2011...

What a year!?

Our lives have changed so much in just a year. It's incredible to look back and realize how far we've come.

January... Umm... I'm not sure what really went on in January... it apparently flew by.

February... Our niece, Annie, was born, as well as Abigail's friend Stella. Both are such incredible blessings!

Annie Kay

Ashley, Stella and Abigail

March... Jordan got back from Arizona and started his job at Ft. Leavenworth. This change brought our family back together and allowed Jordan and I to spend our 5 year anniversary together!

April... In April we gained a new member of the family ~ my sister got married. Abigail adores her Uncle Tim and got the privilege of  being their flower girl.

We spent lots of time outdoors with family and friends in April. We celebrated Easter in Mercer with an egg hunt for the kiddos.

Mason and Abigail hunting eggs

May... Abigail's first trip to the ER occurred in May. She fell in the bathtub (trying to get out) and bit a hole in her tongue.

Such a good sport!

The tongue

 June...We took a mini-vacation to Omaha and visited their amazing zoo, visited the Lincoln Children's Museum and Abby experienced fishing for the first time!

Abigail and the gorillas

July... We celebrated Mason's 3rd birthday in July and had a wonderful time. We also took a day trip to DeAnna Rose Children's Farmstead.

August... We spent a lot of time outdoors and at the pool (as well as in the air conditioning!!) in the month of August. We took Abigail to a movie and spent time preparing to bring Huey home.

September... What a month September was. Abigail started preschool, and is still loving it. We picked up Huey and he became a part of our family. We also learned what is meaningful in life ~ Jordan had his accident and our lives were put into perspective. We thank God for watching over him everyday and getting him through the accident.

October... Abigail turned 3 on the 20th and on her birthday we learned that she was going to be a big sister!

November... We spent time in both Nebraska and Mercer in November and had a blast each time. Huey got to go on his first hunt in Nebraska and we celebrated Thanksgiving in Mercer (as well as attending their annual craft fair earlier in the month!).

December... Jordan took over Company Command and Abigail and I were honored to be a part of the change of command ceremony. We also enjoyed spending a lot of quality time with family and friends, for Christmas and New Year's Eve!

2012... This year is off to a great start and we are looking forward to all that God has in store for us in the new year. We were so very blessed in 2011 and are anticipating all that 2012 will have to offer!

(I apologize for the lack of pictures in this post... I'm blogging from my phone and with minimal photos!)

Baby Update

I added a poll to the side of the blog... We are finding out the sex of this baby (and may or may not know already...).

But until we reveal the gender/find out Jordan and I thought it would be fun to have everyone guess.

Here are some of the facts of this pregnancy...
*Baby's heart rate was 157 last Thursday and 154 yesterday (Tuesday).
*Jordan says I don't get sad, I get "mean" (apparently with Abigail I got weepy).
*Nausea has been a problem this time. I discovered Preggie Pops and they're awesome.
*I'm not very far along (14 weeks, 5 days) so to judge how I'm carrying isn't easy, but - I still easily fit in my jeans and dress pants, I just can't button them. I will say there is definitely a baby bump and I'm glad I now wear scrubs everyday.

Okay, that's all the help I can be... Good luck guessing and hopefully an announcement will be made soon.

Here's a little peak at our peanut...

Abigail's first flight

I think it's been a couple months now...

We took Abigail on a flight to Nebraska. She did amazing (likely better than me!) and looked adorable with her headset on.

We flew over my parents' house, Wilber and DeWitt. It was very beautiful (lots of pretty leaves).

{Untitled}

I have been MIA lately... our computer froze up and we had to have it "cleaned up", and we still haven't loaded everything back on. Oops!

BUT... we felt that this bit of news had to be shared...

Abigail is excited to announce (she will tell anyone who will listen for a few minutes) that...

(sorry it's a bit hard to read...)

The "details" for those who are interested...

My due date is June 22nd, so for those that aren't math wizes, that makes me 12 weeks a few days along. We had a quick ultrasound at my last doctor appointment (I was 9 weeks along) and got to see the tiny peanut and it's little heart flickering. We will likely be finding out the sex this time. We loved not finding out with Abigail, but for whatever reason I'm dying to know this time. One of my good friends is a sonographer (is that the right word?? she does ultrasounds) and has graciously volunteered to do ultrasounds for us periodically. She said she can tell the sex at 15 weeks ~ eeks!! That's so soon... with the holidays it will likely be closer to 16 weeks, but we are so excited!

Okay, I promise to resume regular blogging soon... I have TONS of pictures/updating!

Three!

Three years ago today God blessed us with a beautiful, healthy, little girl...




Three years later she is more beautiful and kind than I could have imagined a three-year-old being...


She has such a personality!


Princesses are her thing right now (especially Rapunzel), but little does she know that she is a princess...


Happy Birthday baby girl!!

Ladybugs

Sneak peek...

We're flying!

