months. When you look at him he looks down at the ground and grins. Bashful one in our family I don't know how this will work out. Jacob is so funny. He plays this game where he will hit you gently on the head and he wants you to pretend he just knocked you out. Then you do it to him and he is so cute when he closes his eyes and says OOOOHHHH. He still loves to sing and Jingle Bells is a new favorite. We had fun playing.

Spencer was at the house when we left Guy. He was cute. He came running across the dinning room yelling KATIE and gave me a big ole hug. He has got to be one of the funniest guys I know...seriously. I have him for Christmas.

Janeen flew in at 6pm. Spencer went to pick her up and brought her to a YSA Christmas party at Angela's. She walked in and I was hiding around the corner....she screamed and we hugged for like a minute. It was so good to see my sister. We shared a room and a bed for EVER. I have missed her!

Family fun. Is there anything better than babies laughs? Or tiny fingers on your face? Or tiny voices saying I lub you aunt katie? rocking these babies to sleep and watching their heavy eyes fall for the last time? I have so much to look forward to.

I am surprised how much I am missing Alaska and my YSA ward people. Alaska living is so great. My job emotionally draining but everything else is fantastic. I still don't know what next year has in store for me.

Church was good. I got to see some angels in my life...and my old kids that I taught in Primary. They were huge!

Tuesday nite we went to the church and played knock out and volleyball with the entire McKinney clan. It was a ton of fun. I don't know what was more fun sliding on the ice in the church parking lot Jared in his van (with me) , dad and mom with Justin and Amanda, or Spencer, Eldon and Janeen in the Saturn. We looked like synchronized sliders all twirling at the same time. Good times! Oh, man we let Gabe and Ben play with us and Jared kept telling mom to pretend "he" didn't exist...in other words hit all the balls that come to Gabe...so Gabe got hit in the face and he folded his arms and said, "that is ok I don't exist anyways" I was hilarious! Jared made up for it...he had Justin serve a few balls just to Gabe and he hit them over to us.

Wednesday Justin and Yolanda (that is what I call Amanda don't ask why...I just do) had to leave. It was hard to say goodbye to Kade. He is soooooooooo adorable. He makes all these little noises and giggles. He likes to sign hat which looks like a little kid hitting himself on the head for no reason it is precious.

Wednesday nite me and Janeen went to Rose Bud to stay over at our cousins David and Valeries house. They live a few doors down from another cousin Tana. We had a blast visiting and playing. Thursday we all went into Conway and had a good time shopping and being girls. I love being with the girl cousisns and laughing and having a good time. I got to fill them in on some of my Alaska adventures. Mandy joined us and increased the good times.

Thursday nite ...AUCTION...it was good to see some of the dealers and talk about Alaska. I got asked about Sarah yeah Sarah Pallin. I did get to see her at the kick off celebration of 50 years of statehood for Alaska. She introduced Wynonna at the Airshow and kick off party. I was impressed then and continue to be.

Friday..today I am going to go eat with my students from Greenbrier Middle School..then go to a wedding...then to Russellville to play with Mandy and Shawn and see their new baby Abby. Brady and Lydia too they love it when I speak in my British accent so do my students. Shawn graduates Saturday.....yeah!

Well y'all probably heard enough and are tired of reading this novel.

More Thanksgiving fun

So Black Friday was spent in PJ the entire day...it was nice I have been going and going and going. Monday nites FHE, Tuesday Institute Council and Institute class, Wednesday Institute class, Thursday Institute Choir, Friday fun with friends, Saturdays laundry..shopping..getting ready for Sunday, Sunday well its Sunday. Needless to say it was great to just relax with friends and watch some Christmas movies to set the mood.

Saturday Lisa, Char, and I drove down to Soldotna to pick up some Christmas goods from their storage unit and to hear Char's cousin give his homecoming talk. He just got back from Mongolia. We had an amazing road trip. It is soooo beautiful in Alaska. There really is no prettier place...if you love snow.

Char's family was so fun. We played Apples to Apples and Boggle. I lost at both but had a fantastic time playing; I am sure there is a calorie burn chart for laughter on the Apples to Apples box.

Going to a family ward was nice. Louder than our YSA ward but;I got to hold some babies. =0) Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to hold and love on babies. They are so darn cute, and there is nothing better than those little smiles and laughs, oh it just warms my heart. There building was identical to my home ward building that made me a little weepy, awe Conway II Ward I love y'all! and can't wait to see you soon.

Well got to run for now.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so great! There were several of us who were away from home we got together at Cole's place. We played some games, cooked, and had lots of fun. At least I did.

Left to right is Cole, Cristi (my roomate), Mark, Charlotte, Lisa, and me in the front. I wanted us all to have a taste of home; and knowing if were at each other homes then our families would be telling stories on us...I called everyones parents and got some stories on everyone and got their parents to write a little note. I really enjoyed it and hoped everyone else did too. I learned a lot about everyone.

