Friday, December 11, 2009
2007 McInturff Family Slideshow
2006 McInturff Family Slideshow
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
2007 McInturff Family News
2007 McInturff Family News
Happy New Year! If you can stand to wade through another journal, here is the latest!
January – My dad turned 75! What a miraculous gift from God after he had bulbar polio at the age of 23 and is still going strong! His daughters here in town surprised him at a Mexican restaurant for lunch!
Klint was asked to lead worship (vocally and on guitar) for the first time at 1st Southern Baptist Church in Scottsdale. His cousin, Brad, normally does it, but he was out of town. It was a great opportunity!
Greg and I attended an amazing 8-week study at our friends, the Demmitt’s home, on prayer.
Klint and his buddies left on a road trip to Big Bear in CA to go snowboarding. The original plan was to go to CO where Greg’s sister offered her hospitality, but there was a major blizzard going on and the driving conditions were unsafe. So they went the opposite direction.
We hired our nephew-to-be, Ryan Simon, as our handyman to fix some home repairs. He and my neice, Joanie Holaway, planned to get married and move to New York in June so we took advantage of his skills while he was still here and available! It was fun to get to know him better.
Klint resumed business classes again at MCC. He continued working at In-N-Out Burger and was chosen to be “safety captain”.
Hayley’s car was rear-ended on her way to work. Praise the Lord she only suffered minor injuries that sent her to the chiropractor. She and Clay asked us to meet them that night for dinner. While there, they announced that they had our first grandbaby on the way! Woo Hoo! The hard part was that we had to keep it a secret for a few weeks until they were ready to spread the news!
February – We hosted a superbowl party here with Klint’s buds and their parents. What a great group of friends he is blessed with!
Klint was asked to play drums in a band at Grace Community Church where we attended. Later that month he played his djembe (a hand drum) for a missions Sunday focusing on Africa for all of the services. He told me his hands were actually bleeding after the last service!
We had the family over for dinner for Clay R. and Hayley to let their siblings know about the new addition. They put a plastic baby (12 weeks in size) in the bread basket and when Clay and Rachel went to grab a piece they pulled out a baby. We all looked surprised, and then they made the announcement. Clay Mc randomly said he wanted to be called “Uncle Bucky”! That gave us a good laugh!
My sister, Debbie, spoke at a mission’s conference in Phoenix. It was such a blessing being able to attend and to see how the Lord is using her as a single missionary in Mexico! The ministry is thriving!
Our Uncle Donny, on Greg’s dad’s side of the family passed away in Texas. We shared some wonderful family vacations together with him, Aunt Dawn and the girls over the years. He is so missed!
My mom’s cousins, Esther, Becky, and Dottie, and all of my sisters got together for lunch. How fun to get a chance to know them better after all of these years.
We attended the memorial service of a close family friend, Jim Stitt, at Mesa Baptist Church which was more of a celebration of his life. What an impact he had on so many people! It was like a reunion for many of us who came from our connection so many years ago at Scottsdale Baptist. From that event and the relationships we reestablished, we decided to start attending Mesa Baptist on a regular basis.
March – A close family friend, Bethany Lewis, got married and Hayley was one of the bridesmaids. My mom and I helped Hayley alter her dress since she was starting to show. :)
My dear friend, Nancy Demmitt, celebrated her 70th birthday. What a blessing she is in my life as a mentor! Her daughters surprised her with a “bridal shower” party I attended with a few of her friends.
My neice, Tiphanie Elliott, was in town to play water polo for San Diego State against ASU. When I showed up to her game, my friend, Michele Schwaninger, was there too. We discovered our nieces both play on the same team and our sisters (their moms) in California are also good friends. What a small world!
April – Our friends, the Codiers, moved into a new home, handicapped accessible, in our neighborhood for their daughter, Bonnie, who was diagnosed with mitochondrial cytopathy. We used to be in a home school co-op with them for several years when our kids were young. Bonnie has been bedridden for quite some time. I have had the privilege of “Bonnie-sitting” once a week while her mom works part time. What a blessing that has been in my life watching both Bonnie and her parents trust God in their extremely difficult situation. Bonnie has become one of my closest friends even though we are years apart! I love her dearly!
We went to an ASU senior recital for Rachel’s sister, Deborah. During the reception I got a phone call from the kids of my friend, Dawn, saying they were trying to track her down because her daughter-in-law was in labor with her first grandkid. When I found her to tell her, she screamed with delight and promptly raced home to write a fun song to sing to the parents and baby. Her friends from out of town were visiting so the next morning they all dressed up in cartoon character costumes and I met them at the hospital with a video camera to tape them singing in the hospital room. We all got a lot of weird looks – I was wishing I was in a costume covering my face too! :O
We attended an open house for our friends, the Demmitts, 50th wedding anniversary. They have been a huge influence in our lives as mentors in so many ways, but especially in the area of communication. Greg meets weekly with Dallas and a small group of men.
