Busy, Busy

My kinders have been reciting nursery rhymes.  And considering they don't speak English, it makes it even trickier...haha.  But they were having such a blast, we started acting them out - and the idea just blossomed into a full-blown production!!  (what was I thinking?!?!?!)

My mom and sister have collected clothes that could be used for costumes and my niece, Quinn, is painting the set for me!

We had the nephews over for a campout - tons of fun.  Hotdogs and rice krispie treats were yummy.

Ethan turned 16!!!  Can't believe it.  But he got a cop outfit from his cousins and aunt and uncle and he just loves it.  He also got a lot of superhero stuff, so he was on cloud nine - even if he is a cool 16 year-old.

Fall weather calls for caramel and chocolate dipped apples, of course.  I haven't tasted any yet, because I am trying to stay off sugar (yeah, right.....)  But they sure looked good.

Samantha had her baby, Ace Buchanan, on Ethan's birthday -which was super exciting.  He is a cutie - 10lb 5oz. 

Ethan is super busy - he has swimming three nights a week and weight lifting twice a week.  Which means we are super busy.  Yikes.  There is a reason 16 year olds are supposed to drive, haha, but we will be the drivers for Ethan for many, many years so I guess we just get used to it.

Weather has been warm (not complaining) - and I love the fall colors in this part of Tennessee.

Lovin' it.

Welcome, Fall

The obligatory kinder trip to the pumpkin farm.  I wish I could of posted pictures of my adorable children having a BLAST at the Mayfield Farm, but I can't!  We were the only school there so we had the run of the place and the kids had a great time just going from place to place, running, laughing, being free and easy - it was perfect!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month and the month for the Buddy Walk!  Willow and Quinn went with us, but we ended up leaving before the walk actually began because it took so bloomin' long for it all to start!  But we had fun while we were there.

Hot Dog Roast at Aunt Samantha's........

Week 39 - I hope that boy comes this week while we are on Fall Break so I don't have to miss it!

Saturday was the first day it actually FELT like fall.  It was a fabulous day for fun.

Hello, Frog.  He was on our door when we came home from church.  He stayed for a while and left.  Hope to see him again!

Ethan and I have a whole glorious week off of school.  I plan on cleaning and catching up!

Camping - the Easy Way

Phil has been working "in secret" on a platform/camping area in the back of the yard behind the pool.  When it is finished it will have a firepit, eating area, and a tire swing close by.

He and Ethan (and Axle) took it out for a test run last night.

They cooked and ate dinner inside since he didn't get it ready until well after dark and Ethan was starving.  Plus there was the added benefit of a bathroom with toilet and shower just a short jaunt up the little hill, and a hot breakfast waiting for them this morning.  That is the way to camp.

It still needs some work, but it is coming along.

The Good, the Bad, and the Nasty

Good news - Ethan did not take off this week.  Yep, he remained a "car rider" all week, just like he was supposed to.

Bad news - I still have 10 children who don't know any of their alphabet :-(

Nasty - two potty accidents this week - same child, same day.  I have since figured out he waits too long and now I just remember to remind myself to remind him.

Other unfortunate news - 

Phil got tired of Axle's stinky collar and decided to boil it clean.  Unfortunately he forgot about it and now it is burnt to the bottom of my [good] pot.  [cue evil eye]

Jordan can't figure out google drive, apparently because he attached pictures I don't have access to.  But he is doing well and I will post pics when I can.

Last week of September with continued temps in the 90s..............but at least we aren't flooding!

Germs, Yuck and......Trouble

My life right now is filled with:

Yep - lots of runny noses (and a few potty accidents) have been in my room this week.  I'm getting a little paranoid about getting sick mostly because it is hard to get subs for my school and who knows what I would come back to!?!?  I need to stay healthy - so between the mega doses of vitamins and germ-x - I am hoping I can avoid trouble for as long as possible.

On another front - an Ethan front - he thought we had left him this morning (dad left for church early and apparently he didn't see me standing in the living room as he rushed out the door) - by the time I grabbed my bag and went to the car he was nowhere to be found.  I knew immediately what must of happened.  I jumped in the car and sped down the road to find him getting into a lady's car.  He had been crossing the narrow, very busy street and was almost hit by her.  She didn't know what to do but give him a ride....who knows where...the police station??  I got there in the nick of time.  She was freaked out - I was freaked out - and Ethan got an earful when I got him back to our car.

