And we are off again.........

We returned LATE Sat. night from Louisiana...and the kids and I leave again tomorrow morning for KY/IN. WEW! Still trying to get the laundry done and repack. Ok, so I haven't actually packed a single thing yet...had errands to run this morning, teach school, and get Clark to gymnastics. It is now 1:00 and not a single thing has yet to reach the suitcases. Yikes!

Ali has already informed me that she is just too excited to sleep tonight. We will see how that pans out! It will be so good to see friends and family that we haven't seen in so long.

This weekend was very difficult. It is never easy to try and say good-bye to someone that you loved so much. However, I just imagine my uncle dancing with the angels and not being in any pain...ever again. Our selfish side just still wants him here with us, yet we know he is in a much better place. Aside from the sadness, it was so wonderful to see members of my family that I had not seen in quite some time! Some had not met Clark...so he tried his best to not get caught and kissed by everyone that walked by him! Heehee! He was a mess and FULL of energy the entire time. We were a little nervous that he wouldn't make it through the funeral "with his quiet voice"...but he did...to our surprise. However, the graveside service was a little different. I do recall during one prayer a certain someone repeating over and over "what...what...what." (and I believe T.C. may have mentioned to that certain someone to "be nice"...and that certain someone said quite loudly.."you be nice"...ok, so that was kind of funny!!)

The theme in our house as of late is "BECAUSE I SAID SO." It seems our dear son has become quite fond of the word WHY! I mean...it gets repeated at least 100 times a day. I have gotten a little tired of explaining myself and have resulted to just saying "because Mama said so." Lame...I know! However, I just seem to run out of explanations!

Clark had his second gymnastics class today. There were more oooohhh's and aaaaaahhhh's from the teachers again this week. They can't believe how strong he is for being so little. They were working on cartwheels today and he just leaned over and went from standing to a handstand all by himself. Pretty incredible! We will never have any money at this rate.....everything will be going to swimming or gymnastics...we will be eating beans! Ha!

Well, I am off to begin packing! I will try and update while we are out of town. I am posting a few pictures from this weekend.

Shreveport

Baptism...and heaven...all in the same day!

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24

One Samuel was baptized in Christ last night at church...while another Samuel rejoiced at Christ's feet last night in heaven. My mother's brother, my Uncle Sam, whom Samuel Clark was named after, went to be with Jesus yesterday morning. His health was not good and we all know he is at peace now...pain free and in the presence of Jesus! Pray for the family; he will be missed.

Like I mentioned, Clark was baptized last night. We didn't know what to expect...as he will just talk in church not realizing his voice carries. However, he surprised us and was quiet and didn't talk! He was a little curious when the pastor leaned him over the water and started pouring water over his head...he couldn't resist turning to look over his shoulder. But, it was beautiful and we have an awesome responsibility ahead of us...training him in God's truths. With God's guidance, we pray he will become a strong man of God.

We are off to Louisiana to be with my family and attend the funeral...we will return Sat. evening...laundry, repack...and leave again Tues. morning for Kentucky/Indiana! Shew!!!

Baptism

Clark's first movie and gymnastics class

Well, we decided to attempt to make it through Clark's first movie at the theater on Sat. We took the kids to see The Water Horse. It was a great movie, and Clark set mesmerized throughout the entire thing. They have little booster seats, which are great. He loved his popcorn..telling me "I like this." Heehee! The movie lasted 2 hours and he just sat right in his seat.

His language is really coming along. He has started referring to himself as "I" instead of me do this or that. He has really blossomed in his 5 months home. We just can't believe it. We were watching some video clips this weekend from Ukraine and couldn't believe how much he has changed since then.

Clark also started gymnastics this morning. He absolutely LOVED it. The teacher was quite impressed with how flexible he is. It is amazing, really. The boy can just about do the splits and is so strong. (T.C. thinks male gymnasts are shall we say feminine and isn't that thrilled with the lessons...hahaha) But I will say that he seems like a natural. The teacher said that he has the perfect body. He followed directions so well, even though he doesn't understand everything. He just seemed to follow right along.

Let me see...we are having Clark baptized at Hope Lutheran Church during the Wed. evening worship service this week. T.C. and I will begin the new members class that same night. It lasts about 10-12 weeks and afterwards we can join the church. It is a change for me...being a Southern Baptist since the womb...but after much prayer and consideration we feel like this is a good fit for our family.

