tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9942018029880985632024-03-05T19:19:13.315-08:00Seasons of SommerSommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-24234949047327165582015-02-12T17:35:00.001-08:002015-02-12T17:35:33.897-08:00His Words Spoken through a Filter...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PuMa-E81okh3YbI49IReajNNJG48nUZRDUgwJkoJMp2N5itXMBogPhAlWgQQjb_X2ozleosrDDZkWIn-gKSmClrVpCz6CtNx-6pzdL9Rk7YlpAyta1k7nhO8cJ6b6TUUXnPh_B7Gj2wf/s640/blogger-image-1975567997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PuMa-E81okh3YbI49IReajNNJG48nUZRDUgwJkoJMp2N5itXMBogPhAlWgQQjb_X2ozleosrDDZkWIn-gKSmClrVpCz6CtNx-6pzdL9Rk7YlpAyta1k7nhO8cJ6b6TUUXnPh_B7Gj2wf/s640/blogger-image-1975567997.jpg"></a></div>God will use Anything to get our attention sometimes...even ol' hair dryers!<div><br></div><div>You know those filters your hair dryer has- that you're suppose to clean out from time to time ;p well one particular morning I was trying to clean out mine to get the ol thing to dry better- it had def lost some of it's blowing power- so I removed the end -cleaned it out and put the cap back on and proceeded to dry my hair. I noticed though that it didn't seem all that much better- still running a bit slow and with less power then it was capable of but I proceeded anyway. About half way through though I 'accidentally' dropped the thing and wouldn't you know the filter cap popped off and with it Another filter flew out. Yep my dryer has 3 filters and I was oblivious- so of course that extra one was crazy full of lint/dust. After I took care of it-put it all back together and turned it on- it was like new again- my hair dried in seconds! </div><div><br></div><div>In that moment God spoke so clearly to my heart...</div><div><br></div><div>He said, "Sommer quite often you are like that hair dryer... Your life's so full of 'stuff' that you can't run as I've created you to. </div><div>Sure the stuff can all be good- but it isn't all that I've asked of you- remember, "my yoke is easy & my burden light" (Matthew 11:30). When you fill up your life with so much it leaves you with less energy -often feeling drained or overwhelmed. Most importantany though the things I've called you to you aren't able to be your Best at. When you clear out the 'junk' -all the extras- be those things good & great- you'll find you have more energy- work more quickly & with ease- you'll have room for margin when other things 'pop up' that you hadn't planned for -things/people I place in your path to bless."</div><div><br></div><div>Yep that morning I sure learned A Lot from just blow drying my hair ;) </div><div><br></div><div>God is Good... And He always speaks Truth in Love. </div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-30284705983307599132014-10-27T18:21:00.000-07:002014-10-27T18:21:34.155-07:00Stop ChurchThe title of this post may have caught your attention a bit =p Last week at our church's wonderful MOPS group we were encouraged to share a bit deeper into our "Story". Those two words are greatly a part of mine - one in which I actually chose Not to share last week - but may in the future. Or maybe after posting it here it won't be necessary -lol.<br />
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You see we all have a Story - or rather a "Testimony" as the Good Book likes to call it. We all have things we have overcome or areas in which we struggle a bit to be completely set free from. These aren't meant to be things for others to judge us by or things to 'mark' our lives as being worthy or unworthy - better or less then anyone around us. They aren't things at all but parts and pieces that make up our whole being - our Story. And when we are able to share a bit more deeply some of those pieces with others - maybe in a more intimate group then the World Wide Web =p but in whatever context we feel comfortable or beautifully stretched in doing so - we not only set more of those pieces free - we also help encourage & uplift others ... even if it's just to help them realize they aren't alone.<br />
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So back to my two little words that have forever altered my being... I've decided to share in hopes of helping someone know two things - 1. You aren't alone in the anxieties & fears you face & 2. God says YES He loves you That Much....!<br />
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Here's my Story.<br />
Years ago -we'll just say it's been more then 10 (I don't want to age myself too much here;) but one night during my last semester in college I had a crazy moment that changed my 'mind' forever. You know when someone asks you when something occurred in your life and you can recall it so well in detail it's like it happened yesterday?! Well this is one of those moments for me when someone asks me 'when did fear take root in your life'? Not that I'm asked that question much thank goodness -lol- but when someone can see through my walls of security that I try so well to put up - and really ask me the harder questions- this is one I now truly have no problem in sharing - thus why I've decided to blog about it- because I've realized in doing so too many people have or continue to deal with such similar things in their own personal way (if that makes sense;)<br />
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Like I said it was one night during my last semester - finals week when most of us were up cramming for one exam after another. In the beginning of that week I had asked my roommate if she had a sleeping pill I could take to help me finally get some much needed rest- since I wasn't able to naturally sleep well for several days. So I followed the directions and took one- it didn't seem to help. A few nights later I asked for another - I took 2 - I figured maybe it would work this time. It worked all right - in the form of overdose symptoms. My tongue began to feel twice it's size - my mouth was so dry no amount of water seemed to help - and then things in the room began to appear closer then they actually were. Freaked out is how I felt- totally scared having no idea what was going on with me yet knowing it was obviously from taking one too many sleeping pills. I woke one of my roommates who so sweetly sat with me and called our campus ER so a nurse could tell me what I already knew - that yes my body was just reacting from too much of a certain drug and in about 4 hours it would wear off. Yep 4 hours- so much for that sleep right-lol. Even though my sweet roommie said she'd sit up with me I totally felt silly and definitely didn't want her to lose sleep herself over my negligence in following simple directions- so I did the next best thing I knew to do- I called my Granny- because as some know- my Granny was Always up late =p So she stayed up and chatted the night away with me until my tongue felt normal again and objects in the room appeared in their proper places.<br />
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Now to most that story I'm sure doesn't seem crazy or odd or one in which that could alter someone's 'mind' enough to ever even make their Top 10 list of things worth remembering but to me it did. To me that one simple act planted a seed of fear deep within me that I've struggled to be completely set free from. And what I mean by that is that I began 'allowing' my mind to play tricks on me. And I say allowing because I've greatly learned that we play a part - the Largest part - in what thoughts we allow to grow in our minds - thoughts that can manifest themselves into other areas of our lives and even begin to control us if we don't begin to speak back at them- and speaking back with God's Words are the only things that can truly set us free! So for me- back then- those roots began to grow. I allowed my mind to think crazy things - like when I would eat something - something as simple as applesauce - one of my favs- I would think - well what if I have an allergic reaction to that- what if my throat closes us and I can't breathe and even worse... what if I die!?! Yeah crazy - I told ya! Thankfully at that time I spared those around me and I stuffed my thoughts - I'd say a prayer quietly - that I'd live and not die -lol- and try to focus my mind on something else... or worse- at times I'd actually avoid even a poor plate with applesauce on it. But as most of us know- stuffing our problems or just trying to focus on something else- doesn't pull up those roots. So they remained - and they actually grew into other areas- areas like- stress- which grew into physical symptoms where I'd even feel shakey - obviously from my nerves but being in my early 20s I didn't quite realize the control our minds and nerves and stress can truly have on our bodies - so it just caused me to mentally freak out a bit more. During this time I had graduated college - moved back home & was planning my wedding. My parents bless their hearts knew something was wrong and had me go see a Dr for a complete physical and blood work - trying to see if there was truly something 'wrong' with their daughter. Thankfully not- but not thankfully for me being as I wanted someone to tell me that it was 'something' so I could put a name on it and take a pill (in proper dosage) for it and be rid of it- whatever 'it' was. But it grew- in silence my fears and anxious thoughts grew.<br />
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Oh on the outside most knew nothing - not even those closest to me. I mean seriously who wants to tell a BFF or your hubby-to-be that you think you might Die if you eat that apple sauce tonight! lol. seriously! So I continued on in spite of myself and my crazy thoughts I would have from time to time. I got married - moved into our first house- and began a new life with the one I loved. But God. Thankfully He knew my thoughts - Thankfully He saw fit to save me from myself! So He Stopped Church... for little ol' me.<br />
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My wonderful mother-in-law had been inviting Joe and I to a revival service at her church for days. We attended a different church at the time and kept putting off her invite over the silly excuses we all can make from time to time - 'we had a long day at work, we're tired, maybe tomorrow'. Well thankfully she kept on asking right up until the last night their special speaker was to be preaching. We said yes and this is the best part of my Story.<br />
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Their revival speaker was a petite spit-fire lady with a strong Australian accent named Shirley Jones. A lady who's obedience and heart for God I will forever be thankful for! You see as I sat there among the congregation that night only God above knew I had been dealing on and off with those crazy thoughts - thoughts the enemy meant to use ultimately to defeat me. As I was sitting there trying to focus on Ms. Jones powerful God message the thought came to me, "I need prayer- right now. Oh how I wish she'd stop preaching and pray for me"! Then of course my next thought was "Who am I - no one is going to Stop Church for me"! But God- at that exact moment without skipping a beat- little Ms Shirley Jones stopped mid-preach =) excused herself from the congregation by saying - "There's someone here I need to pray for so please excuse me for a moment" - walked directly towards me and asked in her sweet Australian accent if she could pray for me! God Stopped Church.... for me! As that dear Blessed Australian lady prayed quietly over me - she didn't just pray generic prayers- she prayed Life - she prayed and spoke words over me that only God above knew I was dealing with- specific things meant only for me from Him because He knew I needed to hear. And He knew I needed to know that Yes I was worth it & Yes I was important enough for someone to Stop Church.<br />
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And it's not just meant for me my friends... He needs Each of you to know that You Are Worth It! Yes we know He died for each of us - a gruesome death on a bloody cross - so we could one day spend eternity with Him- Praise God- but He also died so that you would DAILY know you are important to Him. Every single part of you - every single crazy thought you may have- He cares about it all!<br />
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And I needed to remind someone of that tonight.<br />
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Through that piece of my Story I've shared with you God's thankfully grown me - because I've allowed Him to. One person at a time - one more in depth conversation over a cup of coffee - each time I've allowed myself to open up and share- He's poured out more Joy and Confirmation and Love over me - and often I'm blessed to see Him do so onto the person listening to my crazy tale =p So He's helping me pull up those roots ... and no longer water them.<br />
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I'll forever be indebted to Ms. Shirley Jones. She could have been one of the many who I'm truly thankful for praying over me throughout my lifetime... but instead she's just a bit more. I mean seriously... You've gotta realize that little petite spit-fire of a lady had to have one awesomely close relationship with God in order to be able to Hear His voice and Act in Immediate Obedience to what He was asking her to do- to Stop Church- for little ol' me. That my friends - that is a woman who's become one of my earthly heroes. Because I too now desire to be That Obedient to Him - no matter what others may think- no matter how I may look- because there just might be someone who needs to be reminded that Yes You Are Worth It- Yes God Loves You That Much - Yes.... He Will<br />
Stop Church.<br />
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<br />Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-29135406074765786152014-10-12T15:54:00.000-07:002014-10-12T15:54:53.238-07:00October. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're actually among the few to read this ol' post- you better grab a cup of something and get cozy- it's a long one ;p </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this time of year! The weather cools off - the leaves start to change - jackets and pretty scarves begin to be pulled out - cute boots get to be worn (but not out of necessity just yet;) -pumpkin patches are found around every corner - apples are ripe for picking - nights around the bonfire begin again - hayrides and corn mazes are penciled in on the To-Do list & the Season of Autumn truly begins to take root. Or at least it use to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Florida is different. Florida Fall for me is something that I'm realizing I need to work at appreciating. I feel bad even admitting that! It's beautiful here - I truly have NO right to complain. I have just realized that instead of the winter blues that I often felt in MD - due to the fact that my bones just hate the cold (and yes cold to me is anything below 65;) I have the Autumn blues here in FL because I just LOVED this time of year in MD so very much. And frankly it's just weird to me that I shouldn't be looking for warm fluffy or furry Halloween costumes for the kidddos because here they would fall over from heat exhaustion before a sugar crash! So of course this is the time of year when I do find myself home sick a bit- and for those family & friends who read this it isn't the weather alone- it's the fall gatherings that occur during this time as well which means spending time w/ many of you watching our kiddos pick pumpkins together or beg a stranger for candy or sit around a fire -any and everything that involves You- I miss. And that's when the miles and distance are felt the most. But here we are.... =)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Called to Florida as I say 'for such a time as this'. In truth that could mean forever or for just a few years- only God knows. But I do know that He brought us here and I shall not complain (just vent a bit-lol) on my Seasonal Blues. And above all I will continue to Greatly thank the Lord for the new friends He has brought into my life here- some who even seem like they've always been a part =) And that simple reason was one day brought to my attention when a dear friend sat at our bar in 66Beans and told me that friendships like those are rooted in the 'spiritual' so it's natural to seem as if you've always known or will know someone =) I think there's a lot of truth in that. In fact I know there's a lot of truth in that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we first moved here last summer I prayed for the friends I knew I needed! After all don't we need to do life with others? So leaving behind so very many wonderful people and coming to a place where no one knew me or knew my family - where I came from- who my husband was - how many kids I had - where I grew up - how many times I've changed my hair color ;p I knew I needed people - ladies who would become good friends- quickly! And for me there's only one place to meet people fast who I'd have common ground with right from the start- church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there's been any constant in my life other then family & friends it's been God. Jesus. His Spirit. He's been my anchor in times when the waves of life have wanted to pull me under. He's been my rock when everything around me felt so unstable. He's brought me Joy & Peace that I'd only know through knowing Him. And I only hope you can say the same! Blessed to be raised in a Christian home I can only imagine what it must be like to endure moments of unrest - moments of crazy sadness - burdened and rocked to your core - moments of silly seasonal Blues -without knowing The One who can rescue you from those times and cause your eyes to look up & to See His Love all around. Because it's there for us- daily and it's a Love that's so deep that it can only come from Him. In fact it's a place deep within each of us that He created so that we would at some point get to a place where we realized we were missing Him all along. (i didn't make that up-it's in the bible;) And even for those of us who Believe - those of us who are 'known by our Love' go through times when we allow life to take first place and our eyes begin to shift from Him to everything or everyone else around us. And oh how easily it can occur in our fast paced world - even when we busy ourselves with "His work". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do I mean & how do I know- I've been there- too many times than I'd like to recall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Living here in FL now for over a year I've had numerous friends and family from back home tell me "FL looks so good on you" or "You look so happy" -which first makes me question how I was looking before -lol- but truly it's made me evaluate why. For me I know it's more then all the Vitamin D I'm soaking in - and I know it's more then the fact that I get to enjoy more family time - but it's Greatly due to the fact that I've made my relationship with God a priority again. Truth be told if I were in MD living the same lifestyle we have here I would be hearing the same. It's not Location - it's not the new Vocation- it's Determination in keeping first things first again. Back home I allowed the business of 'doing good things for Him' replace my personal time with Him- and the scary thing is I didn't even realize it. But He did. He Knew. And He rescued me from myself. Now that may sound weird or extreme to some -thinking I needed to be rescued- but truly I did. Life began to get so out of balance - and I couldn't blame it on having a business - couldn't blame it on taking on design jobs on the side to help out financially - couldn't blame it on saying yes to this 'good thing' or to that good thing - I could only blame it on allowing all those things to replace Him - to crowd out my time with Him. So the pressure and the stress piled up- as it does for so many of us - and for me it began to manifest itself in ways of a constant rapid heart beat - the kind that wakes you up from a dead sleep with your heart pounding like you ran a marathon. Mental manifesting itself into the physical - later to be revealed that it was rooted in the spiritual. And this realization only truly occurred this past year when God had to literally Move me not just physically but spiritually. And He could only do that because I became so desperate in my crying out to Him (scared something was greatly wrong with my body) that I finally placed Him first again. I didn't squeeze Him in- I squeezed everything else in- and He once again was able to direct my steps. He was able to do what I couldn't do alone - bring me the Peace that I was so desperately in need and search of and once again I was able to Hear His voice! And a few things He has had to say haven't necessarily been easy to swallow- some things I hope to slowly reveal through words on this screen when time allows (but now I have hungry kiddos I'm going to have to attend to and for your sake it'd make this long post even longer). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'll wrap it up with this - because truly it's the thing that you too can be Blessed by-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" -Matthew 6:33</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically if we would just remember to keep God first - first in our every day lives - from the simplest of things to the greatest of things (because after all it's all simple to Him) - everything else will flow with a lot more ease. He'll be able to move in and around us. He'll be able to direct our steps - He'll be able to help us say No to the things we aren't called to do or be a part of when we'd love to say yes and add them to our plate. We'll find Rest for our Souls - and our bodies -because He knows for us mamas especially - a worn down body is Not a good thing ;) We will begin to realize margin is a good thing and filling our schedules to the max isn't what He requires (after all Jesus himself rested while walking here on earth) - He'll reveal to us that at times even the things that we could use our gifts and talents to help others out still aren't meant to be things for us to do at this time. Life comes in Seasons... and this Autumn Season friends I only hope you feel Peace and Joy & I hope you're surrounded by those you love who begin to say... "You look so much Happier"! =) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-61249302442633477502014-04-28T18:10:00.001-07:002014-04-28T18:10:37.576-07:00Inspiring One Another<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJJv6xWpe5AjUMCWCCg23ZrdakVBfpYyFCgJHQTjfpK64oRQknvMH55gjHH-jdL9TNhxQEAhZ9y2jOJ4wripJgOmrauaApMvaI3oHxPkzWEiqoXtJiYlsgVCH61OqNEA1DGxj8iA-C6AH/s640/blogger-image-794260428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJJv6xWpe5AjUMCWCCg23ZrdakVBfpYyFCgJHQTjfpK64oRQknvMH55gjHH-jdL9TNhxQEAhZ9y2jOJ4wripJgOmrauaApMvaI3oHxPkzWEiqoXtJiYlsgVCH61OqNEA1DGxj8iA-C6AH/s640/blogger-image-794260428.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This weekend I snatched up this book & devoured it! It didn't take me long to realize this wasn't just any old Interior Design or Decorating book- it's so much more! It's a book written for anyone desiring to create Home right where they're at! And to quote The Nester herself, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaonA1lqQZhAL24T-bbMHvjIfSW-uuCM66iY76PA3dLvOD-3Y2PGJ4_bFJhw9ZjLI0HKkAIsejEyZ0X3MGgRFtbgeXABroXK7RRLNEi-hjiOZ_fU0eziMs8XxDxMq1eh7OMZFmEthPeac/s640/blogger-image-1451608726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaonA1lqQZhAL24T-bbMHvjIfSW-uuCM66iY76PA3dLvOD-3Y2PGJ4_bFJhw9ZjLI0HKkAIsejEyZ0X3MGgRFtbgeXABroXK7RRLNEi-hjiOZ_fU0eziMs8XxDxMq1eh7OMZFmEthPeac/s640/blogger-image-1451608726.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Once I cracked open the pages and read this statement I knew I'd read this one from cover to cover! Myquillyn Smith, known as The Nester to the fabulous blogging world just met me where I'm at... currently an apartment dweller designing gorgeous spaces in client's homes on a daily basis while I try to look past my own desires to create- or rather recreate this place we are living in-into our Home for the moment. Just like so many of you I've dreamed of my Dream Home for as long as I can remember & diving back into the design world full time this yr (after having sold our coffee shop bk in MD) I'm faced with the daily reminder of all the things I don't have- can't do at the moment- or can't afford right now. Poor pitiful me I know-lol. While we do have a roof over our heads and plenty to eat with kids that are healthy & jobs we enjoy I still find time to complain... But no longer! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLciIrM6BtwjZN4CscW0QmPnwTgJAnP-MJyL1c6XnD1YYRp5Hzf424RZ7zVnRjK4UH52rNuOwHB4GUKOtGIgU5Yi_pPMdp_iRAz99FJdxeMFSWrO7mdTLUovhK1XuQbaQguOklZRsOEJet/s640/blogger-image-228200930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLciIrM6BtwjZN4CscW0QmPnwTgJAnP-MJyL1c6XnD1YYRp5Hzf424RZ7zVnRjK4UH52rNuOwHB4GUKOtGIgU5Yi_pPMdp_iRAz99FJdxeMFSWrO7mdTLUovhK1XuQbaQguOklZRsOEJet/s640/blogger-image-228200930.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The Nesting Place</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Several months back I began focussing on all the positives of apartment life during this season in our lives & then after reading The Nesting Place not only was I encouraged to continue doing just that but I became inspired to create our little space into more of the Home of my dreams for the moment. No we may not have our own backyard but we've got a large courtyard full of beautiful green grass for our boys to run and play ball -we've got a playground & two pools to choose from and a gym & community space... All of which I don't have to take care of! Which means more family time for us! My hubby doesn't have to mow the lawn- we don't need to dish out the dollars on pool or insect maintenance and if anything breaks in our space- as quick as a phone call and it's taken care of- at no additional cost to us! Those are the things I choose to focus on when I begin to sing the blues of not yet living in my 'true dream home' yet. And the words of our oldest son Andrew as he shared with grandparents this past New Year's Eve when asked what his favorite thing that happened last year was- he replied, "moving to FL because we have more family time". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So if we must be in this space during this season- Renters now and no longer home owners- I'll take it & create a beautiful Home rt where we're at... Remembering "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Visit www.thenester.com for inspiration & encouragement yourself :) you'll be glad you stopped by!</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-68010581261257073852013-09-03T16:43:00.002-07:002013-09-03T16:43:55.299-07:00Lifetime of LastsI read another great book recently- in it was written a sweet poem from a Mother to her son about to marry. I'm not going to lie- I shed a tear. It got me thinking- as any great book should- and I think I'm going to steal it and pass it on to my sons one day.<br />
Until then I thought I'd share it with you- my friends and mom pals who- like me- will be left with a beautiful reflection of "Lasts" ....<br />
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"Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts<br />
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.<br />
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,<br />
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.<br />
<br />
The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips<br />
Last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip<br />
Last time when you had a binky stuck inside your mouth<br />
The last time that you crawled across the floor of this old house.<br />
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Last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold,<br />
Last time when you said you'd marry me when you grew old.<br />
Precious simple moments and bright flashes from the past,<br />
Would I have held you longer if I'd known they were the last?<br />
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Your last few hours of Kindergarten, last days of first grade<br />
Last at bat in Little League, last colored paper made.<br />
Last time that I tucked you on for one last midday nap<br />
Last time when you word your beat up Packers (insert Vikinkgs:) cap.<br />
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Last time that you caught a frog in that old backyard pond<br />
Last time when you ran barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.<br />
Silly scattered images to represent your past.<br />
Would I have taken pictures...if I'd known they were your last<br />
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Last dark night you slipped in bed and slept between us two<br />
When last I read to you of God or Horton Hears a Who!<br />
Last time that I smelled your hair and prayed after your shower<br />
Last time that we held devotions in the evening hours.<br />
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The last time you were M.J. in our games of give-and-go<br />
Last time that you made an angel in the melting snow.<br />
I never even said goodbye to yesterdays long passed<br />
Would I have marked the moments...if I'd known they were the last?<br />
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Last piano lesson and last soccer goal you kicked<br />
The last few weeks of middle school, last flowers that you picked.<br />
Last time that you needed me for rides from here to there<br />
The last time that you spent the night with that old tattered bear.<br />
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Last time that I helped you with a math or spelling test<br />
Last time that I shouted that your room was still a mess.<br />
Time and life moved quicker, taking pieces of your past.<br />
Would I have stretched the moments...if I'd known they were the last?<br />
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The last time that you needed help with details of a dance<br />
Last time that you asked me for advice about romance.<br />
Last time that you talked to me about your hopes and dreams.<br />
Last time that you wore a jersey for your highschool team.<br />
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I watched you grow and never noticed seasons as they passed.<br />
I wish I could've frozen time, to hold on to your lasts.<br />
For come tomorrow morning life will never be the same.<br />
You'll pledge forever to your girl, and she will take your name.<br />
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And I will watch you, knowing God has blessed you with this day.<br />
I never would have wanted, to somehow make you stay<br />
They say a sons a son until he takes for him a wife.<br />
You're grown-up now; it's time to go and start your brand new life.<br />
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One last hug, one last goodbye one quick and hurried kiss<br />
One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed.<br />
I'll watch you leave and think how quickly childhood sped past.<br />
Would I have held on longer...if I'd known it was your last?"<br />
<br />
-"Rejoice" by Karen Kingsbury<br />
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<br />Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-40281802175670426762013-08-07T06:47:00.000-07:002013-08-07T06:47:13.122-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAeKH76uup3topuoq-JY2We6wqmheiOK8c69dsMJLeLNN_MeqX5WH_WMtXeibM5gQ4PZiTfUyjxFbKYYP2TW8EfTwi7Bj2fHvq9LYnmglS1QUI2Mdpx496az8unNOtLk0aB0pqwAOH2FP/s1600/drew+luke+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAeKH76uup3topuoq-JY2We6wqmheiOK8c69dsMJLeLNN_MeqX5WH_WMtXeibM5gQ4PZiTfUyjxFbKYYP2TW8EfTwi7Bj2fHvq9LYnmglS1QUI2Mdpx496az8unNOtLk0aB0pqwAOH2FP/s320/drew+luke+bed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><strong>You know you're a Mom when you say - think - Or think you said the following... All before noon!</strong></span></div>
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We don't play in the toilet</div>
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Get that out of the tub</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Get off your brother</div>
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Stop touching your brother</div>
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Don't hit your brother</div>
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Don't sit on your brother</div>
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NO!</div>
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Please take that off your head</div>
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Please get off my bed</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Coffee - did I already have my coffee</div>
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Is it too early for more coffee</div>
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Is it too late for more coffee</div>
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Sit down</div>
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Put that down</div>
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Get down</div>
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Put that back</div>
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NO!</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Stop running</div>
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Stop pestering your brother</div>
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Stop licking that!</div>
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Stop whining</div>
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One- One child would have been easier ;)</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Please get up</div>
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Please sit up</div>
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Please stand up</div>
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Please hush up</div>
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NO!</div>
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Dirty- No touch</div>
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No punching</div>
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No throwing</div>
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No jumping on the couch</div>
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No chocking your brother</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Please listen</div>
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Please stop yelling</div>
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Please talk softer</div>
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Please turn that off</div>
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Please turn that down</div>
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NO!</div>
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Breakfast- did I eat breakfast</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Calm down</div>
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Quiet down</div>
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Don't eat that</div>
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Don't drink that</div>
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Put that back</div>
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NO!</div>
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I love you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMs0GEGhFiTN5V4XQ_H0P89xPrm56BpkyIhYyOV42n3mW8F_p4gKx0abbNVsMU1RT5UcBG97u3j3zTtXSul9uHd4IEEcQM6CesPzbWb0Wi3MgiprFfc0etDkXm35d4P6105p9AaFqHwc8/s1600/drew+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMs0GEGhFiTN5V4XQ_H0P89xPrm56BpkyIhYyOV42n3mW8F_p4gKx0abbNVsMU1RT5UcBG97u3j3zTtXSul9uHd4IEEcQM6CesPzbWb0Wi3MgiprFfc0etDkXm35d4P6105p9AaFqHwc8/s320/drew+blanket.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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That's not a toy</div>
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That's not food</div>
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That's not a game</div>
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Nap... is it nap time yet?</div>
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Nope - we've only been up an hour :/</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love my boys & wouldn't have it any other way =)</span></div>
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Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-91529336595113199052013-07-29T14:21:00.000-07:002013-07-29T14:21:48.887-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iXA7o89JDsMYYE5nTU2YUPkPRzmOp3X3rytrtgZqT9XC542W2dGL6S6LjkX4W5VZzVG2AblqD6EIQdYyT8r8ypmwiM-kN3ernMM5lTooBBYi9Kmb9gS_itPhM_WaDAmRhmMViGKogIyu/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iXA7o89JDsMYYE5nTU2YUPkPRzmOp3X3rytrtgZqT9XC542W2dGL6S6LjkX4W5VZzVG2AblqD6EIQdYyT8r8ypmwiM-kN3ernMM5lTooBBYi9Kmb9gS_itPhM_WaDAmRhmMViGKogIyu/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Well we did it... We moved to Sunny FL & this post is Long Overdue!</div>
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To say that 2013 caught me off guard would be the biggest Understatement of the year! If you were to tell me several months back my family of 4 would be packing up our belongings and moving out of state- leaving behind family - friends - our fabulous church & a coffee shop for sale I would have just stared at you in disbelief! </div>
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So many things though - looking back now on my brief lifetime of Blessings- have come at me like that- things that only God in His greatness could explain! Isn't that how He tends to work best though - by surprising us and using 'the least of these' to make Himself known & Big! =) I am sure you too have a list full of crazy Blessings yourself! I think sometimes though we need to take that extra few minutes to really look back over our own history in the making to see His fingerprints all along the way =)</div>
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Florida though - craziness! I don't think there's ever an easy move when people are leaving behind so much - so maybe that's why God moved so swiftly for us - so we wouldn't have time to sit around and mull over the idea and take charge ourselves & change our minds & stay...! I told many friends w/ this adjustment I almost imagined this must be like what some military family's feel when they are told quickly they need to relocate (God Bless Each of Them for doing so in serving our Country- you are STRONG individuals risking Great!). Many have asked the famous "Why" question so I guess I'll get to that- </div>
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To be honest with you Joe has been seeking out a new job for well over a year - applying to various positions (government contract jobs & metro police & more) but nothing ever opened up- so as most -he endured a pay-cut and just held on to the hope that something would come along during his search. As for me- my heart resided at 66Beans - but as most small business owners know- just b/c your heart and body are somewhere- doesn't mean it's paying the bills =p So among working in the shop I was trying to take on small side jobs here and there to make ends meet- however it didn't take too long or too many of those to realize my body could not tackle all that my heart wanted to - and it began to fail me. Sending myself into stress overload and an overnight stay in the hospital was a HUGE reality check! So - I too began to apply to any and all Design jobs I could come in contact with- from the big guys (DC/Baltimore) to the smaller local contractors/companies- at this time knowing our shop was listed for sale (a complete bittersweet realization both Ashlee & I had come to). And like Joe- I too was met with the famous "Sorry we're not hiring but we'll keep your resume on hand". After plenty of those replies and realizing we just couldn't do this on our own we really began to seek out God! And it was He who led me to the thought in the middle of the night just a few months ago that- "maybe you're hitting walls b/c your family isn't suppose to be 'here' anymore"!? So I asked Joe his thought on that- and he replied he'd wondered that as well (which came as a shock from the man who said he'd Never leave the DC area!). So we did only what we knew we could... Pray Harder & begin to fast & expect God to answer -and He Always Does! It didn't take Joe too long to say - well what about Florida? I thought -well - it can't hurt to apply there- after all I am a big believer if God closes doors in one area He can do the same again in another if you aren't suppose to go in that direction either! So we both applied to various jobs and literally immediately we both began receiving positive replies & interviews began to line up. It was a whirl wind -again- to say the least. I think- actually i know- plenty of people thought we were crazy or wondered what in the world we were doing - but again- when God moves in a person's spirit -especially both spirits of a married couple- you obey. It doesn't make it easy - it's a huge trust walk as you know- but the proof is always in the fruit that later comes- ours...we're still knowing more will show in time (afterall fruit doesn't grow overnight =p) </div>
