Skyler D. & Madison Grace

Skyler D. is 9!

2011-01-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that Skyler is 9. Its is unbelievable how fast time goes by. I still remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.

I remember the joy, the overwhelming love I had for her and the fear of whether or not she would be ok.

Now she is a beautiful happy, healthy 9 year old

Thank you Lord for my little (not so little anymore) girl!!!

I love how Skyler loves me so much

I love how when she prays at dinner she asks God to feed families that have no food

I love how she loves to read

I love how Skyler and Maddie play so well together

I love how she has such a big heart

I love how her favorite thing to do with me is to curl up on the couch and watch a movie

I love her giggle and her beautiful smile

I love her creativity

Skyler D. You are Perfectly and Wonderfully made by God and We LOVE you so much!!!

Winter at the Beach!!

2010-12-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

Precious time with my Maddie at the beach!!

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

2010-11-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

As I am reading this book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" I find my self re evaluating my life. I guess that is the point of reading this book. I bought this book from a friend in hopes to join a bible study that meets during the day. Seems like many things in my life that I would like to do but don't seem to have the time for. Maybe Gods purpose out of all this was for me just to read the book on my own and not to participate in the group. So as I am reading this book I came across a story that truly opened my eyes and heart to what God really wants from me. Below I will share the story I read.

You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Luke 10:41-42

The story is told of a man who met God in a lovely valley one day.

"How are you this morning?" God asked the fellow
"I'm fine, thank you." the man replied. "Is there anything I can do for you today?"
"Yes, there is," God said. "I have a wagon with three stones in it, and I need someone to pull it up the hill for me. Are you willing?"
"Yes, I'd love to do something for you. Those stones don't look to heavy, and the wagon's in good shape. I'd be happy to do that. Where would you like me to take it?"
God gave the man specific instructions, sketching the map in the dust at the side of the road. "Go through the woods and up the road that winds up the side of the hill. Once you get to the top, just leave the wagon there. Thank you for your willingness to help me today."
"No problem!" the man replied and set off cheerfully. The wagon pulled a bit behind him, but the burden was an easy one. He began to whistle as he walked quickly through the forest. The sun peeked through the trees and warmed his back. What a joy to be able to help the Lord, he thought, enjoying the beautiful day.
Just around the third bend, he walked into a small village. People smiled and greeted him. Then, at the last house, a man stopped him and asked, "How are you this morning? What a nice wagon you have. Where are you off to?"
"Well, God gave me a job this morning, I'm delivering these three stones to the top of the hill."
"My goodness! Can you believe it? I was just praying this morning about how I was going to get this rock I have up to the top of the mountains," the man told him with great excitement. "You don't suppose you could take it up there for me? It would be an answer to prayer."
The man with the wagon smiled and said, "Of course. I don't suppose God would mind. Just put it behind the other three stones." Then he set off with three stones and a rock rolling behind him.
The wagon seemed a bit heavier. He could feel the jolt of each bump, and the wagon seemed to pull to one side a bit. The man stopped to adjust the load as he sang a hymn of praise, pleased to be helping out a brother as he served God. Then he set off again and soon reached another small village at the side of the road. A good friend lived there and offered him a glass of cider.
"You're going to the top of the hill?" his oldest friend asked.
"Yes! I am so excited. Can you imagine, God gave me something to do!"
"Hey!" said his friend. "I need this bag of pebbles taken up. I've been so worried that it might not get taken care of since I haven't any time to do it myself. But you could fit it in right between the three stones here in the middle." With that, he placed his burden in the wagon.
"Shouldn't be a problem," the man said. "I think I can handle it." He finished the cider, then stood up and brushed his hands on his overalls before gripping the handle of the wagon. He waved good-bye and began to pull the wagon back onto the road.
The wagon was definitely tugging on his arm now, but it wasn't uncomfortable. As he started up the incline, he began to feel the weight of the three stones, the rock, and the pebbles. Still, it felt good to help a friend. Surely God would be proud of how energetic and helpful he'd been.
One little stop followed another, and the wagon grew fuller and fuller. The sun was hot above the man pulling it, and his shoulders ached with strain.The songs of praise and thanksgiving that had filled his heart had long since left his lips as resentment began to build inside. Surely this wasn't what he had signed up for that morning. God had given him a burden heavier than he could bear.
The wagon felt huge and awkward as it lumbered and swayed over the ruts in the road. Frustrated, the man was beginning to have visions of giving up and letting the wagon roll backward. God was playing a cruel game with him. The wagon lurched, and the load of obligations collided with the back of his legs, leaving bruises. "This is it!" he fumed. "God can't expect me to haul this all the way up the mountain."
"Oh God," he wailed. "This is too hard for me! I thought you were behind this trip, but I am overcome by the heaviness of it. You'll have to get someone else to do it. I'm just not strong enough."
As he prayed, God came to his side. "Sounds like you're having a hard time. What's the problem?"
"You gave me a job that is too hard for me," the man sobbed. "I'm just not up to it!" God walked over to where the wagon was braced with a stone. "What is this?" He held up the bag of pebbles.
"That belongs to John, my good friend. He didn't have time to bring it up himself. I thought I would help."
"And this?" God tumbled two pieces of shale over the side of the wagon as the man tried to explain.
God continued to unload the wagon, removing both light and heavy items. They dropped to the ground, the dust swirling up around them. The man who had hoped to help God grew silent. "If you will be content to let others take their own burdens," God told him, "I will help you with your task."
"But I promised I would help! I can't leave these things lying here."
"Let others shoulder their own belongings," God said gently. "I know you were trying to help, but when you are weighed down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you.
The man jumped to his feet, suddenly realizing the freedom God was offering. "You mean I only have to take the three stones after all?" he asked.
"That is what I asked you to do." God smiled. "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to carry more than you can bear."
"I can do that!" said the man, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the wagon handle and set off once again, leaving the rest of the burdens beside the road. The wagon still lurched and jolted lightly, but he hardly noticed.
A new song filled his lips, and he noticed a fragrant breeze wafting over the path. With great joy he reached the top of the hill. It had been a wonderful day, for he had done what the Lord had asked.