A longtime friend and mentor, Edie Tracy and I put together a Scottsdale Baptist Young Married’s Sunday School Class reunion. We spent several weeks planning, contacting, scheming, shopping, and preparing for the event. We had 70 people show up. We made BBQ beef on buns, coleslaw, baked beans, and cookies. The theme was on running a race so we used white running shoes stuffed with red flowers and black and white checkered racing flags for table centerpieces with a Bible verse on a pick stating Heb.12:1b and 2a. “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Steve Evers (our on-site photographer) took photos of each couple and then a group photo. We ate outside in the Larson’s backyard, then came inside to watch an old video taken at the Tracy’s home years ago called “Hocus on the Family”. Ha! As former president of the Young Marrieds' class, Greg was our emcee for the evening. He gave away some awards then opened it up to share memories of the good ol’ days. Next Tom and Edie Tracy both shared from their hearts with us, just like old times. They talked about being at the home stretch of the race and passing the baton to us to become mentors and to finish well. It was profound! We ended by singing Amazing Grace and presenting the Tracys with a surprise album full of photos and letters of appreciation for their years of sacrifice and pouring themselves into our lives. It was such an honor for me to spend such precious time with Edie organizing the event and having so much time to catch up. She is an amazing woman full of wisdom and faith!
My daughter-in-law, Rachel put on a bridal shower for her sister, Deb. She let me help her which was such a blast! My mom hosted it at her home. The theme was bees since Deborah means “industrious bee”. We called it a bee-ridal tea. Everything was done in bees and black and yellow with touches of her wedding colors – monochromatic shades of purple. We had finger sandwiches, chocolate-dipped pineapple spears, blueberry scones, flower and bee cookies, and various flavored teas. Rachel and Clay interviewed her fiancé on video and played it at the shower as a surprise.
May - My friend, Dawn, and I co-hosted another bridal shower for a home-schooling student and friend, Jaki Wieler. We did a beach theme since she was getting married on the beach in Mexico. It was similar to what I did a couple of years ago for another shower. We made Death By Chocolate desserts with crushed vanilla wafers for sand. We served them in miniature neon-colored pails with spade-shaped spoons topped with a chocolate seashell and toothpick umbrella. We offered pina colada slush punch for drinks. I got a surprise video of Jaki’s fiancé (taped by his mom) answering specific questions. We then asked Jaki to see how many matched. For each wrong answer she had to chew a piece of bubblegum. She ended up with a huge wad in her mouth! She was a good sport!
Klint turned 19 (our last year of having a teenager!). He auditioned for another band at East Valley Bible Church for the college group on Tuesday nights. He plays guitar and sometimes drums – whatever they need each week. He enjoys the Bible study with his friends. He also plays periodically on Sunday mornings at various churches too. He loves it!
Clay R. graduated with a master’s degree from ASU in Real Estate Development. This was a new program and the first graduating class. After the ceremony we attended an office party in his classroom. His boss later hosted a reception for him in his home. Clay and Hayley celebrated with a trip to Kauai, Hawaii and stayed in Uncle Gary and Aunt Teresa’s rental home. For a graduation gift they enjoyed a luau on the beach.
My “old” ladies camp girlfriends got together to go kidnap one of our gang, Sandlin, for her 50th birthday. We wore purple with red hats as a joke and decorated my Tahoe with “Honk, I’m 50!” We went to eat at a Mexican restaurant and had some great laughs. A little boy saw us and said, “What happened to you guys?” That cracked us up!
Greg helped Dallas Demmitt organize a men’s retreat at Bison Ranch with Steve McVey, the author of Gracewalk. It was an incredible life-changing time together.
June – My sister Brenda, Mom, and I put on a surprise family bridal shower for my niece, Joanie, at Dragonfly Café. While making the arrangements with the owner, I discovered that he is a client of Greg’s. They let us decorate the tables on the patio. I brought extra serving tables and helium balloon bouquets. Mom made tablecloths, and we used her wedding china teacups. .Brenda made centerpieces of purple tea pots filled with greenery to give as door prizes. She also made tile coasters on stands with a Bible verse printed on them for each place setting as a party favor and a poster collage of old pictures of the bride and the family both decorated with purple dragonflies and pink hearts. We had tea with quiche, scones, fresh fruit, and petit fours. Both Mom and Becky (Joanie’s mom) shared some words of wisdom.
