Haircuts

Handsome

Is that stacking not adorable?

Frustrated she's not getting a haircut

Haircuts for the tribe


Yeah, I realize this isn't really blog worthy. I don't know...what can I say? I'm a mom...and I thought they were cute. I LOVE getting my haircut, and I think I've passed the love down to my kids. Haircut days are exciting!

Locks of Love

That's some LONG hair!

Snip snip

Look at that excited face!

Pretty girl


Gracen has been growing her hair out for some time now. She liked that her hair was long like mommy's. However, she started talking about cutting it off...so we talked about Locks of Love. I showed her their website, explained what it was all about, and then told her about my best friend KC's sister-in-law who has cancer and has lost her hair. She was immediately moved to cut it off and give it away. I was so proud of her! She was brave and excited to tell everyone that she was donating her hair to someone who doesn't have hair anymore. She's getting so big, and I love the more grown up conversations we're starting to have.

Roomies

Reagan, Aiden, Grier, Evie, Gracen, Ava, Brooklyn, Liam

During my last 2 years of college, I had the privilege of living with 3 amazing ladies...Renee, Tiffany, and Marissa. We lived in apartment #1204...which we refer to often. It was a small 2 bedroom apartment. I roomed with Marissa, and Tiff and Ren (childhood friends) roomed together. We were all involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at Texas State...we all had break through moments in our faith, as all 4 of us began to get serious about our relationship with God while being there. We all had been raised in the church, and were church girls, but all were dealing with private sin. God really used our time with CCC, through discipleship, bible study, accountability, and evangelism to break us, and grow us. It was a pretty sweet time. So it goes without saying that God really knit our hearts together in this journey. We had so many great times together. Sure...we argued, and got frustrated with things like a dirty kitchen, or loud music, or some of us being really chipper in the morning and some of us not. But overall it was a really special 2 years.

We try to get together at least once a year to reconnect and catch up. Unfortunately Renee lives in New Mexico, so we don't get to see her as often...but the rest of us live within 3 hours of each other. So fast forward like a decade, and we have procreated with enthusiasm! As much as we have seen each other, our children have never met! So a few months back, Tiffany and Marissa came for a visit and brought their sweet children. It was so fun, and surreal to see our kids playing together. We missed Ren's 2 boys for sure though! So not pictured our Sam and Noah...and in a few short months, you can add 2 more babies to the group. Yep, we have enthusiasm.

I'm so thankful for these ladies, and the many many times God has used them in my life to humble me, teach me, and sharpen me! I love you ladies of #1204!

FX

Making sure he's doing it right.

Concentrating

Ms. Jada has LOTS of dance moves for the kids.

Once a quarter our church does something called FX. It stands for something catchy like Family Experience. Our kids love it. The families basically get to worship together in the "elementary world" setting. Every week our amazing elementary ministry team, headed up by my good friend Jada, lead the kids in their own worship. They hear a bible story, work on scripture memory, and sing together. It's during 2nd hour, and my kids flip out for it. Well during FX, the parents get to see what the kids are learning and experience worship with our kiddos with their fun music. It's so great. On Sunday mornings, Jada and her team pick kids to be on stage that have shown leadership. Aiden and Gracen both get to help lead worship on stage on certain Sundays...as well as FX. This particular time back in January, the theme was "Endurance", so they all had to dress up in sports attire. Gracen borrowed a soccer jersey from her big bro. I love to see my kids excited about worshiping the Lord! There is nothing sweeter. I love our church, and the desire they have to walk alongside parents in this journey.

