It's been a while since I've done a Clark-ive. Three reasons... 

1. I am a slacker
2. I have one about the band history- very amusing with pictures and all, but requiring quite a bit of research and scanning and such. (See #1)
3. We're getting to the part of my life that sucked. I'm fine writing about it, but it's a little gloomy...
   

So, I will get to it eventually. It's not like I have a low workload right now... Today we went to the post office and the bank and then Brynn threw up in the car. These are the days of our lives.

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I toyed with the idea this morning of moving back to Texas, like in a few weeks, just me and the kids. I mean, we're probably moving back in January anyway, and my baby-daddy will be gone a lot of the remaining year... but ultimately, it was a stupid plan, and highly expensive. 

Speaking of highly expensive stupid plans, we just dodged a bullet on this stooooopid bailout plan. Thank You, Jesus for giving a few Republicans some sense. 

And now, since I stayed up past midnight watching Princess Diaries and am suffering from a brain-strike, I will once again, post a cute video.

I have online friends whose husbands are military... and they go overseas for months or a year at a time, and these superwomen just go right ahead with 3 kids.... proving to me that I am, in fact, a wuss.

I mean, look at the prairie women! (You can't actually look at them, they have long since died from children. I just mean, reflect on them) These babes would ride across the country in wagons, and walking and such, burning pianos and burying people (usually husbands, if Janette Oke is on to something) and then they'd finally make it to the Promise Land, where they would live in houses made out of dirt. And they would have baby after baby after baby and get out there and milk the cow and churn the butter and slap grizzly bears on the nose and just truck on until they kicked the bucket at 35 from exhaustion, or loco-weed. Point is, I am a wuss.

It was a tough weekend. I had planned some out-of-the-house activities so R2 wouldn't get stressed... (he hates staying home) We can't actually play in our yard, since the chiggers have taken completely over and want to destroy us. So we went to Wal-Mart. My kids like Wal-Mart, and it's a good thing. We're mostly broke, and anyway we don't need many groceries... so we just wandered 'round, looking at shoes and various items. 

After WM, we hit "Old McDonalds have a farm" for about 4 dollars worth of cheeseburgers. Fun was had by Toby and Brynn, and occasionally by R2. 

Then it was home for naps and screaming and hitting and driving over each other with the car and finding any basket or box of items (shoes, blankets, towels, toys) and emptying them and then smashing each other some more. All of which I can totally handle. I ignore a lot. I deal with direct acts of violence or bone-threatening activities. 

Sunday was a lot harder. For some reason, I got hit very hard with loneliness and homesick-ness. Then R2 woke up on the wrong side of the bed and screamed all day long. Toby and Bean just did what they always do, but with the other elements, it was a little overwhelming. Hard, hard day. 

Today I woke up and R2 and I were both very excited about the schoolbus. He was very happy as we sat on the porch and waited, and then he rode away... and man! these babies are easy by themself.  I never want to sound ungrateful for R2. He's just going through a difficult phase and it's nice to have a break from that.

 7 days to go, unless it becomes 14 days...

and a little cuteness from the "new" car they found in the garage...

First things first... got a dollar? $5? $1000? Please donate something to this family! The Bohlenders

Randy and Kelsey are front-line in the adoption movement. Last week they flew to Florida and adopted twins with less than one day's notice. They saw a crisis situation and they intervened. You might not know this, but adoption costs lots and lots of money. It needs to be reformed, but currently you could easily pay $25,000 for an adoption. Randy and Kelsey have to raise about $15,000 to pay for the twins' adoption, so please give. I know you don't know them, but I do and they are worth it. So go over to Randy's site and donate, even if it's just a little bit. And let me know because it will make me so happy!

Hopefully next year I'll be hitting you up for my own adoption expenses! :)

And now, a family update. The MOG is still in San Diego, considering staying longer. Honestly, it's not that much of a sacrifice to send him because I know history is shaped by the intercessor. (not my words)
R2 is digging school, pretty disgruntled about home. Weekends are hard to explain to him.


Toby is on 150% all the time. Yesterday he found a triangular brown piece of plastic and was holding it to his chin like a goatee. "Look, I Daddy!" he says.... awesome



and Bean is trying to walk and eating as much as possible and just being adorable in general.


And I am enjoying my babies and RELISHING the couple of hours after they go to sleep... last night I OD'd on chocolate donuts and Everybody Loves Raymond... had to be done.

Oh, and I stand corrected... the wheels on the bus evidently go "Beep".

Today is September 25th. In a perfect world, my twin sons would turn 4 today. 

Like a lot of moms who have lost children, I keep a mental calendar. When I see 4 year olds at the park, I am thinking about my sons. I have a good idea what they would have looked like... I actually keep 2 calendars... one, if they had lived when they were born. Then, they would be 4 1/2 and probably have significant special needs... worse than R2, likely. The other one is my favorite. Today would be my due date... and if they had been born on time, they would be 4 and healthy.

