So... a couple of things.

1. Sorry I have been lame on the "blogging" lately. It's just been a nutty time plus, I have been abnormally tired lately. The motivation to do anything has taken more effort these days. Pretty sure it's just life making me tired but, the Mac family is doing well, and feeling joyful!

2. I love projects. Like home improvement projects, or crafts. Lately I have been doing quite a bit. Doing alot of sewing, and painting. I want to show you my latest painting project. My sister gave me 4 of her old chairs and thought I would try painting the cushions first and if it didn't turn out I could always upholster them. I am pretty happy with how they turned out. Take a look-



I have many posts to come of a softball game, pumpkin patches and fall stuff/decorations, more projects, and time with Nana. Now, I am going to enjoy the cold weather with my family, and take a walk to the University. Ciao.

Argh

So... this weekend has been hard for me. As most of you know we lost our third child at 18 weeks in April. Yesterday (Friday) was my due date. Argh. Most days I am doing well. Feeling like I am able to hold to on to a healthy perspective, and able to rest in the Lords strength. But, this weekend it just kept popping up in my mind that I have hit my due date, that our third child would most likely be here by now. I know many of you that have miscarried have had this same experience. It's just a really weird and serial feeling. Filled with lots of different emotions.

I have been seeing my Ob/Gyn on a frequent basis to figure out what's going on with my health. To state in a major "nutshell" version I have been having some "hormonal imbalances" ever since Buggie was born, and it has and continues to put some health stuff out of wack. To say that this past year especially has been hard would be an understatement. This has been a really tough year for our family. Lots of stuff, lots! Again, argh. But, we are holding on to what is true and what we were created for, and that is for us-
1. That we are called to Redlands, and love our church Restoration Covenant. And that we will continue to be faithful in serving and fighting for peoples hearts and lives to be "restored", healed, and free!
2. To be grateful for what we do have. What we have been blessed with. To learn to be content, thankful, and embrace the joy, the life that is right before our eyes.
3. Just think about today, not tomorrow. It can be overwhelming at times.

May you too find and hold on to what is true, and what you were created for. Ciao.

What a week!

First lame thing of the week-
So... a couple of weeks ago we got a really sweet and cute puppy that named Mae Be. She was perfect up until a couple of days ago. She started snapping and attempted to bite in an aggressive way (not a puppy way) at the girls. This happened a couple of times, and was pretty scary. So... in talking with some friends, a dog trainer, and the girls we decided to give Mae Be back to the breeders. So sad. (Side note: this is the second puppy we have given up. Not so lucky with picking the right dog). Also, we will not be getting another puppy for a very long time, no matter how much my heart aches for one. Done! At least for a while.

Second lame thing of the week-
Our car has been funky the past couple of months. It has a hard time shifting gears, and kind of jerks. So we finally take it to the mechanic (whom we totally trust) and have avoided taking the car in only because of the dread of hearing the amount that it will take to fix whatever the problem is. So... we take it in, and they say $3,500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me? It needs a new transmission and other stuff. So after we picked our jaws up from our feet we had to figure out a plan. Talked with the folks, and got a second opinion from another mechanic and sold our gas hog family car today. Bye bye Ford Expedition. Hello, fuel efficient car that makes us happy.

So that is the good thing that happened this week, we got a new car that we feel really great about. And can save money on gas, finally! And the other good thing is that the girls are doing well with Mae Be being gone. And to be honest both Jon and I are relieved and the girls can go back to being relaxed and not fearing the dog.

This week I have eaten more cookie dough, drank more coffee, taken a shower only once, and have never loved my bed so much! Praise God it's over! Yeah for Friday, and the weekend! Cheers, to next week! Toodles.

Our future Olympians

Who says you can swim in the bath tub? Just another day in the MacDonald house. And another hour where the girls are happy, and I can take a deep breath.

Having trouble getting the goggles on

Upset because they are too tight

My little fishies

And we brought out the umbrellas again. Who knew umbrellas could be so much fun?

Heck, maybe I should put on some goggles and take an umbrella in the bath. Never mind, that would just be weird.

Cello Birthday Bash

Buggie enjoys the show Little Einsteins. There is one episode called "Baby Cello" that has been her favorite for the past year (literally). We watch it ALL the time. Its about a mommy cello that has baby cellos and lost has lost one of them. So the go on a MISSION to find baby cello.

So... when I asked Buggie about a month ago what kind of birthday party she would like to have, she of course said without a doubt "a baby cello birthday party". Great, how the heck am I supposed to do that? I will say that there wasn't as much "cello" as I wish there could have been that day but, I do think I did a pretty good job. We played pin the bow on the cello (blindfolded of course), we did freeze dance to Buggies favorite music (which happens to be anything R & B), I made sugar cookies in the shape of cello's and music notes that the kids got to decorate, and made activity "cello" books for their party favors. It was a difficult "themed" party to put together, but it was a success! Buggie felt loved and celebrated, and I just relaxed and let the circus of kids take over.

I cut out 2 cellos and spelled Buggies name on our chandelier

We played pin the bow on the cello

Many cookies were eaten that day, yummy!

Jon was being tackled by the kiddos. Look at his face, pretty funny.

Tobin and Buggie were tired. Hudson and Jac were in love. Jac probably gave him 50 kisses that day.

Buggie is 3!

Three years ago, Buggie was born. (Her actual birthday was Sept. 8th, just slow on the blogs lately). When Annie was born we had two names picked out for her. She was either going to be Violet or Annie. We decided on Annie, and turns out she prefers "Buggie". And truthfully, she is Buggie. 99% of the time that is what we call her. She goes around the town introducing herself as Buggie. If you decide to call her Annie she turns around and says to you very directly "I am Buggie". Pretty funny.

Before Buggie was born I felt lead to pray that she would be "healing". That her touch, her spirit, her joy and personality, her presence would be healing for those that know her. That she would be able to make peoples hearts feel a bit fuller, happy, complete, healed. That prayer was answered, and it is has been amazing to hear stories of how our Buggie has touched the hearts of people we do and don't even know. Crazy and cool!

She is full of life and love, and has lots to give. Our hearts could not be more full of the joy that Buggie brings! We love our Buggie. I can't believe she is 3!

Today is her birthday party, will let ya know how it goes...

Mae Be

Meet the newest member of our family,
Mae Be Sprinkles MacDonald. Her name is pronounced "maybe" just like the character from Arrested Development. Buggie gave her the middle name "sprinkles" because she said that her spots on her fur look like sprinkles. She is a basset hound and border collie mix. She is 3 months old and the sweetest thing! She is calm, and gentle, and loves to cuddle all day long! The girls are in love with her, and have attached to her quickly. How can you not, right?
Were pretty excited, and have needed some new "joy" and "spunk" to come into our home and lives, and we got it!