Why it Matters- The Clarks

How to entertain a 2 year old for more than 2 minutes

2011-08-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Miles has recently gotten into house cleaning :) He loves to "do the dishes" or run the swivel sweeper (which is my new favorite thing for my floors) while I am getting dinner ready....

I'm just now realizing he has no pants on in ANY of those pictures, guess I didn't realize my child rarely wears pants :) and man check our that wild hair!

pure joy

2011-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

squinting buddies

Lovely sister Jess and nephew Gray

laugh'in it up

happy boy

My beautiful mother

The way home....sipping on some smoothie's :)

The new joint....

2011-08-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

It's been so great getting settled in our new home. We ADORE our neighborhood in one of the historical districts of Fort Wayne. Although our house isn't that old, we still get to enjoy the perks of living in an older area: what my brother calls "The 05" (the last two digits of our zip). For example, when we moved in, a woman across the street who owns her own yarn shop down the road (like out of a book, right?) brought us a delicious cherry pie....seriously who does that?! So great!

But most of all, I am so excited to have a place; a space for us to offer up to God. I'm excited to see how He will use this home to make Himself known, praying that if these walls could talk they would speak of a family who made much of Jesus Christ.

Well, I thought I would share some pictures of our house as we get settled, so here is a picture of my first project for the house. Refinishing and recovering a dining room set. The coolest part about this project is that this set was once my great grandma's, so it made it even better knowing my great grandma once served her family on this very table, when my grandma was a little girl. And now I get to use it for my family. So neat...

Father's Day 2011

2011-07-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

I left for a Young Life camp in Jasper, Georgia on Father's Day, but we were able to celebrate with Adam the day before. I am extremely thankful to call Adam the father of my son! He an amazing servant; always putting us before himself. He is all the things good dads are made of and much more! We love you Adam/Dada!

Miles had a great time celebrating his dad, but my favorite thing was when I allowed him to pick from a group of pictures a photo to print off and frame, he picked the photo of him and his dad playing the guitar together. Then, when we went to the store, he picked out a gift for his dad, he chose an inflatable guitar! I just love it, apparently he sees his dad as the rock star he is!

lil update

2011-06-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

****This update is SOO old but I wanted to post it anyways cause Im way behind!

Written 5/31

It's been a fun and crazy past couple of weeks getting ready to move! Yes we are moving....we bought a house, and we take possession today in about 2 hours. We are super excited and really thankful to have a place of our own. Being at my mom and dad's for the past 2 years has been SO great, really we have been so thankful that they have been supportive of us and really wonderful roommates. It's amazing how well it has worked out. We are in many ways sad to move out, Miles is going to miss having his PaPa and JuJu around all the time.

Anyways, more on our new house and moving after today when we are the actual homeowners....you never know, something weird could happen, right? **(it didn't, we got the house- which explains my blogging world absence- not as if anyone noticed but my mom :)

The past few weekends have been really busy and so much fun. My sisters and mom and I planned a trip back in January when my older sister Jess turned 30. We decided that when each of us turns the big 3-0 we would plan a weekend getaway to celebrate together (instead of grieve:). So we planned it for May to Ann Arbor. We went two weekends ago and had an absolute blast! No kids....which was hard for all the moms, but also so great to have all that time together. I absolutely LOVE my sisters and my Mom (and when I say sisters, I am 100% including my sister-in-law(s) in the title) I adore them, I value their opinions, I love their humor! We just drank up every second with each other laughing and talking for three days straight!

Then this past Memorial day weekend we spent 2 days at the lake. Ahhhhh to the start of lake season! Miles' had a blast playing outside and riding in the boat. I loved when he feel asleep in the boat in my arms. It made me nostalgic thinking of all the times I drifted off as a little girl in someone's arms with the warm sun beating down, the boat rocking back and forth from the waves, and the hum of the engine. My mom says the lake soothes her soul and I say amen to that.....

Sewing project take II, III & IV.

2011-05-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

After my first attempt at making Miles a shirt turned out to be easy (but kinda small, he was only able to wear it like 5 times) I decided it was a cinch so I started in on shirt number two but wanted to make it bigger but without a pattern. Ok, harder than I thought.... fail. No good. Thats ok, you learn from your mistakes, right?

So I went on to attempt it again. I was sure I knew what my mistakes were and set out to fix them. Well, I swallowed my pride when it turned out looking pretty silly again. But I decided I was dead-set on fixing it so I asked for some advice from the aunt hill. I have some ridiculously talented and crafty aunts in my life who gave me some advice and I was able to end up with this...

Still not amazing, a little too short and neck a little too wide but gosh darn it, he's wearing it! I think I'll be going to JoAnn's for a pattern next time.

My model who was having too much fun playing to stop and pose for me:)

Congratulations Mr. Clark

2011-05-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Adam graduated with his Masters in public relations! Finished! Woohoo! So proud of all his hard work, but mostly proud of all the ways he has fought to love others and love our family well along the way. And yes I made him pose on the front step in his cap and gown. You only graduate once right....or maybe twice?

thoughts on mother's day

2011-05-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

Being a mother is one of the most wonderful things I've ever gotten to experience. Not because it's easy, or because it's always fulfilling. But simply because of this: I have met God. I have experienced Him in a new way because of the realization that I CANNOT do this well apart from Him. I am clinging to His Spirit and His promise that He is inside of me. That when I step out in faith and chose his Spirit over my own natural instinct He promises that He will lead me, that He will guide me. And He promises that He loves Miles far better and far more than I ever could. I only have two years under my belt, but motherhood has been the most humbling place I've ever landed, and I want to remain here. :)

Yesterday I was just so thankful that I get to walk with Jesus in this way, just that I simply get to be Miles' mom- but don't get me wrong, I jumped at the chance when Adam sent me out for an hour with gift card in hand for a mani and pedi!

this sweetie stopping to just feel the spring grass

Zoo Day

2011-05-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Miles and I had a really fun day at the zoo today. All the animals came out to play and we got some cool pictures! Even got to hear the lion roar!

A new favorite

2011-05-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

Found this recipe on Pioneer Woman's site (of course....she's just so good) and it's become an instant favorite. I've made it twice now with a couple of variations, but we have just loved it! I have never been a successful stir frier....my vegetables always end up soggy and I never love the sauce I use. Well watch out cause I am officially a beef stir frier now! Just wanted to pass this recipe your way in case you're looking for something new to make. I have found for me that trying something fun and new is a big motivation in cooking. I just turn on some music and dance around while sipping some 2 buck chuck from Trader Joe's :)

Pioneer Woman- Beef Stir Fry

The second time I made it I did a variation of the first recipe and this one:

Pioneer Woman- Beef Stir Fry with Snow Peas

Bon Appetite!

- a big realization that I have SOO much to learn from Miles. Instead of viewing him and my role as I am teaching him, I've been struck by and thankful for opening my eyes to all that a 2 year old has to teach the mama, the one whose been most jaded and heartbroken by the world.

- strawberry shortcake

- a good read

- anticipation for the future

- God's ways are higher than my ways, his plans are always better even when I think I can give myself a pretty good life. His ways are ALWAYS better

Bug sensory table

2011-04-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

We recently had an "all about bugs day" here and I wanted to share some fun pictures from our April theme day! I thought bugs were a fun idea with it being spring time and Miles seeing more and more bugs out side (and inside!) this time of year.

We colored pictures and of course used bug stickers to decorate! I checked out a "bugs" kit from the library and we read a few fun books teaching us about where bugs live and what they do.

Then after learning about where bugs like to live we created a bug house.....

We called for the bugs to come and live there and they came crawling!

Brown sugar makes for a great ant hill!

And of course how could you have a "bug day" without making dirt pudding as a snack!

Multitudes on Mondays

2011-04-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Thanking God this week for:
Brand new baby nephew, sweet tiny fingers and the beauty of a mama holding her joy.

His immense love for us, a love so real that he chose to die so that I might know Him.

An empty tomb.

A beautiful Seder celebration around a large candle lit table, bringing so much depth and meaning to the most wonderful miracle: Christ who was without sin, became sin that we might live.

Celebration with family.

Aunt Sue's famous rolls.

Kids in search of eggs in the bright green grass.

My son who looked up at me and said "mama, God healed my ouchie."

The Falling Whistles whistle around me neck that has been a daily reminder to pray.

50¢ waffle cone Wednesday

2011-04-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

our story

2011-04-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

About 6 months ago, Adam and I started to view our next step in building are family a little differently than we ever had before. we prayed, asked hard questions, read a ton and sought prayer from extremely close ones, asking God over and over to open our hearts and our plans for what he wanted us to consider. Our hearts and eyes opened wide and with that came this immense sense of loss of control. Right where He wanted us. He began to put within us a desire to help a child in need. Maybe that was through adoption and maybe that was through emotional or financial support of a child even within our own town, or maybe across the world. We often pray for and talk about a sweet little 11-year-old girl, "K," in Nepal that we support. Sharing with miles our love for her from afar, but the stirring was something different than from afar- but what and how? As months and months passed we became more and more aware of the desire we had to give a fatherless child a mom and dad that loves them. But how? Where? When? We still don't have those answers, but we do know that God has given us a vision bigger and better than what we had pictured our family portrait above the mantel in 8 years to be.