The children and I will be flying up to Louisville next Tuesday morning. We will be in Louisville 3 days, then heading up to Indiana for 5 days. Ali is so excited to see all of her friends from Louisville again! I can't believe it has been a year since we moved. Clark will be meeting his cousins, Jackson and Sawyer, for the first time. I know the boys will have a great time together! I can't wait to watch them. He will also get to see his other set of grandparents...he has only seen them once...so I know he will enjoy it!!! (as will Ali..of course she is always ready to see them!) This will be Clark's first airplane trip since Ukraine...wonder what he will be thinking?

Here are a few pictures from gymnastics (they are terrible pictures due to them being taken through a window) and a few video clips. The picture of Clark in his car seat is hilarious...that is how he has been falling asleep in the car. He covers his eyes up!

gymnastics

Already making the girls cry...

Ok, so we were at the library for story time this morning and next thing I knew a little girl was running away from Clark crying. I turn around and see that he had decided to NOT play nice. He and the little girl were both playing with a tub of foam floor puzzle pieces. I guess he decided he would rather not share them and drags the bucket away from the little girl...hence the little girl running away crying. Guess we need to work on that....so after I get him buckled into his car seat headed home I give him the "we have to share and be nice speech." (meanwhile he is probably thinking...blah, blah, blah...right?

The pictures are from last night. T.C. was putting a shelf together for Ali's room and Clark was fascinated. He had to hand T.C. every single nail, screw, etc. until it was all finished up. It was quite cute!!

helping Papa

Simple pleasures....

It's the simple things in life that bring the most joy, am I right? We took the kids to Armand Bayou Nature Center this afternoon to take a little hike and look for critters in the ponds and bayou. Clark had never experienced anything like that before. He loved "hunting" for snakes...he would see a stick in the water and say "look, Mama." Heehee. We had a great time. The weather was perfect. We couldn't keep him focused enough on the trail to get him to keep up...he was picking up rocks, dirt, sticks, etc. Then he would yell at us to "WAIT!!!"

Our little man does in fact have giardia (intestinal parasite). We found out yesterday and he was put on a 3 day antibiotic. I assume he will have to be re-tested after the antibiotics are finished to make sure he is free and clear. Maybe this is contributing to his lack of weight gain.

Tonight we were tucking Clark in bed...T.C. had given kisses and had walked to the door...I was still sitting beside his bed...he looked at me and said "go out with Papa, I am sleepy." Ha...well, okie dokie then! It was priceless.

God gave me the sweetest moment last night. We had all piled into our living room for a movie night...the kids had chosen a movie and we were all settled in. I was in our recliner and everyone else was on the love seat...all the lights in the house were off, the only light was the light from the fireplace (I know, we actually lit another fire!). Anyway, I can't help but steal a glance of my 3 favorite people and catch the sweetest thing. Ali and Clark were snuggled up and head to head. Too precious. I was reminded of what an incredible gift we have been given in our amazing children, and how blessed I am to have a wonderful husband! God bestows his gifts, even when I don't deserve it!

Oh yes, we received the NEATEST adoption gift from my sister in law, Sarah! She took all of our blog entries during our adoption process in Ukraine (and the ones leading up to us actually leaving) and had a book made. She also put pictures from our trip and quotes, etc. mixed throughout. She also had both sets of grandparents, my brother and his wife, and she and her husband write letters to Clark and had them printed in the book as well. What a treasure. It is so wonderful...thanks Sarah!! What a fabulous book that Clark can look back upon and read all about his journey home.

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Definitely NOT a heavy weight!

Clark had his 4 year check up this week and tipped the scales at 27.4 lbs and is 35 3/4 inches tall. We were hoping for a little more weight gain. He is just now back up to where he was when he came home...back in Aug. He isn't on the growth chart yet..he is in a category all his own...down at the bottom. Ha! The doctor was a little concerned about the size issue and ordered a growth hormone test. The results came back yesterday and it was completely normal, praise God! He is just a small little guy. We are still awaiting the results from another test. He is being tested for Giardia. The other boy from his group that was adopted by another American couple tested positive a few weeks ago as did his younger sister from the same orphanage. The doctor thought it a good idea to test Clark...could be a reason for no weight gain. It is cleared up with antibiotics...we will be glad to hear the results.

