Oh Baby!

I took my first belly picture at 17 weeks, 1 day.  Here is is in all its glory!

I'm glad I told my students last week! As soon as I told them, my bump started becoming more prominent! I have lost 10lbs so far in this pregnancy, and not because I've been sick! I eat ALL THE TIME! I'm just thankful that all the things I want have been on the healthier side. Don't get me wrong, I've had cravings for burgers, chips, ice cream and such, but those have been few and far between so far. I plan to have Josh take a weekly picture starting on Wednesday at 18 weeks, so we can watch the weekly progress!

We also bought our first piece of baby furniture for the nursery! We already have a dresser, a daybed to go in there and we are getting a changing table from my sister. The only two things we needed to purchase for the nursery were the crib and a rocking chair of sorts. We had been looking at gliders and rocking armchairs, but had not settled on a style or color when I got a text from my sister... A friend of hers was getting rid of her glider that she had used in her nurseries for both of her children. So, of course I jumped at the chance of getting a glider from a good home! Plus, I couldn't beat the price! We left the glider at my Mom's for safe keeping until we have the nursery ready for its arrival. We need to paint and such first!

Here is the cozy glider! Its is in such great shape! I can't wait to get the nursery put together!

Starting to share the news...

Josh and I decided that with the passing of my Dad, our family needed some good news to share in. We shared with our extended families on Thanksgiving that we were expecting. Those that were with us got to see Lady K and Big Rob in their Big Cousin shirts...

We told some of our friends about our news, but kept if off Facebook and from work until I made it through the first trimester. Once I shared the news at work and I put in on Facebook, it finally started to feel real! I was then surprised at work with a sweet gift from my secret pal. It was our first gift for Baby Clark!

Ready Or Not....

November 7, 2012
Ready or Not....
Here comes a baby!




Josh and I shared our news the next day with our families. I had not been feeling well for almost two weeks, so we were all just waiting on the positive..... and here it was! Josh's parents were overjoyed, as were my sister and my mom.
My dad on the other hand, he had a more difficult time receiving the news that his baby was having a baby. When I told him, he responded with, "You're what?!"
I laughed and said, "Dad, I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby."
 And on the other end.... silence.
 "Dad? Are you okay?"
 "Yeah. hun, I guess I'm just in shock."
 "That makes two of us."
 "Congratulations."
 "Thanks, Dad. I love you."
 "I love you, too, Jack. Talk to you soon."
 "Bye, Dad."



November 15, 2012
Ready or Not.....
That was my last conversation with my Dad.
What a sweet and finny memory to have as my last. I was not ready to say good-bye. I'm still not. This pregnancy is truly bittersweet. Josh and I are very excited to welcome this little one into our family, but I'm so sad that he or she will not have the opportunity to meet their grumpy, loving Grandpa. I miss you everyday, Dad. I miss your laughter, your silly rules, your constant stubbornness, your out of tune singing, your dancing, your undying love for the Packers, and most of all, I miss your unfaltering love. Thank you for being my one-of-a-kind Dad. I am proud to be your daughter and carry on your legacy.

A years worth of pictures...

The Forbes Cousins and babies :) July 4, 2011

Our Little Family with Grandma and Grandpa - July 2011

Jennifer and Cindy-- two of my favorite people

Matt turned 30! July 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 with KB and Lou!

The twins turned 6 months!

Josh turns 33! November 2011

Christmas with the Clark boys!

Celebrating 4 Years of Marriage - March 2012

LB's Baby Shower

Dragon Boat Races with J. Poston and K. Higgie!

Me and my boys :)

Playing at the water table is hard work!

We LOVE the pool!

With Lou :)

A day in Raleigh visiting LB with Jennifer

A Pony, A Goat, A Guinea Pig, Oh My!

This weekend has been jam-packed with excitement! The weekend started off with Shrek Ever After on Friday night with the College Ministry that Josh and I used to work with. We "crashed" their movie night so that we could see everyone. And what a fun evening it was... lounging outside on the grass with a large movie screen set up, popcorn maker, lots of candy and drinks... and lots and LOTS of laughter!