Bringing in the New Year

First night in a hotel room

Sleeping crazy


We were invited to a fabulous New Year's Eve party, complete with fancy clothes and dancing. This was the 2nd year our friends have thrown this party...and it is a blast! We were all set to go, picking out our outfits, and arranging childcare...when our friends Keith and Barie invited our family to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. They had 6 free passes for our family to use. Feeling unusually spontaneous, we agreed to go, booked a hotel room, and loaded up the kids...well, minus Evan. We thought she might make the trip a little more hectic than it needed to be. :) We had so much fun. Keith and Barie have 4 children as well, and all of our kids are sweet friends. It was pretty chilly, but our kids were good sports. We kept them out until midnight, with few meltdowns. We only lost 2 kids that day....2 out of 7 isn't bad. :) They lost their youngest, and we lost our oldest....oh, the adventures we had. We brought in the new year together and after that the kids quickly sacked out. I neglected to take pictures at the park, and Barie's didn't turn out that well...so this is what I have...a few pictures from our hotel room. This was the first time we have stayed in a hotel room with our kids. I had to get tips from Barie on sleeping arrangements. But they all did great! We're ready for our next adventure!

Adding to the Tribe

This is not my actual test, but it looked just like this...for those of you still buying expensive pregnancy tests...do yourselves a favor, and hit up Dollar Tree for $1 pregnancy tests. They are cheap and accurate. I found out I was pregnant with all 5 kids using Dollar Tree tests...just sayin.

For those of you that don't know yet, we got exciting news a few days before Christmas. We are adding a member to the tribe! Baby #5 is due at the end of August!! We are so thrilled and thankful. We told the kids on Christmas morning, and they were super excited. We didn't tell people we were pregnant until about week 10...and they found out at like 4 1/2 weeks. All four of them did such a great job of keeping our secret. They did not slip once. We told our families at Christmas and swore them to secrecy as well....however, they did not do such a great job keeping it quiet. Our 4 little munchkins might need to give some lessons in discretion to the older family members. :) The kids are pretty convinced it's a boy...but I think it's just wishful thinking. I, on the other hand have NO idea. I knew all 3 girls were girls...but this one, is tripping me up. We'll find out in a few weeks, and I can hardly wait. We have names just waiting to be used.

Merry Christmas from the Tribe

Christmas tree pictures are so much work....really. I had to take so many to get this shot...and they all look a little goofy. Grier's fake smile is too much in this picture. This group is a mess. We had a wonderful Christmas...sweet, simple, peaceful, focused on Jesus....well, as much as you can be with kids this age. :) It was so special.

Totally Backtracking

Little Bumblebee

Little Ladybug

3 Bugs and a Doctor

Love this little bunch


I totally recognize that it's the very end of February and I'm posting Halloween pictures....and for that I'm a little ashamed. I don't know how they slipped past me....but I couldn't go without ever documenting these cutie patooties. I tried my hand at making the girls costumes this year, a butterfly, a ladybug, and a bumblebee. Although, everybody thought they were all ladybugs. Oh well. Aiden wanted to be a doctor, and isn't he the cutest doctor you've ever seen?? I love these kiddos.

The Birthday Girl

Not loving the singing

Icing makes everything better

Happy 2nd Birthday my little Evie (In December)! It has been such a fun year watching you conquer so many firsts. You are a force to be reckoned with little lady. You are full of life, full of spunk and adventure, so friendly, and a blessing to be around. Your smile is infectious, and those dimples are impossible to resist. You make everyone feel special with your fun and outgoing personality. Daddy and I have so much fun with you. You have challenged us in a way that the other kids have not...you have climbed out of your crib...a first for the Magee household. You jump off of furniture as if you have wings...which is a no-no, by the way. You think you're 2 going on 15, with your incredible confidence in things that you obviously can't do. What would we do without you? We would laugh less...that's for sure. We love you so much and are so thankful you are a part of our family! Happy Birthday Monkey!

Salt Dough Ornaments

We made salt dough ornaments during the holidays. The kids love using cookie cutters. :) They decorated them and we attached them to their teacher's bags of cake pops. They were so sweet. We have about 15 left over and I can't figure out what to do with ALL of them. I put a few on the tree...but 15? Wow.