My Garden of Faith

2010-06-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

My garden of faith... It is exactly how it sounds!!

No experience, Not much research, But Lots and Lots of Water, Love and Prayer!!

This big beautiful garden has been an amazing experience for me as well as Skyler and Maddie. Maddie especially has really enjoyed all the responsibilities that come with a garden.

I knew that I would enjoy gardening but would have never known the true blessings that have come along side it.

Above, Maddie is holding our very first green bean. It is very small, we picked it way to early but we both were very anxious to try our very first vegetable out of our garden.

In another picture you will see both the girls holding a bowl full of vegetables that were just picked. We cannot believe how large these vegetables have grown.

We have already enjoyed many meals with these delicious vegetables and are looking forward to harvesting others soon.

The Forgotten Passion

2009-11-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

The LOVE of photography has been in my blood my entire life. In fact that love came from my father. I still to this day remember the smell of chemicals in my basement where my Dad kept his darkroom.

My favorite memories I have from college are standing in a pitch black room over a sink watching my images slowly appear.

Its amazing how you can let "life" take over and you slowly forget to live your life....

Hopefully these images are the start of many to come....

My New Way of Solving a Tantrum.....

2009-08-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

Tantrums..... Oh they can be very frustrating at times. I believe there is no such thing as the terrible two's and three's. If you ask me it is a bunch of boloney. There are terrible 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and even 34 (I know I am 34).

Our sweet, adorable little (not so little anymore) Maddie is on her way to turning 5. Thankfully, we have been blessed with two of the sweetest, kind hearted children that walk this earth.

However, we still have tantrums here and there like every other parent in this world. As a very busy mother of two I don't have a whole lot of down time and I like to make the best of my time with the girls.

