The Macs

Monday, May 31, 2010

life rearranged


Remember Kate McRae and her family?
How could you forget this sweet little girl?
I hope that you have continued to pray for Kate
and her family as she battles cancer.

In an instant, the McRae's lives were rearranged.
And now they are clinging to the Lord and 
begging Him to heal their little girl.

They are in the middle of a long, hard battle.
And today you have a chance to show your love and support to them.

Today I am guest blogging over at Life Rearranged.


Jeannette has created this blog because she has an awesome heart.
She asked me to share my story...
to share how my life has been rearranged.
And when she asked me what charity I would like to fundraise for,
Kate was the first thing that popped into my mind.
Because so many people gave so generously to us 
while we were battling Cora's cancer,
I would love to help bless the McRae's in the same way.

So, head on over to Life Rearranged.
And if you are feeling led to give,
I would love for you to help!
And even if you can't...please continue to pray.

Oh ya...
did I mention there is a Cora dress involved??

Friday, May 28, 2010

just checkin' in


Levi and I just wanted to say that we hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We have some fun plans for the weekend here at the Macs. We'll tell you all about it next week.

Cora's is sold out AGAIN. You guys are awesome...but way to fast! We have more dresses cut out and ready to put together. Now Grammy and I just have to find time to sew!!! There were no boy items this time. Sorry. I'm struggling with being creative with boy stuff. Hopefully someday I'll get there. We do have some really cute fabric for boy burpies. Those will be coming soon. There will also be dresses for the girls in bigger sizes (2T-5T) for the summer!

I'm still WAY behind on e-mails. I promise I read them all. And I really care. One of these days I'll find time to get back to you! :o)

Check back Monday to see where I am guest blogging at.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

open tomorrow

***UPDATED: SOLD OUT***


Opening again tomorrow.
Around 10:00 am (CST).
15 long-sleeve dresses.
1 skirt.
And a few other things.

I know...it's summer.
But think ahead to next fall.
Or an upcoming baby shower.
Or maybe you live somewhere cold...perfect!
These dresses are really cute with leggings too.

Our next set of dresses will be short sleeve again.
We'll start working on those soon.
See ya tomorrow!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

pink peonies


I was so excited to see this week that my peonies are finally blooming. My father-in-law helped me plant them in our yard last spring. He has a green thumb, so it is a really good thing that he was helping me. He actually got them to plant next to Cora's memorial stone. But when spring came around last year we hadn't put Cora's stone in yet. So we planted them in my yard instead. We are hoping to transplant some of them this fall. But for now, I am enjoying the pretty pink blooms.

Cora is buried in a country cemetery near our house. I actually could walk there if I wanted to. And I drive by it all the time. I like that because I can "check on her" from a distance. But honestly, I really don't like going to the cemetery. I know it is very healing for some people. And maybe that will change for me. But right now, I just don't like it. To me the cemetery is full of reminders of death and caskets and funerals. And I hate that. I hate letting my mind go back to the pain and trauma of having to bury my little girl. It is too hard.

But one thing I love about her cemetery is that their are peonies everywhere. It is just beautiful around this time of year. And for the short two weeks or so that the peonies bloom, it is such an awesome reminder to me of LIFE...even in the cemetery. And I love that. Because we serve a God who has conquered death--a God of LIFE. And Cora's life continues beyond the grave. I need to be reminded of that so often.

So we thought that Cora needed her own peonies. Pink of course. And I have a feeling that taking a trip to Cora's peonies in the spring might become a family tradition. We could even bring some back to the house as a reminder of Cora's precious life. A reminder of that incredible day when we will see Cora again and live for eternity in the presence of God. What a sweet day that will be.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."
Revelation 21:3-4

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

movin' on up

Seriously mom.
I am almost 20 pounds.

My head touches the top of the bassinet,

and my feet touch the bottom.

Don't you think it is time for me to move to my own room?