Just when you think he won't do something crazy.........

Seriously off to Save the Day

Dramatic.  Serious.  Totally into it.

Captain America.

Baby Fun

In just a few short weeks I am going to have another nephew!  Yippee - cause for a celebration - especially since it has been over five years since Samantha had her last baby.  Time for new goodies.

This is the only time I have a smaller belly than Sami - of course she gets her maternity clothes at the Junior section in Target, so I don't stand a chance either way.

Mom was the master planner in the affair.  Bless her, she has to come to my house everyday to get Ethan off the bus and she made another trip on Saturday for the party.

Samantha's oldest, Journee, was the only daughter to grace us with her presence.  She is ALMOST 21 and will graduate from nursing school in May.   She cracks me up, I'm glad she came.  Although who wouldn't want yummy food and an afternoon off?

Sami brought the two youngest to hang out with Ethan.  After five girls, she FINALLY started having boys.  This new lil' one will be boy #3 and everyone is excited for him to get here.

Mom picked up five different chicken salads from the Chicken Salad Shop - we had so much food we ended up with a ton of leftovers, but that is how we roll in this family.  We don't want anyone to leave hungry.

I forgot how adorable newborn clothes are.  It seems like when I was having my boys cute boy clothes were not that abundant, but they sure do make cute outfits now.

Sami got a few handmade gifts, like this knitted hat from angora.  It was super soft and the yarn was raised, sheared, spun, and knitted by one of her good friends.  Farmers are amazing.

A handmade blanket....

And quilt.  This is actually the third quilt she got.  I couldn't find my camera when she got the other two.  Sigh.....it's always something.  Which leads me to believe these pics are a little blurry because I couldn't find my glasses.......

It was a super fun day.  It was great meeting Sami and mom's friends.  Now, fingers crossed, maybe the little guy will be born on Ethan's birthday (October 19th!!)

Still no espanol, but lots of bread

This is my second week in Argentina. I don't know what to do here except teach and teach and teach and eat so much food I have a stomachache every night. BLAH I eat enough pan (bread) to feed a small town. Literally with EVERY meal! I love it!

My companion is one swell guy I'm not going to lie. He is the best! I don't know if I could have asked for a better man to teach me!

SO Lets just talk about this week a little bit....We had to go to Tucuman for a conference. And then we got stuck in Tucuman for such a long time because we had to go to the doctors office......for my companion's...health problems hahahahaha

But we didn't get to Metan until 10:30 that night, and then our next bus was a 1:50 in the morning.....such a long day we didn't get to get to our bed until 4:30 the next morning.... wowzer and we get to do that again Friday and Saturday! YEAH!

But the only thing that is really a good thing about staying out in Tucuman is the hamburgers... YES!!!

We also made type of pizza today.......it was weird.....

This past Sunday we had 5 investigators in the church today!!!! I think it was awesome!! 

We were really happy.

This week I understand about 2 percent more than what I thought I would and speak 10 percent less than I actually understand so i am at a strong negative 8 for speaking the language!

 Oh what fun;) this is not the MTC! I do love it here and the LORD has allowed me and my companion to prosper more than I could ever imagine!!!! I love you all!!! BE safe!!!!!!

Your Favorite missionary

Elder McGrath

 

Be Still My Heart

The school clearance at Walmart: 25 cent boxes.

Good for oh so many things. 

I bought the cases they had left. 

And I found a use for every single one today. 

Happy Day. 

Él llegó!!

Hello all,

It has been a crazy week i am not going to lie. I don't have much time on this but i have some stories I have to tell you. I was on the plane for almost 24 hours... wow... I have come to realize that I REALLY don't like planes at all!!! I hate them...

So we all got to Buenos Aires and went through customs and everything was in spanish... oh no...what did I get myself into, eh????   We flew to Salta and met with the police to get our passports figured out and then went to meet our mission president! President Chaparro and his wife are de diez!! (that means awesome) Then we had a really bomb dinner and went to sleep. Next thing we know we are late for the meeting where we get out trainers ahhhhhhh no! So we finish up passport stuff and head over to the mission house. My companions name is Elder Petersen!!! He is from Utah and is amazing!! We are learning so much!!

