January and it's struggles

 Tomorrow, the month will be over. What happened to New Year's Day? What happened to January? What happened to 2013?! It has flown by out of sight faster than I can blink. Just yesterday, I was a little girl playing with dolls or looking up to see my mom's face, not having any worries or having to deal with issues I never dreamed of. Now, I am a teenager looking down to my mom's face (Not in a bad way. I'm just taller,now) dealing with issues that I wish I could just walk away from but am unable to. I wish I was that little girl again. Yes, there are good and fun advantages of being a teenager, but some of the things that come with these teen years I wish could be avoided. School is harder, but I don't mind it so much anymore, friends, of which I have many, are usually okay, but sometimes I just wish I could walk away from it all. That is where God comes in. These past few months have been a little tough on me and some days harder than others. With the Bible on my lap and God in my heart, I have been able to make it through. I am so thankful for a friend that I can put all my trust on. I don't have to worry about Him telling my utmost thoughts, or reavling my secrets, or brushing off my worries as if they were annoying, silly, or obnoxious. I thank God with all my heart that he is here for me at all times and I can tell Him all things. Thank you God, for being the friend and helper you are!

Back to normal...or sort of normal!

 Well, I,yet again, do not have pictures. When I went to Grandma's, I meant to bring the camera, but I didn't. Oh well, I had a great time anyways! I left our house around 9:30 on Thursday morning to go to Jessica's house. She is about 4 months along in her pregnancy, and trying to get a sufficient amount of rest, keep three kids busy, clean the house, help her two older girls with school, and everything else a mom does, is very hard. So, I go over every once in a while when our schedules agree, and do anything and everything. When I went Thursday, I helped the girls (Jenna and Kaylee) with their school, clean their room, and then keep them all busy until 2:30 when Katy came over to get me, so we could come back here to do Biology. We did that until 4:30 and then we went over to the church to do the hardest thing ever. We had to say goodbye to the Snyders as they will be going to Alabama and all those other states since they are on deputation. They have been here for the past few months, and as you have seen from older posts, I have seen them every day for a whole month! We went into the bus meaning to stay only like 10 minutes, but it got stretched to 20 to 30 or so. We had the cameras out and we got tons of pictures. I don't have them as they are on Mom's camera, but hopefully soon, I can get them up. Anyway, I got pictures with all the girls and then all the girls piled onto one of the small couches and got more pictures. I was almost sure that I was going to start crying,but I was able to make it until we got back into Katy's car. Watching all the little ones run around not really realizing that they were actually going to be leaving, and then looking at the older ones who knew was such a contrast. Hardly any of the older ones smiled a lot. Ezra, who is one of the most cheerful people I know, looked more cheerful than the rest of us, but not like he usually looked. Mercy, who is always joking or bouncing around or talking nonstop, was sitting on the couch with such a downcast face. It was so depressing. I am really going to miss them. On Sunday, I found a letter in our mailbox from Mercy. It made me smile, but feel sad at the same time.
 After we left church, Katy and I dropped Mike and Cassia off at the house and then Katy took me to Grandma's house. We had an awesome weekend and as Grandma is getting ready to leave, she gave Katrina and I lots of jewelry and clothes she doesn't wear. I got two white blouses!!!!! I haven't had one of my own that actually fits for like 2/3 years!!!
 At church on Sunday, we sat in the front row where the Snyder's usually sit. The only reason we were there was because Daddy can't hear form where we sit, so we may end up there for a long time! We'll see. I don't mind sitting there, but Hannah does! She was so mad (jokingly of course) she went and asked Dad if we are going to stay there permanately!
 Once Liz comes back, we will be normal again! LOL.
 Next Wednesday, I am starting ochestra along with Cassandra Dilucia! She and I are so excited!
 Well, I just want to say hello to the Snyders and Liz and Lydia. Hope you all have an awesome day! Miss every one of you! =D

My future!

