good idea: blogging about personal details of my life
bad idea: blogging about personal details of my life
good idea: coming back to the Frozen Tundra once it wasn’t frozen anymore
bad idea: coming back to the Frozen Tundra when the heat index is above 110 degrees and the humidity is unbearable
good idea: taking darling photographs of Small Fry and Pippin in the RV
bad idea: forgetting to post the darling photographs of Small Fry and Pippin until after getting home from the RV trip
good idea: getting rid of some kidney stones a week and a half before going to Africa
bad idea: getting rid of some kidney stones four days before leaving for Africa
good idea: wanting to help the employment situation in the US
bad idea: ending the space shuttle program
good idea: getting a new transmission for your car
bad idea: having the starter on your car go out
good idea: creating a private way for me to blog and connect with you lovely readers away from the annoyance of mean people
bad idea: creating a private way for me to blog and connect with you lovely readers before thinking through how much time it will involve to get that going and before thinking through the best method of inviting all you lovely readers while excluding only the annoyance of mean people necessitating me leaving you hanging while going back and re-doing things
good idea: making one last Target run today in a borrowed car, with list in hand, so that I don’t need to take any more runs there before I leave on Saturday
bad idea: leaving my debit card in the shopping cart necessitating another run to Target to pick it up
bad idea: missing Kitty’s spay appointment
good idea: keeping and loving her Kittens
good idea: packing for Africa
bad idea: packing for Africa two days before I leave
good idea: trusting God with all that I am and all that I have
bad idea: forgetting that I’ve trusted God with all that I am and all that I have and then still trying to live life myself
good idea: composing a post while on painkillers
bad idea: composting a post while on painkillers
bad idea: staying up any later than right now
good idea: going to bed right now
Oh she is adorable. Very pretty!
We just got back from a two week vacation and still haven’t recieved our Dallas photo shoot pictires from June 4. Are you still working on them or is there a delay in mailing them?
Ugh, no, they have all been sent! It’s not a good sign if yours haven’t come yet. Hmm. Can you email me and I’ll find a different way to get your photos to you if they don’t come in the mail today! So sorry about that.
I love this post! You are so awesome and so inspiring. I pop in from time to time when I have a change and there is so much love and joy! Thank you for sharing your ups and downs of life and the gorgeous photos of your kiddos.
These are adorable photos of small fry and the kitty!
I know you guys hate Obama but he is not to blame for end of Shuttle program. That was set to end before he was elected. What he did do was end manned moon flight in favor of Mars. Just FYI.
I love this post. I think in ways like that sometimes. Pros and cons. Good and bad. Smart and not so smart. You have a lot going on in your life and heart right now, it’s easy to tell. Thanks for taking the time to still FIND time to share with us.
those might be the cutest pictures everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….
This was one of my favorite posts of yours in a while. It made me chuckle. So cute.
She is such a big girl and so lovely! It is so amazing how they are all growing up right before my monitor.
When did small fry go from being a little toddler to such a big girl!? She is just beautiful! Her face emanates joy!
1. Beautiful girl.
2. I don’t understand how/why all this controversy started – you plainly stated in a tweet or post
(can’t recall which) from the bus station that you already had a private blog up for family and
personal friends. Everyone that you want to read already is there reading now.
I LOVE SMALL FRY..SHE’S JUST GROWN UP OVERNIGHT!! IF YOU TOOK HER HAIR OFF SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE NUGGEY AND THEN WITH THE HAIR SHE REMINDS ME OF BIG MAC…
OKAY AND FOR THE RECORD..I AM A “NICE BLOG READER”..SO PLEASE ADD ME TO THE HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY PRIVATE BLOG AREA..IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND TO DO SO..I LOVE READING YOUR POSTS..ALL OF THEM
Great photos of Small Fry. It seems like whenever you are trying to do God’s will a bunch of roadblocks always get thrown in the mix. Which always means to me that you are doing the right thing!
Hi
I just wanted to say that I am to sad to see that you are doing private post that we all can’t see. I love reading your blog. Its inspiring and some people just need to learn to keep there mouth shut on things. Its your blog and your life, I like reading about all that going on with you and your family. I don’t post comments very often, but I am an avid reader of your blog. Your kids are beautiful and so are you. For those who want to be mean, why bother you just make your self’s look stupid! Hope you have a great trip to Africa!
Shannon Ketcham
smkdesigns@hotmail.com
MckMama, I am very concerned for you as you undergo these spirtual attacks! I am praying for you and your family. My Facebook comments did not appear and I think Satan is involved in electronically stifling the Word. Mary Agnes Quinn
Hi!
