God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood

Thankful Tuesday: Just for Today

Ah... I should have taken a pic. of Mr. Clark today at lunch.

His face was covered in Black Coke (like coal dust)

I laughed out loud.

He ran in and washed it! He is having a productive day at work.

It feels NORMAL. Oh JUST FOR TODAY...

We are focusing on TODAY.

The dishes are done, the laundry is done, the bathrooms are scrubbed, the floors are mopped. Bedspread hung out to dry. Mmmm love the smell of the fresh air linen.

The outside of the fridge still has those cutie cake finger prints on it.

I can't bare to wash them off!

I made Homemade noodles with chicken, because Mr. Clark has been eating nothing but salads and needed a hearty meal he could enjoy.

I ran errands and paid bills (ewww),

filled out forms for the Endo. Doct. on Wednesday.

And visited with my friend. Kissed on her sweet kids!

Little S giggled and yacked up a storm.

They took their gold fish we were tending home :(

Just for today it feels normal.

I love day's like these.

Productive and our normal.

I am not thinking about anything else JUST FOR TODAY.

So THANKFUL to focus just on this day.

Change

The kiddo's are all gone home.

My what a difference they make in our lives.

Mr. Clark says, "let's not talk about them being gone"

My morning routine and Monday of a new week,

a new chapter

is about to begin.

As I lay in bed after my morning scripture reading,

I pondered our lives path

Yes, life changed when Mr. Clark lost his eye sight.

Things were OK and we adjusted.

Normal began after the miracle that he could see again.

Sending him off to work again.

Just to watch him lace his work boots and drive to work is a marvel.

Doing the daily chores

A few trips to the store

even a little jaunt to J.C. Penney's

by myself.

It seems normal.

On Friday

We found out our lives will change again.

And after the tears.

And support of Family and Friends.

research and answered questions.

Dialysis

Mr. Clark is deep in thought.

Sad, and Concerned.

I'm trying to imagine how he feels.

We stare into each others eyes.

Trying to convey deep love for each other.

And we will have a new normal.

We will remain steadfast

Holding on to our Beliefs

And holding on to Faith.

God is mindful of our trials.

He will help us through our suffering.

We wouldn't want to go through this alone.

Treasuring the good moments.

Relying on Prayer, much Prayer

We our grateful for the miracle of Modern Technology

Often thinking about those who have went through the same experience.

To gain Strength.

It feels like we are living on borrowed time.

Isn't that life?

We will remain optimistic that he will feel good again.

We will adjust to Change

and make this time

valuable.

Continuing to see the sunshine in each new day.

IT WILL BE OK :)

Thankful Thursday: Treasured Moments

The Cutie Cakes! Oh have we ever had FUN!

Thankful Tuesday: To be surrounded by those we love!

Our Fathers Day SURPRISE!

WHILE WE WERE AT THE KANSAS CITY AIRPORT PICKING UP OUR SON...

DANIELLE AND TYREL SECRETLY DROVE 14 HOURS TO SPEND FATHERS DAY WITH US!

They ever so quietly snuck in the house, walked into our bedroom where Mr. Clark was reclining and watching TV and said, "Hey, what ya watchin'?" Mr. Clark nearly flew out of his chair!! YES IT WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE!

So we spent Fathers Day-- Playing Cards, Grilling, after Church of Coarse!

Father and Sons working on Rotissery Chicken

Terrence, Tyrel and Laura just soaking up the conversation!

Tyrel Lovin' on Dad!

The girls picking on Tyrel and Pappa Clark!

Oh did we ever have a GREAT DAY!

THANKYOU TYREL AND DANIELLE FOR THE SURPRISE

THANKYOU TERRENCE AND LAURA FOR BEING HERE!

And We were Sad to be without our Daughter but she will be coming SOON!

