Mesa High, State Runners Up

I'm sad the title doesn't read State Champs, but I do want to say that Mesa put up a good fight. After being ranked 11th at the beginning of the year in their division, to become state runners up, that itself is a crowning victory. Those boys fought and bled together showing us that spirit and determination is more valuable than statistics and odds. After defeating Mnt. Pointe, a undefeated at the time, they were challenged again by Hamilton, another undefeated tea

m. The whole week before the game, I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I was stoked to go to the game with my wife( a Mesa High graduate) and daughter( future Mesa High graduate). My parents bought tickets and shirts.

Even a shirt for Addison that was way too big for her, but it was super cute. On the shirts it said "Mesa Believes." We all believed that they could surpass the challenges that they had faced. Mesa showed that they could win, even though they face insurmountable odd, as they showed what they were capable of when they played Mnt. Pointe.

Before the game Brittney and I made a sign that said on one side, "Mckay Alumni: Kyle 2003, Brittney 2007, Addison 2029, Heart Mesa High" on the other

side it said "The McKay's Believe." Then we were off to the game with my two sisters.

Mesa was to face Hamilton at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The stadium was awesome. The crowd that came out to cheer on the Jackrabbits was even better. It was a sea of purple and gold. Our numbers were far superior than that of Hamilton, and our spirit was even greater. Old friends and alumni were reunited in this glorious field of battle. My father-in-law, a 3rd generation graduate and football player came out to the game. He participated in the State Championship back when played football for Mesa in the early 80s

The Mesa High Jackrabbits came marching onto the field. The stands erupted into thunderous cheers of support. The Mesa High team preformed the Haka, a mauri war dance, that has become a tradition started by many of the Tongan and Samoan players. After the kickoff the game began. It was a back and forth battle between Mesa and Hamilton ass each team struggled to advance on the field. I was impressed as Mesa's defense prevented Hamilton from gaining yards. At one point during the second quarter, Hamilton was at the goal line with two yard to go. After being shut down, Hamilton was forced to take the field goal. Though disappointed that they had scored, we still know we had a fighting chance. Toward the end of the second half is when Hamilton scored its first touch down. You could feel the disappointment of the crowd, but we didn't stop believing.

The second half of the game I'm hardly going to mention. Lets just say Mesa could not hold onto the ball and gave it up to Hamilton after several fumbles. Toward the end, Mesa continued to fight valiantly, but to no avail. The buzzer rang, the game was over. Hamilton left the victor.

Though no state champion title was awarded to Mesa High, those boys have something to be very proud of. We had not seen as state champion game since 1992. Mesa was just considered a second rate team. But those boys proved otherwise. Its funny that even though Mesa hasn't seen a state champion game for a while, the spirit and support for our football team is unlike any other school. Though winning is great, Mesa High students and alumni continue to show great support and love for each other even in the times we lose. We stick it though during the thick and thin. We are so proud of those boys, and humbled that we were able to participate in the state champions. Carry On Mesa High! Carry On!!!!

Happy Birthday Kyle!

kyle,

i remember the first time i ever saw you in june of 2007. you were in the ballroom at nau and efy

was in session. i could tell you were a great counselor by the way you interacted with everyone around you. you had some crazy energy that whole week as you bounced down the halls and made sure your group had spirit. i remember thinking, " the poor girl who marries him, he's all over the place!"

michelle loved you as her counselor, and when she asked me to write on your facebook page and say hi for her, i was excited to write you a message. your reply came back, and i was so afraid that our conversation would end there. so i wrote you again, pretending michelle wanted me to. when you replied and asked for my number, i was shocked. excited. thrilled. and nervous. i was going to go on a date with a counselor. an efy COUNSELOR. you seemed so much older than me, with with much more experience in dating. i knew you were fun, and i was terrified to disappoint. i had a wonderful time that night.

i couldn't believe you liked me enough to ask me out again. but you did. over the next four months as we dated and got to know each other, i fell in love with you. i loved how you could make me laugh. you were so clever with the way you talked and i found myself laughing for days as i reflected on a single conversation or a look you gave. i loved that you had the ability to talk to anyone around you, even strangers, and be completely comfortable. you were great with kids of all ages, and it impressed me that you got along with my sisters so well. they still love you. that was very important to me. i saw you dig in with the work at your house and you even looked to be an extra help with things you thought needed to be done. you made chores fun. people who were normally considered "different" in society always had a friend in you. they knew to call you for a ride or a visit and you would be there. i appreciated the trails you had gone through and was amazed at how much stronger they made your spirit and testimony.

once i knew that i wanted to marry you, march 7th couldn't come fast enough. i had the jitters that whole week. in the temple i was so nervous that i nearly threw up, but when i saw you smile at me and take my hand, i knew everything was going to be fine. that day was perfect. i will never forget it.

