Hudson's Wedding Letter to Alex

Several people mentioned to me that they could not hear Hudson when he read his letter to Alex Saturday at the wedding reception.  I've decided to resurrect the blog and add it here.


Dear Alex,

You have always been a special brother to me.  From the time I was a little baby and you carried me around like a football we have been best buddies.

I remember how you helped me play sports like basketball, football and soccer.  When I was really little you helped me get dressed and got me food.  I like eating pizza with you.

You used to take me places like the park and push me really high on the swings.  When I was running away from home you chased me and brought me home.  When your friends came over you let me play with you.  


When we got in our car accident you kept me safe and got me out of the van before calling the ambulance.  I know that you prayed a lot for me to get better.  You came to see me in the hospital.  We took a nap together.  


Even though you didn't choose me to be your best man, I still love you.  I'm going to miss you when you go to live with Moriah.  I hope you will let me stay sometimes. 

Be happy with Moriah and have a good life.  I love you BOTH!!!

Hudson Archer Clark

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Des Moines Regiser 1st Team All-State Football Selection

Chase has added another honor to his list of football accomplishments this year. Today The Des Moines Register announced their All-State Football team selections.  Chase was a 1st Team All-State Selection as running back.
 
He was also a Class A 1st Team All-District selection at running back, District Offensive MVP, Academic 1st Team All-District selection, and Player's Choice selection for Sportsmanship, Offensive MVP, and Overall MVP, and was selected as the Waterloo Courier's Prep of the Week in October.

Chase led Iowa's Class A football in rushing with 2,122 yards this season.  He ended the season being the 4th leading rusher in Iowa in 11-man football.

He set a new school record for single-season rushing yards, surpassing the record he set last year by over 700 yards.  He broke the school TD record, scoring 25 TD's this season (49 career).  He also set the season record for # of carries, and has unofficially set the school career rushing record with 3,950 yards.  He has led the G-R Rebels in rushing the past three seasons. 

Chase has worked incredibly hard for all of his accomplishments, and has maintained the top academic rank in his class as well.  The hours he spent in the weight room and running drills have given him the preparation needed to succeed on the field.  He has demonstrated a humble attitude throughout his success, and has been quick to point out that he is part of a team and without 11 men on the field, no one can succeed.  
 
We are proud of the honors Chase has received, but more than that, we are pleased with the manner in which he has received these accolades.  He remains humble, and not once have I had to wince on the sidelines as my son showboated on the field.  He demonstrated the self-control to simply walk away when provoked on the field, and generally just calmly handed the football to the referee after scoring a touchdown and then lined up for the next play.

Chase was a very intense kid when he was young.  He's always been super competitive, and those attributes served him well on the gridiron.  He doesn't do most things half-way, and doesn't like to settle for being second-best.  Just because he was the third Clark Boy wasn't going to mean that he wasn't going to strive to be the best.  All those years of rough-housing and wrestling in the living room paid off in tenaciousness as he hauled 3-4 potential tacklers down the football field before they brought him down.  All those backyard football games hauling his brothers and sisters around benefited him.  We have been known to set up obstacle courses around the acreage and have the boys carry the younger siblings on their backs as they executed the course.  It's kind of unconventional training, but it certainly didn't hurt anything.  


We are proud of Alex and his college soccer career.  Jackson is still working out with the Wartburg Knights football team as they continue in the postseason playoffs.  Bryce led the G-R JV football team in tackles this season, and Colton had a successful first season of middle school football.  We will likely continue to be unconventional as we continue to support our family in their extra-curricular pursuits.  After all, we're noticing a lot of similarities between Chase and Macklin.  Perhaps in 15 years he'll replace Chase's name with his own in the record books


Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

This verse, I feel, sums up Chase's football season.  He plays big and bold on the field.  

During the Rebel's State Playoff Quarterfinal game vs. defending state champions Wapsie Valley, Chase suffered a pulled hamstring in the third quarter, preventing him from carrying the ball throughout the rest of the game.  He was able to play a little bit of defense, but had to come to terms with watching the game from the sidelines.  It hurt my heart as a mom to see him struggle with that, and the "unfairness" of the situation after all of the hard work he had put in.  He finished the season 50 yards shy of his career goal of 4000 yards.  He spent many series on the sidelines throughout the season while the second team players took the field.  He could easily have surpassed that goal with a few more carries.  BUT, God knew before the season began that Chase would pull his hamstring, that the Rebels would not make it to the dome, that there would be disappointments.  Stats are just stats.  What matters is the way we handle the successes and disappointments that come our way, and I think Chase did a great job demonstrating Who is in control of his life, and where his blessings come from.  

