McKenna Banenna

Well, in honor of McKenna and the warm weather, I've changed my blog. The beautiful weather just puts you in a beachy kind of mood. And since I haven't written about McKenna yet, I will pick up where I left off.

McKenna should have been born in Hawaii. She is our little beach babe. She wears a swimsuit all year long and hates to wear shoes (she gets that from me). All winter she would come home from school and put her swimsuit on to run around the house. She'd peer out the window and say how she wished it were summer already. She asks no less than 5 times a day, "When can we go swimming?" Since her birthday usually coincides with Memorial Day, which usually marks the opening weekend of the local pools, she knows that soon Summer will be here. She has already decided that we are swimming on her birthday. Lately the weather has been pretty warm and every day for the past week she's been in her swimsuit. Yesterday, we even set up the sprinkler for her. Unfortunately, as hot as it is outside, the water underground is still pretty cold.

McKenna is kind of a middle child. She isn't the oldest, or the oldest girl, she isn't the youngest. So she is in the middle more or less. She loves all things elephants and has for a long time. I keep thinking she'll grow out of it, but nope, she still loves elephants. She loves school and is so excited that she is learning to read. She is a sensitive girl and often surprises us about her depth of understanding regarding spiritual things. Sometimes it is pretty funny because she can be so matter-of-fact about them too. The other thing she loves is Malad and her Grandpa. Every time she is sad, in trouble or unhappy about something, she begs to go to Malad. She looks forward to our visits there more than anything else. McKenna has to be our most resourceful child. I've often said that if something were to happen to us and for some odd reason nobody knew, she'd be the one to keep everyone fed, bathed, entertained and safe. She'd figure it out and make sure everyone was taken care of. (Lauren would be our little panic-er) If you don't get her what she needs or get distracted, she'll figure it out. Keeps me on my toes!

I love McKenna so much and I'm so glad she is a part of our family. I am so grateful to be a mother and to have these children to raise. I know I mostly post about the trials and tribulations, but the wonderful blessings far outweigh the negatives. There is nothing better than being a mother. I just wish I were better at it. Thank goodness for a loving Father in Heaven who is patient and lets me keep trying and for children that forgive so easily.