Let's just say I have been having a hard time letting go.
Levi has been sleeping in this bassinet next to our bed since he was born.
It is the same one that Cora slept in.
Except my brother made a really cool bassinet stand for Levi.

Cora moved to the crib when she was three months old.
I thought we would do the same with Levi.
But I was really struggling with him being in another room this time.

I like being able to peek over at him in the middle of the night.
I like being able to reach my hand over and make sure he is still breathing.
I held out as long as I could.
But he seriously was outgrowing the thing.
He would hold onto both handles with his little hands.
He even started rocking it a little.
It just might have become a little bit of a safety issue. :o)

So I gave in and Levi officially moved into his own room last week.
I'm slowly getting used to it.
And I think he likes having a little extra room in his crib.
The poor guy was crammed in that bassinet.

Cora's room is transforming into Levi's room.
I am almost done.
I am working on a little painting this week.
I still need to add something on the windows too.
I can't wait to show it to you when I'm done.

In the mean time,
I'll try to work on letting go a little.
It is so hard though.

Monday, May 17, 2010

the weekend

The weekend was busy.
Very busy.
My baby brother graduated from high school.
I can't believe he is all grown up.
He is ten years younger than me.
I was his second mama...
at least I thought I was when we were growing up.



Congratulations Owen!

We hung out with my family all day Saturday after Owen's graduation.
And then we left on a little road trip.
This time to see Joel's side of the family.

Joel's grandparents are celebrating their 60th anniversary.
And everyone was there on Sunday to help them celebrate.
Joel's family is huge.
I love that.
Look at all those people that are the result of Joel's grandparents.
So cool.

We got back late last night and we were exhausted.
I was hoping to sleep in and recover today,
but Levi had his 4 month appointment this morning.
So, off we went again.
Nothing like waking up early for shots after a crazy weekend.
Sorry Levi.
Everyone kept saying how huge Levi was this weekend.
And he is.
He weighed 19 pounds 6 ounces today.
That's my BIG boy.

Hope you have a great week!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

it's coming

I'm hoping the rumors are true.
They must have read my blog.
And heard my pleas. 
They knew this girl needed a Chick-fil-A close by.
Probably not.
But I am still super-excited!
This was in the paper this week:

Wichita Chick-fil-A fanatics, you asked and you shall receive. The Atlanta-based fast food chain is in final negotiations to bring a freestanding Chick-fil-A to the northwest corner of Central and Rock Road where a Presto gas station has been.

The deal is all but signed. Presto's last day in business was Saturday.

Chick-fil-A has space in the Rhatigan Student Center at Wichita State University , but Wichitans have long requested that it bring at least one if not more of the restaurants somewhere off campus.


Soon I will be able to go to Chick-fil-A whenever my heart desires.
It is probably a good thing we live 40 minutes from Wichita.
Otherwise I might eat lunch there everyday.
Kinda like it is a good thing we live 40 minutes from Starbucks.
At least Joel thinks so.

And just because my hubby raises cattle...
When you are not eating at Chick-fil-A,
you should definitely EAT BEEF.
Every girl needs a good steak or burger.
But a chicken sandwich won't hurt you every once in a while.
Right Joel?

I knew you all would share in my joy today!
Now, if we can just get a HomeGoods to come next.

Oh, and by the way, 
I know there is a Chick-fil-A in the student center at WSU.
But that really doesn't count.
Unless you are really desperate.
You have to go onto the college campus to get there.
And they have weird hours.
This will be SO much better!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

dedication

Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

This year Mother's Day was so special and so hard all at the same time.  We dedicated Levi at church on Sunday. Two years ago we were standing on that same stage dedicating Cora. Man, that was a scary thing to do again. It shouldn't have been scary. Of course we wouldn't want our Levi's life in anyone else's hands but the Lord's. He loves Levi even more than we do. But as we have had to trust God with loosing our first sweet baby, I think we are tempted to just want to partially trust God with Levi. We are tempted to say, "Ok, God...we trust you with Levi's life as long as you promise to keep him safe and healthy." So, to stand on that stage and publicly dedicate Levi's life to the Lord, choosing to fully trust God and to raise Levi with open hands, was hard. Why do we as parents try to hang on when we know that our children are much better off in the Lord's hands than in our own? Why do we have a hard time trusting when we know our Heavenly Father loves us deeply and passionately? 

