A Year of Birthdays

2013 was full of change for our family.  I did not take the time to get birthday blogs posted for each child but that does not mean that I did not write them.  So all in one post; Children, for you....

Sweet Hudson,

I cannot imagine what it is like being 2 in our family of constant chaos.  You however are making a name for yourself and will not go unnoticed.  Your deep voice and your facial expressions make us all laugh.  Your excitement for life and joy brought playing with your siblings makes me smile.  May it be said now though that you are quickly learning to work the system.  Your Daddy and I have our work cut out for us.  You are growing so fast and turning into such a little man - 2 going on 5 if you ask me.  One thing that I adore is your love for Boris and your faithfulness to play with him dragging him all over the house.  Yet you know your bounds and put him back in his place on your bed when told.  You are a character and I cannot wait to see all that God has in store for you little man.

May the Lord always be your rock, fortress and deliverer and may he be your lamp that lights the dark places.  This God - his ways are perfect.  We pray that you understand this early in life and that he make your feet like the feet of a deer and set you secure on the heights, train you, strengthen you, give you the shield of salvation and support you that your feet may not slip.  (Psalm 18)

I love you!
3/1/2013

Caleb,

I know you are 4 now but you are still my little love. Your laugh, no its more of a giggle, is infectious. Your smile can fill a room. And the fact that you have to concentrate to say words that begin with s-blends (stuffed often comes out tuffed and squirrel is quirrel) is adorable. You are funny, silly, happy and loving. Watching your face and reaction is always a highlight for me when you encounter new things; you are truly amazed and express a sense of wonderment. You get that from your Daddy and I hope you never lose it. You love to sing and are so full of joy. Caleb, you are such a good big brother to Hudson desiring to teach him and/or do things for him that he cannot do on his own. You are an excellent younger brother to Anna Grace and Dean choosing so often to be the side kick...to be player two, willing to be 2nd to do stuff, always choosing Robin over Batman and the list could go on. You are a helper to me in the kitchen and just about the best at cleaning up at the end of the day. Most often than not you are very agreeable - but when you are not, well just say, you are set on being not. You include others and are concerned for others. That is a special quality God has given you. I have said this before I feel certain but your father and I often discuss how fearless you remain. You go through the day willing to try to conquer anything. It reminds me of Caleb from the Bible - where we got your name.

I pray that you will always rejoice in the Lord, that you will take joy in the God of your salvation and you will find your strength in the Lord even at this early age (Habakkuk 3). And we pray that as of Caleb of Judah you will wholly follow the Lord your God all the days of your life (Joshua 14).

I love you, Sweetie!
5/12/2013

Dean, 

Wow! Six years old. It seems too old to me. You are growing, maturing and learning so fast. You are so smart and a leader. I enjoy watching you love baseball and play with such excitement and joy. I also enjoy watching you figure things out and seeing your mind in action. You have dimples and a smile that melt hearts young and old alike. You are cautious and stubborn. People think I am crazy but you and I both know that your stubbornness gets you into trouble. I pray that those particular qualities will be your ally through life and help guide you away from trouble. I am continually amazed at how you think things through and come to a solid conclusion to solve the problem. In that sense - and many others - you are like your Ottie. You are steadfast and unless caught in a chatty mood thoroughly processed before speaking. You are sweet to accommodate Anna Grace so often. You love your family.   You are in tune with others needs. I have watched you express your love and genuine concern this year especially. I think it is so sweet that you pray daily for Juju as well as Ottie and you realize her need for wisdom and strength that only the Lord can provide. You may be rough and tough but you still hold a tender, compassionate heart. What a special gift from God.

I pray that your salvation will come from and rest in the Lord. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil...stand firm...having fastened on the belt of truth...the breastplate of righteousness...readiness given by the gospel of peace...take up the shield of faith...helmet of salvation...sword of the Spirit..." (Ephesians 6:10-20)

I love you, Big Man!
6/15/2013

Baby Girl,

You are growing so fast leaving behind the look of a baby girl. Eight! Where has all the time gone? All refinements of the baby face are completely gone now leaving behind a thin beautiful girl. You hold a special place around here being the only girl. No matter your age you will always be the little princess to each of us. You are funny and silly and squeally; you are all girl. You are a leader. I am no longer surprised at your ability to get your brothers to transform into your knight, king, prince, guard, jester and so forth. Watching your love for dance deepen this fall after the Snow Queen and as you have experienced tap for the first time has been exciting. In so many ways you seem to be such a natural. Who knows if it will last much longer but we (even your little brothers) have enjoyed watching you perform this past year but especially this fall. Your creativity doesn't end with ballet and tap however; you are extremely creative in art, play and writing. You make up the most creative funny stories in school and games to play. You have remained a very black or white thinker which is odd to me because you are drama. You are frank and have no problems calling someone your "3rd best friend." While I understand your thinking we are going to continue working on that so you will keep these sweet friends for years to come. In so many ways you are my heart. You do things like me (Let's be honest, Daddy never got out of bed to straighten his room so he could sleep soundly.), say things I would say, enjoy much of the same things. It has kept me on my toes and certainly made me examine my words and actions. I am grateful. I am looking forward to teaching you how to sew on your new machine!