Saturday was an adventure! We traveled to Fort Mill, SC for the birthday party of Scott and Luke, the children of our good friends, Megan and Truman. This party had it all... a petting zoo, games, prizes, a pinata and lots of kids and laughter! Josh and I have known Scott since he was still in diapers! We were around when Luke was born! The boys were at our wedding, and we has watched them grow into handsome, curious, Christ-loving and honoring boys! We adore them! I was thrilled when given the job of photographing the party. I used Megan's camera, but downloaded a few of my favorites to my own computer. So, here are a few..Saturday night we went to dinner with friends on our way home from the party. I was so excited when Julianne called. I had been wanting to go out on a double date with the Sissines for a while. Luckily, Julianne called! So, we detoured from our route home and went to their house to meet them and another couple for dinner. I look forward to more time spent with Julianne and Sam, the Lord has truly blessed us by placing them in our lives.


On Sunday we joined Josh's parents and brother at his Grandparent's Farm for lunch celebrating Mother's Day and Grandmommy's birthday. We were not there too long, but I just wanted to post a picture of the DELICIOUS cheesecake my MIL made!

Sunday night we went to movie night with our friends... which is always a blast! Of course, it was a late night... much later than a typical "school" night for us. I am still exhausted, but looking forward to all the adventures that this week and next weekend will bring!

Mother's Day Snuggles

Today was a very special day for my sister and my mom. Today was my sister's first Mother's day and my Mom's first as a Grandma. It was also a big day because it was the twin's first trip to Grandma's!! What a fun-filled day!

Sweet Moments captured on camera. A beautiful new Mom, a proud Grumpa and a cute shirt!


Uncle Josh's first snuggle time with K, my cuddle time with K and Grandma with R. Thank you to my sister for sharing her first Mother's Day with us! I may not be their Mom, but I sure thankful and blessed to be their Auntie!

Taco Salad and Thoughts..

I have not posted since our anniversary, so I thought that I would post just a little something. Easter was a fun even for Josh and I this year. We dressed up for church....it was fun to buy a new dress and shoes for Easter, something that I have not done in a very long time. Josh even decided that since I was dressed up, that he would wear a tie. It was really cute! After church, we went over to our friends' house to eat lunch with some of the couples in our Sunday school class... it was such a good time of laughter and getting to know more great couples!







Life has been relatively quiet, but I have been spending as much time with my sister and her twins as I possibly can! I spent almost the whole week of Spring break with them and have seen them about once a week since then. I am constantly shock and amazed at how much they grow and change from week to week. And I am ever thankful that my sister and bro-in-law allow me to come and crash their constant "twin-party." Being able to be there, snuggle them, change diapers, play during tummy-time and just enjoy stolen moments are truly a blessing. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed our family, and especially my sister and bro-in-law with these two gorgeous babies! What a joy the past 8 weeks has been!




Taco Salad anyone? Josh and I have a love for mexican food, but we love to make taco salad together. I am always in charge of the salad part.. chopping the veggies, making the salads pretty and getting the shells ready. Josh handles the meat and the baking of the shells. We make it a team effort, which always makes cooking more fun! We do tend to cheat when it come to the guacamole... but you can't skimp when it comes to the salsa and sour cream!!! What is not to love about the fresh veggies, hot taco meat, tasty guac, spicy salsa and creamy sour cream!!??!!

Now, go and enjoy a yummy, tasty, taco salad for yourself! :)

Three years and counting..

Yesterday, Josh and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary. I cannot believe that its been three years already. We have had some incredible journeys along the way and have some new things that have been going on recently...

A few months ago, Josh and I decided to leave the college ministry that we had been serving in. We had both been feeling a tug from the Lord to seek out a class with married adults that we could relate to and grow with. We joined a class about a month or so ago and have been blessed because of it! It is amazing how following the Spirit's urgings can bless you in incredible ways! Thank you, Lord for our class and new friends!


