Macey #11

Amazing Macey... what else is there to say, the girl is simply amazing. 

Macey is a little fireball of energy. She was always the early riser that woke up before sunrise ready to take on the world. Her morning routine used to be filled with dance parties at 6:30 AM and three rounds of breakfast before school. But since we moved to Tennessee, she actually has to use an alarm clock in the morning and she only has time for a quick smoothie before school. But once that girl is awake, don't try to get in her way! Good luck to McKay trying to keep up with her on the walk/run to the bus stop. Oh and she has made it clear that mom and dad are no longer allowed to walk with them to the bus stop...

Macey is 16 going on 17. Macey has always wanted to be older than she is. Macey has always played with the older kids - her best friends in Colorado (Aria and Allegra) were more than twice her age at the time, her best friend in New Mexico was three years older than her, and her best friends in Tennessee are all in Young Women's while Macey is still stuck in Primary. Macey is one of the youngest 6th graders. Most kids her age are still in 5th grade. Can you imagine?! Macey would have gone crazy having to spend another year in the Elementary School! Good thing we followed Grandma Messerly's advice and got her in school as soon as she was eligible.   

Macey is an open book. We can never get much of an answer out of McKay when he comes home from school. For example, last year McKay never told us anything about the bus ride home. Just in the first week of school Macey has broken into tears spilling out all the drama on the bus ride home - a five minute ride mind you! Macey still tells us everything about her classes, her friends, and which boys she likes and no longer likes. Sometimes it can be hard wearing your emotions on your sleeves, but with Macey we are grateful that she feels comfortable being honest and vulnerable with us.  

Macey is an activist. Macey has many environmental causes that she supports with her whole heart. With the recent construction near our home it has made Macey very sad that they will be knocking down some trees. Little do those workers know that Macey is secretly planning a good old fashioned tree sit to save our neighborhood forest. Macey loves all animals. Macey's tender heart was broken to see all the stray dogs in Latin America living on the streets. Her favorite marine animal is the Orca, and don't you dare call them "killer whales". The dog adoption video at Dollywood was almost more than her little heart could handle. Although we are a no-pet family, Macey has found a way to adopt one of her friend's baby chicks and excitedly dog sits for another friend whenever they are out of town.  

Macey is an athlete. Although Macey may not be some superstar athlete at one specific sport, she is naturally gifted at every sport she tries. Macey made the track time two years in a row for the 4x100 as one of the fastest girls in her school. Macey has never watched a game of football in her life, she easily runs circles around the neighborhood boys for pickup football and she is ready to use that speed for city league flag football this fall. Although swimming is just a summertime sport for us, Macey won first place in multiple swimming events as her team's fastest 11-year old female swimmer for the breast stroke and freestyle. The one sport Macey is most committed to (or at least that her dad is encouraging the most) is basketball. Macey has played three seasons of city league basketball with Coach Rich. But this past year she also played for an Open League team and even made the AAU traveling team. We will see if this becomes her focus in middle school or if she continues to prefer being a well-rounded athlete. 

Macey is a disciple of Christ. Macey is a great example of prayer, scripture study, and keeping the Spirit in our home. Macey has a strong testimony and expresses hers best when belting out the primary songs. Macey is very sensitive to the feelings and promptings of the Spirit. She loves her Savior and loves sharing that love with those around her. 

We sure love our Macey Mack!

Anniversary #16

As we celebrate our anniversary, today also marks Ellen's passing. 

I'm sure she feels terrible about those two events happening on the same day. 

We visited Ellen around her final birthday, and she said her only wish was to be able to go out to a restaurant to eat. The place she requested was Olive Garden, the same place we had our wedding rehearsal dinner all those years ago. Ellen did in fact make it to Olive Garden and we go in her memory every year.

For years (until Rich recently, unknowingly corrected her) Macey would bless our food to "strengthen our lungs" instead of the generic "strengthen our bodies". She had grown up hearing us pleading for Ellen's lungs to heal and it became part of her wishes too.

We miss Ellen so much. 

But I know she would be so happy with where we are now.

 Rich loves his work and is appreciated. He has more hobbies than you can shake a stick at. And he's actually trying to get the lab to pay for a Masters Degree in Portuguese to combine his career and passion! All while trying to make it as a professional Ultimate Frisbee player and coaching his kids in the sport too. 

I've fallen more in love with Tennessee with each time I'm on the paddle board on the lake less than 10 minutes from our house. I'm back to subbing, and love the community of our school. Young Women's is going well and you can count on me to speak my mind. 

McKay and Macey are thriving at school, at church and are still the best of friends. 

We love Ellen and the best way we show that is loving eachother. 

This day is hard and also beautiful.

Moments

^^started my Tennessee sourdough journey.

^^The teachers are all impressed with how much of the country our kids have seen. 

In 2027, we plan to get them to the remaining ten states!

^^the best surprise on a run after rain

Macey's friend got chicks and we are all obsessed.

^^Macey adopted this one and named it CC for curious chick.

^^pulled this out of our tire...

^^teamwork on changing our flat.

^^The Messerlys dominated their frisbee team

Smoking F for our send off meal with Mitch and Asha. 

What a perfect final Tennessee experience.

Thanks for a summer of memories and fun.

Love and miss you guys!

First Day of School

Another school year has begun!

And the kids are at the same building again- just the best. 

We love HVMS more than we ever thought possible. 

Here’s to being in 6th and 7th grade ;)

Swimteam

The end of July marked the end of swimteam.