I was very impressed Mark cooked some yam casserole that was yam good, and Cole made our rolls that were delightful! Charlotte, Lisa, and I spend a lot of time together having some crazy times...like dressing up for Haloween, practical joke wars ,{serand wrapping vehicles, balloons in cars, scavenger hunts for presents} and sleepovers. ...anyway we did the shopping and the sides dishes. We all helped prep and cook the turkey that was fun. Mark was gonna do the turkey but overslept by 4 hours. He is a riot!

I am not gonna lie...I missed home like crazy; but being in a homey place with good friends made it really nice. A close second to being at home with family. I have so many things to be Thankful for. First is the knowledge that I have of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which makes every aspect of my life deeper and sweeter. The scriptures especially the Book of Mormon. My family they are the best especially my nephews and nieces. Hope, hope for my students lives to be improved, hope for someone to love and share a life with, hope to be able to experience the miracle of life, hope for greater happiness and joy....Hope is a needful thing (President Uchtdorf) Good friends another great blessings in my life. Our country a free nation with so many opportunities, a good education, a job/career ( a got a nice carear on me) =0) The Earth and all its beauties...Alaska has its fair share of earthly beauties. That I can walk, see, hear, taste, especially touch..uplifting music, Christmas, Fourth of July, ice cream, chocolate, babies smiles and laughs, grandparents, farms, four wheelers, cousins, camping, road trips, books..being able to read and learn, good movies, sunshine, moon, stars, trampolines, Arkansas, Razorbacks ....this is just a short list.

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving day!

No I am not Dead ....yet

Wanted everyone to know I am alive and well. I have some pictures to add from Halloween.

So I have not blogged in a bit. I have been busy with friends and life.

Driving in the frozen tundra is so funny...when it snows and people start driving on the snow they create their own lanes and when the snow and ice chip away you realize how far off you are from the actual lanes. Parking is about the same you just guess where the lines are and hope for the best.

Institute is going great. We had a harvest hoedown and it was so much fun. We had dance instruction had some Frito Chili Pie and Apple Pie yummy! I made the Chili and was nervous about it... they ate it all 3 crock pots full so I guess it was at least edible. I used moms recipe but nothing ever taste quite like moms. (by the way I have the best mom in the world,universe, galaxy, cosmos it is true!)

Having a temple in Anchorage is so nice. After stake conference, where they dedicated a new Stake Center which is gorgeous and having the temple president tells us that the temple is not being used enough; I decided to commit to going once a week. Last week my roommate Cristi, and new BFF Charlotte, and I ( her roommate Lisa is not endowed {yet} or she would have been with us...I spend A LOT of time at their place Char and Lisa are amazing) did initiatories. It was sooo nice! Tomorrow we are going to do an endowment session and I can't wait.

School is going pretty well. I have not had any objects thrown at me in at least a week. Still working on using respectful appropriate language when we are upset though. For awhile I thought my name had been changed.

Well I will write more later.. Just thought I'd let you know I am alive and well. One last thought on one of my favorite things SNOW. The snow is so beautiful. It sparkles in the light. It is so cold now that even the air around the tree limbs is frozen and everything looks like a winter wonderland. The sun is coming over the mountains and into my classroom around 10:30 am and setting around 4:00pm. It is weird coming to school in the dark and leaving in the dark.

Weekly report

Friday October 17th I spoke at our institute soup and the spirit. It went well, I think. I know I felt the Spirit and hope that others did too. I used a lot of quotes from one of my favorite talks by Elder Jeffery R. Holland it is a CES talk entitled Terror, Triumph, and a Wedding Feast. It is amazing. If you have never read it you should! He talks about how; yes, there is terror in the Latter Days but we are Saints who know that we will Triumph and that ever other dispensation knew we would triumph too. He says that they need us to be successful so they can count themselves successful. He concludes by saying that when the Savior comes we the members of the church of the Lamb of God will turn the kingdom over to the Lamb of God and that we ,who are doing what we are supposed to be doing, will all be invited to the wedding feast.

Saturday I met some friends for pizza at a local favorite called Moose Tooth. It was soo yummy. My two new friends (blessings for reals) are Charlotte and Lisa. They are amazing girls. So hospitable they let me crash at their place anytime. They have done some amazing things in their lives helping each other and serving their families through some hard times. They inspire me.

Sunday we had some wonderful speakers from the High Council. They spoke on service...and how when we serve others our selfish desires diminish and the divine with in us grows. It was great. Monday night I was asked to speak to the Yellow family and I gave the same message about hope in the last days..well I tweaked it a little. Then we played the sign game. It was so much fun. I love the sign game especially playing with my brothers they are so funny sneaking around the person in the middle.