in the whole year and ten months we've been married, we have accomplished so much. moving, going to school, counting pennies, and having a baby. and consequently, you have been the rock through it all. i have never doubted your ability to provide for our family or achieve anything you want in life. as i continue to get to know you better, sometimes what i learn drives me nuts, but i can never stay upset at you for long. i learned that you never let the small things get to you, which is completely opposite from me. you always encourage me to be more than i am. when it come to school or hobbies, you say if i want to do it, then i can. you help me see how i can accomplish my goals and road map a way for me to get there. you stick up for me and support me. you let me cry. you love me, and so much more.

i can't get enough of you and addison together.

you are so good to her. you are going to be a perfect doting father to all of our children - just like your dad. addison lights up when you get home each day and loves talking to you on the phone. i know a you'll always have a special place in her heart.

thank you for being the husband and father that you are. thank you for your love and patience. thank you for your service. i will forever be greatful i was the lucky girl that got to marry that energetic counselor from efy. i love to be with you and i am so excited to do just that for eternity. i hope you have a wonderful birthday! i love you so much.

with much love,

brittney

The McKay's are Alive!

i know we have been down and out for awhile, but i am back to announce what we have been doing for the past month!

1. addison cut her first two teeth back in early october. before she got them, i would talk about how much i loved her gummy smile and how i didn't want teeth to ruin it. i can honestly say that the two little buds on her bottom jaw have only increased her cuteness!

2. i participated in black friday. not the getting up early - heaven knows i love my sleep - but i did go shopping that day. jen and i hit up two tuesday morning stores. i bought a standing plant, (they go everywhere.) i also bought kyles christmas gift. i spotted it at the second location we went to and showed jen. she loved it too. because of a manufacturers flaw, i got it for 15% off - i do love me a good bargain!

3. i am so thankful my dad is still here on this earth. one year ago december 3rd, he had a heart attack. i was pregnant with addison and all i could think about was if my sweet baby would be able to meet my father. it was one of the scariest days of my life. looking back on this year that we have been blessed with, i can't even begin to fathom it could have been without him. i am thankful for my many blessings - i love you daddy!

4. i gave addison her first trim the other night while she was bathing. it was hard getting her to hold still long enough for me to cut her hair the same length, but i think it turned out pretty well.

5. for those the few of you that didn't know, the mckays are moving to south chandler. my grandmother has a huge basement that she is nice enough to share with us. we will have our own entrance to a 2,200 sq ft, three bedroom, two bathroom, and 1 storage roomed basement with a HUGE backyard for addison! part of our agreement for living there is that we help fix up the place. the home was built only about eight years old, so the "fixing" part is more like painting and accessorizing it for my g-ma who doesn't enjoy doing that herself. uh, heck yes we'll do it! so i met my aunt jenel at home depot. an hour and a half later, we left with half of the stores paint swatches and instructions to pick my favorites and buy some samples. i have four samples which i will be trying out. we move in january so i will have it painted by then!

6. i finished my last two photoshoots that i was so concerned about getting done in time for the holidays. they both turned out beautiful. great news: my work is not only starting to pick up, but i have had to turn business down because i have had so much business. if that sounds mean to you, all well. i was able to see several photoshoots used as christmas cards and wedding announcements. i can't explain how exciting that is!

7. earlier this week addison started standing all by herself. everyday the length of time she can do it for increases as she proudly shows off her new trick. she knows that we say "yeah!" and clap for her and she loves the attention. she'll show off her bright smile before she stands now, waiting for us to praise her.

8. school is ending! kyle and i are wrapping it up for this semester and putting a boot in it. kyle has two finals to study for and i am putting together a picture slideshow for my final. the end is in sight, the end is in sight!

9. we have all been sick. i think addison had it the worst. fevers, coughing, throw up, aching, and the runs have all been enjoyed thoroughly - all of them by addison and only a few by kyle and i. addison and i still are coughing and poor kyle is just getting started with the list.

10. since we don't want one huge move, kyle and i have been making trips to grandma's house to drop off furniture and things we are not using. i have bought totes, labeled them, and filled them several times. yeah for organizing! so on the weekends, you can drive by and see us loading up my mom's truck to send to the new house.

11.thursday is kyle's 25th birthday. i told him that means 25 spankings. remember when you were little and you got those? don't forget a pinch to grow an inch! kyle doesn't need any inches added to his 6' 3" frame. i can tell he got plenty of those growing up. anyway, we will get a christmas tree (real) that night and decorate it. can't wait to be with him. i love my man.

12. saturday is the mesa high game. they are playing hamilton high for the state title. just so you guys understand, the last time mesa went to state is when my dad was in high school - 1981. they got close one time since then, but sadly lost at regionals in 1992. the mckay family are stanch supporters of mesa high - since both kyle and i went, i being a fourth generation mesa high alumni - and will undoubtedly be at the game screaming for mesa. please pray for mesa high school! I BELIEVE!!