The Blonde Family

McIver Hall of Family Story

Administrator — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:07:44 +0000

While outside looking at the meteor shower this morning, I was reminded of one of the great McIver stories of all time. Years ago, we were looking to buy a boat. Gregg spotted one for sale in Tucker & called the owner. They arranged for us to meet at Lake Lanier to put the boat in the water & go for a test drive. So, we pile everyone in the car & head with excitement to the lake. The boat guy was late getting there - I know, hard to believe it wasn’t us late - but finally he arrives. His wife backs the boat down the ramp & releases it into the water. The boat won’t crank. He tries & tries but nothing. We pull it over to the dock & Gregg begins helping diagnosing the problem. Tools were borrowed from fellow boaters, different things were tried but nothing worked. Here we are, the whole McIver family, standing on the dock, waiting on our boat ride. Then the story gets good. I remembered there was to be a meteor shower that night. It is getting darker & darker. So, the boat owner says "Hey, why don’t you all get in the boat & I will pull you around here in the cove?" Gregg & I looked at each other & not wanting to hurt the guys feelings or just plain tired said "Sure!". So, yes, we piled in the boat & the owner presceded to pull us around the cove with a rope. Complete with boat noises in the water! We sat back & enjoyed the beautiful night God gave us & went for our famous "Boat Float". And no, we did not buy the boat! We aren’t that nice!

Chelsie is 21!

Administrator — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:53:32 +0000

"Better Late Than Never!" or "Always Late But Worth the Wait!" or "Don’t Be Tardy for the Party" Not sure which one of those apply but here it is!!

This picture was taken the day we brought Chelsie Lynne McIver home to be part of the Blonde Family! I love the looks of the faces of Keegan, Ryan & Katie as they inspected their new little sister.

She has been a joy ever since. We love to laugh in the McIver household & Chelsie always makes us laugh with her story of how she found the birth annoucement for Keegan that I wrote about in my last post. When she came along 14 months later, she says she is not the caboose, she is the little handcar behind the train and has always been trying to keep up. Truth is we are the ones that have been trying to keep up! Chelsie loves easily & deeply if you are lucky enough to be her friend. She loves to make you laugh & can make you cry just as easy. I can’t imagine our lives without her. I hope she realizes how deeply she is loved.

Happy Birthday Chelsie Lynne McIver!

And yes Morgan & Rebecca, I am not a cake decorator but anyone can make a round cookie cake! Sorry this is a little late & kinda a repost which I did not realize until I was almost through! Boy, I am getting old! I may have to give this blog thing up because I am just not great about posting anymore. But then again, I do have another grandbaby on the way!!!

Keegan

Administrator — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:59:17 +0000

Today is Keegan’s 22nd birthday! Oh my gosh, it is so hard to believe. If you know our family & you want a laugh, check this out:

Notice the "Caboose" statement (Little did we know Chelsie would prove us wrong 14 months later!). Keegan was the cutest kid with his curls & dimples.

Then he grew up! Just kidding. When I was pregnant we could not decide on a name. Gregg wanted Kyle - but after my sister Kristy said Kyle sounded like someone with a hairball (sorry all the Kyles out there!) and I wanted Keegan. Robert Keegan McIver. It sounded so great! But Gregg was holding out for Kyle. So, when Keegan was born, and when the nurse came in with the documents for the birth certificate, I told her we couldn’t decide. She told me you have up to a year to name him. Game was on! We went home with "Boy McIver". So we made a tally board by the phone and when people would call to congratulate us & ask his name, we would have them vote - Kyle or Keegan. After a few weeks, my Nana called & asked me "Have you named that baby yet? It’s not like you didn’t know you were pregnant!" To which I replied " You know, we have up to a year to name him!" Gregg overheard & announced "I give!" He went down to the state department that day & filled out the paperwork - Robert Keegan McIver. Thinking back, I really trusted him to fill in the right name. Who knows, Keegan could be Robert Kyle McIver! No, he is not a Kyle. Keegan means "little & fiery". Little did I know he would grow up to be big & fiery!

We took Keegan & his sweet girlfriend Eden out for lunch today to celebrate. Keegan apoligized for his "Funky Monkey" fit in Breckenridge,CO many years ago. Long story. But to this day, when I see a monkey, I think of him. Happy Birthday sweet Robert Keegan McIver - our first caboose! Life would not be the same without you.

What a Summer So Far!

