When Daddy's Away...

...the girls will play!


We went to see Wall E on the opening day. It was really just a fluke we made for the opening day but we had fun anyway. We got a babysitter for Judson and we went for lunch and a movie, just us girls.

We were planning to go on the trip with Dan and the 40 or so Jr. Highers but we realized this wasn't the best trip or time for us all to go, so we planned our own outing. Actually we made a weekend of it! We ended up paying for it though. FaithLyn got sick last night. Everyone was pretty bummed to miss church. I think it was just a 24 hour bug, we'll see if it's going to make its way through the rest of us or not.

A Visit Home

Home is not just four walls for us. It's so much more than that. But most of all it's family. We had one of the best visits home; full of family, love and lots of laughter. We did all kinds of fun things! We got to plant carrots in Nana and Papa's garden, we watered and weeded. We spent one morning at Memaw and Pawpaw's. We had lots of mornings outside. Several tea parties at Memaw Crabb's house. Some time spent in the pool, and even a few good thunderstorms, but not much rain. I love going to visit family and feeling like you leave better off than when you got there. This time at home, I grew. I left there as a better version of me. But not by my effort or selflessness, it was Christ in those around me that bouyed my spirit and lifted my heart to think heavenward. Home can be anywhere. Anywhere that you feel the love of Christ.

It was a wonderful visit. We can't wait to get back there for July 4th! And this time Aunt Angie and Cousin Luke will be there. AND Daddy Dan gets to come! YIPEE! I can't wait!

Back in the BUSY!

We made it back from a great week at Nana and Papa's. Dan had a great week at camp and is still exhausted. But he has to put that thought on hold cuz we are in the middle of VBS! The jury's still out but I don't think I am a fan of pm VBS. I am a big fan of the rotation schedule though! The night just zooms by and I am only responsible for teaching in 20 min. segments. We can handle that. Although it is a challenge. I don't have the time I would like to really reinforce scripture memory.
It may be a while before you get the full scoop and update.

But we do have an announcement to make! (No, I am not pregnant again!)

We got a Van! Woowhooo! The silver bullet finally made it to that final resting spot for special cars. We loved that van and it was a gift from the Lord before we even knew we needed it but she was on her last leg and she limped. God blessed us again and we are so thankful that He meets our needs! We are the proud owners of a 2007 Hyundai Entourage. It had just a little over 9K miles on it when we got it. It is the first car we have owned with a CD player. We find pleasure in the small stuff! Oh, and the girls are pretty pumped that the passenger door windows roll down. I am just excited about being able to use the AC with out fear of the van dying! Yay, no more sweaty van trips! Thank you Lord for your provision and loving care!

We're OFF!

We are heading out to see Nana and Papa while Dan is at Centrifuge with the "teenagers."




Hope you all are enjoying your summer! We sure are. This is the only week we have to be away from Dan. That's not so bad. And we even get to go hang out at the homestead! We will be visiting Memaw Crabb and Memaw Maddie and Pawpaw Wayne! It's going to be soooo much fun! Have a great week!

You can tell these two are trouble! I am sure there will be lots of new things that Judson learns from Papa this week!

Happy Fathers Day!

AW, JUNK!

Yesterday I went to upload an old picture of newborn Judson from a CD I burned and out of the 4 burned CD's guess which one was corrupted? That's right. The one CD that had all of Judson's first moments of life and not to mention the first 8 months of the year 2007. 222 pictures in total.

I felt just like Judson in that picture. All day. My stomach was in knots. I was sick about it. I realize that they are just pictures. I still have the sweet boy here with me to hold and love and see grow. For that I am so. eternally. grateful! But still.....you can't tell me that wouldn't ruin your day!?

We are still going to try one or two more things. I haven't given up all hope but I am preparing myself to live with only the pictures that are captured forever on this blog. Thankfully, they were not ALL of our pictures of Judson. Just the first three weeks. And the documentation of our lives the previous 8 months. In the grand scheme of things.....not even a blip on the scale of tragedies. I don't even break into tears when I think about it. Not anymore, anyway.

What have I learned from this? Always back up my back up! From now on, I will be ordering prints of my most precious pictures. Live and Learn.

The worst part is that I know I checked each CD before I deleted the pics from the computer. Well, perhaps some computer tech somewhere can save the day. Maybe not. My world will go on and I will continue to take pictures! Maybe someone will be prevented this same heartache by learning from mine.

Sad Day for Mama B.

I don't know how much I have shared about our journey to figure out God's plan for our family and family size. Those of you that know us well probably know we are at peace with the decisions we feel God leading us to make. Through lots of prayer, tears, struggle and lots of bible study we have come to the conclusion that we are a complete family with our family size as it is. Does that mean for certain we will have no more children? No. But we are not making sure we will have more. Does that mean we have done anything permanent to end our family growth? No. SO technically, we could have lots more children. But we feel like our family is complete. Who knows, we may adopt someday. We would LOVE that.

