The Macs » Blog

On Friday, in 24 hours over $10,000 was raised.
Amazing!
Thank you for joining me.
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

Christmas this year is hard.
While everyone is getting excited about the approaching holidays,
this year is so different for us.
Our little girl is not here to celebrate with or buy presents for.
Last year we were discovering all the joys
of experiencing Christmas with a child.
This year our house is empty again.
That is so hard.
So, Joel and I have been trying to think
of some “different” ways we can give this year.
When Megan asked me to share about this opportunity,
I thought it was the perfect way to start out our gift giving.

Today, November 13th…

Today is the day where bloggers everywhere

are joining together in a campaign to buy water for Christmas.

4500 mothers bury their children EVERY DAY due to contaminated water.
That statistic crushes my heart.
It hits very close to home this year.
Because I have been there.
And while it is a harsh reality,
no mother should ever have to bury their child.
The lack of access to clean water
is the leading cause of death in underdeveloped nations.
But we can do something to help.
Ethio03

Ethio45

$10 will buy clean water for someone in Africa for 10 years.
10 years.
$10 isn’t much for us, is it?
And your $10 will be changing a life.
Will you join me today?
Click the photo below to be directed to a secure donation site
of the non-profit organization charity: water
All donations are tax deductible.
100% of the profit goes directly to clean water solutions in West Africa.
Firstgift
Share this with everyone you know.
Today.
water for christmas



Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Lauren Kelly - WOW, this is awesome….. here those of us who have so much are asking for all this material stuff for Christmas, when there’s others out there begging for just some clean water for Christmas. WOW!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Trisha Larson - This is a good idea. We’ve been supportin the Ronald McDonald House and Childrens Hospital LA this past year since they took such good care of us when Nate was there. But, I will also donate to this cause. It’s a great idea. I don’t want any other mommy to ever feel this pain. If I can save it from one, I will!!!

    Hugs,
    TrishaReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • purejoy - i will be posting this as well!! thanks for the reminder!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sophia - Thanks for this!
    I will be doing this and posting it on my blog too….ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • mbarker - I think you’re already giving an amazing gift by blogging about your life and faith. We love you –ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Mandy - Jess, truly, you are amazing, and so inspiring! I am always awed at the miracles that God brings about because of you!

    Mothers all over Africa will be grateful to you for spreading the word. Thanks for letting us all know about this very worthy cause this year. What a simple way to give an incredible gift! You are just amazing!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - What an amazing cause, and so simple. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I too have now donated, and posted to my fb page.

    Krissy Hunecke
    Batavia, ILReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Judy - I’m in!! Do you ever read Jody’s blog (www.jodyrlanders.com)? She’s amazing! Such an inspiration! Thanks for blogging about this.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Karina - I’m off to donate now…Thank you, Jess.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Diana - I’ve linked this to my Facebook page in hopes that others will contribute too. What a beautiful idea. I have been wanting to do somethign different with my own children this year to restore Christmas’ true meaning… this is a good first start. Thank you. I pray God’s “comfort and joy” are thick for you this holiday season.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Krystal - This is awesome! I just donated $50. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - You are amazing..thinking of others in your time of grief…I too will join this awesome cause.

    Thanks for being you!

    KimReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Robin in Benton - What a wonderful idea. I’m going there right now to donate. Blessings to you!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Missy - amazing! thanks you for sharing this. i’m going to share with others.

    blessings to you!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristin - Thanks for letting me know about this. I donated and will post it on my blog too.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Nicole - I did it! Thanks for presenting the opportunity!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • jody - really beautiful.
    thank you.

    i think of your family often. was fun to meet Meg and others who love you dearly.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sarah - Thanks so much for posting this! What a simple, yet amazing cause. I will definetly be giving to it and will be posting this link too!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • k and c's mom - Thank you.
    I will look into it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Brenda - Done. Thank you for making me feel good about something meaningful this holiday season. I am sick of worrying about “what toys?” for the kids…. so meaningless. I am going to post this on my blog as well. Thanks for thinking of this, Jess.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • the whytes - when i first heard about this from megan, i immediately passed it on. such a wonderful way to give.

    i had the opportunity today to venture out of my house all by myself and heard a song on k-love that really hit me. as i sat at the stop light, tearing up, i thought of you. the song is the first on my playlist on my blog, and the words are written down on the blog post ‘Your Hands’. it’s a very simple, but powerful song and i wanted to share it with you.

