tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91835104786161421052024-03-13T23:35:18.637-04:00team clarktales of the clarks, as told by heather.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-81476254371918215852014-03-24T01:39:00.002-04:002014-03-24T03:31:47.870-04:00Wesley's Birth StoryIn honor of Wesley's 4-month-birthday day, here is the story of his entrance into the world and into our family.<br />
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In the evening on November 22, I texted a few good friends to ask for special prayer. I was struggling to trust God with the timing of Wesley's birth. In my head, I knew I couldn't control it <i>anyway</i>, and that God is good and trustworthy and wise. But in my heart I was <u>so</u> <u>done</u> with pregnancy. And not because I sweetly was that anxious to meet my son. Nope. It was super selfish - I was so unbelievably uncomfortable. I'd gained 50 pounds and was crazyswollen. I was waking up about every hour at night from bad hip pain, and switching sides was such a production between my size and my pillows, so I was sleep deprived. And I had this awful inner-hip pain when I would shift my weight onto one leg. My frame was not designed to carry around that much weight; I'm convinced. Anyway. I was getting quite discouraged.<br />
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My dear friends were so encouraging, and their prayers were very effective - my water broke at 3:45 a.m. (just about six hours after the text)! I was performing my switching-sides-production, felt a weird sensation, and proceeded to roll straight out of bed, shouting, "I think my water's breaking!" Daniel was super excited, leaped out of bed, and said, "Really?!" I waddled over to the bathroom, where my water broke some more, and said, "Yep, my water's definitely breaking." Daniel called the hospital for us, while I started getting myself ready. Since my contractions hadn't started, they told us that we didn't need to rush in, but to get ready and eat something first. We ran around like chickens with our heads cut off, despite doing as much packing as possible ahead of time. A little after 4 a.m. my contractions started, and Daniel began tracking them in his phone. We arrived at Labor & Delivery at 5:35 a.m.<br />
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By the time we were all settled into our room and hooked up to the monitors and everything, my contractions were regular, strong, and relatively close together. The only relatively comfortable position was sitting on my exercise ball, and I was surprised how much I wanted Daniel to use the heat pack on my lower back. By around 9 a.m., I was starting to really lose my cool about the pain, so we tried the shower. The hot water on my back felt nice, but I was in too much pain to be standing, and the hard seat was not a viable option for me. So as it got close to 10, Daniel began asking more frequently whether I was ready for the epidural. Turns out I'm real indecisive when I'm trying to cope with pain. It's like the pain just pushes out all intelligible thoughts, and I'm just in a haze of pain-induced-delirium. So Daniel made the decisive move and stuck his head out into the hallway, declaring, "My wife would like an epidural now, please!" to no one in particular. He is my hero.<br />
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I had wanted the epidural, but I also wanted to wait until I was well into active labor to get it, because I feared having it slow labor down too much. Because of my water being broken, I had not been checked for progress, so I was relieved to hear that I was over 5 cm dilated just before getting my epidural around 10 a.m. Getting the epidural was awful. I had to sit still through 2 big, painful, 2-minute-long contractions, and I also felt the huge "needle" go in TWICE. After giving more local anesthetic (twice), the anesthesiologist finally administered it successfully.<br />
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Or so we thought.<br />
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After about 30 minutes of lying on the bed thinking, "Okay, so this is what they mean by feeling-the-pressure-but-not-the-pain," while Daniel snagged a quick nap, my pain started to really ramp up. I again needed his full support through every contraction. My epidural had stopped working. From that time until Wesley's arrival, Daniel did not leave the side of my bed, except to get me my Vitamin Water. He is the best supporter and encourager. Labor is a good word for it - hard, exhausting, physical work. And I was wholly unprepared to tackle it without medication. It's nearly impossible to express with words the arresting nature of labor pains, and the way they overtake both your body and mind.<br />
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Sometime in there I felt faint/nauseous, and I'm told that all the color drained from my face. I'm guessing that I was in transition at that point (around 8 cm). Thankfully, Daniel and the nurse helped me through it, and I didn't lost the PB&J I'd eaten early that morning.<br />
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Around noon (about 9 cm), we could hear that our monitors were beeping differently. They had lost a good read on Wesley's heart. A flurry of hospital personnel swarmed my room. Nurses helped me move into different positions to try to get a better read. No such luck. A scalp monitor was inserted. I was put on oxygen for Wesley. His heart continued to drop significantly with the contractions, which were 1-2 minutes each, 2-3 minutes apart. He just wasn't getting enough rest. C-sections, forceps, and vacuum suction were briefly discussed (thanks, Daniel, for advocating for me).<br />
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At 12:45 I was at 10 cm, but he hadn't dropped enough to start pushing (0-position). And, don't forget, although I was completely unprepared for a natural labor, my epidural was not working. Again the nurses helped me move positions. Just fifteen minutes later (1 p.m.), he had dropped, and I was ready to push. <br />