We attended 2 family weddings the same weekend. On Friday Clay and Rachel were in her sister’s wedding, and Saturday was our niece, Joanie’s wedding. Both were lovely, meaningful, and unique!
Dad McInturff turned 75! Mom McInturff had the family over for delicious homemade ice cream and cupcakes. Praise the Lord he is a picture of health!
We went on a trip with Klint and his buddy, Bryan, to Coronado Island with the Brown family. We shared a rustic hotel suite that included a kitchen. We enjoyed the beach, bike riding, shopping, reading, chatting, and playing games. Greg and I took the guys to Sea World one day too.
To celebrate Father’s Day for Greg, we rented a cabin in the White Mountains in Greer (where Greg spent his summers growing up working at a lodge) for a weekend. All of our kids were able to come and stay. It was quite the slumber party with 9 of us sharing a cabin for 6! Talk about togetherness! We had a great time fishing, hiking, and playing games. When we met the hostess there, Harriet, during the course of our conversation we discovered her dad (who passed away several years ago) was the ENT doctor who God used to save my dad’s life over 50 years ago! When she mentioned she grew up in Tucson (like me) and her maiden name was Bernstein it rang a bell. I called Mom and Dad and verified it. What a gift from God! She lives there in the cabin her dad built many years ago. She spent her summers there (as did Greg) and probably saw each other as children and teens growing up. Unbelievable!
July – Klint flew to Colorado Springs to go to Summit, a 2-week worldview camp with his buds.
My sister-in-law, Becky, gave a family baby shower in her home for Hayley. It was so special! She used her china and linen tablecloths and made chicken croissant sandwiches, a fancy green salad, pasta salad and fresh fruit. The cake was gourmet! She decorated with fresh flowers and pink and blue napkins. It was simply elegant! Aunt Brenda made Hayley a surprise DVD set to music of her life from birth, to marriage, to expectant mother. What a tear-jerker! Aunt Sara, a critical care pregnancy nurse, had earlier recorded the baby‘s heartbeat and put it inside of a Teddy bear that can be heard by pushing a button.
Mindi hosted a school friends’ baby shower for Hayley in her new home. She did an incredible job! She did a circus theme and made adorable mom and baby elephant invitations. I assisted her with the planning, food, and decorations. Together we made a 3-layer “cake” centerpiece out of diapers – about 90 in all! We decorated it with ribbons and small baby items. Greg’s mom and Rachel came over to help us make the mini soft pretzels, and to decorate sugar cones to be used for clown hats to go on a scoop of ice cream. We also served mini corn dogs, popcorn, peanuts, mini caramel apples and fresh veggies displayed in a circus train for the baby to keep. Grandma McInturff made a beautiful Beatrice Potter quilt for the baby and Grandma Holaway crocheted 2 pairs of booties (for a boy or a girl) since Hayley and Clay chose to not find out the sex of the baby ahead of time. Mindi asked me to share a few thoughts so I interviewed all of the moms and grandmas in the family about their birth stories. They were very entertaining! I also shared a poem my grandmother (Red Mamma) wrote and sent to Hayley when she was born.
A long time friend, Peggy Donaldson, started a club for grandmas and grandmas-to-be. Being a Hallmark employee she scheduled the first gathering on “Gorgeous Grandmas Day”. The purpose is to share photos of grandkids and pray for all of them. We also share ideas, book reviews, and helpful tools such as blogging, and do projects to serve other grandmas here and abroad in hard circumstances. We made paper beads to send to grandmas in Africa so they can make jewelry and sell it to support their orphaned grandchildren. The jewelry is beautiful – you would never know it was made from magazine pages! For Christmas we made gift baskets and invited the grandpas to go caroling with us to deliver the baskets to homebound grandmas and pray for each of them. We enjoyed it as much as they did!
Hayley’s friend, Heather Haupt, and a couple of other close church friends gave a church shower for her. The decor included limes, oranges, and lemons. They served delicious homemade gourmet finger foods garnished with orange gerbera daisies. It was stunning! Clay’s mom, Charlotte, and I prayed specific scripture passages for Hayley. I made the baby a white blanket identical to the one Hayley was attached to as a child.
August – As we were getting ready to go out of town, a storm came through and tore down our 30-year- old elm tree out front! Our neighbor and long time friend, Rob McLeod, came over with his chain saw to help us clear it out. I couldn’t help but think about the memories of all of our kids climbing and making houses in that tree! Klint and his buddy, Aaron, hauled it off to the dump. It took 3 huge truckloads!
