This is It

After close to 10 years of working in the mental health field in areas ranging from psychiatric hospitals, residential facilities and group homes in California to therapeutic day treatments and school-based services here in Arkansas, today I leave it all behind...for this:

Yes...forget the B.A. in Psychology, the partial Ph.D. training and the two Master's degrees in Marriage & Family Therapy and Counseling...I now gladly, and proudly will answer the question "So, what is it you do?" with a smile and the response, "I'm a stay-at-home MOM."
Maybe some day I'll go back into the field of mental health, but for now I am incredibly excited about this new phase in life God has so graciously made available for us! I hope to get more involved in ministry and continue pursuing my passion for missions with my boys in the next few years...but most of all I am looking forward to these precious years with the people I love most - devoting all time and energy into being a woman of God, a loving wife, and a passionate mother.

Doctor, Parties, and LOADS of Candy

First we'll start with the before-crazy-weekend details:
Since Lincoln turned ONE YEARS OLD (still can't grasp the magnitude of that statement!), he was due for his one-year well-check visit: "happy birthday, baby - you made it through your first year of life! Now lets stick you with a very sharp, long needle - not one, but THREE times so that you can remember this memorable day!" Yes - the doctor's visit on Friday that Jason's mother attended with me to check and see how our little one was progressing and get a pat on the back for helping him make it this far without too many setbacks (those pats on the back for mom are important, by the way).
He is still in the 75% for both height and weight coming in at 24lbs. and 31 inches tall...his head? That monster melon? Well it's actually gone down on the percentile charts from the 99% to now the ever-so-much-lower 95%. Funny.
And just because this weekend has been all about him, I will brag a teensy weensy bit on something the doc said: they go through their checklist to see what all the little guy can do...walking? most definitely YES. understands "no"? ha. he had this one down a LOONG time ago. Peeing/Pooping? he's our elimination machine...and then so on and so on. Well, then I was telling the doctor about how Lincoln stands up, bends his knees (in an athletic stance) and catches balls when we throw them to him. The doc became interested and I then demonstrated what I was talking about. I then told him how Lincoln will not only catch the ball (80% of the time), but will then throw it right back to you - overhead. His eyes got big and he said "wow - not only should he not be able to catch that good at this age, but throwing overhead is advanced for him, too - he must be very coordinated!" Yeah - daddy was proud of this one.
So after the doctor, it was a mad rush to finish working for MY LAST FRIDAY...and then off to go all over NWA to get finishing touches for the big birthday party Saturday with Jason's mom.
And then The Party.
Lincoln woke up in a fantastic mood...like he knew it was his day. He had his first outfit of the day on, his skeleton PJ's and went crazy with a few balloons that were being tossed around on the floor - little did he know just how much more fun was in store...when he gets real excited, it's like he just has to release it all and gives out a big ole scream - it's hilarious.

Then the guests started arriving...we kept it just family this year. The menu? A little bit of everything. We had mini quesadillas, chips, salsa, cheese dip, buffalo wings, mini sandwiches on yeast rolls, pizza slices, fruit dipped in white chocolate, a candy assortment tray, macaroni and cheese (for the birthday boy), and of course, yummy white cake from Rick's Bakery.
And then cake time. And let me say, Lincoln did NOT disappoint! He dove in, full force, no hesitation and made quite the colorful display all over himself.
And then it was bathtime before we opened presents...

This was one of mommy and daddy's gifts - a giant "tub" of plastic, colorful balls. I saw it and KNEW he'd love it...and trust me - he LOVES it more than we even thought...So the party was very successful, with TONS of gifts for the Mr. Our family really went overboard - we love all you guys and are so blessed to have yall in little Lincoln's life!!!

After his long afternoon nap, the family of three (with Baby Noah soon to join), walked to Wal-mart to get some last minute things for trick-or-treaters. You see, we used last night as promotion for the house. :) We'll see if it worked later or not. We changed Lincoln into his Frankenstein costume and braced ourselves for the scary candy-seekers. Little did we know how much Lincoln would LOVE all the costumes, doorbell ringing, and little kids - it was hilarious! Everytime the doorbell would ring, he'd squeal with delight and "walk" (his best Frankenstein walk) to the door to greet the kiddos. He loved it. I think his day just kept getting better and better. Here's a Frankenstein pic:The little guy played his heart out till about 10:00 last night before we made him go to bed...I'm sure he dreamed of music cars, blue icing, scary kids begging for candy, his tub of balls, and all the other fun toys he got this special day. And that's what it was...truly special.

Our Gift

One year ago today, we were anxiously excited, slightly nervous, overwhelmed with feelings of being blessed, anticipating a precious gift from God that would forever change our lives...
We said many prayers for health, safety, and the new life of our child the night before I went in to be induced...we woke up with great anticipation, hurridly checking off items we must not forget and adding those which provided extra comfort...and then we stopped again - in the rush and hurry, held each others hands, and entered the presence of our Father as tears filled both of our eyes...and we prayed - hard, fervously, expectedly - knwoing that our Father would give us everything we would need on this journey.
And then, shortly after 4:00 pm on this day, YOU were born. Perfect, healthy, and our gift.