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But Wesley wasn't.<br />
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The OB said that, if we wanted to try to avoid a C-section, I would have to wait to push until his heart rate stabilized.<br />
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Sure, no problem.<br />
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Oh, man, was it awful. Breathing through the urge to push for a full hour, UN-medicated, still stuck in a certain position for Wesley's heart and comfort, with an oxygen mask was the worst. The. Worst.<br />
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But, praise God, Wesley was ready for pushing at 2 p.m. Again, there was a flood of hospital personnel (since Wesley had had some complications, there was also a whole group of pediatric personnel, in addition to the regular OB-assisted-delivery crew). Still experiencing a sort of delirium from the pain, I really don't remember much, but within a few minutes I was in a totally different position, with people stationed at the ready around me. Around 2:15, I started to push.<br />
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I have learned that I require A HUGE AMOUNT of encouragement at this stage of the game. Not only because I, stereotypically, was completely convinced at a few points that I literally could not do what I needed to do, but also because I assumed that I must not be pushing effectively or correctly, or else there would be more positive, encouraging cheer-leading going on. More, "great job!"s and, "you're doing great!"s, and less, "come on!"s and, "more-more-more!"s. It turns out I was pushing quite well, though, because I only pushed for <strike>an eternity</strike> 45 minutes! (Average for a first-time-birth is around 2 hours, especially with an epidural. But wait, oh yeah, I didn't <i>really</i> have one of those!) With one, final, completely animalistic, out-of-body-experience push, I yelled at the absolute top of my lungs, and pushed Wesley all the way out (head and shoulders) at once. Daniel tells me I curled up smaller than he thought humanly possible. I had no awareness of curling up, and did not choose to yell - my body completely took over for my brain. Wesley was born at 3:01 p.m.<br />
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As the most amazing wave of I'm-so-glad-that's-over-relief rushed over me, I was completely unaware as Daniel cut the cord, Wesley and I were both tidied up, and I was repositioned. Then sweet, little Wesley, with nothing on but a hat on his head and a towel across his back, was laid on my chest.<br />
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And I said, "Hey, munchkin." =)<br />
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He and I were both totally healthy and complication-free, which was a particular blessing in light of how things had progressed earlier. Because of how poorly (in my opinion) I coped with the pain, I was not even cognizant of the seriousness of the situation earlier. I hindsight, I think that might be a good thing, because I didn't stress about it at all at the time.<br />
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At any rate, we got to just bask in the beauty of our new baby for about an hour before we started gathering our things and our selves to head over to recovery. It was lovely. Recovery at the hospital was not awesome, not worth blogging about, and not terribly long-lived. Hallelujah. We were discharged around 8 p.m. on the 24th.<br />
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Fun fact: my friend Ruth was in the same hospital laboring at the same time as me! Her son arrived just a few hours after we were discharged. So Ruth and her husband, Steve, were the first people to meet Wesley in person, outside of us and the hospital staff.<br />
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<br />team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-78566187264165086882011-01-17T00:16:00.006-05:002011-01-17T22:40:17.300-05:00I got this from my sister-in-law =)<div><strong>–What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?</strong></div> <div>I went on a <a href="http://teamclarktalk.blogspot.com/2010/03/houston-happiness.html">vacation to Houston, TX</a> with my hubby, and went out on a limb and auditioned for a Christian dance company while I was there.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?</strong></div> <div>I don't remember making one last year, and I have made one for this year - I want to read one fiction book per month. I usually read plenty of nonfiction, but I love good fiction! I need to make time to read it.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Did anyone close to you give birth?</strong></div> <div>Sheesh - who DIDN'T?? =P Congratulations to: Mary and Craig, <a href="http://www.clementcrew.com/2010/08/announcing-evangeline-ann.html">Heather and Sam</a>, Ashley and Jeff (I guess that was actually early 2011), Kat and Josh, <a href="http://bluebayoubrunett.blogspot.com/2010/12/introducing-avery.html">Beth and Justin</a> and several more that I am not exactly close to, but I know and stalk on Facebook. =P Also, congratulations to the excpecting: <a href="http://andrewmelissalivinginlove.blogspot.com/">Melissa M</a>, Johnna, Jodi, Melissa B and more!<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What countries did you visit?</strong></div> <div>None this year, but we started planning a backpacking trip around Europe!<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?</strong></div> <div>A JOB!<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">The days spent in Houston, days spent in <a href="http://teamclarktalk.blogspot.com/2010/09/picture-post-first-installment.html">Indiana</a> with my brother and sister-in-law (especially our trip to the Children's Museum!), the day that Daniel's MD teacher certification process fell through and we started to seriously think about moving back to CA (this one just happened in early December!)</span><br /></strong></div><br /><div><strong>– What was your biggest achievement of the year?