Callie turns 5!

I've been awful about blogging, but I really hope to keep it up at least every year around the girls' birthdays. Sadly, somehow, I never got to Callie's last year. But, Callie has kept us so entertained and even more so as she gets older. Callie turned 5 this year and I am having a much harder time with this than when Felicity turned 5 and was going into Kindergarten. Callie seems so much younger and ill prepared to me, but I think it's just because she's my baby and my youngest and it shows how much time flies!


This past year Callie:

• got glasses - after slipping and cutting open her chin numerous times (3 initial and a few slip ups after), we finally got her eyes tested and she has two astigmatisms and needed glasses - unsure if that's what has ceased the falls, but we'll take it! And, she is so cute in them! And, she took them like a champ and got used to them pretty quickly! 
• got stitches her first time after falling down a slide, splitting open her chin of course, at Cubbies in October (I think). Who knows what really happened (her stories and "forgetfulness" often keep us on our toes), but when we finally got in there, she cried until she HAD to stop and she stopped and allowed the dr to stitch her up; she was a champ - so impressed by her!! 
• has come up with the funniest stories and said the cutest things. She is constantly entertaining us with her random thoughts; I like to call them "Callie-isms". I'm trying to post stuff on Facebook at times so I can eventually print them all. Sometimes I think she isn't learning as much but then she will randomly use her knowledge to tell us a funny story. She is cracking us up all the time and I cannot thank God enough for bringing this silly, bright, comical, cute, goofy, beautiful girl into our lives!
• has made many friends at school; Gigi being her "BFF"; although, they butt heads quite a bit, but they are pretty cute together! They both will be at Westlake next year, so that will be interesting!
• is almost done with her two years of preschool with Teacher Michelle at Tendercare Preschool. It's sad to think we'll be done there in just a couple months. Both Felicity and Callie have loved going there and our family is so grateful for Michelle and her family for running such a great, close knit, loving preschool where our girls have just blossomed into amazing little girls! 
• has done about 8 months of ballet and is so cute at it! She seems to go back and forth about whether she wants to continue it, but it's so apparent that she loves to entertain and make people happy! She's pretty good at it and it is so fun being able to see her perform. Sadly, we'll miss the first recital due to Gramma Sherry's wedding, but she'll get to perform this Summer at the fair. 
• LOVES visiting Westlake and cannot wait to start Kindergarten. All of Felicity's friends are her friends; she wants to always be involved and hug (and sometimes even a kiss...oh my!) anyone who seems willing to take one. She is truly a people person and although sometimes that means she may compromise the character we're praying God is developing in her, she just wants to connect and have people enjoy her as much as she enjoys them. I pray that God will use this special and sacred characteristic to His glory as she grows!!
• has learned all of her letters, can count to at least 30, is drawing much better, is loving to color and staying in the lines quite well, likes to ask math questions all the time (like "what is 1+3+40+5....") which shows me that she is ready to learn what she will in kindergarten
• loves to dress up; every day she asks if she can wear a dress ;)
• loves to laugh and hug and snuggle...and we love that about her!!
• is enjoying looking at a book and making up the story to go with, or trying to remember the story and tells it to us while showing us the pictures in the book; it is so cute! And, again, it shows us she seems more ready for kindergarten than I expected
• at her 5 yr check up, she was 43 lbs and 3'9" tall; she is about 75% for height consistently and 91% for height which is a bit lower than it used to be. We love these tall girls of ours!
• says she wants to be a "hair doer" just like her sister when she grows up
• she also wants to be a mom, wants to still marry Jack Woods (our friends, Gina & Patrick, son who is a year older than her); she even goes as far as knowing her last name when she is an adult will be "Woods" - again, she cracks us up! Who knows what her future holds, but I wouldn't be surprised if this actually happens!
• loves to pray - this is by far the attribute of Callie that I am challenged by and love most - she doesn't necessarily want to pray herself so much (not as much as she used to) but she remembers and wants to every day (especially at night before bed). She really has a heart for those who are sick or need healing; it's so sweet when she asks to consistently pray for someone she knows needs it, like our sweet Nancy Dutton who's been battling cancer in her brain this year. This is something that has been so true to her character for the last 3 years; what a prayer warrior she is! I cannot wait til she truly gives her life to Christ and steps up for what she believes. In the meantime, she seems to love God and asks great questions! She is inquisitive and although she seems to want to claim Christ as her savior, I think she still wants some more time to grasp His greatness; but, her faith is unreal sometimes - love this!!