Thankful Tuesday: For Fathers

This particular Fathers Day is one of deep GRATITUDE. Looking back on this passed year we have often reflected that things could be so different in our lives. A few months ago the Doctors reminded our son Terrence, how lucky he is to be alive. Being electrocuted back in Oct. could have easily killed him. We are reminded and thankful everyday that he still has a purpose here on earth or right now. Words cannot express our emotions for this blessing. Terrence is an amazing Father to his children. We feel blessed that he is here to enjoy his famiy. We hope for even more grandchildren:) He loves his family. It is evident in the time he has had away from them while his wife and girls have been here visiting us. It is evident in the way the girls miss their Daddy. Everyday Maddie Cake says, "can we go to the airport today to pick up my Daddy" Or when they are tired or hurt and cry out for him. They are his little angles. They love to fish, camp, and play with their Daddy. We love him so much for the son he is and the husband and Father he is in the lives of his little family. Three months ago a change came in Mr. Clark's health. Not only are we grateful for the miracle of sight God has given him but also for some of the feelings we experience that make us grateful for LIFE. Also, in Mr. Clark's struggles, in a small way he is more compassionate to what Our son is feeling because of his limitations. The gratitude I am feeling is that I have a husband beside me. I know that we should all appreciate and treasure every second we all have with our loved ones. I have recognized more and more things that I have taken for granted. One of them being the advice and counsel a Father offers to their children. He treasures the phone calls from his kids asking for advice. I know this is one things that I would really struggle with if something happened to my sweetheart. He is the Patriarch of our home and it is a power that I wouldn't want to live without. I have to say that there was also 2 times when our son Tyrel life was spared. Once at two years of age when he nearly drowned. Another time when he rolled a truck. We are so grateful that he also we be a future FATHER. We know we could be going through times of missing the fun he has been through out his life. I am Thankful for my own Father. I treasure being 'Daddy's girl" Thankful for Mr. Clark's Father who continues to be our only Father on earth. He has been there for us through thick and thin. Thankful to the Founding Fathers of our Country, For all those Fathers who have left a legacy of greatness. THANKFUL FOR EVERYDAY THAT FOR THE FATHERS THAT HAVE GONE BEFORE AND THOSE THAT IN OUR LIVES.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

WE LOVE YOU!

There's a party goin' on!

Go Fish!

Trading Flipflops with S (Maddies new friend)

Chutes and Ladders

Kylie Crashing

Kylie and Maddie at Grammy's House Water Park Fun

Making New Friends

We are having great fun at our house. And still another 2 weeks! Can't wait for SATURDAY when we will go to KANSAS CITY to pick up our Son at the airport then we'll be doing some serious FISHING!

Off to the races!

It's a celebration! Mr. Clark is off to the races! He is driving today! Praise the Lord :)

He worked a full day today! Drove in to the Refinery, First time in 3 months! We are so blessed to have the employers we have! Now its on to keeping him HEALTHY!

Thankful Tuesday! Two precious little Girls

Fun at Grammy's - The girls helping mow the lawn. Maddie Cake loves Grammies bathroom and stool (she says stole, it's so cute) And Pappa Clark always teasing them. On the tunnel walk.--Awe, took all of these pics without realizing my camera wasn't on auto :(

Water Fun

Zoo Fun/ Feeding the ducks Fun

Lovin' on our CUTIE CAKES!

GUESS WHO'S AT MY HOUSE!!! YEP, We are a lovin' on the grand daughters! Here for 3 weeks! pics soon!

May You Have Enough ( this one's for 'B') XO

SPECS...

Well the day finally arrived. We were able to go to the Optometrist to see if the Doc. could get a prescription to help Mr. Clark see better. And YES, minimal for long distance but substantial for reading. BIG NEWS. We are still anticipating him to improve enough to drive. So we still have much work to do. Step by step we will get there. OH HAPPY DAY, and we need more HAPPY DAYS LATELY... HU! YAY we are celebrating!

He'll Carry You by Hillary Weeks

A devastating accident took a friend/teacher. Happened on Memorial Day. Take Comfort in this message. Prayers are with their family and relatives and all those that helped in his rescue. It will take longer than usual to heal from this tragedy. Hang on, "He will carry you"

Wow, over 2000 f/b people responded in his honor. In a small community. Think of all those that don't have f/b. that will remember him. In memory of Coach Gardner. He has left a lasting impact in so many lives.

We will remember the Sunday lessons (I don't remember to many other teachers in Cleveland.)An awesome *home teacher, A great example of a person that lived like Jesus would. His service and kindness. His love for the Gospel. He made a difference in our town, community, in our lives with his zeal for life and smile. One of the best School teachers/ Social Dance teacher in the lives of our kids. He knew how to create fun!

GOD BE WITH YOU 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN when you will say again, "top of the mornin' to ya"