Just One Picture

Mom didn't get Christmas cards out. So she decided to try and get a New Years card out. So she needed a picture. And according to my brothers thats a bad word. But we were all dressed up for Christmas Eve church and so the opportunity was too good to pass up...at least that's what mom and I thought.

While on our way into town I tried to think of poses. Poses that were simple enough for the boys to catch on. Poses that looked normal and natural. Poses that would encourage a quick and painless experience. But then...

We had to MAKE Aaron get out of the car. Then we had to MAKE him stand there. Then he decided he liked THAT spot so much that he wouldn't move or stand any other way. Then we were faced with a whole other problem-the bright, bright sun. It wasn't ideal photograph lighting but we had to work with what we had.

After we got over the shock of the ball of fire in the sky the boy's true colors started coming out and I just wanted to take a nice one so my corneas could be saved. 

We tried the trick of "closing your eyes while mom counts to three and then we open them at the last second." It didn't work as well as we had planned.

After that picture we knew were sooo close to having a realistic looking smile, but Aaron just wanted this whole ordeal to be over so he faked it, and that doesn't work for Momma.

So we tried a different pose. You know start with a fairly clean slate. But once again we were shocked by the sun. 

And Aaron just kept deteriorating. 

'

Then Evan said something funny, like always, and we got an excellent candid shot. 

Then we have this little number, which may be my favorite and the winner for the card. I feel this photo really shows how strange our family really is. 

So, from my weird family to yours Happy New Years! 

Blessings!   

Money Well Spent

Look at these two beauties. These straw glasses were worth.every.penny. 

Blessings! 

Merry Christmas!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBKvm7H67VC81kj6iYpdKn0LGWQ9KHnDuwaN0itxRkHF7akC1nd54zLv9xRrAYpW6x2cp4t_FdFHll-WfBXOjAXLoOeOk6zAnfBD6h6QdVhXoXY1Z81cI7_Zewb6OBPFbpSDBzljdv1wj/s1600/mele_kalikimaka-400.jpg

This song is one of my favorites. Not the traditional Christmas but fun nonetheless. Enjoy!

Christmas Blessings! 

!shake it!

At our house we get to open presents tonight. Evan has shared some interesting information with me. He has formed a series of tests to try and figure out what is in each wrapped box. We have yet to know if his guesses are correct.

Here are the tests he is finding to be most effective.

Drop Test: Approximately 4 feet above the ground about 1 foot in front of you and you gradually drop it.
Hazards: A breakable gift may not survive this test.

Side-to-Side Shake: This is a whole body shake. You move the present side to side along with your body. Feet stay stationary.
Hazards: Loosing control and tossing the present, pulling an abdominal muscle


But aside from all the nonsense that is my family, namely my brothers there is such a beautiful reason for the season, one that this year is truly the only thing that is giving me the holiday spirit.


For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
-Isaiah 9:6 


Merry Christmas Eve! 

Blessings! 

Gumdrops, Sprinkles, and Chocolate

I finally made some time to make some Christmas goodies. 

 

I decided to ask my little baking assistant to help. He was so excited he could hardly stand it. I quickly put him to work for two reasons, to get him to settle down, and to get all the stinking cookies done. 

He did a marvelous job and aside from one sprinkle spill, the afternoon was pretty flawless. 

While we were baking I got to thinking about all the different goodies that people make during this holiday season. A thought occurred to me, all the words associated with Christmas and the food that has become an intricate part to it, are fun. I mean really think about it. First and foremost there is SUGAR. Then comes, chocolate because 98% of all Christmas candy either has chocolate in it or is dipped in chocolate. Then we have candy canes, gumdrops, sprinkles, peanut butter, frosting, marshmallows, the list goes on and on, fun words, happy words, sweet words (excuse the pun). It's awesome.

This box of Candy Canes alone is full of fresh and minty holiday spirit. But you know what would make them better?.....

Like I said, 98% of all Christmas fare has chocolate in it or is dipped in chocolate, and you know what, I'm thrilled about it. 

Blessings! 

mum's the word monday

Blessings!

Prayer.

When it boils right down to it my blog is my story. My forum to share things that are important to me, that inspire me, that move me.

While the situation that I'm praying about is not my story to tell, I am requesting something from my readers, whoever and wherever you are. I know some of you share my faith in the Lord and so I am trusting that you will join me in fervent prayer for the Clark family. Because that is where my heart is and will be for a very long time. Think of this as somewhat of a prayer chain.


"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28


Blessings!

Somebody's Birthday...

It's a certain Somebody's birthday today. They are turning 21. They are sitting at home playing the Wii. Obviously they know how to party on their birthday. They have asked these questions 67823 times a day for the last 2 weeks: "What did you get me for my Birthday? Are you tired of me asking that question yet?" Any guesses on who's birthday it is?

SENOR SMARTY PANTS. You are correct. Honestly I'm thankful the day is finally here. 

Ok, let's go eat some cake! 