    susie

    http://www.emilyaidenwhyte.blogspot.comReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Pretty crazy that $10.00 can go so far. We are so blessed to live in America. I have posted this to my facebook and will spread the word. Thanks for sharing. You’ve already made such a huge difference. I should add so has Cora. She’s the one who inspired all of this. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Thank you for raising awareness. I donated this morning and then while cleaning my 6 year old daughter’s room with her I was telling her about it and she decided she wanted to donate $10 from her allowance. When we told her dad what she wanted to do, he said he would match her donation so we gave $30 today and I am amazed by my daughter’s giving spirit. She inspired me today. She wanted me to say that she donated money and she only has $1 left of her allowance but she is proud of what she did. Thanks again!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Clem - Donated and posting to my FB.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Emma and Company - What a great idea! I admire your Christ-centered ideas and blogs. You are such an inspiration…I think about you all quite often, especially now with Christmas coming up. Just know that I will be praying for you.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Patti - Thank you for sharing this!! $10 is practically nothing to us and so much to those mothers! I donated and will encourage my friends to do the same!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sue - OK, I’m reading back here, so forgive me! As a South African, I can only say thanks for posting this and for all the money you helped to raise! What a fantastic cause to support. Living in Africa and having travelled around a little, I can honestly say that we (that’s all of us who live in cities around the world, who have private bathrooms with fresh running water and electricity and beds and fridges with food in them) have no idea how rough it gets out there. It breaks my heart to see young children begging for money at the traffic lights, plastic bottle of glue in hand, drunken parents sitting on the pavement. We have squatter camps and shantie (or informal) villages popping up all over the show. Living conditions in these villages are shocking to say the least. And South Africa is ahead of the game over many other African countries.

    This really moved me…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]



Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Cyndi - I was wondering if you might ever make size 6/7 or 8 for girls? These would look so cute with some jeans on my daughter. Can you email me? cfrith5@yahoo.com Thanks! CyndiReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Carroll's - Yay, Yay, Yay!! I hope I make it in time!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • PamperingBeki - You kind of rock, you know that? 😉

    We’re feeling all Christmas-y here too!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Ormons - do you plan on making any baby boy items?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Ethansmom08 - I can hardly contain myself…SO excited! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Nancy - I can’t wait to order something for my little girl. Do you ever have an email list of items to send people?
    I admire you & your creativity!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • pinksarahh - I’m with PamperingBecki, you do ROCK Hop I can get these in time.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Christina - I love the cute top on my daughter…that I ordered from Cora’s last time around. Can’t wait to see your Christmas selection.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Shauna - I will be keeping a watchful eye! So excited!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Julie @ Joy's Hope - I’m ready to go put on some Christmas music after seeing all of those happy, happy pictures! Can’t wait to snatch some treats when they are in the shop! Lovey, love, love!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Trasie Bressler - Oh how I hope I get one…..Make lots of them in 18 – 24 months so my chances are greater! Ok? Ok!!!

    Thanks,
    TrasieReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Robin in Benton - Beki’s right you rock! Can’t wait to see these – and hope that I am able to get two of them for my two granddaughters!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • dennimd - You are such a tease! Will I be fast enough to get one this time? Tee hee!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Carla - Its beginning to look alot like Christmas 🙂 Gorgeous photo, am hoping I’ll be on time this time too!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Bri!!! - SO CUTE! I so wish I had a little girl right now.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Whimsical Creations - Beautiful!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • gwswenson - LOVE!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Yankee Mama - Oh!!!! I hope I can get one in time!!!:)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Judy - Cute, cute, cute!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Erica - that sneak peek made me so excited- and i don’t even have a girl! ha! maybe you’ll have more boy stuff? 😉 lol you are so talented!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Alicia - Beautiful! I can’t wait till these come out!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Alicia - Oh..and to repeat Cyndi’s question. Will you be able to offer this in a bigger girl size (8)?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Walquist - Hey jess, I just read this amazing blog from a friend of mine and this bible verse made me think of you and joel.

    But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9

    Check out her blog: http://kim.marxhausen.net/blog/2009/09/control-issues-again.html

    she was a former teacher friend and has amazing devotionals that really speak to your heart.
    ~SarahReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jennifer Dawn - Okay…I have got to be quick this time. I must get one of the Christmas dresses for my little girl Lydia Grace. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Pamela - I just recently came across your story. You’re Cora line of clothing is just wonderful. Makes me wish I had a little girl.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - So exciting! You do so ROCK!
    Maybe something for little boys, size 18-24 months would be fantastic 😉

    Think of you everyday…

    KimwReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - So exciting! You do so ROCK!
    Maybe something for little boys, size 18-24 months would be fantastic 😉

    Think of you everyday…

    KimwReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kelsey - Drooling….ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Micah - Oh, Jess, what CUTE STUFF!!! How could you do this to us? And you just know that I won’t see the stuff the minute you post and then it will be all gone. Now I already know what I’ll miss, and it’s so depressing :). Hurry up and finish!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Misty - I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! I love it all already!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Heather, Stan and the kids - i think it must be so hard for you guys to make these sweet dresses for all of us moms to be excited to put on our little girls~must make you long for your sweet cora even more. i will be praying during this christmas season for you and joel. you must miss her so much. God bless.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • jami - I love your stuff!!! I hope I get there in time this time I want my little girl to wear a cora dress for christmas!!! Thank you JamiReplyCancel

    [Reply]

My baby brother is not such a baby anymore.
He is a senior in high school this year.
And he is WAY taller than me.

