Reflections

So for a few days now I have been reflecting on different things.  As I sit with Hunter, I marvel and reflect on myself as a mother.  I am still learning even 5 kids later.  I look back and sometimes think of areas I could have done better as a mom with the other 4.  Then as I write this, I think why reflect on woulda, coulda, shoulda.  I can't live in the past but I am thankful for right now.  I find myself in such a different place now, emotionally, maturity wise and with my relationship with the Lord.  Oh, the devil tries to get us down on past mistakes but if we take it to the Lord He will see us through.  I am thankful to the Lord for not giving up on me. 

I also found myself reflecting on my relationship with the Lord as I watched BTI services today.  Oh how I would love to be there, to enjoy the sweet blessings being poured out.  And then I reflect, we can have those same blessings right here in our local services and in our home worship.  We don't have to wait for The Church events to experience Him.  He is right here waiting on us, we need to come to Him.  I want a deeper walk with Him don't you?  I have no excuse not to actively seek that deeper walk. 

Ok, more reflections?  Well, as I sat at my neighbors house (she is moving to Mexico) she began talking how she has studied many religions and embraces a piece of each.  I didn't talk much about that, I look back and think, "Did I miss an opportunity?"  Then I think, there was no opening to talk, just as quickly as she said that, she changed the conversation.  So no, I don't think it was a missed opportunity.

Well, that was my "deep" thought today.  I wanted to post a pic of one of my monkeys but the youngest demands my attention and since he is only 1 month old, I have to go.  Until I have another 5-10 minutes

I almost gave up that anyone reads this...........SURPRISE!

So life is so full of surprises!  By now, most of you know we had a baby boy.  6 days past his due date but right with God's timing.  He is pretty fabulous.  He is an extra blessing....a time to really, really appreciate God's awesomeness.  I reflect on how this little guy was formed in me....then he came to meet the world with the help of his Maker.  He was so awake and pretty when he was born.  The labor was quick and although not painless (didn't expect pain free) endurable with God's help.  It was awesome.  See, God has allowed me to appreciate all of this pregnancy from start to now.  So cool.  I can give one pic for y'all to see if I can figure out how to upload.

 This was taken within an hour of him being born.  His hand looks a little purple in pic. 

Other surprises......I got a great surprise from the Aurora church.  A baby shower in a box.  I was so touched, they haven't forgotten us lol.  I loved it.  They even sent cake and a pack of koolaid for punch.  It was so great.

I got brave yesterday and took all 5 youngin's out.  I was surprised that it was so good.  Today Bekah and I went out for a couple hours with Hunter.  He started fussy but took a nap.

So far 3 surprises......then I looked at my blog and guess what....more than Sister Janis was following me.  I had given up blogging a long while back and thought facebook was all that and a bag of chips.  Facebook is facebook.  Not as personal.  I am back to fb but not posting as much if any. 

So I guess I am back.  I may not be as exciting as Sis. Becki and wrecking a deck ; )  but I may share a nifty or two.

All y'all headin to BTI, have a wonderful time.  I am going to try to watch if I am up.  Is it only going to be morning devotions or is anything else being broadcast?

Got to settle down and try to get to bed.  Church in the morning and we are picking up a visitor.

38 weeks 39 weeks who's counting?

Ok technically I am counting.  My due date is next Wed. and I am anxious to meet this little one.  I also am restless.  I began my "nesting" Friday but the past couple of days I have been swelling a bit more so I tried to keep my feet up today.  I felt like such a bum.  Too much to do and I am "sitting" around.  All I needed were bon-bons!!!   I went to bed tonight just to be staring into a dark room.  2 problems, it is warm today even with the windows open and I am simply restless.  A couple contractions hit as I lay there but nothing to make me want to hit my hubby so I guess it is only a warm up!  We are praying this happens on a Friday which not everyone gets.  You see, Daryl just started a new job and to get off may be difficult.  Oh if the baby comes, he is coming home but he doesn't want to be "let go."  I don't want him to either but God knows all things.

In other news..........
is there other news?  I feel that I am consumed with the progress of this pregnancy.  As I am sitting here, I have had 3 kiddos get up and say "I can't sleep."  Join the club but the mom in me is like...."get back to bed and close your eyes."  2 say they have upset stomachs, one says they are hungry yet they ate a huge supper.  Ugh!  They are all back in bed but how long before I hear, Mom, one more thing..... that is my middle one's favorite phrase.  One more thing is like saying to make a long story short......it never is, short.  He said he was afraid of the dirty clothes so he had to bring them into the laundry room.  Then he said his stomach hurt but not because he was sick, he wanted a snack.  It's all good though.  They are great blessings and this isn't that common of an occurance.

Strange place to close but I am going to for now.  Good night

Still counting.....but nesting!