On Sunday afternoon Jordan decided to take me flying... I was privileged enough to be his first (ever!) passenger. Sunday was a beautiful day, sunshine, minimal clouds, and lots of wind. It didn't seem all that windy on the ground, but once we were in the air ~ wowsa!

We took off from KC Downtown and I thought we might have to turn right around. I was never afraid for my life, or anything like that, but my stomach had a very funny reaction. I had no idea I would react like I did... I've never been air-sick or sea-sick, before.

We flew over Pam's house (she was kind enough to keep Abigail for the afternoon), and our house. We were going to fly to Leavenworth so Jordan could show me how amazing it is from the air, but I wasn't sure my stomach could handle too much more. We scratched that part of our flight plan and headed to Lawrence.

We landed in Lawrence and were told that the wind was supposed to die down soon. We decided to take the courtesy car ad drive into town. We stopped at Rusty's, the local pizza joint, and had some pizza and iced teas. After a bite to eat I felt SO much better!

We took off from Lawrence and headed back to KC. The flight home was much better, only a couple of wind gusts, and I never once felt nauseous. As we neared KC we realized that the NASCAR race was over and heard some helicopters over the radio say they were coming in with VIP's ~ I can't help but wonder who they were :)

I have to say, and it isn't just because Jordan is my husband, but his landings were the smoothest that I've ever experienced... seriously, better than commercial planes, hands down.

The tiny, tiny plane we flew

On our radios, high in the sky!

The Kansas City skyline as we were coming back

The Missouri River as we were coming into land
Scary, but beautiful!

Me and the Cessna

After our flight! We made it!

Perspective... Part II

Yesterday I was jolted awake about 5:45 by my phone ringing. It was Jordan. He wasn't there when I answered, but I got a text message. "Voicemail" is all it said. I listened to my voicemail and it was difficult to hear, but I could make out what sounded like him and a woman, he was being interviewed.

Then my phone rang again. "I'm okay" is all he said when I answered. Followed by a long pause.

The short story is that he was in a head on collision with a pick-up on his way to work. It was very foggy.

He walked away.

He walked away.

He climbed out of the sun roof, because his door was blocked by the ground. Minutes after he got out it started on fire. He administered aide to the other driver. They were both taken by ambulance to the hospital. Jordan was treated and released and the other driver had surgery, but we are praying that he will make a full recovery.

When we went back later that day to see if there was anything salvageable we talked to the tow truck driver. He said that the last wreck he worked where the vehicles looked like ours did, was a double fatality.

I'm not sure of the lesson that God is teaching us right now, but we are opening our hearts to it. We are thanking Him for protecting Jordan and for getting us through yesterday.

I am counting my blessings today. I hope you all are, too.

Perspective...

This has been a trying week in the Clark household...

Last week Jordan got sick, and then the transmission on the Tahoe went out. Last weekend Abigail and I's allergies really kicked into over drive, so we weren't feeling great either. We found out that the dealership we took the Tahoe to released the wrong vehicle to the transmission repair people. Jordan hit a pothole with the rental car and not only blew the tire, but bent the rim. Jordan may have broken his leg. We ran late for nearly everything we had going on this week.

Last night I was about to my breaking point.

Jordan put everything in perspective for me.

I have a beautiful little girl, who is healthy. I have an adorable puppy who, although full of energy, is a great cuddler. I married my best friend, the one man who knows me and "gets" me. My family is fantastic and are always there for us. I have amazing friends who help to ground me. I have a roof over my head and two vehicles that are reliable {99% of the time :)}. I have a church that we love. I have an amazing God who knows me, and has plans for me. Sometimes I don't understand His reasons for things, or why I have to take certain steps, but I know that He has plans for me and that if I listen for His voice, it will bring me peace.

I'm learning to not sweat the small stuff, because it isn't important. I'm learning to place value in only those things that really matter in the long run, my family and friends. One of my best friends from high school is having a baby this weekend and I am again reminded of the little blessings in our lives...

*While typing this Jordan texted me that his leg is NOT broken! Praise the Lord!!

9/11

Where were you on 9/11 as the towers fell and our lives changed forever? 


That's a question that's been asked so many times this week. I remember where I was, in my dorm room with my roommate. We had an 8am class and came back to our room to sleep. She woke me up and we watched in disbelief, like so many others, as the towers fell.

This week on K-Love the question was this: How have the attacks on 9/11 changed your life?

It was a question that I pondered for a little while... my life wasn't directly impacted, was it? There were obvious things that changed, my attitude towards life and death, the respect that I always had for our first responders was amplified. But, when I thought harder, I realized that nothing in my life would be as it is, if it wasn't for 9/11... Jordan and I hadn't met yet, but he joined the Army after 9/11. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan would not have happened if it wasn't for 9/11.

