InstaFriday

Thought I would try something new (to me) for a little change on this 'ol blog. It's InstaFriday over at Life Rearranged  and I thought I would join in. The goal is to tell of your ordinary, daily happenings only using photos from your phone. What a fun way for me to remember the sweet memories and see the blessings I might have missed, but it may be a boring post for others to read! Well, here goes...

 My sweet hubs brings me flowers every month "just because." This is this month's bouquet.

 First time for me to iron one of little man's shirts. So tiny.

 Will took Liam to his first baseball game. Since we are both baseball fans we were glad he enjoyed it!

 We've been doing lots of playing these days. I'm cherishing this stage of life he is in. So fun.

 Listening to Bro. Steve on a Sunday night. Every time Liam hears his voice he stops what he's doing and smiles. He loves his pastor. 

 After months and months of no use, I decided to break out the paint, canvas, and brushes again. My Jackson Polluck inspired painting and studio (the weather has just been incredible!).

First time to try meats (turkey to be exact). Well, you see how he liked it...

Just a glimpse into the McKay world this week. It's been a good one. 

Easter

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus...He is not here, He is risen!"

Luke 24:1-3,6

Birthday Freebies

I love birthdays. I also love free stuff. 

Put the two together, and I am one happy girl.

As a little girl, my mom taught us to give to others on our birthday instead of just receiving gifts. 

So I thought I would share with you my "secrets" of getting fun free stuff for your birthday:

First, my absolute fav store, Anthropologie, sends you a 15% off coupon and a treat (last year was a coin purse, this year a cute bracelet) when you sign up for an Anthro card (it's not a credit card, just a "frequent buyer" card). I'll be using mine to purchase these cute turquoise studs.

Shoe fan? If you're a member of DSW Rewards, they will send a $5 coupon (off any purchase) in the mail. 

Sign up for Yogurt Mountain's emails and they will email you a coupon for a free 6 oz cup of your choice.

Vera Bradley in Saddle Creek sends a gift certificate for $20 off any purchase during your birth month at their store. 

Sign up for Sephora's emails, and they email a certificate for a birthday treat. Last year it was this shower gel by Philosophy, and this year was lip gloss. You can pick up in store without any purchase.

Sign up at Panera for a My Panera card, and they will load your card with a free pastry of your choice.

From Starbucks a free drink of my choice (when you register a Starbucks gift card).

*Baskin-Robbins will give you a free 2.5 oz ice cream when you sign up for their Birthday Club.

Texas de Brazil will send you a coupon for buy one get one free dinner for your birthday when you sign up for their emails.

Sign up for Aveda's emails, and they will send you a free gift (up to a $24 value).

These were my favorite free treats to receive for my birthday this year. I would love to know what free birthday treats you know about as well. :)
Happy Birthday!

Roadtrip to Knoxville #2

Back in October my Papa went to heaven...I miss that sweet man a lot. My Papa and Gran live in Knoxville, so Will and I packed the 3 week old munchkin in the car and headed East. Thanks to my sweet friend Dorie - who gave me tips on how to pack & travel with a newborn - I had a wonderful time visiting with my precious family. On the way home we came across a roadblock in Nashville which stretched it to a 12 hour drive home...my little man did awesome! It became a sweet bonding time for us.

{Gran's 1st time meeting Liam. October 2011}

Well, it's been a few months, and Mom and I decided it was time to see Gran and family again. The trip was a little different with a 4 month old, but just as enjoyable. So thankful for the rich conversation I had with my mom and 84 year old grandmother. Some tidbits of wisdom:

• Don't waste your life watching that "goofbox" (in reference to the TV).
• Men should be the pursuers of women. Not the opposite.
• Time with God and reading His Word is vital. Spend time talking to Him as a best friend. 
• No matter your age, physical ability, or circumstances, never stop asking the Lord how you can best serve Him.

{Learning to play piano on the same piano I first learned on.}

{Gran & Liam - 4 months old. February 2012}

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine...Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands." Titus 2:1,3-5

Singing Christmas Tree

Oh, what a fun week our little family is having! 

All three of us have the blessing of performing in Bellevue's Singing Christmas Tree this year. This is my very first time to be apart of the Tree (and Liam's 1st too of course), and it has been a wonderful experience! The students and adults are incredibly talented and love praising the Lord; it's a joy to be around them. 

Will has 2 parts - a game show host in Scene 1 and also Joseph. Liam is baby Jesus, and I play Mary (what a privilege to be Mary & Liam's mommy in real life too!). Actually, to prepare my heart and mind for the role, I read back over Luke 2 several times, pondering what it must have been like during that time for Mary. Going through labor just a couple of months ago gives me a whole new perspective this year. I keep thinking of things like:

Who helped Mary deliver the baby? 

How did Joseph cut the umbilical cord?

Was Mary lonely or afraid?

What a true miracle the birth of Christ is!!!

If you have not had a chance to come see the celebration of Christ's birth through the Singing Christmas Tree, there are still 2 performances - Tuesday & Wednesday night at 7pm. You can get tickets and more info at www.bellevue.org. 

Holiday Traditions-What Are Yours?

When Will and I married in October seven years ago, we started discussing what we would want our holidays to look like and what traditions our family would have. Since we now have a little guy joining us this Christmas, I want to be purposeful in our holiday plans and traditions. I have a few ideas in mind of what we would like to incorporate into our family...some ideas are a blend from both of our own childhoods and some are new...

~Serving others and sharing the Gospel

~Driving around looking at Christmas lights

~Reading Luke 2 out loud together 

~Putting up the nativity and explaining the significance of each piece

~Starting a Jesse Tree (any ideas on where to get ornaments for this or tips on making them?) 

~Watching fun Christmas movies 

I would love to know- what fun and meaningful traditions did you have as a child or that you are starting with your family?

Maybe wearing fun Christmas PJ's is one of them?! :)

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Dreaming...

What do these three things have in common?

 {Chris Thile}

 {Amos Lee}

{London}

2 of our fav musical artists playing in one of my fav cities in the world. 

*sigh*What a fantastic date that would be!