Jude has a 'tude...

So, last post I thought we were on the mend...not so much. Jude got diagnosed with an ear infection and is on antibiotics. Then the past 2 days Lauchlin and I have had some kind of bug which included throwing up etc. Not fun and we are ready to be over it. The following pictures are to reflect how Jude felt about his mommy being sick and trying to lay on the couch when he wanted to play...

You are sick and going to do what today momma?

Ha ha ha ha ha...guess I'll have to cry all day then.

Seriously, it is pretty challenging being sick and trying to care for a little one. It did seem like he knew I was sick and kicked it up!

Priscila seems to be thriving in spite of the rest of the family being sick. Here is a mediocre picture of her growing....

On another note, we unfortunately have to find another home for our kitties. If you know of anyone looking for 2 cats that are brothers and very friendly, please let us know. Here they are...

They are dear cats but with another baby on the way, we literally do not have any room for them.

Hope your week is going well....

Ta ta for now,

Mackenzi :)

Sick and Tired, Man of many hats...

We have had a rough weekend. Little Jude had a temperature up to 104 degrees and just wanted to be held. Poor little boy was just miserable and clingy. This meant mommy was on super duty. He didn't want to be put down nor did he really want his daddy. Anyway, Lord willing we are heading out of this sickness.

Being home for days at a time we did get a little bored and loopy. So, I am trying to prepare the changing table for Priscila and I had Jude try on all his hats to see which ones fit.







Needless to say, some are still too big and others too small.


I don't have anything witty to say because my brain feels like mush from lack of sleep.





Hopefully we will be back to this cheerful healthy little one soon.

Much love,
Mackenzi

Jude and his Daddy...

It amazes me at how much Jude loves his Daddy.


He gets soooooo excited when I say, "Daddy's home!". He starts smiling and squealing. When he hears Lauchlin's voice he starts heading in that direction.


There are often times that we are sitting down for a meal or just hanging out and Jude just watching everything that Lauchlin is doing. Lauchlin often says "What buddy?". That often evokes a squeal and smile.



When he suddenly gets a bunch of Daddy kisses, he presses his little head into them with his eyes slightly closed and a gentle smile on his lips. It is beautiful.


It really is a wonderful picture of how trusting and hungry we should be for the Lord's affection. How much more loving is He. Do I really see Him this way or let Him love me this way? No. May I take this picture of my little Jude and husband as a real life parable of His love.



Jude and Lauchlin at lunch today. We took a picnic for his lunch break.


May you experience and see God's fatherly love for you today!


In Him,
Mackenzi :)

Better mood and same eyes...

Praise the Lord!! Jude is in a much better mood today and not as clingy as he has been the last 2 weeks. We were being silly with the camera. He really is a dear boy and I love that he likes to smile and be cuddly (is that a word?)


I also noticed as I looked at these pictures, we really do have the same eyes. Wierd! Still a bit strange that God chooses to use us in the process of creating life, what a blessing and very very humbling.

Well, happy weekend!

Love,
Mackenzi :)

Human Chew Toys and Priscila Growing

Jude has been teething and teething hard for 2 weeks now. He already has 6 teeth but we think some big ones are coming in. Regardless, this means snotty nose, interrupted sleep, drooling and lots of chewing. Alan and Pam told us that he was trying to teeth on the other children in his room on Sunday in the nursery. Apparently he got a good munch on one of the little boys and for the rest of the time, the little boy would cry every time Jude looked at him. I thought this was a funny story but Lauchlin was disturbed that we might be raising a little bully. I don't think this is possible at 10 months old. I just think he likes chewing. However, because I am in close proximity of him the majority of Jude's day, I have become his live chew toy. Whether it is just when we are playing or when I am hugging him and rocking him before sleep time. I get chomped on...

There he goes a chewing away. You would think that we never feed him.

It's so good that he is drooling and licking his lips. Crazy kid. (His bites actually really hurt and I feel tempted to cry whenever he looks at me :) )

I figured I would also post a picture of my ever growing belly. Not the greatest picture but will have to work for now.

Okay, I am really debating whether to keep this picture posted but...it's the only one I have right now. Yuck!

Hope you are doing well!

Mackenzi

Unmerited Favor and When in Rome...

I was in the service early on Sunday, wierd I know. Usually I am racing in late, which I hate, due to having to wait until Jude is done with his nap and/or force feeding him quickly so that I can get there relatively close to the start time. So, sitting there with my slow deep breaths and a few minutes to spare, I began thinking about what had just happened in the the transaction of dropping Jude off in the nursery room. (He recently graduated up to the toddler room if you can believe that). Alan and Pam met me at the door, who are our dear friends and work in his room during our service, and they were so excited to see Jude and kiss on him. Alan said," Alright buddy we are going to party." with a big smile on his face. As I was walking away another woman, a wife of one of our elders, stopped by the room and said to Jude " Where's my favorite baby? Hey Jude". I also was thinking about the week before when one of the woman in the infant room heard that he was moving up to the toddler room and she said," Oh good, I love Jude, I am just filling in in this room and that means I will get to keep taking care of him."


What is that? Are these people just acting like Jude is the neatest thing since sliced bread because I am around and they want me to like them. No. Does loving on Jude give them status? Hmmmm...not that I am aware of. But then...I started thinking back to my days growing up in the church. There were a handful of adults that loved on me in the same way. They gave me gifts for my birthday every year. They smiled at me on Sunday mornings and bragged with my parents about my accomplishments or how I was growing and maturing. Back then I liked it but didn't understand why these adults would care about what I was doing or who I was. This same question surfaced on Sunday as I observed a small version of this with my own son.


My conclusion is that it is pure and simply Jesus being lived out by His Body. Just like the unmerited favor that he pours out on us by calling us to be his sons and daughters. Truly he does not gain status by choosing, saving and loving on us. The neat thing is that I am not sure that any of the people that I have talked about above would even be able to identify necessarily why they are drawn to Jude or I. But, I truly think it can be explained by the fact that Jesus is at work in and through them by the communing together of believers. I think that one of the main reasons that we have been commanded to not stop meeting regularly with the saints is that this is a main way he can communicate his love, through other believers. It is a mystery and truly beautiful.

What I am about to post may appall you depending on where you live. However, they do say "When in Rome..."




This is Jude with our friend Nathan who is a big Tennessee fan and yes, this is Jude with a Tennessee jersey on. We're just trying to fit in okay?



And, who can't love a face like this...



Well, that is all for now. Would love to hear any comments you have, all are welcome, you don't have to been a 'member' of google to leave one!

Love,
Mackenzi :)