Greg’s sister, Teresa, and her husband, Gary, generously treated our family to an Alaskan cruise! It was the trip of a lifetime! Since Mindi had just been accepted into a nursing program after a long wait and Hayley was in her 3rd trimester of pregnancy neither they, nor their husbands, were able to join us. We flew to Seattle with Clay Mc, Rachel, and Klint a couple of days early. We rented an SUV and toured the city. The flowers were astounding! After shopping at Pikes Market and visiting the original Starbucks, we drove to Vancouver, Canada where we spent the night and met up with Greg’s folks. We took a long leisurely walk to a park the next day and enjoyed an art festival. The following morning we boarded the ship, embarked, and headed to Ketchikan. Greg, Klint, and I went on a rock climbing/rapelling/rope bridge/ziplining excursion. It was a challenge but exhilarating! From there we landed in Juneau where we shopped around town, toured the state capital building, and hiked up to a gold mine. It was breathtakingly beautiful! When we got back to the ship to get ready for dinner, we got a phone call from Clay R. in AZ telling us that Hayley’s water broke (3 weeks early!) What a shock and disappointment that we couldn’t be there! We decided we had 2 choices. Either be bummed or enjoy the rest of the cruise and time with the family and trust God that it was His plan and His timing! We chose the latter. Meanwhile back home, fortunately Mindi and Rey were there for Hayley and Clay along with my parents and Clay’s folks, Trey and Charlotte. Clay texted us (thankfully we were in port early that morning in Skagway so we could be reached by phone) and told us the news that Tory Kate was born at 6 lbs., 12 ozs. What a blessing! I went shopping and bought Tory a baby Eskimo doll to commemorate the occasion. We went on a bike riding excursion from the summit of a mountain to the base. It was pretty much coasting the whole way down for 15 miles. Many of the local people in each town told us we had unusually gorgeous weather! We even wore shorts a few times. The Princess cruise ship was amazing with over 2000 people aboard. Both Teresa and Gary, and Greg and I celebrated our 27th and 30th wedding anniversaries, respectively, on the trip. Delivered to our room were tuxedo-looking chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider, compliments of Teresa and Gary. Our door was decorated with a Happy Anniversary sign and balloons! We felt like royalty for sure! I gave Greg a picture album I made entitled “30 years of Wedded Bliss” and a custom made deck of cards featuring our wedding picture. He gave me the gift of picking out a new wedding ring since my stone fell out of my original one. We disembarked at Whittier. We had all day there so we took a hike to a waterfall. On the way back to town we saw a lady walking a reindeer to work. She owned a reindeer shop in town. (Only in Alaska!) Late that afternoon we hopped on a scenic narrative train ride to Anchorage to catch a plane home. The minute we got home we all showered and raced over to Hayley and Clay’s home to meet 4-day-old baby Tory and congratulate the new parents! Mindi greeted us at the door with Tory while Hayley had the video camera rolling and Clay was snapping pictures. They made it so special for us!
We attended yet another 8-week study with the Demmitts called Gracewalk. Klint came with us and absolutely loved it. We plan to host the same study in our home in the coming year.
Our long time friend, Steve Tracy, turned 50 so his wife, Celestia, had a surprise party for him in their home. What a blessing it was to hear from his family and friends how God has used him in countless ways over the years to touch lives as a pastor, professor and dean at Phoenix Seminary, author of “Mending the Soul” and co-founder with his wife of the ministry by the same name, loving father, and husband. Since he recently returned from a mission trip to Africa, they invited an African American choir to sing praise songs at the party. It was thrilling! They sang until the house shook!
September - For my birthday Greg took me scouting for Elk. Woo hoo! :O Actually it was really fun. We looked for signs of elk and found a place to camp out for his upcoming hunting trip. We enjoyed the cool weather and even saw a full double rainbow as we were driving back. We went to dinner at The Beeline Café - a hole in the wall we have been wanting to try for years when passing by. We also shopped at a honey store.
Greg left to go archery elk hunting with his buddy Steve Brown. Dawn (Steve’s wife) and I left to join them the next day. We had planned to meet them for a steak dinner at a lodge before heading to our campsite. Unfortunately, we (better known as Lucy and Ethel) got lost and went miles out of our way. By the time we turned around it was getting dark, we were out in the middle of nowhere, and we had no cell phone coverage. We had to keep pulling over to shine our headlights on signs to figure out where we were going with my ancient map! We finally arrived at the restaurant 2 ½ hours late! The two of them were standing outside (worried sick) waiting with our doggie bags in hand. The steak house had closed so they were told to leave. They were never so happy to see us! It wasn’t quite the romantic dinner we had imagined. :O That first night a herd of elk came through our camp bugling. It was so neat to hear. While the guys hunted we cooked the meals, read, chatted, and enjoyed the great weather. The last night we played cards and celebrated both of their birthdays with a cake.