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I do know though that no matter how hard the leaving has been - leaving behind my sister to wrap things up the past couple months as we take on new owners in just 2 days now (Praise God) was not an easy thing! The fear of letting people down can really overwhelm a person's soul- and I've found that to be me in at times quite detrimental ways. I'm sure many of you ladies out there know that feeling =( </div>
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I told Ashlee just last week though that it's a bit ironic that she started things off for 2 months when we opened b/c I had my little guy Lucas only 3 days after opening (again not too ideal!)- so it was strangely fitting that 2 years later she's wrapping it up in bigger ways than I can. I give her a lot of credit & Praise! The journey- as most journey's are- was wrapped in Blessings & tears - but ultimately - for God- lives were touched more then we can take credit for & for that... I think in my gut - God has smiled down at us. Leaving behind our family when we are taking their grandson's so far (who cares about the parents after little ones come right-lol) hasn't been easy on them either - and we get that in ways that we can for now- and maybe years from now in deeper ways if our children move far away. And of course leaving our behind our Blessed church family at ECC where we were involved the past few years. They were our lifeblood and saving Grace in more ways then any of them will ever know & our Thank You's could never touch the true meaning our hearts desire to express in all they have contributed to our family of 4. </div>
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And now we're here- still not completely knowing of all the why's yet but still Trusting in God's amazing Grace and leadership throughout it all. I know He's Blessed us again in only ways He can- like providing me w/ a fantastic design job where I can design from home and run to appointments based around Joe's work schedule - Never having even had to look into placing the boys in summer childcare programs- Praise God it's been great for our family- a total juggle and lots of "Please let mommy work" comments but it's working -we're making it work! And Joe at Disney - well- it's Disney afterall- so for any of you who know my husband- there's really no other place -other than if he were full time in a church- that he'd rather be working - So again we Thank God He's working things out. And finding our new church home (at least for 'such a time as this') has been great- and literally right in our backyard! We never thought we'd get closer to church then the 7 miles we were from ECC -but now we can walk- so that's pretty close =p I must admit it'd different just 'attending' and not being apart of any type of leading- but it's needed!! God knew especially for me I needed to be brought to a place where I can rest. Well- resting for me yes - a mom w/ a 40 hour work week & just attending church a few times a week- i find that Restful =) I was talking w/ my dear friend Mary from home -telling her I feel like I should be doing something more (like scheming up a side job or something) and she said, "sommer you are Working 40 hours plus all the other mom duties"! I need to remind myself of that daily b/c i don't 'rest' well- I am one like so many who thinks I should always be Doing more- if there's any free time then i must fill it- and let me tell you that can be a Huge trick of the enemy to get a lot of us worn out and exhausted -mentally & physically to a point we are no good to the things and people that need us the most. Believe me I couldn't tell you how many times I have told my girlfriends and ladies who would come in the shop- we women need to realize being a Wife & Mom is Enough!! And then what do i do- get to FL where I am blessed by decrease in work load and try to think of ways to fill it up and 'be more helpful financially' to my family. Nope- nada- I have learned that lesson Way too many times and in harder ways then I ever want to relearn again- so Boundaries (a great book by the way) begin to be set - and Prayer over being Faithful to what God has called me to be faithful to- inspite of what others may always 'think' we should be doing. It's not easy as we all know - but God blesses our efforts and reconfirms our decisions within us as we daily walk them out w/ Him. </div>
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Wow- this little update turned into a mini-novel! I do apologize- but as we all know I make hopeful promises of keeping this blog more up to date and then fail time and time again... But maybe now w/ more time....! lol! </div>
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I thank you all for your love and thoughts and kind words of encouragement to us in our new journey here. We don't know exactly if we'll be calling FL our home 5 years from now but we do know - where He calls - we will Always seek & desire to Follow - no matter how hard...!</div>
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My love & Prayers for peace & blessings to each of you!</div>
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sommer</div>
<br />Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-53423019011592697272013-01-09T11:23:00.001-08:002013-01-09T11:23:15.641-08:00too smart to live like this?!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay so HELLO 2013! I honestly can't believe we are already into the 2nd week of the New Year. I'm thankful for sure- i was among the many that was soo over 2012 in countless ways -lol. Lessons were learned no doubt - strength tested (as i often say "i don't really care to know just how strong i am") -sleep was deprived (which most know when you have a baby-unless your 1st is an Andrew;) -and Stress...boy oh boy was that felt! As so many of you- i was ready to ring in the New Year- still am. I found myself saying as the end of 2012 was approaching "Bring on 13' the odd numbers seem to work in my favor"-at least over the past 10yrs!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I landed a wonderful design job close to home w/ a boss who's a gem in 2003 -along w/ getting married & buying our 1st home - Had Andrew James in 2007 - Designed from the ground up & opened a Coffee Lounge in 2011 (w/ my sister) & had Lucas Paul 3 days later! Yep -those odd years rocked & we're still reaping the blessings! Now of course throughout those years & all the ones between our family made - saw & endured changes like the rest. We've grown and hopefully become a bit Smarter... Which brings me to today's post... the feeling of being "Too Smart to Live Like This".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You ever have those times where you say to yourself, "why did i do that... again"?!? i definitely have! Along w/ being a mom like so many of my wonderful gal pals - a wife & worker outside of the home- I've found myself caught up in what can be known as 'the vicious cycle of life'. You know -times when you find yourself feeding your family through the drive-thru -turning on another cartoon so your kiddos are occupied while you get a few more things done - putting everyone to bed way past what should've been an ideal bedtime - letting dishes pile up b/c after a long day you're just too tired to devote 10 minutes to the sink - swiping a credit card through a machine to grab something you know you can live w/out but desiring some kind of quick smile & satisfaction -not setting aside designated family time b/c your schedule already seems overwhelming - & again eating/drinking something that won't have you feeling so great abt your choices later on -Yep been there - done that & repeat it more times then I care to share -or to acknowledge. Which is why i think i've found myself thinking -Gosh I'm too smart to be living like this! After all -If I haven't experienced repercussions personally I've watched others or i've read a book, i know enough of the ol' cause & affect to know at times when i'm not making the best choice. And as plenty of authors in those books have said, it's not choosing right from wrong that's hard, it's choosing better vs best. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So for this New Year i'm not trying to set some 'resolution' but I am trying to set myself and my family up for better future success. I'm going to choose to make the harder choices (even when others don't agree)-give up things that i thought i may not of been willing to (even if it makes me cry) -choose Health over convenience (knowing that it doesn't solve or prevent everything but it does make me feel better physically & mentally) -choose to sacrifice 'stuff' (be it work or play) & put my family first -and Love people (even those who can be so unlovable b/c hey we all can be that way from time to time). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life sure is short - years sure do fly by - so to get a bit sappier & a bit more cliche then I already have- I will choose to Smile more - Love & Seek out God more -hug my husband & kids more (even my sister;) & let opinions & others bother me less b/c afterall if you're allowing God to lead you in your decisions those others will be bound to see the greater Good it's bringing to your life & to those around you. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and as my favorite verses confirm... "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future. Then you will call upon me & come and pray to me, & I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me w/ all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God loves us -each & everyone! He is our Help in time of need! So whatever it may be that you or I are looking for in this coming New Year I hope that you remember God has the answers - only He knows what lies ahead - so why not get to know the one who knows...!?! I know when i look back over my life - and my husband would agree - when we truly do "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God" all the other 'stuff' comes together - maybe not as we would have hoped initially -but when we stop and look around at all the little pcs that make up our lives personally -we see His hand covering & working "All things out for our good". it's just our job not to leave Him out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">okay so let me get started... living a bit smarter! =) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">& i'm hoping to blog a bit more about it - call it my accountability space ;p</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-64756934622451066212012-11-22T11:21:00.000-08:002012-11-22T11:21:01.874-08:00Thanks Worth Giving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alas another Thanksgiving has arrived! Time to gather w/ family - friends - those we love -& Feast upon a lot of yummy food - drink & dessert!<br />
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Of course I have soo much to be Thankful for this year - too much to post on a Facebook status - too many deserving of sentiments - and too much procrastination in Posting a Thankful thought each day of the month that I decided today was all too appropriate & all too necessary =)<br />
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God has Blessed & Enriched my life in so many way this year- & I must admit at times I would have preferred not to be so 'enriched' -lol. However as we know - it's during those stretching of our strength - mental -physical & emotional times-that we come out stronger -more aware (hopefully) of what to do and Not do in the future & more aware of those around us who He's brought into our lives for 'such a time as this' to see us through! & for those people - today- and hopefully a pc of Every day- I Give Thanks!<br />
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My husband - of course like many of you ladies out there - I couldn't imagine my life without him! For 17 years now he's Blessed me in many ways & been a pc of my sanity! Through his humor- his goofiness (things that years ago would've made me embarrassed=p) have served as gentle reminders not to take this life too seriously! His love for our Lord - his prayers & positive attitude - they have and continue to see us through so much & I can't Thank God enough for allowing him to have 'faith the size of a mustard seed' all those years ago ;) Love You Joe! & Thank You for giving me the greatest gifts of all - our boys!<br />
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To Andrew & Lucas - Mommy Thanks God - not nearly enough b/c there's not enough hours in the day- for you both! Drew 'pc of my heart' - your compassion & love & deep thinking inspire me to be a bit better each day (or at least to try!) - your stubbornness & determination may drive me crazy but they remind me a bit of myself & how can I fault that -b/c I know God's placed that determination in you to carry out His Great Plans He has for You (Jer 29:11) To my sweet ball of energy & 'sunshine' Lucas - Mommy loves you bunches - I love your fearlessness -even though it has me on edge at times -it also has in me in prayer more=p which can never be a bad thing-lol. Your smile and laughter of course are contagious & God sent you into our lives at a Perfect time! Only the Lord knew that w/ the craziness of opening a business only 3 days earlier that You would help keep this momma grounded upon the Most important role I have - that of being a Mother (& a wife) first - and business owner last- Not the other way around! Your energy reminds me of the importance of taking care of myself so I can try and keep up w/ 2 growing boys- and even though I've failed numerous times this year - my prayer is to always try a bit more each day to be the Best Mom I can to you both - for you deserve Nothing less! <3<br />
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To my sister - business partner - the one who drives me most crazy -lol - but also who pushes me to not settle into my own groove & nature as much as I may desire- but to grow & to love w/ more compassion our differences that help balance us. Thank you for taking the plunge w/ me in opening up our 66Beans Coffee Lounge - or rather- God's Coffee Lounge. For w/out you by my side that little spot in Charlotte Hall would not be - and the Blessings that have been 'poured' out and upon us have and continue to be countless! We'll never know until we reach the other side the chain reaction of great things that have come & will continue to spread beyond our door- Thank You Ashlee! You are more than my little sister - more than a friend & I am Blessed to be apart of your life! *my prayer is that you begin to know just how great & wise you are* (w/out your head exploding that is -lol).<br />
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To my parents- Thank you Both for the firm foundation that you both instilled in us growing up. My life -I wouldn't want to even know how it'd be w/out either of you! Your love for us is always obvious & your belief in what God can do through us is a reflection upon the risks you've taken w/ us throughout our lives. & your sacrifices - the countless sacrifices - Thank you will never be enough! I love you!<br />
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To my in-laws- not out-laws- I Thank God for each of you (4). Your love for us is in such a way as my own parents love - in that it's endless & sacrificial. I am Blessed to have you each in my life & Thank God for the gift of knowing I have family on Both sides who love me! Joe & I again could never say thank you enough!<br />
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To my 66 Beaners- our staff - those who are and who have been w/ us Behind the Counter of 66 Beans - I prayed for you - & I thank God that He heard my prayer almost 2 years ago now - that He'd Bless us w/ Great Staff who knew and felt our call beyond just opening another coffee shop! Each of you has enriched my life in more ways than you will ever know - you've caused me to smile - and thankfully never cry (lol) - to laugh & to grow a bit more each day I work with you. You help keep me sane - show me grace on those days when i'm a bit more emotional & lacking in sleep -lol. You've been trustworthy and honest (which is hard to find these days) & Each of you has been and continues to be a Blessing to all those who walk thru our door. For that and SO MUCH more I say Thanks!!<br />
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To our 66 Customers - many who are now like family- oh my how you've helped remind me that our place is more than 'just another coffee shop around the corner'! You remind me daily that we All have a story - we all have something to give to one another- and I can only hope that I can continue to give back to you more than just yummy food and drink - but to show you a pc of God's love & grace & compassion each day you stop by our place. Those of you who I refer to as our Characters - I love ya! You have made me laugh and smile and take in a refreshing that at times only God knew I needed! My life is forever changed by each of you & the sense of Community that I now have in an area i said i'd never live- is a Blessing! & of course -without you- wouldn't couldn't exist! =)<br />
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& To my girlfriends- we will never be able to visit as much as I like -never chat as much as I'd prefer - but my Thanks go out to you all and to God for Blessing me w/ such a wonderful inspiring loving group of women! There's too many to name and for that alone I Thank God for! You ladies Rock! You are strong - compassionate - loyal -trustworthy -fun - gorgeous inside and out & have helped me in more ways then you'll ever know! I LOVE YOU ladies - and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a friend of mine!<br />
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And to everyone else taking the time to read this long giving of Thanks - you too must be someone important to me in some way -past or present! You have apparently touched my life & to you I say Thank You & Happy Thanksgiving!! May God continue to Bless each of you today and always & may you feel His love through the Good times and bad!<br />
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Now - turkey time! Eat- Drink & Be Merry My Friends!<br />
<br />Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-51944941762513783512012-10-05T12:34:00.004-07:002012-10-05T12:34:49.878-07:00season of CrAZinEsS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We look so normal... lol</div>
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*pic taken on short OC vaca*</div>
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So apparently once again i have slacked Greatly in keeping up w/ the ol' blog & once again i was reminded =p it's nice to know some actually do read these little blurbs about my *our* life & care to remind me they are waiting to hear more. so i chose the pic above b/c i just love my boys & it's the most recent family shot i believe we have - at least one that wasn't taken from my phone. & it reminds me we do get to squeeze in moments of ToGetHerNess here and there *like celebrating Lucas turning 1 or Drew turing 5 this summer/fall ...even though the pic below describes things a bit clearer</div>
