Showered With Blessings

My amazing friend Melinda White through Skyler and I the most beautiful shower last Sunday... It was such a time of blessing for me... There were so many ladies that gathered to celebrate the life of my little girl and that makes my heart joyful... Below are some of my favorite photos that my amazing photo friend, Lauren, took...

One of the games we played... determine the baby food flavor.

My most wonderful friend Mindy... I really should make a post just about her and how much the Lord has blessed my life with her friendship... I feel like i will never be able to bless her as much as she has blessed me since the day I met her... A million thank yous to you my most precious friend... You are undoubtedly one of God 's most amazing daughters!!! Thank you for the way that you love on me and my family... :)

We had a sweet time of prayer over Skyler and her little life... This might have been my favorite part of the shower... it was an awesome reminder of how we don't have to raise our kids on our own... We have the body of believers that come along side us to encourage us, challenge us, speak truth to us, and pray fervently with us and for us...

Skyler arriving at her shower...

My name tag... I just liked this picture...

Me on shower day... Thanks Grandma for my new dress...

Old friends...

Thank you so much to all our friends and family that came together to celebrate our little Skyler... Blessing upon blessing :)


I put more photos of the shower on Skyler's blog...

Refreshment

A weekend of sweet time with my Joey...

We went out on Friday and Saturday night without the kids... On Friday we went to dinner at a little Italian place down the street from our house... Our amazing Landlords gave us a gift card, so dinner was a real treat... then we drove up the coast and talked about silly stuff... Of course Joey made me laugh... I must say that I really miss my pregnant belly laugh... When i'm not pregnant you almost never even know that i am laughing because I have one of those silent laughs; you know, when your mouth is wide open and your head is moving up and down but you can't hear a thing :); Ya, that's me when I laugh :) ...
Then at 8:20pm we both looked at each other and said, "Wanna go home and go to bed?" Yes, that's the season that we're in... and I love it! :)

On Saturday, we picked up Chick-fil-a and snuck it in to the theater in my backpack... We saw Batman... It was nice just to sit for a few hours alone with Joey... Truthfully it was nice to hold hands like we were in high school again on a date... it was nice to not talk... it was nice to kinda just zone out for a few short hours...

The whole weekend was just...Refreshing :)

Beautiful But Brutal Honesty

Motherhood has got to be one of the most humbling jobs around... I have to say that there are an abundance of good moments and in the same breath admit that there are a good amount of difficult moments as well... Yesterday felt like an overload of difficult moments...

One of the things that I struggle with with my children is anger... The Lord has been faithful this past year in really changing my heart and thus changing my words and my tone of voice... and He has given me an increase of patience (that could only come from Him)... And each morning when I wake up I ask Him to fill me with the ALL the fruits of the Spirit... And several times throughout each day when i can feel my frustration creeping in I ask Him AGAIN to fill me the all the fruits of the Spirit towards my children... And even though I ask for these things often, I must admit that some days are more successful than others...

Yesterday was an unsuccessful day... I found myself loosing my patience, speaking unkindly, and responding to the kids questions with rude sarcasm instead of with kindness and joy (Does this ever happen to you? :)... I found myself getting frustrated with them because I was having to say the same thing over and over again... I felt so mad because I felt like I had to keep repeating myself... I kept asking myself, "why don't they get it?"

Then, like so many other times in the past three years, God used my son to remind me that my kids are not the only ones who don't get it... We were driving in the car on the way to the beach this morning and Josiah blurts out, "Mommy got mad today." And I replied, "you're right buddy. It's not ok for mommy to speak unkindly is it?" Then Josiah said, "It ok, Mommy ask forgiveness." And I responded, "Yes, Mommy did. And you forgave me. Thank you."... I thought the conversation was over but then a few seconds later Josiah said, "And then Mommy get mad Again."

And it hit me... I have trouble "getting it" too. I spent the whole day making the same mistake. I can't even tell you how many times I had to ask Josiah and Halee for forgiveness yesterday... Here I was getting all upset at them all the while I was having the same struggle as they were...

I love how my son just speaks the things that are on his mind... I love how the Lord uses his words to grow me and stretch me and confront me and ultimately to change me. It's humbling and yet this beautiful blessing... So I am going to ask the Lord to help me give the same grace to my children that they so freely give to me... The beautiful but brutal truth is that I need God's grace... and I am so grateful that it available to me, free of charge. :)

Beach Bonding

Today was a huge day for us... I made it to the beach with all three kids!!!! It felt like quite an accomplishment. :) But I must say that it was a family effort... Joey went down before work and set up a canopy tent thing for us so that Skyler and all our other little baby friends could have enough shade... He brought all the kids toys and even a chair for me... that Joey is so thoughtful :)
We met up with a bunch of friends from church... It was such a blessing for all of us... I got to have wonderful fellowship with awesome godly women... and the kids laughed and ran and jumped and built castles and played in the water...

