A Little Catching up...

This whole blogging thing can be a little burdensome. I am trying not to think about it too much, but I know how I feel when I visit someone's blog and they haven't updated in forever....so....I try to keep things updated. Except for the family scrapbooks. That is one of my goals for this year. Get everyone caught up! Poor Grant and Garrett. I am about 4 years behind on them. Nothing that a free month can't take care of! If only I could find a free month!

Anyway...Garrett turned 14! He's now legal to attend Church dances! I doubt that is on the top of his list, but I'm just saying that he could if he wanted to :) He opened some presents and then headed off to Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Grant was sick so we left him with a "barf bowl" by his side, laying on the couch. He didn't seem to care. Dinner was great. Although Garrett's "Pastalaya" turned out to be spicier than he'd anticipated. The "Volcano" dessert made up for it!

Here Garrett is with his "Sugar Baby". He had to make her for his "Skills for Living" class in 8th grade. He started with a 4 pound bag of sugar and some panty hose...added some tissue paper, button eyes, a diaper, binky, Build-A-Bear clothes, etc. and ended up with a "Sugar Baby" that he was to take care of for a week. Ugh! I can't stand these silly projects that are suppose to teach abstinence and the pitfalls of teen pregnancy. Garrett was really serious about everything in the beginning...by the sixth day, he walked into the house, put the baby in a booster seat and announced "Now THAT'S daycare!" We were cracking up! I think he named her Annabelle Lee or something. She looks kind of odd, but what do you expect?

Here's Grant is with some of his class at the Fifth Grade awards assembly...We are at a new school and they do things a little differently. Everyone gets an award, obviously, but seriously folks..."No tardies all year"...that's an award?!! Please. Bill thinks that could have been the only thing they could come up with for some of the kids. Anyway, it was a bit strange, but we wouldn't have missed being there. All of our kids like having us at their "stuff" and we love being there! Grant is now a BIG sixth grader! He is the tall one in the greenish shirt.

And finally...Bill and I took a last minute trip to Cancun, Mexico! I had been toying with the idea of getting away...I am always doing that! Anyway, we couldn't seem to find a block of time because of all of the activities of the kids. But being magical like I am, I made it work. Christine is SUPER responsible and was fine with being in charge and the boys were fine with us going, so we did. We spent 4 days at the Marriott CasaMagna which is right on the Caribbean. It was wonderful! We ate the most wonderful shrimp at Captain's Cove and had some interesting food at La Distileria. It was fun watching a Mexican soccer game with a bunch of Mexicans in the Champions Sports Bar at the hotel. We have been feeling a fair amount of stress with the whole Houston/Dallas arrangement, the death of my sister in law, dealing with my 2 nieces and now unemployment...I said "I just want to lay on a beach somehwere." So that's what we did. Well not on the beach, but at the pool, with the sound of the Caribbean in the backgound. (If I can avoid the sand, I do.) We now feel rejuvinated and ready to roll up our sleeves and head to High Adventure and Girls Camp.

We are on the balcony of our room...beautiful view of the Caribbean

Another beautful shot from our room!

A pretty cool shot of the hot tub at our hotel! We had never seen a bigger hot tub!

We are in the Atrium of the Marriott. It was a beautiful hotel. The sad part was that we felt like we were in a bit of a ghost town. Because of the Swine Flu scare, the hotel was only filled to about 30%. It was nice because we enjoyed a lot of attention. But we felt bad for the folks who make their living on tourism.

Bill is home to stay!

Together again...who's the goonball to the right!?


After 7+ months of commuting to Houston, Bill is home! A couple of weeks ago, he and his boss decided to "part ways". His boss is pretty demanding and unrealistic. He's 40 something, never been married, no children. So obviously, he doesn't understand the need to have a life outside of work. He liked access to his employees 24/7...a lot of Bill's team worked Saturdays and Sundays. Anyway...who really cares the reason. The bottom line is that we can be like "real" families...living together, under one roof, all the time! The hunt for new employment has begun. We are certain things will work out. We are confident enough that we are beginning construction on a pool. We are snobs, I'll agree. I will not go another summer without a pool in the backyard. Last year was a long summer! I, for one, believe that one's own pool should be "standard issue" in Texas! We are so happy to be staying here in Allen. Everything feels so right. So, Bill is ONLY looking at jobs that will keep us here. It will happen. We are sure. Throw a prayer our way if you can! The more the merrier!

Sharee Rose McClintic

Some of you might already know that my sister-in-law Sharee has been battling pancreatic cancer for the past several months. Yesterday, with her sweet daughter Amy by her side, she lost that battle. It has been a long few weeks as we watched the illness take hold of her body. I was able to spend several days with Sharee and Amy these past couple of weeks. Although I was of little help...I was always ready with a story or a shoulder. Words seem to be my strength...hopefully I wasn't too annoying. I really didn't know Sharee that well, for a number of reasons. It was really a gift to be by her bedside during some of her final days. I couldn't help but grow closer to her during these times. We talked about the life she would soon have and the loved ones who would greet her. She seemed to be comforted. Amy provided much needed peace and comfort for her mom. Sharee passed with Amy and some close friends by her side. She was not alone...and certainly she was welcomed with open arms by many who loved her in this life. Sharee...until we meet again...