In this process I have wept over children without a home, over hundreds of orphans, over corrupt adoption systems, over my lack of faith and vision for His kingdom on earth. I wrestled with this word "adoption;" I mean I feel like I have duked it out with Him, fought tooth and nail to see where we might fit into this. What we do with hard information constantly coming out about international adoption? What we do with the fact that it costs so much? I have come out on the other side with a heart that is hopeful and surrendered to Jesus. We still don't know what this means for us, we believe He has us in a place of uprooting the hard places within our soil to make fertile ground.

But as I sit here in my quiet kitchen, tonight my heart is in the Congo. Why? Because thousands of children sit in orphanages, without a mom or dad to tuck them into bed at night. Because for the last decade the Congo is experiencing what some are calling the world's deadliest war and I didn't know much about it until four months ago when I started researching the state of the Congo on my own.

I guess when I hear painful heartbreaking information I often want to recoil. I say things like "I can't handle that, or I don't want to hear that." Why do I do that? Why do I avoid feeling that pain? Even though in this moment I feel powerless, I choose to stay open. Sara Groves explains this so beautifully in her lyrics to "Open Like a Lake"

so much hurt and preservation
like a tendril round my soul
so much painful information
no clear way on how to hold it
when everything in me is tightening
curling in around this ache
I will lay my heart wide open
like the surface of a lake

Would you take a moment to visit Falling Whistles. This is an organization born out of seeing the painful situation in the Congo first hand. They are educating us westerners about the crisis and asking us to help. If you go to the website and click on "story" you can read a hard-to-swallow story about how Falling Whistles began. How young boys are trained to be child soldiers and sent unarmed to the front lines as a strategic move, sent to blow loud whistles to startle their enemy, then they are used to take the first blow. Their bodies becoming shields. Falling Whistles started as a way to "make their weapon your voice and be a whistle blower for peace in Congo"

Then will you go here: and sign a petition for free and fair elections in the Congo

Would you also take some time to pray for Adam and I. That we would continue to search our hearts and make decisions lead by his Spirit.

I wasn't planning on writing this post but was sitting here feeling the weight of this and maybe this is my way of staying wide open instead of "curling in around this ache"

Because I want to be re-membered

2011-04-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

Anne at A Holy Experience is counting her blessings every monday as a practice and discipline of gratitude, so I am joining in.

This concept that Anne writes about has got me really thinking these past few months about gratitude. What it is? - She writes about this power that is found in Christ when we choose gratitude and have thankful hearts. This idea that when we "remember Him, we are re-membered" like these broken places in us are put back together when we remember Him. When we see Him in all things. And when we see him and say , "thank you God, for you are so good."

It's been so neat on my journey through taking special time to give thanks that I have been able to experience this being "re-membered." That when I give thanks in ALL things, this change happens and the perspective is clearer.

I highly recommend checking Anne's blog out but I have to include this part she posted regarding teaching your children to have thankful hearts that is really convicting me:

"Because what will the math really matter if they are bitter? If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess? If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy? If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him? How can any grammar skill outweigh the fact they don’t know the language of grace and thanks? What good will it be if they can recite all the major British battles — but they don’t know to see beauty? What am I teaching our children if I’m not living simply, quietly this: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true –isn’t this the truest education?"

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Thanking Jesus for:

walks down the side walk holding hands

adam getting the chance to lead us to worship and adore our King

sunshine- Vitamin D!!

the little boy on our street who is sick with cancer sitting in the grass just smiling ear to ear to be outside

little Miles' sweet "thanks mom"

a cuddly boy with a fever

dreams to make a home for my family that honors Christ

a quick "grab the camera" moment

2011-04-10T15:43:00.000-07:00

Lately....

2011-04-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Meet the Captain. We have started some potty training efforts, and although I want to be so careful that there aren't pictures of Miles potty training out there on the internet, I had to share these pictures of the sights at our house lately.

It's been so nice to get to spend some time outdoors. So grateful for some sunshine and time to be outside with my boy!

I spy bottles

2011-04-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

My sister Jess came over the other day to have all the kids together for the morning. She did these awesome I SPY bottles with them so I wanted to show them. Really great idea to even take in the car with you on a long trip! Miles has enjoyed his! You can find instructions for these all over the internet. But I love how they made a "key" for theirs of what to find inside on I can teach my child.

Fruits of the Spirit

2011-03-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

Miles and I made this really great Fruit of the Spirit Apple mosaic the other day (another great idea from I Can teach my child) Turned out to be fun and easy, great fine motor activity for Miles. But honestly it turned out to be such an encouragement to ME....sure Miles enjoyed it and it's giving us a great reference point and visual in our house to go back to and talk about being gentle and kind. But I am continuously amazed at how powerful God's word is. Touching it, talking about it, writing it out, hanging it, seeing it, cutting it into little apples... there is something so neat happening when I stand at my kitchen sink and see the light come through these little apples. Much like my thoughts on how the Fruits of the Spirit even work. God promises that HIS actual Spirit lives in side of me. Now I have to choose to listen and respond and let his light come through. I can leave room for his Spirit to exude LOVE, PEACE, PATIENCE, JOY....or I can take up all the space- with me. With every glance up at these apples, with every sun beam coming through I'm whispering to myself "make room Val, make room...less of me and more of Him" What a privilege to have his Spirit that enables me to carry out these fruits. Its about responding to his Spirit. It starts with FAITH, thats IT. FAITH. Listening to his Spirit inside me and actually having the FAITH to believe it's HIM.

...then your face with surely show it

2011-03-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Multitudes on Mondays and other things we are up to....

2011-03-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

A little spring time birdie has been visiting us lately! I read a similar idea on magicalchildhood.com and changed it a bit. But this fun little new springtime tradition that Miles has enjoyed is: every few days this bird flies in to our house and finds a spot to land for the day. Miles tries to find him and then we sing fun songs and chirp like birdies together.

Wanted to pass along a few fun blog links/finds I have been inspired by lately:

icanteachmychild: Oh my goodness, I don't think I have ever seen so many fun ideas for kids on one site. She has them grouped by age and....ahh I got so giddy looking at all the fun things I want to do. Here is one really quick thing we copied from her since Miles is loving the Dr. Seuss book "Ten Apples Up On Top"

Impress Your Kids: This is also a really fun find. My friend Rochelle passed it along to me and I have loved it as well. The blogger came up with the title from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 that says "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates".

She has so many cool activities and projects that use scripture and Bible stories. It made me realize how little I've integrated this into Miles' everyday, this site has given me great ways to do that using scripture and making it fun for him.

Last but not least: most everyone has heard of the Pioneer Woman at this point. But I have to suggest these two specific recipes from her site. The first is one that my cousin Betsy raved over. SHE WAS RIGHT. It was SO good. We all licked our plates clean. The second one- muffins my sister passed on to me, but holy cow, if you can actually call them muffins they are more like mini pies that melt in your mouth!

Butter Chicken

Pecan Pie Muffins

Ok, so as I wipe the drool off my chin after looking at those pictures again....

Clearly I don't come up with much on my own, love to get ideas from far more creative people then me. But I sure do love passing on a good idea when I find one. So there you go....

Anne at A Holy Experience is counting her blessings every monday as a practice and discipline of gratitude, so I am joining in.

the smell of spring

a little boy able to run outside like a bird out of its cage

celebrating my beautiful mother's 53rd birthday- to celebrate all that God has done for us, praising Him for giving me such an amazing mother and every day and year that she is here is now an immense answer to prayer

thankful for TURNIPS - a wise woman shared a really powerful analogy with me that has been sticking so deep in my heart. She drives past a field often during the trip from her house to church. She noticed that a farmer who owns the land planted turnips in different parts of the field, enough that she took note, thinking that was kind of strange. She watched them grow and wondered why he was planting turnips. Then one Sunday as the drove by the turnips were cut down and just laying in the dirt. Why would he do that? Why would he plant these turnips and then just cut them down? She asked a farmer at her church about it, and he said, "farmers plant turnips in areas where the soil is too hard, soil that wont yield a good harvest. They plant the turnips and return them to the soil to soften the soil and make it good soil, ready to really grow something of worth." WOW....there have been areas in my life that I feel like God is opening my eyes, revealing a new path, or showing me a way in which He wants to use us. I step out in faith and sense God stirring only to feel like I am to wait on Him to move or it seems like it never comes to fruition. This analogy was spoken to me at exactly the right time, TURNIPS, it's TURNIPS.

God is planting turnips in my life, in my hard soil, in my places that he wants to plant grow something of great worth.

Oh my goodness, then it's his amazing GRACE, it's his LOVE for me.

Not his distance or silence. It's his LOVE. TURNIPS.

Birthday Photo Recap

2011-03-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

Sewing project: take 1

2011-03-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

I have been following this awesome Blog/website called MADE, they are doing a series right now called "celebrate the boy." It's showing that there are tons of fun things you can make for boys even though they are hard to find! So I took on a challenge of making this 90 minute shirt out of an old shirt of Adam's. The tutorial was pretty easy to follow and my shirt for Miles actually turned out! Fun to see a sewing project to completion! Anyone can totally do this....try it!

Birthday prayer

2011-03-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Adam shared with me an entry in his journal/notebook thingy, of a prayer over Miles for his birthday. I asked him if I could share it.

