Well, for now anyway.

Remember when I said that I was going to take a break? Well, it hit me when Abbie said to me, “Yea, nice break there…” that I hadn’t taken one! Really, I wanted to take some time off from the blog world, but I couldn’t. You know how some people have that weekly (or even daily) “must see” show? That’s me…except my show is the blogger world. Seriously, you should see my iGoogle feed!

So I decided to take a break…and just not tell anyone

And it worked!

And I LIKE it!

I’ve gotten my ducks in a row (again) and have decided that I’m only going to post…whenever I get around to it - which around this house, with so many other things to do - is going to be quite infrequently.

Oh - my iGoogle feed now only has three feeds - and I haven’t opened them up in DAYS! (Can I get a w00t!)

But thanks for stopping by & I’ll see ya when I see ya

Happy Thanksgiving! I was going to sarcastically say, “Happy Turkey Day” but that phrase sort of irritates me….just like “PUNKIN” rather than “PUMPKIN.” There’s a “P” there people!

Moving on…

I really didn’t know where to begin when writing this blog. I am thankful for so much…so figure I’d just make a list (that seems very incomplete after having read it…I could go on, and on, and on…)

I’m thankful:

* for my husband- I could not ask for a better “other half.”
* for my daughters- on our good days and bad, they are my world!
* for my family abroad - supposedly the ones down south “love the daylights” out of us
* for my crazy in laws (I can say crazy because they know I love them, and no, they really aren’t crazy)
* for my two AMAZING best friends! (Debbie, I will prayerfully be as wise as you one day…and Rachel, thank you for sharing your love of coffee with me!)
* for, yes, my other friends too
* for our AWESOME church! Pastors Mike & Jamie are a joy to be around.
* for our two sponsored children: Joan in Uganda & Musee in Kenya - God is doing wonderful things in their lives!
* for our warm house - hey even the mice love it! And on that note, I’m thankful for our pest service.
* for the extra umbrellas in each car.
* that we have two cars.
* that we have not been affected by the economic struggle…and that since we’re only in our late 20’s, we still have plenty of time for our 401K to rebuild itself.
* for our good health & that we are able to see a doctor whenever we need to.
* that we get along with our neighbors.
* that we actually like our neighbors.
* that our neighbors actually like us.
* that I am able to stay at home to care for the girls (I never wanted a stranger at a daycare raising my children…)
* that I have improved on my knitting!
* that I have learned to bake from scratch and am passing this down to my daughters…and that we even have food to eat (take a moment to read this story about the people who live in Zimbabwe & are resorting to picking out undigested corn from cow waste to eat. To contribute to the ever growing global food crisis, click here.)
* that tissues have lotion on them.
* that our dog, Nicki, is smart. I can’t stand “froo froo” dogs that are just…there - no offense, Dad
* for, most importantly, an incredibly patient God who loves me despite all of my many shortcomings…and who opens my eyes to the things I need to improve on…and who has brought us so far - emotionally, financially, & spiritually.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” ~Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

What do you think? Is this true for you?

Thankfully, 99% of the things I HAVE to do, I enjoy. However, that other 1% is still sitting in the sink
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord”
~Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

Yesterday during my quiet time, I decided to pick up a study that I put down 10 months ago: Growing In Christ. I tend to do that, start a study and not finish it - either because there’s another study that interests me more or because I find “more important” things to do. Unfortunately this time, it was a combination. I wish it would have been because I ONLY found other studies to do, but that wasn’t the case. Housework, napping (which I will say I did need during that first trimester), brushing the dog’s teeth, even knitting took priority over my quiet time with God. Why would I put those things before God?! As I was reminded yesterday in 1 John 1:8-10:

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” (NLT)

None of us are without sin - from the time of the fall of Adam and Eve, sin has just been part of us. It’s inevitable, we’re going to sin. Kind of depressing, huh? Not at all! It goes on to say that if we tell God what we’ve done wrong and that we are sorry for doing it, God will forgive us - because he is FAITHFUL and JUST. But what if one tries to “fool” God by “thinking” that they haven’t sinned, when in fact they know they have? Just as a child says to their parents, “No, I didn’t eat that cookie before dinner” when it’s plain to see by the chocolate smeared on their face that in fact they did, there’s no hiding our sins from God…there’s no tricking Him. Isaiah 59:2-8 provides a good description of what sin does:

“2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God…
 3 Your hands are the hands of murderers,
      and your fingers are filthy with sin.
   Your lips are full of lies,
      and your mouth spews corruption.
 4 No one cares about being fair and honest.
      The people’s lawsuits are based on lies.
   They conceive evil deeds
      and then give birth to sin.
 5 They hatch deadly snakes
      and weave spiders’ webs.
   Whoever falls into their webs will die,
      and there’s danger even in getting near them.
 6 Their webs can’t be made into clothing,
      and nothing they do is productive.
   All their activity is filled with sin,
      and violence is their trademark.
 7 Their feet run to do evil,
      and they rush to commit murder.
   They think only about sinning.
      Misery and destruction always follow them.
 8 They don’t know where to find peace
      or what it means to be just and good.
   They have mapped out crooked roads,
      and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace.” (NLT)

Wouldn’t you like to have a recleansed soul rather than a dirty one filled with lies? One then might say, “I still feel guilty about my wrongs, even after I’ve confessed them to God.” Hebrews 10:17 says, “I [the Lord] will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” (NLT) If God is putting your confessed sins out of his mind, why should you dwell and hold onto them? I firmly believe that that is the work of Satan…he will take ANY opportunity to make you feel worthless, when in fact, God loves you! Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I [the Lord] have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.” (NLT)

I encourage you to take a moment to ask God to bring to mind any wrongs you have done. Confess them, ask His forgiveness, and according to Proverbs 3:5-6, He will guide you: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (NLT)

All of the Clarke ladies were sick this weekend: Corinne since Thursday, Lilli since Saturday, and myself only on Sunday. Not only does Michael have the metabolism of a hummingbird, but his immune system is top notch! Must be nice, huh? Let’s face it, getting sick is just no fun…the fever, aches, pains, I could go on and on (but don’t worry, I won’t). I hate getting sick, not only because it feels terrible, but because I’m such a busybody that I have to be doing something at all times: cleaning, organizing, ironing, well - you get the idea. I can’t stand it when I’m stuck in bed because (as my hubby says) I’ve “come down with the sickness” & can’t get things done. But when your kids are sick…that feeling is a billion times worse! How I wish I could take on their sickness, their aches & pains! Unfortunately I can’t. But thankfully, I can provide a comfy lap to rest a head on, arms to cuddle with, lips to kiss a forehead, and the ever so important abillity to handle a remote control so we can watch movies over and over and over again. (Our living room was a sight this weekend. Michael had pulled out the sofa sleeper, made it up, and the girls and I pretty much camped out.) Prayerfully, this bug will fly away…the sooner the better!!

“He forgives all my sins
      and heals all my diseases.”
              ~Psalm 103:3 (NLT)

It’s Monday…and since I haven’t blogged in a WHOLE WEEK I’ve decided to do a recap and skip Music Monday (however I did hear a Def Leppard song yesterday while over my neighbors’…reminded me of 1st grade, rockin’ out in the back of the bus - which, by the way, I could only ride in the back because my cool cousin was in 6th grade - while listening to my tapes on my walk-man…wow- 20 years ago?! Now that’s a flashback!).

Weekly Recap:
* My Dyson came in!!! How crazy is that?! I’m ecstatic about a vacuum cleaner. But really, with two kids, two dogs, & an “outdoorsy” hubby, our home tends to be a cheerio/furball/dirt magnet. This Dyson makes me want purposely spill things- just so I can use the vacuum! I know, I have issues
* I’ve put my knitted baby blanket project on hold for the past two weeks and was swayed by a certain 4 1/2 year old to knit her a Kitty Cuddly. Lilli has been pestering me for a while about this - in fact, ever since she lost the knitted bunny “Bow” a few months back. I think she finally realizes that if she loses something, she has to do without it…it may not always be so easily replaced. It took me 3 days, but “Kitten” was finally born… & Lilli keeps him safe on her bed Something I didn’t expect, though, jealousy from Corinne. She wanted a kitten too! So, a couple days later, “Mini-Kitty” was born and all was well in Corinne’s world.