 “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Matthew 3:17

We couldn't be more proud of the man Chase is becoming, and for the rest of our family who love and support each other in every aspect of their lives.

Thankful Thursday

After a very long absence, we're back!  Naomi, Hudson and Macklin are going to help me write today's Thankful Thursday post.

Naomi
I am thankful:
~that I get to eat apples.
~that I get to spend time with my family.

Hudson
I am thankful:
~Sunday is coming. I get to see my friends.
~for my friends and family.
~that we have a good time learning.

Macklin
I am thankful:
~Macklin.
~no.
~Hudson.
~Macklin.

Jodi
I am thankful:
~for the paint that is waiting to be used on my hallway.
~for my husband.
~for my family.
~that the laundry is just about done.

Gotta go!  My laptop battery is dying.  More to come later.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

~State Football Playoffs.  Our first playoff game is next Wednesday.
~my Friday Spaghetti Ladies. 
~Bryce.  He helps me.
~the beautiful weather we had Monday for Jackson's Sr. pics.
~Shannon.
~my parents for helping out with the kids.
~that Papa Joe is much improved.
~soccer season and the opportunity to see my children run and play.
~email.
~Jackson's abs.  How else could he do this?

 "There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

So Many Things...

This time of year we have so many different things going on.

Of course, it's FOOTBALL season.  Jackson and Chase play on Fridays.  Bryce plays on Mondays and Thursdays.  Colton plays on Sundays. Whatever day they're not playing, they're practicing.  I'm helping out with the Varsity Spaghetti Dinners each Friday afternoon.  The Rebels have qualified for the State Playoffs, and have one more district game this week before Playoffs begin on the 24th.  Jackson has had a short season due to knee surgery last month.  He only played in 3 games, but has done very well.  He had his first college recruiter come to his game last Friday night.  Chase has had a successful year.  He's within striking distance of the school record in rushing yards, despite a burst bursa sac in his right arm which has caused him some grief.  Bryce just played his last JV game last night.  His team won all but one game this season.  He will continue to practice with the Varsity team until the season ends.  Colton played his last game on Sunday at Wartburg College.  He did a great job as running back, too.

 It's also SOCCER season.  The girls are on separate teams this year, so we have different schedules and games for them.  They practice twice a week and play on Saturdays.  Colton also practices each week and plays on Saturdays. We will finish up games and practice within the next week.

Oh, and there's school, too.  The public school group seems to be enjoying it and they are all doing very well.  I miss my time with them, though.  My home schoolers are doing a great job this year, too.  Several people have asked me how the transition to public school has been.  I like to think of it in terms of childbirth.  I delivered two babies by c-section.  I delivered five babies naturally with no medications.  I delivered two babies with epidurals.  All of the babies were healthy, perfect little creations.  Same result, different means to the end.  The no-med deliveries, much like home schooling, is difficult and hard work, takes a lot of discipline and self-control, but is very rewarding.  My epidural deliveries, much like sending the kids to public school, is less painful, easier on the mom, a bit selfish, but still results in the desired outcome.  Clear as mud, right?

Sunday was Jackson's 18th birthday.  We celebrated with our friend Conrad.  He turned 21 on the 12th, and is an avid COD player.  The boys like to have COD marathons on the weekends and waste tons of time and miss out on their beauty sleep.  After Colton's football game and Naomi's soccer game, we finally got the opportunity to bake a cake.  It's not much for decoration, but it tasted good!  We took Jackson out for dinner Sunday evening for his birthday dinner.  We also did a quick shopping trip to get him some new clothes for his senior pictures, which he had taken on Monday.  It was a beautiful Fall day, and like Jackson says, how could they possibly turn out bad when he's in them?  I'll post some as soon as I get permission from our photographer to do so.

Alex and Moriah spent the day with us on Sunday.  Aren't they cute?  We enjoyed the time with them, and they were good sports about sitting out in the rain and cold through both Colton and Naomi's games.  It meant a lot to the littles for Alex to be there and see them play.  Alex continues to play soccer at Faith and will be competing in his conference tournament this week in Kansas City.   Regionals are next week north of Minneapolis, and if they continue on, nationals will be in Florida.  We've not been to as many of his games this year, but have still seen the majority of his home games. 