I apologize if this question has been answered somewhere in a prior post; I did a quick skim of them all but couldn’t find it. *blush* How can I get the password to view your protected posts? I’m not one of the “haters” who’s posted mean or slanderous stuff. So I hope I can be among the folks allowed to view the protected posts. Thanks! 
Cheers,
Shari in Cali. (there’s also another Shari who’s commented in the blog, which amazes me since this is such an uncommon spelling of the name! heh)
I do love small frys sweet faces!
Beautiful pictures! Love the post too.
Am I lovely or mean? :/ I would hope “lovely” but that is a huge task for you to decide that about everyone.
Will Africa posts be private? Good luck over there, hope you are kidney stone free! I can’t imagine going for 3 weeks, you are a brave soul!
Have a wonderful time in Africa. I always enjoy your posts.
One word of advice, ignore those who only seek to tear you down. They hold no sway in your life and aren’t worth the time it takes to worry about them.
Oh My Gosh- look how much the kittens have grown!! Adorable pictures
*I* want the password.
I adore the first pic of small fry and the kitty. so cute!
I don’t really like cats, but that 1st photo is absolutely precious.
Hey how do I get a password so I can keep up with all Mckmamas interesting stuff??
Oh my is that Small Fry ever so precious! She reminds me of those Olsen twins from Full House!
Good idea: You being YOU! I love your posts and your courage in being transparent. We are all a work in progress & I have to say…..when I am having “my days”, it is always an encouragement to read your posts, look at your lovely photo’s….and like today…decide to post back!
Enjoy your days at home with your sweet family and know that ALL things work to the GOOD of those that love God….(and yep…God can use the mean people too).
Keep on trusting & pressing in!
What’s the saying “You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not please all of the people all of the time.”
Anyone that has taken anytime to actually read your blog can tell you have a great heart and I myself inspire to be a better person and mom bc of you.
1. Small Fry’s little hair thing – cute
2. Small Fry – too cute
3. Pippin – still cute
4. Pippin and Small Fry with a cute little bow in her hair – beyond words adorable. The orangey yellow background is great too. Who knew and RV could be such a perfect setting for a photoshoot!!
It’s funny how we get so invested in people we only know over the internet, but I too, was a bit sad when I first thought about no longer being privy to your honest dialogue. I also respect, understand and agree with you need for privacy and wanting to share without being berated. At the same time, I can empathize with people who felt left out and discarded. I am a people pleaser and when I try to put myself in your shoes, my heart hurts a little. I sense that your intent was not to hurt the people who enjoy reading your blog, but I also sense that maybe you needed some boundaries to protect yourself.
I know your time in Africa necessitates blogging, but I hope you are able to really just be present there (when you aren’t skyping with your adorable family), and feel some peace. I’m praying for you!!
We all have good ideas and bad ones. I love reading your blog. And yes there are some mean people if they don’t like you then why read your blog. I know you can’t please everyone all the time. This is going on in my own life right now between my daughter and I. Do what you think God is leading you too. I will pray for you and your trip. Please pray for me and my family too I really need it right now.
She is so stinkin’ cute!!
And what a colorful readership you have; huh? ha Praying for your trip, and for your health! Hoping all of the above go smoothly for you! xo
Jennifer, I am sorry that some people feel the need to attack you. Nobody is forcing them to read your blog, they do so of their own accord. If they don’t like what they read, they need to leave and NOT say anything. Personally I think people are jealous because you have found a way to support your family through this blog and I say “GOOD FOR YOU”!!
I think you are a wonderful person, mother and wife. Never doubt yourself and the things you believe in. You know who you are and that is all that matters.
With much love and respect,
Yohanna
Just a tidbit I’ve picked up during this internet age: If you want to keep something private, don’t involve the internet.
Your desire to have some privacy is understandable, but being so public about being private…? Maybe not the best balance? You’ll find a way. This first attempt was just maybe not as successful as hoped.
Those are such cute posts! Thanks for the clarification on the private post. That makes perfect sense, just details ahead of time may have been better. But we live, we learn. Prayers going for you and your family still on the trip to Africa!
Thought of you when I read my Daily Text today:
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me
in a broad place. Psalm 118:5
Continuing to pray for you and your family.
I LOVE the photos of your adorable girls:-)
Not sure why part of the post ended up as my name!?!?!?!?
Beautiful precious pics!! The yellow wall made for a great background!
Your little girl is so beautiful.. Jennifer, Don’t be too hard on yourself. There will always be mean people. For every mean person you encounter, you will have SEVERAL supporters who will always stick by you.
You are so much like me and my family. I love to read your blog. It reminds me that I am not alone in this world.. You need 4 more kids to catch up with me…lol I am done… I think. I am saving up money so I could hopefully meet you..
Praying for you daily,
Katrina Hammett
She is adorable!
