Cleaning & Honoring God

Ugh. My very least favorite chore is cleaning our master bath shower. Because of this, I will not tell you how long it has been between each cleaning...so embarrassed just thinking about it. Monday I sucked it up once more, gathered my supplies, and put the shine on that bathroom. And then I came across this blog post from Melissa McDonald. 

How timely it was. I will never look at my shower the same again. {And my husband cheers!}

Sweet Syrup Scents

September is one of my favorite months of the year (October is my other favorite). Not only does it bring changing of leaves, cooler temps, and warm beverages, it is also when my sweet boy was born. There are many things he has done this past year that I didn't want to forget (my memory is horrible. I think I have a problem.), and I am thankful yet again for my iphone allowing me to document in pics and in words. One of the lists I had going from when he was 10 & 11 months:

I love the way you...

Scratch your head when you're really sleepy

Have a birthmark on the back of your neck just like your Daddy's

Say my name when you need help

Smell like maple syrup from your favorite snacks

Like the waterfalls way more than the animals at the zoo

Giggle when I give you an eskimo kiss

Splash in the pool like a little fish

Kick your feet to the beat of your fav song

Do you have any tips for how you document the memorable things your kiddos do? 

Happy Fall!

August from my iphone

August has been a splendid and busy month for us McKay's. How about you? 

Some of the highlights from my phone:

 We said "goodbye for now" to a dear friend as she begins teaching in Ghana, Africa for 2 years. We love you, Katelynn!

 Tried out a real (not the kiddy plastic kind) pool for the 1st time!

 A moment caught by my husband. This is by far my fav spot in the house. Wouldn't trade these moments for anything.

 Each Sunday Liam's teachers put a verse in his bag for Will and I to pray over him. I'm incredibly thankful for the sweet women & men that care for our little guy each Sunday.

 Watching their favorite band, Mumford & Sons. It's an almost daily thing. :) Come on over, prop your feet up, grab a sweet tea, and listen with us awhile.

 My sweetest friend Katye knows how much I love fresh peaches and made me a peach pie!

 We celebrated Will's 34th birthday!

 Thankful for another year to spend with this amazing man.

 Coffee with Elizabeth before she began her freshman year of college.

 Blocks are his toy of choice these days. He's skilled at demolition. 

 Spaghetti is his fav food (and snackies too of course).

Man Day: Will took Liam for his 1st trip to the shoe store. Mr. Arthur (who Will trained years ago when he worked in shoes) helped find the perfect pair!

It's been a great and memorable Summer!

Come Messy

I started a new book last week (shocker, I know) that contains a refreshing perspective on prayer. Paul Miller is candid and honest about the distractions, struggles, and realities of why we do or do not pray in his book "A Praying Life." 

One of the main take-aways for me is when he talks about coming to God in prayer as a child. 

"Jesus said, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14 

Jesus says we can come to Him as children...having a child has shed new light on this passage. How do little children come? Uninhibited, with abandon, trusting, without a mask, messy...They don't wait until they "have it all together." Liam reaches out his spaghetti-coated fingers towards me, grabs my face with both hands, and gives me a slobbery-wet kiss. My heart fills with joy. I hear him say the word "Mama" as he crawls clumsily up in my lap with a book. He didn't wait until he was perfectly clean or could take the precise steps...he came just as he was. And tears well in my eyes as I try to cherish every moment.

Our Heavenly Father calls us His children, and his desire is that we come to him and spend time with Him often (in prayer). How it delights Him when we "crawl up in His lap" and talk with Him. 

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Mt. 11:28

I'm thankful he does NOT say come to Me all you who are perfect, organized, and put-together. We run to Him just as we are, and He will mend our broken hearts, heal our hurts, and cleanse our sins. But we must come to HIM.

Some Memphis Love

I love my city. Memphis is incredible for so many reasons...

1. My family (Will's parents & siblings & mine as well all live here. I'm so blessed!)

2. My church family. Love these people to death. 

3. Great food: Brother Juniper's, Paulette's, Deli Mexicana, Molly's LaCasita, Corky's, Silver Caboose - this deliciousness is only in Memphis.

4. The music scene: Live at the Garden, the Orpheum, and other venues that bring in my favs.

5. Fun things to do with my baby boy: the zoo, splash parks, pink palace, Shelby Farms, and play dates with great friends.

This list could really go on and on...and on...

Events and eateries are nice, but a huge part of what makes a place different and delightful is the people. When talking about the Lord and the Gospel, I become very passionate about going to "the ends of the earth," but I love Memphis as well. Just one of the ways our student ministry shares Jesus' love with our neighbors is through Jerusalem Project. For a week in July, hundreds of students and leaders go throughout Memphis (about 10 different locations) to serve, share, and love. It's one of my favorite weeks of the summer.

Will, Liam, and I spent time in Frayser at Impact Baptist Church. 

Tony & I have known each other for 5 years. She has grown up so much!

Thankful for the friends God has given us all over Memphis!

InstaFriday:Summer!

The last few weeks...we have really been enjoying summer!

 We ate delicious breakfast at Brother Junipers.

 Friends came over for game night.

 Visited Dr. Snyder for the 9 month check-up. No shots, yay!

 Celebrated Katye landing her dream job! 

 Will (aka "Greatest American Hero") officiated a wedding.

More weddings and cute favors.

Celebrated Addie's 1st birthday! 

 Celebrated Bryce's 4th birthday!

Visited our favorite place in Memphis with friends!

Look! My 3rd tooth started coming in last week! 

Celebrated Liam's 1st 4th of July at Papa and Nanny's.

 Liam and Nanny

 With Uncle Mark

 C'mon buddy, one more smile?

 Spent time with Grammie B. 

 Liam got to hang out with friends (2 twin boys on the right) born on the same day he was. 

1st time in a swimming pool and wearing swimming trunks. 

Whew, this is just the beginning! We'll share our other adventures next time!

Lesson from an Olympian

Are you excited yet about the 2012 London Olympics? Sunday night I began watching the gymnastic, track and field, and swimming semi-finals. Now I can't wait for July 27th when the games begin!

During the swimming semi's, I was drawn into the meet as a 45 year old competitor approached the pool. With 20 years old as the average age of the female swimmers vying for a spot on the Olympic team, qualifying as a 45 year old is no small feat. Dara Torres, 5-time Olympian, performed well that night finishing second and making it to the finals on Monday night. The commentators discussed one of her secrets...Torres purchased a starting block for five thousand dollars for personal use in her home pool. Why? Because she knew from experience that starting well is crucial to finishing well. She gave her all in every second of the race, including the first. 

Isn't this true in our lives as well? As a Christ-follower, wife, mom, student, and employee I desire to run the entire race with zeal and endurance. What would the result have been if off the starting block Torres took her time? With only tenths of a second between her and the other swimmers, she would not have qualified for the finals if she had not given it all she had at every moment. May I approach this day with the same vigor, determination, and focus. 

"You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (The Message)