Today was the first day in who knows how long that I had all kinds of energy.  I guess it is nesting time.  I cleaned, ran errands and made supper.  Many of these things zapped me in the past few weeks but I felt good.  The calm before the storm right....  I have more to do before this little one makes an appearance but feel like maybe I can accomplish something. 

We may be crazy but we are also expecting company on Monday.  I am totally fine with this though.  Maybe baby this weekend before company?  Only God knows and it is in His timing.  I am just getting anxious!

Well I need to get some rest.  Bye for now

The Count down.....36 1/2 weeks

So this is the count down to meeting this new little one.  I mentioned to someone recently that I feel this one is coming sooner than later....is that hopeful thinking or maybe just something in me that God is preparing me for I don't know.  Our life has been full of new exciting things that God has been putting in order.  He has fulfilled promises left and right.  Many know we are no longer in CO and Daryl is pastoring his first church.  A bit nerve racking but peaceful at the same time.  We are expecting our 5th child soon (due the 24th).  Lots of new you know.  We have had some rough times but we have learned (and are learning) to trust God. 

School has been hard to do the past couple of days.  All I want to do is sleep sleep sleep.  I have done alot of hanging out in my room.  I feel like a bum!  I need to so get motivated and the day is 3/4 over.  Church is tonight at 6 pm, prayer meeting tonight then tomorrow auxillary service.  We are going to have to start supper in about 45 minutes.  We are going to have left overs again but I am not complaining.  Left overs have been great.  We had a fellowship Sunday after church and had so much food left (everyone left it for us).  It has been a blessing.  We just finished off the last of the steak last night.....sad.  It was really thin skirt steak that was marinaded in chimoya(I think that is how it is spelled)  We have a pot of beans, left over ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans this amazing salsa that Sis. Yolanda made (it makes me sweat but it so good!)  We have been frying corn tortillas and making tostadas.  Yummy!!

I am skyping Sis Janis right now and how exciting the two of us are.  We are sitting here not saying much of anything haha.  We are boring sorts of people.  (I am anyway)

Well, I need to probably skiddadle......we'll catch you on the flip side.

Isn't it interesting how you can have a fabulous Sunday and the devil attacks full force on Monday?  He doesn't want us to have any victory at all.  What are we to do?  We are to tell him to take a hike, we have the VICTORY......devil get thee behind.  I woke up this morning in a kind of haze....just blah.  I have had one of those mornings that I can't get motivated.  We need to do school and I want a movie day.  I need to overcome that and just get busy.  I don't need to be a lazy person.  What a silly battle. 

On a lighter note, the kids have quite the lizard collection (only 2).  We got home from church yesterday to find out someone left the cage slightly open, these critters saw this as opportunity and escaped unbeknown to me.  They found them but that is one thing I said cannot happen.  I do not want reptiles loose in the house.  They didn't get far but yuck.....now they keep going to where they got out.  Pretty soon, they will figure out how to open the enclosure.....lol.  I told the kids they have to find the critters food today though.  It has been chilly so no crickets.  They will do better fending for themselves in the backyard.

Well I suppose I should kick start this day.  Have a great day with the peace of the Lord!

Ok 2 days in a row!!!!  Is that amazing or what?  I think Janis may be the only one following me these days since once upon a time I decided I liked facebook better.  That was dumb.  I deleted that a while back but the person who hacked me is still out there from what I understand.  They use my picture ( I am wearing a teal/bluish shirt and white vest).  What are they gaining from this?  I know they are friends with lots of church folks so beware, turn them in as not me please!!!!!  It is frustrating because I can't turn them in without giving fb a copy of my drivers license, not comfortable with that AT all! 

34 weeks along in this pregnancy and I am sick as a dog....haven't really stopped.  I have been in bed most of today and want to get up but then I get sick.  YUCK!  I really want to enjoy food longer....this has been tough and blessed at the same time.  I have enjoyed this little one growing so much, it is hard to describe.  I love all of my children but never really appreciated the whole process.  God has given me that chance in my "old" age (old according to the medical field but who is listening to them anyway).  I need prayer with these last weeks and the birth please.

God is blessing so much in ways that some may see as simple.  He provides before we ask and he has a plan that we have a peace about when no one understands.  (hard to explain)  We are in a new city with a new life!  This life is so different from before and requires our dependence on Him.  In the flesh, it is easy to feel overwhelmed but He gives me an overwhelming peace.  I love it!  Isn't God wonderful? 

Part of our new life here is the kids have become lizard wranglers.  They are catching all they can in the backyard.  Lizards, snails, bugs......nature beware, the Clark kids are on the loose. 

I will sign off for now.  If you are serving the Lord, may His peace fill your life.  If you are not, why not give Him a try.

I sooooo need to update this blog.  It has been a very long time since I posted anything.  This blog needs a facelift since our life has changed so much I think the blog should change with it.  God is so good.  He has been meeting needs before we ask.  Isn't God awesome!!!!