This weekend we spent a lot of time cheering him on in the bleachers.

That is quite a sacrafice for a pregnant lady.
But it was worth it.
His team made it to the state soccer tournament
and I had to be there to cheer him on.
They did awesome.
They played some tough games.
They made it all the way to the finals and lost by one.
I know it didn’t turn out like they had hoped,
but second place in state is still pretty awesome.


The whole family was there.
Fun times.
I got teary eyed when I hugged my brother after the game.
I knew he was so disappointed.
Man am I emotional…I even can cry at soccer games now!
And I don’t think you can tell in any of the pictures,
but my brother is still sporting his pink shoelace.
For Cora.
What a sweetie!
I am so proud of you Owen!
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Cherry Tree Lane - What a great brother!
    I love the picture of the whole family!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Christina - We love soccer!! I think eight and six-year-old soccer is a bit different, though…
    🙂
    What a great time for your family to be together; and you’re so right…second place is nothing to scoff at! Congratulations!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Heather | Cookie Mondays - You guys are SO cute!
    Those are some really great family photos!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lindsay - Hey Jess,

    Beautiful family! I saw your comment on my blog earlier this morning. Thanks so much. I have been reading your blog for some time now. It has been such an encouragement to me. I see you and I realize that it’s possible to make it through this pain. It’s possible to hold on to faith and to push through with the grace of God. Not to say that it becomes magically easier, for it will forever be difficult to live this reality. However, if we choose to grow and learn from it rather then dwelling in it, we’ll come out stronger. I hit dwelling days…but then I’ll have a better day, a more hopeful day.

    Thanks for your openness on your blog and for sharing your story with those of us who are just now learning how to live our new, un-asked-for lives.

    I know it’s still a daily process for you as well. I am praying for you and thinking of you often. Hang in there.

    LindsayReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sue - How special and well done to Owen and the boys! You’re looking fabulous, by the way!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Carla - Wow, the boys sure got all the curls in your family 🙂 Lovely post, well done Owen and team. My little nephew is the star of his soccer team (he’s nine), they live in Germany so we don’t see them so often but we got to go to one of his matches last week when we visited. I was very teary watching him fly around the field like a pro..definitely the hormones!! Your bump is so neat btw, Im quite a few weeks behind you and Im twice as big!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • annaelyse - jess. beautiful. reading it made me tear up. There is just something beautiful about the older sister/little brother relationship. or at least me and my little bro think so. :O)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Claudia - What a sweet family!!!

    I know all about the emotional part … pregnancy does that to you, it’s unreal the stuff you would tear up about.

    You look awesome!!!!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Toni :O) - I love his name Owen….I had a great Uncle with that name and he was so special in our lives. I miss him, he had a great sense of humor. Thank you bringing that sweet memory back and it looks like you have a great family…such a blessing and a treasure. Still praying for you all!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • jen christians - What a beautiful family! I pray that my four little ones will grow up to be this wonderful to one another! You must be one great sister! Thanks for sharing. Also, you look amazing pregnant! I can’t wait to “meet” little Mac. his/her arrival will be here before we know it!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Marla Taviano - Such a beautiful family!! Owen was the name we had picked out for our little Nina.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • MICHELE - Isn’t crazy that they are seniors?! He and Meg (my little sis) were in the same class in grade school. Makes you feel a bit on the old side!! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lauren Kelly - Awww, how fun!!!! And that’s awesome they did so well. 2nd place is nothing to be ashamed of 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Robin in Benton - What a special family – and Congratulations to Owen. I think it’s awesome he’s still wearing his pink shoelaces!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Congratulations to Owen and team..Love seeing the family photos and love seeing the baby bump:)
    Always in my thoughts and prayers.

    KimReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • PamperingBeki - You guys are so cute!

    And you all have the best genes in that family. You guys are all beautiful and look like teens still!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Erica - how sweet is your brother? what a good looking family!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • shepherdsgrace - What a cutie! What a sweetie!