And standing next to all the other families dedicating their children...that was tough. We were the only ones up there with one child. All the other babies had their siblings standing up there with them. That was hard for me. I struggled to hold the tears. I wish little Cora could have been standing beside her brother on his special day. I wish we could have been together as a family. Someday...


This is what we wrote about Levi for the dedication...

Levi means “joined”. We love the meaning of this name as our family has felt everything but joined since Levi’s big sister Cora went to heaven. We know that even though our family will never seem complete here on earth we will one day be “joined” together again because of the hope we have in Christ.

Jerald is after Joel's dad, Jerry.  Jerry is one of the kindest, God-fearing men we know. He is a hard worker, is dedicated to serving the Lord in both his occupation and his every day life, and has such a servant's heart. Anyone who knows Joel's dad would understand why we would also want our son to have this name.

We chose Malachi 2:4-6 for Levi. We are praying that Levi would grow up to be a man who walks in uprightness and who stands in awe of our Lord’s name.

Levi is such a blessing to us. He is a sweet little boy and has brought many smiles and lots of laughter to our house again. We realize more than ever that every day with Levi is a gift. Today, as we dedicate Levi to the Lord, we are praying that we would be faithful to raise him with open hands.

calladedication050910_013
Levi wasn't too excited about our Mother's Day photo together. The poor little guy was so tired and he didn't really want anything to do with pictures. 

calladedication050910_011
And guess who else was dedicated with Levi? Sweet Miss Calla. Doesn't she look great? What a sweetie-pie. After church we celebrated Levi and Calla with lunch at my parent's house. It was so special to be surrounded by our friends and family. My mom is a rock-star and is the best hostess. I hope I am just like her someday. Thanks mom and dad for opening your home to all of us!

calladedication050910_023
I kept forgetting to get a family picture. I knew we should have taken one at church, but I thought, "Oh well, we'll just take one later". By the end of the afternoon, Levi was so grouchy and Joel had already changed his clothes. This was the best we could do! Thanks for the pictures Ian!

Friday, May 7, 2010

the big race

Wow...I have been bad at keeping up on this blogging thing.
I have lots to tell you.
Like Levi and I have been busy getting in shape.
Or, I have been busy getting in shape.
Levi has just been along for the ride.
He looks cute with his rolls.
I don't so much.
But he is a great companion.
And Lucy comes along too.
Lucy is our dog.
She LOVES to go on walks.
She goes crazy whenever I pull out the stroller.
Lucy has been very happy that I am trying to get back into shape too.
The weather has been beautiful.
Except for the windy days.
Usually on the windy days we just stay inside.
Kansas wind is yucky.
I laughed when I saw these two pictures of Levi...

He was wearing the same sweatshirt in both of them.
And they were only taken about three weeks apart.
Look how much he grew!
Or maybe his sweatshirt just shrunk?!
Crazy boy.

*

Well, most of my motivation for getting back in shape was because 
I had some friends holding my accountable.
That was a good thing.
Because I am pretty sure I wouldn't have started running again on my own.
We all signed up to run a 5k.
I ran a 5k a few years ago.
Before my babies.
It was a little harder for me to get in shape this time.
I started running only four weeks before the race.
And I had lots of aches and pains.
I wasn't sure if I could run the whole thing.
But here is proof that I finished.
I am in the pink.
I was so proud of myself...
and all the girls who ran with me.
And here we all are after the race.
I am so thankful for these girls.
They are all so sweet.
And encouraging.
And they helped me get back in shape!
Now I just need something to motivate me to keep running...

Monday, May 3, 2010

levi {four months}

Today you are...

So sweet. 
You stare at me with those deep eyes and I love it.
You make me feel like one very special mama.


