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12.31.2011

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!   

12.30.2011

Money Well Spent


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

Blessings! 

12.25.2011

Merry Christmas!

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


Christmas Blessings! 


12.24.2011

!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! 

12.23.2011

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! 

12.18.2011

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!

12.15.2011

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!

12.08.2011

.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!

12.06.2011

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! 

12.03.2011

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!