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*not my car - or my stuff*</div>
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just a fun pic of chaos that reminds me of my *our* life lately - and i chose this shot specifically b/c *i am* i feel like i'm living out of my car lately! we are running the roads a LOT these days - like so many i know but i think many of you must do it more graciously than i b/c i DO NOT ENJOY IT one bit =o</div>
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from taking andrew to school - running back and forth to 66Beans - to my parents or mtg spots along the road to drop off lucas or pick him up - or home to run in & out or let luke nap for a bit before heading back out the door - swapping kids with joe while i close the shop - picking andrew up from school - trying to squeeze in a quick trip to the park or library before passing them off to their dad to close up the shop again or take both home alone b/c he's working his part-time job or trying to get to church on time - trying to make it back on Wed. nights b/c we DO LOVE our ECC fam - try to fit in the family needs of grocery shopping - laundry -cleaning or at least ThInKing about the family needs of grocery shopping - laundry & cleaning - and then -WASH - DRY -REPEAT (maybe that's why i got mono in the spring-lol) -oh yeah and TRY to find an hour or two where joe and i can remember we are a couple and we do need to hang out together! lol. yeah - that about brings you up-to-date a bit - in a very brief compressed way.</div>
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this SeAsOn though i try and remind myself is JuSt ThAt - a season - and it too shall PASS - either that or I will push and shove *kick & scream* my way through until it does b/c i am eager to get on the other side *w/out a breakdown*- you know -that *grass is always greener* side =p seriously though a needed balance is what i am hard at work on along with the required drastic life changes that are needed to acquire such balance. but i'm a girl who BeLiEvEs and i do know that God is working all things out for His Good which ultimately is My Good as well *again i'm reminding myself of that as i write* & He has Always seen us through & greatly Blessed us w/ loving friends & family who help in more ways then i will ever be able to Thank Them *more ways then i wish were needed at times! *but one day i know we'll be on the GiViNg SiDe*</div>
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so here we are - well on our way into fall which no doubt will bring on winter quicker than those *like me who prefer warmer climates* may like but honestly this year - this winter - i'm looking forward - b/c w/ it i BeLiEvE is coming Great Change for our family dynamic - one which will allow me to try and keep this ol' blog more up to date - allow a bit more time for treasured family time -creative expression - designing & raising my boys w/ a more calm spirit b/c i am making the time to Breathe Deeper - soak up Their Youth *b/c time flies and they are growing too fast* and be the wife that my husband needs & deserves - while SlowInG down & EnjoyInG all that God has Blessed me with *instead of just looking back w/ fondness of past fleeting moments* i Will Be Choosing to enjoy a new and blessed season & i hope you all will be as well...</div>
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*love*</div>
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<br />Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-7739581724477102292012-05-18T17:39:00.000-07:002012-05-18T17:39:08.406-07:00Mother's Day...a Different Kinda Meltdown!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blessed to Celebrate another Mother's Day X2!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My Heart Melts...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As any mom knows...there is NO greater love then the love you have for your child/children! It's this crazy "i'm going to eat you up" kinda love - and i never even really got that saying until i laid eyes on Andrew's chubby little cheeks when he was born. It's just craziness! And then add another child to the mix and watch the love between the two of them... a whole other level of crazy!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't know how most other moms feel -never asked any really- but i know when Lucas came there has not been a day that's passed where I don't look at him in utter surprise and amazement that I now have two- two Boys! With Andrew I felt deep within my gut for years before I became pregnant that God would one day be blessing us with a son - I had NO DOUBT - but with Lucas - I have to tell ya - God surprised me! He blessed me with an extra gift and I will Never be able to justly thank Him enough =)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My little Light - My Sunshine</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This little man is my reminder that God can just keep on giving even when we never feel - or honestly are - deserving. A couple yrs prior to becoming pregnant w/ Lucas we were actually "trying" to add to our lil family - but - like many - nothing happened. It was a long time later - after the "trying" ended and the "let's just see what happens one day" turned into the "well maybe we'll adopt sooner than we thought" that AhHa- We're Pregnant day arrived! and the mind... my my it's definitely as God's Word says - Powerful! I think it's because I began to take on a "mindset" that another baby in the womb just wasn't going to be for me - that from that blessed day of discovery that I was wrong -was day One of the daily "Surprise" i feel each time I look into his Big Blue/Gray Eyes =) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And honestly until I had my boys I never quite got it - I never truly could grasp Exactly what true & total unconditional love was/is all about!?! I mean YES i love my husband as you all do yours - they drive us crazy at times -but Yes the love remains - but the love of a mom - it's just plain different! I mean my boys -really more Andrew of course b/c he's at the 'boy thinking he's a man' stage of 4yrs-lol- he definitely can drive me nutty and frustrate me at times -but just give me a second - or not even that much if he cracks a smile- & I'm broke - my heart melts- and the frustration passes -there's no feeling of 'i'm not going to talk to you the rest of the day' like you might feel with your spouse - there's just that 'awe come give me a hug and it's all forgotten' kinda thing. Honestly it's great... Honestly it's a reminder that's how I should love All the time - no matter who - after all - that's how God loves me/you - so how could I possibly feel right to love anyone else any different. My boys remind me of that everyday! Every day My Heart Melts when I look at them - and every day they serve to remind me of God's Love for me when I don't feel deserving (after all I'm truly never 'deserving') and reminds me of how I am called to Love others - Unconditionally. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So thanks Lord - for Blessing my life with 2 Fabulously Wonderful Daily reminders of Your Love! And Thank You for calling me to be their Mom- may I love them as You love them - may I listen to them as You listen to me - may I never fail them enough to leave a scar - & may a day Never pass when they don't know and feel Loved by their mom!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God Bless Each & Every MOM out there....w/ Strength that passes all understanding - Love that daily fills their home & Laughter that carries them through to the other side of any trial thrown their way!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*my-being so house bound the past several wks has def. brought out a more sentimental side of me-lol*</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hope You Enjoyed EVERY Minute of Your Mother's Day!</span></span></div>
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<br />Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-84100190552595525822012-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:002012-01-02T09:41:19.898-08:00What Year 2011 was....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRr4qamNhyNHdkT1afnXLHWS-vzHGw9Mi_my9y4SbVdUWHYWr4Fo1o5DYrjkZt5ytLTMpGQd4cbSk6wPO91sCkkwlmK1ocvOA6Y4424tLWTcT6q5HjlvYME1TnrqqC9LvzNgxp1t3DnahG/s1600/MeLucasCloseUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRr4qamNhyNHdkT1afnXLHWS-vzHGw9Mi_my9y4SbVdUWHYWr4Fo1o5DYrjkZt5ytLTMpGQd4cbSk6wPO91sCkkwlmK1ocvOA6Y4424tLWTcT6q5HjlvYME1TnrqqC9LvzNgxp1t3DnahG/s320/MeLucasCloseUp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My oh my it's been too long since i caught up w/ my ol' blog -you know -the one i promised to keep up-to-date! =0<br />
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2011 was a year of Growth for our family in more ways than one.<br />
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As many know we were walking thru the process of opening our coffee lounge Sixty-Six Beans in Southern MD early last year on thru the summertime ....I am happy to now say we've been up and running since August 15th! What a blessing & a stress (ol' blood sweat & tears) all wrapped in one -lol. It's one of those blessings in life where you are glad that God didn't reveal the Big picture from the beginning to overwhelm you enough to say -'open-manage & run a coffee shop-Nah- I don't think so'. lol My sister Ashlee & I are definitely glad we did though & have been blessed so greatly by 66Beans- our employees & the community. If you ask me my favorite part of owning such a business I wouldn't hesitate to say it's meeting everyone who walks thru our door! Our customers are a blessing -not just financially of course =) but by opening up their lives to us little by little (or should I say cup by cup=). It brings a smile to our face to say we have what this industry refers to as 'regulars' -the ones who frequent our shop several times a week (if not each day)- for they are the ones who are becoming apart of our 66Beans family and who are spreading great word for us (as we found out quickly-Marketing is almost Everything). For more info on our hot-spot please visit our site (b/c honestly I could talk for a quite a while) www.66beans.com<br />
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In other areas of Growth- 2011 brought us a new addition- our 2nd son Lucas Paul Clark -born just 3 days after opening 66Beans on Thursday August 18th. Talk about timing right, lol. (i'll have to write a little 'birth story' soon) As they say though- God's never early or late- He's right on time! We often question that saying don't we? By no means would I have arranged it that way but looking back -and in more years to come- I think we'll realize even more-so how we Grew thru that time (my sister and I- her being left to really manage a new business & me being left to begin the juggle as a mom of 2 and doing business work via the computer (not my specialty-more Ashlee's area of expertise). So you could say I/We were being stretched- but none-the-less we made it thru =) & Lucas is, as I call him, my Sunshine! He's a sweet little boy who's smile lights up his whole face -and the faces looking back at him. He's a pudgy little butterball (Not when he 1st arrived to my surprise- I was told he'd be an 8-lber- but he arrived at 6lbs, 7oz) -but now I am happy to report my baby boy is a chunky happy lil monkey who's looking more like his big brother Andrew all the time =) Now... if only he'd sleep thru the night....!<br />
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& Speaking of Drew- he turned the big 4 this year and boy oh boy is he 'coming into his own'-lol. I love him to pieces (up to the sky & back is what I often tell him- only to have him tell me recently-'well mom I love you up to Jesus and back, so i beat you!lol) He keeps me on my toes for sure and is definitely one PROUD and Happy big brother! I often say he loves lucas a bit too much - but how could he really?! He started daycare in july just a couple days a week and does enjoy it. After a bit of a struggle getting him to go after having Lucas (b/c he realized lucas was going to Gran's without him) he's getting better each day. And of course I know the routine (having worked in a daycare for a number of years -years & years ago=) it def did break my heart those several mornings when he definitely did NOT want to stay. And my little imaginative story teller would often come up with hysterical reasons as to why he couldn't go- like "mom-I have to work today or my boss will fire me" -me "drew where do you work" Drew- "virginia"! lol. Kids a trip i tell ya! =)<br />
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& I must not forget how 2011 grew us Spiritually. We've been greatly blessed to be apart of a wonderful new church family -ECC -Encounter Christian Center- right near (thru the parking lot actually) of 66Beans. Joe and I have been encouraged - uplifted & blessed by the Ministers & again- all who enter the door. I never realized I could feel 'at home' so quickly in a church w/ over 300 people. And talk about amazing multi-cultural environment in Southern MD- something my hearts desired in a church but honestly other than a desire the Lord was aware of - I never thought much more of it b/c I know the 'facts' that Sundays are a time when most attend churches w/ others 'just alike'. So it's a wonderful refreshing - one in which has me often looking around during worship/service thinking -"Wow this is what heaven will look like one day"! God is good!<br />
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Okay - must wrap it up for now -hope that little briefing caught you up a bit - and I hope that this is just a start to keeping things more up-to-date!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I pray God showers His Blessings Upon us All this new Year! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31-bnuNwh-eiGOpUNHM8n_P44EyfTnaGavO7WpsYbxhW6dD9-wVe31kFL5bVGyQ7ajNYlLu8IlQqHdKFg8nhFgbFXZiLw05gm7lePXSB0uVkfb7C1hk4t6U8pxBzd8zvUYofh6_sz9x86/s1600/familySanta+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31-bnuNwh-eiGOpUNHM8n_P44EyfTnaGavO7WpsYbxhW6dD9-wVe31kFL5bVGyQ7ajNYlLu8IlQqHdKFg8nhFgbFXZiLw05gm7lePXSB0uVkfb7C1hk4t6U8pxBzd8zvUYofh6_sz9x86/s320/familySanta+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy 2012!</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-92169305998409556412011-05-20T06:35:00.000-07:002011-05-20T06:35:50.180-07:00catching up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the time has finally come...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nzVIQ541hRjVp5yJRbkfcIEKK-WxYcyKvAqy-J_RH9O5drQqkhfl32NBePQSLwjwvyoa8O5V3vDZ_4r-T5VGGc3JGKzugM4S-q4yJb3129v02fVq-0v4UJDsMhiI1HAFhve6uMNJ0KC0/s1600/coming+soon+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nzVIQ541hRjVp5yJRbkfcIEKK-WxYcyKvAqy-J_RH9O5drQqkhfl32NBePQSLwjwvyoa8O5V3vDZ_4r-T5VGGc3JGKzugM4S-q4yJb3129v02fVq-0v4UJDsMhiI1HAFhve6uMNJ0KC0/s320/coming+soon+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we are UNDER CONSTRUCTION!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">with the year ticking by i must admit our coffee house dream was starting slowing to become just that "a dream". however as you can see... God has blessed us with our dream becoming a Reality! now the Real Hard Work begins! we are loving it... even thru the dog days of construction, praying subs show up on time, estimates stay true to their first quote, and we become more equipped each day to fulfill this vision Our Best way possible! it's definitely easy to get overwhelmed if we allow ourselves to be... but really when we focus on the Whole Idea, the Purpose of why this all began, we then realize that with God everything will continue to fall into place (& in His timing, not our own). so with a goal 'soft opening' in mind we press on to the mark and SOOO look forward to serving up a cup (of yummy fabulous organic coffee drinks) to our locals and beyond!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAq-FaMQx0YqbgHb-X3Ebts8dD-D_AguOIoI5yMN99Xj0JUuJcWvpcqFPgZmGycypWKEkzIio-3VBa5KbVdcbNOLxQsgPI_CDLROOq2aZmcffhdDSkFsZyyzjmfm92mS3fhHEOzMZKmNJR/s1600/sixtsix+beans+under+construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAq-FaMQx0YqbgHb-X3Ebts8dD-D_AguOIoI5yMN99Xj0JUuJcWvpcqFPgZmGycypWKEkzIio-3VBa5KbVdcbNOLxQsgPI_CDLROOq2aZmcffhdDSkFsZyyzjmfm92mS3fhHEOzMZKmNJR/s320/sixtsix+beans+under+construction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">looking forward to posting After pics</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i'm even more looking forward to filling this space with new flooring, equipment, appliances, paint, furniture, artwork, and PEOPLE! can't wait until our first lil' open mic nite debut! yes... Good Times are ahead!!! and for all the doubters...you know who you are (lol)... we do realize this spot will become a second home to us and you know what, i'm loving that idea too! confirmation came last weekend when we visited with our roaster and Great coffee supplier in PA called Square One (check them out when your in Lancaster). we went to train again and spend time with them soaking up the environment and the behind-the-scenes business and as before... loved every minute! with minimal (i'm talking 3 hours sleep If that thanks the crazy loud people in the hotel room across the hall) we found ourselves able to hang in all day and enjoy every minute (no matter how heavy our eyelids became). thats how i know my 'dream' is also my purpose and passion. when you know that no matter how much your body is ready to give up you're still loving what you're doing/experiencing. i hope each of you too is able to enjoy your work - spite the inevitable hard days, the lowest of the low days, you still feel that passion and love for your work and for how it's benefitting those around you! now for balancing work and family....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my little guy becomes my side-kick co-contractor! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">andrew and i have probably hit every library in the calvert - st mary's area. he happily (most days) goes along for the ride, knowing that after or during the gaps between meetings, coffee house stops, and plenty of computer time & phone calls, we'll take a break somewhere fun for him. so that's how it works for us... for now. you just do your best with what time you have and try and make the most of it Each day! one things for sure... my little guy will Always know he's loved and important, even when we're making him clean dishes @ 66Beans! lol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">okay... back to work. hope you enjoyed the condensed wordy version of a little catch up on our space! stay tuned for further updates =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">oh and i must say again... THANK you for all of the prayers, love, encouragement and support throughout this process... it's kept us going even during the 'dry' times! =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-87327050442409897362011-04-21T22:00:00.000-07:002011-04-21T22:00:35.565-07:00blessed & thankful!!!i had to take a sec and blog about how Blessed & Thankful i am! & i hope so many of you (ALL of you) feel the same - in your own personal way because yoU deserve nothing less!