Greg started teaching college kids at Mesa Baptist on Wednesday nights. He is loving it!
My niece, Tiphanie, was in town again, this time to play soccer for San Diego State University against ASU. Her mom (my sister Linda) and dad flew in from CA and I went with them to watch the game. While they were in town we had a girls lunch and two of my sisters made a surprise birth announcement! My youngest sis is expecting a baby and my oldest sis a grandbaby both due on 6-7-08!
October - My friend Dawn and I started weekly sewing days with our daughters for our new granddaughters. Hayley sewed a skunk costume for Tory and let me assist. It turned out so cute!
I surprised Greg with a trip to the Red Setter Inn Bed and Breakfast in Greer, AZ. Our friends, the Browns, joined us. It was a late birthday gift for our husbands. We hiked to Amberian Point Lodge where Greg and I spent our honeymoon 30 years ago – a gift from his neighbor who used to own it. Greg also worked there every summer from the time he was 9 years old into his late teens. He told us lots of wild stories! The lodge has been remodeled, but it looked familiar when they gave us a private tour.
Greg and I participated in “Trunk or Treat” at church for the community. We decorated our car trunk, came up with a carnival game, and set up in the parking lot. We made homemade rootbeer with dry ice and went through 150 cups! It was a crazy!
November – Greg and I flew to Golden Colorado with his folks to surprise his sis, Teresa, for her 50th birthday. It was her hubby’s idea! We just walked right in the house on a Thursday night with party hats and noisemakers that Gary had waiting outside the door. She got a good laugh. We went shopping and to the Titanic exhibit in town on Friday. On Saturday we decorated the house and had a party with her friends that night. Gary had it catered with delicious gourmet food that was to die for! We surprised her with a slide show and memory album displaying letters and pictures from family and friends. On Sunday we went to church with them and flew back home that afternoon. We had an awesome weekend together.
I organized a group of 25 women to go to a Women of Faith weekend in Glendale. We heard Beth Moore all day Friday, stayed overnight at a nearby hotel, and heard several other phenomenal speakers and vocalists on Saturday. It was incredible! I left the conference at 5 pm and drove 53 miles to Queen Creek (picking up Greg on the way) for a 50th birthday celebration for my dear friend, Terry Lynn. She never ceases to amaze me with her creative talents! The decorations and food were remarkable! The next day we attended a 50-year celebration of Mesa Baptist Church. We sat by a missionary couple, the Humbles, who stayed in our home periodically when I was growing up. We stayed for a luncheon afterwards and then headed directly to Phoenix for an afternoon wedding of our longtime friends’ son, Sean Codier. It was at The Boojum Tree – it felt like we were in the Garden of Eden! Sean’s sister, Bonnie, my special 24-year old bedridden friend, was a bridesmaid and was able to go down the aisle in her wheelchair. She looked absolutely gorgeous! Her parents are amazing too, always smiling in spite of this ongoing trial.
I hosted Thanksgiving for the 2nd year in a row. This year most of my kids and Greg’s folks were here.
My mom turned 75. My sisters and I “kidnapped” mom and decorated my car with glass chalk with captions like “Honk I’m 75!”, “The Hottie in the front”, etc. We took Mom out to lunch and then to see The Rockettes. We got lots of honks. When we got home Dad was waiting with another surprise for her – a table set with candles, sparkling cider, a cake, and a new wedding ring.
I helped with flowers and food for a wedding. Both the bride and groom’s families are long time friends, Jenni Barr and Pete Jacks. It rarely rains here, but it was pouring when we were transporting food from the cars to the reception hall! We looked like drowned rats! It was such a neat wedding!
December – My Aunt Mary (Dad’s sister) went to be with Jesus after a long battle with ovarian cancer. We will sure miss her. I loved the farm, her home in Arkansas we visited several times over the years.
