The Macs » Blog

our christmas

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house…
Celebrating my nephews first birthday,
eating sausage subs (yummy),
and spending lots of time together.
Christmas morning we were back at my parents…

eating breakfast together,
stockings,
opening presents,
building a gingerbread house,
eating more food,
celebrating Jesus’ birthday,
and spending more time together.

These bats were one of the major highlights Christmas morning.
Every time one of the boys would get up it would turn into this.
Thankfully pregnant ladies were off limits!

Saturday we celebrated Christmas with Joel’s family…

eating breakfast together,
stockings,
new bikes for the kiddos,
eating LOTS of good food,
reading the Christmas story,
opening presents,
and spending lots of time together.

This Christmas was hard.  It still makes me so sad to look at all of these pictures and know that Cora should have been a part of these memories.  I wondered so many times what it would have been like to wake up with her on Christmas morning or watch her playing with her cousins.  We would have had so much fun.  But we were blessed in so many ways this Christmas.  Our families are so wonderful and our time together was great.  And, like so many other times this year, we felt the indescribable joy and peace that only comes from our Lord.

And…
We are still waiting to meet Baby Mac.
He/she apparently did no want to come for Christmas.
Nothing is happening yet.
Just waiting.
We will keep you posted!

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  • Sarah Furlough - Still praying for peace and comfort for you and Joel. Can’t wait to read about the arrival of Baby Mac!ReplyCancel

  • Marla Taviano - Thanks for sharing, Jess! Praying for you and Joel!!ReplyCancel

  • Maureen - Thinking and praying for you guys! Can’t wait to see pictures of baby!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - I need to know more about those bats! Where did you get them?ReplyCancel

  • Micah - It sure looks like you and Joel have been so blessed with two wonderful families to love.

    Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new little one – along with 1,000 others ;).ReplyCancel

  • Lauren Kelly - There is so much sweetness flowing out of those pictures…. And look at the belly, looks like Baby Mac should be coming like today, haha!!! A stubborn little thing though, huh?? 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Ashley Ann - Wow those pictures of all the guys and the bats make me feel like I am seeing my life in about 10 years….looks fun!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Love the pictures and the glimps into your world 🙂 I so wish your Cora was here with you..and she is in spirit..
    Can’t wait to meet Baby Mac..

    Thoughts and PrayersReplyCancel

  • gwswenson - Praying for an easy labor and delivery, and can’t wait till your bundle of joy arrives!!ReplyCancel

  • purejoy - sounds like you guys were really surrounded by lots of family and love this christmas. and cora in your hearts…
    can’t wait to meet your little baby mac and am praying for peace and joy to meet you.ReplyCancel

  • Heather | Cookie Mondays - you have the BEST family!
    i keep hoping your next post will be an announcement!! 😉ReplyCancel

  • Krystal - I know we don’t know each other but I’ve been praying for you and your family! Even though we don’t know each other I”ve been secretly hoping you’d have Baby Mac today, Dec.29th…it’s my birthday! So you’d better get busy ;)!ReplyCancel

  • Karina - Thank you so much for sharing some photos from your Christmas; your families look wonderful. I am among the many checking back daily awaiting news of Baby Mac!

    I am so sad for you that Cora couldn’t be there in person. I come back sometimes just to see her face – she still has the power to move me to tears just from looking at her, but there is something strangely fortifying about the sadness she inspires. What a powerful young lady she is.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Thinking of you and praying for you! You have an amazing family and are an amazing woman. I am certain Cora was right there beside you, watching over all your Christmas happenings, as she is in all things you do. Can’t wait to hear the news of your new arrival!ReplyCancel

  • Stewart Family - Love the pictures. You are truly blessed with an amazing family!!

    Praying for you and Baby Mac…I am so anxious to see that post!!ReplyCancel

  • Alison A. - I have no idea how I found your blog, but just wanted to wish you well and let you know there are many internet strangers who are thinking of you. Your blog is a work of art, as well as a great memorial for Cora.

