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

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

“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!

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!

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...

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!

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

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.