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszKFGHpSaZQe6OCMaHHzjt6ZswIwkzNvTVI6gHz0LVaaAJ_9r-hVdVeG98eGdbOlBdGD0HMhoXAZxxVPmJwi7GhN2laetpCR6Y42ZWjlOKxV4eyAfQf3cbxspfFm24npwjlYrv22GuEof/s1600/Immersed+Game+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszKFGHpSaZQe6OCMaHHzjt6ZswIwkzNvTVI6gHz0LVaaAJ_9r-hVdVeG98eGdbOlBdGD0HMhoXAZxxVPmJwi7GhN2laetpCR6Y42ZWjlOKxV4eyAfQf3cbxspfFm24npwjlYrv22GuEof/s320/Immersed+Game+Night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">some our Immersed gp @ECC (college&career)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the group of crazy Fabulous faces you see above are some of those in our weekly Immersed gp at our church. my husband & i have been Blessed to be called to lead such a wonderful group of young adults and they inspired me tonight - as many of them wouldn't know- to write this quick blog on Blessings and Thankfulness! you see so often we get so caught up in the typical run-around that we call our day. whether it be leaving home early to head off to work- or waking before dawn to pack lunches for our kids in school while cooking breakfast for our husbands and preparing our day w/ our toddler and list full of errands- it gets endless i know! my point- during all of that- the chaos that is our day- sometimes we forget- or don't make the time- to stop and just breathe and remember how Blessed we are & to say Thank You to God for all that He's given to us- and all that's to come! the beautiful faces above- they reminded me tonight to be Thankful! amongst running around filling my day & checking off my 'to-do's' i honestly felt like crashing on the couch tonight - not packing up my little man again (after having just gotten home) to head out the door- but i was so Glad that i did! not only do i Thank God for calling us to reach out to Young Adults in our area- He thanks us for our responding to that call by Blessing us Immensely with a Fabulous Inspiring gp who challenge us - make us laugh - encourage us- Bless us & Inspire us more than they'll ever truly know! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">some other Thankful Blessings of mine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxF_2Ilp8hA0nQzMe1JQSZ8axNNZMaFORsGidC0eIPnOyBKAdY7zIBv-mhc8_8TXulFSrlqJxcrttdNwrVC41h3BAn8oIHu1VAwQwSSvUGheFrXnh1MGa0eK_pcvELiqQdiHndUNkeonE/s1600/Drew+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxF_2Ilp8hA0nQzMe1JQSZ8axNNZMaFORsGidC0eIPnOyBKAdY7zIBv-mhc8_8TXulFSrlqJxcrttdNwrVC41h3BAn8oIHu1VAwQwSSvUGheFrXnh1MGa0eK_pcvELiqQdiHndUNkeonE/s320/Drew+and+I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and this little face- oh how this momma LOVES that little guy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSU-7zIlAhQeRkGYGucZPX1JIzGjXA_js0IieokTcpC60ltF8nI9zOLdlNx8VD0v8KHHzK_zImCLwyxJXSmtD7zkYfiNnOBhiJVDnaaI0sqacPGD6w95dtdeUsl6c-GXP6-HmX_BTp3ti/s1600/kitchen+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSU-7zIlAhQeRkGYGucZPX1JIzGjXA_js0IieokTcpC60ltF8nI9zOLdlNx8VD0v8KHHzK_zImCLwyxJXSmtD7zkYfiNnOBhiJVDnaaI0sqacPGD6w95dtdeUsl6c-GXP6-HmX_BTp3ti/s320/kitchen+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kitchen design- must admit i LOVE those After Shots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnmvy_VpDObhlE9kn8-uZdTbhzGsKTkU9bsI59w2s4d5m78TpTd-mKHcgVkEF0pxroLp4mIEXagKikaDTAmbAYF78OHNF447Ndusn91zbXRpUF1VlEnHDTn_0Q9eMl92JtSJHmX5LIt8v/s1600/CoffeeBG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnmvy_VpDObhlE9kn8-uZdTbhzGsKTkU9bsI59w2s4d5m78TpTd-mKHcgVkEF0pxroLp4mIEXagKikaDTAmbAYF78OHNF447Ndusn91zbXRpUF1VlEnHDTn_0Q9eMl92JtSJHmX5LIt8v/s320/CoffeeBG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our Coffee Lounge- COMING SOON! YEY!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">for me personally- it's easy to get caught up in the 'oh my gosh i have so much going on how can i tackle it all' but you see- that's when i overwhelm myself with my laundry list of 'stuff' not focusing on the fact that all that 'stuff' has been used by God to Bless me in Incredible ways! being a mom- of course a blessing- toughest job on earth as many of you know-but the rewards and blessings are Endless! designing professionally for the past 8 years- total blessing! sure it could be stressful at times depending upon the client, but still- I'm totally Thankful that God Blessed me with a fabulous outlet to use my creative ability in the work force and even more blessed to work for a Boss & alongside others who taught me so much- and who have really been a JOY to work with! and 66beans... the calling to open a coffee lounge in our area has been something my sister & i have desired to see come to fruition for quite a while -and it looks like nows that time! when my plate seems stacked already- baby2 on the way as well- it's hard to imagine at times opening a business- HOWEVER when you're working at something God's calling you to do- He makes a way- He has things under control- and my Rest is found in Him after a long day full of checked off 'to-do's'! and honestly i'm So glad to know i Don't have to have it 'all figured out' -i just need to know the One who does & be Thankful for that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i can only hope that so many of you (like ALL) are able to say the same- you're doing what you're 'called' to do- what you've been Designed to do- what you're talented and gifted in doing! because it's then- even when you feel you've had all you can take during one particular day- that you can sit down at the end of the night and feel fulfilled! fulfilled in knowing that you used your gifts to Bless others - be it your children- your co-workers- your spouse- your clients/customers- whoever- wherever- you know that what you did that day was Exactly what you were suppose to do- what you were called to do. and whether or not you feel you did your best- or you were running on empty and tried anyway- Pat yourself on the back! we all have better days than others - lousy days we can't take back- but something else we have... is Tomorrow! so live it- enjoy it- and DO what yoU are Designed to do! after all- there is Only one yoU- so No one else can fill your shoes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">so here's to putting on your best pair tomorrow and Shining in a way that only You can!</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-29240241416751319052011-04-15T07:19:00.000-07:002011-04-15T07:19:56.794-07:00naming a Boy... some things come easier than others!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">as some already know... 4 years ago while pregnant with our 1st son we had NO problem deciding upon a name. after all we had a name chosen for a boy even Before we were married, so once this precious little one was deemed a BOY it was settled, no further thought necessary...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjqD8aKCmQ3oZN0ZTPkGQJ_0n4DN42n0MWMaRJ9jl6X71mCWJmxx22pieAJJAkjVolCmBTA6S4p6HW9H97_SoarD13HYenpVfc1TaBe_ZWc0H9gm-WD94GLJ_NhOI66l5ufLSxErej4qc/s1600/100_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjqD8aKCmQ3oZN0ZTPkGQJ_0n4DN42n0MWMaRJ9jl6X71mCWJmxx22pieAJJAkjVolCmBTA6S4p6HW9H97_SoarD13HYenpVfc1TaBe_ZWc0H9gm-WD94GLJ_NhOI66l5ufLSxErej4qc/s320/100_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Andrew James 9-14-2007</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">isn't he adorable! =) i think too that was one of the Major reasons why i was thinking baby2 was going to be a girl - not only because my 2 men wanted a little girl but b/c we already had the name. boy names were never really even discussed. and the reverse was true while pregnant with Drew -we had the boy name and a girl name was never decided upon. so... now we're still tossing around ideas and honestly i don't like it! =/ i kinda feel bad that this new little growing life inside me remains 'nameless'. and i don't think a name is something you can just settle on.. i think it needs to have some sort of meaning or connection (not nec a name that everyone Else thinks is great or agrees upon) but a name that resides with a reason for you and your spouse. for instance "Andrew" was a name joe and i just both loved (& i loved Drew for short- NOT Andy (just a personal thing)). I like names that i think a baby can Grow with - call me weird but for instance i try to picture them as a baby, bouncing toddler, teenager and grown adult -all with that name. And for me being named Sommer - i've always liked names that could have a shorter -nickname version (b/c i did not-although nicknames were kinda 'created' for me). so w/ Andrew -Drew came naturally. *cute story- the day of our wedding when walking out of the salon w/ all my beautiful bridesmaids a lady stopped me on the street to say congrats w/ a little toddler in toe- when walking away the little boy turned back and yelled "my name's Drew" and i thought, 'yep, we're havin' a Boy one day' =) *that was what i call a little 'God wink'*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and James. his middle name is after my dear Pop Pop who passed away a number of yrs ago now (time flies =/ and oh how i LOVED that man. i always had a special place with him and him with me and wanted to honor that by giving Andrew his name. so again... Andrew James came EASY! baby2... again.. not so much!??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">as some know - we arrived home that evening after our sonogram and got out the ol' Baby Name book. i started in A and worked thru to Z =/ i read many out loud (just to kinda hear them said whether i really liked them or not) and again we agreed upon NONE! however... when i got to W and read off Wayne, both Drew and Joe said "John Wayne" yep that'd be great (i was like umm...NO WAY) Andrew continued (he's my little actor much like his dad) "hi my name's Andrew James and this is my baby brother John Wayne" lol (cute right) but again NO! lol. i mean come on, talk about being made fun of (and trust me i know what that's like with the name Sommer) and after all John Wayne is not even John Wayne's real name! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so.. as you can see we're kinda stuck. we're toying around with 2 different names right now, first and middle, but haven't settled upon either and frankly i'm getting antsy. i know i have until August but like i said.. for me this baby needs a name.. like Yesterday! so... not that i'm really asking the blogging world to "Name that Baby" but i am curious... what are some Boy (to men) names that you adore?? </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-60790811573083549112011-04-13T10:41:00.000-07:002011-04-13T10:41:00.540-07:00Ol' Albert I love ya!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8VxNp3txWwrmdQunIYR4PzlnsXe96ANjAfPuwiEN_h201eo2LEVGXtWta2v_AmRLhYegG7ndM9zAQeL29OjMJR-mSMl1almXoSkTCVvD1PEXUrHOGkYkgs8zBH-3Lgv4kF4hUAgf0dtm/s1600/Einstein_tongue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8VxNp3txWwrmdQunIYR4PzlnsXe96ANjAfPuwiEN_h201eo2LEVGXtWta2v_AmRLhYegG7ndM9zAQeL29OjMJR-mSMl1almXoSkTCVvD1PEXUrHOGkYkgs8zBH-3Lgv4kF4hUAgf0dtm/s320/Einstein_tongue.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was sent to me from a friend -via email- & i thought it was too Good not to post!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please read in it's entirety- it'll make you think- and most of you smile I hope!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Let me explain the problem science has with religion."</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes sir,' the student says.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'So you believe in God?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Absolutely '</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Is God good?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Sure! God's good.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Are you good or evil?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'The Bible says I'm evil.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible! He considers for a moment. 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes sir, I would.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'So you're good...!'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'I wouldn't say that.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could.. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Can you answer that one?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student remains silent. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. 'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Er..yes,' the student says.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Is Satan good?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student doesn't hesitate on this one.. 'No.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Then where does Satan come from?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student falters. 'From God'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes, sir.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
Again, the student has no answer. 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student squirms on his feet. 'Yes.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'So who created them?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'No sir. I've never seen Him.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'No, sir, I have not.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yet you still believe in him?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist... What do you say to that, son?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Nothing,' the student replies.. 'I only have my faith.'<br />
<br />
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat? '</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
' Yes.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'And is there such a thing as cold?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'No sir, there isn't.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit down to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'<br />
<br />
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains.. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.' 'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so.. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.' 'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?' Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it Everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in The multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><u><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
The professor sat down.</span></span></span></u><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
If you read it all the way through and had a smile on your face when you finished, mail to your friends and family with the title 'God vs. Science'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
PS: The student was </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Albert Einstein</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">.</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Albert Einstein</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> wrote a book titled '</span></span><span style="color: #3333ff;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">God vs. Science</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">'</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> in 1921.....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-33797229205912292172011-04-12T05:22:00.000-07:002011-04-12T05:22:49.126-07:00are yoU using your Greatest strength...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vraXguoff377qR6q9lxePYMZu0C0EpBM4Il4QsczHqmQ6-6NIobYtG3pio2Fu8RNqs-ll6ksVPShAoS1Ibq2Ly-f-58I4JlagnpA7T6a_4DWlrSDjYQj3EMb6AU78NXEQltJgFvChn2D/s1600/cartoon-character-popeye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vraXguoff377qR6q9lxePYMZu0C0EpBM4Il4QsczHqmQ6-6NIobYtG3pio2Fu8RNqs-ll6ksVPShAoS1Ibq2Ly-f-58I4JlagnpA7T6a_4DWlrSDjYQj3EMb6AU78NXEQltJgFvChn2D/s320/cartoon-character-popeye.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">gotta love some popeye!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i have this book called "Jesus Life Coach" by Laurie Beth Jones -it's wonderful! It's a quick read - broken down in much ways like devotional bks are so you can easily sit it down and pick it up at your leisure (much like i've done lately). well yesterday was a day i picked it up and flipped to read in an area titled "Use Your Greatest Strength". hmmm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">she says"the Gallup organization recently surveyed more than 2million workers in 101 companies around the world. one question was this: "Do you get to use your greatest strengths every day at work?" 80%, or 8 out of 10 people said that they do NOT get to use their greatest strengths every day at work. Imagine what we could do organizationally and teamwise if people's highest gifts were identified and unleashed. Essentially we are operating at only 20% capacity. What a waste of time, energy, and talent!" she goes on to say...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Jesus went from being a carpenter to being a preacher. I often imagine what went through His mind the day he finally lay the hammer down and walked out the door, closing the shop for the very last time." (never thought deep about that myself- that exact moment in His life)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">she continues...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"..there burned in Him a driving force that went beyond His trained skill level. His highest gift ultimately led him from the safety of a carpenter's workbench into the desert wilderness, where He had to confront His greatest fears and move on." (i've def. had to face some fears of my own in pursuing a new direction, esp here lately! how about you?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Every temptation that Jesus faced in the wilderness was related to His higher gifts. Could He have turned those stones into bread when He was hungry? Yes. But He didn't. In every case where He was called to use His higher gifts for lesser purpose, Jesus refused. That restraint allowed Him to use His gifts in their highest form." (wow- how often do we settle on using our gifts/talents for small mediocre things? too often i'd vouch for saying myself!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hmmm... all that just got me thinking. how many people do we know punching a time clock (out of great necessity no doubt) but really settling in life for doing what they were either 'told they should do' or just simply b/c they think that's all they are 'qualified to do', yet go left feeling unfulfilled? i think the answer lies in that 80% poll. well... as for me... i'm hoping and praying that i can become one of the 20%! how about you? are you able to use your Greatest gifts/talents at your 'job'? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i hope so!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-61101458863355184442011-04-10T10:50:00.000-07:002011-04-10T10:50:17.092-07:00me... a walking contradiction!?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">brace yourself... this could be a long one! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">'contradiction' according to dictionary.com says 'act of denying; assertion of the contrary or opposite; direct opposition between things compared'. Guess that sounds about right, but i'd prefer a more pleasant phrase like 'finding ones self' or 'a work in progress' or even 'learning as i go'. however you package it up though it all boils down to this... there are SO many areas/things in my life that are just that, contradictions. so i've decided to be Real and share a few.. or a lot, depending on how long my son allows me to sit at my laptop, lol. so here's a list in no special order of areas in my life where i've found, or am finding myself to be just that... a Walking Contradiction.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTMYqXYV49gmseoBHceowGg_MghDy9d8o45q_WeRQpmkwesoZRLu1dfUJ_Of0YzFwXRqpM82WdW2ikjDlW93bQkSZ9anEOCUcY2hLmvk3NmCYJ_uTFwdY9pAhyphenhyphenFWgSYQfVWGpnRP3P7Sx/s1600/pic_city-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTMYqXYV49gmseoBHceowGg_MghDy9d8o45q_WeRQpmkwesoZRLu1dfUJ_Of0YzFwXRqpM82WdW2ikjDlW93bQkSZ9anEOCUcY2hLmvk3NmCYJ_uTFwdY9pAhyphenhyphenFWgSYQfVWGpnRP3P7Sx/s320/pic_city-home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">city girl at heart?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqwNw0bLGOA5BYPgAum-Tf2t9HeWCQmSIp8qWHVThrFH8n911W1XOtnPVx3ZM3kSrmKU1Nw0mVYT8MeQ0NR0cu9wAqfT9pUoU2pzlF1pFwnKxaQ_4bwwd62jWseqQvnU5P7GJMfnsWR1V/s1600/Lancaster+Buggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqwNw0bLGOA5BYPgAum-Tf2t9HeWCQmSIp8qWHVThrFH8n911W1XOtnPVx3ZM3kSrmKU1Nw0mVYT8MeQ0NR0cu9wAqfT9pUoU2pzlF1pFwnKxaQ_4bwwd62jWseqQvnU5P7GJMfnsWR1V/s320/Lancaster+Buggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">enjoying life among the amish? really?