making up for lost time

Good evening!

I need to make up for some lost time (But it wasn't really lost at all, was it? I know right where that time went.) and cover a few blogging bases. Please remind me if there are any loose ends you can remember that I left out here.

You know, if you read this all. It's kind of long and chock full 'o stuff. But it's worthwhile (Of course, I think so!), so I hope you do!

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Today was the Focus on the Family parenting simulcast in Colorado. Even though we had planned to be a part of it, obviously Prince Charming and I decided coming home and being together as a family was in our children's best interest. Of course we were definitely bummed to miss it (and to miss the chance to hang out with some dear friends of ours) but we are so thankful at the love and understanding from the folks at Focus. We also had to (Rats!) miss the little Colorado MckGathering we'd planned for yesterday.

But is anyone interested in a Southern MckGathering this month?!

Yes, I did want to throw out the idea to any of you southern gals that my family and I will be down in Atlanta for our (usually) annual trip to see family soon. My husband and I were discussing how we'd love to get together with all y'all one afternoon while we're down there, to casually hang out and maybe even do some photo shoots.

What do you think? If you're game or want to know more or want to help me plan something, please email me at contact (dot) mckmama (at) gmail (dot) come. If you will, share with me your Facebook page or blog or whatever you have and please put Atlanta in the email title so I can keep my inbox organized.

If you bring the black eyed peas, I'll bring my camera!

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Nope. I haven't photographed all of us since we've been back together as a family. I did snap this picture of Big Mac reading in his room, though. And no, this is not his old room at our old house.



But it is painted the exact same color! Hey, find something you like and you stick with it, right?

Anyway, our local Fox station did a short story on us yesterday and our reunion at the airport was caught on film. If you want to see it, click here!

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Drumroll please.

I have the most adorable little child sized baby sling wrapped and ready to be sent out!



The winner of this giveaway is kerristhename! Just email me and I'll send the sling your way!!

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I know I have a few MckGiveaways still hanging open ended. I will announce those winners soonish. Plus, because Stellan threw us a curveball in October, I still have lots of giveaways I need to do! So, November will be giveaway month, too.

How do you like that?

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The hats for cancer kids campaign was a rip roaring success!! I can't wait to tell you all about how things wrapped up, and share photos, soon!



Just give me a few more minutes hang out with my kids. Then I'll get my rear in gear and compose a post to tell you all how it went!

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What fun it was this morning to watch the comments and pledges roll in! I heard from Laura at String of Pearls and Kelly at Sufficient Grace that there we so thankful and had seen some donations come in directly today already.

Thank you!!

The total that my family will be donating is $1620, $1 for each person who left a comment (And $1 for those of you who Tweeted or emailed because you couldn't comment!). One third of that will go to String of Pearls, a third to Sufficient Grace and another third to the Liz Logelin Foundation. And then (Still tallying!) many of you have already donated or have said you will donate (Over $150 more!) to one or all three of the organizations.

Please don't let the fact that comments on that post of mine are closed stop you. Feel free to go to those websites and donate $1 or more if you can!

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Next up? Some photography posts!! You might remember that I helped my good friend Carrie out by second shooting for her at a wedding recently.



This is one of my favorite photographs from the day. More to come...plus some photography lessons, too! (Any requests? I'm definitely no pro, but I'd love to share about what I'm passionate about! Just let me know if you have ideas for what you'd like my next lesson to be about.) I'm quite behind in that department, aren't I?

Well, not for long!

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Stellan is doing great. Just great! He's pumped to be home, barely seems sick at all, is drinking like it's going out of style and is cruising along furniture like a pro now. His siblings are still reveling in the joy of having him around. Plus, we're still munching on celebration cake.

All is going great around here! Tomorrow we're going to church, meeting friends for lunch and going to our brand new small group (from our new church). Today we pretty much laid low and chilled as a family. It's been just totally super.

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Well, that's it. Kudos to you if you read it all!

Good night!