Family Pictures

***Lots of pictures!

My sweet friend Susan agreed to take pictures of our family for Christmas card pictures. She is so talented and was willing to give up some of her family time on a Saturday and travel out to our neck of the woods. She was great! She was patient and fun, and it helps that she knows and loves my kids. They felt comfortable with her, which was awesome. However, naps went badly that day. Grier did not take a nap at all, and Evan finally fell asleep 30 minutes before picture time. It was a rough start...not to mention this crazy windy cold front came in while we were taking pictures. Brrr! Overall the kids did great...but it was touch and go with Evan. :) Family pictures totally stress me out...which is probably why we don't have very many. These turned out great though! Thanks Susan!

Cake Pops

I made cake balls on sticks, "cake pops" for the kids teachers at their fine arts school, and for their teachers at church for Christmas. They were so fun to make and turned out so pretty. They were a big hit and I think they might just be my new "thing".

Right of Passage

Look at that big boy eating his first turkey leg. I was so proud.

Messiest Magee

Just a Saturday morning with a doughnut. What in the world?!


Let me just start out by saying that I love this little girl to pieces. She's pure sunshine...always ready to smile, laugh, and have a good time. However, she is by far the messiest, grossest baby that I have ever delivered. There is nothing lady like about this little lady. She shoves huge pieces of food in her mouth, runs her messy hands in her hair, and seems to stain clothes daily. Most of the clothes she wears have gone through AT LEAST 2 other girls, most of the time more...because of fabulous friends with "hand me downs"....BUT somehow Evan has managed to ruin clothes that others have not. I've actually had to throw things out that she has worn only a few times. I'm keeping "Shout" in business, I tell ya. She's a mess. We all tell her that daily, and she just laughs.

Advent

Advent starts tomorrow with the 1st of December. I follow this gal's blog, and have decided to use her advent ideas this year with the kids. I just wanted to post it quickly so that you too could enjoy some neat Christ centered activities with your little darlings this advent season. I'm praising God for the hope we have in Christ...the coming King! I would be lost without Him.

Friends

This picture is from this summer...so it's old and the babies have changed a lot since this was taken....and we're missing 3 kids in this picture....Aiden, Gracen and the middle sister....BUT I had to share it. We had some spontaneous hang out time with our best friends today. It was just what Kendall and I needed. I don't think either of us were ready to start back up after our Thanksgiving break. We are both homeschooling mamas and our schedules are kinda opposite, so that means our hang out time suffers. Our kids love each other so much though and ask to hang out a lot. I love to watch all 7 of them greet each other...there's lots of excitement and hugging that goes on. It's melt your heart sweetness.

I'm sure I've talked about her before...but Kendall and I have known each other since we were little girls at the church we grew up attending. We were only acquaintances for awhile, and then my mom started babysitting her and her little sister after school everyday...and all day during the summers. I wouldn't say we were instant friends...would you KC??? :) I think we both just put up with each other because we had too. I was super bossy...I know, it's hard to believe. Kendall was and is super sweet. So we fought A LOT. But through the years the Lord knit our hearts together and we developed this kindred spirit, sisterly friendship. We both had become Christians when we were kids, but it wasn't until around the same time as older teenagers that we decided to live our lives for Jesus. And that right there cemented us forever. We also spent a summer together in NYC through Campus Crusade doing ministry in the inner city...super cool summer! Our husbands were in seminary together in Dallas, with no family around...so we really depended on each other. We started having lots of babies while we were there, and shared so many firsts together She is so dear to me, and has taught me a lot about being a good friend.

We now live the closest we've EVER lived married...approximately 8 minutes away...we even share the same HEB and Target! Our friendship has gone through many seasons, and as of late we try to fit in phone conversations...mostly when we're driving. We try to sneak out of the house in the evenings to hang out or watch the latest ghetto dance movie. :) We meet up for play dates when our schedules allow it. We bounce parenting concerns or ideas off of each other...or mysterious illnesses that our kids have developed...We talk out ways we can be better or more efficient homemakers...we exchange dinner ideas...we share areas we are struggling in and need prayer for...you name it. I'm so thankful that she's still a big part of my life after ALL these years. God has been good to me!