Yesterday I pulled out the water table that Clark got for Christmas from his great grandmother. He had not seen it yet. He saw it through the window and had a fit before he even went outside. He loved it. (Ali did too..ha!!) They were SOAKED by the time I made them come inside. He had a MAJOR meltdown inside...I think the whole neighborhood heard him. He has had a rough couple of days with a bad temper and fits when he is told something he doesn't like. I am blaming it on all the vaccinations he had...at least it makes me feel better to blame something. We knew he had a temper, but he has really showed his stuff the last couple of days. (it is kind of like the terrible 2's at age 4...fun stuff!!)

water table

4 years ago today....

God brought our beautiful son into the world and protected him until we could bring him home. What a blessing he is to our lives!

Since today was his BIG day...his first birthday at home...and probably his first birthday ever celebrated...he got to choose lunch. At first it was chicken nuggets...then that was a no go...then he wanted pizza...then that was a no...then finally we told him that he HAD to choose one and he finally settled on pizza. We took him to a pizza buffet and he ate and ate and ate!! He ate 2 slices of pizza and veggies from the salad bar. He was a happy camper...the boy likes to eat!

After we returned home, he slept for 2 hours and 20 minutes (sure wish I could take a nap like that...any kind of nap really..heehee). Then it was time for the presents. He had been asking about them since he woke this morning. But, we wanted to wait for Poppy to arrive from Louisiana. Anyway, once he tore open all the gifts, he blew out the candles to the cake that big sister, Ali, made for him. She did a great job. He just wanted the icing off of his piece, however! (he just wanted to get down and PLAY)

He is still downstairs playing as I type this. Hope you enjoy the pictures. I am off to start taking down the Christmas trees. (we REALLY dread it)

Clark's 4th birthday

To kiss or not to kiss...that is the question!

And no I am not talking about T.C. and me....I am talking about our precious, darling little boy. His answer to that question is YES, definitely KISS! Our dilemma at the moment is trying to get him to not kiss everyone on the lips. Ask him for a kiss... and baby...you got...right smack dab on the lips. Tonight at church he sees his Sunday School teacher in the service and repeats "teacher, teacher, teacher." After the service he runs up to her...and you guessed...plants one right on the kisser!! I am sure she didn't know what to do...a kid she only knows from Sunday School (not to mention we have only been attending there for about 2 months) lays one on her. Oh yeah, and he is fighting the congestion crud like we have all been passing around the last month or so. So to his teacher I would say HAPPY NEW YEAR as she is now carrying around his crud too. I was a little embarrassed and could only come up with the clever line "he is quite the kisser, he kisses everyone on the lips." 'Cause you know she was thinking "yeah, no joke lady." So in the car we try and have a little discussion about only kissing his family on the lips...and here is how it went...

me: Clark, you need to only kiss Mama, Papa, Ali, and the rest of your family on the lips...everyone else you can kiss their cheek..ok...do you understand Mama?
Clark: Chicken Nuggets?
Ummmmmm...so as you see...that went well.

2008...REALLY?

How is that possible that it is almost 2008? In just a matter of hours it will be a New Year. This time last year we were frantically packing our belongings to make a huge transition from Kentucky to Texas. Here we are a year later...another child in tow... and trying to figure out how an entire year has blown by. The older I get, the faster the years pass. Is it just me?

As we are staring 2008 in the face, we are also anticipating another milestone in the Judd home. We will be celebrating our son's first birthday at home...and more than likely his first birthday EVER celebrated. He is clueless. He could really care less how old he is, when asked, he just looks at us like "why do you keep asking me that." Apparently age was never discussed. American kids are taught from birth...hold up one finger..you are one...2 fingers you are 2. Not Clark, he pretty much doesn't even care. So, we won't be making a huge deal out of it this year. I will make him a cake and we plan on taking him to an indoor play structure to play. We will save the party for another year. However, this celebration for us brings with it thoughts of Clark's birth parents. I wonder if they ever wonder where he is...or how he is doing. As we celebrated Christmas, we were reminded of what Mary might have been feeling 2000 years ago. She knew she was with child, but that he would be the savior of the world. He ultimately gave his life so we could live eternally. I wonder if Clark's mother knew from conception that she would have to give her child up... not knowing what would become of him. I wish I could tell her just how much he is loved and cared for. To thank her for giving him life...for giving us our son. For her to know that I could not love him any more if my very own blood ran through his veins. He is our son regardless of DNA. I came across this song on another blog...I wish I knew how to post music...I don't...so I will just use the words.

Boats and Birds by Gregory and the Hawks.