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i've always said 'I'd love to live in the city', hop in an elevator leaving my apartment to pop out on the street where i could Walk just about anywhere and have almost anything at my disposal, be it a quaint artsy coffeehouse a great boutique, whatever, just the thought of not having to rely on a car for transportation is a nice idea... or is it? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">contradiction numero uno - i cried on our way home from NYC yrs ago thinking we may actually be moving north for my husband to finish bible college!?? that didn't happen... but what did? another contradiction. we moved from a tight, house side-by-side neighborhood still in what's considered to be a more rural county to an EVEN MORE country area (where i said i would NEVER move to) & now live among the Amish... BUT.... I'm actually Enjoying it!?! who-da thunk? NOT I said the fly!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and since i'm on the subject of 'places'...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxIVxll1hqld-aIlCliT4BvF1hxzfKCOwrfYda7Slu-_-pioiwenL9CUy-VVVhuwwrtNwm6O3nddqnYf-rkvx_rnJTpjRsBgpO9Vn9D-Vt9tfbtmW4OAo0SIyhwVNK-GQHoRDO8odpd69/s1600/sunny-beach-palm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxIVxll1hqld-aIlCliT4BvF1hxzfKCOwrfYda7Slu-_-pioiwenL9CUy-VVVhuwwrtNwm6O3nddqnYf-rkvx_rnJTpjRsBgpO9Vn9D-Vt9tfbtmW4OAo0SIyhwVNK-GQHoRDO8odpd69/s320/sunny-beach-palm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">beach LOVER...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19qXJysQSy5iQC0rYJj91mm9Nwd9NErzY-B8bvb4ug-MVSB5jZ51pPQmmmVyKfIy_YgHSanHZPaPVPNavafdvAigBQlW5pR2s2rvg2TdEaT75cMYLgpNijrpzA9TLb-7KHeR-k_IRcJrK/s1600/1274424587lhVePnL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19qXJysQSy5iQC0rYJj91mm9Nwd9NErzY-B8bvb4ug-MVSB5jZ51pPQmmmVyKfIy_YgHSanHZPaPVPNavafdvAigBQlW5pR2s2rvg2TdEaT75cMYLgpNijrpzA9TLb-7KHeR-k_IRcJrK/s320/1274424587lhVePnL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">turned Blue Ridge Mountain Adorer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">when selecting a college years ago i always thought i'd prefer to be near a beach or some sort of beautiful body of water.. if not in the city!lol - however when i found James Madison Univ nestled among the blue ridge mountains i had no doubt That was the place for me?? again i found myself falling in love with the ol' small town of harrisonburg VA and honestly it wouldn't take much convincing if someone said 'you're moving back' =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">moving on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">numero dos - FOOD. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_4ivfiG0i_VxFxadHXxDUTiBPC_r3lHOwKiXf3FfPWQpz2gN6GdcgMIfHwjriei4_L7WUEzD-yu_HrLc6E301bYy8wvfBBNKaSWT0HmO0CyUh5EwStVdLtNfTpoBRhdHyTmXDW5QIiwn/s1600/ep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_4ivfiG0i_VxFxadHXxDUTiBPC_r3lHOwKiXf3FfPWQpz2gN6GdcgMIfHwjriei4_L7WUEzD-yu_HrLc6E301bYy8wvfBBNKaSWT0HmO0CyUh5EwStVdLtNfTpoBRhdHyTmXDW5QIiwn/s320/ep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a couple years ago i found myself on a health search (out of necessity for loved ones suffering w/ ailments later turning to personal necessity). spending countless hours reading and devouring books and information on anything pertaining to 'how food affects our health'. i was amazed at what i found! God really did create our bodies to heal and sustain themselves and Food Really Is a Powerful Weapon. contradiction... this morning after eating a nice bowl of oatmeal, grapefruit and some almonds i later found myself finishing off a couple bites of my son's toaster strudel! OMGosh i know. it goes against everything i know to even Have those things in my house much less voluntarily feeding them to my son =( and then partaking in a few bites myself?? i could blame it on pregnancy, i could blame it on going coupon crazy (which has me buying things i shouldn't b/c i can get them so cheap and i know joe & drew like them), i could blame it on others who told me over and over i was being too health food crazy, but what it really boils down to is my own lazy attitude these days =( and in no way am i happy about it. i much rather be 'crazy' and feel good then fulfill a craving and feel yuck about myself after (literally and physically). so i just need to STOP i know... along with a good Kick in the Butt, yeah that'd help too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">next... All dogs MUST go to heaven in my book!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvKiLTZa99R4H2l1MRmu034WxouSKIEOKXW69xFVodIEizKqRFhVr7_P9otKqhdRco2C5q4KMNsVabpEe4y6g6WIhaW-QOgil9grcqQkb61ftjeTOKwPhZO76yHzMUzNqW1unToswGAMC/s1600/jax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvKiLTZa99R4H2l1MRmu034WxouSKIEOKXW69xFVodIEizKqRFhVr7_P9otKqhdRco2C5q4KMNsVabpEe4y6g6WIhaW-QOgil9grcqQkb61ftjeTOKwPhZO76yHzMUzNqW1unToswGAMC/s320/jax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my first 'baby' JAX</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">growing up i was a CAT person who never really cared for dogs. dogs to me were more intimidating, belonged outside, and smelt bad most of the time. lol. if you would have told me i'd grow up and voluntarily adopt a big hairy beast and love him to pcs i would have laughed and again said, never! needless to say times have changed! after marrying joe (who not only dislikes cats but is conveniently allergic-lol) i realized this girl needed some kind of animal around. after all i grew up Always having pets, either indoors or out. so one day i told joe i was going to the animal shelter and bringing home a dog. joe thought 'oh great she'll come back with a tiny little squeaker she can dress up'! boy was he surprised when he walked in on this 70+ lab/retriever mix of sorts! and that dog did it for me, i was instantly in love and have never turned back. cats... now i'm the one that can do without!?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X76j1chj9IX_N41J_Kt8n5d_Ta6QPEh_IK5CR1DuZaqFP3DBpQBxkC9kks0vQxkcNMXfuJ6gsk8N3Svln_66exZsqFRIuq2n80tqTIRbW_XpsOWiCGXI09XVGQmjhgWyKz6_fvkUki8o/s1600/jaxAndabbyUs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X76j1chj9IX_N41J_Kt8n5d_Ta6QPEh_IK5CR1DuZaqFP3DBpQBxkC9kks0vQxkcNMXfuJ6gsk8N3Svln_66exZsqFRIuq2n80tqTIRbW_XpsOWiCGXI09XVGQmjhgWyKz6_fvkUki8o/s1600/jaxAndabbyUs.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i later had to adopt Abby FOR Jax.. he needed a pal =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">now i'm going to move quickly thru several more contradictions... otherwise i'll be here even longer than I want to be...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">athletic i am NOT - however i would love to be considered that?! is it too late? lol. seriously though i can make a bball shot (standing still while not being blocked) so really i can play a mean game of Horse on the court and kickball isn't too much of a struggle, but beyond that those near and dear would laugh at this statement (please don't laugh too hard)! now having a son and another on the way i do hope (need to be determined) to be able to 'get out there and throw a football around' -just throw though - being tackled to the ground will never be my thing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i LOVE to read and do read, several books at one time (see old post on 'from Dr. Seuss to the Holy Bible) but i must admit i don't finish them all. i want to.. usually, but i guess when it comes to books i can get a little ADD and jump around a bit, planning to return at a later date but not always doing so. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a girly girl?? not really. i may give off that appearance b/c i never leave home without make-up (and never intend to unless deemed a nec. emergency) but really i'm not what others would categorize by definition as such. i'm not typically emotional, not mushy and romantic (although that one i'd kinda like to be-and i believe my husband would as well-lol) not the real sensitive by nature type. now don't get me wrong i have friends i love dearly who are all those things and i honestly think those are great qualities so i'm not trying to come across as if it's a negative, just trying to reflect how some may meet me and assume such, and some who even know me a bit may still assume such, hence the 'Walking Contradiction', but upon 'knowing me' you'd realize i'm really not.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">speaking of 'not a girly girl' i guess i'm more meaning that from all said reasons above. where i AM fitting of that category lies in the following...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i would honestly love to go camping outdoors in a tent in a sleeping bag on the ground -lol- HOWEVER b/c of the 'never leaving home without make-up on' and my lack of a desire to be outdoors vulnerable while sleeping amongst critters i'm unaware of, i will admit i AM a hotel girl- and That I will remain proud of- mom to boys or not! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and a contradiction i'm now Pursuing... owning my own business! lol. seriously while in college professors always asked us, 'who here wants to own their own design business one day'? mine was NEVER a hand that went up. i worked for small companies, i saw first hand what owners went thru and in no way did i want that responsibility! HOWEVER... now as many know, my sister and i are in hot pursuit of opening a coffee lounge here in ol' southern MD, Sixty-Six Beans. (hopefully that will soon be a post - the update!).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and the last one i'll list will be the shortest... because we all know how that turned out, lol.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJhayzJBklU_WpykcOAhTaA2h958b5Kc-xZHdC1duVtlePhtXVOJ7qHzSn5eVntD-sWjLk5Y5c8hjmsQTzp5LK7SgVMfJloWnC0A9cpkVWTNzq55QXak52jq6uJUXCFzhGYbIDJQ1n7Y3/s1600/n653537150_682446_7820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJhayzJBklU_WpykcOAhTaA2h958b5Kc-xZHdC1duVtlePhtXVOJ7qHzSn5eVntD-sWjLk5Y5c8hjmsQTzp5LK7SgVMfJloWnC0A9cpkVWTNzq55QXak52jq6uJUXCFzhGYbIDJQ1n7Y3/s1600/n653537150_682446_7820.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i once said "i will never marry joe clark"!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">soo... among those contradiction i know there lie many more. i'm sure once i log off my mind will flood with them too. but i guess it all comes down to this -God knows us better than we know ourselves. He has Good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11) and as long as we're following Him and open to change... change is okay! some areas (of mine) need a little butt kicking b/c i know i shouldn't abandon my hearts desires (ex eating healthier Consistently),other areas just make me-me, but i'm also glad i'm open and flexible to move and change, learn and grow. after all it's all apart of the process and i thank God i've been wrong in so many ways, such as the last contradiction above!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-65643908348776149142011-04-08T06:22:00.000-07:002011-04-08T06:22:46.489-07:00Fantastic Unbeatable Finds... at least I think so!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so yesterday... oh how i had anticipated yesterday! every year, twice a year a HUGE kids consignment sale hits our local county fair grounds. when i say HUGE, i do mean Huge! 10s of thousands of items come in and FILL up a couple of the buildings (usually reserved for those vendor and 4-H type/art shows when the fairs open)but they are filled up with EVERYTHING you can think of that a child would need - from clothes to shoes to toys to nursery items to storage items to tricycles and bicycles to furniture, oh how the list goes on! (just take a look at the image below, not capturing even a hint of the whole idea)!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0XSaLRimFlzTpCVoO0cI3sfOWDUWVK6e1l8o9QuslpuUoAMiqQFRZkUyrqCG8jXqJEWEPyGEncyDf3ETDGxldpEr5ikAgmrtEvPxDyh_MXW-YHmFlF-YTDuOQknPMMZnsCEr4R6FeXky/s1600/leprechaun+lillies+pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0XSaLRimFlzTpCVoO0cI3sfOWDUWVK6e1l8o9QuslpuUoAMiqQFRZkUyrqCG8jXqJEWEPyGEncyDf3ETDGxldpEr5ikAgmrtEvPxDyh_MXW-YHmFlF-YTDuOQknPMMZnsCEr4R6FeXky/s320/leprechaun+lillies+pic4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(a small peak at the girls side)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">well this year i was DEF looking forward to it, not knowing if i was going to get to shop on the girls side or if sticking to the boys side was going to be where you'd find me again... well we all know that result. let me say though it must have kept things nice and simple- not having to tear through the mass of women and little dresses, lol. but seriously, women pack this place OUT and it gets kinda craZy! that's why i volunteer! the lady who runs this event has it down to a science, seriously! it's awesome and SO organized! and you are able to shop early if you are a volunteer (based on your volunteer hours) and later that night if you are a new/1st time mommy (those are the "i don't care how big my baby bump is, get outta my why kinda mommas)! so again this year I stuck with my usual 3-6pm volunteer schedule allowing me to shop immediately at 6 =) those who volunteered the most began at 4 so the flow steadily began, but with the same determination "i MUST go grab that item i saw brought in the other day"! for me this worked out great - ONLY disappointing thing was that the ONE thing i REALLY wanted to get Andrew was snatched up =( it was a Scoobie Doo bouncing ball (that you sit on and hop around) but scoobie was adorable and like a stuffed animal wrapped around part of the ball - man drew would have FLIPPED OUT! but... i am still proud to say i did walk away with some Awesome finds (see below) and again i'm looking forward to the fall sale already!!! =) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuMYqpyM7ruc_73SU6l7PxtNLVxpZmLklHdRmQrZ8-7hZVbQILYWgNlqTwffPZWetB42bRKgIxBTjwhFO2SWJXMxMpG9NiFpazidC5e1q6i8VI-90rI3BiygoO2IXuN0d3dgnjbqDFLCE/s1600/Leprechaun+Lillies+Pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuMYqpyM7ruc_73SU6l7PxtNLVxpZmLklHdRmQrZ8-7hZVbQILYWgNlqTwffPZWetB42bRKgIxBTjwhFO2SWJXMxMpG9NiFpazidC5e1q6i8VI-90rI3BiygoO2IXuN0d3dgnjbqDFLCE/s320/Leprechaun+Lillies+Pic+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that= 7prs of shorts, 1pr swimming trunks, 8 shirts, 3 baby outfits (can't forget abt the new lil man), 1pr of Buster Brown sneaks, 1 small black diaper bag, 7pr of baby shoes/booties, 3 bibs, 2 hats, batman & jungle book figurines, toy car, & a melissa&doug wooden race track! all for ONLY $70</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">now seriously, who does NOT like a deal like that- it's pure Craziness & I was thanking God for all that for Sure! funny how though I really stuck to shopping for drew, guess it doesn't matter though b/c with birthday's a month apart the next little man will be growing into all these great bargains too! oh and did i mention... so things are brand new! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmvj2SE9tRB_L6xCYLOklE2RjGSDefCNKuyLMI_wLO1vhb4IpORmtOV5741m04ObrouivZRDqA9Ms4u3K94C88jZpheNLBR2o3u9dwa0ba2JmH0lB-B3EVXtl8pJaYmvqiIpLGO_F7cg_/s1600/Leprechaun+Lillies+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmvj2SE9tRB_L6xCYLOklE2RjGSDefCNKuyLMI_wLO1vhb4IpORmtOV5741m04ObrouivZRDqA9Ms4u3K94C88jZpheNLBR2o3u9dwa0ba2JmH0lB-B3EVXtl8pJaYmvqiIpLGO_F7cg_/s320/Leprechaun+Lillies+pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">all these cute lil shoes/booties (most NEW) came wrapped together for ONLY $6 =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVX2UC31KOVaH9WGCMesEciIjomghekw7SYCkIaq97nX4YoDl4bKeIw1y86mdxXIPQ4ilywfrhkG2JSjROdjwnOM6gdv5Qc1pFGgewKi35tbZCruM39hwcS1nCaqwE7qaY5Imzqu_crbg/s1600/Leprechaun+Lillies+pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVX2UC31KOVaH9WGCMesEciIjomghekw7SYCkIaq97nX4YoDl4bKeIw1y86mdxXIPQ4ilywfrhkG2JSjROdjwnOM6gdv5Qc1pFGgewKi35tbZCruM39hwcS1nCaqwE7qaY5Imzqu_crbg/s320/Leprechaun+Lillies+pic+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the Winner of the bargains goes to this! a Melissa & Doug wooden race track ($10) that andrew will LOVE! no it's still not scoobie, but what he doesn't know i missed out on won't hurt him =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so ladies i urge you... check out your area and see if one of these crazy sales doesn't come close to home- it's SO worth it! and for those who don't like hand-me-down clothes (keep in mind some are Brand New).. or just check out their other great bargains, you really can't go wrong! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy savings =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-52500007659170761032011-03-30T20:04:00.000-07:002011-03-31T06:30:05.829-07:00Baby Boy#2 Coming Summer 2011!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We found out the fabulous & yes -much to our surprise- news yesterday morning... baby #2 is a BOY! *see the cute-yet usually a bit awkward baby 'under construction' image below* =) Before i dive into the details of our surprise let me first make note of Why i AM one of the few women who seem to enjoy having Summer babies!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho89bPd-b_e6j6BTqFg5lcCPbtMcaTwZo9tzwHYQI6Mm5ijZqLmiUZ3BIpqVKyp0t8n4wFyeLxD9ca9p0Df23Nwn_NuoD_mbHAS3fn3Am0K7tNXDaQXXeXrH7JPcFdvhsfHnBFSGc2gOEG/s1600/mepic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho89bPd-b_e6j6BTqFg5lcCPbtMcaTwZo9tzwHYQI6Mm5ijZqLmiUZ3BIpqVKyp0t8n4wFyeLxD9ca9p0Df23Nwn_NuoD_mbHAS3fn3Am0K7tNXDaQXXeXrH7JPcFdvhsfHnBFSGc2gOEG/s320/mepic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">yes its the awkward self mirror shot- maybe my 3yr old could have done better? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">*pic taken at 19wks=1/2 way done*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1. You can hide the awkward "is she pregnant or just bloated" baby bump with the bulkier winter clothes or a nice long shabby scarf... at least sometimes,lol. believe me i've had 'those looks' -funny story this past wkend a young waitress glanced down at my belly and smiled and began to say "aww..." then stopped short, thinking uh-oh maybe i'm wrong- i knew the look so i quickly confirmed her thought with 'yes we're expecting in August =)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2. When you do find yourself too big to comfortably bend over it's okay because it's Flip-Flop season! YeY, no need to try and cram your feet into big boots and brave the slippery sidewalks in fear of falling over b/c your balance is off!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">3. Lighter clothing! fun summertime clothes are easier and lighter on the tummy to throw on =) bathing suits... well... lets just say girls there's no reason to 'suck it in' anymore, lol. grant it i'm not a comfortable 2pc wearin' mamma, but they do have cute tank-top 2 pcs, just remember to hold that top down when first getting into the pool, lol.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4. speaking of pool... Swimming! no better time to feel more like yourself and not so -top heavy- then enjoying some water time! its a nice reminder that 'no i'm usually not this large' =) and a pleasant and relaxing way to exercise and cool off in the heat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">5. some complain it's too hot to be prego in the summer... as for me i seriously am fine with it! i much prefer to be hot than freezing cold with stiff muscles and large & in charge! plus that's why we have air conditioning options!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">6. sunshine makes me happy!!! i am NOT a fan of being cold (can you tell by now) so the more i can be out soaking up the sun the less depressed i feel! and the bigger i get the less depressed i NEED to be, lol. so being able to slip on the oh so convenient shoes without bending over to walk outside and soak up the rays brings a bit more joy to me! and as all us moms know - joy during the larger months is just as important!