resolved

I plan to actually try to blog something every day this year. I want to get back into it and use it as a creative outlet and an place to update family and friends on life, like I used to. In so many ways, I feel like I'm still settling in to life here in OC and the shock of yet another move is still lingering some 9-months later. It's been *really* hard at times, harder in ways I did not expect. Hopefully, this will be a place I can be real and write. I do love blogging and plan to be more proactive this year.

For today, here's some random information: a junior high bully of mine just friended me on Facebook. It was really weird to see her "friend request" staring at me from my inbox. She left some residual pain in my life and it's come up from time to time these past 15 years. Isn't it odd how something you think you've dealt with will still surprise you with untapped emotion? It took many years for me to forgive her and a few others at the small, Christian school I went to for their years of bullying. But, I feel I've been able to move on and grow and put the past pain and hurt behind me. So, I friended her. And I wrote on her wall. It was actually sort of freeing. Very cool.

birthday heirloom signs

I commissioned my incredibly talented friend, Tina, to make birthday signs for my kiddos. We've been friends for over 12 years, meeting that long ago at a Bible college in Estes Park, Colorado. She is an incredible mom, wife, and friend, and is very artsy, though she is remiss to admit it. :) Tina had made similar signs for her two kiddos and when I saw the pics, they instantly struck a chord with me. I really wanted one. Badly. And I LOVE the idea of hanging up the sign every year on their birthdays--the kids will learn to anticipate their birthday and enjoy seeing their special sign decorating the living room. I love her handwriting and she said she created a stencil for each sign.

If anyone is interested in one, let me know and I'll pass along Tina's info!

rainforest cafe

On Saturday, we went to the Rainforest Cafe to celebrate Maggie's birthday as a family. She LOVED it, all the animals and sounds. We sat right next to the elephants and at first, she got a little freaked out when they'd stomp around, but then she liked it. I think she liked the huge alligator the best. She devoured her meal and polished off her free birthday sundae!

maggie is 3!

Last Friday, December 11, Maggie turned 3 years old. In most ways, I really CAN believe she is this old, but in others, it is hard to believe that she is already 3. We kept things simple for her birthday part: a few friends over to play, lunch, cupcakes, and presents. We did a "red" theme, as her favorite color is red: red flowers to decorate, red fruit, red velvet cupcakes, red decor, and well, I think that's about it. I will admit the party did not go as I had planned: I had to run to the store that morning to get an ingredient for the cupcakes and I had my first OB appointment that morning, and thus, was actually LATE to her party! I was just an emotional wreck before it even began. You know that feeling of just being totally spent, of feeling emotionally raw? That's how I was going into her party and I hated it and I prayed about it and tried to embrace and finally, I was able to, but it took many hours. I'm not sure why I was so spent, I have to attribute some of it to being pregnant and just feeling very, very sluggish. It takes me for.ever these days to get things done. I think I was just running amok that morning and it left me feeling raw. I hate to run amok (and yes, that is the correct spelling for that word!). But, at the end of the day, the party was a huge hit and I'm most assured the kids liked decorating their cupcakes the best. Thanks to my friends who came, loved on our sweet Maggie (and me!), and helped us celebrate.








I love Maggie's face in the background!

our mama has a...

...baby on the way! Baby McKay #3 is due July 26, 2010. We are thrilled (albeit totally surprised). I went to my first sono appointment today (Monday) and saw and heard the heartbeat! 7 weeks along today. Would love your prayers!

christmas photo sneak peak

My talented friend Lindsey took some Christmas pics for us and ILOVE how they turned out! Here are a few teasers; not sure which ones I'll use. There are too many choices! We shot on location at Saddleback Church's youth center called "The Refinery." It was everything I hoped for: a place with great textures and backgrounds. THANK YOU, Linds. If you live in the area, she's *thinking* about starting a business and is starting to work on her portfolio.

Cookbook I'm hoping to win

Go here and enter to win this book, "The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook" courtesy of the blog "The Wannabe Chef." I have been interested in this book for the better part of this year and have yet to buy it. I hope I win. You should enter. Not too many entries yet, so the chances are GOOD.

http://abetterwaytocook.blogspot.com/

wordless wednesday

I've had a rough couple of weeks on a variety of fronts--ongoing lonliness and settling in back here in CA, sleep issues with Curren most of which are resulting from having broncholitis (not bronchitis) and having to give him breathing treatments 4-8 times a day, and after having some *amazing* weeks with Maggie, we've had some massive uphill battles in the last 2 weeks, including fighting going to bed and naptime. Plus, we are just wrestling with a potential new job in a local church and what our role will be, as well as trying to decide how to finish school! God is faithfully leading us; but life is often overwhelming. Some outdoor fall play cheered our spirits last week.

faces by lindsey

I wish you knew how many of my good friends are very gifted photographers (in no order): Elicia, Tina, Laurie, Bethany, Shey, Erin, Linds, Allison, my sister, Nicole. I hope I'm not leaving anyone off! If so, tell me and I'll make an addendum. These friends have the *best* cameras (Allison, that was for you!). No, really, they have the best eyes for photographing life around them and capturing the moments that happen. Lindsey took these shots last week of my sweet kiddos. She is also taking our Christmas pics. I can't wait!

little punkin'