And Skyler Reese... slept the ENTIRE time :)...

Delicious sandy snacks...

Halee got a little bit of sand on her face...

Siah is getting so much more brave in the water...

Lunch at the beach with all my kiddos...

Mommy and sweet Halee-Belle

How cute is this girl???

More Sister Stuff

Halee has been such a big helper since Skyler has been born... She helps me get diapers when I need to change Skyler, and whenever Skyler cries Halee tries to put her pacifier in her to "help her feel better." I love that she loves to love on her sister!!!

Sweet sisters... Doesn't Halee look so grown up???

Motorcycles

Papa found these motorcycles on the clearance rack at Target... at first he just got one for Josiah but then he ended up going back and getting another for Halee... It's now the new "favorite"toy... for this week anyway...
How cute is she????

I love summer... we go outside almost every afternoon after naps... I sit in a lounge chair in the driveway and usually read through the mail, and the kids ride their motorcycles, play with their hot wheel cars, and try to climb the tree in our front yard... it has been so beautiful this summer... I just love it!!!!

Look at these cute faces :)

"Mama, Look What I Can Do!"

One of the things that I love about my kids right now is that they love to show me all their tricks... One of the phrases that I hear what seems like one thousand times a day is, "Mama, look at me." Sometimes Josiah will ask me to look at him and then he'll do something totally silly like tap his nose with his thumb... what I love about it is that he just enjoys showing me stuff... I think that one of his "love languages" might be words of encouragement... He just thrives off of me telling him that I am proud of him, or that he did a good job doing something... He lights up when I encourage him with my words... And so I love encouraging him... And I love soaking up this time in my life when he cares about what I think and he loves showing me his tricks...

Halee loves Josiah... She's his little mimic... whatever Siah is doing , where ever Siah is going, you can always find Halee close behind.. She repeats every word, mimics every action... She loves him so much... Here she is showing Mommy one of her tricks...

"Mama, look at me"... "Look at me Mama"... "Mama, look at me!!!!"

Skyler's Blog Baby Book

For Josiah and Halee I made baby books for their first year of life... For Skyler I have decided to make her baby book online in the form of a blog... You can keep up with Skyler's new tricks @ skylerreese.blogspot.com
You can also get to her blog by clicking on "Skyler Reese" in the "Our Friends" section of this blog...
I have put a few new posts and some of the ones that are on our family blog are on there as well...
Enjoy :)

Hilarious

Tonight Joey put the kids to bed then they asked if I could come in and say good night... So i was laying in Josiah's bed and he wanted to pray so I said sure and he started to thank God for all the usual stuff... then with his hands folded and his eyes closed he said matter of factly, "Thank you God that I farted when Papa came in the room. Thank you for peanut butter sandwiches and yogurt." It was hilarious!!! Once he realized that it was funny he started laughing and then tried making jokes and then he would laugh at his own jokes... but they weren't really jokes... He would say stuff like, "thank you for my toes." then he would laugh and laugh... that belly laugh that he has... He fits right into this family... we are all so easily entertained!!! And yes, we think that passing gas is hilarious.
Funny times with my son... I love it Lord... Thank you... :)

Skyler's Eyes

So I had this brilliant idea to make a video of Skyler with her eyes open... Let's just say that I am not completely talented in this area of technology:)
She is still in her sleepy phase so it's real treat to see her with her eyes open... She's so cool... I just love this girl... Enjoy my super fancy film :)

We Call Her "Peace"

Tomorrow morning when I wake up my little Skyler will already be one week old... It's so hard to believe... Thus far she is the most peaceful baby that I have had... Before each new baby comes it's always hard to imagine how I will be able to love a new baby as much as I love the others... but the Lord is faithful as always and he has given me this incredible love and desire for this little girl... She blesses my heart every time that I look at her... She's so tiny she almost fits into the palm of my hand... I know that she will only be this small for a few weeks so I am enjoying every moment that I have with my little peanut...
five out of the last six nights have been great... we had one doosey where she woke up almost every half hour but the rest of the nights she ate every 3-4 hours and then went right back to sleep... When she's awake she just lies in our arms or on the ground or in her swing and looks around... her eyes follow my voice when I walk around the room... basically what I'm trying to say is that she's awesome!!!
We took her to the doctor today and she is starting to gain her weight back... she got down to 6lbs 2 ounces on Saturday but now she is 6, 4...so tiny... the doc said that she is absolutely perfect... I could have told him that :)
i don't really know who she looks like... to me she just looks like Skyler... the only distinct feature that I can pick out are her fingers... they are super long and skinny, just like her grandma Sherry's... My mom used to file her nails in a more rounded shape and even Skyler's nails look like my mom's the way that they are growing in...
Toodles for now...
(I just realized that we don't have any pictures of her with her eyes open... so that's my project for today... I will try to get a few good ones and post them sometime soon :)