</strong></div> <div>Maintaining a mostly positive, resilient spirit in the midst of disappointment after disappointment vocationally - though I cannot take credit for that at all. It's only by the grace of God. =)<br /><br /></div><div><strong>– What was the best thing you bought?</strong></div> <div>An iPod shuffle for Daniel for Christmas =)<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Whose behavior merited celebration?</strong></div> <div>Daniel's - he is the most gentle, patient, hilarious man in the world.<br /><br /></div><strong></strong><strong></strong><div><strong>– What song will always remind you of 2010?</strong></div> <div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-F6DGGF4Qs">Your Hands, by JJ Heller</a><br /><br /></div><div><strong>– What do you wish you’d done more of?</strong></div> <div>Read good fiction! And take Jack on walks.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What do you wish you’d done less of?</strong></div> <div>Being irritable, wasting time.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– How will you be spending Christmas?</strong></div> <div>I spent Christmas morning at home with my hubby over g-free cinnamon rolls that were a minor disappointment. Daniel gave me the most thoughtful, loving gifts! Then we went over to my parents where my mom's family was gathered for lunch and more partying =) I love Christmas.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Did you fall in love in 2010?</strong></div> <div>More and more, every year (thank You, Jesus!)<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What was your favorite TV program?</strong></div> <div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/fox.com/dance">So You Think You Can Dance</a>, <a href="http://www.hulu.com/house">House</a>, <a href="http://www.hulu.com/lie-to-me">Lie to Me</a>, (the Office... I'm an addict, but it's really getting worse every year now).<br /><br /></div><div><strong>– What was the best book you read?</strong></div> <div><a href="http://www.memorykeepersdaughter.com/">The Memory Keeper's Daughter</a>, by Kim Edwards - Hands down! Read it, if you haven't already!<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What was your greatest musical discovery?</strong></div> <div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmQFwIKsU1U">Amos Lee</a> - I learned a short dance to his "Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight," when I was in Houston. SOO GOOD!!! Also <a href="http://www.andrewbelle.com/">Andrew Belle</a> - He opened for <a href="http://tyronewells.com/">Tyrone Wells</a>, and he was AMAZING!<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What did you want and get?</strong></div> <div>Just another day in paradise... =)<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What did you want and not get?</strong></div> <div>A good job.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What was your favorite film of this year?</strong></div> <div><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/itskindofafunnystory/">It's Kind of Funny Story</a> - not widely marketed or distributed, but WONDERFUL! See it!!<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</strong></div> <div>I turned 24 on April 13th =)<br /><br /></div> <div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>– How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?</strong></div> <div>Hating the 80's comeback. Seriously, people?<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– What kept you sane?</strong></div> <div>My husband. (Amen, Lauren.)<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?</strong></div> <div><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Steve Carrell.</span><br /><br />– What political issue stirred you the most?</strong></div> <div>"Teachers for Question A" - what a load of crap! Thanks a lot, vague signs on every corner that won us slots in our county.<strong><br /></strong></div><br /><div><strong>– Who did you miss?</strong></div> <div>My <a href="http://junesixth.wordpress.com/">sister-in-law</a>, all my friends in California and scattered in other states around the country.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Who was the best new person you met?</strong></div> <div>Sam, my cousin Brooke's best friend/maid of honor. She is super fun to be around, and I was so glad to get to know her a little better this year.<br /><br /></div> <div><strong>– Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:</strong></div>God sees. God hears. God is concerned. And God <span style="font-style: italic;">loves</span> to provide. - <a href="http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310329985&QueryStringSite=Zondervan">The Land Between</a> by Jeff Manion (God used this book in a huge way in my life, particularly in getting me to what I mentioned above as my "greatest achievement" of the year.)<br /><div><br /></div> <div><strong>– Quote a song that sums up your year:</strong></div> <div>"It's okay. It's so nice. It's just another day in paradise. There's no place that I'd rather be. Two hearts. One dream. I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I ask the Lord every night for just another day in paradise." -Phil Vassar<br /></div>team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-74308054941139044692010-10-26T13:31:00.006-04:002010-10-26T13:49:11.594-04:00Mr. & Mrs. SmithNo, not the movie.<br /><br />My cousin Brooke got married to Jay on October 2nd! I got to be one of the lucky bridesmaids (matron just doesn't have the same ring...). Here are some highlights from the shower, rehearsal and finally the big day =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRkDFdwWI/AAAAAAAAAWA/sKKz28xo4ro/s1600/149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRkDFdwWI/AAAAAAAAAWA/sKKz28xo4ro/s320/149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532409978249134434" border="0" /></a>This is the beautiful France-themed bridal shower. Complete with a crepe bar =) Anyway, I didn't take my camera, so I don't have many pictures of the day. But this picture gives you a little snippet. I love the white lights in the fireplace! And there were those gorgeous red roses <span style="font-weight: bold;">everywhere</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRlLAnvBI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/UoopdK_TDXU/s1600/DSCN0712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRlLAnvBI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/UoopdK_TDXU/s320/DSCN0712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532409997556169746" border="0" /></a>My sister-in-law and me at the rehearsal... accidentally matching =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRku0KCcI/AAAAAAAAAWI/5HufJozsd58/s1600/DSCN0700.