Instead, they are ageless and perfect. It works out great for them... 

When I get to heaven, they might be full grown men. I used to rage against that idea.. I want to see their first steps! I want to hold babies! But over the years, as my heart-memory of them changes to 3 year olds, 4 year olds... I realize it will be okay to see them the age my mind has calculated.

Anyway, I know some might consider this a real downer of a post. I'm just letting you in on what September 25th means to me, every year.

It is amazingly quiet in here. Yesterday around this time, Leah came to visit with her kids. Her 2 year old (3 in a few days) and my 2 year old are VERY excited playmates. So we had a 5 year old, 2 2 year olds, and a 1 year old that were giddy with excitement to see each other. It was very noisy. 

When R2 got home from school, he tried really hard to hang out, but ended getting overstimulated and losing it. Kinda saw it coming. I think he was very relieved to go to school today. :)

So we only had 24 hours to hang out and limited funds... we stayed up late talking and today we hit the best thrift store ever and McDonald's. It was very, very fun and I was so glad to get to see my sister, even if just for one day! I'm stoked about living in the same state as her again someday....

So they took off for home, eventually and I put Toby and Bean down for naps. Now I'm just soaking in the silence until the crumb-crunchers wake up and demand food...

R2 is riding the bus home today. It will be his first bus ride ever... I think he'll be excited. Pictures definitely to come! Ah, nuts.. forgot about early release! The bus just dropped him off and I didn't have my camera! Well, tomorrow is another day.

Prayer request from Josh: Meredith stuck at 7 cm ALL NIGHT. At hospital now. Asked everyone to pray for progression & safe baby.


This morning we all went to school... We dropped R2 off at his class and then went off to meet with the autism specialist. R2 was kinda concerned about Brynn and Toby being in his classroom, so we cleared out pretty quick. I had warned Elly about the likelihood of widespread toddler destruction, so she brought in a box of toys. Not very good toys, but different, so they were a hit. 

Toby put together a Mr. Potato Head (also known as "Buzz an Woody, mama!") It was pretty fascinating to watch him put ears on the mouth and stuff... he made some very interesting potatoes. 

We filled out a lot of paperwork.. today was what's called a social history, which is basically a verbal interview with me. I discussed his medical history, and what I consider his current skills, and what goals I have for the future. 

The thing is, the last couple of years, I have just been going day-to-day. My goals have been things like, I wish he would quit making that sound, or learn to put on his own shoes. Today, when she asked, the first thing that came to my mind was, "Independence." 

I want him to be able to do by himself. Not live alone, necessarily, but maybe have a job... I almost started crying when I talked about him maybe learning to read. I didn't realize that was so important to me. I feel like we've made progress this last 3 weeks... I have new hope for R2. 

A vid from when the Babes were in town...

It is now 11:45 on Monday morning. My husband has a 2:40 flight to San Diego. The airport is one hour away. 

Has he begun packing? Packed guitars and such? Showered? Uh. No. 

Has he sung at the top of his lungs into his microphone, into his new effects unit, for half an hour? Uh. Yes. 

So the current plan is leave for the airport by 12:30, stop for fast food and a run-in trip to Old Navy, and then to the planes. We shall see. 

Would I say that my lunch is threatened? Yes. I would say that.

In other news, my sister is coming to see me tomorrow and that will be SO FUN! 

Oh, and Daniel got here last night... after driving all day. He technically lives here now, although he will unpack his suitcase in San Diego, and stay there for 2 weeks, then he will actually move in. It's amazing how little possessions a single guy travels with. Clothes? Check. Twin mattress? Check. Oversized wall clock? Check. Multiple guitar amps? Check. Good to go.

And do not forget to check out my picture blog! New cuteness abounds!!

Late breaking update: he just requested that I pack some essentials for him. 11:58

Later breaking: toilet overflows, flooding bathroom 12:00

Update: posted new pix over here




So the BB's are off, on their way to Texas. Well, after a brief detour toward Iowa. Okay, now they are on their way. It was a great week, except for that whole hurricane thing. We thoroughly enjoyed them and got very spoiled with meals and gifts like fancy shampoo and conditioner... wahoo!

Oh, and I have edited my hair.


In other news, some friends of ours just adopted twins... in a crazy, God-journey of ONE day! Read about it here. I am feeling so stirred toward adoption and I wish it was soon... but I guess we have to know what state we live in first...

Okay, so it's been a crazy week and next week the MOG will be traveling so I will be solo-parenting. But I plan on doing some good blogging, too. Peace out.

Daniel is on his way to KC this weekend... to move in to the basement for a few hours before he and the MOG fly off to San Diego for ministry. Then he'll move in for reals once they get back.

It's a new chapter, and I am excited about having people in our life again.

I buzzed R2's hair a couple of days ago. Another rite of motherhood passed. He looks cute... and fuzzy.

I don't really have any heart to post knowing what everyone is going through in Texas... so please, if you know of people who have lost homes or are in need, share info here so we can help each other.