My Majic Family

Here is a picture taken just about 4 hours ago. We visited Brian's brother Darin and his wife Jaclyn. It is the last time we will see them before we go home. While we were there Jaclyn was telling me my pictures look distorted most of the time. Maybe I am not seeing it, so, since I really have nothing to talk about and it's 1:30 am this post is to ask "How does this picture look?" And also, if most of my pics in the past have been distorted please let me know. Thanks and good night!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 1:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

Wanted to share with you how cute the boys looked Easter Sunday. It was 80 degrees in Tampa and the boys were in flip flops and shorts. I love Florida!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

After we spent the day at Clearwater Beach in the 85 degree weather we went to visit Brian's brother Darin and his wife, Jaclyn. They live about an hour and a half south of Tampa in North Port. We grilled out and had the greatest time. We also took some pics of the fam. These are the first pics of the family all together since Darin and Jaclyn's wedding, 3 years ago. Here are a few...
Those cute boys


...with Grandma


Jaclyn and I


Brian, Darin, Jaclyn and I


Justin, Darin, Ginny, Brian and Ryan


Darin, Jaclyn, Justin, Jackson, Ginny, Jayden,
Brian, Jared and Ryan


HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!! REMEMBER WHY WE CELEBRATE.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday and today we all went to Clearwater beach. Even though the sun was barely out we had the best time. We buried all the kids in the sand, took a walk to search for shells, built sand castles and got a little sunburned. I feel very blessed to even have this opportunity and this has only increased my desire to one day live here.

Anyway, we will have lots more beach days and we are just soaking up every minute. It's going to be hard to go home. Here are some pics.

No other way to be...


You guys are up to your neck in it...




A future architect?

Posted by The Mac Fam at 7:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

On Sunday we drove to Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta and Chris, Brian and the kids went up in the cable car to see the site while Heidi and I walked around the little village. You couldn't have paid me to go up there. Jackson and Jayden were a little freaked out at first but they did ok once they were up there. On the way down they both tripped b/c they were running. I have to say the pics from up there are pretty amazing so here are a couple. Also included are some others I took while hanging with Chris and Heidi.

Going Up


View from the top


My four boys


Our gracious hosts, Chris and Heidi

Posted by The Mac Fam at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

We arrived in Tampa Florida yesterday evening after we spent an awesome weekend with Chris and Heidi in Atlanta. Brian's mom had prepared 2 lasagnas, salad and bread for us to feast on. Darin (Brian's brother) and his wife Jaclyn were also there to welcome us. His other 2 brothers Ryan and Justin who live with his mom were also there. It has been almost 3 years since we have seen each other so it was a really nice evening.

This morning, Jared and I went to the gym and had an awesome workout. What a great way to start the day. Then we all headed to the pool. Oh my gosh, the weather couldn't have been better. Brian and I layed by the pool while the kids played and we are loving life. Today, we are just taking it easy and then tonight Darin and Jaclyn are coming over again for dinner. For those of you in Tulsa I will try not to brag too much about the weather. Today at 10am it was 74. Pretty sweet.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

It has been a pretty eventful few days. Wednesday, I wake up with what I think is just a little indigestion. Little did I know how painful the day would be. Right away I am sitting on the toilet and I pretty much stayed there for 3 hours. Then the waves of nausea set in. Up and down, up and down. I felt like I was in a boat. Then the achiness all over my whole body. My head starts throbbing and it's all I can do just to stand up. Then to top it all off, I start to throw up. Did I feel better? NO!! Now, under normal circumstances this really wouldn't freak me out too much. However, we were leaving town to start our vacation in less than 48 hours and I had a million things to do. So, with everything in me I got dressed, Jeanette picked me up and I went to my hair appointment. Hey, I had to look good for my vacation. I still don't know how I made it through that. I never felt so bad. While there I spike a fever. I tell my stylist not even to bother styling it. I just needed to leave. Jeanette picks me up and I break down and call the doctor. I am desperate and feeling worse by the minute. My doctor isn't even in and no other doctor can even fit me in. So, at this point I don't care. I have the chills and just want to go home and go to bed. Once home and in bed I can't even relax because the waves are so extreme I literally begin shouting out to God. I am begging Him to help me feel better because I can't feel this way anymore. 2 seconds later I am in the bathroom throwing up my guts and everything else. I never thought it was going to end. I somehow crawl back into bed and sleep for about an hour or so before it all starts again. Well, somehow I got through the rest of the day (only because Jeanette is a lifesaver), got up Thursday still feeling gross managed to get everthing finished and only left town 2 hours and 20 minutes behind schedule.

AND... here we are ON VACATION!!!! Currently we are in Atlanta but Monday we are heading for Tampa. The highs all week are lower 80's. Works for me, I was just in 50 degree weather and below. So, far we are having the greatest time. It's so great just to hang and have no where you have to be at any particular time.

I will be updating periodically and hopefully will post pics as we take some. See you guys soon!!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

Don't you think God has a sense of humor? The more I seek HIM the more I fully comprehend and see at work HIS will in my life and the way things should be for me and my family when I get out of the way.