As our sports schedules wind down a bit, we've had the opportunity to get up on the roof and we are just about finished shingling.  Yesterday was a perfect day to be up there working.  I wish July and August had been so nice!

Yesterday was the anniversary of Alex and Hudson's car accident and subsequent air flight trip to Iowa City.  We continue to thank God for the blessings He has given us, and are thankful for the complete healing for both of our boys.   I read through the post regarding all that happened last year, and I am so humbled.  What a difference a year makes!

  

"The man's heart plans his ways, but the LORD directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

~my family.
~my DVR.
~pretty Fall leaves.
~football season.
~crisp Fall weather.
~Papa Joe being released from the hospital this weekend.
~bedtime.
~oatmeal for breakfast.
~the opportunity to do homework with Chase.
~children who wake themselves up for school in the mornings.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower.  The righteous run to it and are safe."  Proverbs 18:10

Gladbrook-Reinbeck rallies to beat Hudson, 29-21 - KWWL.com - News & Weather for Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Iowa |

Highlights of my boys from the local news channel.  Watch it now!

Gladbrook-Reinbeck rallies to beat Hudson, 29-21 - KWWL.com - News & Weather for Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Iowa |

Chase had two touchdowns and Jackson had one, plus a 2 pt conversion.  Of the 29 points the Rebels scored, 20 came from the Clark boys.

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so." Proverbs 3:27

Thankful Thursday...Part 2

While I was typing up the first Thankful Thursday of the day, Macklin was busy doing...this.

Who wouldn't be thankful for that?!?

I love him like crazy!

"My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me."  Proverbs 27:11

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful~

~that Naomi got a perfect score on her first spelling test of the school year.
~that my bathrooms are clean...and we're not even expecting company!
~for the breeze coming in through my windows.
~for football season.  Chase had a good game last week.  Jackson will likely get to play tomorrow night, too.  His knee is healing nicely and we expect great things from him this season.
~for our youth group.  I enjoy my time with them.
~that my big boys let me help them with their homework.
~that Colton and Katie are enjoying school...even after the first week!
~that I got the lawn (weeds) completely mowed last week. 
~for Shannon and how much he enjoys our children.
~for a healthy family.
~for the food we have to eat.
~that Alex has started soccer practice at FBBC and is able to stay with Shannon's sister and her family this semester.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."  Proverbs 27:1

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful...

~for my husband.  He's bringing home lunch.
~for my children.  They are quite helpful at cleaning up the messes they create.
~for my mop.  It's getting a workout today.
~for my Dyson.  It too has been busy.
~for Macklin.  Without him, who would I pull off the kitchen counters, wipe up after, and duct tape diapers to? Oh, and he's napping right now.
~for Bryce, Naomi and Hudson.  I can hear them cheerfully chatting in the other room.
~for my friends and family.
~for a good first day of school.
~for FOOTBALL!  The first game of the season is tomorrow.  We're anticipating great things from our boys.
~for cooler weather.  I love having my windows open!

Gotta go.  Macklin is awake.

"Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife."  Proverbs 17:1

First Day of School

Today was Jackson, Chase, Colton and Katie's first day of school.  We made the decision to send them to public school this year.  Bryce and Naomi opted to stay home with me.

Jackson is a senior

Chase is a junior

Colton is in 6th grade

Katie is in 3rd grade

Jack and Chase left home about 5:30AM so they could pick up a friend on the way and make it to the weight room by 6:00AM.  Yikes.  It was still dark.

Praying while waiting for the school bus.

 Colton and Katie get on the bus at 7:14AM.  They both ride the bus to Gladbrook, where Colton gets off, and then Katie and the other 3rd & 4th graders go to Reinbeck.

Happy to be home at the end of the day! 

 

 And a cake to celebrate their first day of public school.

Bryce, Naomi and I are not starting school until next week.  It has been such an ordeal getting the others scheduled for classes that I haven't spent any time getting their classes ready.  It's not going to be too difficult.  I have all of the curriculum I need.  

Hudson and Macklin are going to hang out while we do school.  Macklin is in a rather challenging stage of life, so pray for us!  