Wednesday night at Institute we talked about the Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith. We looked at some of his books and talked about how much time he must have put in to know and understand so much. People think that others just come by knowledge naturally while they might have some unique talent for remembering things: they still have to learn them in the first place. He was an amazing prophet who truly knew the doctrine of the kingdom and would have no problem helping anyone with any problem by opening the scriptures and teaching directly from them. The word of God is so powerful. I know that the scriptures bring such hope, love, and joy to my life as I read how willing our Father in Heaven is to help us in our weakness to overcome our weaknesses. I borrowed the Emma Smith movie from the Institute and watched it. It was pretty good. She and Joseph went through some ridiculously hard times. I can not imagine loosing all those sweet babies. How grateful we all should be for the principle of compensation as Elder Wirthlin taught about in General Conference. Knowing that every tear cried will be replaced a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing keeps me moving on...doing my best to just be"good."

The movie made me miss my own family like crazy. I'd give anything for a Jared hug, a Coley kiss, a good laugh with mom and neeners and the girls, a signing time video with Jacob, to hear daddy and Spencer play together, ...Christmas is coming soon. =0) Because of Christ I know I'll be with these guys forever.

Thursday one of my students had a major physical blow out. Completely destroyed my room. It was nuts-o I am glad the other students were at PE. I hate it when that happens because I feel like there is always something more or different I can / could have done...even though I probably couldn't in some situations it is just going to happen. Plus all that adrenaline is hard to get rid of.

We are studying wind and energy in science right now and one of my students made me laugh so hard. We were blowing bubbles and I asked the class what direction the bubble were blowing and there were "up, down, left, right, north, and some souths, and then ....his reply was "...towards me." He is like a 10 year old kindergartner. He is so darn cute. They all are. It really baffles me to realize how easily it is to love others you have only known for a short while. Whether they are kids in my class or part of the summer YSA's that I only knew for a few precious months...I love them like I do people I have known my entire life. Love is a beautiful gift.

Our school started a biggest looser competition and I hope to be a fierce competitor. I joined our local YMCA it has a saline pool I had never heard of such a thing...... no worries I have no plans of getting in it ...... for awhile anyways besides I would not share my secrets strategy with them. --those eggs were a lie stephen..a lie =0)

Today is one of my friends Birthdays and we are all going out to celebrate. It should be a lot of fun I am really looking forward to spending time with some of the young singles. We have good times when we get together. Nicole is amazing she is in the air force and her husband in the arm. He is in Virgina and she is here and they don't know when they will get to be reunited. She is always smiling and happy though making me thankful for what I got here and now...on that note y'all have a great weekend. Love ya!

Oh, the October Ensign has a great article (for any political junkies) on Abortion by Elder Nelson. I have friends who try to say that the church supports choice and agency and so then we should be pro-choice....read the article! While Elder Nelson does not make the connection that the Church does not support abortion and should not support a candidate who does. I will. Was it a coincidence that that article came out in October before election time? I think not but that is just my speculation. It is crazy to support a candidate who would "not want to punish his daughters if they make a mistake." Sorry if this if offensive... I couldn't resist putting that out there.

Late to School

Somehow my alarm got shut off and I woke up at 7:35 am which is precisely when I am supposed to be in my classroom getting ready for the day. I quickly brushed my teeth put on some clothes and rushed out the door. I called the school while I was trying to wrangle some gloves on my hands to let them know I would be late. Then I called my lovely Teachers Assistant Ms. Mandi and asked her where she was knowing that promptness is not her forte she was still clear across town. I hurried and made it to school at 7:55. My students were definintely concerned as to my whereabouts.

Things went down hill from there. We implemented a new classroom discipline system 1-2-3 magic. While I love it the kids are still getting acclamated to it. Like with anything new they wanted to push the limits and see just how it would work and it worked as it should..except for with one student who thought that I needed to be grabbed by the collar, then hit, and almost bitten. We had the principal and two intervention coaches trying to get me freed from the grasp of an upset student. One student brought three bags of candy to class and would try to put some stashes away from later on this week. Another student had "sprung" his right wrist and could not do any written work. What a day! Only at my school...

On top of that I didn't feel well "volcano" in the tummy.....one of my first days here I went to lunch with a T.A. in the room next to mine (who is a crack up hoot) an older African America woman who makes me look small and still lives at least cosmetically in the 80's..girl she loves her some fake eyelashes and she walks with a cane due to an injury restraining a student here last year. Me and Leelah went to Subway after numerous efforts to stretch her seatbelt to buckle...at subway she was telling me how she was lactose intolerant but was gonna get her some pepper jack cheese on her samwich anyway and that later she might have a "volcano" in the tummy......and felt nasty all day due to the lack of a nice shower in the morning. Needless to say the students picked up on my vibe and it effected the entire day. I will do a double check tonight to the status of my cell phone alarm clock. =0)