The night before my side of the family Christmas celebration, my mom and dad were both sick. After making 9 dozen tamales for 40 of us, they had to call and cancel. We went to church the next morning with Clay and Rachel at Cornerstone, and afterwards we chatted with pastor Linn and his wife, Lisa, whom we have known for many years. That night we went to Hayley and Clay’s home with Clay and Rachel to watch “White Christmas” projected on the wall. During the movie I got a phone call that my mom was in the hospital having an appendectomy at 10 pm! The next day I went with my sisters to visit my mom. We prayed for her and sang a Christmas carol. We were told she would go home that night. Greg and I went to his parent’s home for Christmas Eve dinner with the kids, then to church. On Christmas Day, after we had our own family Christmas brunch, I discovered Mom was still in the hospital. So Greg, Klint and I drove over in santa hats to take our gifts to Mom and Dad to open. Mom had complications after surgery and developed a pleural effusion. After going home she had to get readmitted for another surgery – a thoracoscopy scheduled for after the first of the year. Since they weren’t able to use the “Annie” tickets we gave them for Christmas, Mindi and Rey took their place and joined us with Greg’s folks. We brought in the new year with the entire Brown family playing Crazy Bridge and watching a fireworks display from their balcony.
Well that pretty much captures our year. We are learning more and more what it means to walk by faith and to trust God in every situation. We are so thankful for family and friends like all of you. You are truly a gift from God! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 May God richly bless and encourage every one of you!
Much love,
The McInturffs
2006 McInturff Family News
2006 McInturff Family News
Greetings, once again, from our house to yours! We so enjoyed all of your cards, letters and pictures! Here are some of the highlights of our year!
January - Klint (our only kid left at home!) started his last semester of his senior year. He took Math 150 and Spanish 202 classes at Mesa Community College and continued his drum and guitar lessons. He also did some reading of classical literature at home attended a weekly Bible study, and worked at In-N-Out Burger. He miraculously played EVAC varsity basketball in spite of tearing his meniscus during football season. After visiting several doctors and having x-rays it appeared he would need surgery, but somehow he was able to avoid it – icing his knee after every game, taking Ibuprofen, and wearing a brace in between! At least he wasn’t alone – his teammate, Tyler, did the exact same thing!
My sister, Debbie, who is a missionary in Mexico, spoke at a Missions conference at the church I grew up in - Scottsdale Baptist. My other “out of town” sister, Linda, was here at the same time, so all five sisters and Mom were able to attend together! We also enjoyed a dinner outing to catch up.
A longtime friend, Josette Kruge, passed away from cancer. What an impact she made and continues to make on so many lives! She was such an inspiration! We miss her dearly!
February - Several members of my family and friends began working on a campaign for Governor of Arizona for a friend of our family who also attended Scottsdale Baptist – Len Munsil. It was a huge time commitment, but a lot of fun, and we got quite an education!
Klint’s basketball team came over to watch the opening ceremonies of the winter Olympics. I made five olympic dessert pizzas representing the five “O’s”. Each one had a different colored ring around it – green kiwi, yellow pineapple, blue blueberries, red strawberries, and orange orange segments. We put flaming torches in the middle with sugar cubes doused with lemon extract. I know they must think I’m a nut! I got the idea from my sister, Sara, so we’re both crazy!
I worked on a committee to plan my 30-year high school reunion. It was such a treat to reconnect with “old” friends!
March - We attended a family night for my nephew, Jeremy, becoming a firefighter. It was so funny when they were demonstrating putting out a staged car fire. The hose got out of control and completely doused the crowd in the stands! As I tried to jump off the back of the bleachers to avoid the gusher like everyone else, my flip flops slipped on the wet cement under me and I fell flat on my back and broke my camera. I was fine, but covered with soot and water! :O It stained my brand new t-shirt I had just purchased! Greg and I looked and smelled like “chimney sweeps” when we got home!
We went to Disneyland for 3 days with most of our kids (Clay and Hayley couldn’t make it). We hadn’t been there in years and enjoyed the 50th anniversary celebration.
I threw two 50th surprise birthday parties a week apart. Both times some of my girlfriends helped me decorate my Tahoe with glass chalk saying “Honk I’m 50!” to go kidnap the birthday girls. After doing it 2 weeks in a row and a 3rd time in May I realized my neighbors must be thinking (Alright already – you’re 50!) Even the mailman told me “Happy Birthday”. I had to explain to him it wasn’t me! I learned by the 4th time (all my friends are turning 50!) to wash the windows before the sun came up!
Klint played drumset in a band competition for Red Mountain High School with less than 24 hours notice to fill in for the drummer who was disqualified. The band got the highest rating for their performance. He had a blast, and it was a good challenge for him.
Greg and I helped organize and participated in two weekly 6-week long “Can You Hear Me Now” communication courses. We recruited several couples to join us. We learn something new every time we go through it.