If you'll be my star
I'll be your sky
you can hide underneath me and come out at night
when I turn jet black and you show off your light
I live to let you shine
I live to let you shine


but you can skyrocket away from me
and never come back if you find another galaxy
far from here with more room to fly
just leave me your stardust to remember you by


If you'll be my boat
I'll be your sea
a depth of pure blue just to probe curiosity
ebbing and flowing and pushed by a breeze
I live to make you free
I live to make you free



But you can set sail to the west if you want to
and past the horizon till I can't even see you
far from here where the beaches are wide
just leave me your wake to remember you by


If you'll be my star
I'll be your sky
you can hide underneath me and come out at night
when I turn jet black and you show off your light
I live to let you shine
I live to let you shine
But you can skyrocket away from me
and never come back if you find another galaxy
far from here with more room to fly
just leave me your stardust to remember you by
stardust to remember you by.

Isn't that neat? I really like the tune...if we figure out how to post music, we will do that.

Here is an adoption poem that I absolutely love. I plan on putting it in Clark's life book that I started making for him.

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One gave you up, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, you ask me through your tears, the age old question unanswered through the years
Heredity or environment, which are you the product of
Neither my darling, just 2 different kinds of love.
---- Unknown

I just love that poem! It is my favorite adoption poem that I have come across. It tells the story the way I want Clark to understand it.

I will post again to let you know what he thinks of turning 4 years old on Sat., Jan. 5!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET CLARK!!!

Anyway, as we look back upon 2007...our lives have forever changed. We were blessed with a son that God chose for us before the creation of the world. We had to wait on God's perfect timing. God taught me more about trust and faithfulness during this year than probably in any year prior. He placed me in a situation outside of my comfort zone, in a country thousands of miles away, and taught me to be utterly dependent on him. He was my ONLY source of strength. My husband was back in the states and I was in a foreign country with our daughter and I didn't speak the language...no pressure there!! But God blessed beyond measure and placed me with other American families and protected Ali and me the entire time. While in Ukraine God reminded me of the verse "for I know the plans I have for you..plans to prosper you and not to harm you." I clung to those words and he returned us safe and sound to the comfort of our own home. God is forever faithful.

May 2008 bring wonderful memories, good health, and happiness!!

I will leave you with a few pictures that were taken last Friday right before Jay and family left. He received a car carrier with lots of Hot Wheels in it from Mimi and Papaw and he didn't open it until Friday. He was thrilled with all of his new cars.

random pictures...

Christmas memories...

I can't believe another Christmas has come and gone! The years seem to pass faster every year.

Our Christmas was wonderful. It was amazing watching Clark take it all in. A child who, prior to 4 months ago, had never been given a gift...now had a ROOM full. He didn't quite know what to do. He actually gave up on the unwrapping after awhile and just wanted to play. I believe he still has a few gifts under the tree to unwrap! He was so cute though. He loved the Carnival Capers set that he got to go with his Thomas the Train. He played and played and played with that.

Ali was so excited also. She got more Star Wars Lego's (which she loves), an MP3 player that she didn't know what was getting, PlayStation 2, a sewing machine, lots of craft projects, movies, cd's, tons of books, clothes...I could go on and on. (she gets very spoiled by both sets of grandparents)

We had my side of the family in and that was a lot of fun to be together. Ali and Abby enjoyed spending some time together...and Clark is totally IN LOVE with his Unca Jay!! That is all we heard this week "Unca Jay...Unca Jay.." Sorry Aunt Paula...he does love you too!! :)

Here are some pictures of our Christmas......

Christmas

Have a Merry, Merry CHRISTmas!

We wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! What a gift we were given that night in a manger so long ago. May our thoughts first reflect on the blessings we have and the salvation we have in Christ because of that gift.

We are excited to watch Clark experience his first American Christmas and first Christmas with his family! We waited a long time for this. We thought for the past 2 Christmases that we would have had him home...but we wait NO longer. I think it might be a little overwhelming for him to get all these presents...but I think he will be on cloud 9. Imagine...never having been given a gift. WOW...so much we take for granted.

Ali and I redeemed ourselves.....from that disastrous candy making ordeal. Wew! We had our baking day and made a couple of batches of different cookies. I am posting pictures of our candy cane cookies...they turned out so cute! We also made snicker doodles that are oh so good, if I might say so myself. (grin)

Ali is spending the weekend with her Nona and Poppy. I have full confidence that she is NOT getting spoiled. (yeah right!) We have been busy wrapping gifts and trying to get the house ready for Christmas...since we are hosting this year. So...we will be busy this weekend. Ali asked yesterday if Clark was going to their house also...I told her "no", but jokingly told her that I could pack him up a back and he could go also. She quickly replied "that's ok, I'm not complaining." She loves him, she really does.