Little Miles turns two at 2:42 am. God you are so good to have given us such a sweet little guy. Things I am thanking you for about my little 2 year old boy:

-His beautiful smile
-His passion for hide-and-seek
-The way he adores his mom, MAY I ALWAYS INSPIRE HIM TO CONTINUE THAT
-The way he runs
-His love of laughter
-His determined spirit, MAY WE TEACH HIM TO BE DETERMINED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO YOU
-His little singing voice, MAY WE ALWAYS GIVE HIM SONGS THAT GLORIFY YOU. MAY HE BE A POWERFUL WORSHIPER
-The way he recognizes that it is always better when we're together
-His brilliant mind for memorizing, MAY WE ALWAYS TEACH HIM BIBLE STORIES AND FILL THAT MIND WITH SCRIPTURE
-The way he has brought Val and I together as a team
-The fact that he always says that my car won the race, not his. MAY WE ALWAYS TEACH HIM TO CELEBRATE OTHERS ABOVE HIMSELF
-The way it feels to have his little heart beat against mine when he finally relaxes at the end of the night.

Thank you for every rise and fall of his little chest, as you are the one who sustains. May you bless all his days as we try and bring him up to know you.

Thank you for Miles Stephen Clark.

Birthday Boy

2011-03-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

So I am once AGAIN quarantined to the basement with some sort of a stomach/flu thing going on...so I'm taking advantage of this time to post on Miles' "friend" birthday party yesterday. Miles had a great time, it was fun just to be together as friends and family! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate!

I was inspired by this book: The Knight and the Dragon, (one of Miles' favorites right now)

a cardboard castle my mom got Miles for Christmas and this post on lightbluegrey about making your own riding pony sticks! These looked like so much fun to make- but when I spotted some at DOLLAR GENERAL it was a no brainer which was cheaper. (sad how making most things these days is so much more expensive than just buying it)

*warning*- lots of photos!

adorable cake by: LinZcakes

Let the fun begin!

(note in the above photo: a baby in the arms of every mom, love it:)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2011-03-03T18:34:00.001-08:00

I learned at the beginning of this week that Wed. March 2nd was Dr. Suess' birthday- so we got in on the festivities and took some fun ideas from creative moms out there (seriously there are some amazingly creative moms blogging, I'm just glad to get some inspiration from them) It was fun to celebrate a man who has given us so many fun books that encourage literacy!

I am pretty sure that every single one of my Dr. Seuss books was a gift to us from my sweet book-loving sister-in-law. She has single-handedly given Miles the majority of his library, she rocks like that! Thanks to her I had these books to pile up for this Dr. Seuss display!

We made a fun "Cat in the Hat" hat out of an oatmeal canister:

and made this reading tent!

Celebrating Red Day

2011-02-28T17:02:00.000-08:00

Time for another "theme" day! We had a great day celebrating the color RED today. Here's how we celebrated our RED day:

We invited Miles' buddies over to rock their favorite RED shirt

RED Lego tower and an all RED car race

RED day snack time- red apples, strawberries, dried red cherries, and red drink

We read the BIG RED BARN and then we made our own silos out of an empty oatmeal canister, added some "hay and corn" to our silos for the animals to eat!

These next two things were my favorite of the day:

We made RED "paint" out of pudding and used the edible paint to create a masterpiece!

RED sand sensory bin: scoop and dump! No matter what time of the year sand is always a win/win.

And while moms are making lunch- kids get to watch the fabulous big RED dog, Clifford!

A simple craft using whatever RED supplies we could find- we twisted a pipe cleaner into the first letter of his name and decorated:

RED day was a blast and it was extra fun to share it with people we love!

A Holy Experience

#41 thankful this week for all that my mom has imparted to me and taught me about preparing food for those I love

#42 Young Life students who turned in their camp registration for this summer's YL camp already!

#43 God stirring my husband to love and serve our family in exciting new ways that has taken our friendship to new places

#44 seeing family who, in the face of "disaster," have kept their eyes on what real treasures are, what an awesome example

#45 dance parties in the kitchen

#46 fevers breaking- thankful to see a little boy through a 9 day fever. SOOO thankful he is feeling better, but MORE thankful that I get to comfort him and take care of him

#47 honeydew melon bubble tea

#48 thankful I am doing this- its harder than I thought it would be to really stop and thank God for the gifts he has given me, not in a heart of entitlement but in a truly grateful way....its hard, try it.

#49 thankful that I am never alone, never

#50 Miles' deep belly laugh

Miles' favorite things - Part IV

2011-02-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

Miles is quickly approaching the big T-W-O birthday, and is growing every day right before our eyes. He brings so much joy and laughter to our household. I am continually astonished at how fast he picks things up. Here are a few of the things this little guy is into lately.....

I'm not loving my photo quality in a lot of these- (some taken with my phone and are a little fuzzy)

1) Hide and go seek is #1 in our house right now. Miles shouts "one, money. two, show. get ready, set, go...come find me!" and we know what follows. We usually find him like this:

These are the best...

Ha! even in the car...

2) Reading, reading, and more reading.....

3) Dinosaurs- ever since Miles' first visit to the Indianapolis Children's Museum and the Dinosphere Miles often acts out running from a big dinosaur, and he now started saying "T-rex eat you and eat me and eat Dada" Ha! Not sure where he got that from.....he's also very into lining things up and putting things in pairs. I LOVED finding him playing with his dinosaurs like this and they were all paired into their dino families.....sooo cute

4) Dance parties, Rock shows, and lots and lots of singing. Miles' and dad head down to the basement occasionally to put on a "rock show." We have daily dance parties in the kitchen. Singing really helps Miles' in those though transition moments on the day- like picking up toys, getting dressed, getting lunch ready....He struggles sometimes the most during those moments and singing songs seems to really help him, so we are singing OFTEN around here. Here is a funny clip of Adam trying to get Miles' to sing for the camera, he does a little but I just thought his expressions were so cute. Starting the boy out young on good music ("Timshel" by Mumford & Sons)....

I'm realizing we take so many videos of him in his high chair because it's the only place where he won't run away!

5) "Yo-grit" aka yogurt, is his favorite snack right now. Here is his with the evidence on his face but also just being goofy with dad. I have no idea why he has a head light on :)

6) Anything water related- my sister Jess gave me this idea and Miles' has loved helping me "wash" the dishes from the play kitchen.

Well I could go on and on, but hope that gives you a little glimpse into this little boy's life. He is certainly filling ours in a way that causes us to draw closer to Jesus out of gratitude or in reliance on the Spirit.

#31-36 Miles' favorite things

#37 thankful for Adam and I's parents who regard Jesus highly in their lives and continue to impart that to us in their love and support

#38 the way that God puts and plants things in our lives that soften our hearts to His plans and purposes for later- thankful for the times we get to see the 'why' behind things that some times don't make any sense

#39 foot rubs

#40 surprise manicures for 5 set up by my hubby on a Thurs. afternoon

Jesus Story Book Bible

2011-02-19T18:26:00.001-08:00

This Book is amazing! Just wanted to pass along my ranting over this book in case you don't have it yet. I received this childrens' Bible when I was pregnant with Miles about 3 years ago. A very influential woman that I just adore, gave it to me as a gift and wrote on the inside- "dear sweet baby boy, I pray that you grow up knowing Jesus as your hero." I loved what she wrote, but it wasn't until I sat in the rocking chair in the freshly painted nursery with my huge belly and cracked open the book out of curiosity, that I realized what an awesome prayer she prayed for him. You see the author Sally Lloyd-Jones starts the story out by saying;

"some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do. The Bible certainly has rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about what God has done. Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but most of the people in the Bible aren't heroes at all. They make some big mistakes....
No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story....the Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them...at the center of the Story is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name."

I'm so excited about reading the Bible to Miles through this lens. To teach him what took me a while to understand: that every Story in the bible points to Jesus, our hero who because of his immense love came to rescue us. What an amazing hero we have, a real life "came to save the day" hero.

Why it matters

2011-02-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Had a typical Wed. morning. Miles and I headed off to Bible study and had a great time. Came home, ate lunch together and we headed upstairs for nap time. Of course, I had a long list of things I need/want to get done running through my head, as I thought "please take a good long nap so I can get some stuff done..." We did our normal nap time routine, and I laid Miles in his bed. It's not 15 minutes later that he is screaming for me...."mama....mama...."

As I head up stairs I feel a twinge of frustration welling up in me thinking of all the things on my list, words from this morning's Bible study ring in my head: "Unrighteous anger is a response to failed idolatry, when our idols fail, we get angry."

Wow.

I stopped dead in my tracks. When things don't go as I plan. When my idols of self, and time, and comfort fail. I get angry.

I take a deep breath and breathe in the truth. Real life comes when I put my agenda down.

I go into Miles' room and am overwhelmed with the stench of a dirty diaper, "mama, diaper change..." I smile and we talk as I change his diaper. Then we grab a blanket and cuddle up in the rocking chair. He looks up at me with his request that he's been making lately to sing this song, "mama sing...beautiful sweet sweet song." I smile and begin to sing the lyrics. He drifts off to sleep in my arms as I hold him a while. I look down at his face and am suddenly swept into an intense memory. The way his red lips curved downward and the way his long eye lashes lay on his cheeks took me back. I was suddenly sitting in the hospital room, on the bed- holding my son for one of the very first times. That same face, lips turned down, eye lashes, cheeks....the emotions overwhelmed me and tears streamed down as I came back to the present. Its almost been two years since that day when I first met him. But today I got to experience an intense memory that flooded my heart with gratitude, joy, and a deep sense of worth.