"A wise son makes a glad father," Provers 10:1

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful ~

that summer is here.
that Colton has the opportunity to go to IRBC for Jr. Boys Camp.
that my family is healthy (give or take a rash or two).
that I have a new washer that works every time I start a load.
that my big boys are able to work and earn some money for themselves.
for microwave chicken nuggets.
for Alex's job.
for summer passes at the swimming pool.
for my bible.
that we've discovered the Comet Trail.
that Shannon humors me.
for my front porch.
for sunglasses.
for summer breezes.
for baby kittens.
for bedtime.

"My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you." Proverbs 7:1

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful ~

~for my family.
~for my church family.
~that soccer starts a week from tonight.
~that my front yard looks better.
~that Macklin was okay after drinking Resolve carpet cleaner earlier this week.
~for my bible study friend.
~for my book club friends.
~for cell phones.
~for lemons.

"But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18

 This is where Chase likes to keep Macklin

Art on the Cheap

We have lived in our current home for almost 8 1/2 years.  I have very few things hanging on the walls, mostly because the walls are plaster.  I want to make sure I absolutely love something before I try putting a nail in, and risk having the plaster crumble, leaving me with a big hole.

I came across a project on Pinterest that intrigued me, because it is really lightweight, is large, and it is CHEAP, and I already had a nail in the dining room wall where I planned to hang the art, and another on the wall in the girls' room.

It's pretty simple to make.  I went to Staples and asked for an engineer print, approximately 3' X 4'.  They take your flash drive, plug it in, and in a couple minutes you have a huge picture for just under $5.  I had two pictures printed. I had just gotten a Staples coupon in the mail for $10 off any purchase of $10 or more, so I had to buy a diet Coke to get up over the $10 mark.  My pictures were virtually FREE.

I then went to Menards and bought a 4' X 8' sheet of styrofoam insulation  for just under $10.  I think it was 3/4" thick.  When I got home, I cut the foam down to size and painted the edges black with paint I already had.

When the paint was dry (don't use spray paint--it will eat the styrofoam), I sprayed the foam with spray adhesive, laid the picture on it, made a hanger out of wire, and duct taped it to the back.  That's all there is to it. 

You can get much more detailed instructions here.

Cheap and easy.  I did have to go back and brush some elmer's glue around one of the edges that didn't want to stick.

 The higher resolution photo you have, the better, obviously.  I was impressed with the quality, especially with so much enlargement.

 It fills up my dining room wall nicely.

And I have such beautiful children, who wouldn't want to have pictures of them all over their home?

If my cheapo artwork gets bumped or mangled in the chaos of our house, I'm not out much $$$.  It's also cheap to update.

"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked." Proverbs 10:11

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for ~

~sunshine and 70's.
~lazy spring breaks.
~only one sick kid today.  Had 5 yesterday.
~improvement to Alex's ankle, although it is still ugly.
~the opportunity for Shannon and I to go away tomorrow.
~changes.
~the upcoming soccer season.
~Bryce.  He's very helpful.
~MARCH MADNESS!!!!!

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."  Proverbs 10:12

Birthdays

I just went back through this blog to see  who's birthdays I have missed. Turns out I missed everyone from June through December of 2011 except Macklin, and four of us so far this year.  I'll see if I can find pictures of everyone...

Chase had his 15th Birthday in July.  It appears as if I even baked him a cake!  Often times we are at IRBC over Chase's birthday, so he misses out on cakes.  We tell him that he's still getting the biggest birthday party ever, but it doesn't seem to appease him.  Chase is always fun to have around.  He has a funny answer to everything, and loves nothing more than to compete in sports.  In 2011, his freshman year, he was the third highest scorer (by one goal) on the varsity soccer team, and he even had to sit out 8 games due to injury.  He was the highest rushing RB in football on the varsity team in the fall.  We're looking forward to soccer season beginning again next week, and games beginning on March 29th.


Jackson turned 17 on October 14th.  I have no pictures of him.  He did not get a birthday cake.  We did feed his football team breakfast that morning, and we made lots of panCAKES.  I thought they would be a good substitute, until Jackson reminded me he doesn't like pancakes.  He also reminded us that we haven't gotten him a present for his golden birthday...three years ago.  Poor guy.  We did take him out for dinner to celebrate.  This is the only picture I can find of him from that time period...



Alex turned 19 on November 17th.  His soccer awards ceremony was on his birthday, so we went to Ankeny and took him out to dinner afterwards.  We didn't have a ton of time to spend with him, but we enjoyed the time we did have.  He continues to take classes at FBBC, but is unsure of what his plans for next semester are.  He's keeping his options open and searching out God's will for his life.