    Wishing you and your husband the best with your labor, delivery, and enjoyment of Baby Mac.ReplyCancel

  • Proud Grandma - Thinking and praying for you both and I can’t wait to see pictures of Baby Mac – maybe you will have a New Years Day Baby!ReplyCancel

  • Loraine - please share the sausage sub recipe….

    please.

    yum!!!ReplyCancel

  • The Carroll's - Thank you for continuing to share you journey with us. Praying for you often. Cant wait to “meet” Baby Mac!ReplyCancel

  • k and c's mom - Thanks for sharing. I thought of you and prayed for you often during the holidays. Can’t wait to see and hear all about the baby’s premiere. Blessings on you. God is faithful.ReplyCancel

  • Stef - Happy New Year! I’m anxious to “meet” your new little one. I’m so glad you had real joy and peace on Christmas Day, even in the midst of aching for Cora.

    Much love,ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Joy - I am praying for you every day. Walking the line between grief and hope is precarious and hard! May God continue to be your strength and joy. (((hugs)))ReplyCancel

  • Carly Winborne - so glad to see this post. i was thinking that you may have been tied up, not posting, because of your new baby. i am seriously thinking of you constantly, and thought about you a lot today. i was just convinced your baby had been born. (i know that sounds so stalkerish, but i don’t mean it that way. i just wish you were my friend in real life. what fun we could have!!!) excited to see your little one’s precious face very soon.

    praying for you and your husband, even now.ReplyCancel

  • Carly Winborne - PS: i was having lunch with my mom today and was telling her about you, that you just seem amazing, so focused on Jesus even in your grief. she said i needed to leave a comment, even if you get dozens on every single post you leave. just know that you are so admired, even from a distance.ReplyCancel

  • Tricia - It looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Glad to see that pregnant ladies were spared from the sword fighting. 😉
    Excited to hear of the arrival of baby Mac.

    With love and prayers,
    XO*TriciaReplyCancel

  • capperson - Thinking and praying about y’all. I can’ wait to see pics of the baby!!ReplyCancel

  • Jane In The Jungle - I know it was so hard wondering. But so glad you have the peace that passes all understanding.

    Can’t wait for news of Baby Mac!!ReplyCancel

  • Melinda - You have such a lovely family – I’m glad to see that you were surrounded by so many loved ones throughout the holiday. Cora is always with you in spirit – I’m sure she enjoyed the bat game 🙂 You and Joel are in my prayers. I pray that you have an easy labor and birth – can’t wait to read about the arrival of Baby Mac!ReplyCancel

  • Carla - I was that lady in waiting Christmas two years ago, my bundle of joy didn’t arrive til the 2nd Jan! Hope you’re getting lots of sleep and TLC, which no doubt you are, given your lovely hubbie and family. Your pics of Christmas look lovely. Its hard even as a stranger to see you there without Cora but your strength as always Jess, is a an inspiration to so many. Wishing you peace and calm in the next few days to enjoy the end of your pregnancy and not toooo many texts/emails asking you whether you’ve gone into labour yet :-). I’ll be thinking of you (when I should be fast asleep, gotta love pregnancy insomnia, hope you’re not suffering from it!)
    Hugs, CarlaReplyCancel

  • Christina - Those are such wonderful pictures…it does look like you had some great moments, and were surrounded by loving people through the hard ones. Your family looks like such a treasure!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Praying for you out here on the west coast! May you feel the reality that the Lord is with you as you wait on Him for the birth of this precious new child and for the delivery of him/her into your loving arms!ReplyCancel

  • Diana - What a fantastically happy and blessed Christmas for you all — such fun you had! Your smile is a ray of sunshine in each of your photos 😀

    Keeping you covered in prayer as everyone waits……..

    ReplyCancel

  • jen christians - First I must say you have an amazing eye with your camera! Second, your families are so ADORABLE, they are appear to truely love eachother…(well the bats, ha!)Third, you are in our prayers as the appearance of baby Mac draws near. I will pray for a gentle, easy labor, and God’s arms wrapping around you as you meet the beautiful child created just for you.ReplyCancel

  • onlymehere - I know that Cora was with you in your heart. Somehow, someway I believe she is there at special moments when you need her most. I love the header and feel like it gives us all a glimpse into her personality. I’ve followed you for a long time but don’t comment too often. I just wanted you to know how your courage inspires people. I keep you and Joel and new baby Mac in my prayers daily. I’m exciting to see him/her and pray the delivery will go well for all of you. 🙂 CindyReplyCancel