I would have missed that.

I would have totally missed out on that sweet moment had I chosen frustration.

Thank you God.

When you can't take the boy to the snow.....

2011-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

....take the snow to the boy!

There have been quite a few attempts at playing in the snow that have not been enjoyed by this sweet guy (either because of not feeling well, for some reason he hates his snow boots- maybe they don't fit right? and really just doesn't want anything to do with actually jumping and rolling around in the snow) So we have been creative and been able to "play" in the snow in other ways!

We filled a giant foil pan with snow and played with it for a while. When that got old, we added some food coloring to different parts and scooped up the bright colored snow!

Here is another easy sensory box idea from pinkandgreenmama@blogspot.com. We used rice, cotton balls, and large marshmallows to make a winter wonderland!

Multitudes on Mondays

.....on my way to recognizing 1000 gifts that God has given me. This has been an awesome practice for me, joining in with tons of people in listing what they are grateful for.

#21. even though we are in full-on job search mode, I am so thankful for a sense of peace in trusting that no matter what the outcome, He wants His best for us
#22. the Word that is sharper than a double-edge sword and penetrates my heart
#23. a healthy little guy who is almost 2!
#24. the amazing fact that I get to minister in Fort Wayne along side of my family, what an amazing thing to get to do together. Leading Campaigners on Sunday nights for Young Life with my sisters has been such a blessing
#25-27. slumber parties, warm socks, and soft beds
#28. friends welcoming a sweet baby girl with rosy-red lips and dark hair into their lives
#29. thankful for safety during all the snow
#30. waking up to a sweet love note on my bedside table

calling all book worms

2011-02-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

Day two of this snow blizzard and I am loving it, having all 5 of us snowed in has been a blast. Dutch Blitz has been played a few times already, chocolate chip cookies made, and we might be going on movie number 3??

I have this stack of books on my table that I have either starting reading or hope to read this year, thought I would start a blog post about what books they are and let you know how they go But also to see if you have read them, need any new reads, or have any recommendations for me!

If you are looking for a group or individual study to guide you through a study of the bible, I highly recommend this find. I am so blessed to get together with a group of women on Wed. mornings. We have arranged for 3 girls to come and meet us at a church in town (that has been awesome for letting us use their building) to take care of all 12 of our kids (with 4 more on the way:)) in the next room so that we can sit and discuss how the Word is changing and challenging us. We have all agreed so far that this study is one of the most challenging, introspective looks at where we are regarding letting the Gospel of Jesus change our lives. One of the chapters is entitled:

"Our need for the gospel: Have you ever said 'its not my fault.'"

This CH is a look at our natural inclination to self-justify, "we all justify ourselves as easily and automatically as we breathe air." It takes a good look at how Jesus came and threatened our self-justifying by "exposing some people's lives of self-justification- a religion based on legal systems, would we be in the crowd shouting to crucify Jesus? Would we cause a commotion because Jesus has thoroughly overturned our religious system, a life of self-justification?..... Self-justification is the fact that at the core of our hearts is this desire to appear better than we really are...."

#2.

This was a gift from this amazing family. It is a journalist's perspective on a Ethiopian woman who is in the midst of global health crisis and how she begins to 'rescue her country's children'. A beautiful read, this has opened my eyes more to the AIDS crisis in the Sub-Saharan Africa. It is gut wrenching at times. It goes a long with a lot of things that Adam and I are thinking and praying about and how we fit into God's redemptive story for these kids.

#3.

At this point I don't have a child that I would classify with "severe behaviors" but this book gives what she refers to as a Love Based approach to discipline and although I haven't bought into everything she is saying (especially for my child, right now) I REALLY like her perspective and ideas.

This is the book on deck for my book club, we meet once a month (well since the holidays its been like every 2 months) to discuss a book. So far it's really good, but I honestly am not to far into it.

These next few are ones I haven't cracked open quite yet but hope to this year....

#5.

#6.

Adam is reading this one right now and is LOVING it, hope to get to it sooner than later.

#7.

My sister is reading this book now by the writer of : A Holy Experience blog and she is absolutely loving it. Cant wait to also crack that open...

Feel free to comment with your reviews on any of these!

How to celebrate BLUE day 2011

2011-02-01T10:18:00.002-08:00

Miles is getting old enough now to do some more structured/preschool like activities (which I am super excited about- call me a dork but I LOVE that kind of stuff). So we had our first "theme day" the other day and deemed it BLUE DAY 2011! Here is how to have your own successful (simple and cheap- but oh so fun) blue day!

Invite your friend over for the celebration and ask her to wear her favorite blue shirt! Then make some blue milk and enjoy it with blue straws in blue cups- cheers!

Build a blue block tower....

and have a blue-car-only race.

Blow up some blue balloons...

and have a BLUE dance party featuring songs like:

"Blue Suede Shoes, and Blue (Da Ba De)"

Read blue themed books. Our favorite picks of the day were:

and

After reading Deep Blue Sea, make your own sensory box of a deep blue sea (this woman's blog is chocked full of ideas for kids, but she does some awesome sensory boxes. It's where I got the idea for this one).

pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com

Time for a treat! Make blue Jell-O and enjoy some blue suckers:)

I think I had more fun than the kids, especially during the dance party, which is why there is no photo evidence!

Multitudes on Mondays

2011-01-31T10:48:00.000-08:00

Continuing practicing a heart of gratefulness....seeing God in all things.

#11. a long drive to northern Michigan with the anticipation of ski trip 2011:)
#12. conversations with sisters that breathe life
#13. my mom bringing me a cup of hot chai
#14. when hard news/conversations bring me to my knees, knowing that I'm not alone
#15. a husband who does the dishes unsolicited:)
#16. little sticky fingers from homemade carmel corn
#17. a twenty minute phone call that reconnects me to a kindred spirit
#18. my brother's leading and inspiring call to love the hurting
#19. watching the kids experience the exhilaration of sledding down hill
#20. miles repeated phrase of "one more book, one more book" every night before bed

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

Multitudes on Mondays

2011-01-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

I decided to join in with Ann Voskamp @ A Holy Experience practicing having a heart of gratitude. Every monday she and a gob of others are listing things they are grateful for up to one thousand or more....so here is the start of my "Multitudes on Mondays."

#1. the sound of 15 high school girls crammed into the living room every Sunday night to open God's word and really openly and honestly take a look at what it means to follow Jesus. I am so grateful to be a part of the Young Life ministry in Fort Wayne and am learning so much from these willing hearts...

#2. my sons button nose

#3. a husband who is far less critical of me than I am of myself

#4. the celebration of the life of my older sister yesterday- a life and love that I daily benefit from:)

#5. the sweet sound of Miles' feet across the kitchen floor

#6. reading from Roman's 8 this week and thanking God for a relationship with Him free of condemnation, a freedom that allows me the opportunity to set my mind on things of the Spirit resulting in life and peace.

#7. the tender voice of the Holy Spirit- the more I listen to it and respond the more clear the voice seems to get

#8. my new yummy perfume I got for Christmas that smells like fresh Ginger....ahh....

#9. blog "friends" who inspire me to live creatively and engage Miles in new ways

#10. miles is 72 hours into being pacifier free and its been a surprisingly smooth transition

The Why behind the 'Why'

2011-01-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

We decided to revamp the look of our blog for fun and also change our name. We choose the name "Why it Matters" for a few different reasons.

Jesus says in Matthew 10 that "if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

As a mom, I have been struck by that verse on so many levels, but one idea that constantly shapes the way I parent and the way I see motherhood is the concept that every day that I serve and love Miles is a spiritual act of worship. Every cup I refill, every diaper I change, every nose I wipe, every hug and kiss I give, every story I read, and every direction I give is an act of worship to God. That Jesus even says a cup of cold water, a single cup of cold water given in my name matters. It really matters. Now I think this verse definitely has context to serving, loving, and giving to children in need all over the world (an area in which Adam and I are continually being challenged), but it's been life-giving to see how much meaning is behind all that we do for our families, what a humbling call. It's so easy to look at people doing amazing feats of worship with their lives like missionary work or a pastor to a successful church when right here, right now, I sit with a little boy who's hungry. I feed him, and Jesus says it matters.

Library Perks

2011-01-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Just a little secret about your local Library (maybe everybody already know this but....) I just found out that public library's have "Kits for Kids" its a bag full of books/movies/puppets relating to a certain topic. So if your child is interested in dinosaurs you can check out the dino Kids Kit and it comes with like 8-10 books about dinosaurs and maybe a movie or something as well. Pretty cool!

They have kits like; potty training, one on each color, the alphabet, baby sign language and tons more!

They will also customize a kit for you if they don't already have one with the topic your child is learning about or interested in.

Thought I'd pass that fun perk on to you! This should not be a secret!!

2011-01-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it....but I am afraid He would ask me the same question." - Anonymous

A little Christmas cheer....

2010-12-22T10:02:00.001-08:00

Here is a little guy bringing us loads of joy this Christmas season. Fun to begin to share with him the One bringing us the greatest joy this Christmas; the Remedy, the Redeemer, the One who looks at me eye to eye and says, "I came that you may have life, and have it to the full." ....and what a full life he's giving me. I am grateful.