Klint played in the annual basketball tournament with his EVAC team in California. For the first time ever they took 1st place! Greg and I drove one of the three vehicles to help transport the team. After the tournament we visited Knott’s Berry Farm. On the way home half the team decided to get the stomach flu within minutes of each other! It wasn’t food poisoning because they all ate different things and several people had the flu at the tournament. Fortunately the guys held off until after the last game or the outcome may have been different! Too bad we had no barf bags and no cleaning supplies! Needless to say the smell was enough to make anyone sick especially when one of the guys sprayed his cologne to help make it more tolerable! We had to get our car detailed when we got home! It was sad, but comical to watch the domino effect with no place to stop in the middle of the desert at night with phone conversations going back and forth between vehicles. We finally found a Walmart to ask for a stack of plastic bags to help with our dilemma. On top of all of that, our tailgate door broke when we opened it to try to find some changes of clothes for the guys who couldn’t get the windows down in time! We had to tie it down to keep it from beeping, flying open, and losing our luggage! What an adventure!
April - Greg and I attended my 30-year McClintock High School reunion. It was so fun to see a lot of my classmates (some even from elementary school). A few had never been to a reunion so the last time I saw them was at our graduation! I especially enjoyed seeing my choir director, Mr. Dennis. He looks the same! I also had breakfast with a small group of girlfriends who attended Grace Community Church way back when.
May - We hosted an18th birthday party/graduation reception for Klint in the green belt area next to our home for 75 people. We set up chairs and tables outside and put together (with Clay and Rachel’s help) a PowerPoint presentation of Klint’s life. His family, friends, and mentors shared some fun memories and words of encouragement. At our request, Klint did a mini guitar and drum recital for all of us. At the end we recognized all of his fellow grads and gathered around Klint to pray for his future. Afterwards we had snacks and birthday cupcakes topped with chocolate-covered cherry/Hershey kiss mice wearing plastic graduation hats. I should mention that 15 minutes before the program was ready to start, we discovered ants crawling all over the chairs we set up. We had to quickly exterminate them (which added a lovely fragrance) and wipe down all 75 chairs! Ugh!
Rachel (Clay’s wife) graduated from ASU with a degree in history and a minor in French. Her mom, Sandy, and I put on a family reception at a nearby park after the ceremony. We made subs, potato salad, and strawberry cheesecake desserts with little plastic graduates on top. Our niece and nephew (Kiki and Jake) graduated the same day and time from ASU nursing school so we attended their reception that night.
All of the girls in the family attended a mother-daughter brunch at Mesa Baptist Church. My mom was on a panel representing the seasons of life. My kids surprised me after church on Mother’s Day at one of my favorite restaurants – Sweet Tomatoes! It was sweet!!!
Klint took his Grampa and Grandma McInturff out for breakfast for selling him their old car for $1! It didn’t have much life left in it, but he drove it for months and called it “The Beast”!
Our home school graduation committee of 10 ladies met to finalize plans for the ceremony. My friend, Dawn Brown and I planned the music. Dawn agreed to serve even though she retired from home schooling 4 years before. Klint played guitar and his buddy, Aaron Lumpkin, played viola for both the prelude and processional along with their guitar teacher, Randy Tucker to make a trio. A good friend, Peggy Coots and I were in charge of decorating for the ceremony and the reception and preparing the drinks and tableware for 2500 people. Even after 14 years of experience, nothing can prepare you for feeding cake and punch to that many! I am so thankful for the many friends who were willing to serve that evening so we could enjoy being with our graduates. Another friend, Mitzi Wisely, did an incredible job as chairperson of the event. The ceremony was wonderful with gubernatorial candidate, Len Munsil as our commencement speaker, special music and speeches from graduates, and a video montage featuring each graduate with both a baby picture and senior picture. The reception was a zoo, as usual, but went as smoothly as possible. I truly miss the wonderful group of women I have worked alongside for so many wonderful years! After 18 years I retired from home schooling!
June – Klint was invited to play his guitar on a regular basis in a church worship band that his cousin, Brad, leads at 1st Southern Baptist Church of Scottsdale. He was thrilled to say the least!
Klint flew to Summit, again, in Colorado Springs with 2 buddies for a 2-week Biblical worldview camp. Greg and I left the following week to visit his sister’s family, the Stewarts, near Denver. We went out to dinner to celebrate Gary Stewart’s 50th birthday, then headed down to Summit. We stayed in one of the cabins there, attended the camp graduation, and drove the guys home the next day.
July – Klint attended his last summer percussion workshop.
I worked one last time at the AFHE home school convention after all these years. Klint came along and helped me.
