"B"

In honor of little man learning the "ba" sound this week, 
things that begin with the letter "B:"

Books

Bowl-licking

Bath time

Bears...
Beets. Battlestar Galactica.


Happy Friday. :)

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day with Liam was special and full of blessing.

The very first thing I do every morning is brush my teeth (I can't stand to have that nastiness in my mouth for even one second!) Knowing this, Will left a card from him on my bathroom sink (my 1st Mother's Day card!). Then I went to wake up the little guy so we could get ready for church and I found this:

A card from the little guy (he "wrote" on it himself) :)

My present is being made (I'm so excited!!) and pics to come when it arrives.

Liam, I can't tell you how thankful I am that the Lord has allowed me to be your mom. You teach me new things everyday about life, myself, and most importantly about the Lord. You are the sweetest little boy and my heart overflows with joy that your Dad and I get to share life with you. 

Top 5

It is no secret, we McKays love to read. We have books in every corner of our home. 

The little guy is even joining us:

So this is the first in a series of posts of my favorite books. I'll be listing by subject/interest/topic and including my favorite 5. This list is not exhaustive...just a few suggestions of phenomenal books.

1st on the list: 

Top 5 Favs: Prayer

Operation World: a daily resource for praying specifically for all nations. 

Prayer by E.M. Bounds: a collection of many of his great works on prayer. Power Through Prayer is probably the one I read the most often.

Praying God's Word by Beth Moore: Chapters divided according to strongholds (idolatry, pride, unbelief, addiction, depression, etc.). Specific Scripture is given to pray for each. 

The Autobiography of George Muller: an excellent example of what a Christ-follower's praying life looks like. (I love biographies...a post on my Top 5 fav bios to come soon.)

The Power of Crying Out by Bill Gothard: A look at those in scripture that cried out to God. God hears our cry!

There are many more books on prayer that are excellent, and many authors as well (Don Miller, Stormie Omartian, Sylvia Gunter), but I thought I would just mention a few. Of course, learning to pray does not come just by reading about it, but by praying.

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