"The fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and his purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."

-Sally Clarkson from the Mission of Motherhood

Friday, February 26, 2010

Snow Day!

Tuesday was one of the best days I can remember in a long time for our little family. When we heard we were possibly going to get up to six inches of snow, we were so excited! It was a school day for AnnMarie, but the snow had not yet arrived at 8:30, so she did get to squeeze in a half day.
While she was gone, Clarky and I watched the snow begin to fall in huge flakes and anxiously awaited picking her up! Here is Clark perched next to the window watching our neighborhood slowly become a winter wonderland...

AM's school closed at 11:30, and Sean called it a day pretty soon after that so our snow day began! Here they are jumping right in as Clark and I stayed inside to snap some pictures:

AM couldn't wait to dive right in!
Super excited (btw--we do not really have the appropriate clothes for snowy weather! We were all sort of "hodge podgy".


Take it in, little sister, this probably won't happen again for years!
Uh oh....brother was not happy that he could not go out.
When Clark went down for a nap, the three of us headed outside to make a snowman. Believe it or not, this was the first time I'd ever made one. Sean showed me how to roll the ball along the grass until it was big enough. Didn't know that trick!
We scrounged up an old scarf, old hat, and a beat up American flag to make our cowboy/patriotic snowguy.
Wouldn't be the perfect snow day without making a snow angel!
I didn't take pictures of the rest of our day, but I like to think it was because I was enjoying it all! We stayed outside until we all got a little soggy and cold, and then headed in to sit in front of Daddy's fire in the fireplace. I love having a real fireplace! C.O.Z.Y.
After that, AM and I made hot chocolate with marshmallows to drink while we made gingerbread cookies. (Before you think I was in the running for Suzy Homemaker that day, I had been promising her we'd make those since Christmas...)
Anyway, it was all so tasty and good for the soul!
After Clark's nap, we met up with our neighbors, Jenny and Jason, and watched them make their cute snowman. (Clark did get to sit in his stroller and take it all in---he LOVED it.)
My favorite part of the day was stepping outside for a moment (alone) and just listening to the soft sound the snow made as it fell. It was absolutely gorgeous---and so serene! peaceful.
I couldn't help but reflect on our day with thoughts of what a great day it was---beautiful scenery, Sean at home with us, fun with AnnMarie, snuggling with Clark, and making delicious treats.
Until the next snow day!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Sweets to the Sweet!

Hope your Valentine's Day was a real treat!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Clark is 7 months!

Well, Clark is officially closer to being a year old than being a newborn. Ah! no! We're over the hump. These seven months have FLOWN. Really---every month just zooms by before I even realize it.
I'll let Clark tell you about his month:
I had so much fun playing with my sister. She makes me laugh THE MOST.
But she also dresses me up every chance she gets. (She got this random hairnet from a nurse at "career day" at school.) Aren't I cute? :)
Mommy found me like this when she left me alone with sister for a second. She's got me all snuggled up!
Mommy puts me in sister's dolly playpen. I love it!
I am loving my over the door jumper. Thank you, Mrs. Angie!
Mommy says this face I made looks just like my Uncle Luke!
Brooks taught me how to be tough. I don't mind. :)
I get to watch alot more T.V. than my sister ever did at this age. "Oh well!", says Mommy.
I am a stinker. Just try to not squeeze me!
This has been a fun month! Clark has started saying, "da da" and "bubba bubba" all the time. Not that he knows what he's saying, but he's just babbling along! He also loves to wake up at 5:45/6:00 and talk to himself. aaaaaaaahhhhh! Mommy does not like this! ;) He has started eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a few crackers here and there. Loves those! He's taking three naps a day, but Mommy thinks he's dropping his third one. Morning nap: goes down 8:30/9:00; afternoon nap: goes down between 12 and 1. Bedtime is between 7 and 8, and besides the early morning talking to himself, he'll usually go back to sleep until 7ish.
Can't complain, we're finally on a pretty good schedule! finally!
What a blessing these past seven months have been. Can't wait to watch you grow, Clarky boy!