The kids had such a great year and they both improved so much. Macey was one of 200 teammates to be recognized for her efforts and contributions to the team at the banquet. 

McKay competed in every stroke and was often the anchor for his relay. 

Thanks for another great season!

Sharks on three!

Visitors

This summer is the most family time we’ve had since we lived in Provo! With Mitch and Asha here for an internship, my kids thought they hit the jackpot. We’ve done weekly family dinner, church, lake time, pool time, shopping, World Cup watching, lots of games + having the Sound of Music on repeat. 

As a bonus guest, Rich’s brother and Mitch’s dad came out to visit for McKay’s birthday. We played hard (and sweat hard) at the park, pool, lake and of course… Dollywood.

^^ Melton Hill Lake.

Loren was such a good sport spending every waking moment with these two obnoxious cuties. 

^^Buc-ees with the first timers 

^^I’m often the third wheel to these two.

^^the highlight was getting picked to go onstage for the bubble show, on McKay’s birthday!! 

^^then an hour later, Macey was picked to go onstage at the dog stunt show! 

Dollywood was so good to us. 

We stayed until the park closed and watched the fireworks. I’m not sure a summer night gets better than family, good food, drone show and roller coasters. 

Thanks for coming and spending the summer with us. 

As Dolly says “I (we) will always love you!!!”

McKay #13

Hello teenager!

Our McKay boy is such a special guy.

He’s a man who loves a plan and a purpose. 

He’s helpful and friendly and gives compliments as soon as he thinks it. You never have to wonder how he’s feeling and he speaks his mind. 

He’s the deacons quorum president and does such a good job asking for help to pass the sacrament, even from adults. He dutifully puts away all the chairs in the entire building after every church service and smiles + whistles the whole time. 

At school he washes the tables after lunch, follows all the rules and his teachers adore him- even those he only had for a quarter. His TCAP scores were incredible this past year and math continues to be his strength. He comes home with his agenda filled out and gets right to work. He’s favorite phrases he’s picked up from school are “What’s good” “Crash out” “I’m GOATED” “Lock in” “I’m cooking” “That’s W”

His ideal day would be this past week where we took him and a different friend each day to the lake, Urban Air and Main Event. He played so hard with his friends and then came home and played hard with his legos, alone in his room. A selective introvert at its finest. 

He sure loves his extended family. He’ll do anything to see cousins, aunts, uncles and grandpas- even just for a day. Any trip we plan, his first comment is always “is any family going to meet us there?!” So today taking him to Dollywood with Mitch, Asha and Uncle Loren is literally his dream come true. 

We love our McKay so much. 

He’s got quirks and neuro-differences but he’s ours.

 He’s forgiving, hardworking and creative. 

And he constantly makes me want to be better.

Happy Birthday!!!

The Outer Banks

The Outer Banks has been on our radar for years, and it did not disappoint.

 We drove 30 miles east from the North Carolina mainland to reach the barrier islands. Think small town, non-commercialized and historic vibes all along the ocean. Many restaurants were closed on Sundays and had limited hours during the week, even for peak summer days. Our hotel was the only one we could see and it just had five floors, two of which were hidden behind the berm, There were no high rise condos, or other buildings either. The shore was simply lined with the most darling beach cottages. We found turtle nests as I'm sure they love the lack of light pollution. 

A little town simply focusing on the wonder of the Atlantic.

^^the Jacks from Maryland met us in Nags Head.

Being with them was easily the highlight.

After seeing the original plane used in the first flight at the Air and Space Museum in DC, we had to go to the site where man first flew!

^^we also played in the largest sand dunes out east at Jockey Ridge State Park.

^^and what's time at the beach without collecting seashells on my run?

^^The Messerly Four at the place where everyone is the happiest. 

OBX BB #36

 

Beachy Birthday #36!

Nags Head, Outer Banks in North Carolina, was this year’s location.

---

Reflecting on another passing year, I realized there are a lot of things I'm not.  

I won't be attending an Emma M. Lion book series party, I’m just not a fan. I created and was the first member of the "do not ask to speak in Sacrament meeting" list.  Small talk is so painful for me. I don't do pets. I only answer my dad's phone calls. I don’t have an inner voice. I don’t wear makeup.  I won’t find an excuse to dress fancy. I don't experience mom guilt. I decline all the running group invitations. Hosting guests is not my favorite.

Buttt... I'll hold your baby any day of the week. Meeting at a National Park or beach is an easy yes. If we ask to double date with you, that invitation carries weight. Simple living is always a conversation to have. I'll do anything for my kids' school + teachers.  I love working with the youth. I love the peace of our home. Family finance is a passion of mine. Sunshine is always my answer.  

I'm grateful to embrace who I am and who I am not. 

Is this what aging is??

Happy Birthday, me!

Moments

^^we had such a perfect fourth. 

^^fireworks outside our window?! 

So magical!

^^swimteam glitter freckles 

^^McKay was so excited to see the Mandolorian in theaters with Rich. 

^^Dude Perfect + Savannah Bananas!

^^Smokies game in the suite, compliments of ORNL

Our friends’ 10 aces of lake front property is such a dream.

^^give us all the sunshine with friends!

^^Swimmers of the week.

Macey and her crush, Austin.

^^July babies playing mini golf, bowling and arcade games in Gatlinburg. 

Macey and Rich were at basketball. 

^^AAU Nationals

^^happy birthday to me! 

A paddleboard! 

Macey and I brought it to Girls Camp at Ten Mile when we visited for the day and had such a blast. 

^^cruising on the lake is a new highlight for the summer!