So, one day Maddie was having a tantrum about something, I think she wanted a snack and dinner was on the stove. I was frustrated, tired and quit frankly did not want to listen to Maddie cry on the steps in time out. So here she is giving me a dirty look and stomping her feet telling me she is STARVING and she cannot wait until dinner. I just looked at her with a big smile and she started to laugh so hard that she forgot all about her tantrum.

A couple of days later she was upset because she did not want to wait her turn to play on the computer - again I smiled at her and she started to laugh so hard she forgot about her little tantrum.

So for me I have found a new way of dealing with Maddie's little tantrums. We both end up cracking up and it ends with a smile on both of our faces......

For those of you that think I have completely lost my mind, she still gets in trouble for the big things. But I believe parents (me anyways) need to learn to pick your battles with your kids. I would rather have Maddie's little tantrum end up with us both giggling than her crying on the steps.

Sometimes being broke is a BLESSING.......

2009-01-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

Please read previous blog first.....

I honestly do not even know how to begin this blog. I typically try to have a funny twist to my stories but there is nothing funny about this one. The only thing I am doing right now is thanking God for my lack of cash!

About an hour after I wrote my previous blog Danielle and I were in her kitchen. Danielle was cooking dinner and I was helping Gillian with her homework, then the phone rings. In a matter of seconds I am overwhelmed with emotions. As I said in my last posting my flight was canceled. What I didn't mention in that posting was my frustration that I wanted to take a different flight US Airways flight 1549. Unfortunately, Tony and I have had some financial hardship lately on top of his car breaking down on our way to the Airport on Sunday. So needless to say even though I was so desperate to see my 2 sweet peas we couldn't afford to buy me a ticket just so I could fly home today.

So, I am sure you have all heard by now the flight that I wanted so desperately to take, landed in the Hudson River 2 minutes after they were in the air. Like I said, "Sometimes being broke is a blessing".

So needless to say life has been pretty crazy in the McKenna house tonight. The phone has been ringing off the hook for hours and every time Danielle and I pass each other we both are amazed with the outcome of today.

I started my day mad at the world that I was not home in North Carolina with my family and tonight I am counting my blessings that I did not get on flight 1549.

Most of all Thank You Tony. If you would have been ok with me booking that flight than I would have landed in the Hudson River as well. Sometimes, only Sometimes it's important to listen to your hubby.

Spirit Airlines - NEVER AGAIN!!

2009-01-15T11:34:00.000-08:00

There are some airlines that are meant for flying and others not so much. I understand that if the visibility is not good than yes I do not want to be in the air. The big problem is they have no idea how to handle a canceled flight.

I flew up to N.Y. on Sunday to see my cousin. She recently had a new addition to her already full family. Baby Leah is a beautiful little peanut and I have had a wonderful time playing Mommy to her the last few days. The problem is as much as I am enjoying my time here hanging out with my cuz who I never get to see and her gang I miss my own deeply. As much as I know that Tony is doing a fine job holding down the fort at home I am going stir crazy for kisses and hugs from Skyler and Maddie.

So my adventure to return home started very early this morning. Oh my poor cousin.... We woke up to snow this morning but I went online and checked the flight status it said LEAVING ON TIME. Well the complicated part was that even though we originally were suppose to have plenty of time this morning now Danielle was nervouse that it would take us longer because of the roads were bad. So we loaded the little ones in the car and I sat in it until the kids bus came at 9am. Then we spent the next 2 hours driving 15 miles an hour to the airport. During this time about an 1/2 before I was supposed to load on my plan I called Spirit and the man on the other line informed me that we were departing on time. So Danielle drops me off and we say our goodbyes. I walk in the doors and there is a mile long line for Spirit Airlines. I curse under my breath get in line and start asking the people that work at the airport whats going in. All they would tell me is that the flight was cancelled and I needed to get in line. I continued to try to get information and I was failing miserably. After waiting on the line for over an hour and looking for some sympothy from the airlines that they have just ruined my day, I get nothing. The flight tonight is booked and they will fly me out on Saturday at No Charge. OH Thanks!!

