The 2009 Ice Storm....so far

So, we still have power, and as I am typing, it is sleeting pretty hard. I am thankful for power as it has helped us keep a "normal" day in getting school done. The trees are so beautiful with the ice on them, but we know that it is not good for them to be coated in ice. It really makes me think about the world and how we often see it. There are so many things out there that appear "beautiful" and are appealing, but in fact, are terrible for us. It starts out ok, but in time, it wears on us, makes us weak, and breaks us. Just as the tree limbs are beginning to do outside. It makes me think of pride, vanity, materialism, and "keeping up appearances."

I have often struggled, as I know MANY people do, with going through junk, dealing with sin or hurts, and putting on a "pretty face" so that no one will know what I am going through. It is like the trees outside. They may look beautiful, but internally, they are aching, if you will, due to the stress of the ice and cold. It is a call for me to pray for myself and for others, that when we hurt, we need not put on a front, but share our hurts first with God, our spouses/family, and friends who will love us and pray with us through those hard times. I know that when I have done this for myself, it is a lighter burden to carry.

So, as you look at these pictures from this morning, do not only admire their beauty, but pray for the transparency in your life, and the life of fellow believers that we would all share our burdens with God and each other, and in response God, and our "family" will come along side of us all and walk with us through those times.

Ultrasound results

It's a boy. He looks great. Everything measures up well. He has the cutest profile.

We are a little shocked, and completely pleased.

Join us as we praise God for the gift of life!

Look who's walking!

Kara has been working on this for the past few weeks, but seems to finally be confident enough to go on her own. Thought you would like to see. It is amazing how fast they grow!

Mackenzie family

Yesterday, my cousin James who plays trumpet for the Washington Army Band, took part in the inauguration ceremony of our 44th president, Barak Obama. James is a WONDERFUL trumpet player, graduating from Rice University with a Master's Degree in trumpet performance. Since that time ( I was a young girl when he did that), he has played for dignitaries, officials, special ceremonies, Olympic openings, Super Bowls, and much more. I am writing this not only that you could see how proud we are of James, but even more, to pray for him and his beautiful family. In late November, his wife, Ofelia, gave birth to their second daughter Marielle who was VERY premature. She wasn't due until early February. She is getting excellent care at one of our nations best hospitals, Navy Med., in Bethesda, Maryland. Please continue to lift them up as Marielle continues to grow and strengthen. Pray for patience and perseverance for Ofelia, James, and the rest of the family as they wait patiently for Marielle to be well enough to come home.

James is the third guy from the left. The picture is better on Facebook.

James, Ofelia, "Aunt" Jennie, and Marielle

Baby, it's cold outside!

Just a quick picture... this is Kara, all bundled up to go outside when it is super cold up here. Tim thought this was too cute not to take a picture. She is such a trooper. She complained when we first started doing all this when it first got cold, but now, she seems to enjoy it.

Enjoying the season

We have enjoyed a little snow, some ice, and a lot of cloudy days, but are thankful for Winter, none the less. The girls (all of us actually) are really hoping for a bigger snow that is "play-worthy" to enjoy together. We went ahead and took some pictures in front of the tree to share with you.... the picture as the header is one of my favorite... the girls look so cute!

Brenna and Taylor under the tree

our two goof balls

Brenna and kara (always trying to pose for the camera)

Kara Claus

Thanksgiving Week

This Thanksgiving week was FULL of actvities. We celebrated my mother's birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with our famalies. Due to hectic schedules and such, we decided to celebrate Christmas with our famalies while we were there for Thanksgiving. It was different, but a lot of fun. We spent most of the week in Alvin with my family, and headed to Tim's mom's after Thanksgiving dinner to spend the night and Friday with her. We hit the road back to West Plains EARLY Saturday morning. (Man, I think the drive gets longer each time we do it)

my mom and the girls at her birthday party/ dinner

The girls in the family wearing the Christmas hats B&T made with Aunt Holly

Brenna's favorite gift, make-up

Kara and her favorite toy - she loves to be pushed around the house on this!

Taylor opening their new travel DVD players! The old one finally died after about 5 years.

Hey, Mom! I did it!

Ok, for those of you wondering what the heck is in that pot, it is my girls, (and mine) favorite dish, Chicken and Dumplings. I have watched my grandmother and mother over the years make this "simple" concauction, but have never, as of yet, made it with sucess. Well, tonight, I did it! I got it to taste like mom's! The dumplings turned out well, and the pot was FULL! (Thanks, Mom, for talking me through the dumpling mixture, yet again)

Since the weather outside is nasty, Tim is out of town, the girls and I are going to enjoy a big bowl of comfort tonight, all the while thinking of "Me-Maw" and "Maw-Maw" while we eat!

Catching up

These past couple of weeks have been full of activity.

We have had fun in the leaves...

I thought our tree in Houston dropped a lot of leaves! We are surrounded by maple trees that turned a beautiful yellow and red and dropped a billion leaves. Brenna and Taylor had fun raking, playing, and even helped burn leaves. Celebrated Tim's birthday...

Tim Turned 37 years old this year. God has done, and is doing some amazing things in his life, and in ours. We are learning so much individually and together! I love my husband. He loves me and the girls so much. I am thankful for his love, hard work, and fun loving spirit!And Kara's 9 month mark...

Kara is busy crawling, pulling up, cruising along furniture, saying "da-da" and "ba-ba" quite well. She has stood some on her own, but tends to be more cautious than the other girls ever were. She weighs 16lbs, is 26 1/2 inches long, and loves to eat.

We are now preparing for our trip to Houston to celebrate Mom's birthday and Thanksgiving. We will be there for just a week, and know that it will be full lots of activity, hugs and kisses. We will have some great pictures to post after that I am sure.

So, to all of you, we extend our love and thanks for each of you! God has truly blessed us with family and friends who love Him and love us too! Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!!!

Chicago, Branson, and home again...

This past week was a great, but very tiring week. The girls and I packed up and went with Tim to Chicago. Tim had a show Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We spent the day together Monday in the city and journeyed around the Navy Pier. That was a lot of fun. It was cold and cloudy that day. Tuesday and Wednesday we hung out in the burbs where we were staying. We got in sight seeing and shopping!! Thursday, the girls and I went back into the city to the Adler Planetarium. It was amazing! The girls are spending the year in Astronomy for Science, so this was a perfect place for us to go. It was such a great museum. It had tons of information, but kept everything interactive for kids. I highly reccomend this place if you ever make it to Chicago. The weather on Thursday was perfect. The museum was right on Lake Michigan.

Tim and the girls in front of Wrigley Field

The Navy Pier

B & T in front of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline

NASA's future?

Friday we headed to Branson for Tim's company retreat. The accomodations were more than wonderful! It was a relaxing end to a busy week. Brenna and Taylor got to hang out with some of their buddies that they see only once a year.

Needless to say, we are all still a little tired and working to get back into the swing of things. We are thankful for the opportunity to travel with Tim and spend all that time together! It was a lot of fun.