Family Pictures

So I am very thankful that I have so many talented friends that I have come to know and love... My friend Jill and I were hanging out about a week ago and just out of the blue I asked her if she could take some pictures of Mackenzie and I so I could send out a Christmas card to my family and friends!

She did such an awesome job and I am so thankful! Dont wanna give them all away so here is one to hold ya over till I get the card sent out!

Happy Halloween!

So just as every year with I am sure every child out there Mackenzie went through a million options of what she wanted to be. We went from Buzz Lightyear to Belle to Iron Man to Spiderman to Cinderella and finally settled in on a black cat. Which I was very thankful for as that was honestly the cheapest way to go. I never really noticed how expensive costumes were until I actually looked!

So after deciding on being a black cat we went and got her a full black outfit for less then $10 bucks SCORE! All that was left was ears and a tail which of course were more expensive then her clothing lol!

So on Halloween night we got ready and headed over to my parents house to have pizza, which occurs every year, and to get psyched up to go trick or treating. I fixed Mackenzie's makeup and we were off! Mackenzie actually walked the whole way this time but about 3/4 the way through she was getting tired and wanted to go back to MOM-A and POP-A's house to see what she got!

After thoroughly checking her candy and throwing out the bad stuff she went to town on what I would let her eat! It wasn't too long after that we headed home and she was done for the night... we got her changed out of her costume and off to bed even with all the sugar that she had eaten!

Happy Halloween!

Happy 4th Birthday Mackenzie!

I can't believe that my baby girl is yet another year old!

I can still remember the day that I went to the Dr and she told me that something was wrong and she had to get me to the hospital to make sure that Mackenzie was okay! I remember sitting in my room all night wondering and hoping that nothing was going wrong... not so late in my pregnancy and that in just a few short weeks you would be coming. Little did I know I would be having you within the next 12 hours! I remember the Dr coming in giving me the options the next morning of what to do to ensure that you would be coming safe and sound. I ended up deciding that induction was the best for both you and I. I can remember every contraction every thought that I had... All of it just like I had you not to short a time ago! I remember the moment that the nurse told me after what seemed like the longest day of my life, that you and I were ready and it was time to start pushing! After what seemed like an eternity mommies Dr said just one more and I would be holding you and he was right... the moment I heard you cry I knew my life was changed forever. I knew that no matter what, I would always have you and you would always have mommy. Holding you on my chest with the both of us crying you looked up at me with little squinty eyes and I just knew that the decision I had made to keep you was the best decision I had ever made in my life and I was right!

Now just 4 short years later you have turned into a wonderful little girl... although you have your moments of terror I know that always inside of you is that little girl that is amazing. Mackenzie you are so smart, sweet, caring, loveable, sincere and kind hearted. You hardly ever have anything mean or bad to say about anyone and you are the first child to run up to a friend after they have gotten hurt to make sure that they are okay. Already at your age you are trying to learn how to read and have already mastered writing your own name, which mommy really considers a HUGE accomplishment because your name is so darn long! Your always asking questions and trying to figure things out, most of the time on your own, but you have always been so independent! I know that you are going to do so well in school and I can't wait to see how much you will accomplish!

Mommy loves you so much and I can't wait to continue to watch you grow into an amazing little girl! In just 8 months you will be entering Kindergarten and mommy is already terrified of your first day! I know that, that is the day you will start your adventure as a true BIG GIRL and as happy as I am that I will be there to hold your hand and walk you in the classroom, I will be one of those mom's who sits in her car and crys because your growing up so fast!

I love you with everything I have and am Mackenzie and I am so proud to call you mine and cannot wait to continue this journey called life with you! <3

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS.READING WITH HER AND KNOWING HOW HAPPY SHE IS.

So I know that its a little late to be posting about Mackenzie's 4th birthday as it was in August but I guess better late then never...

ABOUT THE PARTY:

This year my gracious friends, Tim and Nicole, allowed me to host Mackenzie's party at their home in Gilbert as I didn't want to ask my parents again since they have hosted her parties twice already =) Mackenzie decided that she wanted another beach themed party this year and so I went with it since I had a lot of things from her first Luau and I was on a strict budget as this was the first time I was throwing her party all by myself.

I think that even though we were on a budget constriction it ended up being so much fun! She was able to see a lot of her friends that she hadn't in a long time and she also had time to spend with some of her family members that she also hadn't seen in forever.

We started off with a good amount of swimming... this is the first summer that Mackenzie has even thought about swimming on her own. I was so proud of her for just putting on her arm floaties and swimming away with her friends who have been swimming for so long all by themselves. All the kids had a blast swimming but soon enough it was time to eat... after stuffing the kids full of hot dogs, fruit, veggies and chips it was time to open presents. I love how all the kids ran inside and sat right in front of Mackenzie to see what she had gotten! It was somewhat like a school as they sat in rows and just watched in awe... Squealing when she did and laughing at the funny things she said.

I want to thank everyone who was able to attend and for all the gifts... I am usually very good about thank you notes and feel terrible that life got away from me and I wasn't able to send them out this year!

After presents we got to sing to my beautiful baby girl... she was so quiet and had the biggest smile on her face as well all wished her a very happy birthday. Although the kids were excited about having delicious cake they were more excited about the fish pinata that they got to bust up and get candy out of! Its crazy how Mackenzie doesn't go after the candy until its almost gone and then she is still happy with what she gets, which makes me happy!

Shortly after the pinata fun everyone started trickling out and it was time to get everything together and clear out my friends house! Mackenzie had a wonderful birthday and she tells me that she cannot wait to be 5! Slow down baby girl please... I can't wait to watch you grow up but I want you to please take your time!

Finally back in action!

So it has been so long since I have blogged about anything going on in mine and Mackenzie's life that I don't even know where to start! I had thought for a long time to shut down the blog and to restart or just up keep Mackenzie's blog alone. After long thoughts and time to really figure it out I decided to keep it. :) Which should make the out of towners happy to finally know what is going on with my littles and I. I cannot believe I haven't let anyone know about us for almost an entire year... There has been so many ups and downs with Mackenzie and I the last year and it is finally starting to mellow out and look up for the both of us.

So to start from the beginning... All know that Mackenzie's father and I split at the beginning of the year and as hard as it was I finally understood that it was the best thing for the both of us to go our separate ways in life. After that I was in a rush to find a job and finally after a long 3 months of looking and waiting for a call back or just an interview I finally got one. I have worked there now for 8 months and hope to find something a little more stable soon. I have been applying vigorously at many different pharmacy's in the valley to actually use my Pharmacy Technician Certification and get the proper training needed to work at a better company in the near future!

Mackenzie has been up to so much lately and getting to be unbelievably smart. She is close to reading and is already writing her own name and a few other words... Its amazing to think that she is only 4. I hope to god that she will be reading and fully writing before she enters kindergarten.

Another great thing is that I have met a great guy... Nick. He has been so amazing to me and absolutely wonderful to Mackenzie and so welcoming to helping with her whenever he isn't working or going to school! =)

A little sneak peak of what to come next... HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY MACKENZIE LYNN!!!!

Until next time... Which wont be so long!