Here is a big shocker for all of you!..,.I do not know how to speak spanish.... oh yeah, y'all never would have guessed it right?

My first lesson was with a family names Coman! They are amazing but let me tell you, I did not understand a single word that was spoken!!!! AHAHHAHAH

I don't have any time but I want you to know I am eating good and sleeping better, i have almost gotten over my fear of spiders.....almost.....

I drink alot of mate and I am still here so the lord hasn't smitten me for that.

I love all of you!!! I want you to know that The Lord will help you no matter what if you ask..I promise He will answer!

Oh we are painting the apartment and the mosquitoes here can kill

LOVE 

ELDER MCGRATH

 

Buried

Yeah, this is me right now.

My poor mother-in-law came to visit and I think I only cooked one decent meal for her.  I didn't help any with a puzzle she was working on, and I was gone in the mornings before she awoke.  Sigh...

I hope it gets better!

I keep telling myself "next week," but the fact I still can't use the bathroom during the day tells me I may be wrong.

Still - I must have hope.  No school today, then a month later we get a week off for Fall Break.  Then just over a month later, Thanksgiving Break, then in another month Christmas Break.  AGHHHHH.

First Days of Kinder

This was supposed to be published on Tuesday - in fact, I thought it had been.  Just bear with me and roll with it....a little bit of pity wouldn't hurt either.........

Today was .... wait for it....Day 4 of kindergarten.  I am in an inner city school and I'm sorry to say it isn't just a whole ton of fun being a kindergartener.  We have to work, work, work.  So, yeah, I bring out the playdough, and songs, and we dance a bit here and there - just because....we are only FIVE YEARS OLD.

I will say that I underestimated the challenge of only having 4 out of 15 students who speak English.

Yes, that's right.  ELEVEN of my children don't speak English.

Makes for an interesting day.  One student who just came into the country - day four - is talking up a storm.  Unfortunately it is when I'm talking, down the hall, and every other opportune and inopportune time there is.  And, while some of the words are in English the rest are not.  All of my Spanish speakers are from Guatemala.  I love 'em.  I am enjoying work everyday even though I only have a 20 minute lunch and no other free time during the day.  Our "planning" time is taken up with other meetings.  Boy, was I spoiled in Searcy.

Other than that - all is well.  I'm a little overwhelmed at how far we have to go to be on grade level by the end of the year but, after all, it IS only Day 4.

Youth Trip

I thought things were a bit complicated when Ethan was little - but not nearly as complicated as things are becoming as he approaches young adulthood.  One of the ironies of having a child with a disability is that, despite how much they can't do, for the most part their emotional and physical growth isn't too far behind their typical peers.

One concern for us is Ethan's emotional health as a young adult.  Did you know that adults with Down syndrome are prone to depression?   Yep.  They have that innate desire to belong and have purpose, yet we overlook them as not having those feelings because of their disability.  After reading a book about emotional health in adults with Down syndrome, we are trying to give him more opportunities to be independent.  It is hard for Ethan to be so, however, because of his difficulty with communication. 

One of the great things about our church group here is how welcoming and inclusive they have been.  From the stake leader to the kids themselves, Ethan has been made to feel welcome and is included in everything.  Kudos to the adult leaders for being such good examples.  And to the parents, for raising such great young men who are so welcoming.  Even though they can't really understand what he is trying to tell them, they include him and never overlook him.

Ethan went on a bus trip to Atlanta yesterday for a stake youth conference.  They left at 6:30am and came back about 12 hours later.

Ethan had a blast.  And the leaders said he was just great.

Yeah, we let him take the ipad, just in case he needed us!

The stake even provided a GLUTEN FREE meal for him.  Like I said, they are awesome.

Ethan's young men leader.  He has been great!

Right or wrong, I usually make judgments about people by the way they treat my son.  Everyone in the Harrison Bay Ward has been so welcoming and loving to him - it just shows me what great people they are - inside and out.

Don't Wait for Me, Argentina....

Hola Amigos,

Okay let us talk about this crazy week I have had. The only way I know how to describe it is going into freezing cold water and then jumping into a pit of fire but then running out unscathed and into a train station to go to NoEntiendoEspanol Land where everyone speaks german

​,​

eat

​s​

italian food with chop sticks and run

​s​

around with their shirts on backwards and pants on their heads........It has been an interesting week to say the least. 

