Stefani McDade

I can't believe our Addie girl is already 6 months old!!! #adalenahope 💓 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-toJzry07/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sooo it turns out we've got a honey bee hive on our property!!! They had made a home high up in a pine tree and we've tried to exterminate them several times thinking they were wasps (I know, we feel terrible about that now!) But they must have continued to thrive, because they're now outgrowing the tree! A couple days ago the bees began swarming (usually about a third or half the hive) and are gathering here around the queen bee until their scouts find a new home for them! (I called someone and a local beekeeper is going to come and get them soon ☺️) Before she leaves the hive, the queen lays new female bee eggs and whichever one emerges first becomes the new queen and will build back up the original hive in the tree! I don't usually get excited about these kinds of things but I'm totally geeking out! Nature is so fascinating and it's so fun to know we've been hosting such a valuable creature for the ecosystem right here in our backyard!! 😍 I feel like this is an appropriate tribute for Saint Patrick's Day—in honor of a saint who spent lots of time outdoors appreciating God's creation. Here's a portion of his "breastplate prayer" (that also includes his famous "Christ before me" phrase) "I arise today through the strength of heaven, the light of the Sun, the radiance of the Moon, the splendor of fire, the speed of lightning, the swiftness of wind, the depth of the sea, the stability of the earth, the firmness of rock... I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness, of the Creator of creation." I'm embarrassed to say I was today years old when I learned that St Patrick used the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity! ☘️ As the Psalms say, all of creation praises God (148) and all the earth bows down to God (66) 💓 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5V5VlLTm6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We have such a full heart after getting to dedicate our Addie girl at church today surrounded by our closest friends and family. We are so excited to bring our child up in the context of such a wonderful congregation, where we have a growing number of dear friends with babies around her age!! 💕 @mountainwestchurch #adalenahope (at Mountain West Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cps6prCpy_q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

After a very busy and exhausting month, we decided to get away for a long weekend at a lovely cabin in the mountains for some much needed rest and relaxation—and also as a belated celebration of my 33rd birthday!!! 💓 A very big thanks and shout out to our friends @david_cho88 and @salla.cho for making our stay extra special as their first Airbnb guests. I highly recommend booking a stay at their incredible cabin! 🏚️🌄✨ (at Double Knob Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpanCSVryTT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Valentine's Day to my two baby loves. 💕 #adalenahope https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqK0usLsau/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Our adorable Addie girl is four months old today, and we are loving every little glimpse we catch of her spunky personality!! Her full name means "noble light," and she sure brightens our lives with her sunshine. 🥰 #adalenahope https://www.instagram.com/p/CnkFhj4rtrw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Our merriest Christmas yet. ❤️💚❤️ #themerrymcdades #adalenahope https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmm8t55rKXs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We are so grateful for a Thanksgiving week and weekend filled with good food and fun family times!! Happy belated Thanksgiving from the merry McDades ❤️❤️❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Clgy3WuLbKE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We brought Addie to her first church service to celebrate the fact that she is one month old today!! 🤗💓 #adalenahope (at Mountain West Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjyMzPQLRw4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just over two weeks with this little nugg!! 💓 We're both sleep deprived and still have no idea what we're doing, but at least we're figuring it out together. ☺️ Also how about this fall weather!? 🍂 #adalenahope https://www.instagram.com/p/CjRLC2XrLR3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

38 weeks down, 2 or less to go. Our bags are packed and ready... You can come anytime now, sweet girl! 💖 https://www.instagram.com/p/CiNS-AlL6FZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We got a sneak peak at our baby in 3D this week!!! 🥰✨👶 #30weeks #10weeksleft https://www.instagram.com/p/CgFXUa2L0AL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A sneak peak at my maternity shoot today!! ☺️ (at Dunnottar Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfJ0uJqrvXE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Had a wonderful week at the beach!!! Sometimes all you need is some sun, sand, and saltwater. ☀️⛱️🌊 (at Panama City Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeMi5iBJNvx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sigh... I've been counting down the days and hours to this very moment. Hello beach week, here I come. 🌅 (at Panama City Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdzNRlsrTXh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We just like each other so dang much!!! Happy v-day to my BFFF. ♥️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CaASs5SLAcq/?utm_medium=tumblr

If I fits, I sits. 👍 #theomcdade https://www.instagram.com/stefanimcdade/p/CZNVrGLp6w5/?utm_medium=tumblr