A McDonald Wedding

Well, our McDonald clan was officially homeless.  The best way to celebrate?  With family of course!  Just a scant two weeks after closing on our house we took a trip to Utah.

The trip had many facets (for some reason our trips are generally sprints from one activity to the next).  We were blessed to be there for the wedding of Adam (Chris' brother) and Michelle.  We introduced William to our extended clan members.  Spent some time with family members that we, unfortunately, don't see often  (even on trips).  Visited with some much missed friends. Took some time out to visit a few of our favorite places.  Made some wonderful family memories. AND celebrated Mother's day with some of the most wonderful mothers I have had the honor of knowing.

Easter Blessings

It has been a long time.  The dust is settling and I am able to take a breath occasionally and reflect.  I sat down today to decide where to start.  There is so much to catch up on, it is a little overwhelming.  So I thought I would start with our family calendar and my last post in March.  I foresee many posts to catch up.  Chronologically the next McDonald Clan event was Easter, and a beautiful Easter it was!

March Madness

March is turning into a very busy month for us.  I don't know why I am surprised at this, it seems to be a recurring theme. The work that needs to be done is like a bad television re-run.  The same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome.  I am a little overwhelmed by it, but optimistic that all can be accomplished.  It might not all meet the standards that I have set for myself, but it will happen all the same.  I have decided to throw some random pictures from the month in the breaks.  Maybe it will help to illustrate how scattered the month was. =)

William had a crazy month too

Welcome WILLIAM MCDONALD. (a birth story)

Life has been crazy the last few weeks.  Both enjoyable and exhausting.  I figured that before I got into a post on all of the new things going on in our life, maybe we should welcome our newest addition to our little clan. 

WILLIAM SAMUEL MCDONALD

Born in Great Falls, MT

February 15, 2012 at 1:53pm

7lbs. 6oz. 20in.

In a rather disappointing trip to the Dr. on Valentines day, we were told that the baby was just not ready yet. The PA that I had seen most of the pregnancy (this pregnancy wasn't as complicated as previous ones) was against induction and had the mindset that babies come when they are ready despite complications with mommies. I was barely dilated (despite being nearly a 3 the previous visit) and the baby was high again. My blood pressure was high, but managed with bed rest, and we were going to have to wait at least another week. 

 We were told to come back the following Monday and be evaluated for induction.  At that point Chris suggested we wait until Tuesday (as that is his birthday)...  I nearly jumped off the exam table to strangle him!  I was no longer able to breathe, everything was swollen and hurt, I couldn't hold my other two babies, and I was confined to bed rest... and he wanted me to WaIt AnOtHeR DaY... I don't think so.

Emilia turns ONE!

This past year has flown by for me.  There were times that it felt like it was standing still, but I don't think I could have fit much more into it without exploding.  Emilia just turned ONE.  I can hardly believe it.  Duncan's first birthday was so hard for me.  Millie's crept up quietly and seemed to strike without warning.  I wasn't prepared.  Our baby girl is growing up so fast. 

The new year is here

A new year and a new start.  There is going to be a lot of  "new" this year. I am a little overwhelmed by it to be honest.  There are so many big changes happening in such a short time.  Quite a few firsts for us as well.  It will be a huge learning experience.  I guess with all the things that happened last year God decided he didn't want life to get to boring for me. lol.  When I stop long enough to think about all of the things that need to happen I feel like my head may explode.  If you haven't noticed by now,  I can be just a tiny bit of a control freak.!.  I HaVe to have a plan... and usually a backup plan to that.  Especially if there is something big going on.  It is more than a little difficult for me to go without a safety net. Barring quite a few answered prayers, and maybe a miracle or two, things aren't going to happen as easily and I would like, if at all.  As frantic and gloomy as it can seem sometimes, there is also quite a bit of excitment with it.  We are about to have another baby... NEXT MONTH.  We get to find out if it is a boy or a girl.  Millie will be a big sister and Duncan will be a big brother again.  We get to move to Alaska.  A place that both Chris and I are really looking forward to going back to, and it is a larger city in Alaska.  We get a new house and the kids won't have to share a tiny bedroom for three, and our weekends shouldn't be spent "working on a house project". We have so much to be greatful for. So scared or not, here we go...

2011 in pictures

Last year I did a small blog (that took me a really long time) of photos to remember the year.  I have tried to be a little more organized to get this years together easier, but as usual, I'm late.  There are so many pictures to choose from and so many memories to go through with them.  It is nice to be able to share our year wordlessly.

January