Kevin & Dana's Family Blog

Merry Christmas 2011 from The McCoy's! (a bit late...)

2011-12-30T14:17:00.007-07:00

We didn't send very many Christmas cards this year (though we did post a general one on Facebook), but if I could create a card, it would include this song, just the way that Pam and Whitney Peterson sang it at our Relief Society Christmas Morningside. This song changed the season for me. It was the medicine I needed. The song is called "Who Would Send a Baby?" Here are the lyrics, by Mary Kay Beall:

Who would send a baby to heal a world in pain?

Who would send a baby, a tiny child?

When the world is crying for the Promised One,

Who would send His Only Son?

Who would send a baby to light our world with light?

Who would send a baby, a tiny child?

When the world is hoping for the Promised One,

Who would send His Only Son?

Who would choose a manger to cradle the King?

Who would send angels to sing?

Who would hang a star in the sky above

To shine on the gift of His infinite love?

Who would send a baby to bless the world with peace?

Who would send a baby, a tiny child?

When the world is yearning for the Promised One,

Who would send a baby, who would send a baby?

Who would send His Only Begotten Son?

I thought about linking to an audio recording of it, but there were too many to choose from. Sample it on iTunes, too, if ya want a taste.

P.S. Only 81 more days till Spring!

The Oak Tree

2011-11-04T12:37:00.003-06:00

“The Oak Tree” by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day.

It stole the oak tree’s leaves away,

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark.

But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke,

“How can you still be standing, Oak?”

The oak tree said, “I know that you

Can break each branch of mine in two,

Carry every leaf away,

Shake my limbs, and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,

Growing stronger since my birth.

You’ll never touch them, for you see,

They are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn’t sure

Of just how much I could endure.

But now I’ve found, with thanks to you,

I’m stronger than I ever knew.

I am so grateful for the 'roots' I have that have held me up and anchored me down. Thanks Mom & Daddy!

Bring on the Holidays!

2011-11-02T20:13:00.002-06:00

I've reconciled myself to the fact that Fall has fallen and winter will be here soon. YAY! Only 4 1/2 more months till Spring!

Merry Christmas from The McCoy's!

2010-12-28T18:33:00.004-07:00

We put Heather and Kaity back on the plane today. It was wonderful to have them here for Christmas. Megan and Riley (and mom and dad) get so excited when they come. Megan made a 'countdown' chain for their arrival (Riley made one for Christmas). Here is a very informal photo we took just before they left.

Thank you for all 3 of the comments I received on my last post. btw, who are you TJ?

Just Wondering...

2010-12-16T17:23:00.004-07:00

If you read my blog (which shouldn't take too much time since I only write a couple times a year!), would you please leave me a comment. I'm just wondering if I want to keep it going. Thanks! Oh, and here's some cool photos I took up at Temple Square when we went upfor the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was foggy in Salt Lake - made for great lighting.

Coming Soon! A New Posting By Dana!

2010-01-13T22:23:00.001-07:00

just a teaser. seriously, though, i'm mentally composing my next post, plus i've got a couple fun photos i wanna post.

A gift of good weather

2009-11-13T20:20:00.005-07:00

Wow - we've had such a mild November (till about 2 days ago) - I actually got to ride my motorcycle! (I usually put it to bed for the winter in September). No jacket, short pants, sandals... of course I wore a helmet! First I rode up to the Dry Canyon trailhead - one of my favorite rides because it has such an amazing view of the lake. Then I though "hey - why not just ride to the lake?" So I did. It's only about a 3-4 mile ride from the mountain to the lake, then I followed the road south till I couldn't be next to the lake anymore. There's just something about being near a large body of water that just feeds my soul. Ideally that body of water would be the Pacific Ocean, but I'll take Utah Lake in a pinch. It was a great day. I took a photo and texted it to my sisters to make 'em jealous, but Dena texted me right back that she was also on a motorcycle ride at the same time - in Las Vegas, though. Cool.

Here's my photo...

Since I'm no fan of being cold (being really cold makes me nauseous), my 'riding season' only lasts from about July to September, and that's spotty, at best, since I usually have the kids at home. Kevin, however will ride his motorcycle (to work, mostly) from about April or May till the snow starts falling, usually November. Stud.

And while I'm at it here (since I'm not a very

frequent blogger), I'll post some photos of Halloween... Megan was a Jester, and Riley was a Witch.

