Remembering Kamilah

It's officially been a year since my sweet Kamilah went to be with Jesus. She taught me so much---how to let loose and be silly, how to love unconditionally and not to judge others. She was a tough cookie...and a wacky cupcake. I used to think that since I loved Kamilah so much, I would love my own daughter even more. But now I realize that I truly loved Kamilah with a full measure of love, as I do my own little ones. I miss you, Kamilah, but I look forward to seeing you with your perfect little body next to our Saviour. I know He loves you as much as I do.

Kamaria and Kamilah (right) in May 2007

Happy Fresno Thanksgiving

It's always this time of year that I realize that all of my immediate family members are IN town. As many others travel to a destination to visit family, my family gathers with lots of food and great fellowship at MY HOUSE! When it's all over, everyone is back home within 10 minutes. This year was a bit different because Mat asked if HE could make the turkey. Huh? OF COURSE you can!!! It was delicious and very low-stress for me and my parents...Thanks Mat! After dinner, the kids performed a few Thanksgiving songs and acted out the story of the first Thanksgiving (you know---Indians and Pilgrims---Noah was the Turkey and his line was "gobble-gobble", which he said after many whispering hints from his brothers). Even little Aislynn got on "stage" and rolled around on cue. Overall, a fun evening....THANKSGIVING IS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!!!! Enjoy the snapshots:

Dad carving the bird:




Close your eyes and pucker up!

The whole McLain family gang:

My brother Aaron didn't waste a minute!

A proud Mat with his prize bird! It was YUMMMMMMY!

Kids in the Fall Backyard

My kids all whined and complained when the gardeners came this week to clean up our yard..."My pile of leaves was just getting to the size I wanted!!!!" Jaden and Titus even spent part of a day "hiding" leaves up in the treehouse so they wouldn't be found. I love this time of year...there is something calm about the cooler weather and the "snowing" leaves from our big oak tree. Here's some shots from the other day I thought you might enjoy:


Aislynn's hair is a bit frizzy from rolling in all the leaves! I'm lovin' the teeth!

AWANA Grand Prix

After several coats of paint and a topping of glitter glue, the boys were ready to race their derby cars at the AWANA Grand Prix! They had so much fun watching the races, waiting for THEIR car to race, and even watching their cars do well in at least 1 heat each.

Marathon Relay November 9th

Fresno has been waiting 8 years for a marathon to come back to our city. Last Sunday was that day, and I got to be a part of it! My friend Jenny, her sister Beth and I ran the marathon as a relay team (along with 3,000 other people). The wind was fierce in some areas of the race, but it was otherwise fabulous weather, a good cheering crowd, and a lot of fun! It is great to be back into the world of running after taking some time in the background to birth 4 children!

Our relay team:



My 11.5 miles is done!


Jenny taking off with the "baton":

Post-race with Jenny, Beth, and Beth's husband Terry (who ran the WHOLE marathon!):

Literacy Character Parade at School

Halloween morining: The kids had to dress up like characters from a book for school. Jaden is Charlie from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". He liked not having to brush his hair. He also had fun eating the huge candy bar after school (no, not ALL of it!).

Jaden's props:

Titus was the very hungry caterpillar (by author Eric Carle). He was a bit of a shy caterpillar on Halloween morning. He was afraid the kids would laugh at all his legs. He wanted to be something with a sword instead. We all encouraged him that he looked great, but then the first kid he saw at school pointed at him and started laughing. So Titus did the very thing that every well-mannered Christian little boy would do...he kicked him and then went and sat in the corner of the classroom facing away from his classmates. I may have traumatized him for life, but I thought he was adorable!

My mom, sister and I went to Fig Garden shopping center to watch the kids' parade. Our friends the Trogdon's met us there too. Good times and Jamba was had by all!

Have you seen my brothers???


Here they come!

Halloween!!!!!

Our pumpkins on Halloween Eve:




I got to go with Titus's kindergarten class to the pumpkin patch! So fun!



I also went with my toddler playgroup to the pumpkin patch in Reedley. Here's my Mini trying to eat a mini!




Noah loved all the pumpkins!