Happy 10th Birthday, Taylor!

Saturday we celebrated Taylor's 10th birthday party with a 10 pen celebration at the local bowling alley. She invited 10 friends, but only 9 could make it. We had a good time bowling, eating, and playing games. Other than not having a voice from my allergies, it was easy too! Taylor even got 4 inches of snow on her birthday!

Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Mark Driscoll page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to take your Bible study to the next level!

Birthday pictures

Kara and her favorite pig, "Hamlet"Her new pig, "Homer"The little rascals from the partyShe wasn't quite sure what was happening here...
But then she figured out that cake is GOOOOOOD!!

Turning one and having fun!

We celebrated our third little princess' birthday on Satuday, February 14th. We had my mom, a few friends, and "extended family" over for burgers, dogs, cake and fun. Kara enjoyed everyone here and was constantly scanning the room. She didn't seem too interested in presents until she opened the one from Uncle Michael and Aunt Holly which was her 3rd stuffed pig. Her pig collection is now complete since we have the 3 little pigs. Sunday morning she woke up and I guess decided she was done with bottles. We offered them to her on Sunday and Monday, but no interest, so we are done with those. This has been the easiest transition yet. Mom said if she potty trains as easy as coming off the bottle, we have got it made. I guess God knows how much I can handle, and he is being gracious to me knowing that another little one is on the way. I will post more party pictures later. I had camera issues, but thankfully Lynette was there with her camera to take tons of pictures. I will get those from her to share with you all.

Birthday Palooza

We are gearing up for a fun filled two weeks here at our house. This week we celebrate Kara's 1st birthday on February 14th. We will have a party for her on the 13th so that we are not digging into any Valentine's Day plans for couples. We intentionally have made her birthday a separate event from Valentine's day, so there will be no heart cakes or decorations in our house for Kara's party. We want to celebrate the life God has given her, and the joy that He has given us in this first year of her life. I can't believe that it has been a year already!

Taylor's 10th birthday is at the end of this month, on the 28th. We are working on her plans for her party, and I really have to get on that. It is amazing to see what God has done in and through her in her short 10 years, and we are anxiously and hopeful for her future and His plans for her life.

The really cool thing is that mom is coming to be here for both of the girls birthday's. This is really special. We will get to have a nice long visit where we are not rushed to get all the fun and excitement in in just a few days. Pray for her as she makes the drive from Houston by herself. She will be stopping in Texarkana for the night on Wednesday, and will be here Thursday afternoon. I am sure her car will be loaded with gifts and goodies. (Who needs Santa when you have grandparents, right?)

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.