Cleaning in STYLE

I awoke the other day, to a lovely sight. My sweet Myklin, reminding me that housework need not be boring.

Ode To Erin

My sister bought this outfit for Baby #1, which was a surprise baby for us. Baby #1 turned out to be our Kirby girl, so she did not wear this outfit. My mom had it stashed away for Baby #2, which turned out to be sweet little Mykee Rhea, and my mom kept it stashed away. 20 months later, Baby #3 was our first little boy! My mom brought the outfit to Louisiana, where Tys Rix was born and I've had it ever since. Today, I pulled it out of his closet and for the first time in 6 years, Erin's baby shower gift was finally worn!!! Thanks for your pick, E, and thanks to Mom for keeping it a fun surprise for our first McKoy Boy. (No cheesy grins from this almost-two-year-old, he is in his "I refuse to look at the camera and pose, stage.")

Future Missionaries

Last Friday, the girls had a primary activity up at the church. It was a missionary activity. They were asked to come dressed as missionaries. My kids were excited to tote around mom and dad's scriptures. Kirby said, "Next time can I please have the little scriptures, Daddy's are way too heavy."

I was grateful for my short experience as a "Mini-Missionary" for the church when I was sixteen and called to Winchester 4th Ward, Winchester, Virginia in the D.C. South Mission. They did away with the program shortly after I finished up. We were asked to serve with two sister missionaries, and we had to dress, eat, act, and do everything that they do for one full week. I could have no contact with my family and I could only have fifty dollars. I did EVERYTHING exactly as they would do. It was a wonderful experience that changed my life. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to develop my testimony and to bear it as well. I was able to reflect on that wonderful week of my life during this little activity for my kids.

Myklin served her "mission" in California and ate strawberries, she said, "I kind of spilled them."

Kirby served her "mission" in "Um, I don't remember where." And she had, "Some sort of hot dog."

They came home and talked about how they sang. Kirby said, "We sang a song that goes, "Onward, Christian Soldiers!" and I chimed in, "Marching as to War." Kirby said, "Wow, you know that song? That is incredible!" They also taught all of the kids sign-language that ASL missionaries use on a regular basis, such as Jesus, missonaries, scripture, etc. That was pretty neat, I thought.

Kirby and Mykee both told me that they met "real, live, missionaries!!!" I'm glad that my girls had the opportunity to learn about this "great work." I'm grateful for a primary presidency that takes the time to plan activities that truly affect our children's lives. It was great opportunity, that brought the Spirit into my home and my children's hearts. I'm so grateful.

One Month Old!!!

Bright-eyed girl.
Fallon and Daddy holding hands.

Daddy and Fallon's Piggies
There's those big, blue eyes I love!
Sweet, Sleeping, Angel
Happy 1st Month, Angel girl!


Yesterday, Fallon became ONE MONTH OLD!!! It is simply amazing how the "quickening of times" has unfolded. My sweet little newborn is rapidly growing. Over the last month she has learned amazing things, how much we all love her, how to defend herself in a world filled with toddlers, how to make sure she is heard in a house filled with loud-folk, and most importantly (to me, anyways) is how to SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! WOOHOO!!! (As Tys would say! ;)) I'm grateful for this precious angel that Heavenly Father has seen fit to bless us with. We love you, Fallon Reese!!!!

Kirby's Competition at Lagoon

Kirby had a national dance competition on May 10th up at Lagoon. (A local amusement park.) Her cheer leading squad competed as well as her Ballet class. She was AMAZING!!! There are always the children that stand there and cry, or the ones that go the opposite direction as everyone else, or the ones that smile the entire time while doing nothing, and there are the performers. I wasn't sure which category she would fall into, as her dance studio is closed to parents. BUT, she was incredible, she smiled, she had great rhythm, she had beautiful lines and was just so wonderful to watch. I seriously cried!!! I didn't necessarily expect her to be so exact, but she really was very lovely to watch. My mom wisely pointed out that I would have been proud no matter what "type" of dancer she was, and she is right, but, I was definitely extra proud. It was a great day, a very special one for Kirby, Jason and myself. Fallon was with us and we had a sitter for Mykee and Tys come at 5 in the morning when we had to leave. We took Kirby to Panda Express and she was super excited to eat with chopsticks. It was a great day. We found out last week, that Kirby's Cheer leading Squad placed 2nd, and her Ballet Class received 3rd place. She came home with ribbons, medals, and two stuffed elephant toys. She had a lot of fun and I'm really proud of her.

Little People, Big World

I LOVE Little People. I seriously could go head to head with Fisher Price on what we have "in stock." Stacey and I used to play for hours and hours on Sunday afternoons with our camping set and our airport when we were growing up. All was fine until some wacky mom decided to let her kid eat a little person, thus forcing Fisher Price to make giant chubby ones.

I remember being bummed for years about it, until I had kids and then, the chubby Little People didn't bother me as much. We decided to spend a couple of days creating a village with all of our Little People sets, minus a few stray ones that were upstairs in Tys' room that I didn't feel like digging for and of course the Christmas sets which are put away. My absolute favorite picture is of Mykee's school bus, which I'm sure violates fire codes, and seat belt laws, but it was a riot watching her shove about 15 kids into a three-seat bus. Tys loved destroying our village, and Kirby and Mykee loved setting it up "properly." We had a great time.

Curler Cuties

Kirby has to have "full curls" for her dance competitions, pictures, and recitals. I decided picture day at school was the perfect opportunity to practice. I got started on her head and Mykee came bounding in and proclaimed that she wanted some "bouncy hair" as well. We had a fun time together, us big girls!

Fishing Fun

Everyone who knows Jason knows he has three loves, family, fishing, and LSU. He took the girls fishing Saturday afternoon. Myklin passed the time by chucking rocks into the pond, and into Kirby and Daddy's poles. Kirby has become quite the fisher woman, and caught two big rainbow trout with her fancy princess pole. They had a great time with their dad.

Gardner Village

This past Saturday, we went to Gardner Village. It is a fun place with paths, a pond, covered bridges and quaint little shops. It was nice to get some fresh air and a little exercise. I was especially grateful to enjoy some time out as a family of six!