I'm constantly reminded that the goal of those who attacked the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93 was not accomplished. They intended to destroy our country and bring America to it's knees. They did not accomplish that goal. Instead we united. The National Anthem brings Americans (young and old) to tears. Not tears of sadness, but tears of pride. We were not broken. Maybe a crack was created, but it's been repaired and we are now stronger than ever. The attacks turned many people toward God, and strengthened their relationships with Jesus.

Today, on the 10th Anniversary, hold your families close and remember how blessed we are to live in this amazing country.

God Bless America...

Our little man...

Huey joined our family on September 3rd... 

We picked him up in Lincoln Nebraska and took him back to my mom and dad's where Abigail was anxiously awaiting him. She wasn't too sure of him, and his energy, at first. 

This looks like a very energetic dog, right?

 

He rode amazingly well, no accidents, or sickness, whatsoever. We got a new car last weekend, also, so that was a big concern.

Huey and Mommy riding in the new car

  

My family sleeping

My sleepy princess!

Today, a week later, she is coming around. She can firmly tell him "no!" when he jumps up on her and she no longer thinks that he is "scratching me" every time he touches her.

We are working on potty training and crate training. He is really doing pretty well, I think, given he is only 8 1/2 weeks old. We have accidents and frustrating times, though. 

Sleeping on the couch... with Abby's sock

My boys!

Chewing on his pheasant

Huey is a Vizsla and will be a medium to large size dog, about 45-60 lbs... the plan now is for him to be a semi-inside dog. He'll hopefully be Jordan's running buddy, Abigail's best friend and my protector when Jordan is away. Right now he's sleeping on the couch next to me, while J & A are playing on the love seat. They are both sick right now ~ head colds? Allergies? But, we have plans to enjoy this weekend!

How did you train your dogs? Are they members of your family? Do they sleep in the house? In a kennel? On your bed?

School!!

Tuesday was Abigail's first day of school.

What? You might say... School?? She isn't old enough to go to school... is she??

Yes, my friends, she is. Tuesday she started preschool and she was SO excited!

The traditional First Day of School picture

Outtake 1

Outtake 2 "The sun is in my eyes!"

Outtake 3

We met her friend Loren at McDonald's for some first-day breakfast! Abby and Loren go to Pam's together and they are really great friends. Loren is older than Abby - two years in school older - but they are adorable together! (Her mommy has a blog, too ~ filled with tons of yummy recipes! Check it out!)

Eating their pancakes

How cute are they?!

Sunshine!

Her first day at her first school!

Mommy and Abigail

Playing...

Talking to me...

Abigail's other friend Sidney is in her class, also... Sid and Abby go Pam's together, too.

Abigail and Sidney

Cheese!!

Today she went back (school is two days a week), and was SO excited to return. I'm ecstatic that she loves school... hopefully I can keep this blog going until she's in middle school, so I can remind her of that then!

Puppy Prep

If you're on facebook, or a super close family friend, you may know that we are going to welcome this guy:

to our family next Saturday!

We are so excited and Abby can not wait to meet him! We think ~ think! ~ his name will be Huey (like the helicopter), but haven't settled completely.

Anyways, this weekend was spent prepping for his homecoming. We went to PetSmart and purchased all of the puppy essentials.

When we got home I noticed that the food/water bowls quickly disappeared. I wasn't worried. But, I was very surprised when I walked into Abby's playroom and found this...



I think she's ready?

Does anyone have any advice for prepping a kiddo fora new puppy?

My new favorite Woman...

The Pioneer Woman.

She is amazing! Have you guys checked out her blog(s) yet?!

She cooks. Is an amazing photographer. Has a beautiful home. On a beautiful ranch in Oklahoma.

I had heard of her, a long time ago, but didn't really investigate too much. Recently I purchased her book ~ not her cookbook ~ and it's amazing! This woman can write! Her book is about how she met her husband and fell in love. It reads like a novel and I have trouble putting it down at night.

I joined pinterest a few weeks ago and have pinned a few of her recipes. Wednesday night I finally got around to trying one... Cajun Chicken Pasta. A-MA-ZING!!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks for Christmas!

(Oh yeah ~ she has a show on Food Network ~ it premiered this morning!)

MISSING:

Tiny Tiny Baby:

Height: 8in
Weight: 10oz
Blonde Hair
Brown Eyes
Clothes worn
Well loved
Missing since 08/06/11 approx 1100


We were moments away from making posters that read the above information tonight. Tiny Tiny Baby (TTB) went missing Saturday morning, just before nap time. I'm telling you TTB was gone! Jordan and I tore Abby's playroom, living room and kitchen apart, but no sign of TTB!! Tonight I decided I was going to take everything out of her playroom until I found her.

I knew two things: Abigail had not left our property between the time we last saw TTB and when she went missing; and Abby was devastated!

Looks normal right?

Or does it...

Aha!!

One VERY happy Abigail!

PS ~ These pictures were taken with my new iPhone. I love it and it really takes great pictures! I "edited" them in the app Instagram. LOVE IT!