Recital Tonight...Mexico Tomorrow...Diner on Hiatus until June 14.

One of the busiest weeks in the McKinney household comes to an end tonight around 7:30PM.

Kelsey was taking a special class on painting with oils for three hours every morning, followed by skills camp at the local high school for softball every afternoon.

Shelby has been getting ready for her recital, which involves rehearsals for the technical aspects as well as the artistic aspects a couple of nights this week.

Tracy has been doing the "stage mom" thing by volunteering in the concession stand at the recital hall as well as making sure Shelby has all her stage make-up/costumes for her three performances tonight...all of which involve costume changes and such.

I've been planning the annual Juarez mission trip for our student ministry in which they'll be building three houses for homeless people (a la Habitat for Humanity) in a barrio in Mexico near the El Paso border. That part is actually easy because an organization based in El Paso purchases the wood, gets the tools and all where we just show up and build. The tricky part on our end is taking 60 people and planning to camp out for a week...which involves not only the army surplus tents we use but also the transportation, food & water (do you know how difficult it is to transport some 750 gallons of water?) needs for the entire team for the entire week. Not to mention the stuff that could pop-up that we have to be prepared for (illness, injury, etc.).

Add to that the reality that my mom has flown in for the recital, and while the visit has been enjoyable, it's had to come in short bursts for me and each one of the girls.

I'll be decompressing in Mexico, and summer begins in earnest for us next week. The next journal entry will be on Monday, June 14, regailing you with tales from Juarez...