Tinkerbell Tea party

My Precious Middle Child! What can I say? Yesterday you were born, now you want to wear make-up and watch High School Musical.



Some things that I treasure most about you my sweetheart:
1. Your servant's heart. From when you were very young, you were always seeking to help someone out. If it was bringing a diaper, making your bed, bringing something to bubba, you've never complained about serving someone else.
2. Your smile. It can make a dreary day disappear in seconds. Your big beautiful brown eyes are full of innocence and everything that is good. I praise God for your sweet smile.
3. Your unconditional love. There have been hundreds of times you've made a comment like "mommy, I love you even when you're angry" or "mommy, it's ok if you get mad, I still love you" You are the first one to hold me and say "I love you soooo much"



4. Lastly, I praise God for your tender heart. When we pray, you remember the most amazing things...like, "God be with the people in the car wreck"....she saw it first thing that morning and I totally forgot. or "be with Grandma's foot" I totally forgot she twisted it, but she remembers and lifts them up in prayer.

All in all, I thank God for my "Ray Ray". Turned 4 but going on 14! I love you sweetie!

Second First Day

Today was the girl's first day of school. Yep, Rhea's, Abby's and Mine! Rhea woke up at 5:45 and was ready to go. I tried to get her to go back to sleep but she was just too excited. I think Abby could feel the excitement too. She woke up in a great mood and everything went so smooth. We loaded up and headed out.

I'm working in the pre-k Learning Center at Northwest Bible Church in North Dallas. On a regular non-traffic day it takes me approximately 35 minutes to get there. Today was my first go at it during rush hour. YUCK! Through the ever-construction I exited the wrong street and got lost, therefore arriving 20 minutes late.(1.3 hrs. later) I was flabergasted, but sweet Rhea was so reassuring. "Mommy, the people won't be mad at you" I love that little girl. She has such a sweet, serving spirit (have no idea where she got it)....Anyway, after getting the girls to their classes I made it and had a grand first day. I'm as tired as can be, but feel very rewarded. It seems the ladies I'm going to be working with are amazing. I'm looking forward to a great year (minus the commute) Rhea AND Abby both got high praises from their teachers. Said they were wonderful and fun> Abby was the center of attention, and Rhea was the little "helper", always serving. She said "Mom, I like my teacher, she's beaUtiful" She makes everyone feel good!

We are still struggling with Isaac. I finally had a conference with the teacher and was able to find out what his schedule is like, what they are focusing on etc., so I can motivate him. I didn't cry today...but it only took me 6 days. Can't promise on day 7. One thing though, Marty is an AMAZING daddy. He's kinda took on the project of helping Isaac get up and get ready and out the door. My kids are so blessed to have him! SO that's our random updates :) Below are a few pics for Velvet to show that we are practicing for our McWhirter challenge. PS Look at the form Abby has already

Isaac's First Day

A good hearty breakfast...we had a good start, smiles and everything. Oops, got toothpaste on my shirt, nothing daddy's spit can't take off. We are ready to head to school. All smiles, everything is good. The walk was great, Mom and Isaac off to school with a billion other mommies. All smiles everything is Great...we're going to make it through--- Well---no more smiles, Isaac doesn't want to stay, even though his best friend is in there. He has ahold my leg, I'm sweating, all the kids are looking at him with cocked heads, sitting nicely at thier place. Teacher has to pry him off my leg "Mommy don't go, it's too long, I don't want to stay...." Are the last words I hear as I head down the hall. As soon as I can get out of the way of the other parents I lose it. How could I leave my baby, who OBVIOUSLY doesn't want to stay in there with a bunch of strangers? How will I know if he ever stops crying? How will I know if he'll make it? I called my mother..."find out what time his recess is and go and watch." Be a stalker in other words. I thought about it, but decided against it. After telling Marty how hard it was, we both had a good cry and decided to get on with our day. It would go faster if we were busy. Right??? Well it didn't. I'm still crying and he's home for goodness sake!
3:00 finally came and me and the girls loaded up and headed to the school (with a million other mommies). Daddy met us there. I didn't even recognize him when he came out. He looked so big...and I swear I saw him 6 feet tall with a cap and gown on (freaky moment). He ran to me..."Mom, I stopped crying by myself"

He liked it

. He actually wants to go back (although I'm not so sure I want him too!) One bad thing. He got on yellow today. The teacher said he was too "talkative" WHAT? Isaac too talkative, you must have him mixed up with someone else. Oh thank God this day is over. And I have 2 more years before Rhea goes

Last Summer Vacation

Sea World tickets--$650
Parking Passes--$60
Sea World Souvenior PONCHOS (13 of them)--$78
Wal Mart run for "in hotel" activities--$100
Family and Friend Fun--- PRICELESS

We took a little trip to Sea World, San Antonio with our friends the Yarbroughs and Uncle Chuck (13 total). What we initially thought to be the hottest week all summer turned out to be the wettest.
Our first day at Sea World, it was reported to have rained 10 inches!!! We stayed only long enough to feed the dolphins and watch Shamu. (oh yea and blow our souvenior money on ponchos--one for everyone) We were all miserable, cold, wet, hungry and dissapointed. We rushed back to the hotel where all 7 kids had to be entertained with tv and an elevator. I'm surprised we weren't kicked out!


