The Macs » Blog

life lately

It is hard to know how to explain life lately around here. I feel like it has been awhile since we talked. Just like your days, my days have been a mixture of joy and sorrow, exhaustion and excitement. Days that are really hard and can’t come to an end quick enough and days I wish I could linger in a little longer. Like Friday, for instance. Seven years ago Friday, Joel and I were nervously waiting with Cora in a little room when our pediatrician walked in to give us the news that turned our world upside down. We had no idea….no idea….how our lives would forever be changed. Friday, I sat in that same office with Jake for his eighteen month well-child checkup. I was overwhelmed by the comparison of the gravity of that day in 2009 to the giggles that were coming from the healthy little boy I was carrying as we walked out of the office to continue on with our very normal day. As I was visiting with our pediatrician I mentioned to him that seven years ago we were in his office with Cora and how thankful I was to be sitting there at a well-child checkup instead. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and gave me and Jake the biggest hugs. First of all, we have the best pediatrician ever. He is so good at his job and has the kindest heart. It was such a gift to me, as we once again enter this season of hard anniversaries, to see in his eyes how much he cared about Cora and our family. God used him to extend comfort to us that very hard day seven years ago as he sent us off to the hospital with sweet Cora and he used him again on Friday to give me a big hug when I really needed one. Even seven years later, I sensed God’s nearness in the most unexpected ways.

So, Jake is eighteen months old. He still feels like the baby but then I see all these friends bringing home new little ones and I realize that he is pretty much a little boy now. I don’t know how that happened. He is the sweetest little cuddly thing and yet keeps me on my toes like never before.

IMG_1285Can you sense the orneriness?

IMG_1319We are working on raising our third little farmer. Jake loves playing cows. He always wants to sit in the middle of the pens and he just started making the most adorable “nom-nom” sound when he feeds them.

IMG_1073We are becoming very familiar with this adorable pouty face. He loves his brothers. So much. He thinks he can do anything they are doing. He is so determined to keep up which means lots of climbing on all the things…and lots of falling off all the things. Anytime I intervene, well, you can imagine his response!

Did I mention that we got a dog?! If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw that we got the boys a dog for Christmas. I guess we didn’t think chasing an eighteen month around was enough of a workout so we decided to throw a puppy into the mix too. Ha!

gusMeet Gus.

He is a chocolate lab and we waver back and forth between deep love and “why did we get a puppy?!” with this little guy. He really is a good puppy most of the time. Unless he is going potty in the mudroom, accidentally knocking Tiny over in excitement, or using those sharp puppy teeth to bite a hole in Levi’s winter coat (yes, he did)…but we won’t talk about that.

IMG_0946I mean, it doesn’t get much cuter than this! An ornery baby and an ornery puppy. You will probably be seeing a lot more of Gus alongside the Mac boys in the days to come.

IMG_1117The rest of our days have been pretty normal…

Baking with lots of helping hands.

IMG_0947Too much time in front of the TV. We are so ready for summer!

IMG_1072Adventures with the Wild Kratt brothers.

IMG_1237Occassional moments of quiet and rest.

IMG_1022Helping dad whenever they can.

IMG_1158Celebrating birthdays.

IMG_1269Shopping with the boys when I am feeling brave.

IMG_1217And glorious days like this one. Days when we are all outside together and I have a moment to breathe in, look around and thank God for these most undeserved gifts…which right now mostly come in the shape of sweet, muddy little boys.

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  • Meggie - Love this update! And I can relate to lots of it because my 3 boys are similar ages to your 3 boys. =) Always an adventure!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Meggie – For sure. Always an adventure!

  • Tracy R - I have followed you and your beautiful family fore these past 7 years and have never commented, which I do regret. But please know not a day goes by where I don’t think of you or hope for goodness for you all. As a mom to 3 girls, I understand the daily business of life and It truly feels good to hear from you!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Tracy – Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and for following along with us all these years! You are an encouragement to me!

    • Jess - Tracy – Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and for following along with us all these years! You are an encouragement to me!ReplyCancel

  • Toni :0) - Loved this update! Crazy to think I’ve been following for over seven years. Gone in a blink of an eye. Gus is ADORABLE! Congrats on your new furbaby.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Toni – Thanks so much for following along with us all these years!

    • Jess - Toni – Thanks so much for following along with us all these years!ReplyCancel

  • amber - I have been checking in & reading the stories about your sweet family since Cora was in the hospital. I just can’t believe how long it’s been, yet my mama’s aches for you knowing how very long it must feel for you on some days.
    But what a beautiful thing that has happened in your hearts & in your family. So grateful for this peek inside your heart, Jess, all these years. You are always a peaceful, gentle reminder that my hope lies in Jesus & all other things pale in comparison. Your family is beautiful & so fun!!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Amber – Thank you so much for these encouraging words. God is so good and faithful and I am so thankful to look back over these last seven years and see so clearly that He has been working even through our pain. I love that.

    • Jess - Amber – Thank you so much for these encouraging words. God is so good and faithful and I am so thankful to look back over these last seven years and see so clearly that He has been working even through our pain. I love that.ReplyCancel

  • Emily - Wow, it is hard to believe it’s been 7 years since I began following your blog and praying for your family.

    The little puppy is adorable and that last picture is just perfect.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Oh wow, Emily! Thanks so much for all your prayers. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.

    • Jess - Oh wow, Emily! Thanks so much for all your prayers. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.ReplyCancel

  • Gin - Sweet sweet family.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Thank you Gin!

  • andrea - So sweet! It’s always a joy to read your blog and see what you’re up too. Grateful to for the thumbs up well check, especially around a challenging date. Question about your bunk beds. 🙂 Where did you get them and how do you think they’ll stand up over time as the boys grow? Have been looking at some, but was never sure if they’d be as sturdy as wood (since we have boys too).ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Andrea – The bunk beds are from IKEA. We love them so far. They are very sturdy. The boys jump off them all the time and I feel like they will last a long time. We looked at a wooden set at IKEA as well, but they were definitely not as sturdy. Hope that helps!

    • Jess - Andrea – The bunk beds are from IKEA. We love them so far. They are very sturdy. The boys jump off them all the time and I feel like they will last a long time. We looked at a wooden set at IKEA as well, but they were definitely not as sturdy. Hope that helps!ReplyCancel

  • Ranee - Love this post…so much of the “normal”…the good and bad and hard and this is just such a nice reminder that my normal days are full of the same kids of things…and that God is in the midst of it all!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Ranee – Yes!

  • Leah - Love the photo with a missing shoe.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Leah – He is always taking that one shoe off. It’s a miracle we haven’t lost it yet!

    • Jess - Leah – He is always taking that one shoe off. It’s a miracle we haven’t lost it yet!ReplyCancel

  • Stefanie (@LexieLooDylan2) - I love the pictures! Especially the last one. Your new dog is adorable!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Thank you Stefanie!

  • Mary Ann - I love your photos. Yes, we miss you when you don’t blog but I completely understand how busy you must be. Your doggy is cute. I love labs. What is the doggy’s name? I love the pic with you and your boys – of course Tiny has a shoe missing!! Baby Tiny is getting very big. Your boys are just so sweet. Those anniversaries are tough. I pray you will see God’s love and His kindness in many ways shapes and forms as you think of and honor your precious daughter, your beautiful Cora. Thinking of you today.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Mary Ann – Thanks for loving the blog and my family. You are sweet. Our dog’s name is Gus. 🙂

    • Jess - Mary Ann – Thanks for loving the blog and my family. You are sweet. Our dog’s name is Gus. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Baby Bottle - I love your photos.ReplyCancel