Well, I don't have any pictures this time, but I do have videos. The only problem is, they won't load! So, I won't have any pictures of the past, but will tell you what is going on in the future (which I don't have any pictures of). Tomorrow, Seth and Katrina will be going to my Grandma McCracken's house sometime during the morning. I will be doing school with the rest of my siblings and then later at two, we three kings (or king and queens) will be going to the library to do Biology with Katy Nicot which we do every week. This week we have a test, so pray for us! LOL! After Biology, Katy will take me to Grandma's house where we three middle kids will stay for the weekend. We just wanted to hang out with our grandparents for a few days and what better time than over the weekend? And what better weekend than this one? We are planning a fun filled weekend with each other. Grandma's house is the best get-away resort for kids! Let the parents go to their tropical island with beautiful beaches, long strolls through the forest, time to get closer to God and each other, swim in the ocean, and romantic sunsets. We kids will take Grandma's house anyday! We will be coming back Saturday evening, so we will be here for church! I wouldn't miss our church service for the world! I love our church and the 'family' bond that is in it. In our church, everyone knows just about everyone else! Everyone knows the other persons name and how old they are. It is the best church this world could have. (In my opinion anyways!) So yes, we will definitley be back for that. 

So that is my predicted future, and unless God comes back before then, I will be packing to go either tomorrow morning or later this afternoon! Love you guys! Hope you all have a good weekend and struggle through it while I go to my Grandma's "resort" LOL!

A night with the Snyders,Quatros,and Stepens!

A couple Fridays ago, we invited the Quatro Jrs and Stephens over to the church to play Human Fussball with us McCrackens and Snyders. We all had a blast!! Afterwards, the guys played Tabletop Bowling. I was elected to be the scorekeeper. Matthew ended up winning, even though he joined when the guys were already one or two rounds in! Seth, my brother, did a good job, but was in last place. He was a good sport about it though!

Playing Four Sqaure.

Get the ball quick!

Hey, Alicia, bring the ball back!

Cassia, Felicity, and Linda standing around while Nathan vacuumes!

Linda likes to play the piano

Everyone's eyes are frozen onto the ball.

Lots of guys over here!

 Even though Dan and Elianna were on opposite teams, they ended up in squares next to each other for a little bit!

Alicia has three heads!!!!!!!!!!!

Tabletop Bowling!

All the cups set up and waitning to be knocked down

We were all trying to figure out the score and how to add it up. Mercy took this picture. I like the view!

David was so cute!

Cool piano/people shots!

Nikki got my camera and got some really cool pictures!

I love this one!

I look really far away!

I forget what was happening there. I was probably laughing at something Mercy said or did!

I love the reflection!

She told me to smile, so I did for a little bit, but then it felt really awkward so I stopped!

I love the red glow! It is so cool!

Yikes! I look like I'm mad or in pain!

She must've said something and it sounded strange!

This is awesome!

I really like this one!

WOW! Nikki got tall REALLY fast!!!!!!!!!

That is my reflection!!

I LOVE this one! It is awesome!!!!!

A Day With the Snyders!

 Recently, a couple of us McCrackens spent a day at the Snyders! You might as well say we hung out at church, because that is where they have been staying for the past month(s). As usual, I brought the camera!

The boy's square!

Oops, now they have  a girl!

Hey, Ezra! Pay attention!

Seth, we need the ball!

Get it, Gloria!

Hit the ball, Alicia!

We're serving the ball weather you're doing your hair or not, Katrina! You'd better get ready, cause here it comes!

Whose square is it in?

Oh boy, looks like it's going to be a low serve!

Good hit, Gloria!...Hey Alicia, get back in your square!

Gloria is the boss. "Now you go in this square and I will go here!"

Mike, you're not supposed to watch the ball.You're supposed to hit the ball!

Wow, Seth! You can get really low!

Hmm, Malachi is running away, Ezra seems mad, Matthew is very interested in the game, Felicity is looking at the camera,Emmaline seems to have hurt her hand and Seth looks like he's about to hit someone! Wow, a lot is going on!

Now, now, Emmaline. There's no need to scold!