Sickness round 2

Of course the week the kids go back to school after Spring Break, a dreaded stomach virus hits the first grade HARD.  The class down the hall from Matthew's had 11 kids gone one day.  And one by one kids bit the dust.

Luckily it was a quick virus, with violent throwing up for about 6 hours and then they're wiped out resting for awhile.  This sweet guy slept on the floor of the bathroom, and me close by outside the bathroom just in case.

On the bright side, the next day, he was feeling better but we kept him home (24 hours symptom free), and I knew we both needed a good nap.  I needed something to calm him down so I grabbed "Magic Treehouse #1" and we both climbed into my bed and we began to read.  We'd each take a turn reading a page.  I hope I never forget the excited, amazed and happy look on this boys face when he realized he could read these books!  It was magical.  How I love raising readers!

And, because this virus is so virulent, it hit both my girls in succession, and then a couple weeks later it hit Sam.  We are SO DONE being sick.

My friend Edith

This is my "Sister" Edith Juaneh.  She is from Sierra Leone in Africa and has lived here for over 20 years.  Over the past 3 years she has been my companion to go visit other sisters in our ward.  She's getting older and before she gets too old, she's going back home to Africa to live.  I will miss her.  She has amazing faith, and always has a sweet treat for the sisters we visit.  She pronounces Matthew's name in a unique way that he loves: "Matt-hew".  She gave Lindsey a special necklace with her initial on it when she was baptized and she loves it.  Edith is a good woman.

Now lately when Matthew prays, he prays for those who are sad Sister Juaneh moved, and prays that those that miss her the most, that she'll greet them when they get to heaven.  Since he's not expecting to see her again in this life.  SO sweet.

Spring Break--worst ever!

We had wonderful plans for Spring Break.  Stephen took the week off from work and we were going to go camping and rock climbing up in Oklahoma.  And then on Monday morning, Kaitlyn woke up with a fever.  And she stayed sick for a couple days.  Before she got better, Sam came down with it.

So there went our plans of camping and rock climbing.  We still hoped for maybe an overnighter somewhere local.  Stephen filled his time fixing up our back fence, replacing 3 poles and a rebuilding a panel that was rotting.  Matthew was helpful with his tools and loved helping his dad.

But sure enough Matthew and then Stephen came down with the same virus.  A fever, and then a cough.  Matthew bounced back pretty quick but Stephen's really lingered.

And it lingered so badly that that weekend's plans to head to Houston to attend the baptism of Elisa were in jeopardy.  In the end Stephen stayed home, we took the gamble that Lindsey and I would remain well and not infect the rest of the McKneely clan.

The baptism was lovely.  Kaitlyn played the piano and did a great job.  It was her first time playing for a meeting outside Young Womens.  So proud of her!

And I was honored to give the talk on baptism for sweet Elisa Sophia.

Hundreds Chart

Matthew came home from school the day before Spring Break beaming!  

At school there is something the school counselor does called the "Hundred's Chart".  When a teacher or staff member catches a student doing something good and kind towards another student, it is written on a post-it note and the student gets to pick a square on the chart, numbered 1-100 to put it.  When the chart gets full, then the counselor does a drawing and selects numbers and awards prizes.  

Sweet Matthew is on the chart about 3 times.  It got filled up and his number was chosen and he won a new lunch box filled with school supplies AND a free ice cream cone from Chick-fil-a.  So after school we went to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break AND Matthew's Hundreds chart.  And yes, he's wearing pajamas because it was a reward his class earned at school.

February 2017--week 4

What a FULL week!  The week before Spring Break is normally jam packed with lots of stuff.

#1:  It is the week of the PTA Bookfair which I assist my friend Shannon Lee in doing.  We spent a lot of time on Friday setting it up, and then that means I am at the school for a chunk of the day each day of the week helping out, it means early mornings and even after school stuff.  But it's the one thing I do for the PTA and I love working with Shannon!

 #2: Wax Museum

One of the benefits to working the book fair is that I'm there and I got to steal away to watch this girl do her "Wax Museum" event as she portrayed Wilma Rudolph the African American Olympic track star who won 3 gold medals.  She practiced her speech a lot and was really prepared.  And I think I nailed her costume--truly blessed to find it all on clearance--she looked and felt great!

#3: Pinewood Derby
This is his 3rd and final Pinewood Derby.  He's always had an Aggie themed painted car and he and Stephen work really hard to make it the fastest possible.  And he's consistently come in 2nd place each year--at least he's consistent.  I think he's a little disappointed, a different kid has one first each year and no one else has consistently been in the top 3 like he has.  It's been good for him (and Stephen), I think they enjoy it.






#4: Open House

It's no easy feat on a Thursday night when I'm running the book fair, we've got Open House starting at 4:30 in the afternoon and soccer practices at 6:00 & 7:00.  You can forget about MCO for the kids!  But what I am grateful for are good teachers and a wonderful community that his helping to shape my children to be who they're meant to be.

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Weekend getaway at Uncle Britt's

 We enjoyed THE BEST weekend getaway up at a vacation home up near Lake Texoma.  Our good friend Britt Berrett has a vacation home that he was kind enough to let us use.  It was so peaceful up there and with no internet and awful cell reception we were able to disconnect and spend much needed family time together

We THOUGHT we'd have a weekend between the start of soccer season and the end of basketball season, but no such luck.  Soccer started a week earlier than we thought it did, AND Sam had an end of season basketball tournament that had him have not one but two games on Saturday.  So two soccer games, two basketball games did not mean much lake house time, but we made the most of it.

Fun things to remember about the weekend:

• We watched some personal airplanes take off on a runway near the lake house (Stephen wants to learn how to fly a plane someday)
• We played cover your assets, and Stephen after winning a round actually "Dabbed" and we laughed hysterically!
• We did roast smores, and grilled out one night
• Much to our shagrin we completed a puzzle of the BYU Lavel Edwards Stadium
• We munched on PB M&M's that were from our Valentines care package
• We enjoyed a perfect pot roast in the crockpot on Sunday
• We only went to sacrament meeting in Sherman and then enjoyed a relaxing Sabbath at the house
• We tried to go on the hunt for the "Legend of the Togopogo" but it was a bit longer of a hike than we were expecting, and some of us hadn't gone to the bathroom before we left, and we should have brought some water--there's always next time!

AND we made it home in time to be home taught by the amazing Tim Colman who has been a loyal and faithful hometeacher and friend to our family for years.  He gave a touching message about how we will have help from the other side of the veil in our lives in all aspects if we will engage in family history work.

Then he stayed and counseled with Stephen and I giving me a blessing that I really needed.

February 2017--week 3

 We enjoyed a wonderful visit from the grandparents McKneely.  They spent a day with us, we were going to go on a hike on a new trail, but part of it wasn't quite open so we improvised and went a different direction.

 Sam had a basketball game and they did great!  He scored and loved being able to show grandma and grandpa his improving ball skills.  Look at this smile!

 Stephen and his dad spent some time doing family history work.  We are so blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives!

Then on Monday was actually a holiday and we were able to try out a new park that has a cool zipline--we weren't able to be there very long but we got there and will definitely come back!