As I am sure you have figured it out by now I am back at Danielles. What a waste of a day especially for her. A mother of 4 who doesn't have a second to breath has spent 1/2 her day driving me around in circles- oh how fun!

I broke the bad news to the girls and Maddie's reply was why did it have to snow and again how many more days? Skylers responce was are you going to play in the snow mommy? And I want to come.

I am sorry Skyler and Maddie that Mommy has been gone this long. I can't wait to see you and give you lots of hugs and kisses.

Hopefully, I will see my family on Saturday!

The ALMOST Perfect Cookie Party!

2008-12-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was a perfect day ALMOST... My dear friend Anne and I had decided we wanted to throw a cookie decorating party. Do you know what it takes to plan one of these? Lots of phone calls, dividing lists of who brings what and reminding your friends they each need to bring 2 dozen cookies. I have to say, that was the easy part. Ok, I am going to back up for a minute... and start with the night before.

I am getting ready to put the girls to bed and Skyler is VERY cranky and I realize very warm as well. Ok, no big deal we can get through this I say to myself. If you know Skyler she gets a fever for everything even a sniffle. So I thought the party will continue...

Back to the am...

About 6am Skyler wakes us up and she is warm of course so we give her some Tylenol and tell her to stay in bed. At 7:20 I have four little hands knocking at my door - I am babysitting Emma and Carson while our friend Mr. Chris has to go to work. Still everything seems to be running smoothly with the exception of Skyler feeling a little under the weather. After getting the Coble children settled I start working on my to do list for a Party that starts at 2pm. Seems like a lot of time - well barely. P.S. Later that day before Hell broke loose my husband tells me we could have slept until 11 and have plenty of time to get ready for the party (uh huh, I say).

Thankfully I made the cookies with the girls on Thursday after school so that part was done. I did however have to make the icing. That went smoother than I had expected, I thought! During all of this my phone rings Anne has some bad news, Lily threw up last night and she doesn't think she is going to let her come. I told her that Skyler had a little fever but I was going to let her join in anyway, I was confident that it was just a little cold. One of Tony's to do list was to run up to the stores and grab a few things I forgot to think of until last night around 11:30. When he came back I was cleaning up all the mess I had made from making the icing. I showed him all the containers with all the different colors to see what he thought. Well apparently, I had not made nearly enough icing. So as we have in the past we call Anne to settle our marital disputes. She comes over and says oh no Christine that is defiantly not enough. Ok now I am a little frustrated, where has my time gone it is after 11...

So, Skyler comes in the kitchen still feeling pretty warm. I suggested to her that she go upstairs and take a nice shower, I thought that would help her feel better. 3 kids running around the house as I am on my way up to get Skyler started on her shower. Tony's on his way down the steps and there it goes... Skyler throws up everywhere....... Now we are in survival mode... what do we do and how do we fix this. Tony gets his famous mask he uses anytime the kids throw up, and he starts cleaning. I get Skyler undressed and in the shower since she has to have one now.

Ok, what do we do, it is now almost 12:00 and the party is supposed to start in two hours.....

Well, long story short.. not so much. We decided to quarantine Lily and Skyler upstairs in Skylers bed since they had the same symptoms and the party did go on.....

The party was a huge success...all the kids had a great time decorating cookies with more toppings than you could imagine. Even Skyler and Lily where able to join in after our friends left and it was just the neighbor children. Oh, I forgot to mention that we had plenty of icing, in fact we never even used the second batch of icing that Anne and Tony insisted I make. Thanks guys next time leave your opinion to yourself! :)

2008-12-14T05:31:00.000-08:00

Camping with the Coble's and The Hulls Clan

2008-11-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

We had a great time camping with our friends a few weeks ago. The trip started off gloomy which included us having to put our tents up in cold rainy weather. I must say even though that part was no fun I loved being snuggled in

the tent with my family eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. Being in our pajamas and listening to the rain was one of my highlights of the trip.

