Tip's Included: A Family of 6: A MAJOR Recap

Wow! How on earth do I even begin to recap the past year and a half in one blog post and why start now??? With the world of Facebook and Instagram, I'm wondering why even start blogging again and then who will ever read this? It's not like I have the time OR the energy but I suppose it would be nice to be able to look back at our journey. Because, let me tell you, Mark and I are about to embark on a journey! It'll be a wild one for sure. It's a journey we both did not plan on or see coming. It'll be messy but beautiful (hence the new blog description)! It's a journey called, "We are about to become a family of 6!"

Yes, you read that right! My last post was about my miscarriage. Well, fast forward to today, we have a 3rd baby AND another baby (MAJOR SURPRISE) on the way!!! Baby #3 was a GIRL!!! Macie Jane McWilliams was born on January 31, 2013. I can't even begin to talk about how big of a blessing she is to our family! Her big brothers ADORE her! We adore her! And, I know I'm her mother but she's a cute as can be! She was the perfect person to conclude our family. I got my girl and was extremely thankful for a bundle of pink!

When Macie was 6 months old, I found myself staring at a pregnancy test. It was positive. I'm about to admit something that I'm not proud of. I cried. And those tears were not happy tears. I was shocked. My baby was 6 months old. I had just quit nursing (hello, statistic!). I was finally sleeping. I was back to my pre-baby weight. I got my girl and we were a happy family of 5. 4 children were never part of the plan. What on earth would people say. Yes, I was scared what people would think of us. I still kinda am after seeing their reaction when I tell them this is my 4th baby. I'm sitting here reading what my fingers are typing and actually I feel ashamed for the first time. I'm super sad that I was so sad about this baby. It's a baby. A perfect, precious little life growing inside of me. God chose ME to be this person's mommy. No, it wasn't part of MY plan but it sure was part of God's plan. It would have been nice knowing that ahead of time though :) So, in a mere 6 weeks I will get to meet this person and I know that within seconds of meeting him or her (another story, not finding out the sex...!) I won't be able to imagine that little person NOT being a part of our family.

We are almost a family of 6! When I finally ~~got the nerve~~ told Mark, he said, "Well, at least I won't have to figure out the tip at restaurants anymore. It'll always be included since we'll now be a party of 6 or more." I'll go with it :) Gotta find the humor in life, right?! Not that we will ever go out to a restaurant again - ha!

Back to a recap!
Our oldest, Jake is now 6! He's in Kindergarten and loving school. He attends a small private Catholic school here and has just the best group of buddies. Jake loves playing golf and watching football with daddy and riding his bike. He and his little sister have the sweetest friendship and I adore watching them play together. He is so sensitive and loving towards her. Jake and Pierce play so well together. They are BEST friends and I couldn't be more thankful for their relationship.

Pierce, is 4. He's in his 2nd year of preschool and will start Pre-K in the fall at the same school Jake attends. He's one of the funniest people I know, next to his daddy. He loves building his own creations with Legos, loves anything Star Wars, loves being outside playing right alongside his brother. He loves puzzles too, will sit for an hour and work them. I describe his love for his sister as being 'fierce.' It's strong and intense. He hugs and kisses a little too hard while at the same time his voice goes up a few octaves telling her how sweet she is and how much he loves her. It will be fun watching their relationship.

My sweet little girl, Macie Jane who just turned one. She is a JOY in our home. She smiles all the time. She loves her 2 little lovie bunnies. She loves her pacifier (which her brothers never did). She is obsessed with books. She loves shoes and my chapstick and my jewelry. It has been SO fun having something totally new in our house... pink! We have a pink purse, we have pink clothes, we have pink balls, we have a pink tea set. I LOVE it all!

There have been some memorable trips. I was able to visit one of my best friends in Doha in February 2012. Never thought I'd have a reason to visit the Middle East until she moved there. We took a little side trip to Dubai. I had a wonderful wonderful trip and was thankful for everyone at home who helped make it possible to leave the boys for 10 days.

You canNOT go to the Middle East and not get on a camel!

The whole McWilliams family took a trip to Maui in the summer of 2012. We were there for a week and had a ball! Boys were in heaven. I was in Heaven. We played on the beach, took a submarine and helicopter ride, snorkled, ate delicious meals, drank even better tropical drinks and just soaked up some precious family time. So thankful for my in-laws treating us to an amazing vacation!

Mark and I get to go to New Orleans every November for Emeril's huge charity wine auction. It's one of our favorite trips. Great people, great food, great wine and it's all for a great cause. The past two years I've been pregnant. Definitely looking forward to this year NOT being pregnant!

It's also such a treat to hang out with this guy! Jonathan Cain from Journey (favorite band!)

We took the boys to Disneyland for the first time this past fall. It was a first for all of us and as you can imagine, we had an absolute ball!

And of course, we've made countless trips to Dallas to see family and friends and to get my fair share of tex-mex!

OH! I finally became an aunt!!! Bethany had her first baby, miss Holland Rebekah, in early December. We are all smitten and I cannot wait to spoil her rotten and watch her and Macie (10 months apart) grow up and become best friends, just like her mommy and me!

And finally, I have to mention my rock and constant through this whole journey. He makes me smile and laugh, he makes me feel safe, he makes me feel like I can handle having 4 kids, and he makes me feel loved. He's a wonderful daddy and a wonderful husband. I can't imagine life without him in it!