Passing along a blog

2010-12-16T11:21:00.001-08:00

Came across a blog a few months ago that I have just been eating up, it's called: A Holy Experience and I wanted to pass it along to you. The writer is so insightful, refreshing and honest. I have taken so many spiritual truths from her over this advent season and am treasuring them in my heart.

Miles lovin life

2010-11-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

Miles loves a good story, especially when he is a part of it. He has been talking non stop about the children's museum in Indy.

Here is he telling about his day when we walked into the dinosphere and saw a pterodactyl flying over our heads......"One day, museum, 'dactyl' for pterodactyl, flying, head, awesome"....

Fort Fall Fun

2010-10-31T11:14:00.001-07:00

Seriously haven't been updating the blog lately, not sure why....lack of inspiration? I doubt it, not with these two around :)

Here are a few pictures from our fall festivities. We absolutely LOVE fall and all of the fun traditions it brings, things we get to do as a family, and excuses to get together with people we love. I think most people like fall, right? Its one of those "transitional" seasons that sends you into winter- like not quite summer, not quite winter- reminding us that we are all in transition, ever changing and growing to bring about God's plan. And sometimes it just feels nice to be in the in-between, in process, trying to enjoy everyday for what it is. A Gift.

It was so fun experiencing the magic of apple picking with Miles, he just thought it was awesome to pick an apple off a tree and eat it, he still talks about it!

Halloween at the zoo with Thomas and the conductor!

Miles' favorite things part 3

2010-09-05T13:19:00.001-07:00

Well we are back to Indiana and feeling settled. Adam started his third and final semester of classes for his Master's in Public Relations at Ball State. Adam will have one final semester of writing a thesis after this semester but then he will be done. I am still looking to work a little, but am sure enjoying my summer home with Miles! This time in our life has really allowed us the opportunity to stop and decide how we want our lives to look in terms of material possessions and "things"....being at my mom and dads with most all of out stuff in storage, we have realized how little we need. This carries into my desire to stay home with Miles and wanting to make decisions about money that reflect our priorities. So we are still figuring it out, and trying to be open to whatever small sacrifices (I'd hardly call them that) we can make so that I can soak up all the time with Miles that I possibly can!

On to the title of this post....Miles soon turns 18 months old and is just the sweetest little guy, I could never have imagined how wonderful he would be and what a blessing he has been to our family. He is such a social boy, he always wants to be a part of the part of the conversation. He often laughs when the adults laugh, and talks SUPER loud in the car so that Adam and I's conversation has to stop to include him:) He will fall down and get hurt and look around the room until everyone acknowledges his hardship....ha oh boy, what am I going to do with that one?? No, I am excited to see how and what his love to engage people will develop into.

Here is an up update of what kinds of things Miles' is into lately.

Anything car, train, or truck related: Here is a sample of a car ride with Miles after he sees a big truck.

Stories, books, and more stories.

You may have seen the video post of face book of him telling the story of Jonah. He LOVES stories, he doesn't even need a book in front of him to enjoy a good story. He absolutely loves to finish the last word or part of a line, I think it helps him feel a part of it, engaged in it. Here is that clip of him making us laugh as he says the word "ocean" for the first time, then he keeps going on with his fake laugh.....I feel like I sound like I have had a little too much coffee to keep me going, so sorry for the loud animated mom in the scene!

The Lake: Here are a few pictures of our week/ and following weekends at my mom and dads lake cottage. Miles tubed, went on the jet ski, swam, and played in the sand box, what a dream week for him!

Miles loves all things Evie! Evelyn is my sister Jess' daughter and she and Miles can just play and play together like none other. Everywhere we go Miles' asks about "E"....she plays so well with him. Even though she is only a year older Evie really loves Miles' so well already! She shares and plays with him, talks to him and makes him a part of her world. I think that is why he loves her so much.

And of course one of his favorite people in the whole world: Da-da. We have the same conversation every morning, where Miles asks, "Dadda?" and I tell him he is at work...then he repeats me, "dadda work." Then he seems okay with that answer for a few hours until we have the same conversation again. Here they are watching the movie Cars together.

A Full Week!

2010-08-02T18:39:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to say that for me this blog has turned out to be scrap book, journal, photo album, travel journal, and baby book all in one. So sorry if I have bored anyone with our summer adventures but I love having them all in one place and I hope to find a way to print these pages into a book....anyone know if thats possible??

One our last week in California Miles got a virus and came down with a high fever for a few days and then a rash, Dr. called is Roseola, so we had to stay in doors for quite a few days and we were all feeling a little trapped!! Miles went to the door multiple times and looked at us and said, "beach?" "no hun sorry we cant go to the beach." Miles, "park?" no sorry we cant go to the park when your sick....Miles "zoo?" sorry babe we have to stay inside :(

So we have had a busy last couple of days trying to squeeze in all the things we wanted to do and see before say goodbye to beautiful California!

El Matador State Beach in Malibu, CA

Miles is a big fan of trains these days, so went to check out a train museum with a great name;

Travel Town USA

A few photos of this sweetness at San Diego Zoo

Riding the Ski-fari

haha I cant stop laughing at this one

proud to be sittin on an elephant tusk!

It really lived up to it's reputation as a great zoo! We had a blast:)

We feel sad to leave behind such great things, and a great experience but we are excited to get home and see friends and family. It was a hard time frame to be here (2 1/2 months) knowing that we werent going to be here long enough to make a ton of friends or invest a lot in relationships, while we have meet some great people- we are looking forward to getting home and picking up where we left off! Well maybe I should speak for myself, I am feeling ready and Adam could stay a while longer!!

4 years to celebrate

2010-07-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

I’m still learning what love is
Everyday I wake up in your arms
I’m still trying to figure out what works
How to set off all your alarms

I’m still learning what love is
When I’m walking close to you
The best way to hold your hand in mine
The best way to comfort you

Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
It may always be this way

I’m still learning what love is
Every time you look at me that way
I’m still trying to figure out just how
You can still look at me the same

Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
It may always be this way

Even though i may not get it right
All the time i will always try
And i will always stand right by your side

I’m still learning what love is
Everyday I wake up in your arms
I’m still trying to figure out what works

Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
Guess it may
It may always be this way

Lyrics to "Guess it May" by Rosie Thomas

It's been four years since I walked down the aisle to this man that stared back at me with eyes full of wonderful affection. My heart was bursting with love and excitement, little did I know at that time that I could love him even more 4 years later. Our journey has not been easy, I'm sure every married couple would agree, trying to love someone else more than yourself is like putting a mirror up to your face constantly and showing you your short comings and inability to love well apart from Christ. It has caused us to cling to Christ, knowing that we can't do it without Him, and also cling to other friends sharing the weight with them. I am overwhelmed that I get to experience the beauty of seeing things through, that I get to glimpse God's heart for me in Adam's never stopping, never relenting commitment to honor God in this. We both love the lyrics to the above song, it just strikes some sort of a chord with us and our relationship and how we never want to feel like we have this figured out, we always want to be growing in ways to better know and love each-other.

I love this man, and I can't imagine my life without him. It certainly is an adventure being Mrs. Adam Clark!

Perfect day at the beach with the best company a girl could have

2010-07-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

There have only been a handful of days that the temperature at the beach gets high enough to spend the day there, as I write this on a Tues afternoon the temp at Santa Monica beach is only 68 degrees, talk about a cool summer for SoCal! (yeah I can now use the lingo:)

So when we heard it was supposed to be a beautiful day we loaded up with all the necessary beach gear and headed to Santa Monica beach. We had such a great time together, spent hours on the beach, picnic lunch under our umbrella, Miles fell asleep in my arms when I took him walking up and down the beach, we rode bikes to Venice beach, then had dinner and of course, ice cream! What a blessing it has been to get to spend so much time together as a family, to rely on each other, and just ENJOY one another. After dinner Miles looked up at me that night and said, "Mommy mm happy." Aww melt my heart right then and there!!

Beach here we come!!

Taking this sand playing business very seriously

nap on the beach

This must be a common site here because every time we have been to the beach we see dolphins swimming not too far out

enough said...

my riding buddy

the way home...

2010-07-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

We made the trip to downtown L.A to Dodgers stadium a few weeks ago. Although we definitely sat in the "cheap seats," we didn't mind at all, and had a great time! It was fun to see all the crazy Dodgers fans, and we were glad Adam decided against wearing his Cubs hat, since we witnessed some heckling of a Cubs fan:) Ever since the game Adam has unofficially made "I love L.A." by Randy Newman our summer theme song, I think I've heard him play it everyday since the game.

We ate Dodger Dogs,

And cheered on our temporary home team.

7th inning stretch Miles??

California weekend Fresno style

2010-07-10T23:03:00.001-07:00

Some of our great friends, Matt and Laura are home in Fresno for the month of July so we had a chance to go and spend the 4th of July weekend with them. It was such a blast getting tons of time with them and seeing their home town. Miles and Addie were so cute, Laura and I were pregnant at the same time together in Indy so it was so much fun to have our babies get to play together! We love the Giordanos and the community we get to experience with them, because we live so far away this time together was treasured.

I never take as many pictures as I wish I had...but here are a few good ones from the weekend

Arent they such a beautiful family??

Everytime the camera is pointed at Addie she smiles, I love it! Miles is looking a little unsure of this....