Callie - sweet Callie! Thank you for being such a fun loving and giving girl. We are constantly impressed by how much you give in to your sister's bossiness (which means you just let things go), you are quick to forgive, you love with all your heart and make us smile - even when you are misbehaving! You are who you are no matter what - your true funny, loving, kind and spunky self shows within minutes of others meeting you. Your snuggles are unending and I will forever welcome them with open arms! I am sorry if I ever squash your spirit, I want to so badly be the mom God wants me to be for you. I know that I can often be sidetracked by trying to help you learn good behavior and instill godly qualities that I can have too high of and unrealistic expectations, but know that you are such a sweet spirit and God has blessed us more than I could ever imagine with you in our lives! I see greatness in you and pray that God would guide your spirit daily to be who HE wants you to be; that you would come to love and trust Him with your life like you trust Him for others. Thank you for giving us so much laughter this year! 

Happy 5th Birthday sweet girl!
Love,

Mommy

My baby is 6!

Where does the time go? How is it that this precious baby girl who came into this world on her own time and in her own fashion is now a whopping 6 years old?! This is big to me because I remember being 6...seriously, I remember alot! So, Felicity, I'm sorry that from now on you WILL remember...I can no longer hope that you won't remember certain instances ;)

This year Felicity:
- started Kindergarten (Ms. Ueltzen) and LOVES it
- her best friend is Molly (from preschool)
- finished her first (and possibly last) season of soccer. So proud of her...she was not too fond of it but completed the entire season without much whining. She was on The Geckos and it was a fabulous team!
- started Daisies (girl scouts) with mommy as one of her leaders...this has been challenging but a fun thing for us to do together! Felicity ROCKED selling cookies this year - over 200!!
- got a pink guitar from Ma & Pa, and a big 2 wheel bike from mimi & papa...which may need training wheels for bit ;)
- is learning to read so well; Felicity picks up things very quickly; such a gifted girl :)
- learning addition and subtraction
- writing upper and lower case letters fairly well...this is the only thing we are told needs some practice, letter and line spacing
- has lost 4 bottom teeth...and is anxiously awaiting those top ones to fall out!
- is in a girls size MEDIUM (7/8)- what?!
- is 4'1.25" and weighs 57lbs...our little girl has never been little. She is still over 90th percentile for both.
- is becoming more hesitant and anxious about things but very calculated and analytical.
- is a JOY around everyone - thriving social interaction and loving others!
- is already on her 2nd book for Sparks (Awanas) - she flew through her first book.
- is learning to give much to God, starting to be more comfortable praying out loud, but definitely only when there is something on her mind she knows she should pray for.
- wants so badly to be able to do her own hair, pick out her own clothes, etc...and constantly refers to herself as "an 80's girl"...scary for me!
- really wants to own her own hair salon when she is older - "Callie will do skin & nails, daddy will sweep the floors, mommy will work the front desk and I will do hair and nails"...this has been her dream for quite some time.
- still loves to play dress up, sing & dance, and look at herself in the mirror...sometimes Daddy even has to turn the mirror around ;)

Felicity - you are such a delight! Your zest for life and love are encouraging and challenging to us. You always want to see people smile and feel important. You love playing with others, even your sister, especially if she is "playing baby". Your questions and interest are so calculated and specific. I love seeing how excited and intrigued you are by certain topics, like ocean life right now. Your comprehension of heaven, God's love and the Holy Spirit are always displayed in songs you make up and I could listen to you sing those songs all day long. Daily I'm in awe of how smart you are. God has something so special planned for you! I love watching you try to figure it out each day :) Daddy & I are so blessed to call you daughter. I love watching you grow, but I wish that you did not want to do it so quickly :(
Happy 6th Birthday Felicity Kay Clark!
Love,
Mommy

A lesson again...