Our sweet little Maddie. I captured a cute pose of her refusing to look at me while I was taking her picture.

Little Benjamin was such a trooper. Barely four months old he was mostly smiles the entire weekend.

As for campfire safety, Mr. Chris did a great job putting a barrier around the fire. You cross the barrier, you pay the consequences.

A Quote From Skyler D.

2008-10-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Oh how we love our Skyler D. Its amazing some of the things that she comes up with.

A few weeks ago, Tony and I were out riding bikes while the girls were drawing on the driveway with chalk. Anyway, Maddie was telling Skyler the many people that she wanted to marry someday. Of course one was her father. During that time Skyler did not say much concerning the subject, so I asked her who she wanted to marry.

Skyler's response was a sigh at first and then she said " I don't know, but I have lots of options" Tony and I laughed so hard. I am truly happy that she feels that way..... You are a smart cookie Skyler D.

Maddie's 4th Birthday

2008-10-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a fun day!

Maddie had a great time at her birthday party, playing lots of fun outdoor games with all of her friends. I cannot believe she is already 4 years old. Slow down Maddie you are growing to fast!

2008-10-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Skyler Quilt

Skyler had so much fun making a quilt with her Grandma over the summer. She picked out all the fabric herself and with the help of her Grandma they arranged the pieces to make a beautiful quilt. After a few days Skyler said her foot got tired of pressing the pedal on the sewing machine.

Thank you Mom! Skyler will always remember making this quilt with you.

2008-10-11T17:07:00.001-07:00

Camping with the Coble's

We had a blast on our camping trip with the Coble family and can't wait to go again real soon. 7 people, one mini-van, two tents and not enough alcohol! Just Kidding!!

Skyler and Maddie had so much fun playing with their friends around the campsite. Roasting marshmallows and feeding the ducks are just a few of the things they did that weekend.

2008-10-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Skyler and Maddies Blog Spot

2008-10-11T05:07:00.000-07:00

I am a new blogger so please bare with me.... Even though you all think I am computer savvy its not true. I may spend a lot of time on the computer but it is all work and no play!!

So here we go....

Skyler D. who is as lovely as can be is in 1st grade now. Where has the time gone... She loves school thank goodness and so far likes doing her homework (unlike her father when he was her age). She has two best friends Abby who used to live next door to us in our old house and Emma who lives across the street. She takes ballet and tap again and is loving every minute of it. When I peak through the window of her classroom she is prancing in front of the mirror like a little princess. Skyler wants to take violin lessons desperately but I told her maybe when she is older. Thats all for now on Skyler D. now it's her sisters turn.

Well, before I begin with Maddie AGAIN, I have learned my first lesson of being a new blogger. Save Save Save. I just spent ten minutes writing about Maddie and in a flash it was gone. No fair on my first time....

Madison Grace with the beautiful face.... That is what we call her around here. Oh how we love our Maddie. She is still in preschool only three days a week 3 hours a day. That way she can have her Mommy time on Tuesdays and have her Grandma time on Wednesday to Thursday so I can work. Maddie has many little friends but Lily is her best friend. I love to watch them when they first see each other. They run towards one another so fast that they practically knock each other over and hug like crazy. It is too cute!! Maddie's other best bud is Carson who lives across the street. Carson is all boy for sure. Tony and I worry about the day he knocks on the door to take Maddie out on a date! Like her big sis, Maddie is taking ballet as well. I wasn't sure how well that was going to go over since Maddie is much more rough and tumble than a dancing princess. But to my surprise she loves every minute of it. In fact every week she has a tantrum the last 1/2 hour of Skyler and Emmas tap class because she doesn't understand why her class has ended and their class is still in session.

Well, that is it for now. I do not know how often I will update, I will try to update as often as I change my sheets. That's usually once a week for those of you that do not know me well enough. :-)