Maybe we should have called her Skyler "Peace" instead of Skyler Reese :)

Praying For Friendship

I've been asking the Lord for discernment and wisdom since we've brought Skyler home about Josiah and Halee and how they are handling the new baby... I was thinking that they were feeling pretty good about the whole thing until last night when we were all outside and Siah says to me, "I no like skyler." I wasn't quite sure how to respond so I was silent as I looked at him... then he said it three more times..."I no like skyler." So I asked him if he was sad that mommy had to spend time taking care of Skyler and he said, "ya." Then I told him how much I loved him and would always love him and Halee and Skyler and how much I loved spending time with all three of them... and in the middle of my sentence he interrupted me and said, "Mommy I want you take Skyler back to the doctor." (I think He thinks that's where she came from because I went to see the doctor and came back with Skyler). It was a little sad but I was glad that he told me how he really felt... We talked about it a little more after that comment...
Later that night when I was sitting on our recliner Josiah came up to me and told me, "I thankful for Skyler." And this morning when he was praying during our devotion time at breakfast he thanked God (on his own, without my prompting) for Skyler for the first time since she's been home.
So I'm thinking he's on his way... Some days he likes her better than other days... But I know that God has something special in mind for the three little Clarks... I am praying that they grow to have deep, deep friendships and I believe in the power of prayer with my whole heart... I will never cease to pray fervently for the unity of my three little treasures... :)

I think Siah and Hal already have the "brotherly love" thing down :)

Matching

These dresses were on the clearance rack at Target and I couldn't help but buy them for the girls... when i look back on pictures from when my brother and I were kids and my mom dressed us in matching clothes I always thought it was a little dorky... And here I am... it's only day five of having two sweet girls and I am already torturing them with pictures in matching dresses :) Oh well, it's kinda fun...

Halee loves to hold Skyler and I love to hold my girls.

Two Moments With My Man

Moment #1

I woke up Saturday morning after a Looney-bin night with little Skyler... I had to get it together to take her to get her blood drawn at the hospital, then to a doctor's appointment... (they were checking her for jaundice... she doesn't have any :) We decided that I would go by myself and that Joey would hang out with Siah and Hal... when I left the kids were still asleep and the house was a mess... For those of you who know me it's very difficult for me to leave the house without making sure things are in order and clean... It's just one of those silly things about me... but this morning I just had to let it go...

After Skyler's appointments I met up with Joey and the kids at the bagel shop for some lunch and then we went to Target to return some things... when we got home and I walked in the door i got a little teary eyed... Joey had cleaned the whole house... washed the dishes, put all the toys away, vacuumed... the place was sparkling... then I went up stairs ... and all the laundry was done... I felt so blessed... I am realizing that it is the very little things that we do for one another that allow us to truly bless each other... who needs fine gifts... my man knows the things that bless my heart and he continuously goes out of his way to do those things for me :)
Thank you my love :)

Moment #2

We were in the hospital and I had just delivered Skyler. Joey took her over to the warming bed and the nurse started to check her out. Joey turned around and walked towards my bed... He gave me this beaming smile and came up right next to me... he leaned down and gave me a kiss on the forehead... then he looked right into my eyes and said, "I am so proud of you." (tears of joy are streaming down my face as I am typing this... I'm a sap, I know) There is no greater feeling than have the man of your dreams, say those genuinely sweet words after you've just met this little life that the two of you created together for the first time! I felt like I was on top of the world :)

Beautiful Features

"Fearfully And Wonderfully Made"Look at that face...

Cute Button Nose...

Is there such thing as "to good to be true"?????

Mama here... I woke up Wednesday morning with Philippians 4:6 going through my head... "Be anxious for nothing... " And this unexplainable peace was in my heart... when we left for the hospital I felt joyful and calm (a first for me... usually on "birth day" I'm a total nervous wreck at the thought of what I know I have to do... get the baby out... and the last two times I cried the whole way to the hospital) but this time I smiled the whole way there...

We checked in and got settled in the room... They started my antibiotics... and i took a long nap... at 2:30pm the doc came and broke my water and started a little pytocin (spelling??)... I got my epidural and took another nap... at 5:30 I felt a little pressure... at 5:57 I felt A LOT of pressure... 5 pushes later... at 6:03 I pulled the baby out myself!!!!!! IT WAS SOOOOO COOL!!!
I loved not knowing the sex of the baby ahead of time... announcing to Dr. Rob, Julie, and Joey, (these same three people have been with me to deliver all three of my babies :) that it was a girl was definitely one of the best parts!!