My last post was about how faithful Callie has been praying for others. Bill, who had an aneurysm a couple months ago, was most likely not going to go back to his normal way of life - living in his house by himself, completely independent. This did not seem like a reality to his family or doctors. Everyday for at least over a month Callie thanked God for him and prayed that he would get better. We kept hearing he was improving and that most likely he would move in with family so they could take care of him as he had what seemed to be brain damage. Then all of a sudden one day we heard he was fine and on his way home...to his own home to be back by himself, once his family helped him settle back in. Callie heard this and was so happy! She got to see Bill one day shortly after he'd been home (he lives across the street from my parents) and she ran up to him and gave him a hug. Now I have to tell you that she is not usually that brave running up to men (who she does not know that well) much less throwing her arms around him. But, she sure did that day! And he told her how much it meant to him that she had remembered to pray for him every day...now if that isn't a true happy ending, I don't know what is :)

A lesson in prayer from a 3 yr old

Callie is so good at remembering to pray for people who are sick or in need. Over a month ago, my parents neighbor (Bill) had a brain aneurysm. They explained it to her that he was bleeding in his brain and was in the hospital so the doctors could fix it. For the next couple days she would tell people about "Bill bleeding in his head" and would pray for him, or ask someone else to, every time we prayed (whether it was at lunch, dinner or at bedtime). A few days later our nephew Taylor had a slight dirt biking accident and hurt his leg. As soon as we told her, she asked to pray for him that night. So literally every night at dinner (which is really the only time the girls are comfortable praying out loud), Callie says "Dear God, thank you for this food, thank you for Biww and Taywor". At first, I thought maybe she would want to pray that they get better, heal, etc. but she always just thanked God for them. Then, I realized how appropriate that is. God doesn't promise us any amount of days in this life, He knows His plans and how they will follow out. All we know is that we should be thankful for each day we have. And although Callie maybe does not realize what she is exactly praying, I think it's neat how she knows just to be thankful that they are here for today and that when we pray, we don't always need to 'ask' for something or someone but to be praising God just because.

Then the other day Madeleine got sick and went to the hospital with bacterial pneumonia. I told Callie that night at dinner, in case she wanted to pray for her too. That night her prayer was this, "Dear God, thank you for this food, thank for Biww (l's are w's right now), Taywor, and Ms. Madeweine - Grammy, Katie Sue's grammy. Amen" Joe & I were grinning ear to ear as we watched Callie praying for those she knew who were sick and in need, and as she sat there explaining to God her relation to them. So cute that she felt the need to explain to God that Madeleine is Katie Sue's grammy and not her's. In the midst of this wonderful 3 yr old stage ;), she is such a sweet spirit and so sensitive to many many things! And it has been almost a month now that she continues EVERY day to pray for Bill & Taylor, and now Ms. Madeleine too. I'm thinking we could all learn a lesson or two from Callie's faithful prayers :)

We'll save the fact that she does not want to go to heaven for another time...she is not ready to leave here and be away from everyone she knows :)

Our short time here

It was about 4 months ago I went to a memorial service for an 8 month old baby girl. This upcoming Saturday is another one for a 23 yr old young lady...and all of this to remind me of who our dad really is, especially when we have children of our own. That gal that passed away this week was due to a tragic accident - one minute she was counselor to a bunch of campers, next thing she takes a fall and her life is over...BUT, just her temporary life on earth is over, the rest of her life has just begun! This gal served our God more than most people I know - I remember her in junior high (I worked with the youth group she was in at the time)and her faith and boldness in Christ only grew from there. A bubbly, passionate, fun loving, sweet spirited young girl who greeted everyone with a smile. If ever there a young girl who beamed with the love of Christ, it was her - there was no getting around it! (http://www.ilasting.com/nadyneqirreh.php) So, as sad as it is for her family & friends to see her go, she is in the one place she knew she was meant for! I can guarantee she was welcomed into heaven with a "Well done my good faithful servant!" How well do I spend my time here like she did? It is a very challenging place to find myself in - do I take every opportunity I'm given to share the love that is in my life? And, how well do I share it with my own children, who God has entrusted me to raise FOR HIM?

This week I have heard the song, "Blessings" by Laura Story multiple times. It brings me tears each time. So I decided to look up the lyrics since I was not completely sure of each word. Wow - a powerful song to say the least. Reading it brings on the tears ever more so. I want to share the words as it brings much thought and conviction to how we respond to the good, the bad and the ugly; how God is really in control and can bring purpose to every event. We may not always know reasoning behind a tragic event, but He does. And, He sees what happens days, weeks, and even years after these events. Our faith is in Him, not in knowing the "why's" of this life.