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRku0KCcI/AAAAAAAAAWI/5HufJozsd58/s320/DSCN0700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532409989987699138" border="0" /></a>The bride and groom, sneaking a little sugar at the castle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcTnN4tpmI/AAAAAAAAAXI/MW9XazAZC48/s1600/DSCN0704.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcTnN4tpmI/AAAAAAAAAXI/MW9XazAZC48/s320/DSCN0704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532412231711303266" border="0" /></a>Speaking of the castle - check that out!!! This was probably the most beautiful setting for a wedding that I've ever been to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRlmXhAFI/AAAAAAAAAWY/9Mcv1l5trSM/s1600/DSCN0725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRlmXhAFI/AAAAAAAAAWY/9Mcv1l5trSM/s320/DSCN0725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532410004899954770" border="0" /></a>My cousin, Beau, and me, at the rehearsal dinner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRmIhanmI/AAAAAAAAAWg/9iv2KDFPUyM/s1600/DSCN0794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcRmIhanmI/AAAAAAAAAWg/9iv2KDFPUyM/s320/DSCN0794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532410014068285026" border="0" /></a>The big day! I got to walk with my cousin, Chris, the bride's brother.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS9p9oo9I/AAAAAAAAAWo/Kwb7ErqNw1s/s1600/DSCN0801.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS9p9oo9I/AAAAAAAAAWo/Kwb7ErqNw1s/s320/DSCN0801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532411517693633490" border="0" /></a>Here comes the elegant bride!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS-Gyw6-I/AAAAAAAAAWw/am7vswT0yRY/s1600/DSCN0804.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS-Gyw6-I/AAAAAAAAAWw/am7vswT0yRY/s320/DSCN0804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532411525432667106" border="0" /></a>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">perfect</span> day for an outdoor wedding. Wow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS-cmwHWI/AAAAAAAAAW4/R183PYOQLyY/s1600/DSCN0835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS-cmwHWI/AAAAAAAAAW4/R183PYOQLyY/s320/DSCN0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532411531287862626" border="0" /></a>My hunny & me... =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS-hSBY0I/AAAAAAAAAXA/KVuaupHKhvE/s1600/DSCN0837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TMcS-hSBY0I/AAAAAAAAAXA/KVuaupHKhvE/s320/DSCN0837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532411532543091522" border="0" /></a>My eyes look real wide... thanks, eyeliner. Haha! Anywho, this is Daniel and me with my brother and sister-in-law. We had SO much fun at the reception! Great music, lots of dancing =)team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-56320248089114875922010-09-30T22:54:00.002-04:002010-09-30T22:56:28.209-04:00love.i love the office.<br /><br />i just keep watching seasons 1-5 over and over. once i finish the last episode, i start over with the pilot. i like to have the TV on when i'm at home by myself, even if i'm not really watching it. anyway, daniel is away on a school field trip, so there's been a whole lot of the office going on here =)<br /><br />and i love it.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-36170792796964191942010-09-10T22:13:00.000-04:002010-09-12T22:27:31.337-04:00Picture Post - Third InstallmentAt the beginning of the summer, Daniel and I went to the US Botanic Garden in D.C. with our friends Mary and Craig and their brother, Eric. My new main photo of Daniel and me on my blog is from that day.<br /><br />Daniel and I made a stop on our way from our parking spot to the Garden for this lovely photo op:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWgdy0RwPI/AAAAAAAAASc/NCbff9B_WUI/s1600/100_3618.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWgdy0RwPI/AAAAAAAAASc/NCbff9B_WUI/s320/100_3618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513989752502730994" border="0" /></a><br />Walking past the Capitol Building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWgeBLzOtI/AAAAAAAAASk/VWf2HlIjQ2I/s1600/100_3619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWgeBLzOtI/AAAAAAAAASk/VWf2HlIjQ2I/s320/100_3619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513989756359490258" border="0" /></a><br />The Fadels and the Clarks, taking a load off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWge6p_snI/AAAAAAAAAS0/d_eWkMD29qY/s1600/34622_529511379429_163801583_31220091_8165844_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWge6p_snI/AAAAAAAAAS0/d_eWkMD29qY/s320/34622_529511379429_163801583_31220091_8165844_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513989771786957426" border="0" /></a><br />So fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWgfDAk7cI/AAAAAAAAAS8/R_O02dkeRN0/s1600/34622_529511384419_163801583_31220092_2011776_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWgfDAk7cI/AAAAAAAAAS8/R_O02dkeRN0/s320/34622_529511384419_163801583_31220092_2011776_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513989774029155778" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of June, we headed up to Michigan for a family reunion of my dad's side of the family. Daniel got to meet a few relatives for the first time, which was great. Now he's met them all on that side =) And it only took two and half years. I also got to cook paella for 18 people! Quite a feat (though I had plenty of help)!