Again, have a wonderful Christmas!

cookies

Our firstborn is 11...how did that happen?

I am in shock that my girl turned 11 yesterday. It is scary how fast time passes. Those of you with little ones...you will see! It seems like just yesterday she was little like Clark...and then they grow up before your eyes.

We had a fun family day to celebrate her big day. T.C. didn't work, due to working a midnight shift because of a space walk. Anyway, that meant we had all day together. She wanted to open her gifts first thing, of course. We then headed out to Boston Market for lunch. We always let her choose where she would like to go for lunch or dinner. She chose Boston Market of all places. (we were hoping she would choose a Mediterranean place that we love...but she didn't..ha!) After lunch we did a little Target shopping (our favorite store)...then it was home to let the little one sleep. While Clark was napping, Ali and I tried our hand at making peppermints from scratch. Ok, that is a whole blog entry in and of itself. I don't highly recommend candy making....like ever! Buy the candy! I have never made candy...and will probably never try it again. It was SUCH a mess. We had dried up sugar goo all over the kitchen. Maybe there are some of you candy makers out there that know the tricks of the trade....we do not. I even bought a candy thermometer just for the occasion. It has to reach a certain temperature before you do the final stir...I don't know...I must have messed up along the way. The directions said "as soon as it cools...stretch it and pull it like taffy" Ummmmmmmm....it was so freakin' hot we could never quite "pull it and stretch" like the recipe called for. So needless to say...our peppermints don't resemble peppermints at all...more like pink globs. Maybe we will have better luck with our cookie baking...let's all hope so!! Let's chalk it up to making a memory with my daughter...regardless of how they turned out. We did have many good laughs throughout the process.

Anyway, after the candy ordeal and Clark waking up from his nap...we headed out to the Kemah Boardwalk to check out the Christmas lights. The kids rode the carousel and we all road the little Kemah train. Clark was so excited. ALL trains are "Thomas" and he just kept saying "Thomas, Thomas, Thomas"...he insisted on sitting on the outside like a big boy and not in my lap..until we went through a tunnel with a western scene inside (that has a little fake shoot out going on)...then he climbed in my lap and just about strangled me. Heehee.

After returning home...we sang Happy Birthday as Ali blew out the candles that were in her PIE!! We had already had birthday cake at her party...so she said she wanted pie. I bought her a piece of apple pie and cheese cake...she couldn't believe her luck! T.C. and I commented that we just can't believe she is 11. What a blessing she has been.

I will explain the video clip a little bit. You see...Ali decided that it would be great fun to snoop through ALL of our Christmas bags that were in our coat closet. She found them all....all, I tell ya. Except for a few things that had not come in the mail at the time. She claims the coats were moved out of the way and she saw a sack and decided it would be fun to go through ALL the bags. Bummer for her as she won't have many surprises on Christmas morning. Anyway, she found matching night shirts that I had gotten for she and Sierra's birthdays. I wanted to have it on video when she opened it and tried to pretend she was surprised. It was pretty funny. Though she knows we know that she found the bags and has been told that next year the bags will be locked in T.C.'s trunk. Ha!

Ali's birthday

Partying like rock stars....

Ok, maybe not...maybe just partying like 10 and 11 year olds. What else do 10 and 11 year old want to do on their birthday? Well laser tag, of course! In Ali's words "it was just SOOOOOO cool in there." Ali and Sierra had their joint birthday party after church today. We thought we were going to be late (what's new?) to her own party! We had exactly 5 minutes to run home and change clothes after church. The kids had a great time playing laser tag, eating pizza and cake, and playing in the game area. It was amazing how well behaved the kids were in the party room. All the adults were commenting on it...we never once had to quiet them down! (now that's amazing!!) Ali will officially be 11 on Tuesday. She was a little disappointed that we weren't giving her the gifts from us until Tuesday....patience kiddo, patience! Here are a few pictures from the party.

birthday party

Star Wars..........

We took a field trip this week to Space Center Houston. Ali has been dying to see a Star Wars exhibit that they have going on. On the last shuttle mission, the shuttle took up the original light saber that Luke Skywalker used. Oooohhh ahhhhhh! Ali is a huge Star Wars fan and thought it was about the coolest thing ever. They also have one of Luke Skywalker's costumes from Return of the Jedi. There is also a full scale X-Wing Starfighter. She just kept saying "this is so cool...this is so cool." Ummmm, ok...whatever you say.

There was also a cute traveling circus exhibit. You could tight rope walk, try on tons of circus costumes, etc. Clark liked playing with all the props.

Clark continues to do well. He rediscovered this past week that the ONE thing he has total control over is his bladder...and he decided to use it against us. When he would get in trouble for something and he would be angry, he would wet his pants. Arrggghh! We assume it is just a control issue...they had total control of the children at the orphanage. They basically never had to think on their own, let alone be allowed to disobey. They knew what was expected and they did it...end of story. So this new found pants wetting was irritating, to say the least. My mother had the fabulous idea for us to warn him that the next time he wet his pants due to being angry...ALL of his favorite toys were getting locked in Daddy's car trunk. It worked! (he LOVES his toys) I talked to him about it not being ok to wet his pants when he was angry, etc. He gets it...now when I remind him to be a big boy and not wet his pants he will tell me "no wet pants, toys bye-bye." So far so good!

Other than that little issue he is doing great. He loves to irritate Ali, however...though she is pretty good at dishing it out as well. They will get along great...then before I know it I hear "MOM...he did so and so...or MOM, Ali did so and so." My favorite words these days are quit tattling..ha! He loves to do things to her when I am not looking and then look totally innocent when I turn around. One of the cute things he is doing is admiring our candy dish on the coffee table. We told him about not taking candy without asking, so he will go right up to it and say things like "cute candy, Mama." (and I do give in once a day or so) He continues to love the Christmas trees and lights. He has rearranged the tree many times over. He loves to drive around and look at the decorated homes. In Ukraine they call snowmen "baba's" so that is what he is still calling them and we think it is so cute. Santa is still Noah also! He loves to point out baby Jesus in the Nativity sets. He is learning to say bedtime prayers and that is so special to us. Even though he doesn't have a clue what he is doing...he is learning.

Ali's 11th birthday party is on Sunday. She is having a joint party with her best friend, Sierra. They are having a laser tag party at a place called Main Event...they are very excited. I can't believe she is turning 11 years old on Tuesday...where does the time go? Seems like yesterday she was Clark's age.

Here are a few pictures from Space Center Houston. I had to include a picture of a truck we were driving behind the other day. The camera was in the van...and Ali HAD to have a picture of. She LOVES Elvis and couldn't believe his face was on a truck.

Space Center Houston

From Christmas lights...to little sheep (and lots of things in between!)

Well, it has been a fun week in our home! Clark was able to experience his first "drive around town looking at lights" night! We made a stop at a local park here in Dickinson for their Festival of Lights to start our evening off. It was wonderful, except for the fact that it was around 80 degrees...just didn't feel all that much like Christmas. We nixed our usual stop at Starbucks as we just couldn't bring ourselves to walk around drinking hot chocolate or coffee. Anyway, the kids loved it and we ended our visit with a stop off to see Santa...I mean Noah! Then, we headed around town in search of lights. Who knew we would find beautiful lights right in our own neighborhood. When we wound up back at home Clark just burst into tears as he just LOVED seeing all the lights. He said "no home, more lights."

Yesterday the church we are attending held something called "Bethlehem Village" for the children. It was the neatest thing and the kids had a great time. They made a little mock town in the children's building and had different "shops" that you visited. The children made a mosaic box, formed baby Jesus out of clay, made perfume necklaces, kneaded dough for bread, ground grain for the bread, made a little musical instrument, etc. It was a lot of fun. Yesterday we also made our gingerbread house. Clark thought that every time I handed him candy that it was for him to eat. I believe he about had his fill of sugar! It took me a minute to realize that his side of the house didn't have candy on it...and the fact that his mouth was full just gave it away. Ali did most of the hard work herself!

Today was the children's music at church. Ali hates standing in front of crowds...so she cried half way to church dreading it...and our son sat blissfully unaware (in his car seat) that he was about to wear a sheep hat for an hour in front of the whole church! Ha...gotta love it. So...there we were proud parents as our children march in with all the other children...in walks Ali...then Clark the sheep. They each take their places...all seems to be going well. Ali realizes it isn't all that bad standing in front...and Clark actually does the arm motions for the first song...ahhh, I breathe a sigh of relief. Then song 2..3..come along...so far so good. Then, that's it...he suddenly realizes it isn't all that much fun anymore...and we loose him. Yep...he looses total interest. The remainder of the time he could either be found turned completely around on the risers staring at the kids behind him...or playing with the little girl's dress beside him (she kept telling him to scoot over by the way!). Then while everyone else was standing (oh not our boy) he begins playing with the hem of the little girls dress...yes, same girl...and I take a deep breath HOPING he doesn't lift her dress up!!! Shew....he doesn't and they finish the musical. However, the funniest part was at the very end...he decides to finish with gusto and actually does the very last arm movements!! Guess he wanted to have a strong finish.