For those who know me personally, I am famous for saying "always" and "never." These 2 words have gotten me in more trouble. Here are several examples. I said "MY KIDS WILL NEVER GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL!" "MY KIDS WILL NEVER GO TO PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL!" "MY KIDS WILL NEVER RIDE THE BUS TO SCHOOL!" "I WILL NEVER HOME SCHOOL." Ok, these are all kind of the same but you get the idea. I really did say all these things. Well, where are we today? All my kids go to public school, Jared attends public middle school and rides the bus home everyday and when he was in 1st grade I homeschooled him for half the year. See? God has a sense of humor. The point is, I was telling God what was right for my kids. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know as parents we do what we feel is best for our kids but I can honestly tell you (I am ashamed to admit this) I never consulted God on any of the above decisions. I just did what I wanted to do and figured HE would bless it. HE does turn things around for the good of those who love HIM but I have figured out it's a whole lot easier just to consult him first and cut out all the pain that goes with doing your own thing. Can anyone relate?

So, here is the final outcome. Jared is doing better now than he ever has. In PUBLIC SCHOOL!!Jackson and Jayden both have born-again, spirit filled teachers who love what they do. God always knows what is best for us AND our kids and if we just seek HIM HE always lets us in on the plans.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

Bryant and Amy that is. They recently moved back from North Carolina. We were so excited to spend time with them again. Here are some pics from our evening. .

Bryant and CiCi, she is talking now.


Amy and Paris.


Maybe we should have tried for a girl.


Me and Paris


Is this kid cute or what?


Welcome home, we're glad you're back!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

Here I am once again complaining. Oh well, it's not like you aren't used to it. Where is the love people?? HE has branched out on his own and no one visits him to see all the cool stuff he posts about. He has no idea I am writing this and would kill me b/c he could care less but I think you are all missing out. I am not kidding, he finds the coolest stuff. He's a male Betsy. C'mon guys, show him you care. Thanks for listening to the whine fest, anyone got any crackers?

Posted by The Mac Fam at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments

As a momma of 3 boys this is all I know. I have no idea what it feels like to parent a girl so if my views are biased this is why. My boys are 11, 7 and 6 and it never ceases to amaze me how boys can be so young and yet so fiercely independant. How it's so naturally ingrained in them to be men! How they want to be just like daddy. Walk like daddy, talk like daddy, do their hair like daddy, eat like daddy, stick up for daddy (although they come to my rescue too) they want to be men! I think I should point out my boys have the greatest example and I am so proud they would want to be just like Brian. He adores them and is a strong example of what it means to be a man. Not just any kind of man either but a godly man!

Now to the point of the title. They may have this whole daddy thing going on but when they are hurt or upset about something I am the first person they turn to. I am the one they trust to make it all better. From Jayden having a cut on his leg to Jackson being frustrated because he can't spell something right the first time to Jared trying to fit in with life. Large or small I fix it all. And because of this they will always be momma's boys!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments

Allow me to introduce to you my extended family. This is the last picture taken of all of us together before my mom died. We were celebrating my Grandmother's 70th birthday. I love this picture b/c we are all together. We haven't all been together since. Below is a who's who.

Bottom row L to R, Jayden, Aireanna (my niece), Jackson and Me.

First row L to R Aunt Mary (mom's sister), Heather (my cousin), Grammy, MOM, Sarah (my sister) holding Isaac (my nephew) and Clayton (her husband).

Second row L to R Kelsi (my cousin Andy's wife), Aunt Holly (mom's sister), Cheri (my cousin Jeff's wife), Jeff (my cousin), Uncle Delton (mom's brother) and Dad with Jared right in front of him.

Back row L to R Uncle Joe (married to Holly), Andy (my cousin), Brian (my husband), Joseph (my cousin), and Jordan (my cousin)

So, now you've met my family. Anyone else care to share?

Posted by The Mac Fam at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

Whistle? I was taking Jackson and Jayden to school this morning and Jayden said, "Mommy, how do you whistle?" and I said, "Well, you just put your lips together and blow." So, there we are the three of us all trying to whistle. It was so cute. I can't whistle to save my life. Can you??

In case you are interested in all the professional whistlers out there check out this link

Posted by The Mac Fam at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments

If you haven't clicked the link on Brian's site you are really missing something so get over there and check it out! This isn't for comments either, I am serious.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jared is learning to play the guitar. He takes lessons from our friend Larry and is having a blast. He can already change chords really well. Here are a couple of pics of him playing and one of him pretending he's a rock star.

Keep it up Jared, we are proud of you!!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

When my mom died it was my responsibility to help pick out the casket piece. My mom wasn't really a flower person, it wasn't something you would just get her, she had other things she preferred. So, I needed to pick flowers that said something about her personality. She loved pastels and pinks and purples were her favorite colors. She was also a very simple person. She wasn't materialistic at all and didn't like things too busy. I picked an arrangement of all roses, it was all pastel colors, it was simple and absolutely beautiful. Just the way I remember her. My mother was so beautiful inside and out. Well, although Brian did take several pictures of other arrangements somehow the casket piece was forgotten but I took all the roses dried them and divided between the family. This is my arrangement, it sits on my mantel as a constant reminder of how beautiful life is.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments