She still takes my breath away!

It was June 25th 1994 and I did not want to be pregnant for one more minute. I was two weeks over due and I was dang over it. As Madi entered this world in her sassy fashion, she hung herself on the umbilical cord. "Code Blue" was all I heard and everyone waiting outside. Doctors and nurses ran from everyone, they entered the room and took her away. I could not believe that she could be taken from us so quickly. She had barely been born and I did not even get to see her face. I was so scared that I could hardly breathe. The team worked on her for what seemed like forever, then finally she took her first breathe...and so did I. Since her dramatic entrance in our world, Madi has continually taken my breath away. She turned 14 on June 25th and is one of the reasons I wake each day. She is the most like me. We have the same personality, same build (I mean, when I was her age), we have the same thoughts. She scares me because she is me. We are wired the same way. She hates it when I say that I know what she is thinking because I know her that well. Here is a picture of her at our family reunion and is one of my favorites of her. It is like she is saying" Stop, this is my life". If you knew me at age fourteen, then you will say it too, It is like looking in a mirror.




She has the most amazing heart. She taught a cheerleading camp this summer and the girls loved her. She makes everyone feel special.




She loves the beach and is a sun worshipper. She loves her friends and stays up most nights texting, myspacing and talking to them, encouraging them and loving them.





She is so pretty that it makes me sick. I told Greg that I think we should shave her head so she would not be so dang cute. I think she could probably pull that off too. I don't know where the years have gone. I love you Madi...Happy 14th...You still take my breath away!!!


Love,
Mom.

Remember our vacation last month. Well, Jessica had just begun to drive. I made her take the wheel. She had already had her permit for over a year. I mean a year and 3 months. She was very content never to drive. Then she realized that she would have to have her license in order to get a parking pass at school in August. So, I made her drive everywhere, to the store, to get gas, to get food, to yard sales, to the post office and to the beach and back. She took off and never looked back. She is actually a good driver-knock on wood and say a prayer. After she got her license, then the inevitable came up...I need a car. After much looking and praying, she got this jeep. Thanks PawPaw and Greg!!!. Also, thanks to Gmaw for "primping her ride". It is definitely primped out with tinkerbell stuff. Notice tink on the side window. She loves her car and I love that she now helps me with errands and transporting kids. If you see her go by on the road..please send up a little prayer for her safety.

She is also gainfully employed. She has been taking marketing classes at school for the past two years and her guidance counselor said she should get a job in marketing somewhere. So, I hooked a girl up!! She is one of my marketing assistants at Chick-fil-A. She loves her job and is doing a great job. She has made many CFA friends and hangs out with the crew there often. She also likes having some money. She also has bills now. Can you say car insurance...and gas.

Turning 3 months old

Can you believe that Whit and Parker are already 3 months old. Here they are visiting me for an afternoon around the pool. They are the happiest two boys I have ever seen.

This is Parker

This is Whit

They are ready for a swim. Their bathing suits are too cute. I could not post their swim diapers but they swolled them up.

Here are their 4th of July outfits.
I went and picked them up twise last week and brought them over for a visit. We all enjoyed them so much that we are going to get them once a week so that Chip and Lindsay can chill at the house for a while alone. They are all out of town this week spending some time with Lindsay's family. I can't wait till Friday so that I can see them again.

Chandelier gets painted and room update

I picked up this chandelier at a yard sale at the beach for $10.00. I quick painting with spray paint primer and coat of beige. Whala!!!

I love it in my room. It is beautiful. I am still trying to decide about the shades. What do you think? Red or Black?

Here is a shot of the room. Remember I picked up the Waverly curtains from Goodwill for $1.99 each. The pillows which match perfectly I found on Craigslist in Atlanta for a great price. And the sweet lady was kind enough to ship them to me. The wicker piece was from a yard sale for $5.00. I don't know if you can see if very well, but I got the cutest dresser beside the bed for $2.50 at the Matthews help center. I can't wait to paint it and put new drawer pulls on it.

I found the letter M on the wall at goodwill. So, here is how it looks so far. I love it and it did not cost me very much to do. I am wanting to add a little splash of red in there. I have been looking for a pillow that can go on the bed and maybe those shades. I will keep you posted.

Hello

I have not put one single post on here for about a month. I have been super busy. Over the next few day I will update you on the happenings at the McKinney house. Here are just a few
She gets a job, her license and a car
She graduates and turns 14
She spends 2 weeks with her best friend and 1 week at the farm
He loves his best friend Nicki-where's Wil?
They have turned 3 months old
If they move, then we move!!!
Saying goodbye to an old friend-the beach house-still can't even think it without tears
40 going on 10

Wow, did all this really happen in the past month?

Yep, there they are!! My sweet love muffins...

Would you just look at those sweet boys growing..Whit and Parker are two months old already. They are the sweetest things. I got to spend an entire week with them and I am seriously going through withdraws. They are coming over here Wednesday for Madi's 14 birthday dinner. Can't really believe that either.

It wouldn't be a vacation without smores!

There are always small things that you do each year that make up your memories of a good vacation. These pictures of the entire family sitting outside with tiki torches lit, the firepit flaming and everyone sitting around telling stories, is one of my most favorite things about our family vacations. We roast marshmellows on coathangers and all smell of smoke when we go inside, but I love it.

Lindsay has Whit.

PawPaw is sharing more popcorn from the grill.

Olivia enjoys a smores. Check out our mad pool in the background. It is one of the favorites of coming to the beach. PawPaw blows up the pool and we get in it after a day at the beach. It is so big is takes up most of his driveway. We can all get in it-its that big.






Grandmaw has Parker.

What's cooking at night on the island?

This night we had popcorn on the grill. It starts with Madi and PawPaw taking Orville out and putting kernals in the pot with oil


Then it takes atleast three people to watch over it until it begins to pop.

This is what you are left with-melt some butter and shake lots of salt on it. Yummy.

Do we ever see the road we travel?

Do we ever really pay attention to our daily drive to where ever we are going? Does your car know the way by itself to work, home and church? I am usually in such a hurry with kids and life that I don't take time to really look at my path to anywhere. But this day, I decided to take it all in as if it were my last trip to the beach. I looked at the fields, the ponds, the roads, the railroads and the cars riding towards us and beside us. In my people and place watching, I even spotted a Chick-fil-A vehicle on the same highway as us. As we passed by the CFA vehicle, I looked over to wave..haha-it was none other than my boss and his family going on their own beach family vacation. We were about 2 hours into our little trip and so were they. I called my bossman on the phone to tell him that he was driving slower than I usually see him and he explained that he was in a convoy. Oh well, since I wasnt in his little convoy, I passed him and went on. My pictures are not in order since I am not savvy like that. But, the gest is, God is good. He has created some beautiful points and places in our day to day. We just need to take the time to enjoy them a little more than we do. I made a point this day and this trip to see our drive to the beach as if it were our first and out last. Take time to enjoy your path, you maybe surprised at what you are driving by each day.

This is the home stretch. The lake at Carolina beach. We are about 1/2 mile from Mom and Dads now. This is where we ride bikes, go to watch movies on Sunday nights on the big jumbotron and where we ride the boats.

The road seems to never end. We just drive on and on.

The was my girls first drive to the beach. Which is why I got to enjoy the sites that I normally dont get to.

Obviously, some of us don't worry about the road, the driver or really much of anything.

Here is a picture of the railroad crossing in Polkton NC, that we cross on the way to the beach. I don't think I have ever really looked up these tracks. I can only image the stories that could be told and the history that the tracks hold.

Are you serious? $3.99 a gallon. BTW, it is now $4.05 down here on the island. Thanks Gmaw for letting us drive your car to the beach. Lots better gas mileage

Outside our windows were lakes and ponds that we probably have passed 100's of times over the years.

The corn fields went on for miles. As far as I could see, there were fields.

This field looked so soft and pretty that I had to pull over to touch it. Have you ever touched a wheat field? Its not so soft after all. Looks like to would be fun to walk through, I actually stopped, looked for awhile, then rubbed my hands right over it as if it were going to feel soft. Its not. It was dry, rough and prickly. But I am glad I did stop.

1 week down and 1 week to go

I have always wanted to spend two weeks at the beach with my parents. Everyone knows how much I love Carolina Beach. School was over and it was a great time to pack everyone up and spend some time regrouping, recharging and re-acquainting myself with the sand and ocean. I have spent one week with Chip, Lindsay, the boys, my kids, Greg and my parents. Surprisingly, we all get along in this house. We all love days on the beach and nights chillin at the house. I have read one of my books for work and watched hours of dvd's about Chick-fil-A. Being away from work helps me plan and get a vision of the months to come. I love being locked up in my room late at night going over work stuff and goggling the Internet for fun stuff to do at the store.
I have not blogged in over two weeks. I don't think that I can catch up in date order, so forgive me if I jump around.
Greg has gone back to work and will return Friday for our last weekend here. Chip, Lindsay and the boys also went home. It is now just me, the kids and Mom and Dad. Today we sat around the pool and watched Tiger Woods win his upteenth golf tournament. I don't think I ever watched golf until I married Greg. I love Tiger. I also never watched football and we are die hard Steelers fans in our house. It is amazing how a man can rub off on you.
Tomorrow we are going down on the beach for a day of sun and fun. Wednesday we are going into town-haha-to take it a movie. I am also going to see a marketing director from this area and sit down with her for awhile for a chat.
The rest of the week will be filled with more CFA dvd's, another work related book and lots of planning for upcoming events at the store.
Tonight we had a great dinner from the garden. Corn, squash casserole, potatoes, cucumbers, stewed cabbage and Chick-fil-A chicken strips(thank you boss man). Yummo. My children love coming to the beach because they know GMaw will feed them well.

Picture day on the beach

My crew with Mom and Dad

The entire crew with Mom and Dad

My crew sure is getting older

Olivia has Whit and Madi has Parker
Wow, 6 grandkids. A picture we have all waited a while to enjoy.

Are these proud grandparents or what?

I love taking pictures on the beach. This year I wanted to get photos of my parents with all the grandbabies. It was a great afternoon so Lindsay, Chip and myself walked everyone down to the beach for some fun. I think I may be bias but these are some beautiful people.

Where did all this come from?

Tonight was Madi's "8th grade graduation formal". Let me break that down for you.
8th grade..didn't she just get her first tooth...or a training bra (BTW-Greg wanted to know more about the training bra or lack of that was going on with this dress tonight)
Graduation..from preschool?....nooooo..from kindergarden?..noooo..but from middle school..we will have a freshman in high school soon. That makes me have 2 in high school, 1 in middle school and 1 in elementary. Whoa!!! Sun, please stand still!!!!(more on that later)
formal..yep..they are having formals in middle school now. And I have the receipts to prove it.
Dress-$? Thanks GMaw & Pawpaw
Earrings$20.00
Pedicure $33.00
Shoes Number 1- $20.00 Greg made me return because she would receive nose bleeds from that altitude. And yes, he made me with a fever, suffering from strep throat get in the car and go buy Shoes Number 2 45 minutes before her date was picking her up.
Shoes Number 2- $35.00- Modest, but cute
Flower for date $10.00
Smile on her face- $Priceless

Madi has to do a speech at her graduation Thursday in front of the entire 8th grade student body, staff and parents. She read it to me last night, and I thought I was going to choke on my tears. The theme of her speech is "Sun Stand Still". The idea came from a series Pastor Furtick did last year. She speaks of all the tiny moments in her years at Queens Grant that make up almost 1/2 of her life. The funny times that she wants the Sun to Stand Still on so, that she can remember them forever. Wow! I told her not to look at me cause, I would be the mother in the room that was whaling. Please pray for her..she does not know if she can make it through without crying either. So many of her friends will be attending different High school next year.

As for me,,I am battling strep throat again...yep..went to the doctor today and this is my 4th time since December. She looked at my chart and added up that in the past 12 years I have had strep 3-4 times a year. So, she decided that it was time to take my tonsills out. Yep... 40plus year old woman is getting them out. If it helps me feel better than I will go for it.

Tomorrow we are having Wils and Olivia's birthday parties here at the house. Both wanted to delay their parties until the pool was open.So, Wils is from 12-2pm and Olivias is from 3-5pm. Boom, both out of the way. Greg says he has this one, because he does not want me outside, near food or anywhere near the children. Sure thing bossman!!!.teeheehee. OK, that's fine with me.

Going to Grandma's

My parents are at the beach house and we are off for a long weekend to visit with them. I love Carolina Beach. Greg and the kids are so excited. Memorial weekend marks the beginning of summer for us. It will be a kinda working one for me. I have lots of Chick-fil-A work to do on the laptop at night. But, it's all good, I will have my days..sun and fun.Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend, whatever you find yourself getting into!!

A sad day!

As I was driving to work today, I heard news that really shook me. Steven Curtis Chapman's adopted five year old daughter was struck by a car on their property and died last night. I could not image the grief that family must be going through right now. Please pray for this family as it seems as if it was a family member that hit her. They will be going through so many things in the next weeks. I found this site and enjoyed watching the utube tapes of Maria and family. Hope you enjoy too.

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/ make sure when it is through playing that you move your curser over the utube logo and it will show you more videos of the chapman family with Maria.

Look at this great family picture
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

One last post for today about the little man in my life

You gotta love a guy that will hold your mirror while you are putting on make up on the run.

This is Wil's favorite place to be...On his bed playing his xbox360. i still love his walls from his nursery even though he thinks he has outgrown it. It was originally a nautical theme and as he grew it became a western room.. now its just a guys place to play games, put together tons of legos and hang with friends.


Two weeks ago, Wil asked Jessica and I to trim his hair. You know stick the blade on and brush through, trimming it just like the barber would. Well...silly me did not know that Greg owned 3 different size blades. We grabbed one and off we went outside. Being the professional as I am, I went one swoop down the center of his scalp to...OOPs..Dang, we grabbed the wrong blade..we grabbed the guard that buzz cuts your hair. I looked at him and said"How you feel about a crew cut for the summer son?" "Mom, what did you do, Wils said". Oh Snap!! I began to explain that everyone will be wearing the "buzz cut" for the summer, It will be easy to maintain (like he's a boy, what does he maintain) I told him that every soccer player would think he was cool with the "David Beckham" look. I told him ALL the 3rd grade girls would think he was the hottest thing since sliced bread.I tried to say anything that would make him feel better and lets face the reality here folks, I was saying anything for my son, who is 9 years old, not to be furious with me. It did not help that I have these 3 stinkin daughters that made comments like-"You look like a cancer patient", "Yo, Chemo Boy", and "Oh Lord Wil, Mom screwed up your head". Thanks girls!! Anyway, I was ready to face the disappointment of Wil, when he ran inside and looked in a mirror and said these words" Mom, it's cool, I like it! Whew!! Did I dodge a bullet of what? This from the soccer playin boy that likes his hair to bounce. Then it made me think, I should be that kind of forgiving to those that make quick mistakes with me. He gave me grace and still loved me anyway, even if I made him bald. We sure can learn big things from little people. Gotta love em.

SSHHHHHH! 6 weeks old today!!

Look at my sweet luv muffins. They are six weeks old today. They are the cutest dang things. Everyone is doing well. The boys are extremely healthy. Chip has gone back to work, after 6 weeks home on family leave. Lindsay, well what can I say..she does not sleep, eats on the run, feeds them 24-7, is a trooper and is in need of prayer. Keep her in your thoughts, for you mothers out there that wondered how you ever made it through the first three months.. just imagine if there were two of them and only one of you. God knew what he was doing by giving me one at a time. We love you Lindsay.









Look at those sweet faces sleeping.
This is sweet Whit below-Parker did not want any close ups that day. They are getting tired of Aunt Paige always stalking them with the camera.