* Organic Seeds! That’s right, planting season is right around the corner and I want to be prepared! Thanks to http://www.organicaseed.com , we’re right on track. Michael is looking forward to the cucumbers that will be pickled, I’m looking forward to the green beans, and Lilli is THRILLED about the strawberries! As the months pass, I will be sure to start blogging about this subject more often
* We had a visit from my dad! He stayed with us a night, while on a business trip in DC. Michael and I enjoyed his company and the girls had fun spending time with Opa. It was cute seeing Corinne hold his hand as they walked and Lilli making sure he sat next to her at dinner.

* I finished the book, Power of a Praying Wife. My good friend Vicki has asked me to start a small group with her (for which I am still humbled) that focuses on how to be true Christian wives…not as the world thinks wives should be, but how God has commanded wives to be. I’m really excited about this opportunity and am so thankful that God has surrounded me with such wise & godly Christian women. Vicki gave me two books last week: Power of a Praying Wife & Divine Romance. I should have DR read by the beginning of next week and prayerfully God will reveal which book He wants us to start with. I’m interested to see where He leads us
* Lilli is a reader! That’s right, my 4 1/2 year old can read! In fact, she puts letters together and makes up her own words! Her latest book is “Kit” from the Calvert School’s Early Phonics Storybooks. Here are a couple examples from the book: “Kit has a hat” & “Kit can sit.” She is so smart and I pray that her thirst for knowledge continues to grow.

* Lady had her check up and is looking good. She weighs 13 1/2lbs and is in great shape. Within the month, she will be getting spayed.

* Baby Clarke is growing! I’ve felt little flutters here and there and have noticed a more prominent bulge (thank goodness…I don’t like that beer-belly look…I’d rather prefer the I’m-hiding-a-small-melon look…lol”) Here’s the latest:
* By week 17, your baby weighs about 4.97 ounces (140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.
* He or she has a much more normal “human” appearance now. She holds her head more erect and her body and limbs are longer in proportion to her head.
* Pads are forming on his tiny fingertips and toes. Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
* Her eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed.
* Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel. This black gooey substance will become your baby’s first poop!
* The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger and continues to rush blood and nutrients to your growing baby.
* Her skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone. The bones remain flexible to make the journey through the birth canal easier.
(info courtesy of www.pregnancy.org)

* The best thing about this week was by far my date night!! Michael and I have made it a point to have a date night at least once a month. As a parent, it is so easy to get caught up everything else: the kids, house, dogs, job, you name it and “forget” about your own needs. It’s also easy to “forget” to have a date night…something else (see list above…lol) always comes up. Michael is more than a dad, I am more than a mom…we are each other’s other halves with our own interests (no, Elmo is really not my favorite actor and no, I really don’t like playing with cardboard boxes and pretending it is my fort). So we’ve marked our monthly date night on the calendar…in permanent marker This past weekend we went to Red, Hot, & Blue and had a GREAT time! The food was awesome, as was our waitress Liz. But the best thing about our date was just being able to share a conversation, laugh, & be silly together for a couple of hours…just the two of us. I was woo-ed all over again

That’s it in a nutshell! Readers, I pray your week is richly blessed!

PS. I posted this blog in Linux…woo-hoo (sense the sarcasm, Michael )

As Pastor Mike read from the Book of James at tonight’s service (side note: the Saturday evening service is awesome….definitely our favorite…and it allows me to volunteer in the nursery for the Sunday morning service), two verses stood out for me:

“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” ~James 3:1 (NIV)
“The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” ~James 3:5 (NIV)

Verse one made me chuckle, since I homeschool. It seems like every time someone finds out I homeschool, I am immediately put under the microscope and am bombarded with 20 questions. I’ve humorously learned to deal with it….remember this post?? Tee hee
The second verse hit me seriously though. How many times have I or have wanted to “one up” someone with a hurtful, sarcastic, mean, etc. comment to ”show them” or “get them back” for something they did to me. The end result is simply not good. Feelings are hurt, relationships are damaged, and my own spirit becomes less mature with each offense. Lately, I’ve found it easier to brush off the silly stuff….people are going to try to ruffle my feathers & rock my boat. I guess that’s part of maturity: recognizing poor behavior, not engaging in it (taming your tongue), and brushing it off. Why add fuel to the spark and create a huge inferno? Like Smokey the Bear said, “Only you can prevent forest fires!” (Cheesy…I know, but true!)