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace. Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.
We pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering. All the while You hear each spoken need. Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops. What if Your healing comes through tears?What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near? What if trials of this life Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear. We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near. We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love. As if every promise from Your Word is not enough. And all the while You hear each desperate plea, And long that we'd have faith to believe.

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win, We know that pain reminds this heart That this is not, this is not our home. It's not our home

What if my greatest disappointments Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst This world can't satisfy?
And what if trials of this life, The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise?

The Simple Things

It is July 7...Joe has been gone since June 30th...and will be back on July 16th...let me just say it is the simple things you learn to appreciate and miss!

The simple things I am appreciating while Joe is gone:

- Callie getting up too early in the morning, crawling in bed with me and rubbing my arm until she falls back to sleep.
- Felicity coming up to me at a random moment, hugs my leg and says "love ya".
- Callie, sometimes when she senses my frustration or irritability, looking at me and saying "mommy, I still wuv you"
- Rocking out as loud as we can to Miley Cyrus "Party in the USA" and Justin Beiber's "Baby" in the car
- Praying every night with the girls for daddy, aimee & the team in Papua New Guinea
- Just hearing Callie being so proud of herself when she says "my daddy is in Papua New Guinea" - literally, she is beaming when she tells people, all kinds of random people ;)
- Looking at the girls in the rearview mirror as they are peacefully asleep in their carseats as we're driving home later than we should be...again (trying to keep ourselves busy these days)
- Falling asleep every night after reading a great devotion and praying for Joe.
- Feeling connected to the other wives who have husbands in PNG thru Facebook...and knowing they are feeling the same emotions I am.
- Listening to the girls play barbies in their room, happily, together
- Listening to the girls play barbies in their room, unhappily, slamming doors at each other, not together

The simple things I am missing while Joe is gone:

- Hearing "I love you" over and over throughout the day.
- Listening to him snore wile I, SLOWLY, fall asleep next to him.
- Watching, or listening, to him play with the girls in the front room.
- Getting a hug & kiss when he walks in the door.
- Seeing the girls' faces light up when their daddy walks in the door.
- standing outside the girls' doors listening to Joe pray with them before bed, or telling them a "hurt story"
- Going to church together.
- Driving together.
- Snuggling on the couch while watching a bad movie with popcorn & wine.
- Snuggling...period!


I am so proud of Joe for what he is doing! I know it is not easy, it is extremely hard work! But, it is what God has called of him. I get so excited for him thinking of the opportunities God is presenting before him. This is something I have experienced and Joe always wished he could have. Now is his time. I know God is using him in mighty ways to further His kingdom and that is priceless! I miss him more than I thought I would, more than words can express. However, in that sadness and lonliness, I feel God's sense of peace and reassurance that His plan is best, that His ways should be our ways, that following His path is not always easy BUT it is always rewarding!

This is where God died...says Callie

Callie tonight was amazing us! At one point she was walking a bottle down the hall for me to put a way, it was lotion. She turns to Joe & I as she was walking away and says "this is where God died"...Joe & I look at each other a little puzzled and say "what did you say?" "This is where God died" pointing t othe bottle where there is a cross on it...totally caught us off guard! She is so intuitive sometimes. Kids catch or see things that we as adults are SO oblivious to! "Yes, Callie, Jesus did die on a cross, just not that one" I finally responded to her. "ok" she says and walks off.

Then later Joe was putting her to bed and she was cracking him up with her questions. She started talking about heaven somehow (not that I know exactly because I'm writing what he wouldn't ;) so I'm trying to remember what he said). She asked how we get there, do we drive or walk. They continued talking and she asked how long we stay, and he replied forever. She said "but I will miss my fwiends, wike pam". Pam, my girlfriend who was over for dinner. she kept asking him all kinds of questions about heaven. It is so neat to see her mind spinning on these things. I love how at times everything is so simple to them. It's pretty black and white. Then at other times, not so much ;)

She also asked tonight "how the baby got in the belly". My other friend Jenny was over who is about 9 months pregnant. Callie was feeling the baby move around; it was really cute to watch how quiet and excited she was. She is SO animated! She had asked Jenny that question, to which she said "Hmmm...let's ask mommy this one" so Callie turns to me and asks how the baby got in there. I said "God put her in there" and she said "but HOW?"...oh boy, these ones are a little harder to answer ;)

My baby Callie is no longer a baby. She is becoming so inquisitive and insightful - I love it! Such a sweet, sweet girl!!