Aiden is a new creation

Aiden's spiritual birthday

Celebrating his new birthday on our "You are special plate"...the same plate that my parents used to celebrate me and my brother's spiritual birthdays.

June 26th will forever be a day the Magee Tribe celebrates. A new Magee entered God's family on that day. Aiden trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of his sins...the most important decision he'll ever make! We are thankful for answered prayers, God's grace, and the wisdom to know that this was the real deal.

We had been talking about it with him for a LONG time...He KNEW the gospel, but we weren't convinced that he knew that he NEEDED the gospel. We also wanted him to initiate. Blake and I had been praying that God would make it very clear to us that it was authentic...real heart change, and not just head knowledge of what the Bible says. We asked the Lord to show us some specific things...and He did. God is good. Aiden was so excited...and that part was really cool! It actually happened on the last day of our big summer outreach at church. He had gone to a kids club all week...something the teenagers of our church help lead. Aiden had been asking us about becoming a Christian for awhile, and as we would talk about it with him, we realized he just wasn't ready.

The last club was on a Saturday, so Blake got to be there too. Blake and I both had jobs we were doing at the club. Blake was doing more manual labor stuff, set up, etc. and I was leading an adult bible study for any of the parents of the neighborhood kids that were coming to the outreach at the park. I saw Aiden go off with one of the teenagers, a girl who had been helping in his class the whole year. I knew what was going on and was kinda freaking out...and totally distracted. Blake and I both wanted to be there when he ultimately made the decision....but all we were able to do was be onlookers. I think God had to do it that way to move us out of the way. We had been telling Aiden "no" for quite some time. On that day, he took his faith into his own hands and told Deborah, that he needed to talk to her about asking Jesus into his heart. I saw the whole thing from a distance...and started to cry. Something in me knew that this was the real deal. He was probably 100 feet away, so of course I couldn't hear him...but I knew from his body language what was going on and I saw their celebration. I was still trying to lead this bible study...I honestly have no idea what I was saying at that point...I was in a totally different world. But I saw my first born, my 6 year old...looking so grown up and mature, going around telling everyone that he was a Christian...with such joy, and I was reminded of the joy of MY salvation. He ministered to me that day...so excited...knowing he was a new creation, knowing that his life had been redeemed, and he wanted to tell the whole world. It's several months later now, and he continues to be a light. He wants others to know about Jesus. He has such neat conversations with friends about Jesus' sacrifice, and I'm blown away by his boldness. I thank God that He has grabbed a hold of my son's heart at an early age. I pray that Aiden continues to follow after Him. We continue to pray for his sisters. Lord help us all. :)

First Days of School

First day of 1st grade

First day of kindergarten

First day of their fine arts school on Wednesdays

The littles wanted a picture too

This treasure warms my heart...Aiden grabbed her hand knowing she was nervous...he's not a very affectionate kid, so this meant a lot.

We homeschool. It's a fun adventure. To be honest, it's something I've never wanted to do...but God has brought me joy through my obedience. Another confession...I'm not too quick to tell people that I homeschool. I don't know...I guess I'm still getting used to the idea...and probably still a little bit embarrassed about it. Our exposure to homeschooling has not been the greatest. We've known some sold out, "my way or the high way" kind of homeschoolers and they are not very fun to be around. I don't think homeschooling is for everybody, nor do I think it's God's way for education. It's a scary thing when people start believing that their values are God's values...that's rarely the case. However, for now, God has called the Magee Tribe to homeschool...and that's the adventure we're on.
Aiden started 1st grade this year and Gracen has started kindergarten. Going from 1 to 2 has been a big change....but a good one. I felt kind of weird schooling 1/4 of my children last year...it was all lopsided. Now, I'm schooling 1/2 of my kids and that feels a lot better. It keeps me busy...but the time I get to pour into them has been priceless. Blake and I see this time more than anything as discipleship and character building for them. Our studies are rigorous and challenging....I know academically they are doing well....but I'm more concerned with their hearts, their love for God, and their love for people...That's what we spend a lot of our days working on. Our time together has been a treasure for me.