But seriously, Happy Happy Birthday Senor Smarty Pants!

Blessings!

mum's the word monday

Blessings! 

.s.n.o.w.

It's official. I want to get married in the fluffy white stuff as it gracefully falls from the sky.

I'm in love with it.

I'm currently working out the logistics of such an event.

That is all.

Blessings!

Favorite Saturday

I woke up to snow Saturday morning. I love snow. Some people can't stand it. But here's the thing with weather; you can't change it, you can't control it. Disliking a certain type of precipitation will not make it go away. Whining and worrying about the cold white stuff will not make it disappear any quicker. So embrace it. God's got it all under control anyway. It's beautiful. 

Getting off soapbox.

So mom came and woke me up and asked if I wanted to go into town with her to get the essentials and some extras at the grocery store. We bundled up and headed in. 

The grocery store was a pretty happenin' place. A. Because it's Saturday and it isn't open on Sundays. B. Because of the Winter Wonderland we were residing in and everyone was thinking the same thing "I'm out of bread, milk, and eggs."

The bread shelves were quickly becoming slim pickins'. 

Story Time:

While in the store a boy about 10 or 11 came in. He was in his insulated coveralls, boots and had a stocking cap on. Cheeks were rosy and you could tell he had walked to the store. When we met up with him in the bread isle he was juggling a gallon of 2%, butter, and trying to grab a loaf or two of bread. It was all I could do to not say, "Hey kid, lemme take your picture." 

The weather made everything seem more wonderful. The grocery store was inspiring for heaven's sake. 

I was again reminded of how thankful I am to have this place to call home. All day I kept thinking "I love today."

 It was quite a snow and while the streets had been cleared at one point, it kinda just became a waiting game.

I had never noticed the different colored mailboxes before and the snow made them pretty picturesque.

And the mailbox madness continued.

Lucy LOVES the snow. She runs and jumps in and out of the biggest drifts she can find. She is such a happy and ditzy dog. 

Jake came over to play with Evan. The perfect snow covered law is now gone. It looks like a heard of elephants went through.

This picture isn't that great of the boys but I feel like it shows Lucy's excitement. It's ridiculous. I think this is the beginning of her 10 minute adventure-we have no clue where she went, we are just glad she came sprinting back.

Our Christmas lights were stunning. In the Winter, snow makes everything prettier. 

Even this rusty old pickup. 

Blessings! 

mum's the word monday

Blessings!

A Marshmallow World

"It's a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground
It's the time for play
It's a whipped cream day
I wait for it the whole year around
Now those marshmallow clouds being friendly
In the arms of the ever-green-trees..."


Blessings!

The Month of Thanksgiving

I'm feeling a bit guilty. I hardly gave Thanksgiving the recognition is deserves. Sure, throughout the whole month of November I was mentally much more aware of the little things I count as blessings. I did not take the time to post them.

It's still November, so here I go,

1. My Grandparents-they are so kind to let me stay with them.
2. Burts Bees-best lip balm I've found.
3. The boys I babysit-always are reminders to be silly, worry less, and take time to snuggle and read.
4. Aisi-a sweet little girl who even at 5 melts my sometimes cold heart and still lets me hug on her.
5. Senor Smarty Pant's family-every last one of em'. I'm finally beginning to feel "in."
6. God's word-enough said.
7. My iota mug-It's cute and keeps my beverages warm.
8. Senor Smarty Pants-People, he is one awesome guy.
9. My family-they are pretty awesome too.
10. My Lifespan development class-I have learned more than I ever expected and it has been worth every penny, this class is what college is supposed to be like. 

These things are not the only things I'm thankful for, and some of them are trivial but hey I can't always be deep and meaningful. Today I'm just being Thankful.

Blessings!

P is for Procrastination

Today I have perfected my procrastination skills.

It would be fair for you all to now call me "The Princess of Procrastination." Actually "Queen" would fit better, I like alliteration. But, not more than I like "Queen of Procrastination."

I now am a Professional Procrastinator.

Get the Picture?

I've got this "Project." It's supposed to be turned in in paper form. The directions were very open ended and my procedural educational career doesn't always work the best in these situations. Having said that, I've kinda just avoided it.

Hence why I am on my blog right now.

I have done everything else on my list, and then some! I've braided and re-braided my hair. I've talked on the phone to a friend. I've ate 3 cookies. Made hot tea. I've looked for popcorn to make-I don't even really like popcorn. I've pulled my hair into a couple different weird ponytails. Make the madness stop!

The research is basically done. I've even made my source page, which is usually the worst part of any paper. I just can't seem to make myself do it. I really wanted to finish it today....Before I got on here though, I told myself: "Ok. Post on the Blog and then you HAVE to get to it."

So. It's time.

Blessings!

mum's the word monday

Blessings!

mum's the word monday

Why do I do "mum's the word monday"? 

This morning I almost washed my face with toothpaste...it's just safer that I keep words to a minimum on Mondays. 

Blessings!