May you continue to grow into a woman who fears the Lord who works with willing hands, rises early to care for all who have been placed in your care, decisive, full of God's strength and dignity, merciful, a cheerful giver, not fearful and full of wisdom (Proverbs 31:10-31).

I love you, Baby Girl!
11/29/2013

Hudson's Party

 

 

Caleb's Party

 

 

 

Dean's Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna Grace's Party

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts from an 8 year old

While playing outside with her brother today I heard Anna Grace say:

"In heaven you can step in dog poop and it won't mess up your shoes."

Unchartered Waters

Today Dean entered very unfamiliar territory.  It took 59 math lessons but he finally got one of his facts wrong on his fact sheet.  When he realized he had it wrong (during the checking process) he looked at me very peculiarly and said, "Uh, Mama, what do I do?"  I laughed.

Hudson Had Enough

I found Hudson around 4:00 like this...

And yes his feet are dangling down from the chair.  Apparently he was too exhausted to actually climb all the way in.

Halloween...We did it

Things kicked off a week or so ago when we painted pumpkins.  Outstanding!   We love our pumpkin "sampler."  And think it might become a new tradition.  I am pretty sure that pumpkin painting is considered more fun than carving by our crew...less mess and more of an independent task.

 

Thanks, Honey, for coming to lend a hand and offer some sanity.

Anna Grace's Witch

Dean's Black Batman Face

Caleb's Robin Face

Hudson's Bad Guy Face

Our Pumpkin Family

 

Back in September (when costumes first hit the shelves), Neal took them costume shopping.  Here is what they decided...

Ariel

Iron Patriot

Navy Seal 

Iron Man

Finally tonight our Clark Trick or Treat Tradition (CToTT) continued.  As always it was packed with more excitement than one can possibly contain (depicted here in faces as well as the loss of a few costumes).

Until next year... 

War Eagle?!?

Hudson wore himself out yesterday cheering Auburn to their victory.  

I let him eat a banana after his dinner so I could get his bath ready.  I knew he was tired but did not realize he was this tired. 

Snow Queen

This past weekend Anna Grace had an amazing opportunity to dance with Ballet Magnificat! in their production of the Snow Queen.  She loved every second of her time on stage, practice and being around the professional dancers.  She was a "woodland girl."  And after seeing the show three times and watching the three boys enjoy it once I have to say if you ever have an opportunity to see Ballet Magnificant's Snow Queen it will be well worth your time.

And a very special thanks to all of the family and friends who came to watch it with us and support her.  We loved being with you and it certainly made for an extra-special weekend for all.  I wish we had thought through it but they took the costume before she was able to leave back stage on Sunday so we missed half of the picture opportunities because we did not think to gather everyone beforehand on Sunday.

And the real shock of the weekend...Anna Grace announced on Sunday after the final performance that she no longer wants to be a chef and own a restaurant when she grows up (her only dream since she was 4).  She now wants to grow up and be a professional dancer for Ballet Magnificat!  She says it will be easier "than making the sign, building the building, planning the menu and cooking all of the food for a restaurant."  That is if she doesn't change her mind again - her words not mine.

More Snow Queen memories from the weekend

I don't believe I mentioned above that she enjoyed the hair and make-up portions of the weekend.  If I did I lied because she was not a fan.  However by Sunday I realized that if she did not look at the mirror she did not make such faces and squeal as much.  She also promised me that when the "colorful angels" (I don't know their real names; that is what she called them) finished her make-up she was well behaved, pleasant and gracious.  Huh, I wonder what that was like?

After Saturday Evening's Show

Before Sunday's Matinee

Don't let the boys fool you.  You can see Caleb and Hudson enjoying it.  Dean was in Big Daddy's lap at the other end so you can't see him but they were captivated from the beginning.  Hudson did take a brief nap in the 2nd half but he was up for the end.  They did not want to miss the "bad guys."

 

One final picture to complete the experience for Anna Grace

Anna Grace and the Snow Queen (Kathy Thibodeaux) herself

It must be hard carrying such a load and being such a star!
(I love how Dean is patiently waiting for her in the background.)

Bowling with Juju

We went bowling on Thursday for Mom's birthday.  Fun times.

The boy's took it to a new level today

Anna Grace was playing with barbies on our bed after lunch.  Caleb wanted her to play with him.  She said no.

So....Caleb said,  "Jesus wants you to play with people."  Anna Grace said nothing.  So... Dean chimed in (from the other end of the house), "Yeah, and Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ so you need to listen to him."

My response (knowing there was no way I could top the boys): "Wow!  Anna Grace, what are you going to say to that?!?"