Reflections of Christ - Another Testament

2009-10-05T17:10:00.002-06:00

Wow - I just watched the video on the new Reflections of Christ project called 'Another Testament'. If you haven't seen\heard\read about Mark Mabry's project Reflections of Christ - it's definitely worth checking out. This is powerful stuff - it brings the reality of our Savior right into your soul. Here is the link for the original Reflections of Christ project:

Here is the link for this latest video...

Move your music!

2009-08-27T22:16:00.003-06:00

Okay, that title came out a little strong, but I'd like to voice an opinion here.... while I usually really do like the music you set up to play when I enter your blog site, I wish you would put the Pause button at the top of your screen so I don't have to scroll to the bottom of your page to turn off the music. Thank you.

So, maybe blogging's not for me...

2009-03-04T08:38:00.009-07:00

I am so tired of seeing the old title of my last blog entry, that I've decided it's time for a change! It's been almost 6 months!

Sorry, I don't have any cute photos to post, or videos (however, I will post one photo that I took while having lunch (in my car) by the lake a couple of weeks ago....) But I do have a few thoughts in my head, though it's a real struggle to get them out and onto the page.
I guess my mind has been most preoccupied with what I see going on around me - the constant and ever-so-present battle of good and evil. (Good wins in the end, by the way, and that's the team I want to be on!). ...... Okay, that's deep enough for now.

Next thought: is 45 old? My back, knees, eyes and metabolism seem to suggest so, but that's not how i FEEL. Oh, and not that this has anything to do with age, but Kevin broke his leg 5 weeks ago. He was just walking down the sidewalk in the neighborhood (on his way to Choir Practice), and slipped in the slush. Broke the fibula down by his ankle. He's still in cast, and we find out tomorrow if he has to have surgery to 'pin' it together.

...Why don't people understand The Commandments are for their safety, not a restriction of their freedoms? ( I have never had one regret for trying to keep the commandments, only for not trying.)

...Would my family mind if I pulled a 'bait and switch' and served crockpot-ed chicken tacos instead of the usual ground beef tonight?

...When am I ever going to find the time to read all the books I want? Megan and Riley do!

...How do I stay awake while reading?

...Does anyone read my blog?

...How can I justify not exercising today?

...Is Facebook really a valuable tool, or just a time-suck?

Wow - my thoughts seem to be mostly questions. Kind of odd for someone who sometimes thinks she has all the answers! :^/

Today I'm going to the Draper Temple Open House - for the 2nd time. Not all my family could go last time we went, so I'm going with them today. I'm glad I can - I loved it last time. Not only is it a beautiful building, there is a spirit and peace there that makes me hunger for more.

So, I misled you - I do have a few photos to post!

Ahhh... School Picture time

2008-09-26T11:46:00.004-06:00

Well, here're my beauties, Megan & Riley. Megan is in the 4th Grade, and Riley in the 2nd. School pictures are an adventure and a surprise, aren't they? Mostly they're great, but since Mom can't be there to fix hair, encourage a big smile, etc., it's kind of a pleasant surprise when those pictures come home!

Sorry 'bout the blog title...

2008-09-04T08:44:00.001-06:00

i'm trying to get this tidied up a bit - can't find the right combo for the Title with this particular background. bear with me... love ya!

Megan catchin' a wave

2008-09-04T07:33:00.008-06:00

Megan seemed to be a natural at Boogieboarding - she caught right on and rode tons more waves than the rest of us!

Oceanside - August '08

2008-09-04T06:33:00.005-06:00

Last month Me and my kids (bad english, i know) joined Dena and her kids and Vicci & Rich down at Oceanside, CA for a few days on the Beach. It was wonderful. We had a great time Boogieboarding (see Megan's video...), playing in the sand, eating, roasting hot dogs, shopping, and just relaxing together. My sisters may not like this photo, but here we are... Dena, Vicci & Dana. If you want to see more photos of our fun, go check out my Apple Mobile Me Gallery at: http://gallery.me.com/danasue/100026 (click on the link at the bottom of this page)

2008-09-02T10:35:00.001-06:00

oh, i thought i'd better explain the NASA Image of the Day. Kevin likes that kinda stuff, so i thought i'd make him feel more comfortable here, plus there's some cool images here... that's all.

We're here!

2008-09-02T09:06:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'm new at this, so it won't be as fancy as you might be used to. I just set up this blog after seeing (and so greatly appreciating) my niece's & nephew's blogs. It's a great way to get updates on the family, and see how the kids are growing, and showing off great vacation photos, etc. Where's the downside? Oh, yeah - ME. I will try to keep this up to date (at least monthly), and keep it interesting. When this Blog grows up, I want it to be as cool as Raela's & Mandie's! ;^)

Hope you enjoy this! Love y'alls!

Dana