Busy

Life has been crazy and so I haven't had the chance to blog. I've thought about it and have had some great Gospel insight ideas of things I have learned in my scripture study, but then I would rather spend my time snuggling with Marshall, reading M.C. Beaton books (she writes such fun amusing mysteries. I am a big fan of her Hamish McBeth and Agatha Raisin series.), playing with kids, or just catching my breath. Maybe one day, after the semester is over, I can write again.

We've had a few CES interviews and are waiting to see what happens next. Marshall is loving teaching early morning seminary and we all have survived. It really isn't that bad, but I know the kids, especially Jacob, miss him in the morning. It works out that I work at the school for an hour every day because most days Marshall can come home and watch Jacob for that hour. Jacob gets Daddy all to himself and love it. There is also a rumor that the Stake Presidency is looking for Marshall's replacement as bishop, but it's been a month and nothing new yet. We're not holding our breath, but we know the end is near and have mixed feelings about it.

Rachel had a round of having boils. She got an infected cat scratch on her back that turned into a boil. We got that one to go away, but then five more popped up. It was very painful and a nasty ordeal. It involved her having to go to the doctor and getting the boils lanced and cleaned out. She was in a lot of pain, but she stuck it out. Thanks to daily cleanings of her back and antibiotics, the boils are gone and are almost completely healed. Poor kiddo. I've never dealt with those before.

Marshall and I seem to be catching colds quite often. I am sure his lack of sleep, stress on both of us, and my being around kids daily doesn't help. But we are plowing through and our relationship has grown so much more as we have gone through this adventure together.

I got a new calling as Cub Master. Ha! Didn't see that one coming. But I am excited/ nervous. I know NOTHING about Cub Scouts, but I know a lot about fun. At least now I'll be knowledgeable when Jimmy becomes a Cub Scout next year!

This past weekend I participated in a duathlon. I had heard about it just a week and a half before it took place and was excited to try it. Biking and running, my two favorite things. I signed up to do the Sprint version, which consisted of 1.5 mile run, 12 mile bike ride, and then another 1.5 miles run. My good friend June let me borrow her awesome road bike that was so fast it kind of freaked me out on my test run. Of course, the week before I came down with a cold and was miserable until the day of the race. Somehow I found the energy to do it and completed the race, despite being congested and feeling like I was breathing under water and the cloudy drizzly weather. But it was an accomplishment that I wanted to check off and I am glad my family was there to cheer me on.

Maybe in a month I'll find the time to write another update!

The kids and I at the finish line of the Road Rage Duathlon

Rachel and her "Penelope" Valentine's mailbox she made

Happy 7th Birthday Jimmy!

Somehow my guy known as Jimmy is turning 7 tomorrow. I can still remember when he was born in the wee hours of the morning, coming very fast before the doctor made it. The nurse who helped deliver him was as calm as could be and brought my beautiful little guy into the world with me. I remember the two weeks after he was born that he spent a few days in the hospital, sick as could be from a virus we never figured out. I remember that scary time, relying on faith and praying he would get better. And he did. I remember his healthy deep-voiced baby cries that surprised a few people with how low his voice could go. His little "Curious George" baby face. He was one busy little guy that wasn't happy unless he was in on the action or creating his own adventures.

And now he is 7, speaks more Mandarin than I ever will, creates all sorts of elaborate contraptions, equals his almost 9 year-old sister in height and will surely pass me one day, wears his heart on his sleeve, looks out for his young brother, and amazes me with his observations about the world around him. I love Jimmy. He is such a blessing to our family. He adds something that is all his own.

For his birthday he wanted a party, which he was too shy to do last year. We had a Bad Piggie party, which found me making invitations, elaborate cupcakes, and a pinata. But it was totally worth it just to see the smile on Jimmy's face.

 The invitations

 Cute pinata

 Cupcakes

 Creating their own Bad Piggie mobiles

 Presents

 Blowing out the piggie!

 Good bye pinata!

Golden Egg spoon race

Back to reality

Tomorrow school begins again! How crazy that Christmas break is over and another year begins. I am so excited and anxious over all that awaits! Marshall will be teaching early morning Seminary at Hurricane and Pine View Highs, 5 days a week, on top of working full time, bishoping, and teaching a night class at the college. Crazy! But it is exciting and hopeful for the future. After this semester of teaching we will find out if he gets hired on by the Church Education System as a full-time Seminary teacher. What an adventure!

Christmas was a blast. We stayed around here and took it easy with Marshall's parents and his brother and family. Lots of yummy food, good times, and games. Santa brought a trip to Disneyland to the kids. We'll be going during Spring Break this March, when Marshall will have time off from teaching and such. The kids also got some fun presents. Christmas Eve they all did a cute Nativity with their cousins.

Jacob turned on year old the day after Christmas. He is now 4 and thinks he should be able to go to "the big school". Of course, he also wants to be little enough for me to carry on the way home from the park. Uh-huh.

For New Year's the kids were so excited to stay up. Jimmy said it was a competition to see who would be the last one up. We had all sorts of snacks and candy. We did some fire crackers and had a "Just Dance" party. Jacob gave up at 10:30 and Marshall and I went to rest in bed at 11. We told the kids that at midnight they could go outside and shout "Happy New Year!" and come to bed. They did. They were amazed that they survived longer than we did. I wasn't too surprised. We are "old" and sleep is so precious.

And now it is back to reality! Maybe having a schedule again will help me avoid the massive supply of dark chocolate my husband gave me for Christmas. It is so hard to avoid since dark chocolate actually has some good properties to it as well, unlike that "watered down" milk chocolate stuff. Good thing Marshall also gave me a running watch to help track the distance of my runs so I can keep that chocolate off. I am such a running geek that I tested out my new watch on Christmas Day!

I hope you all had a good holiday season and can ease back into reality with as little problems as possible!

Family portrait "take 2"

Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!

Love,

The McConkies