Adam had to work on the night of the 4th so we headed back to L.A. and had a nice Fourth of July Picnic in the park

Castaway

2010-07-10T22:12:00.001-07:00

We are back together as a family in Los Angeles! Miles is becoming quite the expert at flying and handled the 4 1/2 hour plane rides very well! I realized that last flight was his 8th time flying by the age of 15 months, somethings seems wrong with that! Miles had a really great week with Grandma and Grandpa (Papa and JuJu). Although I was sad to leave him for a week I boarded the bus for a 15 hour trip to Castaway Young Life camp with 100 high school students super excited to be apart of such a great week! And it really lived up to its reputation, most of the students left saying "it was the best week of my life." I wish I could sum up YL camp to you in a post, it is a beautiful resort style property with tons of YL staff and volunteer who give the majority of their summer to make this camp great. Young Life seeks to clear a space for kids to encounter Christ, they are committed to excellence and come to serve. I feel so blessed to be a part of the ministry of YL in Fort Wayne, it's a great organization and my brother Josh who is the Fort Wayne area director for YL is an amazing leader with a heart and vision for kids to know Christ and experience His kingdom! Check us out....Young Life Fort Wayne IN

It was such an honor to spend the week with these students and I think we all saw God show up in new and exciting ways, like never before. I grew to love all the girls in "Starboard" my dorm/cabin and am excited to see how God will continue the work that He has started in them!

2010-06-09T19:38:00.001-07:00

Okay so I may just be a self-proclaimed zoo critic, or lets just say a 'connoisseur' of zoo's and I risk sounding super negative right now. But for those fellow zoo goers the Los Angeles zoo was "underwhelming." It's really great zoo, just not very child friendly, most animals can't be seen from a stroller and there is tons of walking to get to any exhibit. The children's petting zoo has been closed the two times I have been there. And for every animal exhibit it seems there is a food station or store to buy zoo clothing! okay okay so now I am just getting carried away....but I'm really appreciating the Indy and Fort Wayne zoo (which was named in the top 5 children's zoos in the country this year, woohoo go Fort Wayne, we have to get our props somehow right?) now.

We really did have a good time and Miles LOVES the zoo, so that makes every trip totally worth it. He sings 'zoo, zoo, zoo' all the way there and now brings me his shoes and says "shoes...zoo".

Here he is thinking this orangutang is HIL-Ar-ious:)

The outdoor mall/food court place thats right by our place has live music outside every weekend, here we are headed over to check it out!

I had to include these candid shots....doesn't he look SO big!

Recognize this girl anyone? She is the daughter, Sue, in the ABC TV show The Middle. ha...we saw her that night, and Adam went up to her, talked to her and we got a picture. Hey she may not be a huge movie star now but who knows maybe someday and we will have a pic...we are dorks, I know!

Here we are at the Grove's farmers market area. Adam and I agreed that its probably one of the coolest eating and shopping areas we have ever been to. Tons and tons of places to eat with people just every where....and of course here I am caught with some Pinkberry in hand.

I can't believe we have already been here one month. Miles and I fly out on Saturday to go and meet my mom, sister Missy, and Aunt Sue in Orlando, FL for a trip that we have had planned for a while now. Im excited to experience the magic of Disney with them this next week!

After that, Miles and I will travel back to Fort Wayne with them and I will be leaving Miles with my mom and dad for a whole week to head to Young Life camp. I feel really excited and super privileged to get to take Snider students to Camp this summer. Praying God reveals Himself to me in new ways and that I have the eyes to see Him. Also praying for the students going that they will get to experience and learn about Christ in a way that is lasting and life giving, oh that they would know Christ as the One who has brought restoration and redemption to them! Please join me in praying for those students and us leaders that week, it is June 19-26th. Also pray for Miles, even though I am going to miss him terribly, my prayer is that he would have a really special time with grandma and grandpa and not be too upset by us being away.

So Disney and Camp updates to follow in a few weeks...Hope you all are doing well, I just have to say I think of so many of you EVERYDAY, here is a sample of the running dialogue in my head:

"I wonder what Kate would order at Pinkberry......hum is this the book that Steph said was so good?......I wonder if Jess and my mom are walking Lakeside park this morning......man I need Amy to teach me some new children's songs, she's so good at that.....I need a Ruby Tuesday's ice tea with my sisters......wonder how wen morning bible-study went, missing those amazing women....wonder how Wyatt slept last night, if Kimberly is getting any sleep?....wonder what Betsy made for dinner tonight, I need some new meal ideas.......Can't wait for Miles to wear the new shirt Missy got him.......I wonder which jogging stroller is the best, Ashley would know......"

Ha I could seriously go on and on. Just know that I pray for so many of you and think of you all so often and love my life with you in it!!

co-pilot

2010-06-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

We were sad we didn't have the big Clark family Memorial Day get together this year and we were missing everyone that weekend, but we still had a really great time here as a family and spent the day at the Santa Monica Beach. They have a beautiful bike path that goes the 3.5 mile length of the beach. Miles loved riding co-pilot with dad, and he sure looked cute while doing it!

The Getty

2010-06-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

This art museum is named one of the top 5 best tourists attractions in Los Angeles, so we decided to check it out. We are so glad we did because it was was really beautiful there.

Hollywood and a Haircut

2010-05-30T21:23:00.001-07:00

We definitely took on the roles of true tourists in Hollywood this past week:

Here is Adam in front of the Keanu Reeves Hollywood Star, looking like someone who has been waiting for this moment all his life....I was hoping he would keep this up and act out every star.

Not sure why the only star I got a picture of was Amy Grant's, maybe my true love for her came out!

We found the best milkshake place ever...and Miles' first!

So I have been saying that I didn't ever want to cut Miles' hair. Well, he had a piece of hair getting so long that it was hanging in his eyes. So I took it upon myself to try and cut it off, well lets just say he either looked like a monk or a girl with short bangs, so we had to take him to get his first official haircut. And I will say I am so happy that we did! He looks so handsome!

Sunday May 23rd

2010-05-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday we drove to Simi Valley to attend Cornerstone church. It is the church where Francis Chan is the pastor. He is moving on to a different ministry, but we were able to hear his last sermon to his congregation. It was a worshipful service for us and we left talking all the way home about the things that were encouraging and challenging to us. The drive from where we are to Simi Valley was about 20 min, but it was the most beautiful scenery we have seen here yet.

Most trips to church consist of either Adam or I leaving with Miles after worship, but he always loves to be in for the music. One sunday I was holding him on my hip and we were all singing, hands raised, worshiping. I looked over at Miles and he had his little hand reaching up, palms up, as high as he possibly could. Well ever since then when a worship song comes on he usually instinctively lifts that little hand up praising God. Might be a nature vs. nurture thing, but either way, I believe that his little heart just longs to praise God and sing to him, palms lifted high. Here he is on the way back from church while we were still singing some of the songs from the service.

After church we headed to Studio City for their weekly farmer's market. It was tables and tables of the most green, bright, lush looking fruits and vegetables I had ever seen! Not only did we spot some yummy pumelo's but we also had a celeb spotting, much to my delight! Oh and Adam and I had our first Tamales which we both tried to bite into the corn husk not sure how we were supposed to eat them....I know I know we aren't "tamale" savvy quite yet.

Miles' favorite things

2010-05-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a little update on the gooz....some of his favorite things:

The first two are from back at home but Miles LOVES to scale his slide, and I think it's pretty impressive...

I just find it unbelievably cute when I come to the end of the day and go around cleaning up, and find Miles' favorite toys stashed in something that he carried or pushed around all day. Here is a video that shows a portion of how much he loves to do this.

He has a love for stacking pillows and pretending to fall asleep on them, so this is not an unusual site around here.

He LOVES putting on mom and dad's shoes.

Miles is crazy about all his cousins! Today he started saying "Taye" for the first time which is fun! And he walks around the apt here yelling "Where are you E?" (E is what he calls Evie) Here is a picture of him and cousin Truett together, I hope that someday they treasure this photo!

He is a huge fan of any form of hide and seek or peek-a-boo. Here are a few great shots Grandma Clark got.

There is so much that he is exploring and discovering right now...he is becoming quite the parrot and tries to say most of the words that we try to get him to say! He loves trains, fire trucks, animals, water, and any kind of a ball. It's been so fun having him communicate more and more with me, he is trying to piece words together and its amazing when it feels like we have a conversation! The other day he was reminding me of our experience with the lion at the zoo and said.."momma, ROAR, zoo". Here's him remembering the car wash we went to together, he calls cars, 'vroom':

So there you go! I guess you could say I'm in love.

California knows how to party

2010-05-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Cruisin' down the 101....California here we come right back where we started from....Beverly Hills, thats where I wanna be....Id be safe and warm if I was in LA, California dreamin' on such a winters day.....Wish they all could be California girls....

Did you know there's a Wikipedia page dedicated to songs about L.A. and California?

We are here and having a great time. Adam and my dad accomplished quite a feat of driving straight here without stopping. 30 hours full of flaming hot cheetos, coke, podcasts, and what my dad called his "california driving tunes" they arrived 6 hours ahead of schedule!

Miles did SO well on the plane, we had a good time together. I really did enjoy that experience with him, just him and I making our way to California whispering little prayers all that way there that Miles would feel safe and secure and enjoy this summer as well!

Our apt is really great, within walking distance to a small grocery, outdoor mall, Starbucks, and Adam's internship location. Its so fun for us to have this time here together as a family, crazy that we get to spend the summer in California!!