Bernie's "Facelift"

It was high time Bernie Jones Automotive got some work done. 

The project included lots of prep work and lots of ladder time. We discovered that Evan actually has a small fear of heights. Which is ironic since he is so tall. So Aaron did most of the ladder work.

Then came the paint. We were blessed with wonderful fall weather so things could get done in a fairly reasonable amount of time. 

Next were the soffits. These bad boys needed some help and I just knew that once this part was done the place would look a ZILLION times better. 

                            

It was all Dad's idea to have them be copper and I couldn't have agreed more. So classy and shiny!

And now its done! It looks so good! Every time I go by I am in awe!

And here's my dad on the lot in front of the "face lift!" I'm so proud. Good Job Dad! 

(and mom, who picked out the sign lettering.)

Blessings!

Scheduling

The semester is quickly winding down. Paper deadlines are lurking closer and closer. Suddenly November 28th is not that far off, and I have lots to do between now and then. But a funny thing happens when this time of the semester comes around. my planner gets a workout. It's like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I want to get everything down. I go through the class schedules in all the syllabi that I have and write in all the due dates, days that we are doing group work, and even when I will blow my nose. Ok maybe not that. Anyway, it's weird.

Let me give you and example. On Monday November 21st I will be turning focus questions. I plan to remind myself that my "Concluding Philosophy Statements" for Math Methods are due Friday. Because of this upcoming due date I have penciled in that I will complete and turn them in through email on this day. I will also work on my research paper.

I really shouldn't do this. It only does 1 of 2 things:

• I become over scheduled and overwhelmed 
• Time crawls because I'm constantly looking ahead. 

Wait a minute. It actually does 2 of 2 things. It's silly this scheduling I do.

Blessings!

mum's the word monday

Blessings!

Youtube.

I'm not really a frequent visitor of Youtube. It actually kinda overwhelms me! So many talented people...and not talented people. I prefer people suggest things for me to look up. Anyway, a dear friend posted a video on Facebook, this friend has excellent taste in music so of course I checked it out. WOW. Did I find a talent. So after staying up entirely too late I decided to post one of her videos here. Her voice is so genuine and pure. Plus she looks like such a happy girl. This genre of music fits me. It makes me a happy girl

Enjoy!

Blessings!

Season Ender

A funny thing happened this football season. I actually started to really enjoy football. It wasn't just an atmosphere thing. It was a game thing, a sport thing. It was a weird thing. So when the brothers made it to playoffs and we couldn't make the first game I was disappointed but I watched it online. Then the second round came along and Senor Smarty Pants and I had a feeling we should be there. We didn't care that it was a Wednesday, 97 miles away, it was so cold we could have gotten frostbite, or that it would cost us an arm and leg to get in (exaggeration-it was $7 and person, poor college kids remember-we actually timed it though so we walked in the same time as my dad-Score!) I know I felt like as a sibling when these type of things come up-you get there, if at all possible. 

So the game started and it was freezing. I love the sound the pads make as they collide. Gruesome? Maybe.

There was all kinds of "Trojan Spirit" running around the field. Including this cool cat with the wig, he shall remain nameless. 

They played and they played hard. But they got some bad breaks, and some injuries. 

#30! Aaron!

And I began to realize this would be the last game. The last game of the season. The last game Aaron would play. Probably the last time I'd see him all suited up in football gear. They all look so tough in football gear.

And here's the real tear jerker, the last time my little annoying brothers would be a on a team together. Well they are quite a team but you know. They worked toward the same goal, in the same organization, together. Listen to me, putting a feminine, sentimental spin on all this. I just know that it was cool for them. 

I am so thankful we went. We both got to watch our brothers hit a milestone. finish something they started-even if it wasn't the ending they wanted. 

Ok, I'm going to go cry a little now, don't worry not too much and I'll be alright.
Good Season Brothers.

Blessings!

Twine

Lately I have been getting my craft on. It's something about the Fall and change of season. It also has to do with the fact that Senor Smarty Pants has an apartment this school year so it has kinda become my project. He had most everything as far as big furniture. We went garage saling and received a few "donations" from family members so he was off to a pretty good start. I've made curtains and pillows, all in an effort to make it warmer, but "manly," and to entertain myself.

Well, in my "professional decorating" opinion he is in need of some chatskis- you know little things to set around, to mix in with the rest of the place. I'm on the hunt for interesting, graphic, things. So I had a brilliant idea (word brilliant is being used loosely) to get him a "J," for his first name. I thought it would be a simple little thing, if I could get it decorated right.

Vintage Jewelry?-Nope

Wrapped in Ribbion?-Nope

Painted?-Kinda boring.

Twine?-YES rough texture=manly-right?

Turned out pretty cool! 

All you need is the letter, a ball of twine, hot glue gun, scissors. Just glue and wrap, glue and wrap. the curve was the tricky part, but I just made a design, like it was supposed to be all bunched up right there. I am pretty pleased with the product. Now what else can I wrap in twine....

Blessings!