And what a joy you've brought to our lives this past year of your life!

We love you sweet baby Lincoln...happy FIRST birthday!!!!!

Two Little Pumpkins

So today was GORGEOUS. We all woke up at 8:00, I made pancakes for the boys of the house (yes, dogs included), and enjoyed a nice long workout outside that I found both invigorating and to some degree relaxing, believe it or not. Lincoln was full of new surprises today and I think we can officially say the boy prefers walking. :) He can now pop up at any given moment, in any given place, and walk...and walk and walk. I would say he has rarely crawled today which has been a big milestone in the McMahan house! Now his steps are still wobble-ish, which will go perfect with his Halloween costume #2 - Frankenstein - which he will bust out this next weekend. Yes, his walk will make the outfit.
This afternoon we took the little Frankenstein to a Pumpkin Patch, expecting to get some fabulous pictures of his new skills at work and his big smile and giggle that had been infesting our living room all morning long. Well, the little guy did not fall asleep on the way and therefore, did not get a nap before photo time, and did not smile for any of the pictures because he was so tired!! Oh well, I still was pleased with some of the pictures, and regardless, we had a great time enjoying this amazing day.

Here I am with Lincoln - 1 year next week!! - and Mr. Noah - 25 weeks in my belly :)

Cheers to Monkey Butts and Beginnings

Last night was the big Costume FCA party for the Bentonville Basketball teams...the turn out was incredible and it's so encouraging to see so many young athletes on fire for the Lord! Lincoln's Mimi bought him a monkey costume that he finally got to sport last night - I kind of thought he would be frustrated wearing it, but the kid LOVED it. He's walking so much now, and I had to watch him through part of the meeting time because all of the sudden I saw a little monkey butt walking toward the fire pit (then to realize, "OH! That's MY little monkey butt!"). Still not used to this walking thing! It was great spending time with the Cole's and the Matchells - now if we can all just move over there, finish up working, and play with babies all day long. :) In other news - tonight marks the night, 3 years ago, where I met my husband at a Greenwood vs. Siloam football game, sparked up a two-hour long conversation, had our first date 5 days later, and married 5 months later. :) This is the date where it all began...so amazing to see God's grace in our lives over the past three years and what he has blessed us with and where he has carried us. I couldn't be more thankful and giddy to be married to my soul mate and the most amazing husband/father in the world. I hate to admit it (j/k - it's AMAZING), but even Lincoln is a little partial to his daddy! That makes two of us. :)

It's Official

We finally did it!!! After months of talking about it and, to be honest, just putting it off...our house is finally FOR SALE. Our neighborhood is popular for trick-or-treat little ones, therefore our goal was to have it up by the 31st - ahead of schedule. So if you come by for some candy, expect an info sheet attached. :)
And we already have some interest coming to look at the house this week! I know I sound optimistic, and well - though I completely understand that the above photo has the potential to be taken on Lincoln's first day of Kindergarten - I am optimistic and I do know that the Lord has a plan for our family that will prevail.

Lunch Break News

I never talk about work on this blog, but today there was a fabulous surprise during the lunch hours at my school - some of our wonderful staff members all made about a total of six different kinds of soups and chili with an unbelievable spread of desserts to compliment - made my cold day toasty warm. :) Usually I leave on my lunch break, but I enjoyed some soup, conversations, and am writing this blog to finish up the break before returning to work.
This will only be day #2 of me being at work this day. It's been an unpredictable week that consisted of Lincoln having some tummy trouble and yucky diapers (w/ even YUCKIER diaper rash) that kept me home, followed by another kidney stone attack for yours truly two nights ago. I got kidney stones for the 5th month of pregnancy with Lincoln and thought I was in the clear this time. Apparently not. So yesterday consisted of me being doped up on pain pills (safe ones for the darling), in bed on a heating pad for 12 hours, but ended with being able to be the first in Siloam to receive the H1N1 vaccine - lucky me.
Now here's where I give an ode to an INCREDIBLE friend who has been keeping Lincoln this week and will next week while I finish up work (before staying at home with my baby!!!) - Christine Matchell. Jason and I feel so blessed that she so graciously offered to help us out in this way! Our husband's always get to spend an incredible amount of time together and I've enjoyed spending more with her. She's fantastic. :)
Also, Wednesday was another doctor's appointment...I thought it was my 5-month, but apparently it was my SIXTH month appointment - nice surprise. Everything is great and I thought it time to share the name we have landed on (at least have been stuck to it for the past 2 months or so)...
Noah Jackson McMahan.
Mr. Noah will soon be our latest addition to our crazy male-dominated family. :)