Josh and I also have some fun news.. we are now an Aunt and Uncle! My sister had twins on March 13th, a beautiful girl and a handsome boy. I am completely smitten with them. I think about and pray for them daily. I am so thankful for these two little ones. They are the closest thing Josh and I have to children, and they will be for a while. I never expected to feel my heart swell when thinking about a niece or nephew... but I think my heart is expanding to fit all the love I have for them both. My darling niece, Katherine, makes the sweetest faces when she sleeps... she smiles, quivers her lip and frowns. My precious nephew, Robert, is a wiggly sleeper, he is fun to hold and feel him twitch and make little noises. I could watch them sleep all day.. I am amazed by them both. And my heart aches to snuggle them and know all the little coos and moments of their days. Thank you, Lord for allowing me to be an Aunt to these little miracles.

Thoughts?

Do Not Grieve the Spirit.. Ephesians 4: 25-32
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:%2025-32&version=NKJV

Today, I was reading in my quiet time about not grieving the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:25-32). I began to think about my idea of grieving and if that is what we do to the Holy Spirit when we speak unkindly to or about a fellow believer. The only thing I could think of was grieving over a lost loved one, and so.. I had to do a search for the meanings of grieve.

grieve
[greev] verb, grieved, griev·ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to feel grief or great sorrow: She has grieved over his death for nearly three years.
–verb (used with object)
2. to distress mentally; cause to feel grief or sorrow: It grieves me to see you so unhappy.
3. Archaic . to oppress or wrong.

And, as I read through the passage, I reached another verse that got my mind wondering..

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." -Ephesians 4:29


The bit about "impart grace to the hearers".. which definition of grace is being referenced?

grace
/greɪs/ noun, verb, graced, grac·ing.
–noun
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied: The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses. Compare grace period.
8. Theology .
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.
11. ( usually initial capital letter ) a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually prec. by your, his, etc.).
12. Graces, Classical Mythology . the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae. 13. Music . grace note.
–verb (used with object)
14. to lend or add grace to; adorn: Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.
15. to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence.


Which definition do you think they were referencing?

Walk in Love..

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." -Ephesians 5:2



Praying that I might learn to love the way Christ loves.

Welcome to 2011

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and days of old lang syne ?
For old lang syne, my dear,
for old lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for old lang syne....



Happy New Year to you all!

Dear Friends..

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:23-25


I am thankful for so many of my friendships. The Lord has given me true friends. Friends that edify me, encourage me, scold me when needed, keep me grounded, keep me in stitches, and love me in spite of my faults. For each of these friends I am thankful.

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed!

Hello Blog-World! I have not graced your presence for sometime, so first off.. Greetings!

I cannot believe that Christmas is over, and what a great Christmas is was! Here is a play-by-play of our Christmas week...

Sunday, December 19th, Josh and I spent time with my family.. which is always a treat for me! I always enjoy spending time with my parents, sister and brother-in-law. We always eat great food and have many laughs while around the table. This year Kelly, Mom and I had some very fun laughs looking at our family tree and all the funny names we could find! Oh, what a trip!

Monday, December 20th, Josh and I celebrated Christmas with his parents. This year was Becky and Ron's year to have Josh and I on Christmas day, but Ron had to work Christmas and Hillary (Seth, my bro-in-law's g/f) was in town.. so, Monday worked out best. We took pictures, ate yummy food, read the Christmas story, worked on a puzzle, watched Charlie Brown Christmas and opened gifts! Wow.. a jam packed evening full of laughter and fun!


Tuesday, December 21st, Josh and I went to Fort Mill, SC to spend the evening with the Smith family. This family has been a part of our lives since Josh and I were engaged. Megan and Truman have been some of our truest friends. They truly are a God-send. They also have two of the cutest boys on the planet.

Wednesday, December 22nd, I was asked to help lead a Candlelight Service in Kannapolis, NC. Josh and I are good friends with the Assoc. Pastor and his wife, so they asked if I'd come sing. And so.. Chris, Cindy, Zack and I lead the service that evening. Carly (Chris' wife), set up gorgeous candles in the church. Chris read scripture and sang with Cindy and I as Zack played guitar. It was such a serene evening, so warm and peaceful.

Thursday, December 23rd, Josh and I spent a quiet evening at home watching the Sound of Music and eating yummy pizza.