 

Shannon had a birthday in December.  We celebrated by getting away for the weekend.  It's been such a blessing having big kids that we can trust to watch the littles while we take some time away.

Hudson's 5th birthday was January 9th.  He is at a really fun birthday age.  His cousins, aunt & uncle, & grandma and grandpas came to help him celebrate.  Of course, just our immediate family is a whole party in itself.    Hudson entertains us all day, every day.


The next birthday, on January 28th, was Katie's birthday.    She is now 8 years old, and is such a big girl.  She does an excellent job reading, and does well in all of her school work.  She's incredibly helpful around the house, and can be counted on to help out with the littles when needed.








I had a birthday a week after Katie, and Naomi's 7th birthday followed on February 18th.  Naomi loves to design clothes.  She is very creative, and can spend hours contentedly coloring.  She is either hot or cold, happy or sad.  She still loves to cuddle with me, and we have our own special spots on the sofa to watch TV in the evenings.  She loves everything girly, and most mornings she'll wake up, get dressed, and put on her eyeshadow and lip gloss before coming downstairs for breakfast.




We have a couple weeks off before Bryce's birthday.  I'll attempt to get his pictures posted in a more timely fashion.

"The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."  Proverbs 18:15

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful ~

~for my laptop, even though the letter 'm' isn't working correctly.
~for Macklin.  He's helping me blog :-)
~for the warm weather.  The kids are loving being outside.
~for Words With Friends.  I've spent a lot of time playing this week.
~for being able to turn the furnace off.
~for kind people.
~for the time in-between high school sports seasons. Our schedule is pretty clear until April.
~for our garbage man.  He only comes once every two weeks, but it's so nice those first few days after a pick up.
~for Alex.  He's been home off and on this week during his Spring Break.
~for books--I mean e-books :-)
~for paint.
~for air compressors and nail guns.
~for Jackson having the courage to tear his motorcycle apart and repaint it himself.

Thankful Thursday

Although it's not Thursday, I'm going to do my Thankful Thursday post anyway.  It's my blog.  I get to make the rules.  So there.

I am thankful~
~for the warmer weather today.  The kids have been outside playing basketball.  We call that P.E.
~for Leftover Friday.  No cooking for me, and the fridge gets cleaned out.
~that I "re-learned" how to crochet this week.  It had been 20 years since I had crocheted.  Colton and Katie are learning with me.  Naomi is trying, but her hands just don't seem big enough to manage the hook and yarn.
~for my family.
~for the desire (if not motivation) to get some closets and rooms organized this weekend.
~that Monday is President's Day, so we have NO SCHOOL!
~that the Rebels won their basketball game last night.  Next game:  Tuesday.
~for my new mop.  I just need to use it more often :)
~for Pinterest.
~for my teenagers.  They're fun to have around.
~for my middles.  They're fun to have around.
~for my littles.  They're fun to have around.
~for Shannon.  He's fun to have around.

"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;  the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook."  Proverbs 18:4

Thankful Thursday

I have so many things to be thankful for today.  Here's the short list:

I am thankful:

~that my bills are paid.
~that I have groceries in my house.
~that my family is healthy.
~that Shannon and Jackson fixed my washing machine.
~that I am done with Level 2 of the Shred.  It was a killer.  Level 3 seems easier.
~that the Shanks can be comforted by many, many prayers.  Their daughter, Brenna, went to be with Jesus today.  Please continue to pray for them.
~that all of four of our varsity basketball games are at home this week.
~that Bryce is done with middle school basketball.  His team was undefeated again this season.
~that we have had a very mild winter (so far).
~that Katie had a nice birthday.  I'm hoping to post pictures soon.
~for our dog, Checkers.  He loves me.
~for the opportunity to have our youth group over for the Super Bowl on Sunday.  It's been awhile.
~that tomorrow is Friday!

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  Proverbs 4:23

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is almost over, so I'd better get moving on my post for today .

Today I am thankful:
~that I can put out a plea for prayer for little Brenna Shank and her family. Brenna had heart surgery last week, and is struggling coming off the ECMO. 
~that I can pray for Michael's family. Michael went to be with the Lord today. He was 14 years old. ~that I can hug my babies goodnight.
~that Chase had the confidence to try.
~that Alex is happy at Faith.
~that my children get along well together (most of the time).
~for family.
~for my kindle fire. It makes being without my laptop bearable.
~for a clean bedroom.
~for my godly husband.  

"Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:18