<br /><br />On our way north, we made a pitstop on our roadtrip in this BEAUTIFUL little town on the Great Lakes. I can't remember the name of it, but we loved it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi7_-keaI/AAAAAAAAATU/RqrI6HumzRY/s1600/100_3641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi7_-keaI/AAAAAAAAATU/RqrI6HumzRY/s320/100_3641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513992470454892962" border="0" /></a><br />Oddly enough, there were these little statues of dogs wearing costumes all over the town... strange, but somewhat endearing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi8dryx1I/AAAAAAAAATc/pjro9r53qRo/s1600/100_3642.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi8dryx1I/AAAAAAAAATc/pjro9r53qRo/s320/100_3642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513992478429202258" border="0" /></a><br />Cousins...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi7BdB7hI/AAAAAAAAATE/CKCrPD-35so/s1600/100_3634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi7BdB7hI/AAAAAAAAATE/CKCrPD-35so/s320/100_3634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513992453671218706" border="0" /></a><br />More of the cousins... (plus "Silly Uncle Scott")<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWl4nZdJDI/AAAAAAAAAUc/3YWWRFNXEUc/s1600/35423_10150209645660212_568495211_13411948_7434366_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWl4nZdJDI/AAAAAAAAAUc/3YWWRFNXEUc/s320/35423_10150209645660212_568495211_13411948_7434366_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513995710852047922" border="0" /></a><br />Even more of the cousins...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWl4Sm0WkI/AAAAAAAAAUU/FyNGsMNXFnw/s1600/34035_439129932173_594502173_5728511_454313_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWl4Sm0WkI/AAAAAAAAAUU/FyNGsMNXFnw/s320/34035_439129932173_594502173_5728511_454313_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513995705270950466" border="0" /></a><br />SO many wonderful games of CARDS!! We are a bit fanatical.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkqjARMOI/AAAAAAAAAT8/30z8u3xIBsc/s1600/from+kirsten.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkqjARMOI/AAAAAAAAAT8/30z8u3xIBsc/s320/from+kirsten.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513994369642868962" border="0" /></a><br />It's official: "Onken Family Reunion - Lounge"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkquMG68I/AAAAAAAAAUE/2uon7S6SYfk/s1600/36969_439128222173_594502173_5728475_3125627_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkquMG68I/AAAAAAAAAUE/2uon7S6SYfk/s320/36969_439128222173_594502173_5728475_3125627_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513994372645317570" border="0" /></a><br />A rare non-card game...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkpm0D3NI/AAAAAAAAATs/LSqGc6eE3fQ/s1600/30455_10150209646230212_568495211_13411972_8167126_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkpm0D3NI/AAAAAAAAATs/LSqGc6eE3fQ/s320/30455_10150209646230212_568495211_13411972_8167126_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513994353485536466" border="0" /></a><br />Already completely in sync with the family, Daniel instituted the first ever Onkens' Got Talent show. It was a blast. Here's one of my cousins, rapping about our family, with her mom beat-boxing in the background. I still think she should've won...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkp3NJG4I/AAAAAAAAAT0/H-gzituO--k/s1600/30455_10150209646240212_568495211_13411974_6126216_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWkp3NJG4I/AAAAAAAAAT0/H-gzituO--k/s320/30455_10150209646240212_568495211_13411974_6126216_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513994357885705090" border="0" /></a><br />Before heading home, we drove west to say "hi" to a friend from college who we hadn't seen since our wedding! He happened to be home from CA at the same time that found ourselves in the midwest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi8tCK-gI/AAAAAAAAATk/m54lObopdNo/s1600/100_3644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWi8tCK-gI/AAAAAAAAATk/m54lObopdNo/s320/100_3644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513992482549594626" border="0" /></a><br />And NOW I am caught up on pictures I've been meaning to post, at long last! =) Hope you've enjoyed seeing them as much as I've enjoyed sharing them!team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-68837279518406721672010-09-06T22:45:00.006-04:002010-09-06T23:05:49.539-04:00Picture Post - Second InstallmentWhile we were visiting Jeff and Lauren over Easter Break, we made the two hour trip up to Chicago - my favorite U.S. city - for a day. Daniel had never been, and I had a great time showing him around, to the best of my limited abilities (I'd only been there once before, for a week).<br /><br />What a view! You can't see it here, but the lake is just off to the left of the frame.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWnzUNaLPI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3w1axxHjf1w/s1600/100_3429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWnzUNaLPI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3w1axxHjf1w/s320/100_3429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513997818825157874" border="0" /></a><br />It was a sunny, but CHILLY day in Chicago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWnzwYLKiI/AAAAAAAAAUs/RvKkmjbM2cQ/s1600/100_3431.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWnzwYLKiI/AAAAAAAAAUs/RvKkmjbM2cQ/s320/100_3431.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513997826386504226" border="0" /></a><br />There was a big film production going on. Pretty cool =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWn0R5KGlI/AAAAAAAAAU0/k56mJBMdUkQ/s1600/100_3433.