Friday, December 24th, Josh and I joined his parents and brother, Matt, in Salisbury, NC for the Christmas Eve Service at First Baptist. The service was slam-packed with people! After the service, we went back to the Hughes' house, friends of the family, for some food and fellowship. I am so blessed to have been warmly welcomed by the friends of my in-laws.. they are a group of couples and their children who have known each other for 20+ years, whose children have grown up together and have continued to be a tight-knot group! I think spending time with them is one of my favorite Clark Christmas traditions! After we returned home, Josh and I opened gifts by the tree. It was such a sweet time, just the town of us under the tree. So, we took pictures!

Saturday, December 25th.. CHRISTMAS DAY!! Josh and I picked up Becky, Seth and Matt and headed to the farm to spend the day with Grand-mommy and Grand-daddy. Becky's sister, Lynn, and her husband, Greg, also joined us. We spent the afternoon chatting with family members as they dropped in to say, "Hello" and "Merry Christmas!" It was such a nice visit.. and I got to know more for the Nunnery side of the family better! Oh.. and it started snowing on our way home! A White Christmas after all!

Sunday, December 26th, Josh and I enjoyed our snow day at home. We ventured out to the store around 10am and then did not leave again until we went to a Christmas Movie Night at our friends' house. The evening was filled with more yummy food, fellowship and a game of "bad Santa." We love any time spent with our friends. Many were missed tonight, but I will be seeing them this week as we continue the Christmas celebrating!


This week has been chalk full of Christmas celebrations and gifts, but the greatest gift of all to be received on Christmas is the gift of Jesus Christ. He was brought into this world to live a perfect life, and then die a shameful death on the cross for the sins of the world. Thank you, Lord, for sending us your Perfect Lamb. Merry CHRISTmas!

"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

Glory to God!

Well, August 23rd marked a new year of school, a new job, and an opportunity to make new friends and impact the lives of the students I would be working with.

I am about two months into my job, and thankfully.. I still love it! Each day is a new adventure, full of new surprises! I see about 6 classes a day, one of each grade.. Kindergarten through Fifth. It has been a challenge to switch gears from lower grades to upper grades and vise versa, but each class brings about a new challenge, different personalities and a new something to learn each day! I come home exhausted, but fulfilled.

I am thankful for the opportunity to work with people that I have known for many years, and one that I have known all my life, as well as brand new friends that I am making.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to work with the amazing staff and the fun, enthusiastic students at RCES! I am blessed! I pray that my actions would bring Glory to God day in and day out.

Liberating Labor Day Weekend

Josh and I spent Labor Day weekend at North Myrtle Beach, SC with our friends: Allison and Grant Maginnis, Amy and Cameron Wagner. This was our first getaway as a married couple, together, without parents! We have each spent weekends away with friends, but never together as a married couple. The weekend was sunny and warm, a beach-filled vacation with some lazy river riding on the side...

Wonderful News..

I have a job! Thank you, Lord! I'll be working at Reedy Creek Elementary, running the Science Lab for Kindergarten-5th grades! I am so thankful that the Lord provided!

God is Good!

Still waiting..

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. -Philippians 4:12

The Lord is continually working in Josh and I, and frequently uses Josh to teach me things and vise versa. Lately, the Lord has been reiterating patience and contentment to me. He has been reminding me to be patient with His timing and to be content in what He lays before me.

I am still waiting to hear from job interviews and what I will be doing this school year. This is not something that comes easily for me, especially since teacher workdays begin tomorrow and I am a planner. I like to know what is coming down the pipeline next, but in this case.. I don't know. I am getting a refresher course on trusting the Lord, His plan and timing for my life. I am just breathing and praying... that is about all I can do as I wait.

My heart grows faint..

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:1-3



Lord, lead me to the rock that is higher than I..

Its been a long time..

Well, blog world.. it has been a long time...

I don't have any clever words or good encouragement today.. but I do covet your prayers.

I am, yet again, job searching..... I have received my teacher's certification and would like to begin teaching in a local school. The catch... many job-seekers and few jobs to go around. I am a first year teacher on paper, but have worked with children for a long time in various school settings, afterschools and summer camps. I just long to work with children and make a difference in their lives.. to love the ones that are not loved, to inspire them to love to learn, to seek out the answers they desire, to feel safe, comfortable, heard.

So, today I ask for your prayers, your advice or encouragement....

Be Courageous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9


This is Josh's life verse, and just something I wanted to share. Be encouraged.