But Judson is most likely our last baby that I will get to nurse. I have enjoyed and relished this baby boy. Every first for him has been so bittersweet for me. We reached a new milestone recently. And just typing it up makes my chest go tight and my eyes burn with fresh tears. This morning I nursed my sweet gift from God for the very last time. It came much sooner than I would have liked but my plans are not always the best plans. I knew I would have to be weaning him within the month and this caught me off guard, but I know my Savior has our best in mind.

This summer Mimi has made it possible for me to go with Dan and the youth group on our mission trip to New York. It is SO wonderful to get to do more alongside my husband in his ministry. We are learning how to incorporate our family in that ministry as well. It is a wonderful thing! But for the last 5 or 6 years my help in Dan's work has been limited because of babies. Also a wonder thing! It looks like we are turning a corner in our family life. The next stage of life. I have been in the baby stage for so long that I am scared to move on. I know that my primary roles in life are still wife and mother, but not having an infant allows a little more freedom to offer more parts of my abilities in other areas of my life. I am unsure of my abilities in any other part of the world outside of mommyland. I remember when I last felt this way. I was pregnant with FaithLyn, graduated from college and learning what it really meant to be a housewife. It was a hard time for me. I was so unsure of myself. All of the things that I knew I could do well I was no longer doing. Looking back, I know that it is a wonderful place to be. I know I will be growing. God will be teaching me new abilities. I will grow in my roles as wife and mother, daughter and sister, minister's wife and friend. I am still unsure, but I have a stronger faith in my Lord than I did six years ago. I know that my Lord has a plan for me that will make me a better version of me; a better reflection of Him.

I know that. But it is hard to move on. It is hard to leave the version of you that you have grown comfortable in. Only God knows if I will ever be back in this stage, but for now.....I am moving on. It doesn't seem like it has been long enough. But it is time. My little man has already taken the first step to independence. He is already moving away from needing his mommy for everything. That's good. It is the natural way of life. But the natural way of life is hard for mommies to submit to. My little man is growing up and changing, so am I.

Fabulous Florida Vacation Part II

These are pictures that Aunt Patty took at the zoo. I decided to go ahead and put in some pictures of myself. I mean what if something happened to me someday and this blog is the only thing of mine the kids have to remember me......I guess it would be nice to have a picture or two. So for the sake of family history I am getting over my public picture phobia.

Can you see that cow tongue? Isn't that a delicacy in some places? I'll pass.

Another family shot
These girls look pretty fierce!

The next few are from our trip to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. It was one of our favorite days. We saw an IMAX movie about the ocean and then wandered around until lunch time. We even ate at the little museum cafe.




Side note: Growing up my sister and I were known for our "Clark stare." It was not a look you wanted directed at you. Now my family is known for their "stare." It's not quite the same thing. The effect isn't quite as intimidating. But you can see Judson has it down!
Oliva loves Aunt Patty! Shoot, we ALL love Aunt Patty!
Our last evening we all ate together at Barnhill's.Can you believe this is the only picture we have of Uncle Max!? He kept us all doctored up while we were there. No rest for the weary!

Our LONG, LONG, trip home.

But despite the long car ride, it was SOO worth it. We got home and a few days later Elise asked "Are we going to Aunt Patty's this morning?"

me-"No, we just got home and it's a very long way, don't you remember?"

E-"Oh, Can we go tomorrow?"

me-"No, but I wish we could."

E-"Me, too. When can we go back to Aunt Patty's beach?"

me-"Well, maybe next summer, but it won't be soon enough will it?"

E-"Is that tomorrow?"

me"No."

I'm A Big Kid Now!

Our little guy is getting so big! All day long he has been practicing pulling up on things. He has been sitting up on his own for a while and that has caused some pretty raucous bedtimes. Tonight after we put Olivia and Judson to bed it got especially loud and Dan peeked his head in to see this...

We took pictures......

Yes, I realize when we take pictures it encourages the behavior we are documenting...but they got quiet after a while of wild and crazy they got quiet and went to sleep. That's how they wake up too. As long as it keeps Olivia from calling me over and over, it's good! I would much rather wake up to sweet sister and brother talking or better yet, laughing!

Judson is so determined! He has been very busy lately. He is getting around pretty fast! He is getting better and better at crawling and is already pulling up! He is SOOO proud of himself too. You don't have to worry about this little guy not getting enough praise! He has three older sisters to cheer him on and well, he already has a pretty healthy idea of how to boost his ego. He just claps for himself...........all the time! He's pretty cute and he keeps us entertained!

Memorial Weekend

We had some company last weekend. Aunt Angie and Cousin Luke are so much fun!! Olivia had lots of fun introducing Luke to all of her friends at Sunday school and we had some fun outside playing on Monday morning before it got too hot. (we are still working on getting our shoes on the right feet.)
what a big boy!
Even though Olivia is one month older than Luke he's bigger. He's even bigger than Elise, I guess we should have worked on the order but this pose didn't last long!

We miss them so much.....I wish we could visit EVERY weekend!

"CHEESE!"
King of the Mountain! Well, here in North Texas anyway!

We had to cool off in the pool later in the day, it's HOT around here!