National Give Something Away Day

Yes! You read that correct! Today is National Give Something Away Day! How great is that?!?!

I don’t know about you, but in my house clutter steals joy. That’s not saying we don’t have any. We have LOTS of clutter. AND I have given away a LOT of stuff since January.

Sure, I have a thrift store problem… But that’s just mostly books.

I realized today was National Give Something Away Day on Saturday. I was so excited to write this blog. We all need less things and more time. This world can get so chaotic.

BUT do you know what I was doing prior to writing this blog?! Shopping Amazon Prime Day!!! They did it on purpose! They KNEW it was National Give Something Away Day and they placed their biggest sale right on top of it!!! Luckily, I don’t need much, and if the deal isn’t exact, I’m not buying. (I may have purchased a TV and Pasta maker…)

So, say a prayer. Figure out if it brings you JOY, and give something away, today! I think you’ll find it brings you more peace than you imagine.

And try not to click that picture and buy more…

Why Can’t Little Girls Dream?

When I was little, I dreamt of having my very own prince charming. I thought of how wonderful it would be to have someone fight evil for me, and bring me back to life with a KISS if ever I were in peril!!! I thought a fairytale wedding and a handsome man who cared for me would be amazing. And before you say it, none of this is due to Daddy issues… My Dad was absolutely amazing.

I was raised to be a strong woman who could do for herself, but who could also be with another human and work through life, together. A woman who could support a man in what he does, and also tell him hush when it’s necessary. (Love you, Husband.) I pray this is what we are able to teach to our daughter.

I quit college and ran off to marry a man I had only met IN PERSON…5/7 times, I think it was…when I was 20. Everyone thought I had lost my mind. However, After moving across the country, I went back to school, and am currently a (non-working) LPN.

Now, if someone had told me I couldn’t dream, changed my dreams, or had instructed me on what THEY thought proper womanhood was, I may not be where I am, today. I completed school. I have been married to Prince Charming for 16 years. We have three amazing children whom I have chosen to stay at home with. I’m not sure if you noticed, but the three children were nowhere in the childhood dreams. I had NO desire for children. Not adopted ones. Not birthed ones. NONE. They were terribly annoying, even when I was one. But…things change.

In a world full of chaos, why not let little girls dream?

Our daughter, Evelyn, plays ALL day. She has 1200 horses and all the things to go with. She’s gotten horses for her birthday and Christmas for the last three years. She LOVES them. She sets them up, and she plays out any scenario she can think of. She also likes to have “skateboard lessons” for her stuffed animals with her brother. She likes to race both of her brothers on foot and on her bike/scooter. She likes to read princess books, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Not too long ago, she went through a phase when she was spying the kissy pages on her princess books…. All at once. Laid out on her bed.

On the other hand, per her, SHE will NOT be kissing boys, and she wants to adopt ALL the babies who don’t have homes. What an amazing little girl.

In our home, we try to support any type of imaginary play the kids can come up with. It’s where learning, dreams, and genius begin! I had someone ask me the other day “what do your kids do then?” when I told them that we did not have cable.

They play??

This big old world is FULL of not so amazing things. Our children will have to deal with a lot of unhappiness and tragedy before their lives are over. Why not let them dream amazing dreams, whatever they may be, while they can! All I pray for is that they will be happy and successful in ways that make God happy. And not successful as in millionaires, but successful as in that they are able to complete whatever goals they set out before themselves.

I hope that they have families to love and laugh with for years long after their father and I are gone. And, for Evelyn, if that includes marrying a guy she just met (cue handsome Prince…on a horse…it’s all making sense, now…the horse will suck her in…) who she believes can give her the world, so be it. There is no reason that little girls cannot dream big, fairy tale dreams. Now, as I said, She isn’t kissing boys, and plans to adopt all the babies. BUT, it could change, and who am I to tell her what her dreams are?

Maybe we should worry a little less about the harmless, childhood dreams our children are having, and just be thankful that they are dreaming. Our job is to teach our children to be safe and smart and good humans, but there will come a time when all we have left to do for them is pray. Pray for their safety. Pray that we did a good job raising them. Pray that they are smart, healthy, and happy. I know it completely freaked my dad out when I ran off and got married. He had only met my husband ONCE. We moved from West Virginia to California six months later. I am sure he prayed a LOT.

In the age of technology, I thank God my children dream happy and fun dreams. And in a world where SO many people want to tell little girls who and what they should be, I am especially thankful that Evelyn dreams.

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is a day to remember, thank, and show appreciation for those who have served this great nation in our armed forces.  Starting at the conclusion of WWI; all the way through today. We th…

Source: What is Veterans Day?

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is a day to remember, thank, and show appreciation for those who have served this great nation in our armed forces. 

Starting at the conclusion of WWI; all the way through today.

We thank those who came before us.

 

We remember and honor those who have fallen.

We cherish those who are still in our lives.

We hold them close while they are home.

We wait, patiently, for their return when they are gone.

We stick by their side during the hards times; we share their joys during the great times.

Family,

Friends,

and Strangers;

(WWII Nurse)

we cherish them all.

We support them,

because they fight for us.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

To Question or Not to Question…That Is the Question

Voyage Towards Up

Growing up I was, always, taught not to question God.  I was to follow what He says, blindly, and do what I was told.  God has our plan, and we must trust in Him.

Ok, will do.