This

​S​

unday we had a cool devotional about being a good missionary, Then 

​some of my district and I watched Ephrim's rescue, which is a movie about the saints that traveled over the plains. If you have not seen it...you need to! The experience and blessings of that time were astronomical. It made me reflect if I really believed that miracles could happen in my life or even on my mission. Did i believe that God was watching over me and preparing me for moments I would need to be worthy for? Interesting. I came up with that i could have those miracles in my life! And so can you! AMAZING!

Monday was a fun day just because everyone was leaving and

​I ​

could get through the lunch line faster...it's the little things that bring the most joy;)

Tuesday was astronomical!!!!! Neil L Anderson came and spoke to us!!!! It was filled with so much power and interesting topics! He talked about how the mission field is not complex but it is not easy. If you push yourself and prepare a way the spirit can guide you to make those choices you need to to be the best missionary you can. This isn

​'​

t just for me!

​E​

veryone needs to be a missionary. That is why we are he

​re ​

on this earth. And you don't have to be a Mormon to be a missioanary! You can tell others of christ and what he did for us! That is all

​I ​

am doing! That is my purpose to invite others to come closer to christ! That is why we are all here! He also talked about how we should love the people we serve. Once we do that the language will come and we will be blessed! He also said for us to be Three things...BE clean BE obedient BE busy! That is great for missionaries! The rest of the week was a roller coaster!

This

​F​

riday, the 12th, my district got their flight plans. We were all really animado to get them. I was sitting by the mail room just waiting for the note that would send me to

​A​

rgentina...and it didn

​'​

t come.

​E​

veryone in my district got their flight plans and 

​I​

was alone.
I was scared that 

​I​

was forgotten...How could my entire district get it but not me? I was kinda frustrated but then

​I ​

remembered that 

​I​

was thinking about me and myself and that is not how my mission will be. So 

​I​

said a quick prayer and felt the paz (peace) of

​G​

od and I rejoiced with my district that they were headed to the place the gospel needed them most! It was such a great experience!

The Temple!

My District

The Sister on the left is my cousin, Hannah.  She will be serving in the Knoxville Mission and could see my mom and dad!!  I saw her the second day after she arrived.

Super Heroes

The Bear is Elder hill because we call him papa oso (father bear) He has more dad phrases than MY DAD...Which is ALOT

Sprinting into August

This is the way to spend the last few days of freedom.  He is at the very top of the stairs, as if he just couldn't go another step and just had a get a few snoozes in before he could go on......

I know the feeling actually.

Oh, and I have had an awesome amount of people reading my Bradley Cooper post - I know, right?  He is so cute.  You were hoping I had really seen him, I know.  Sorry to lead you all astray.

My room is far from ready, but at least I cleaned out all of the cupboards and got a deal on a huge remnant.   Talk about feeling welcomed - I was told (by a member on my kinder team) that I parked in her parking spot.  What?!?!  Pick your battles.

I will include a few words from Jordan - who only has two more weeks until he flys out.

Yo tengo a bueno tiempo en el CCM!!! Yo quiero hablar sobre la tender mercies of the LORD!

I have been blessed beyond my comprehension. There are not many things better than sitting in a classroom with a teacher that refuses to speak English and a district that is so focused on being strictly obedient! What could be better than that??? I am blessed!

Okay now let me tell you about this week! IT WAS ROUGH! So many things happened! Sunday night we had a really good devo and also Tuesday night! Hey POPS! I basically heard your phrase from a general authority!"It doesn't matter!!" I took that to be, "It doesn't affect my eternal salvation" Yes!!! haha But that is cool!

Elder Batman was sick on Monday and we stayed in the dorm after I got my stuff! It was needed trust me. I really do love the class room but it is hard to study in there. I got so much done when i was in a quite room and Elder Batman was cutting logs:) It was awesome. Now...I am by no means a perfect man...and being in that room so quietly and studying the scriptures definitely helps you fall asleep. I was out when the rest of the roommates came in and I was startled! They asked me if I had a great nap and I said that I was reading the scriptures and I became exhausted from the spirit overcoming me! HAHA It could have happened!!!!!!!!

I am Really excited to be going to Argentina in TWO weeks!!! This next Friday I will be getting my flight plans! It is awesome because mine and my sister district are all going together because most of us are going to Salta! It will be LEGENDARY!!!