Administrator — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:47:32 +0000

My summer trips started out with Lauderdale by the Sea with Gregg - see post below for story on that fantastic trip. Had a week home then off to Great Escape with the Middle Schoolers. What a great week of worship, games, mud pits & Epic slipnslide.

I believe this was the start of a downhill slide . It looked like so much fun! I just could not resist. The first attempt was great. Okay, I survived that. Just one more time. Ready Set Go. I was doing great until a youth bumped into me and I fell backwards, hitting my head HARD on the ground. My friend Katie asked me if I was okay, did I have a concussion. I said "I don’t know, what are the symtoms?" She said you feel extremely tired. I said "I feel extremely tired!!" Turned out to be a mild case of whiplash. But my back has not been the same since. The youth that went with me were so much fun to be around. It would not have been the same without each & every one of them. Check out our Outback Blog for stories on that retreat and my next adventure after at week home - Salkehatchie.

This was my 4th time to go to Salkehatchie. The first 3 times I was a co-site leader. I have worked along side someone who knows alot about construction & has an endless supply of tools. This year we had 9 sites and not enough males to go around so I became site leader of a house that needed a extreme kitchen makeover.

A young couple with 2 month old twins lived in this house. The den also needed painting & new carpet. And we took out a wall that was making the foyer very small. After 5 days working with 5 great youth & 3 fun adults and a sweet member of the church with a truck full of tools, we made this house a home.

These pictures don’t do the job justice but what a blessing the week was. We took out the center cabinet that was closing in the kitchen area, moved the frig over & put a new stove in place of where the frig was. We painted the dark cabinets and paneled walls. New countertops, floors and sink finished out the look. It was beautiful if I say so myself. We also took out a wall that was closing in the front foyer, repainted the front room and den & replaced carpet down in the den. All for under $1700! My back/leg was bothering me all week, I would have been in a much better mood if the pain had not been there. But I am so glad I went. Now I have 2 weeks to recoup before going to Jekyll Island with the High Schoolers for Fun in the Son. Then a week home then off to end my summer trips with a family vaca at Cape San Blas. I am so blessed!

Ode to Gilligan’s Island!

Administrator — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:24:39 +0000

Theme Song to our Anniversary Vacation

(Sung to the tune of "Gilligan’s Island")

*My apologies to Gilligan & the Skipper*

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,

A tale of an eventful tour.

That started from Ft. Lauderdale,

Aboard this red Rav 4, Aboard this red Rav 4.

Now Gregg is a crazy driving man,

And I with my iphone in reach.

Set out to hunt everywhere that day

For a tent for the beach, A tent for the beach.

The weather started getting rough,

this Rav4 was tossed.

If not for the determination of us both,

We surely would get lost, We surely would get lost.

We were searching for a special tent that Gregg had seen before.

With a sunscreen,

Flexible poles,

Plenty of room for two!

Everyone was sold out.

Even Sports Authority & Dick’s

Here in Lauderdale, Here in Lauderdale.

So this is the tale of the rest of our week,

Just chairs we will try.
We’ll have to make the best of things,
We hope we will not fry, We hope we will not fry.

The second day it began to rain,
So we left our chairs on the beach,

Returned seeing strangers sitting there.

Good manners we need to teach, Good manners we need to teach.

Bubba Gumps for dinner one night,

Grilled shrimp & ribs after that.

Lobster Sandwiches at Aruba’s,

We surely are going to get fat, We surely are going to get fat!

No laptop, only my trusty iphone,

I surely will survive.

Seeing 133 Sea Turtle eggs,

Made me feel so alive, Made me feel so alive.

I am going to add another verse

Because we were quite perturbed.

Didn’t think the front desk would give out our key

To a drunk from Pittsburg, To a drunk from Pittsburg.

So join us here this week next year,

When our tale will be long as a mile.

Again we will visit Lauderdale by the Sea,

And that makes us smile, That makes us smile.

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!

Administrator — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:25:27 +0000

Today is Mother’s Day & my birthday!

Told ya I have needed to lose weight my whole life! Anyway, I plan on having a great day because the special people that make me a mother are coming to celebrate with me. Last year I wrote a post about my Mom, who made me the mother I am today. She always made a big deal out of our birthdays. And when I was growing up, she was always home when I got home from school. I remember one time coming home & she was not there - I think I was in 3rd grade. I was so afraid something had happened to her. She was fine but it left a memory. And when I worked with her for years, she always helped me put my kids first. She pushed me to leave in the afternoon to get home for the the kids that mattered most. If one of them was sick, or had a program at school. Anything. I wanted to be there. And my mom made sure of it. She has always sacrificed so much for me & my brother & sister. I have always wanted to be that kind of mom.