You can read all of James, chapter 3 here.

I never really have just one resolution…there’s so much I know I can work on. So here they are for 2008:

****Study the Bible Daily****
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” ~Psalm 119:105

Last year I was really good about this. Then summer came and I wanted to enjoy the outdoors with the girls. Soaking up the sun while Lilli played in her kiddie pool took priority over God’s Word. Looking back, I still could have enjoyed time with Lilli outside - but I could have brought my Bible & study outside with us, instead of thinking that I would “make time to do it later” (which of course I never got around to doing).

****Be more respectful towards my husband.****
“You wives will submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; He gave His life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything. And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word.” ~Ephesians 5:22-2

I think I’m respectful…when I want to be. Here’s a good example: I sometimes tend to feel that my unneccessary deceptive feelings are more important than everything else going on around me. You know, like when a thought gets in your mind that won’t go away…dwelling on things that have no importance…that you have no control over…I’m sure you’ve experienced that a time or two. Michael has a way of snapping me back into reality and shining a light on the truth. (It’s an amazing gift God has given him!) Sometimes I’m respectful and accept his words of wisdom…and other times I just want to pout…to lash out…to dwell on those feelings because they “feel” so important when in reality, they’re not. I need to remember that my dear husband has my best interest in mind and isn’t merely shooing my delicate feelings aside. He is actually helping me know the truth. God has given me a wonderful husband who has helped me grow so much and I know he will continue to do so.

****Recycle****
Michael showed me this article this morning and it shocked me: Continents of Floating Garbage
We recycle cans, plastic jugs, and glass, but I don’t go out of my way to recycle things that my center doesn’t accept (plastic items that don’t have a “neck,” magazines, etc). This article has motivated me to recycle as many things as I can!

Michael and I were chuckling about how life completely changes when you have kids….here are a few of my examples: 

Before: I knew every word to the top 10 hits on the radio.
After: I have no clue who Kanye or Rihanna are (how do you even pronounce those names???), but I know all the words to Disney, Sesame Street, & Barney Sing A Long Songs.

Before: I would go shopping with my friends at the drop of a hat to find that “must have item!”
After: Planning any time with friends requires at least a week’s notice and I can’t go shopping because I’d rather sign up for those email notifications to my favorite children’s store because my child “would look so cute in that!”

Before: Friday and Saturday nights were devoted to going out and then sleeping in until at least noon the next day.
After: “Going out” is going somewhere kid-friendly (we like Ruby Tuesday’s & Cracker Barrel) and “sleeping in” is now 7am…even if we’ve been up with our children to get a drink, use the bathroom, or check the closet for monsters.

Before: My home was spotless - everything was in it’s place.
After: I’ve tripped over about 10 toys and it’s not even noon yet…and how did my designer bag end up in my daughter’s closet??

Before: Getting a mani-pedi was done on a weekly basis…Heaven forbid if I ever broke a nail!
After: My nails are short so I don’t accidentally scratch baby during a diaper change.

Before: I worked out at least 3 times a week.
After: Running after my kids is now my work out.

Before: Grooming was an intricate process: hot baths or showers had to take at least 20 minutes (I never forgot to light those pretty scented candles!), I moisturized after using that special lotion that made my skin look 10 years younger, & each hair on my head was perfectly in place - because the price I paid for that hair cut was so worth it.
After: I take pride in getting ready in 10 minutes flat, I’m lucky if I even get a shower in (and the lotion I do have is the same bottle that I’ve had for the past 2 years…no wonder why my skin is dry), & I’ve learned that throwing my hair up in a pony tail is easier than trying to pry it out of my toddler’s hands throughout the day.

I wonder what having grandkids will be like…be sure to check back in about 20 years for that post - “Before & After: Grandchildren”