LCBM (last Christmas before Mackenzie)

Mackenzie, Lolli and Pops have been really loving on friends and family during this Christmas holiday. Much like Thanksgiving, you were a popular topic of conversation. We, with everyone else, will love having you here NEXT Christmas! YIPPEE!

There is so much for us to talk about...remember I told you that Pops and I were going to practice with five little friends and a gingerbread party? We might have had more fun than the kids did...but look what we made!





We had so much fun, and can't wait until we get to make gingerbread houses with you and your (hopefully many) brothers, sisters and cousins!

Mommy and Daddy lovingly told everyone that anything for you would make a great Christmas present. BIG MISTAKE...they got very little...YOU got alot!

Lolli and Pops bought this (so you can come and stay here ALOT)...



Dad, Pops and Uncle John had to assemble it, and yes - they ultimately did have to refer to the directions (they HATE to do that you will learn).



Auntie Nicole went CRAZY and bought you some precious clothes, actually ALOT of precious clothes. Your Mommy may have had more fun unwrapping them than anything else she (ahem...you) got.



And Lolli won out where you were concerned as well...



Opening my first present...look what I (ahem WE) got!



Lolli got a bag for when we are together...look it says LOLLI! And, for some reason Mommy and Daddy also thought I would want this great photo clutch...wonder who they think I'll be carrying photos of ;p

And look what Pops gave us to create those photos...really big YIPPPEEE! (I "practiced" alot this Christmas...just ask anybody) ;p



Pops and I have this precious friend named Beverly...she is a grandmother extraordinaire! Look what she gave US!



And, I can keep adding all our other grandchildren as they come into our family...isn't it cute?

Auntie Nicole and Uncle John gave US a great book...LOOK, don't you love it?



And look inside...aren't the illustrations just beautiful? We will have fun learning how to play the games, sing the songs and learn the poems...it is a very special gift and I know your Auntie Nicole spent alot of time to choose the perfect book - it is one of my favorite things, for sure!



And speaking of learning games and singing songs, cousins Shelly and Gennie made this CD for all of us...can you imagine how much time they spent making this for our family? See how much you are going to be loved!



There are so many fun photos from our LCBM (Last Christmas Before Mackenzie), I can't possibly fit them in...so, I'll pick a couple of my favs...







All of us girls wore matching jammies and socks, and can't wait until next year when we get to all match with YOU! Although the manly MEN of the family wouldn't totally play the game, they did (because they love us so much) agree to this family pose. We plan on posing like this each year....it will be such a fun way to watch our family grow!

We did have a great LCBM, but Lolli wants to remind you that Christmas is really about a big birthday party to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It will be such a gift to teach you about Him...

God loves you so Mackenzie Lynne, and soooooo does Lolli! We're counting the days until you arrive.

P.S. Speaking of counting the days...you haven't even heard about Grumps & Endie's LCBM yet! You are one lucky little girl!

Storytime

Oh my, Mackenzie...look! It's the first "official" present Lolli and Pops have bought just for YOU. I know I should have hid it till Christmas...but I just can't wait!

One night, with the Christmas lights on the tree, the mantle looked warm and cozy...Lolli and Pops sat and talked about THE book that meant the most to us at Christmas time when we were children. Of course, our Bibles, the story of the birth of Baby Jesus is the most important book to all of us...

Another book that both of our families spent hours and hours and hours with was The Night Before Christmas.

The book we have for you is illustrated by Mary Englebriet, she is a very colorful, very happy artist that regardless of your age...she just makes you smile. I trust you will love her work, just as Lolli does. There are many artists, with many styles that makes Lolli smile...we'll just have to find the ones that make you smile! What a journey, what fun we will have...

So, Lolli and Pops will let Mommy and Daddy unwrap this book for you on this Christmas. I hope your Daddy will read the book to all of us on Christmas Evening.

As you hear your Daddy's voice read the story, I hope you are awake and can hear the magical tale. I would love it if you started kicking Mommy's tummy as you hear the story! But if you're taking a nap...no worries.

We'll just have visions of sugarplums...dreaming of holding you next year as we tell the same story.

God loves you Mackenzie, and so does Lolli.

Lolli and Pops Are Rehearsing

Mackenzie look at your Mommy! And look at you, you little sugar pie, you are just perfect and beginning to grow!