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWn0R5KGlI/AAAAAAAAAU0/k56mJBMdUkQ/s320/100_3433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513997835383216722" border="0" /></a><br />Because of that, the space around <a href="http://gochicago.about.com/od/attractionsandlandmarks/ss/millennium_park_6.htm">"The Bean"</a> was completely open and cleared of pedestrians. Made for a great picture, by Daniel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWn0uYOyVI/AAAAAAAAAU8/QDJaRss6KcU/s1600/100_3434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWn0uYOyVI/AAAAAAAAAU8/QDJaRss6KcU/s320/100_3434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513997843029739858" border="0" /></a><br />We said "hi" to our friend Craig's favorite building, the John Hancock building, for him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWn1NA1UvI/AAAAAAAAAVE/gJf2ewI3S8o/s1600/100_3444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWn1NA1UvI/AAAAAAAAAVE/gJf2ewI3S8o/s320/100_3444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513997851253101298" border="0" /></a><br />One of the things I enjoy most about Chicago is seeing the old buildings juxtaposed against the new ones. Love. It.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqEPdPG9I/AAAAAAAAAVM/dxmWBCTey94/s1600/100_3448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqEPdPG9I/AAAAAAAAAVM/dxmWBCTey94/s320/100_3448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514000308630395858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqEuPpFLI/AAAAAAAAAVU/_Ow95PDlG18/s1600/100_3450.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqEuPpFLI/AAAAAAAAAVU/_Ow95PDlG18/s320/100_3450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514000316894876850" border="0" /></a><br />We were SPENT after walking around all day. Thankfully, there was Gino's East Pizza to revive our weary souls.<br /><br />See this??? Best. Pizza. Ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqF2w5_gI/AAAAAAAAAVs/qwuIX48uaeg/s1600/100_3459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqF2w5_gI/AAAAAAAAAVs/qwuIX48uaeg/s320/100_3459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514000336361750018" border="0" /></a><br />There was writing COVERING the walls!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqFot9CuI/AAAAAAAAAVk/RXyHCtzKrQU/s1600/100_3458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqFot9CuI/AAAAAAAAAVk/RXyHCtzKrQU/s320/100_3458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514000332591270626" border="0" /></a> We wrote on top of some white paint-marker, so that it would show up. See it?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> "H + D '10"<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqFPOfkKI/AAAAAAAAAVc/RKSon4hSZp0/s1600/100_3457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWqFPOfkKI/AAAAAAAAAVc/RKSon4hSZp0/s320/100_3457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514000325748428962" border="0" /></a><br />And, finally, we found a Caribou Coffee. We love Caribou, and when I was in Chicago before, they seemed to be on every corner. Of course I told Daniel this, and he was very excited. But we didn't see one ALL DAY! At last, we found one on our way back to our car =) We were very happy to have Caribou for the ride home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWrEoSN7rI/AAAAAAAAAV0/KxtmiMIH9TM/s1600/100_3464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIWrEoSN7rI/AAAAAAAAAV0/KxtmiMIH9TM/s320/100_3464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514001414806695602" border="0" /></a><br />One more installment to come! Hope you're having as much fun catching up as I am =)team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-36698284315625482292010-09-03T22:54:00.007-04:002010-09-03T23:27:59.150-04:00Picture Post - First InstallmentLet's start with some LONG overdue pictures of our Easter in Indiana with my brother and my sister-in-law!<br /><br />We dyed some eggs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2J6GKrRI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Lni0tBv0H3k/s1600/100_3282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2J6GKrRI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Lni0tBv0H3k/s320/100_3282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512887700208397586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And Lauren made me an awesome, gluten-free Easter basket =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2KZ0SpfI/AAAAAAAAAPk/cwGOadJjvmo/s1600/100_3290.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2KZ0SpfI/AAAAAAAAAPk/cwGOadJjvmo/s320/100_3290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512887708723357170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We went to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis one day. This is a blown-glass sculpture that was several stories high!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2LictfDI/AAAAAAAAAP8/fcbDr0UcLtg/s1600/100_3326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2LictfDI/AAAAAAAAAP8/fcbDr0UcLtg/s320/100_3326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512887728220240946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2K9MfOWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/mT_Psi1QIoM/s1600/100_3307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2K9MfOWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/mT_Psi1QIoM/s320/100_3307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512887718220085602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There was a fabulous dinosaur exhibit (above), and a sweet Star Wars movie exhibit (below). Mmm. It's fun being kiddos at heart. =)<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2LFAlbmI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bVu3rlmzc7c/s1600/100_3324.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG2LFAlbmI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bVu3rlmzc7c/s320/100_3324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512887720317644386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have a crush on him. And it looks like the feeling is mutual...