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">7. summer birthday party planning is just fun! i know birthdays at any time can be a blast, but i have enjoyed planning andrew's summertime parties and i look forward to doing the same with this lil guy. the options just seem more endless.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">8. speaking of parties... summer time is a great picnic time! a time when there aren't too many holidays to over-shadow the fun Birth-day of your little one (or yourself if you're like me and a summertime baby too). so that's a nice way to break up the year, esp from the Christmas extraviganza! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I'm sure I have a ton more but those are just among my top few =) I hope for those prego during the summer like me they serve you with little reminders of the joys of a summertime pregnancy!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKCjrGcot0Nn30ptX_28Hl4m8rwegmNHKCgl4X545Fkscq_C2rGWnomEe_mD7BrchujltjOjVZw8IZ6Mxy2qlABS4oSJvPtxQ_D5_HcJwEquVmzh6hkzKsxuCL-jYQXTguMM_CEq_6Mzd/s1600/babyboy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKCjrGcot0Nn30ptX_28Hl4m8rwegmNHKCgl4X545Fkscq_C2rGWnomEe_mD7BrchujltjOjVZw8IZ6Mxy2qlABS4oSJvPtxQ_D5_HcJwEquVmzh6hkzKsxuCL-jYQXTguMM_CEq_6Mzd/s320/babyboy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the cute but awkward 'under construction' pic =)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now on to our Surprise yesterday! it's amazing how you can really 'set your mind' without nec. even realizing you've set it soo much! thus is the reason i am a thankful lady for the technology we have today in knowing what sex our precious little one is before arrival =) even though you never truly are 'prepared' it does help to think that knowing the gender provides you with a bit more of the 'feeling' of being prepared =) and as for some who save the surprise -i think that's fabulous- but for us yesterday was just as big of a surprise... and reminder that you just never know until you know!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">one reason this little one i think shocked me was because while pregnant with andrew i was one of the VERY few who thought we were going to have a boy, all else kept saying girl. so when the tech confirmed my 'intuitions' i smiled and kinda laughed at joe sitting in shock watching the screen =) yesterday however... we both sat Shocked - even Drew who responded with 'i thought i was having a sister', lol, uh oh! and in no way are we disappointed.. again just surprised. and as my mom said to me yesterday 'didn't you always say you wanted boys' i was reminded that Yes i did! i think this time around i just thought that since my husband has always always wanted a little girl (to spoil & protect) and my son a baby sister, i began to want that for them. however, again we are both excited (drew is slowly adjusting -hence his determination to now name his lil bro "john wayne"). & in all honesty joe and i have had the desire to adopt one day for many years now - so if God Blesses us in the future with an adopted angel maybe she'll be the girl our family was missing. then she would be spoiled for sure (being the ONLY girl for a few grandparents as well =) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so... now it's time to pray and discuss a name to give this precious little boy. a time to pull out the tiny baby clothes we did save (having passed on many to others) and to rest assure that he'll be loved and adored just as much as andrew - not in comparison, but in a fresh new way - knowing this unique little individual was planned by God and has a purpose beyond even our wildest (and best) dreams for him. and Yes... knowing ahead of time brings a bit more peace to this momma =) i enjoyed pulling out some of my 'raising boys' books last night, laughing over the thoughts of things to come and thanking God for His Great plans for our family. and for now i must admit... being the only girl surrounded by men, big and little, is just fine by me =)</span><br />
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</span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-1963339912786671562011-03-26T09:02:00.000-07:002011-03-26T09:02:10.349-07:00blOg-CraZy & biRthDay lOvE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyt4n1wWgn-gU6pS0kKcS3wa_Aa58ShsV45_DNtbuA7BFfOMe-OEPLv3X-l7oakisB0YGYqLKK123KgRXE7m36_NeZTOSu-jQJD0yRILWbV5uNHiBCiGiZjCULCGHL1sNQicyp7Qwvb-q/s1600/1521016979_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyt4n1wWgn-gU6pS0kKcS3wa_Aa58ShsV45_DNtbuA7BFfOMe-OEPLv3X-l7oakisB0YGYqLKK123KgRXE7m36_NeZTOSu-jQJD0yRILWbV5uNHiBCiGiZjCULCGHL1sNQicyp7Qwvb-q/s1600/1521016979_m.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy Birthday weekend (tomorrow he's 33!) to my guy =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">first i will cover the 'blog-crazy' in the title of this quick note...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">my-oh-my how this blogging world is a crazy wonderful one to get caught up in! i have stumbled across SO many wonderful women all in a different part of the world- being open and honest -inspiring and encouraging - and serving as reminders to me that none of us are 'crazy', lol, we're just fabulous ladies trying to live out the best life God has in store for us the best way we can - while choosing to open up our hearts to this blog world - reaching out to others along our own journeys in life =) again i thank you ladies - for sometimes i do get lost clicking from one new blog to another and before i know it the time has gotten away from me - just one more reminder i best get on that personal time-management skill a bit more closely, lol, but i love it. i love the ladies i'm stumbling upon & i encourage you to enter in too when you can =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMRr1JQ0mJnMd9D-2qAiNbBYunrJxdZZsE8k1vseb59FW06zxZ2Zw8dzqQy2uoc5dZAt_ksJt2Hk4X7ILz0icXS4L2MmMqmsAMNt5hyUAEfd0aCHAh-AKvbpp9NTNxEV1bkBpSVvLZHV1/s1600/m_68300019d7988975a3e2f8b4431896c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMRr1JQ0mJnMd9D-2qAiNbBYunrJxdZZsE8k1vseb59FW06zxZ2Zw8dzqQy2uoc5dZAt_ksJt2Hk4X7ILz0icXS4L2MmMqmsAMNt5hyUAEfd0aCHAh-AKvbpp9NTNxEV1bkBpSVvLZHV1/s1600/m_68300019d7988975a3e2f8b4431896c6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">our 1st 2 'kids' jax & abby</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i wanted to take a moment (inspired by another blogger) to celebrate my sweet husband who's celebrating his 33rd birthday tomorrow! phew 33 i can hardly believe it, esp since we've known each other since he was 17 and i was 15 - that's a lot of knowin' =) as our Young Adults in our Immersed gp. from church learned recently when studying the 5 lOve lanGuages, mine is not 'words of affirmation', but of course, that's my husbands! so as he tosses out loving words at me endlessly at times (really showing He's the one desiring those in return) i'm speaking a different kinda language 'quality time' (which for joe and i these days is a struggle b/c of crazy schedules- we're trying to get a grip, but i digress...) So my point is that due to my struggle w/ 'spoken words' i will write a few thoughts on why I LOVE THIS MAN for the whole world to see (and my guy when I point him to this latest entry). sooo how do i love this man... let me count the ways....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCKfsnmXVhDBrj0OsBQIscsqZHNBykTR0X_NUJjkvRYzi1OOgTJvuNr15AcTfKBmM-_x-nNfZVFBXG8vrwxNIWXYCjqAssByjjZmI-UZVTc1SQ6COelHxzd3iBK7qCc2CjxDVNpSaRoYq/s1600/100_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCKfsnmXVhDBrj0OsBQIscsqZHNBykTR0X_NUJjkvRYzi1OOgTJvuNr15AcTfKBmM-_x-nNfZVFBXG8vrwxNIWXYCjqAssByjjZmI-UZVTc1SQ6COelHxzd3iBK7qCc2CjxDVNpSaRoYq/s320/100_1824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">andrew's 1st sunday @church 3 1/2yrs ago -joe was speaking =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He LOVES GOD first! and then loves me and our 'growing' family! some may say wooh God first?? yes you see that's why i fell in love with him oh so many up&down years ago =) he's got a passion for the calling God has on his life (reaching out to young people) and it's contagious -after all he's brought me along for the ride as we now serve the young adults in our church/community side-by-side. when you find a man who loves God you have found a Good thing -cherish it! the times that we spend praying together - worshipping together - trusting together - those are ALL the times that grow us... together! i could not imagine spending a lifetime with anyone else and i will FOREVER cherish his prayers for me and our family and beyond =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">my man loves to have fun! being goofy and making people laugh, either with him or at him, he doesn't care and i love, sometimes in secret-lol, that about him! for those who know me i'm the type that does tend to care who's watching at times, grant it i've come along way from where i started, but i'm blessed to be with a man who 'lightens me up'. whether it's dancing around our living room acting silly for our son (or really for himself b/c he's having fun) joe definitely knows how to make a dull situation a little less dull ... and yes i do love that about him, no matter how often i give him 'that look', you know, the one that says... umm people are watching, lol. it's really just another thing that kept drawing me back to him when we were 'young and in-love'. the thing that i knew i needed in my life to 'lighten me up'! =) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">he can't sit still for too long! we love traveling - be it to florida (against my will for the 15th time -lol) and beyond - i love that he loves to be out & about, seeing and experiencing new places. one thing we definitely have strongly in common is that neither one of us is much of a home-body. of course these days, with one precious son & another child on the way & again the craziness of our schedules, we don't get to go and do as much as we would like, but the fact comes down to- we both Like =) so in the end you know you'll end up back out&about when you can. thankfully we did have almost 4 years together before our son came along which opened up more time for us for travel and vacation time (don't get me wrong- children at ANY time are a blessing - but for us those years are ones we'll always happily hold dear -for more selfish reasons =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw8RwfFF4QaadSsoKORypOFhYfMikqUQd25mq3us4H6o7U3LCcUFChW-ny-Ms8VPkqXJq9JVr28n4oH1w5uMIc6HkvNK0mTS-ni59oG1mq9tAbDNAG-BHNgvSxjslgF73B7b7_wy8EGiB/s1600/DrewHairCut8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw8RwfFF4QaadSsoKORypOFhYfMikqUQd25mq3us4H6o7U3LCcUFChW-ny-Ms8VPkqXJq9JVr28n4oH1w5uMIc6HkvNK0mTS-ni59oG1mq9tAbDNAG-BHNgvSxjslgF73B7b7_wy8EGiB/s320/DrewHairCut8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">joe taking drew to his first hair cut =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the little pic above represents two big things i love about this man! first and foremost he LOVES his son! he's the kind of dad who will spend countless time 'fighting' (drew requests this on a nightly basis) with him, watching/taking him to see sill movies, playing sports with him (yes our now 3 1/2 year old is Passionate about sports-even requested to watch basketball by 'signing' to us when he was not even a year old!-i'm in for it-lol) and any other thing Fun! he's not the dad that sits on the side-lines, not the dad that cares what others think if he's acting Crazy with andrew, he's the dad who wants to make his son laugh, fly around the room, sing loudly, love God and love life and THAT is what definitely draws this wife & mom even more in-love with him =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the 2nd part of this pic is the ol' barbershop in the background -this to me is a reminder of joe's loyalty! my man is definitely a loyal one! why this pic- well we no longer live near this barber John, but joe will definitely still be sure to make the drive or fit it in on his driving route home to get by and wait for 'his barber' to cut his hair- no matter how long it takes! (ladies don't be fooled- men gossip and sit in barber shops just as long as we do at the salon- at least my man can-lol). so this just reminds me in a small way of the big thing my husband represents - being loyal =) sure he may say 'i'll call you back in 5 or be home in 10' and it turns into 20 or an hour... but the point comes back to.. he'll be there. he's loyal to his family, his friends, his church & his (our) God and that's Important to me =) It makes me feel secure as his wife =) being someone who i know can drive him crazy and push his buttons (like he pushes mine) at the end of the day i still know where he'll be and who he'll love - and in this life, full of un-committed people and things - that's important to me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so i could keep going for i'm not sure how long... but i'll save some of those other things for him- thanking him for brightening my life and for allowing me to be a part of his... sharing yet another of many of his Birthdays together! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">*love ya joe- love me*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-5618375399752879212011-03-20T18:54:00.000-07:002011-03-20T18:54:18.788-07:00pregnancy reminders... they are a must for me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">it's true i really do need to remind myself that i'm pregnant again! yes i have the growing belly (even more-so round 2) but b/c of my continual digestive issues the past couple years i now need to remind myself daily that there's a precious growing little life in there and no it's not just what i ate -lol! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">this is me very much prego with andrew</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-SDU5tKI-coSXflsrf724ipTw7NP8jm6aZTU6yEpMWJFwk60NJj9qXwdF2DkmmJq9tyOSHePSukHyg_3lYUznY2m22G4y6gGIobzPECeaIGK-gApn56hPUyAqPDunaX46g7v7ln6Ht7W/s1600/Photo+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-SDU5tKI-coSXflsrf724ipTw7NP8jm6aZTU6yEpMWJFwk60NJj9qXwdF2DkmmJq9tyOSHePSukHyg_3lYUznY2m22G4y6gGIobzPECeaIGK-gApn56hPUyAqPDunaX46g7v7ln6Ht7W/s320/Photo+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sad to say i haven't even deliberately taken any pregnancy pictures this go-around. it's not too late i know - again just need a daily reminder! i think as most moms of multiples have said - the second time (or third, fourth and even fifth-God Bless You all) being pregnant the time flies more quickly *check* - you're exhausted more often *double check* and some like me even have to be reminded daily that yes there's a baby in there *triple check*!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i think because of other life happenings going on around me my focus - or lack there of - on the "oh my gosh we'll soon be a family of four" is heightened! with trying to open a coffee house (see update on 66beans.blogspot.com)- back to designing part-time -newly beginning a young adults gp at our new home church - and the lack of space since we moved into an apartment (which for a designer the thought of having no bedroom to decorate *esp if we see shades of pink* can def. be crippling to the excitement factor) all come into play as HUGE distractions from the blessed addition coming Summer of 2011!!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">andrew's room was def. my favorite in our old house... yes i still miss it! & yes the ceiling was green (spite the looks family members gave me on the idea =)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and i think because of all of the said items above i've also been distracted (in a good way this time) from the fact that a c-section is looking like the inevitable way baby 2 will be exiting =/ for those who knew of my delivery experience with drew you may recall my utter shock and sadness at having to endure that route of exiting the womb! with all the swimming and walking and having what i've considered to be 'wide hips' i was for certain andrew was going to practically drop out -lol. i could NOT have been more wrong! after 22 hours of labor -no epidural b/c of the ol' back (a better work in progress now Thank U God) -walking around the hospital -workin' it on the ol' huge labor ball - at 8 1/2 cm for over 4 1/2 hours - it seemed he needed to come with more dr. assistance. never did i picture that plan or fear it more! after all this is the girl who was walking around the parking after over 8 hours of being in labor, contractions less than a minute apart - determined NOT to enter the hospital earlier then necessary! when that news hit me i broke! having to be put to sleep (again b/c of my back) and not waking until 3 hours later, having missed the 'awe look at them wash him off - weigh him & swaddle him up', groggy and not an expectant cheerful 'hand me my baby' new mom - this was a time i wanted to shout RE-DO!!! seriously i give all you c-section happy moms PROPS big time because i will admit this girl- she was a BIG baby to the whole 'cut me open take out my baby it'll be fine' mentality! no no not me - i was the one who still hadn't looked at my scar a month later! that's right- i avoided it- thankfully my sweet husband handled the nec. cleaning of the area kinda stuff! can you grasp yet that surgery is not something i take lightly! lol</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so i guess the distractions this go-around come as a pleasant thing when it comes to remembering all that! and even during times like now when i scrunch up my face at the thought i just think of the outcome of course and say like all us crazy moms do - it's all worth it in the end anyhow. "pain with a purpose" as a sweet nurse kept reminding me! and when i look back at the pic below - i'm still shocked at how the time flies and how soon we'll be embracing a baby again! andrew is now so self-sufficient it boggles my mind that it was only 3 1/2 yrs ago that he too needed us to do EVERYTHING for him. my how only 3 1/2 yrs changes things so much!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">what a slippery wet little butterball he was!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so next week when we get to take another peek at this growing life in my belly, we'll be utterly amazed again that God has blessed us with another precious life to add to our family! and whether it be a GIRL or boy (lol-drew says girl b/c he prayed =) we'll be excited & surprised! because no... it's not just something i ate! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-64884689661546296012011-03-12T16:08:00.000-08:002011-03-12T16:08:17.521-08:00from the Holy Bible to Dr Seuss... a few requested recommendations!books fill our home! if you find a flat surface you will probably find at least one book residing there. we love to read in this house, especially me!<br />
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joe is an avid 3-5 newspapers a day kinda guy but this past year while taking ministry courses he was assigned to read 1-2 books a month for class (most of them were actually quite interesting, not your average textbk kinda book) so thus began a slight passion in his reading expansion =)<br />