Its been so wonderful to see how God has provided for us to get here. When we feel a twinge of "what the heck are we doing" its not hard to forget the intense feeling I had coming off the plane and driving to our apt that said "We are exactly where we are supposed to be." Our prayer is that God would use us in this city for the short time we are here and that he would shape our little family more and more to know Him and love each other well. We pray that Adam would just be able to soak up this experience and learn all that he can.

Our visit to the Santa Monica Beach

I don't know if you can tell in this picture,

but we looked over the pier and saw a seal swimming

right below us

Our pool at the apartment

Miles loves the low couches in the apt. because he can climb off and on by himself. This new found freedom brings him great joy....

There is a really great park here called Griffith Park. Its huge, with a great playground, a Carousel, lots of walking paths, and horse-backing through the park. Oh and the park also houses the Los Angeles Zoo....needless to say I bet Miles and I will be spending a lot of time there this summer!

Just lovin that little pj boy...

2010-05-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

You will lose your baby teeth

at times you'll lose your faith in me

You will lose a lot of things

But you can not lose my love.

Where are you???

2010-05-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

This little guy just loves his PaPa, here he is looking out the door asking Where are you? Check out this sweet little voice....

Easter Weekend

2010-05-07T19:38:00.001-07:00

Its been so much fun experiencing Holidays in a new way since having Miles. He enjoyed Easter so much and we were able to start some of our own family traditions. Miles received his first Easter basket, which he loved, but inside among all the yogurt covered raisins and sidewalk chalk, Miles got a wound up little baby chick. It was his favorite part which made it fun for me since we placed it there as the beginning of a Easter tradition. A symbol of new life. There is something about being parents that allows you to experience God in a new way for Easter, because as you are wanting your child to learn and understand the depth and importance of such things you realize that you are the one that needs to learn. Thank God for new life, for Jesus' resurrection that proves his power over death, and gift of the new life he offers us. Thank God for baby chicks and the spring time where we are reminded of what a gift God gives us when he says "I have come to give you life, life to the full."

One year under his belt

2010-03-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

Miles turned ONE on March 10th. We happened to be in FL when he turned one so we celebrated his life as our little family by thanking God for him and all the ways that we have grown and changed because of this little one coming in and stealing our hearts. It was fun to sit and recall the events of his birthday and remember how exciting it was to see him and hold him for the first time..... remember this sweet face??

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Florida. It was so relaxing to get away, and even though it wasn't super hot it was so nice just to be outside, watch movies, read books, and play games together as a fam.

We celebrated Miles' birthday with some friends and family a few weeks ago. We still can't believe his is ONE already....there are moments where I literally lose my breath and my chest aches with such love for him that I just want to swoop him up in a hug and make sure he knows how treasured he is......those hugs seem shorter and shorter these days with Miles demanding "Down!" I continue to treasure the moments and consider it a huge blessing and pleasure that I get to be his mom! Here are a few pictures of the par-tay....

9 months and on the go

2009-12-23T18:34:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post a few pictures and videos of our growing boy! Miles is a few weeks into being 9 months old and is officially a walking boy! Apparently he is also able to climb the stairs which we realized the other day.....thank goodness we were right there. He just sees something he wants and puts his mind to getting it! He is at such a fun age...laughing (even fake laughing when the adults are laughing at something) singing...waving hi and bye....he just makes us smile all day with his sweet face! He has really enjoyed his new found independence in walking and seems to be a happier little guy. He just had tubes for his ears placed on monday, it went really well and was super fast. He was only away from my arms for 10 minutes! I am noticing a difference in his sleep patterns already and just an over all happier boy!

Adam wanted me to make sure and tell you all, that if you right click on these videos and choose "watch on YouTube" you can view them full screen, but feel free to watch them here, they'll just be small. This is a short video of Miles at 8 1/2 months old learning to walk:

Excuse my intense mom face in this one...I'm going to have to work on that:)

We have a family tradition of going down town Fort Wayne and eating at Coney Island and seeing the big lit up Santa and his reindeer (which is apparently EVERYONE in Ft. Wayne's family tradition, around Christmas Coney Island is hopping with Christmas cheer) We had a great time this year with our bottled Cokes and chili dogs and Miles loved the big Santa!

Miles first time discovering he can get into kitchen cabinets and drawers

And I will leave you with this little face- he stands at the door and looks out all the time....just wishing he could get outside!!

Hats off to Sara Groves

2009-12-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

I just love getting a new album and taking it in...locking myself in my room, taking a long drive, listening to the lyrics, reading the words. I'm such a lyric person...most of my friends know this because when they get in the car with me I see this as my chance to share a new favorite song, I turn it on and tell them to listen, and I want everyone to be quiet so that they can experience it like me...and then I want to talk about it, what do you think it means, I ask....and I get weird looks like "seriously cant we just talk normal".....

So when I received a Christmas gift from my sister Jess (a fellow lyric lover, actually probably the one who taught me to be a lyric lover) this past weekend you can imagine my excitement to have the new Sara Groves album in my hands!

Sara Groves has such a way with her words that seem to speak exactly what I need to hear or wish I could say. She really inspires me to see beyond the common, she reminds me how grateful I am to live in community, how God made me to feel and love deeply, and how much I want to live out the Kingdom of God.

Okay so I'm not trying to sound too obsessed with Sara...but I wanted to share the lyrics of a few of her new songs that have really meant a lot to me the last few days. I highly recommend the cd.....

This song reminds me of being down town under the dim lights at Henry's, sipping a margarita on the rocks, staring at Adam across the table, feeling like we can talk about anything on our hearts, no conversation is untouchable, no important thing left unsaid....being completely know and loved.

These songs expressed how wonderful it is to do life with the women in my life. I had a moment over lunch with a handful of girls in my bible study...I was wide open for them to see my worst parts and they were like an army of women coming around me to fight the good fight with me, loving me gently all the way. There have been multiple phone calls, moments of conversation over coffee with sisters or new friends, or over diet coke and puerta queso dip with old friends that I would swear were holy and sacred moments, where friends or family have loved me well and made life "half as hard and twice as good" ....these songs are for them (ha like they are mine to dedicate)

Different Kinds of Happy
Sara Groves

go on and ask me anything
what do you need to know
im not holding on to anything im not willing to let go of
to be free , to be free
ive got to ask you something
but please dont be afraid
there's a promise here thats heavier than your answer might weigh
baby it's me, it's me

it's a sweet, sweet thing
standing here with you and nothing to hide
light shining down to our very insides
sharing our secrets, bearing our souls
helping each other come clean

secrets and cyphers
there's no good way to hide
there's redemption in confession and freedom in the light
I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid

its a sweet, sweet thing
standing here with you and nothing to hide
light shining down to our very insides
sharing our secrets, bearing our souls
helping each other come clean

better than our promises
is the day we got to keep them
I wish those two could see us now
they never would believe how
there are different kinds of happy
different kinds of happy
there are different kinds of happy
different kinds of happy

Twice As Good
Sara Groves

when I am down and need to cry till morning
I know just where I am going
when I'm in need of sweet commiseration
to speak out loud

raise a glass to friendship and to knowing
you don't have to go alone
we'll raise our hearts to share each others burdens
on this road

with every burden I have carried
with every joy its understood
life with you is half as hard
and twice as good

with my good news your dancing on the table
babies born to celebration
the joy of life oh what a sweet communion
shared with you

with every burden I have carried
with every joy it's understood
life with you is half as hard
and twice as good

I know we're growing older
can you imagine what that will bring
it's all a mystery to me now
but this one thing
it will be half as hard, and twice as good

I cant promise this is my last Sara Groves lyrical post:) I don't write well nor do I enjoy it as much as others so I will continue to let others words inspire and teach me to see beyond the common.

So thank you Sara for using your gifts, for diggin in and taking the time to write what God is teaching you, and I "raise a glass" with you "to friendship and to knowing you don't have to go alone."

Beautiful Bride

2009-10-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

My little sister got married this summer and was a beautifully stunning bride! Melissa Marie you have been there, been my companion, my friend and sis since as long as I can remember. I love the man you have chosen to walk through life with! I love these pictures and will always treasure them... they mark the last of the VonGunten "girls" weddings!

Playing in the leaves

2009-10-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Around here fall is a family favorite....even the babe is getting into it! We just love how colorful the leaves are...how wonderful it is to witness a cycle of new life in the trees. It has been a reminder to us this fall of how God displays His power over death, how the leaves change and die and come back to life in the spring. We are reminded of the power Christ had over death and has brought us the opportunity for new life!

Okay so this little guy isn't quite thinking so deeply about it....but he still enjoys a good leaf pile...

Pumpkin meet Pumpkin

2009-10-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

pumpkin carving with no pants on apparently:)

I just blogged like 5 posts at once...so check out whats below

Fall Fashions

2009-10-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

So this is me trying to get Miles to look at the camera in his cute fall outfit.....He wanted to look everywhere but at me!

This I just had to add.....

Go Colts!

2009-10-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

So we have always enjoyed a Colts came here and there but since leaving in Indy we have full fledged become jersey wearing fans....yeah we are those people....

2009-10-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Miles discovered a puddle one afternoon- this kid LOVES to be outside, he cries when you walk back in the house, im not sure what we are going to do this winter....suit up I guess!

Clothes came off since he was trying to swim in it....Adam wants me to be sure to say that here he paying tribute and doing the dance from Micheal Jackson's smooth criminal music video.