To our surprise we got a "rain check"...so we headed back the next day. It rained on us a little, but we were prepared with our ponchos, umbrellas and "non-socked" shoes :) It ended up being a WONDERFUL day with hardly anyone in the park. The big kids (me too) got to ride the big roller coaster (THE GREAT WHITE) 6-7 times (4 times in a roll, not even getting out) It was great fun.

The last day we made it back to Sea World for the water park fun. This was on Saturday and everyone that had a "rain check" from Thursday came and brought all 14 of their relatives! It was crazy busy, and hot! But we had a grand time anyway. What did I learn? 1. Always pack more than just tank tops. 2. And Jennifer, it's not that crazy to bring a jacket to San Antonio in the August! 3. You can never have enough snacks!

Knock Knock

Behold I stand at the door and Knock, whoever hears my voice will open the door and I will dine with him and he with me Rev. 3:20


Isaac, my sweet socialite, was having a sad moment the other day. He asked me to write these words on a piece of paper: "Who want to play come over" What is he doing? I wondered. Then he taped it to a stake and took it outside and put it in the ground next to the road. "Isaac, what are you doing" "I don't have any friends to play with so I'm asking whoever wants to come and play with me" Before you say, OH poor little guy, understand, he has 2 sisters, and Elisabeth is over everyday, plus he is either over at Joseph's house (best buddy) or Joseph is at our house every day. This was just a small moment in time when he felt he had no friends. He even had the girls in his plan. "I've got a good idea girls, you stand and wave at people when they drive by" I was cracking up.


In his desperate plea for a friend to play with the Holy Spirit was tugging on my spiritual heart strings. I was reminded that God hung a sign on a stake for our friendship....he put a plea out..."whoever wants to come-- come. Anyone, All. I want to be your friend." And here we go, driving by in our fast cars, our busy lives. "oh isn't that cute"--he wants a friend.

He wants our friendship so badly he died for it. He Himself hung on the stake.

He wants to dine with us. Dine in that passage means to fellowship, sit at our table and catch up, share our thoughts, dreams, desires. He wants our friendship! Thanks Isaac for showing me how badly I've neglected my Savior's friendship. I'm going start "dining" with Him more often!

Making a Splash!

Abby in the Water----always smiling :)

This is a typical day at the McKees....not just our 3 anymore.

Our kids love the water! Of course, they come by it naturally. I was in the pool or lake almost every day of every summer I can remember! But Abby is something else. We have a 3.5 foot pool that the kids swim in at least once a day. Abby thinks she's a big kid too.
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QXGWCJLudL2JqLEXSEFA9AxraUP-8TClc28MCsvRTeGSr-Npuz3qT6rUxIanJS8CLmh4j1xJtV8y4aWR505Az37DzVm46I4LhbgOUTQlk1f8WviaKWpgjtVEZo4RzeSmihY1z8ouAYU/s1600-h/CIMG2058.JPG">She can climb up the ladder and jump in. This all at the fear and trembling of mom! She gets mad when I hold her so I thought I'd teach her a lesson...I'll let her go so she'd panic and feel the insecurity of the water. Well, to my demise the plan backfired. She hit the bottem of the pool and pushed herself up enough to get a breath then made it to the ladder! She crawled up the ladder choking and coughing with a big ole grin on her face. Then she did it again! This kid definitely is blessed with the "no fear" factor. Mom, Dad---I'm sorry for everything I did growing up. Now I know your misery and worry :)
Ain't this the life!

Purple Pillow

I've had a few of those---"everything's-going-wrong-laundry-too-high-groceries-too-low-kids-on-my-nerves-wish-calgon-can-take-me-away days" The days you wish you can find some rest and comfort away from everything. I don't know about you, but my comfort area or "lovey" is curling up with a good Christian novel and reading until my eyes bug out., or lately reading some of my old journals. It's amazing to see how far I've grown in some areas and yet how far I need to grow in most! But my point is, everyone has a "lovey" don't they? A good TV show, a comfy lazy-boy chair, maybe a good song, or a blankie.? Well my 4 year old has a "lovey" It's her PURPLE PILLOW. It is a hand-me-down from MY Grandma and is one of those real heavy feather-down comfy ones. My mom took an old satin pillow case and cut it down to fit this small "lovey" and the satin pillow case is purple. It's soft, squeezy and comfortable. Rhea can't sleep without it. She carries it around when she's tired, or not feeling good. When's she's scared she holds onto it. She likes it cold and will sleep on it, under it, or in it! It's her lovey and she uses it for comfort.
I've been thinking about this for a while and realized that God was talking STRAIGHT to my heart. COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE BURDENED AND HEAVY LAIDEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST....MY BURDEN IS LIGHT AND MY YOLK IS EASY! How I wish I could put God into a purple pillow so I can physically grab hold of Him, curl up with Him and be surrounded my His undying love, comfort and peace. So next time you grab your "purple pillow" or good book, or old coffee mug...remember that God is calling YOU to lean on Him (even in the small stuff He reminded me)

RHEA AND HER PURPLE PILLOW!