Today I Love...

...that my grandmother made this quilt for me when I was Hannah's age.  Now it belongs to Hannah.  I love that I can hand this treasure over to my own daughter and that some day (Lord willing!) maybe she'll pass it along to her daughter.  Is there anything sweeter?

(Some of my "ladies" have come loose over the years.  My wonderful Daddy recently paid to have all the missing pieces sewn back.  Thanks Daddy!!!)  

In Case You Haven't Heard...

You're probably friends with Bobby or me on Facebook.  Or you're probably one of the many people we texted/called yesterday.  But just in case we forgot someone...

We were completely shocked but pleasantly surprised to find that Clark #3 is a BOY!!!  Wow!!  When Bobby announced it during the ultrasound, Hannah yelled, "NO!"  Poor girl.  She had her heart set on a little sister.  While we were waiting to see my doctor she completely broke down in tears.  Dr. Hood attempted to comfort her and the nurses even gave her a lollipop. To no avail.  She was no longer crying but she wasn't happy (yet!)  Sam on the other hand was completely ambivalent.  I think he would have dealt with a new sister a lot better than Hannah with her baby brother!  

This little guy is incredibly squirmy.  Over the past few weeks I've started feeling the little flutter movements but they're getting more and more pronounced.  Last Friday Bobby & Hannah were able to feel him move for the first time.  If I sit still for any length of time he begins to flip around. 

He was such a squirmy worm that the ultrasound tech joked that we are going to have to find an outlet for all of his energy as soon as he's born!  She had trouble getting many of the pictures because he simply wouldn't stay still.  He refused to have a picture taken of his face as well.  He kept blocking by putting his arms in front of his little face.  Soooo...I get to have another ultrasound in 8 weeks!  The tech couldn't get all of the pictures of his heart that are needed.

Everything is going great.  I've only gained one pound (holy moly!  how in the world?!)  My blood pressure was great and I've not had any cramping, spotting, etc.  I've been feeling so much better now  that all of the yucky morning sickness has passed.  I'm getting to the point though that I can only eat small amounts at a time but then I'm starving about an hour or two later.  Oh well...at least I have the desire to eat!

I'm very pleased to say that Hannah is completely on board with a brother now.  After we got home yesterday she came to me and announced, "Little brothers are pretty fun!"  She had bought the tiniest little pink velour care bear blanket in anticipation of a girl.  I got it out and gave it to her.  Such joy!  She loves pink.  She loves Care Bears.  I had prayed that the Lord would soften her little heart towards her new baby brother.  He is so faithful.  She is so excited to tell anyone and everyone now that she's going to be a big sister to, not one, but two little brothers!

A New Favorite...

sorry the cover is a little blurry...

I bought the Jesus Storybook Bible for the kids this past weekend and they love it!!  Every story stays true to scripture and isn't watered down (don't you hate that?!  Kids are so much smarter than they're given credit for!!)  

Plus the illustrations are fun and captivating.  Hannah & Samuel will spend about 20 minutes or so just looking through the pictures after we've finished our chapter.

I highly recommend this to anyone who has small children and is looking for a good story Bible.

Hannah's Photo Gallery

Hannah has informed me that she plans to be a photographer when she grows up.  Lately she's been practicing with my camera.  It's always a fun mystery to see what I'll see when I browse through the memory.

She's been experimenting with different subjects (though our cats are easy prey) and a variety of props.

Here are some of her "earlier" works...

This & That

I'm sad that we're having such a mild winter.  

I enjoyed all of the snow we had last year and

I wonder if Hannah & Sam will get to utilize the winter

coats I bought for them at Tots & Teens.

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We have been struggling with colds for the past month (it seems).

The kids were hit hard right after Hannah's birthday and so was Bobby.

I managed to stay healthy until this past week.

I have felt awful!

Runny nose, itchy throat, unable to breath at night.

I'm ready for all of us to be completely better - at the same time.

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I'm at the weird stage in my pregnancy where I'm not quite showing yet.

The valley between my two bellies is starting to disappear but so far I still just look pudgy :-)

I'm excited to get into maternity clothes since I've bought some really cute shirts at Tots & Teens.

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Yes, I love Tots & Teens Consignment!

My sweet friend, Amanda, is the owner and she's asked me to work there.

I work random days & hours and I tag & put out the clothes.

I get paid in store credit which I use as soon as I get there in the morning!

There are just so many cute clothes there!

Hannah & Sam's closet is seriously about to explode.

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I have not read one book on my A-Z Reading Challenge List.

Not a single one.

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Hannah is loving learning at home, surrounded by her family.

When she began, she loved reading.

Now she's more interested in math and science (like her Daddy!)

It's like pulling teeth trying to get her to read three pages in her phonic book.

Sam on the other hand, is really getting into his letters.

His favorite letter to write is 'H' though he's not bad at writing an 'S'.

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Sammy has really enjoyed all of the birthday presents he's received...

the paint-it-yourself bird house from my Dad &

the drill set from Dave & Karen are his favorites.

Sammy Turns 4

I cannot believe that Samuel is four years old!  My, oh, my where has the time gone!?

Our sweet little boy requested a Darth Vader party for his fourth birthday.  I thought, 'This should be easy enough, Star Wars is a classic!'  And for the most part it was fairly easy.  The decorations, plates, cups, etc. were found at Party City.  The cake, on the other hand, was impossible.  No one around here makes Star Wars cakes.  Specialty bakeries had them but they were super expensive.  We ended up just buying a regular sheet cake and Bobby found a Darth Vader candle at Party City as well as a Storm Trooper figure at Walmart.  As for food we kept it simple and I came up with creative names for the dishes.

The party was super fun.  We had more girls than boys but Sammy didn't mind at all.  He loved all of the food, his cake and was thrilled with all of his presents.  We are so thankful for all of our family and friends who joined us in celebrating. 

...The Food...

...The Presents...

...The Cake...

Today I Love...

• Mr. Clark - He works hard to finiancially support our family.  Then he comes home and works hard around the house and with the kids.  I love this man!

• Hannah - She is hands down the cutest little girl in the world.  She's so smart and witty.  There is never a dull moment with her around...she talks from the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to bed.  She's probably still talking when she goes to sleep.   She is very excited about getting a new brother/sister.  Until we had our ultrasound she was convinced we were having twins.

• Samuel - This kid is a hoot!  And he's all boy.  Everything with Sam is about poots/poop.  Reminds me of a few big boys I know :-)  He is so very helpful around the house and willingly helps me with chores.  For the longest time he was content to let Hannah speak for him.  Now he has found a voice of his own and makes his opinions/demands known!  He's also very cuddly, especially in the morning and at night before bed.

• Clark #3 - Bobby & I have seen this sweet baby during our ultrasound and it was so beautiful!  He/She was so squirmy that the tech had a hard time getting a picture.  Yesterday I had an appointment and we heard the heartbeat again.  It was in the high 170's.  Even Dr. Hood joked that it's going to be a girl.  What do you think?

• Winter Weather, finally! - If you know me, you know that I love the winter.  I'm thrilled that the cold weather has finally blown into town.  I love sweaters, fuzzy socks, hot chocolate, fires and snuggling with Mr. Clark.  Now I'm just waiting for the snow!

These pictures are in no way relevant to this post.  Well, maybe they are.  My kids are so dang cute!  Even in their sleep...