Christmas fun!

No white Christmases in Houston....

We heard the funniest song a couple of weeks ago on the local Christian radio station. Here is the link to listen to a little clip of the song. I have tried finding the entire song...but with no luck. Click on #4 "White Christmases in Houston" and see how true it is! http://www.branded-duo.com/music.html The rest of the song goes on to say that "we feast on tamales and sip on ice tea." It definitely made us chuckle.

The kids are enjoying the Christmas season. We will be making our annual gingerbread house this weekend. We cheat, however, and buy the kits...it's still fun, right? Sarah, don't go bragging about your Halloween house to me...OK!!! Heehee! You won Mommy of the year over that...so I cheat...ummm, it's what I do. Ha! Though I will buy extra candy...because the kits just never have enough...and you have to sneak a little while you are making it of course. Ali is also looking forward to our cooking day. We are going to spend a day making cookies and such. Then I will eat way tooooo many and feel guilty...such is the Christmas season.

Clark and Ali are out on the "jumpy" (as Clark calls it)...aka...trampoline as I type this. They love that thing. They will get on there and act so silly. Usually Clark ends up in his undies because his jeans just won't stay up while bouncing! They put a huge ball in there with them and he will bounce and flip over it. We need to get him into gymnastics!

Yesterday the kids and I went into Houston to meet a friend from out of town. We were stationed with them in Florida, and have been friends ever since. Mary was in town for a family funeral. They are stationed in Hawaii now...so it was great to get to see her. We met her at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We saw the "Lucy's Legacy" exhibit. She is "supposedly" the world's oldest "woman." WHATEVER!!! It was a monkey they are calling a woman...a huge evolution exhibit. GAG! No thanks...Ali was so disgusted (she hates anything about evolution) that she wouldn't read anything! She just walked through with her arms crossed..ha!

museum

A visit to see Noah, oh I mean Santa....

Clark's latest funny is that he is convinced that Santa is Noah...yes, Noah from the Bible. We realized last night at bedtime it is because in a children's Bible we read from at night...the picture of Noah has him dressed in red clothing...and you guessed it, a hat! We just kept wondering why every time we see something with Santa on it he just says "Noah"...every single time. In fact, if you ask if that is Noah or Santa he will tell you Noah! So we think it is so cute, we just refer to Santa as Noah now.

Here's a picture of the cover of his Bible storybook...of course he confuses the two, have you ever seen Noah dressed like, well, Santa??

I took the kids to see "The Nutcracker" yesterday. One of the perks of homeschooling is that I can get them into school performances for the school price...SWEET!! So we all 3 attended "The Nutcracker" for $22.50! The evening performances will run you are whopping $35(each) for the cheapest seats...see why that is exciting? Clark really enjoyed all the costumes, the huge tree, the snow falling on stage, etc. He did great up until about the last 15 minutes and he got a little antsy to move around. Then, after the ballet I took them to have their picture made with Santa. Ali humored me and got in the picture also! (she wasn't too thrilled..ha) Clark really could have cared less to see Santa...but he did hop right up for the photo. It was pretty cute. He LOVED the HUGE tree that is in the mall, though. He is enjoying that much more...seeing all the trees, lights, etc. rather than all the presents and Santa hoopla! We aren't complaining...I am sure by next year he will be the typical American kid telling us he wants this or that...or this AND that!! Right? So we will enjoy the awe and wonder of all the more wonderful aspects of Christmas through his little eyes.

At the mall the kids were able to play in some pretend snow that they had shooting from machines. It was so neat...it was soap suds. It looked real from a distance. It was not bubbles like you think...but actual suds like when you are washing your hands...but blowing out in small clusters. That is all you get here in Texas! If you want to see snow.......you have to go to the mall and get soap suds. Heehee!

Today the kids and I attended the SWAT group at the church we are visiting. It stands for Servants Worshipping All Together and it is for 3rd-5th graders. They meet twice a month for fun activities as a way for this age group to get to know each other. Today they met and went shopping at Wal-Mart to spend the money they earned for a needy family in town. (they made and sold cookie mixes to the congregation to raise the money) It was wonderful to see the kids picking out items for others. Then in 2 weeks they will get together and wrap all the gifts. Ali is really enjoying this children's group. We are attending a great LCMS church called Hope Lutheran.