So big.
I'm not sure how much you are weighing these days, but it is a lot.
I know...because I have to carry you around.
You have almost outgrown all your 3-6 month clothes,
and are starting to wear 6-12 month clothes now.
You are wearing size 3 diapers.
You are full of those cute baby rolls.


So happy.
You have the best smiles.
You are happy as long as someone is paying attention to you.
But you are pretty content the rest of the time too.
You are giggling just a little if we try really hard.
No full-out laughs yet though.


So stuffy.
You got your first cold this month.
And it just seems to keep hanging on.
You have been coughing and your poor nose is so stuffy.
Not to mention it has disrupted your awesome sleeping skills.


So playful.
You are pulling and grabbing all your toys now.
You like to have something in your hand.
And then you always try to put it in your mouth.


So drool-y.
You drool all the time and blow bubbles too.
The front of your shirt is always wet.
You try really hard to stick your whole fist in your mouth.


So snugly.
You still love to be rocked to sleep.
Sometimes when you are really tired you fight it before falling asleep.
But if I rock you at just the right time you will talk to me for a few minutes
and then fall right to sleep.
I love those times we have together.
It will be something I always remember about you.


So cute!
Thanks Aunt Laura for taking these sweet pictures for us.
They will help us to always remember Levi at four months.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

a spontaneous trip

Sorry I've been away.
When you are a farmer's wife you never know 
when it will be time for a vacation.
Because our vacations are planned around the weather.
And the weather is very unpredictable.
Which means our vacations are unpredictable.
But that keeps us young and spontaneous, right??
So when the rain came, Joel said he was ready to go.
And off to Colorado we went.
I was so excited to spend time with one of my best-est friends.
And to meet this little guy...


My friend Laura had her second little boy three weeks ago. 
This is sweet Tanner. 
He is just precious. 
And so little...at least compared to my chunky monkey.

Laura and I have been friends since fourth grade.
We met when my family moved to Colorado,
and three years later we had to move away.
But Laura is one of those friends 
that you can pick up right where you left off,
no matter how long it's been since you have seen each other.
I love that about her.
In fact she didn't even hesitate when I called her on Friday
and asked if we could come on Saturday...
because she didn't just have a baby or anything.


Oh my. 
Little Tanner makes Levi look humongous. 
Lately people have been telling me that he is a "healthy" little boy. 
I think that is their polite way of saying that is a HUGE three month old!

We didn't do a very good job documenting our trip.
Probably because we were too busy holding the babies.
It was pretty laid back.
Just hanging out at the house.
And lots and lots of talking.

I did manage to document our one two trips to Chick-fil-A.


It was so yummy.
This is Tanner's big brother, Hunter.
I am sure that I was chowing down my food just like Hunter was.
Luckily no one took a picture of me.


Levi loved his first trip to Chick-fil-A too.
How couldn't he?


My mouth is watering just looking at these pictures.
Really, it wasn't the hi-light of the trip. :o)
Chick-fil-A, will you PLEASE come to Wichita?


Laura and I did manage to sneak away to do a little shopping.
They had the biggest JOANNS I have ever seen.
It was awesome.
And I went to Home Goods for the first time.
I loved it.
Home Goods, will you PLEASE come to Wichita too?
Joel and Hunter hung out while we shopped.
Hunter loves his Uncle Joel.
It is really sweet.


I just love it when my friends marry guys 
who immediately click with my husband.
There is no forced hanging out just because the wives are friends.
I think Michael and Joel could be best friends 
even if Laura and I weren't friends.
They are so much alike it is scary sometimes.
And they get in a lot of trouble when they are together.
But we always have lots of fun.


Hunter did so good with the babies.
He is a sweet boy.
And such a good big brother.



And here they are...
the boys.
Someday, these three will have a lot of fun running around together.
I hope they will be great friends.

Thanks Michael and Laura for letting us come on such short notice.
We loved our time together.
Come to Kansas soon!