Sharee and Allison at Mike's memorial last year...a rough year for the McClintic girls.

Austin

It's been several years since we have gathered at my dad's in Austin for some family togetherness. Bill drove over from Houston, Grant and I drove down from Dallas (Christine and Garrett both stayed behind because of band commitments), Jim and Brandon flew in from San Diego and Lauren flew from Philadelphia. Not everyone came, but those of us who did, had a great time! We talked and ate and saw Star Trek...loved it!...and played Rock Band. I was certain that the entire town could hear us all belting out "Livin' On A Prayer"! It was a blast! Nothing like having Grandpa on bass guitar, Bill on vocals, Grant at the drums and Brandon on lead guitar! Reid and Clay were crazy good on the guitars! We even indoctrinated Uncle Jim into the fun of Rock Band...He was great on vocals and bass guitar! We also played a game that Reid and Clay invented called "Palm-Palm". It was played with a small rubber ball in teams of two. The object was to hit your opponents in the legs to get them out. It's a bit more complicated than that...but you get the general idea. It got quite physical at times...we were all sweating our guts out and looked forward to resting under the game room fan...too much fun! Uncle Jim and Clay were the victors! I was thrilled whenever I got either Lauren or Brandon "out"...they are true athletes and had serious skills! Bill was insane...tossing Lauren into the wall and removing the skin from the top of one of his toes...he was competitive in a fun way. We laughed and played...great times! My dad is a great sport and had no problem with us playing that in his house! I have considered playing it here...but am certain that the casualties (picture frames, etc.) would be substantial! We are hoping to get together again in the near future. We certainly had allowed too much time to pass since our last get-together.



The Gang after the Rock Band Competition...Reid and Clay's team won!


Sisters...Becky and Lauren


Reid...Clay...Grant

A Phonecall from Elder Casper

What a Mother's Day! The alarm sounded at 6:30am followed by a quick shower. I reviewed the lesson I would be teaching in Relief Society and then choked down a couple of bites of oatmeal. The kids and Bill gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and some awesome Brighton jewelry. Then it was off to Church. The talks were great and the women all received a cute little potted plant...chocolate is ALWAYS my first choice, but a flower is easier on the hips. The lesson was finally over and then I began to focus on the clock! William was calling at 3:30. He called my cell phone because he couldn't remember our home number...since we moved last June, Christine is our only child who has memorized our new number...duh! Anyway, we spoke for about 40 minutes...the time went WAY too fast. He sounds great! He's eating mango, rice, and sugar cane! Drinking lots of water and juice! I told him he had better be brushing his teeth! He's lost a bit of weight...that's what happens when you live in a sauna! He's had a couple of baptisms and has more planned...things are going well. I hated talking on my cell phone with the speaker on. I will be investing in new phones, good ones with an awesome speaker...any recommendations??? I do have some time...we won't be talking to him until CHRISTMAS!!! That seems forever away! What a great Mother's Day gift. We are blessed. I am content!

Colombian Missionary Moments

Just a quick update from our favorite missionary, Elder Casper. I haven't posted in quite a while, so I have some catching up to do...William says the heat is getting better...I am pretty sure that means he is getting accustomed to it. When he enters a house, the people "rush" to get him a fan because he sweats so much! His farmer's tan is coming along and the members are now feeding them, so I don't think he has been sick. They are teaching a ton of investigators and already have some baptisms lined up. They are working with quite a few part member families, so they are busy getting everyone baptized and active. He sounds happy and loves the Colombian people already! Big surprise! He's loving the Latin elders who live with he and his companion...they all seem to have a good time together. We will talk to him on Mother's Day, so I will have more to report on Sunday! I can't wait. What a happy Mother's Day it will be...and I don't even care that I have to teach Relief Society that day! I just know that once church is over, I'm coming home, changing into comfy clothes, being served dinner and waiting patiently by the telephone! Oh happy day!

BYU Women's Conference and FRIENDS

I spent the past few days in Utah. It was a trip different from all other years...in a good way. I am usually on my own schedule...being my usual "control freak". Being with Jennie Jenkins helped me let go a little...and it was good. Jennie flew through DFW on Wednesday and we took the same flight to SLC. That was really a nice start to our trip. We stayed at Jennie's sister-in-laws house in Highland. I dragged her to visit my friend Michelle, who also lives in Highland. Thursday and Friday were packed with upliflting classes and music. There is something special about thousands of women singing the Hymns...it always "moves" me. I learned a lot and was reminded of many things that I should be doing and maybe am not doing. Not a guilt trip or anything...really...just reminders to do a little better. I saw many friends that I hadn't seen in many years. One of the highlights of the trip was breakfast on Saturday morning with wonderful friends from our Married Student housing days! It was SO wonderful reconnecting...laughing and catching up. We were WAY overdue for a little reunion. I am blessed with wonderful friends! Thanks girls! I am home again and must admit that it is great to sleep in my BIG bed! I am spoiled...no question! I am very grateful for those sweet children who gave up their beds for me...thanks Rachelle and Ellorie!





Jennie Jenkins, Heather Kinard, Becky, Christine Sloan and Cindy Gaddis


Melanie Lipscomb and Becky at Women's Conference



Becky and Heather Kinard inside the Marriott Center


Jennie Jenkins and Becky outside the Marriott Center