We've all been getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Every time Pops and I go shopping or get ready to decorate, we find something we want for you, everything makes us think of you and how special next Christmas will be! Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun and full of lovin'!

This week Pops and I are going to "practice". I'm pretty sure we won't need too much training to be your grandparents, but practice makes perfect. Lolli and Pops have invited five little friends over to make gingerbread houses and drink hot chocolate with marshmallows. I'll send you some pictures later. We are excited, everyone is wearing their Christmas pajamas, we're taking pictures, reading Christmas stories and singing Christmas songs. Can't wait sweetie till we can do that with you!

And you only deserve the very best grandparents in the whole wide world. Grumps and Endie already are in good shape, they have "practiced" with your cousins Aiden and Brayden...you are gonna love them, and they are gonna love you! There are so many people angel that can't wait for your arrival.

Some of those people are Lolli's friends, because I am driving them nuts! They know more about you than they might care to know, oh well...can't help it! Actually, I haven't even made an effort. I've waited a lifetime for you!

Auntie Nicole is getting excited for you, too! She is planning a very special party next month in your honor. At this "shower" you will receive many things that will be frilly, cute, beautiful, sentimental and uncomfortable. Yes, Mackenzie, being a girl requires discomfort occasionally, but it is usually so worth it. Bows, shoes, tights...ultimately you may grow to love them, because they make us all look OOHHH so beautiful.

Oh, and someone else wants to say hello before we go.



This is Gracie, she is part of the family...she is kind, big, gentle and will take good care of you when you are at Lolli and Pops'.

God loves you Mackenzie, Lolli prays for you everyday, you are perfect in His eyes and mine. I'll be back soon, going to go now to get ready for our five little friends. Next year, we'll hold you and tell you all about Christmas...the best gift we will ever receive.

Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving is over.

When the family was here, it was mentioned several times that you will be here next Thanksgiving...YIPPEE!

Mommy and Daddy are taking good care of you...




Our Mummy couldn't be with us - but look how cute she, Papaw, Uncle Rich and your Pops are! This was taken at their family Thanksgiving table in 1962.





These are the memories we will be making together, we are already dreaming of them.

Lolli loves you, and prays for you daily.

Wait till you see what we talk about next time!

Thankful For So Many Loves

Dear Miss Mackenzie,

We are all very busy, it's holiday time - I am sure you will LOVE all our holidays!

Thanksgiving is a holiday that families and friends gather and give thanks for all our blessings. This weekend we are "gathering" a little early...the family is growing, some can't be with us, yet you will soon learn that we are devoted to maintain our familiar traditions, and build new ones.

Tonight I made fudge (half without pecans so Uncle John can have some) and am waiting for a carrot cake to come out of the oven. You will also quickly learn that you can count on this family to provide, in the words of your Pops, "enough to feed an army." I think it might be some our Southern way of lovin' on our family.

I didn't want you to think I was too busy for you. It's something that Pops and I talk about alot...we intend to adjust our lives and commitments to guarantee plenty of love time with you!

Your Pops is a pretty big sweetheart...we'll talk about him alot! I want you to know that your Daddy is an "apple that didn't fall from the tree" (another Southern phrase you may pick up). It simply means that they share very many of the same sentiments and qualities.

This week your Daddy posted a message on a message board that made my heart melt and my eyes cry. It was a VERY sweet message that let me know he has a special place in his heart for "Mom".

We will all be sure you get to know your Grandma Nelda. She is your birth grandma, your Daddy's mother. She went to live in Heaven quite a while ago, and I'm sure she has been assigned as one of your guardian angels. She is very special.


Although I am not your "natural" grandmother, I love your Daddy & Mommy, Pops, Aunt Nicole and Uncle John as if I were.

That might help you understand why your Daddy's message was especialy sweet...this is what Daddy wrote, what Auntie Nicole said, what I said and then what your Great Auntie Lori said (whew)....

Justin Spies: Just wanted to let you know you were being thought about up here; about how much of an amazing gift from God you are to all of us, and how thankful we are that He brought you to my dad and into our lives. Thanks for being a great mom (and Lolli soon)Sun at 9:05pm

Nicole Spies Spurlin likes this.

Donna Spies: I read this immediately as you posted it...now that I've been able to compose myself enough to reply...I am the one that is thankful. I love you (all).
Sun at 9:37pm ·

Lori Spies: Smiling as I read this...
Mon at 9:06am ·

Pretty beautiful stuff, huh? Miss Mackenzie, prepare yourself to be loved beyond belief! Your Daddy is one incredible guy (we'll talk about your precious Mommy next time).