I think that is about all the not so exciting news that we have. I have posted pictures of our trees, etc.

preparing for Christmas

It is never a good thing when........

A family is visiting a new church and the "little fellow" decides to act up during Wed. night worship. The father takes the child to "the restroom"....and a few short minutes later screams ring out throughout the sanctuary. Oh....it is just never a good thing. I hope we are allowed back...oh, I mean..."they" are allowed back...I am leaving out names to protect the innocent. :) Thanks a mill Clarky!!

Thanksgiving in Louisiana....

Well, Thanksgiving is officially over and the Christmas season has begun. We had a nice Thanksgiving in Louisiana with my parents. My brother and his family stopped by later that afternoon for a while, and Ali was able to spend the night with her cousin. I, as usual, ate WAY too much! The food seemed endless. Now I must try and watch the waistline until Christmas when I will turn around and do the same thing. Heehee!!!

My mom and dad already had their Christmas tree up so that the children could enjoy it. As you can see by the pictures...Clark spent most of his time by the tree. He LOVED it and couldn't get enough of it. It was so cute...I would tell him time and again not to touch the ornaments (which he would take off and rearrange)...and he just couldn't help himself. He could NOT keep his hands off. Finally I just quit trying and watched him closely so he wouldn't break any. He loved this tiny nativity set they had out. He would take the pieces for rides in his trucks. We were forever on the lookout for missing pieces. We even found him outside looking intently at their fence.........and he had stuck Mary in part of the fence and gotten her stuck. However, T.C. came and rescued her! In the pictures you will see Clark carrying around a breakable duck. Mom has these breakable ducks and cats that people have given her through the years and Clark just loves them for some reason. He is always carrying them around, rocking them, holding them, etc. He HAD to have them in the pictures!

We are tackling our Christmas decorating at the moment. It is taking WAY longer than ever before. While we lived in our little townhouse in Louisville, we didn't get out all of our decorations due to space. Add that to the fact that it is my FAVORITE time of the year and I can't keep myself from buying up MORE decorations...and my mom is forever giving us more cute things she finds as well. Long story short...we have boxes and boxes and boxes of decorations!! I love snowmen, so we also have TONS of those. Anyway, it is taking us a long time to figure out where everything is going to go. We actually need to get another tree to put upstairs for our extra ornaments. We already have 2 trees downstairs. (a little overboard, well perhaps) It will be fun...until it is time to pack it all up!! But, we will enjoy it while it lasts.

Let us hear how your Thanksgiving was!! Here are some pictures from Louisiana and also of Ali and Clark putting up his little tree in his room.

Thanksgiving

A turkey hat?

Thought I would mention a few cute things Clark has done lately. A couple of days ago I noticed Ali's bedroom door was closed and I knew that Clark had gone in there. I went through her bathroom and peeked in to find a photo shoot going on. Clark had his "view master" and a stool and was sitting in front of Ali's door. He was acting like he was taking pictures of Ali with his view master. He would tell her to sit this way or that way...have her hold a stuffed animal, etc. Then, when he was "finished" he would tell her "good job!" It was so funny. (do I take too many pictures, or what?)

We bought Clark a Thanksgiving set from Fisher Price. It has pilgrims, Indians, and a picnic table with food on top. It also came with a plastic turkey for the table that is hollow underneath. Well, I bought him a Thanksgiving book and sat down to try and explain our Thanksgiving....feeling pretty proud of myself that I made the effort...I turn around and find that he had put the turkey on an Indian as a hat. Well, guess he didn't quite get it.......maybe next year. :)

To give a little background on this one...every once in a while I will joke with Clark when he has done something like...oh say...called "MAMA" for the millionth time in a row. I will say "oh Clark..you are killing me"....so anyway, Ali had taken him outside the other day to jump on the trampoline and had forgotten to take his socks off. (they turn black) So, when he ran inside for something I caught him and told him to take his socks off before he went back out and without missing a beat he yanked the socks off and said "oh, you are killing me."

Another funny he has done lately is say something is nasty. It is the way he says it. I think he heard us say it when he does something like burp at the table or whatever. I will tell him "that is nasty, say excuse me." So now he will say that when something happens. Timmy yawned in is face the other night (and yes, I admit he has TERRIBLE old doggy breath) and Clark told him "oh Timmy that is naaasty."

turkey hat