I have spent my life trying to do that, and I feel that is one of the mail reasons I dealt so well with my mothers death.  I was 10 when she died.  It was God’s plan, and who was I to question it?  My father said it best (and, yes, I later thanked him) when he told me that my mothers time on Earth was over and that she would now go to work in the Kingdom of Heaven for God.  Well, Ok.  Who can argue with that?

Almost 20 years later I began REALLY going to church, again, after spending some time away.  I never left God, I just didn’t spend…

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Life With Three

Life is getting exciting around here!  Little Miss Evie Bell is three months old now.  Her bothers adore her, as well as, her mommy and Daddy.  She was the CUTEST, HAPPIEST, little thing.  So very content and well tempered.  

Until now!

She has begun to roll!!  She rolls on her belly and gets ANGRY…silly girl.  Roll back over, I think.  Maybe I will, maybe I won’t, she thinks…  During the day this is fine, I suppose.  It’s the nights that are killing me.  She has gone from being the best little sleeper, to being a cranky little sleeper.  Why, you may ask??  

Because the little darling rolls on her belly, against the crib side, and can’t get back!!!

Mommy to the rescue!!  (Or Brothers during the day)

This would be all fine and dandy if only I were ready.  She’s my last little baby, and she is, definitely, growing TOO fast!  Today, she rolled, like a log, in the living room…at least that’s progression to being more independent, as opposed to, “MOMMY HELP ME!!  I’m STUCK!”

***McCrazy Daily Lesson:  Hold them close and cherish every moment, because (excuse me while I break out into song) they wont be like this for loooooong….***

 

McCrazy Family Back in Action

It has been one heck of a year!  The husband was gone for eight months, deployed with the Navy.  Three weeks after he left, I found out I was pregnant with our THIRD child…meaning I had two to take care of, alone, while I grew the third.  This did not concern me, nearly as much as everyone else, at first, but as time went by and my belly grew, I realized I was falling further and further behind. On everything.  Thankfully, I have the most amazing, and supportive, husband who did not care the house was dirty, or work needed to be done, when he got home!

We were so happy to see him and get him home!  He began on the “Daddy to do” list immediately, and we were ready for baby to come in no time!  However, in true McKay fashion, she was NOT ready.  Not only did she not come early, as we all anticipated, she had to be MADE to come out a week LATE!  UGH!  GIRL, SERIOUSLY!!!

She’s here, now, and loved, very much, by ALL! 🙂

Other things I’ve been working on…  CAKES!  I made Evie’s baby shower cake and The Middle Man turned THREE!! He requested a Spiderman cake!

 

I also did a bit of sewing for Evie’s room…I’ll save that for a later post.  😉

 

Things are getting back to normal around he, after a nutso year.  Daddy will be moving to shore duty later in the year.  My oldest will be starting kindergarten. 😦  And I plan to get back to work on here!!  

I have missed you all immensely!!

Remember!

***McCrazy Daily Lesson: Take one day at a time, and push through the crazies; there is light at the other side…I PROMISE!***

 

Time

 

TIME

At the beginning of the year I made goals; goals to better myself.

I have let those goals slip.  

Lately, I hear a lot of “I don’t have time”, or “we’re running out of time”.  It’s been a bit annoying, really.  I kept thinking, “We have time for what we choose to have time for.  Priorities”.  

Then, I realized that’s what I’ve been doing!  Granted, my priorities have been rest, rest and more rest, lol, it’s no excuse.  Rest is for the weary.  This baby (37 1/2 weeks now) has been quite the little rascal in there, but I could CHOOSE to get off my rear and accomplish things.  OR, I could choose to sit and blog more.  That WAS one of my goals.

Today, I have straightened things around the house, worked (Mary Kay AND BeachBody), and I am now BLOGGING!  SEE!  Victory!!  😉

Or, I’m just having that burst of energy I keep hearing about.  😉

***McCrazy Daily Lesson:  Make time for what is important.  Stop and reassess, from time to time, what IS important…it may change.  Time is a resource we cannot get back…use it wisely!***

Nut Note

Yes, we are still here.  We are nearing month six of no Daddy, and baby Evelyn is 26 weeks.  

The boys are loving baby Evie. I must admit, I am a bit surprised…ha ha.  They like to feel her move, and, sometimes, they say they want her out…  We then discuss that she isn’t NEARLY ready yet.  😉

My four year old is still his same old self.  My two year old, however, has lost his mind.  He’s closer to three than two at this point, but everyone swears he’s hitting terrible two’s.  He thinks he a miniature sized boss!  

Not much longer and DADDY can deal with it!  😉  lol

In case I have not informed you darling folks, I started two new business this winter.  I am now an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay and a Beach Body Coach.  Promoting a beautiful you on the inside AND out!  I love both of these companies, and I am having a blast with them.  

 

I have also taken up sewing…  I have been sewing things to put in the baby’s room. 🙂

 

Keeping busy and trying not to go crazy in this itty bitty world. 🙂  

Wish me luck!  😉

***McCrazy Daily Lesson:  One day at a time. :-)***

Book Club

I started a book club!  Just decided, the other night, and did it.  I do believe we have a few participants, and we have chosen “The Book Thief” as our book.

I can honestly say I’ve never even been in a book club, much less “led” one, so any pointers are welcomed…lol  I am VERY excited about this, though, and I think it will be a lot of fun.  🙂

Yay, for enlightening our minds, and becoming more well rounded!