    Family IS a blessings…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Moffats - Awww. Love this post and am sorry to hear they just missed it but I’m sure they played their hearts out. Love the floating Owen head 🙂 Wish we could have been there. Good job, Owen. HUGS to you all.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • La Familia Garcia - That is great!! What a support you guys must be to him! oh, and you are looking GREAT pregnant! You haven’t talked much about the pregnancy….just wondering if you don’t mind sharing how it’s going?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lacie and Stephen - You can actually see the pink shoelace barely if you click on the first picture (panoramic of the whole team). At least I think it was him, he was the only one with blond curly hair! It is his right shoe with the pink lace, correct?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Michelle - not feel to bad about crying at soccer games, I cry reading all of your posts and I don’t even have a good excuse like having a rough year or being pregnant – that’s always a good excuse for cryingReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Hello! I have never left a comment but I follow your blog weekly and have since a few days before Cora passed into eternity.

    I am so excited about your new little one and think of you often. This baby will always exemplify the Hope we have in Jesus Christ. Hey, that sounds like a good name for her, Hope.

    Blessings,

    TammyReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lexie Loo & Dylan Too - What a sweet brother!
    Great family pictures!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Chelsa - my baby brother is a freshman in college and runs cross country,i totally get your tears at a game 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Krystal - Sweetie I’m not even pregnant and I still cry at football games during the national athem…crazy uh? Sweet story!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Schilling's from Cimarron - Your family looks great! Say hello to them all from us! You also look soooooooo cute! miss you and hope to see you soon!

    AMIEReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Micah - What a cutie!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • the whytes - oh, i loved going to HS soccer games! a berean academy kid??? what a blessing to not have to go to public school!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • LauraLou - This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • LauraLou - Oh my goodness, I found your blog through MckMama and I’ve read through several pages of entries now. I was drawn to your story because of your incredible strength and faith, but even more so after I realized you were from KS! And after reading this post, that your siblings (and maybe you?) attend/attended Berean! I grew up in Wichita and went to Trinity Academy (who may have been the ones you guys played in the finals – sorry if so!) It’s such a small world, and it’s so nice to find someone from my ‘neck of the woods’ in the blog world. Your story touches my heart, especially since I want to eventually work as a Child Life Specialist with families in situations similar to yours, and I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

Several of us stopped to eat lunch at this cute little burger and shake place
on our way to the airport.

We couldn’t leave Tennessee without showing some Kansas pride.

You know, like any good Kansas farmer would.
By supporting the beef industry.
Joel showed everyone how to put away a one pound hamburger.
The whole thing.
Gotta love that guy!!
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Christina - Honestly, I think that is great! I can hear the smile in your words and the love in your heart…even as you watch him put away a full pound of beef!
    Hey, it’s what’s for dinner.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Erica - mmmmmmmmmm those burgers look SO good!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Melissa - Looks YUMMY!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Katie - OMW!! That’s Stratton’s! It’s amazing how small the world is sometimes! I’ve read your blog for a long time and you were sitting at the very table we sit at when we go to Stratton’s!! Btw, your blog is such an encouragement!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • shepherdsgrace - touched again…as usual…

    thank you…

    blessings,
    SarahReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Marc, Sarah, and Luke - Oh My — Marc too (and you know this) would’ve put away the 1 lb. burger with Joel. I did notice, however, that there are Coke cups on the table. But, I do realize that you were in the south, and it’s virtually impossible to find Pepsi products down there.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Carla - Ah the pride 🙂 You’re making me miss US size restaurant portions(my hips don’t miss them as much though lol)….drooooool. Thinking of you xReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • A - That burger looks delicious!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tara - I’m curious – where did you go? I live in Nashville – might have to swing by there sometime!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anne - Yep, that’s what my mom ( a proud Wichita native) always says is that you “need to show them how to eat beef!!”. Haha. yummmy!!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • PamperingBeki - Well done Joel!

    Way to make Kansas proud.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - And where is the picture of you and baby Mac putting away your 1 pound burger 🙂
    Love your posts..

    KimReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Maria - Small world — you were at Stratton’s, weren’t you? I live in this area and recognized it right away. I can’t believe you were SO CLOSE to me. I’ve been reading your blog FOREVER.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sue - Oh my! I am so hungry right now, I’m totally jealous of that massive burger…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lauren Kelly - Haha, love it!!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Nothing better for a pregnant girl than a nice hamburger! Those curly fries looked awesome. They are my favorite…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • AC - Thought you might like to see this blog. This couple will be attending the same retreat in the spring. http://thejonesfamily52009.blogspot.com/ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Linda @ My Trendy Tykes - I would love to have a little bit of that burger.

    mmmmmm beefy!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

« PREVIOUS NEXT »