And I have another mom. Gregg’s mom Ginny. Gregg & I have been married almost 32 years so I can’t help but think of her as my other mother. I am so grateful to Ginny for what she did to raise such an awesome son.

And now, my daughter Katie is a mom. What a joy that is to watch her love & cherish my little granddaughter. This past week, Katie called because Bella was sick and she planned/needed/wanted to help Chris launch his new website at the Drive conference. I dropped everything because I wanted to be there for my child. For my grandchild. Katie & Chris were so grateful. But it was nothing more than my mom would have done. What my mom taught me to do.

So, today I salute all my friends out there that are moms or have a mom or is like a mom to someone. This is a special day for all of you. A day to remember all the memories. A day to remember what makes each one of you special. I love each & every one of you.

My Life is so full

Administrator — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:03:39 +0000

Yes, my life is so full. Thank you God. You know the whole "Glass half empty, Glass half full" thingy. Well, my glass has always been full. Yes, I have always needed to lose weight. Yes, I have always been late to everything. But it always works out, just ask Joan Queen! I was raised with the attitude that "Hey, I can do that!" which is not always good. I have 2 great parents that have been married forever & still love each other. My mom plays tennis a few times a week & my dad thinks he is a pirate. (That is a story for another day). I have a brother Jeff who has a great family with Dot & I love to watch the interaction between them and their two daughters Kellyn & Haley. They all love the water (beach, lake, doesn’t matter) and animals. Lots of animals. I have a little sister Kristy that is so talented in so many ways. I love sitting on her back porch just enjoying & shooting the breeze. She makes me smile. And the life that her & Paul have is so great and busy. Always doing a project. Gregg & I think "We should put in a patio" and think about it for years. Kristy & Paul think "We should put in a patio" and they do it in a couple of days.

I have all the LPC Outback Youth in my life that make me so excited when I see what God is doing through them. And friends that some I have known my whole life & others I have known only for a short time. But I love all of you.

Then there is Gregg. He has worked so hard to make me happy. To make his family happy. I am not saying he is any better than any man out there. I am just saying that he loves me more than I could ever ask for. And he loves his kids. He has always worked so many hours. He has sacrificed so much for us. And all he has asked in return is love. The kind of love that when he drives up in the driveway from a long day at work everyone runs out the door yelling "Daddy, Daddy!" That kind of love. And when I was pregnant with my babies, I just knew that God was at work. That I was just getting the chance to help God with a miracle. Chelsie was my last but no less exciting than Keegan, who we fought over his name for weeks. Before him was Ryan who was my "Little Man" from the start. Still is. And Katie, our first. God made Chris for her and they make Bella together…..oh, and then we find out for sure today that a new little Green is on the way. Yes, thank you God for my full life & heart!

Easter ‘09 continued…

Administrator — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:35:15 +0000

Picture Alert! This post is just about all pictures! Funny how life goes full circle because one of my favorite childhood memories was Easter picnic at Grant Park. And that is where we did it this year, at the Kristy & Paul’s house. What a glorious day!

Hope your Easter was full of memories!

Easter ‘09

Administrator — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:47:04 +0000

The pictures says it all! We ~~kidnaped~~ babysat Bella to give Katie & Chris some alone time. We had a blast!

And remember this picture?

Here is Bella by the same tulips this year!

March Madness

Administrator — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:52:29 +0000

Yes, March went really fast & here is it almost Easter!

I am loving my job at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center. Every day is a new adventure on the trails.

And still loving my Youth….how could you not!

Bella has revealed that she is a fan of Mexican food -

We checked out our dock at Hartwell after all the rains & we have water!

It’s not much but it is a start!

Attention: Medical Updates….

Chelsie has shingles & a staph infection. Getting better every day.

I had an MRI on my back, bulging disc, narrowing canal, arthritis…..having a steroid injection soon…………

Funny story of the post!

So, I was sitting in my Mustang convertible in front of the L’ville Ingles talking on my cell phone when this truck pulls up. Out of the back door spills this guy with his pants pulled down around his knees. He takes off running with the biggest grin on his face! I was disappointed because I was on my phone so I did not get a picture. But the joke on on him. I think him & his buddies thought I was some hot blonde - then he shortly realized I was old enough to be his mom! Only in L’ville!