So Miss Mackenzie, as we are preparing for Thanksgiving, we are also preparing to welcome you into this big, wonderful world.

Your family is here giving thanks and waiting for you....don't they just sound great! Well, they are...

Lolli loves you, prays for you, and can't wait to hold you. We have SO much to be thankful for...we are especially thankful that God has created you.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," Jeremiah 1:5

Happy Thanksgiving family, friends and our newest love, Mackenzie Lynne.

God is so good...

Even Before You Were Born

Thursday, November 5, 2009
Even before you were born...

So they phoned both sets of grandparents....



Justin & Casey invited both sets of grandparents to a restaurant on the day we knew they were having a sonogram.



They walked in with two gift sacks, one marked for Casey's parents: Grumps & Endie, the other marked for us: Lolli & Pops.



They excused themselves, and left the gift sacks in the hands of the one most likely not to peek...



Grumps...holding the bags!




When they returned, thankfully they didn't make us wait until the end of the evening...they gave the grandmothers the gift sacks...



So, Endie and Lolli reached into the bag and found....


A sonogram photo, in a precious picture frame...

So Little So Loved, it said. And in glittery pink letters, we saw the photo of our precious GRANDDAUGHTER...

Mackenzie Lynne




Grumps, Mommy, Endie & Mackenzie



Lolli, Pops, Daddy & Mackenzie



She is due March 24, 2010.


As a grandmother, it is important that my granddaughter knows this...



Dear Mackenzie,


I loved you the moment I knew you were on your way.

My joy was unable to be contained. I've already forced family, friends and yes - even perfect strangers to learn your date to arrive, how to spell your name correctly and to look at your sonogram photos as I point out each of your perfect features.

When I look at your Mommy and Daddy, I try to imagine who you will look like. I just simply can't wait to see you...whether you have Mommy's eyes, Daddy's hair...don't worry about a thing - they are both lookers ;) Lucky Girl!

More important than their good looks, I pray, and have full confidence that you will be born with your Mommy & Daddy's profound love and trust of God and devotion to family.

Although I ache to hold you, to place goofy over sized bows on your head, and gush in my baby talk voice as I read to you (I do have different story voices, I intend to impress you with my full repertoire)...the thing I long for the most...

Is to see the smiles on your Mommy & Daddy's faces when you are placed in their arms.

The circle will be complete.

God loves you Mackenzie Lynne and so does your Lolli. You are perfect in His eyes and mine.




Lolli & Pops (forever watching over you)

OOOOHHHH Baby

Thursday, August 27, 2009
OOOOHHHH Baby



I never wanted to be anything but a Mom....well, actually that's a little fib...I wanted to be a Mom to at least six kids. I wanted to be in the stands every Friday night cheering for years and years...for my kids, then their kids.
God's plan was not for me to be a birth mom. My sister shared her children in a way that I'm not sure many would do. She allowed me to love them as she would, she allowed them to love me as they love her. What a gift...she will never be able to understand how she truly filled a hole in my heart. They are now 25, 24, 20 and 18 and are as much a part of my life today as the day they were born.
Then, John did the same. When we married, he allowed me to love his children as their Mom would have. Many times I have felt guilty that I am here for this part of their precious lives, but try to honor her by simply filling in - never to replace her. And, fortunately, Justin and Nicole have allowed me into a special place in their hearts - not one that is reserved only for their Mom - but one in the parking spot right beside.
So as Nicole married John last summer, and Justin married Casey last fall, it was no secret to anyone that I couldn't wait for them to build their families.
We've known for a few weeks that it is happening, but honored them until they were ready to share the news with the entire world.
Well, world, please meet our first grandchild....OMG, can hardly believe it!
Our daughter-in-law Casey is 10-1/2 weeks pregnant, and we are thrilled.
Full out warning, I will force you to look at pictures all the time, you will be laden with stories about something (probably ordinary) extraordinary that this child will do. I will be the grandmother that will spoil them rotten, and remind their parents daily that God has trusted them with his greatest treasure.
And, we have "our" official names....
Let me introduce two new soon-to-be grandparents: Lolli (me) and Pops (John)
You will recognize us - we're the ones that you couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces if you tried!