while pregnant with Andrew i deliberately prayed that he would love to read too! boy does he. i know most toddlers enjoy a good book read to them but my boy definitely has fully embraced the desire to read and as his praying momma, that makes me very happy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnsak7GhC_GuOLMYMbCdhNHhaDIpG1zgKIRGoZHXHQLqBmvs9YkZ2aAPZW9lajgH9xG5djuE89TvSpJ3aFaC149TvaamNJSqhHePgt7Av0UfkN82WagsMl2FRaxOF1iS6rdOgKg5fyQga/s1600/book+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnsak7GhC_GuOLMYMbCdhNHhaDIpG1zgKIRGoZHXHQLqBmvs9YkZ2aAPZW9lajgH9xG5djuE89TvSpJ3aFaC149TvaamNJSqhHePgt7Av0UfkN82WagsMl2FRaxOF1iS6rdOgKg5fyQga/s320/book+pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">one of drew's spaces for his growing book collection</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>see i think reading is SO IMPORTANT. i know for busy moms - parents in general - it's hard to find time to sit and read a good book, however even if it's just a line or two here and there (especially vs.'s from God's Holy book) you usually learn something and grow wiser (unless it's a mushy romance novel, then it's just a nice escape for some from reality for a bit that some so well deserve!) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPe2molj33wX4r9COZhH4DUMwfSdD5Y9Nw2Ef8pdDwvQga_jq0iRLENjPHzyroxBgmgV3rezelJDCnSYk_EnPtM9UvgT78yL98yalTt2t2joAv0gCSG1t6BkrwJc0H8qfnVIS5EUkW0m8/s1600/book+pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPe2molj33wX4r9COZhH4DUMwfSdD5Y9Nw2Ef8pdDwvQga_jq0iRLENjPHzyroxBgmgV3rezelJDCnSYk_EnPtM9UvgT78yL98yalTt2t2joAv0gCSG1t6BkrwJc0H8qfnVIS5EUkW0m8/s320/book+pic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a cpl of the numerous scattered book shelves around our place</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjOU4okMsgUOqeaefoCJzEjV_0RagvyWoxVfjsBOBpglZrYRPzLwO5KUaiAnvMqcjA50pLR0zsWVL8xdAA9HyhG0Eq_J7bnPhekuSTqayZ_ma6L-14_EO9MzRS5oFk8n1_oCP06OvuHb1/s1600/bookk+pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjOU4okMsgUOqeaefoCJzEjV_0RagvyWoxVfjsBOBpglZrYRPzLwO5KUaiAnvMqcjA50pLR0zsWVL8xdAA9HyhG0Eq_J7bnPhekuSTqayZ_ma6L-14_EO9MzRS5oFk8n1_oCP06OvuHb1/s320/bookk+pic4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">and since many know i am a crazy reader (usually have 3-5 books going at one time) i've had suggestion requests from time to time on something i may recommend. so from me to you here is a condensed (very much so for me) list of some of my favs. and as you will Read, i'm a Huge lover of inspirational books (from the spiritual to the business type- yes i even own a book by Donald Trump =) </div><div style="text-align: left;">i hope you enjoy scanning my list... and at the very least feel free to add to it... i'm always interested in recommendations from others!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*some books i will describe a bit and others i'll just list*</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Noticer </b>by Andy Andrews (a GREAT author we heard speak at an event last yr) a book inspired from his own life experience of meeting a man named Jones while living under a dock on the beach who changed his life and the lives of many around town!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">ANY book written by <b>Mark Batterson</b> (pastor of National Community Church in DC which now meets in a coffee house called Ebenezer's) - i can't say enough good things!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">& speaking of authors, i will forever love and learn from <b>Joyce Meyer</b>. you will be blessed and inspired by ANY of her books</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Shack</b> by W. M. Paul Young - WOW is all I can say. it will make you think about God in a lot of new ways. it's about a father saddened by the abduction of his daughter who is lured back to the ol' shack where her little bloody dress was found. a request from God to meet him there... and boy did he ever. the author is remarkable and if you are ever able to hear his testimony you will be blessed and probably shed a tear or two (i did)! I'm actually reading the book now for the second time, totally refreshed by God's amazing love for us!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sundays at Tiffanys</b> by James Patterson - a great fun girly read that will keep you turning the page!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Trump Card </b>by Ivanka Trump - i don't know if you're a fan of the show the Apprentice or not but her book is great! i think you'll be sure to find yourself respecting the way her wealthy and famous parents instilled great morals in her to become the spit fire respected woman she is today - around the world!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Crazy Love</b> by Francis Chan - another INSPIRATIONAL book that is sure to make you think about the way we live and love (or don't love) our amazing God! he will challenge you to think about not only God but yourself and the way you live and think in a new way! we pulled from this book in our young adults gp and one of the young guys went out and bought it that same week- the following week he had already read thru it twice! there's a passion for reading that i love to hear about!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Wide Awake</b> by Malcamus</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Radica</b>l by Platt</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fearless</b> by Max Lucado - another author you CAN NOT go wrong with! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">books by <b>Nicholas Sparks</b> - i def have not read them all but i have enjoyed some (most of those which became movies) they're usually sappy and require a tissue or two but if you're in the mood for that kind of read you should enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>150 Healthiest Foods</b> by Jonny Bowdin - if you know the me of today (in college and prior i was not this way and never did picture myself becoming interested in health stuff) but today i love - i soak up most books about foods and the way they can affect and benefit us today. it just totally amazes me how certain foods help our bodies in certain ways, from our crazy hormones to the common cold prevention to disease prevention - all of it astounds me and makes me even more in awe of my Creator!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Empowering Your Health</b> by Dr. Asa Andrew (see above)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul</b> - NOT about food (lol) but def. a fun read from time to time, helping us busy moms realize we are not going crazy... we're normal! =)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Do Hard Things</b> by the Harris Brothers - if you have children or plan to one day -or even if you just want to be inspired by a younger generation this book is a Must Read! it's one that i will def. MAKE (that's right i said Make) my son read. written by twin teenage brothers it's a call to action from and for the younger generation. as parents it makes you realize if you only set the low simple expectations (like clean your room or take out the trash & do your homework) that's usually the only ones your children will make! but when you encourage them to strive for the out-of-the-ordinary they realize their true potential and grow into wise young adults who have a greater confidence in God and in themselves!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Decorating Junk Market Style</b> - okay so I'm a designer - i MUST have a shelf or two dedicated to design books that inspire me! this one i think is fun for anyone - full of lots of pictures of ideas on how to turn some 'junk' into a great treasure or an awesome storage pc. - anything really!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWP1rbA1B-w15v946k5Mf61wUO1pKbiWyme-_wPPGr86-vXXCkENUcJ9kwZ4hpNYgeUlKspBL6QN6Xs2YFQoOU-gFjPFTLwmHKijdqz0i7RYNuw2-tPjhdfMKnSXth_LDfDa9ceTvYO4G/s1600/book+pic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWP1rbA1B-w15v946k5Mf61wUO1pKbiWyme-_wPPGr86-vXXCkENUcJ9kwZ4hpNYgeUlKspBL6QN6Xs2YFQoOU-gFjPFTLwmHKijdqz0i7RYNuw2-tPjhdfMKnSXth_LDfDa9ceTvYO4G/s320/book+pic5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a few of those books that inspire the designer in me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The House that Cleans Itself</b> by Mindy Clark - Yes i definitely need inspiration in that area! if you know me and know me well i don't live in a home that reflects orderly on any given day of the week! i must take and make time to get organized (or throw things in a closet) before guests will arrive! this book does offer some great advice... it's just the sticking with it that some of find more challenging then others! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time</b> by Otto - pretty much see above - however the one huge thing that i got from this book and will now forever keep up with is keeping a Master Planner/Journal of sorts. She offers advice on having one big book with a calendar and divider pages - sectioning off things like a daily journal and even a place to briefly write down what your child did that day. i love my fat exploding black leather binder and would be heartbroken to lose it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Wild At Heart</b> by John Eldridge - if you have boys this is a fun and Inspiring Must Read!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Extraordinary</b> by John Bevere - another great inspirational writer</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Cure for the Common</b> Life by Max Lucado - none of us were created to live out a cookie cutter life! we were and are called for something greater - it's in us! God placed gifts and talents in each of us - unique and individual. we just need to tap into those things and live out our potential - we'll not only Bless God but we'll find ourselves enjoying life on a whole new level!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>J</b><b>esus Life Coach</b> by Laurie Beth Jones - full of short stories - again another of the many great inspirational books that i love to own and pull out from time to time! this book is def. one meant for your library.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Your Money Map</b> by Dayton - most of us could use some help from time to time in the area of finances and i must admit by getting married young - joe and i could have benefited from some great financial advice early on! another one of the several financial books i'll be sure our children read and learn when growing up!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">and MOST importantly (the best for last)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE BIBLE</b>!! -written Word of God. i can not begin to say enough of how this great Book has and will forever continually change my life! it's amazing how on most days when i take a breather or start my day out with a few minutes devoted to God - how He will lead me to an exact chapter and vs. meant for me - for that time in my life - and even amazingly how i find that later on in the day when i grab a random book to read - it too will have to do with the vs the Lord lead me to - meeting me again right where I am at. I will NEVER be able to do justice on saying enough great things about being sure this if not one of the many is the Only book you need to survive in this life. and in our home we have several versions. it's hard at times to read King James - so having the NIV or amplified version handy and the Message version (written more in modern language) can give you a complete idea of what God was and Is saying! i pray you find yourself picking this book up more than any - i know it will Bless You Beyond your Wildest Expectations! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*so there's a brief list of what's on our shelves... or tables around our place. i would love to hear of some of your favorites*</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-6039867371530900012011-03-07T09:45:00.000-08:002011-03-07T09:45:03.205-08:00never ever have i ever...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">....thought i'd have someone saying to me "i don't know how you do it"? really? me? i think you must have me confused with my friend, you know the one about to have her 6th child (and she's 2yrs younger than me- WOW), or the several who are teachers WITH children AND taking master's classes? or the one taking care of not only her own children but several others, or the mom friends i have holding down out-of-the-house full time jobs having to wake before the sun and bundle up their little ones to take to daycare along their long commute, or the one who goes in early and stays well past late trying and succeeding at tackling a crazy amount. or my stay-at-home moms that do it so well, running their kids to and from activities and managing their house & cooking for their spouse each night, or the women i've known who've battled scary diseases and still managed to keep their household running AND a smile on their face?!? now THOSE are deserving of the thought "i don't know how you do it"??!! and there are SOOO many many more women out there, like YOU who i'm sure i'd say the same thing, "i don't know how you do it"?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">see the young woman who innocently said that to me yesterday at church is expecting her first baby in the early fall and knows i am expecting my second this summer. she was watching me gather up Andrew and all his 'must haves' that we took into church with us and just off the cuff made the comment. maybe if she knew me better she would retract that statement, lol. for i am definitely just another woman out there 'trying' to seem to 'have it together'. and as many of my dear friends have told me, and i do realize most of the time, i am so blessed to have drew, he really does make it easy on me, easier than most. of course he has his moments too, causing me to say he's now embracing 3, but for the most part my kid, by NATURE not by me, really is 'easy'. now the next one coming... we'll see, lol.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">anyhow i really just said all that to say this... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">today when pondering over the crazy realization that someone else could make a statement like that to me i found myself realizing that it's what we do... by nature in our society we often 'compare' ourselves, our lives, what we do or don't do and how well we do it or don't do it, to the lives of those around. truth be told behind the scenes i believe most of us moms (& women in general) are just trying our best, some days harder than others. that's why i love reading blogs, like this morning when i read one written by my friend, the one about to have her 6th beautiful child, she reminded me that even she too can lead a more 'normal life' than i may think, having those 'normal mom moments'! it's eye opening! =)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">see when it comes down to it what we all need to remind ourselves of is the fact that playing the 'compare and contrast' game is a waste of time really! there will always be someone out there better or worse off than us, someone coming from a harder or more cushioned past, someone who has the midas touch and many who don't. unless we are comparing ourselves to the life Jesus himself walked out on earth we will never find that 'perfect person'. and honestly we are not suppose to because they don't actually exist! we aren't called to be 'perfect', we're called to be real, a real reflection of what God can do TRHU us women who allow Him to change, to mold, to make into the strong beautiful UNIQUE woman He designed each of us to be, no two the same. see that's just it, we can hope to inspire others by the life we live & the decisions we make but it's only to serve as just that, a glimpse of inspiration, not to be a sought after reflection of who they need to become. because if we cheat God out on allowing Him to help better us individually by trying to become like someone else, we also cheat ourselves and those around us out on the beautiful life we were Suppose to live, uniquely, individually, and like none other!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so... as most others say, lol, i really blogged this for myself today, because i too can play the game, but i hope along with reminding myself, i reminded you too, that you ARE BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE, and CALLED to be YOU, not the woman beside you that you're wondering "how does she do it"?!?</span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994201802988098563.post-43412066535800962362011-02-22T07:27:00.000-08:002011-02-22T07:27:39.510-08:00secret solved<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so it seems i am definitely NOT the only one who experiences the slow decline in excitement of a new venture. and it also seems like with most of us, i have found the answer to my own question... or rather have known the answer all along.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">anything worth doing in life is not only worth doing well but worth the effort and CONSISTENCY of continuing to make happen. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Consistency is key... to most things in life. and as my wise father once said, 'the right thing is usually the harder thing, otherwise everyone would be doing the right thing'. so true so true. (side note: for all parents i highly suggest the book "do hard things" by Alex and Brett Harris is AWESOME).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">when we follow those 'feelings' of excitement like i was questioning last night.. a lot of good things in life will get left behind. our feelings fail us, time and time again and as we all know they can change in the matter of a second. you could be having an awful day and someone can come along and say an encouraging word, surprise you with an unexpected gift, and then all of a sudden your awful day went to surprisingly wonderful. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a rather drastic example of this that i've shared time and time again, especially when our young adults group, past and present, have been hitting on the topic of relationships is this...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">over the past 7 years joe and i have been married we've unfortunately watched the ol' divorce statistic reign true. we've sadly had to sit by and witness many friends and family go thru the rough emotional road to divorce. when diving into deep conversation with some of those individuals on the 'why, what happened' i found there to be a consistent response in several, "i love them but i'm not IN LOVE with them anymore". wow. when further questioning what "in love" meant to each i heard again in numerous ones, "you know, that butterfly feeling, those sparks, they're just not there" even further some said "i'm just not excited each night to see them walk thru the door". FEELINGS dictating a future that could have been SO different. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">something i would admit to not only our young adults group but to those individuals walking thru that hard decision of divorce was/is this, "well what you described would mean i'm not IN LOVE with joe"! lol you may be thinking 'what how could you say that' but hear me out. i love joe, i CHOOSE to love him daily. no sparks don't fly everyday to where i'm on the edge of my seat anticipating him walking thru the door, or have those anxious butterflies stirring around in my stomach each evening as i know we're about to sit down and chat about our day, and i can vouch for him in that he would say the same. sure we have our moments, when we're setting out kid-free on a date or planning a nice weekend away, or even when i see him ministering to the hearts of others (his true calling), or times when he's playing or having a conversation with our three year old that just makes me smile, those are the Sparks Fly moments that remind me of the many reasons i CHOOSE to love him daily. i mean after all, when you grow older with someone you also grow more comfortable. even though they surprise you from time to time, it's the comfortable knowing them better than anyone else feeling that gets you thru all the typical normal long drawn out days that we experience. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so i guess i said all that to say this, FEELINGS should not dictate our future. feelings should not dictate whether or not we continue hitting the gym, waking before dawn to pray and seek out God, smile to a stranger when we pass by, study for that exam we need to pass full of questions we are sure are never going to affect our future. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">CHOOSING to be CONSISTENT with things we Know and Find to be important and life changing, now that's the thing that makes all the difference!</span>Sommer Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125621183577865462noreply@blogger.com1