August – Greg, Klint, and I went with the Coots family to California to join our friends, the Plzaks at a beach house they rented. The guys surfed while we read, soaked up the sun, and took walks along the ocean shore. The last day we had a cook-out on the beach. Greg drifted out too far in the ocean and had to get rescued! He first tried to get help from two kids swimming nearby, but they didn’t know how to help him. Next thing we knew, a lifeguard went running past us and jumped in to help. We didn’t even know he was in trouble! Thank the Lord he was okay!
We went camping with four couples and their sons (Klint’s buds) to Pinetop. The parents stayed in a condo owned by some of our extended family, and the guys camped out in the rain for 2 nights! The night before heading home our Tahoe broke down when Klint was driving to the campsite with the guys. The police came and stayed with the vehicle until the dads arrived because they informed the guys that they broke down in the worst possible place crime-wise! :O The next morning Greg borrowed Connor (one of the guys and a handy mechanic) to try to fix it, but it needed a major part which wasn’t going to be available until Monday morning! So we sent Klint home with the rest of the families and Greg and I enjoyed celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary in the condo. We took a long walk through the gorgeous neighborhood and around the golf course and played cards. We had a wonderful relaxing unplanned vacation! The next morning a tow truck picked us up and pulled the Tahoe to the dealership in town. $1000 later, we were on our way home! That turned out to be an expensive camping trip! :O
September – My mom and I hosted a ladies’ Labor Day Tea in my parents’ home for Tracy Munsil – the wife of Len (candidate for Governor). Both Len and Tracy spoke to the women about family issues and their desire to make positive changes in our state.
Mom, my sister Sara, and I went to a ladies church camp in Prescott for a weekend. While there, we visited a friend of Sara’s, went shopping, and had a wonderful girl’s time together.
October – Greg and Klint left to go hunting with Clay Richardson. He shot a deer and the guys had quite a hike to go retrieve it. Our longtime friend, Pat Fogarty, who lives nearby and owns a game processing shop butchered and packaged it for him.
November – My sister, Sara and I went to make phone calls for the state election, and who should show up but “Gonzo” (Louis Gonzolas) – our own Arizona Diamondbacks hero! We got his autograph and a picture together with him.
For Mom McInturff’s birthday, I took her to the Women of Faith weekend. We had an awesome time together!
Greg’s sister, Teresa, and her family came down for Thanksgiving. I hosted it in my home for the first time ever.
We took the boys (and Rachel) to the Transiberian Orchestra for a Christmas gift. It was incredible!
Baby Austin Thompson was born – our 3rd great nephew! Another cute redhead in the fam!
December – My sister, Linda, was in town again, so she joined me, my mom and sisters, and a group of about 15 women to go hear Beth Moore speak in downtown Phoenix. We stayed overnight at a hotel and attended the rest of the conference the next day.
We hosted a Crazy Bridge party here with 20 incredible friends!
I helped my friend, Terry Lynn, make favors and food for a Scottsdale Baptist high school youth group reunion/New Year’s party at her home. It was a wonderful time to reminisce and see 26 of our longtime friends again.
As far as our married kids go, Mindi and Rey moved into a beautiful new home in Queen Creek about 4 minutes away from Hayley and Clay R. Clay R. started working for Cardon Development after getting his real estate license. Hayley got a job as an interpreter for a hearing impaired student at Scottsdale’s Chapparal High School. Months later we discovered the student was the daughter/granddaughter of the Maynard family we have known for over 30 years! Clay M. started a new job at Boeing Corp. as a contracts and pricing analyst. Rachel taught History and French classes in their apartment to home schooled high school students.
Life sure has changed a lot since 3 of our kids have left the nest and we are done home-schooling! It was quite an adjustment to quickly go from a house of constant activity and noise to a quiet one. I have especially had to remind myself that my true identity is not a “home schooling mom”, but a daughter of the King. My value is not determined by accomplishments or relationships, but by who God says I am – His child. My job of mom and teacher went away for the most part, but I am in a new season of life and the Lord has given me new assignments and opportunities. We really miss having the kids around, but we are enjoying taking a breather and having more time to smell the roses. We even took ballroom dance lessons together! I have had more time to spend in God’s Word and to cultivate our marriage relationship. Greg has been so patient and sacrificial all these years with all of my antics! Life is full of changes, but one thing for sure is God never changes! That we can bank on! It is a comfort to know that we can have full confidence in Him when things around us are constantly changing. The Bible says in Malachi 3:6 “For I the LORD do not change;” and Heb. 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” May the Lord be our point of reference this season and always!
Much love, The McInturffs