Have a great trip! I pray that all goes well for you and you don’t encounter any problems.
Are you going to be blogging from there?
Ending the space shuttle program was actually not a bad idea from the angle of safety! :] The life of the shuttles themselves was extended well beyond the point where it was safe. My husband doesn’t work AT NASA, but he works for a subcontractor. He and some of his work buddies started calling them the Space Pintos a few years before the last explosion. It is awful that some people will lose their jobs, but the alternative is people losing their lives.
And re: the password scenario … I myself didn’t want it, but I understand the complaints. I hope an actual apology is forthcoming for the people who were very much and very understandably hurt.
good idea: blogging
bad idea: opening blog for comments. It is very simple to not allow comments. Any comments.
Problem fixed.
Oh, there it is. I couldn’t see it when i checked this morning. Usually it appears even if it’s awaiting moderation. It didn’t pop up until I commented again.
sorry for 3 in a row!
Are my comments not going through?
I don’t know if this is possible, but ignore the mean people. They are everywhere, the only difference is online they have the anonynimity to say what they wouldn’t say in person. The rule of thumb should be: if you wouldn’t say it to a person’s face don’t say it online, or in an email, or in a text, etc.
I have so many ideas that SEEM good at the time…and then end up not so. Too many to even list, really.
Praying for a safe and healthy end to your trip (either before you leave or when you return depending on doctor’s orders).
I wish I had a “good” idea for your blogging situation but this is really a tough one. I can’t imagine how folks justify living their lives to torture you but they sure seem to do so. I also know that I’ve made enough “friends” through blogging that I would be hard-pressed to eliminate that connection (as someone else suggested). Good luck and know that you’ll be supported with whatever you decide, at least on my end.
Still praying in PA.
Love those pictures of M!
Have fun with the family this week and safe travels this weekend as you journey to Africa. Enjoy that time with your Dad.
~Laura~
Blonde Blessings.
Love these pics, (especially the 1st one, where I can almost feel the softness of Pippins paw pads).
As a new day dawns, I pray that He guides you in paths of wisdom, and surrounds you and your Dad with His travel mercies.
Love from NC.
P.S.
Peter’s good idea: To get out of the boat & walk on the water to Jesus
Peter’s bad idea: To look around & get distracted by the wind & waves
Peter’s good idea: To cry out to His Savior in Faith
LOVE those pics – SF is beautiful and those pics are soooo sweet!
You crack me up!
Lol at composted posts.
gorgeous pics as always, I love to see the kits (oh, and the kids)
Making some things private, for only certain readers, is a great idea. My blog was started since we would be over 4,500 miles away from family when we moved from Georgia to Alaska. I have some people that have started reading over the couple of years I’ve had my blog, but it was meant for family. While I don’t mind the other readers, I am cautious about what I post. In fact, I decided to take off a picture on a post I did about my little girl going to school, because the picture was of her school uniforms and the uniform shirt had the name of her school on it. Since you are ‘famous’
, I think it is a smart idea to put a limit on who can view certain posts.
Have a great time in Africa. I have a friend that just left today for a mission trip to Swaziland and she is very excited and has a deep love for the people of Africa. I hope you do some public blog posts while on your trip!
SHE. IS. SO. SUPER. GORGEOUS. Seriously, its a good thing she has a daddy and four brothers to protect her from all the boys that will be chasing her! I love her eyes, her smile, her hair cut, her hair color, EVERYTHING! That first picture is DARLING! New sidebar picture? On another note, everyone has good ideas and bad ideas, sometimes simultaneously. It’s part of what makes us human. We just have to know and trust in God to lead us to making the right decisions.
Oh, and when are you going to pick the winner for the Name That Photo contest? No pressure, Lord knows you have enough to do!
Loving all your pros and cons. love the photos of girl and kitty. So cute. Have a safe and blessed trip to Africa!
GREAT IDEA: Posting these pictures of your little doll baby. She is so beautiful!!!
GREAT IDEA: Being true to God and true to yourself!!!
PERFECT IDEA: Walk in peace, confidence, and comfort, on your trip to Africa!!! Blessings!!! Praying for you!
*Loved this post, and the pictures!*
Cute pictures! I have been a reader for a while now. I don’t comment very often. Some of my comments however have come to your defense! I am not a mean person and would like to continue reading your blog. Your blog is one of the firsts I check on a daily basis. I would so love a password, but understand if you don’t give me one. We have never met. I have 4 small children and stay at home! (1 boy; 3 girls)
I will pray for your health while in Africa. Be safe!
Praying that you will have a safe, healty, and completely rewarding trip. Will look forward to more of your beautiful people pictures and amazing people stories. Take care and blessings. Rowena