My friend Mindy took this picture
and I just love it cuz it captures exactly how I felt!
I am one happy Mama!

Now our sweet Skyler... The first night was nothing but a blessing... We had our own room (a first for us, the last 2 births we have had to share)... And Skyler slept all night only waking up to eat then falling right back asleep... What a miracle... Night 2 was similar... She was awake around 3am for almost an hour but she just laid next to me totally silent looking around then she sacked out again... It was a sweet treat for my little heart to have that time alone with her... the Lord has been preparing me for months to be awake at that exact hour every night in the middle of the night... and what do ya know, Skyler was awake in my belly at 3 and she was awake last night at 3... It's kinda nice and wonderful that the Lord has prepared me all this time so it didn't feel like a big deal to be up with her...

If I could pick one word to describe Skyler Reese it would be "content". She is so peaceful... I know that it is the only the first two days and that things can and probably will drastically change over the next few weeks and months but I want to cherish these days in my heart and be overflowing with thankfulness cuz I feel like the Lord is POURING out his blessing on me and I want him to receive ALL THE GLORY because he is faithful!!!

Content Skyler Reese

Siblings... Josiah and Halee love Skyler... and i'm not just saying that... Especially Halee... She wants to hold Skyler all the time and kiss her and hug her...
Siah is not as into holding her but he's very "proud" to call her his sister... He likes to tell people her name... "This my sister... This Skyler..."

Siah and Skyler

Halee loves to hold "Baby Skyler"
She usually calls her "baby" instead of Skyler...
We called Skyler "baby" for so long cuz we didn't know
if she was a boy or a girl or what her name was... So Halee
hasn't quite made the transition yet...

We are OFFICIALLY a family of 5 :)
(I just love saying that out loud)

I know that this whole experience was as wonderful as it was because of all the amazing family and friends who prayed fervently for us for this moment in our lives... I know with all my heart that this day would not have been the same if you all had not joined together and spoke to the Lord on our behalf... To me, this day has been joyful evidence that God loves to love on his kids... Sometimes he loves on us through trials and sometimes he loves on us through blessings... Thank you Lord for this season of blessing!!!! i love you Lord more than life!!

Blessing upon blessing... :)

Introducing.......Skyler Reese Clark

This is the proud Papa of sweet Skyler. She is so precious!!! She was born last night, July 2nd @ 6:03 pm and weighed in at 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and stands a lengthy 19 1/2 inches tall. Ok, she doesn't stand yet, but she is a smart little girl. In fact she can already count to 3. Check it out in these pictures...

1

2

3

All this counting and showing off her tricks wore her out though and she decided to sack out and sleep through the night only waking every few hours to eat and get a new diaper. It was such a great night. Hopefully it continues like that ;) This morning she woke up and decided to be chipper for a bit...


I think she takes after her momma, because that is what her momma looks like when she wakes up in the morning. I call it the 'don't bother me, i'm still asleep' face. It is very cute on momma and Skyler!

Anyways, Kacy and the baby are still at the hospital and are doing great! We will keep you posted as to when we get out. Thank you to everyone who helped pray this beautiful little girl into the world. We can't wait to introduce her to everyone.

"B" is for Blessing

Today is "B" day!!!! We are heading to the hospital this morning...

This is our last photo as a family of four. We took it last night... Today, Lord willing, we will become a family of five... We can't wait to introduce you to the newest Clark... We'll keep you all posted...

Thanks for all your prayers... keep em comin :)
Love, The Clarks

Not "Four" Much Longer

Papaw and Granny DeeDee flew into town yesterday to come meet the new baby... So today the whole family piled into the Suburban (Gas is so expensive these days it seems we only drive "the beast" on special occasions :) and took a trip to the airport to see Papaw's new airplane up close and personal...

Hal was a little scared... she stayed in Papaw's arms and put her head on his shoulder the whole time... She didn't want to sit in the plane... She didn't like the noise of all the other planes and helicopters that were taking off and landing....


Siah on the other hand... LOVED IT!!! He sat in the pilot's seat and loved talking on the head set... He called it the "talker, talker". He used the "yoke" to make the wings go up and down.
He asked Papaw a million questions to try and figure out what everything was and how the whole thing worked... I just love to watch him try to figure things out... You can see his brain working over time through all the expressions on his face...

It was a sweet last day together as a family... we had a delicious lunch together at Rubios, took long naps all afternoon, walked to the park together and ate Granny DeeDee's homemade chili for dinner... We ended our day reading books and playing in the backyard while the adults sipped tea and enjoyed the absolutely perfect weather... Blessing upon blessing :) Thanks Lord :)