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4pkvheKI/AAAAAAAAAQE/cWrRmh-piGg/s1600/100_3332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4pkvheKI/AAAAAAAAAQE/cWrRmh-piGg/s320/100_3332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512890443255347362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just a couple of couch potatoes in the nutrition exhibit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4qkOzjvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/vwazbMd1aW8/s1600/100_3339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4qkOzjvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/vwazbMd1aW8/s320/100_3339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512890460297989874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />An Indy 500 car! Daniel is psyched!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4rD6favI/AAAAAAAAAQc/C3g3nb4qRMI/s1600/100_3364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4rD6favI/AAAAAAAAAQc/C3g3nb4qRMI/s320/100_3364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512890468802718450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And the REAL reason we went to the Children's Museum... drum roll... the BARBIE exhibit! Yup, that's right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4qIrECUI/AAAAAAAAAQM/tsMXmMmSJ5I/s1600/100_3333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4qIrECUI/AAAAAAAAAQM/tsMXmMmSJ5I/s320/100_3333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512890452900317506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Goofin' in the Egypt exhibit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4rVO0kTI/AAAAAAAAAQk/F5SOh_N_vPw/s1600/100_3378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG4rVO0kTI/AAAAAAAAAQk/F5SOh_N_vPw/s320/100_3378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512890473451393330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Most mornings, Daniel and I had coffee at this awesome find in the little historic downtown district.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6F21ZurI/AAAAAAAAAQs/zmIpw8lLl8k/s1600/100_3389.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6F21ZurI/AAAAAAAAAQs/zmIpw8lLl8k/s320/100_3389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512892028659808946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you're gonna be a rocket scientist, why not go to school where Neil Armstrong went to school, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6GuuLRTI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Vzot7onx-w8/s1600/100_3402.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6GuuLRTI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Vzot7onx-w8/s320/100_3402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512892043661886770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lauren, following in Neil Armstrong's footsteps...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6G7bgHRI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/vCgVhrjisTE/s1600/100_3404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6G7bgHRI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/vCgVhrjisTE/s320/100_3404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512892047073221906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Neil & Daniel. Two peas in a pod.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6Hs3OBeI/AAAAAAAAARE/crJQ2NCAbDM/s1600/100_3408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6Hs3OBeI/AAAAAAAAARE/crJQ2NCAbDM/s320/100_3408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512892060342814178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And, of course, plenty of Chipotle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6ICkP08I/AAAAAAAAARM/c6JZN_-kutE/s1600/100_3414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/TIG6ICkP08I/AAAAAAAAARM/c6JZN_-kutE/s320/100_3414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512892066168820674" border="0" /></a>team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-63808357664717127632010-08-10T12:13:00.004-04:002010-08-10T13:17:48.784-04:00Loving the BrideI walk out of church disgruntled with something almost every week. It's usually either a fakeness that I perceive in people, or it's that I think there is something they ought to be doing differently, or I'm disappointed in the commitment of the people to the church community. There is a church back in California, near where I went to college, that I so wish I could still be a part of.<br /><br />Then there's the capital-C-Church. How many times per week (per day, sometimes) do I come across another person throwing around the name of Christ, while looking little or nothing like Him? Yikes. It can be intensely frustrating. For years, I have hesitated to use the term "Christian" to refer to myself, simply because it has so many un-Christ-like connotations in our culture.<br /><br />So it's not that I don't understand what frustrated disciples of Jesus are feeling. I do!<br /><br />But do you know what I have become convinced of?<br /><br />True, I believe that God grieves over churches and Christians that reflect Him poorly. But I have become convinced that believers who harbor resentment and negative attitudes toward the church grieve him all the more. The Church, in all her confusion, is His bride. He <span style="font-weight: bold;">LOVES</span> the Church. Yes, He loves you and me individually, but we, collectively, are his chosen and precious bride. The Church is <span style="font-weight: bold;">that</span> close to His heart. We must find a positive way to deal with our cynicism about the Church.<br /><br />Brothers and sisters who follow Jesus with me, I pray that a special place for this messy Church (and the local church) will take root in our hearts. I pray that we may grow to love the Church as Christ loves her - sacrificially, even in the midst of her obvious failings.<br /><br />After all, if those of us who have eyes to see her faults pull out of the Christian community, who will lead her? Who will help her to grow in faith, hope, peace, joy and love? Who will cast a vision for her that more closely resembles what the early Church exemplified in the book of Acts? We each have a part to play in making this bride ready for her Bridegroom. God forbid we abandon His bride.