Im too Big to sit

2009-10-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Ever since Miles was a tiny baby we have been saying this phrase in a crazy baby voice: "I'm too big" as if to say Miles is saying, 'don't make me sit, I'm too big for that.' Miles never was the baby who feel asleep in a loud room or even wanted to sit on my lap...he ALWAYS wanted to stand! He would flex his little legs straight out and pop up in your arms. So many people holding him would say "man he is so strong!" Well we have entered another exciting "Im too big" phase, here is Miles pulling up and standing next to his toy at 6 months.

Johnny Appleseed Festival

2009-10-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

So this is going to the beginning of multiple blog posts, but I'm behind and want to be sure to have this blog to remember all these wonderful, special moments this summer and fall!

This is Miles at his first ever Johnny Appleseed festival. This is a annual festival in Ft. Wayne and it is my absolute favorite festival ever! Im not exactly sure how to describe it so that it actually sounds fun....every time I try it just kinda sounds like Conner Prairie. Its right at the end of summer and TONS of people show up to this celebration for a man in a tin cap! Oh the food.....the costumes.... the antique booths...Johnny appleseed comes but once a year....

a thousand words

2009-09-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

See more at www.betsykingphoto.com

6 months old

2009-09-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

6 months ago we were unaware of the little one who would soon enter our world and steal our hearts, how could we have know the intensity and the enormity of the love we would get to experience. , and as one of my new favorite authors Shauna Niequest puts it:

"I am superhuman in my love for him (her son), that if he needed me, I would fly or bend steel or wrinkle time with the force of my love. And in the same moment, I know that all mothers feel that way, and that all mothers feel the exact inverse, the awareness that people run red lights, and we wont be there to stand in front of our son's cars, shielding them from danger with our superhuman selves....I felt powerful and powerless in the same instant, full of rabid, crushing love, and also small and out of control and scared for all the life that my son will have to live without my protection. Parenting for me feels like a love so big I can't manage it, a force so visceral l I can't contain it."

These feelings are so wonderful and scary at the same time but I LOVE how they continuously bring me back the to prayers I have prayed numerous times, entrusting Miles to God and knowing and choosing to believe that He loves him more than I ever could. I also LOVE how these feelings help to give me a little glimpse of how much God loves us, so intensely and wildly that he laid down his life to bring redemption and restoration.

So here's to 6 months of poor sleep, dateless weeks, conversations about bowel movements, changing lots of diapers....we wouldn't trade if for the world!

Triple Positive

2009-09-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

My brother Josh had the great idea of designing t-shirts for us to wear to support my mom with the words "Triple Positive" on them. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and told that her type of cancer is called triple negative. This is supposed to be the most difficult to treat and more aggressive type of breast cancer, well we turned the name on its head and have been wearing our t-shirts proudly, as to say this horribly negative name will not be our banner.

Last friday night we surprised my mom with a special evening just for her, she came to door with us all wearing our new t-shirts. We went to dinner and had a really special time of prayer and encouragement for her.

I am actually sitting in the hospital waiting room right now. They have given us good news that the surgery went really well and the lymph-nodes were BENIGN!! She is in recovery now and we are hoping to see her soon. Thanks so much for all your texts, emails, and voice mails!

Life in Fort Wayne

2009-08-22T13:04:00.001-07:00

Hello! Just wanted to write an update of what's new....

Adam and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary, we went to dinner and a movie and did one of our favorite things; sitting at Barnes and Noble for about 2 hours just looking through books and talking about them. When we can we set out to find 3 book options for the other person to pick from and sit and tell why we chose them for each other. Grandma Juju had Miles for the evening and we had a great time!

My little sister got married!! Melissa VonGunten and Kyle Pearson tied the knot last weekend! We had such a great time, it was a beautiful wedding with a gorgeous bride and studly groom! I was honored to stand up with my sis on her big day. More pictures to follow, soon hopefully!

Miles is growing SOO Fast, 5 months old now!! He is so much fun. He is laughing all the time, playing with toys, and babbling "mama" now pretty consistently! His bright beautiful eyes are just mesmerizing!

He has been having some major eating/stomach issues now for the last few months. He wouldn't eat all together for a little while so we had to try bottles which didn't help too much, so the Dr. sent us in for an upper GI which showed severe reflux, so we tried and tried different medicines, and are now on our third try and it still isn't a whole lot better. So anyways, all that to say that we took him to a pediatric GI Dr. who told us we will have to wait it out, and hopefully he will eat and sleep better eventually. He did give us a few things to try (e.g. a weird lactose-free formula, a new medicine for tummy ache, and he recommended starting baby foods). So we decided to start 1st foods and boy is he crazy about them! He has TWO teeth now, is sitting up in his chair, and is eating off the spoon like an expert!!

My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It has been such a blessing to be here with her as she walks through this tough time. She is not going through it alone, God's presence has been so evident along the way. We have felt him through family and friends and in an ever present calming peace. My sister Jess wrote a beautiful blog entry about it if you'd like to check it out, its linked to our page. Please pray for my mom as she has her surgery in two weeks and then starts chemo treatment. She has been such a strong woman in my life and its hard to watch her being labeled as "sick" by this disease. It so neat to see how God's people come together in hard times to really love each-other well, thanks everyone for loving and encouraging my family!

Moving...

2009-07-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

So it is officially official....we are moving in like 5 days!! Crazy but true. Adam and I have been thinking about our future and his job situation a lot these past few months and we decided that it would be a good idea for him to look into going back to school. So he set up a couple of appointments with colleges. One meeting went really well at Ball State and he was offered an assistantship that will pay his tuition. Lots of things lined up and we decided to jump on the opportunity. Adam begins classes Aug 20th and will be working towards a Master's of Journalism degree. He is super excited to start the school life again and is really looking forward to giving it his all and getting all the experience he possibly can. We are moving to Fort Wayne this friday because we figured it was a good time for us to go and be there for at least the two years while Adam will be in school, we will have lots of help with Miles there, and I (Val) will be surrounded by my family when Adam is off to Muncie three FULL (morning and night) days of the week. We are moving in with good 'ole mom and dad for now, and are excited about it! They are such great people to live with and we really think its going to go well! I am soo excited to spend time with friends and family there and not always feel like Sunday afternoon is rolling around too fast and we have to head back home. Please pray for our transition to Fort Wayne, starting over, making new friends, diving into a church community.....

This move has been described over and over already as bittersweet. We are super sad to be leaving our family and friends in Indy. We are going to miss our house church community SOO much; wen nights of prayer, studying the word and just plain having so much fun together are going to be greatly missed! Thank you HC for really welcoming us into your group quickly and making us feel at home there, in 2 years you have taken a real sincere interest into our lives and entered into the good and bad with us! We have truly experienced Christ through you all!

Thank you God for allowing us to know you more through Common Ground and our house church! Kate, Giordano's, Gandy's, Stephenson's, Liz, Ashlee, Rachel, Strohl's, Deter's, Bishop's.....we love you guys and will miss you so much!

When you get married you don't realize how much you are marring not only your spouse but an ENTIRE family! I am soo glad that I married into the Clarks :) It has been a blast living pretty close to Adam's parents, Karen and Jeremy, and just an hour from the Linnemann's. Looking back on the past two years in Indy I see how much they have grown to mean to me, it has been a blast walking through my pregnancy with my sister-in-laws and mother-in-law. They have been such a support to us and are always there with encouraging words! I have so enjoyed all the meals we have shared with John and Cindi and have experienced their fierce intense love for people wrap itself around ME! Thank you family for being you and for loving me!

I cant begin to remember how many nights we have shared with the Miller's. Nick and Mandy and Adam and I made thursday nights our intentional date night over these past few years. We have pretty much taken a restaurant tour of the city with them and have opened up our own homes to each other countless times. I am so grateful for their friendship, their LOVE for community, and their desire to walk DEEPLY with Christ. I treasure all our conversations and hope that they continue even as we move!!

Lindsey Connor is not getting rid of me with this move, thats for sure. Although I have soo enjoyed living within walking distance of her I am counting on our friendship not being locational!! Ha!

And from me (Adam): I have had an unbelievable two years teaching at Heritage. I have made friends that make my heart ache to leave - Dan, Aaron, Brian, Chard, Ross, Sharon, Dave, Dan, Larry, Kiel, Jenny, Rachael, Caleb, Matt, just to name a few. You have loved me and my family with sincerity and intentionality. I love my students as well, they have kept me coming to work with a smile since day one, and it has been my joy to invest in them these past two years.

Adam and I went to dinner the other night and made a top 5 things we will miss and not miss about Indy, here it is:

WE WILL MISS

1. Adam's family being close

2. Friends

3. House church

4. Common Ground

5. Trader Joe's

6. Cafe Patachou

7. Naked Chop Stix

okay so we went over 5.......

8. our little apt where we have made so many great memories

9. Super target- okay that ones mine (Val)

10. McAllister's sweet tea!!

THINGS WE WILL NOT MISS

1. traffic

2. driving 30 min to get ANYWHERE

3. Val getting lost and calling adam frantically cursing the city

4. cost of living being more (well at least more than ftwayne)

5. Apartment appliances:)

Our hope and prayer is that we have really lived in the present and been available to where ever God wants us. We know we must have at least let people into our lives well because we are really feeling the pain of saying goodbye!