However...I do hate planes and I have made my district aware that if they sit by me a may grab their hands and squeeze the hand till it breaks! ha not really but I do hate planes!

The rest of the week was the same! Let me tell you a joke...what do you get when a cow crosses a barbed wire fence.......

UDDERLY DESTROYED!!!!! 

WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU EAT THE FOOD HERE!!!!! GAH!!

Oh THIS week i received a package from my Grandmother!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH GRANDMA!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!! This package had goldfish, gum, m&ms, and CARMEL!!! YES!!!! I am still eating it right now!!! 

This week i have realized also that if you pray with faith you shall receive! There is no doubt in my mind that you can do anything with the Lords power! What an amazing thing! My goodness... anyways Thank you all for being supportive!!! It means alot to me!!!

OH ALSO !!!! I auditioned for a musical number for the devotional on Sunday night!!! I got it!!! So I will be singing a solo in front of 2400 missionaries.......GAHHHHHH Wish me luck!

Let me leave you with a saying that I have pondered alot...

I have come to the realization, that everything in this world...is..or ISN't...A Badger....Think about it....

Love,

Your Favorite missionary.

Jordan McGrath

ps. Im here for two more weeks....if anyone wants to send something, make it quick:) 

Sitting behind Bradley Cooper

Yep, I'm sitting in church meetings today, took a quick glance in front of me, and I did a double take...

Bradley Cooper??

Not quite, but close enough.  The picture doesn't do the young man in front of me justice.  Then I talked to him after class and he has a smile like Bradley Cooper and pretty eyes like Bradley Cooper.....can you tell I like Bradley Cooper?  Yep, been a fan ever since Alias was on television....before he became a mega-star.

So, yeah, that is how I passed some time in class today - sneaking shots of a doppleganger.

What can I say? I'm easily diverted.

The 3rd Week Grind

What is up my Amigos!!!!

Let me start off by saying that in the MTC there are several rituals that we must follow. The first, greeting the new missionaries with so many welcomes they hate us, 2nd, is to touch the hollow brick two times on the north staircase in 18M every time you pass, and 3rd is to not eat the chicken enchiladas when they are served in the cafeteria....

no one told me about the last one. it was a long day.....

This week we started teaching TRC which is basically a rough start for missionaries learning a language. We had a really cool college girl, Diana and she was asleep or yawning almost every lesson we taught her in!! Ah i tried to be active and move my hands and it worked for a little bit but it was hard to keep her awake.

We also had to teach lessons to our teachers as they play the part of an investigator. Those were really fun because we got to see a different part of their lives.

Almost every night I go and talk with another district and see how they are doing. I have realized that not everyone is prepared for a mission as most. i thought that was interesting. I find myself to be on the bottom with some of the non-prepared ones...I wish i had been more prepared before I came in. I felt like I was and then I was humbled when all of a sudden I didn't know how to explain Christ's atonement to our investigator...incomodo....(awkward)

I am excited to be serving in Argentina and cant wait to see the world. A missionary that just left sent us pictures of his apartment....wow they looked rough. I CANT WAIT!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!

 Please! some one email me!!!! 

The Chapter of the week is exodus 33! amazing stuff! read it!!!! \

Love, Your favorite elder

Elder McGrath

Kinders

Oh my, where has my summer gone?

I have spent this week at professional development.  I am going to miss my friends in Arkansas this school year - and I'm especially going to miss my students.

However.....now I have a new team.  I will be teaching kindergarten at an inner-city school in Chattanooga.  My teacher friends with experience in inner-city schools...I need your help, encouragement and advice!!


There were hundreds of teachers at my PD - there are 78 schools in this district!!  That is quite a jump from the 6 I'm used to!

I briefly saw my room the other day - by brief I mean a five-minute glimpse.  I can tell I'm the new girl on the block.  I got a tiny room with no windows.  (cue tears)

I know, pathetic, right?

I heard war stories on Monday when we were all together.  I've been at PD by myself the remainder of the week and I'm starting to feel better again.  One more day to go then I have to spend my last three days trying to get my room ready.  First on the agenda......a rug/carpet.  And I've contemplated putting up a fake window and curtain, haha.

Why live boring?  Bring it on, kinders ;-)