Sweet Success

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

ACE Convention is now over for another year. It is a sad week for me. You see, my father, my mother and my sister are all tied up for 5 days since my parents are judges and my sister is competing...I had to try and not call my mother and tell her every detail of my life so she could enjoy my sister...who got all the attention that week! :-) But I survived. Ha. But I guess I should say that it was also a happy week since my beautiful sister made so many great placements!! You go, sister!

Here is a list of the medals. She will also be going to Nationals to compete.

Essay: 1st

Dialogue: 1st

Small Ensemble: 2nd

Radio Broadcast: 2nd

Female Trio: 2nd

Short Story: 3rd

Mixed Trio: 3rd

Volleyball: 3rd

Science exhibit: 6th

CAPS Character and Potential Leadership: 6th 50 some points out of 60

Command Performance (you perform your event at night rally): Dialogue

Shawn's cousin, Katrina Newton, was also able to attend and she placed very well....I might get a few wrong (sorry, Katrina) but wanted to post her accomplishments as well.

Checkers: 1st

Scrapbooking: 1st

One mile run: 2nd

Archery: 2nd

Small Ensemble (with Emily): 2nd

Mixed Trio (with Emily): 3rd

Volleyball (with Emily): 3rd

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17

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Yes, a thousand times Yes

The reason St. Patrick's Day is so important around this household is for the special fact that Shawn asked me to be his wife on this day...Sunday, March 17th, 2002....here's a snapshot of that day...
Many things can happen, the sun could cast nothing but shadows, the sea could evaporate and the axis of the earth could break like crystal. Death could cover me, but in the flame of your love, I will never die.....Gustavo Adolf Becquer

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY
On a side note: The boys and I have made themed cupcakes for a few friends and we will have more "green" thinks for supper tonight, but one thing that Ethan is extra happy about: If Mawmaw doesn't have any green on today when he goes to play at her house he gets to pinch her! His whole face lit up when I told him that...BTW, the boys have green underwear on, so they are covered...(in more than one sense of the word!!!)

Spring Has Sprung

We have enjoyed the bits and pieces of "the wonderful feeling of spring"! Shawn fired up the four-wheeler for the boys (Morgan and I got the big four-wheeler) and a great time was had by these two macho-mini-men....We are now back down to two dogs - all the puppies have new homes...Morgan adores the dogs (as you can see below)! She is also going to be outdoors quite a bit if the weather keeps up like this. She will bring you her jacket and cry (very loudly) because she is just itching to get outside. Once outside, well, she is happy. But when you come inside from playing outside...cover your ears! She is wailing again! Silly girl!
This was written on a note that was handed to me at church -
In the nursery today I pointed to one of the ceiling lights that was out and asked Landon "What happened?" He very quickly said, "Morgan broke it!"

Super-Silly Sarah Saturday

Sarah Morgan does seem to love her food/beverage....Of course, chocolate is a favorite. Right now, she is loving chocolate covered raisins. She will have both hands clutched tightly to hold as many as will fit in her chubby hands. ...silly Sarah....

I was trying to do a cookie project with the boys and forgot about the other somebody in the house. She is tall enough to grab things off the table, so I ended up with this mess.... ...silly Sarah...Just like a football player lovingly tucks the ball under his arm and runs with all his soul, Sarah Morgan lovingly tucks her brothers cups to her chest and takes off....why does it taste better out of somebody's cup other than your own? ....silly Sarah...
But, as you will see, for Sarah Morgan, you don't really need your favorite food/beverage to keep you happy....any toe will do! (Just ask any of her family...she LOVES to try and bite your toes!) ...silly Sarah...

Wishing you a Super-Silly Sarah Saturday!!!

Togetherness

For Your Information: I would NOT be seen wearing this under normal circumstances.
These were NOT normal circumstances.
Sure, it was our church Valentine Banquet, but still, I ain't never seen it done that-a-way before!
You see, the men were given a brown paper bag filled with crafty goodies they had to use to help create their wife the best hat since it was going to be voted on....well, my hubby, who can follow sewing instructions better than I and TONS more (but I won't bore you!) has trouble making something from something that is not supposed to make that particular something! Get it?
But HOLD ON, after little debate, my man took 1st place with his creativity (and soundness of structural beauty...I could "jog" without mine falling off) I was proud. Looking back, I think I look plain stupid. In the moment - proud.

Together, we make a great team.

Since we had already had a couple nights out the week before V-Day, the Prince and I decided to have some family togetherness. Shawn suggested we go out to eat and then go to Escapades (indoor play-place). So, we tidied up the house and got dressed in a hurry! Let the fun begin, eh?
Here is what went down....

I felt a thrill when I taught Morgan how to actually use the crayon to color the page...

...but here is what she still ended up doing.......match-y, match-y Mommy & MorganDaddy's knees were shot after the tunnel crawling, but the boys shrieks of laughter was worth it...

How well I still remember coming home from a long school day only to find a favorite yummy snack of peeled, diced, brown sugar covered apples - pure sweetness! My mother knew what it meant to "spoil" (a.k.a. take time with) her daughter! This treat and then a nice chat was a pleasant tradition around our house.
Still, after being gone from home for 6 years, she still makes sure I have my sugary fix. On Tuesdays, after I come to pick up the kids when my music lessons have been taught, she has a special treat for me to take home. No, it is not like the old times where I sit down with her and rehash every minute detail of my day. But after I gather up my kiddos, drive the 6-minute stretch back home, enter my house and go sit down at my table to eat my yummy snack, I feel connected...in my heart. Today. Tomorrow. It's called Togetherness.

Daddy is "The Man"

When Landon was he was asked about his house, he replied, "Daddy built it." There was a short pause before he then added, "Daddy Big Boy."

Pretty Princess in Pink

"In raising children I have lost my mind but found my soul." - Lisa T. Shepherd

Happy 1st Birthday, Sarah Morgan!
On the eve of her birthday ~

My mom & I made Morgan's tutu and we bought the shirt and then I ironed on the crown/wording and glued the sequins on...fun!

Barbie Cake #2 ...since we couldn't have a party for her on her "real" birthday date, we celebrated twice...second time with extended family

Thanks to my Aunt Melly -who got me the tray- I made white chocolate covered pretzels...yes, the were scrumptious!Auntie Em & Sarah MorganHmm...what's up with that? Another one?Finger-lickin' good! Me no like messy hands...(says Morgan)
She didn't like to get her hands messy. When she was done getting a sugar high, she flung pink icing on the wall behind her!

This is what was in "the box" from my momAfter walking around bumming food off of her party friends, Morgan definitely IS Ms. PiggyThe boys are getting just as much fun squeezed out of Morgan's new toys as she isMorgan got some great new clothes from Nana and Aunt Kristina (and their families) The fun cookware was from Nana, too. Morgan also got some money from other family members through the mail...mommy will have fun shopping with her! Thank you, everybody, for making Morgan's 1st Birthday so very special!

Sarah Morgan Clemens
February 6, 2008
1 year old
24 pounds 14 ounces
31" in length
walking....trying out those chubby legs!

"I kiss you and kiss you, With arms round my own,

Ah, how shall I miss you, When, dear, you have grown"
- William Butler Yeats