<br /><br />As St. Augustine once said, "The Church is a whore, but she's my mother." (<span style="font-style: italic;">Irresistible Revolution</span> by Shane Claiborne, page 354).<br /><br />...<br /><br />P.S. If you could use a little encouragement with regard to the church, check out Philip Yancey's <span style="font-style: italic;">Church: Why Bother?</span>team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-6364366838442455052010-08-09T22:14:00.003-04:002010-08-09T22:25:22.980-04:00Top 5...Here are the Top Five things I get excited about, when I think about teaching English:<br />(in no particular order)<br /><ol><li>Cross-curricular assignments, where students must draw from what they are learning in other subjects in order to do their work for English class.</li><li>Assignments that reflect real life, such as learning how to write college entrance essays.<br /></li><li>Making really great use of multimedia - making movies from concept to screening, using blogging as a writing, reflecting and interacting tool, etc.</li><li>Organizing my curriculum into large projects or papers, with bite-sized, graded checkpoints along the way.<br /></li><li>Fostering higher-order thinking, from projects that require students to analyze, synthesize and create, down to the types of multiple-choice questions I ask on a test.</li></ol>Mmm. I'm feeling inspired just typing it all out =)team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-13682764582436967452010-08-06T22:06:00.003-04:002010-08-06T22:52:17.420-04:00update, huh?it seems to be the season for overdue blog updates.<br /><br />tag. i'm it.<br /><br />mostly i got tired of posting job possibilities and the subsequent "no"s. this job market is CRAZY, people. have i told you yet that they aren't even accepting applications for substitute teachers in the public schools in my county? yeah. it's that bad.<br /><br />the good news is that they will open the application for a very brief window of time in september. and that is my plan. subbing scares me, but what else is there? i have to get teaching experience in order to get certified, and i haven't had a shred of luck with private schools. i know that if this is where God's taking me, He's not going to leave me high and dry out there.<br /><br />this means that i'm also going to work on finishing up my last 4 courses toward certification. THIS is what i'm excited about. i'm a big nerd about school, if it's a subject that interests me. i looove it. classes start in just a few weeks!<br /><br />in other news: a few months ago, i read a book called "irresistible revolution" by shane claiborne.<br /><br />and it rocked my world.<br /><br />it was so thought-provoking. eyeopening. i appreciated it so deeply. and it was such a great read - easy and conversational, but still very meaty. you should really check it out, if you haven't already. it is essentially a memoir of how his theological and spiritual journey has shaped the way that he has chosen to live.<br /><br />in a nutshell, he grew up steeped in church and had a great time, but ended up wondering what it would look like if people really took Jesus seriously. in his search, he thought that mother teresa seemed to be someone who was completely living out what she believed in - really a "follower" and not just a "believer." so he worked for in calcutta for a while. when he came back, he moved into a high-need community in philadelphia and began a community called "the simple way," where they pool resources, care for poor folks, help people (esp. children), and redistribute wealth.<br /><br />here's him, talking about his perspective in a short <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9d9eXC7Z2s">video clip</a>. i <span style="font-weight: bold;">really</span> encourage you to take the 10 minutes to watch the whole thing. i find it incredibly refreshing, spiritually. check it out.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-79785899757617533122010-06-11T16:03:00.003-04:002010-06-11T16:07:08.520-04:00Thanks For Praying......but it seems that God doesn't want me at Daniel's school either. Found out today that I did not get that teaching job, either.<br /><br />What in the world does my job-future hold??!?!<br /><br />In the words of a little girl I heard a story about once, "I can't know."team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-16732196125189914542010-05-26T10:26:00.002-04:002010-05-26T10:31:11.987-04:00Never a Dull MomentWell, I have another interview scheduled for next Thursday, June 3rd. I get to teach a lesson again - what fun! Also, it's a very different position than that last one I interviewed for. This one is for 3rd grade, at the school where Daniel teaches in the middle school.<br /><br />I will be away in Williamsburg for the week on vacation, but I'm going to drive up Wednesday late afternoon, and drive back down after the interview =P<br /><br />I'm SOOO thankful that I have more time to prepare the lesson for this one! So that's a blessing.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-30265006725210001992010-05-24T22:14:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:16:01.327-04:00Nope.So that interview (and second interview/lesson) that was really important to me?<br /><br />An official "no" today.<br /><br />=(<br /><br />I'll keep you posted.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-23301824911544432942010-05-14T21:48:00.003-04:002010-05-14T21:55:07.249-04:00Second Interview =)So after my interview that I mentioned in my last post (the one where Daniel was super-duper amazingly supportive), I was invited back for a second interview.<br /><br />Sort of.<br /><br />I was invited to come back and teach a lesson in one of their classes. How cool is that?! So my big day was just yesterday (Thursday), and it was a BLAST! I mean, I'm pursuing teaching, so clearly I am anticipating that it will be a good fit for me. But it even surprised me some just how much fun it was. =)<br /><br />I only had a little under 48 hours to prepare, and then I ended up switching topics 24 hours before it was go-time. But it all came together, by the grace of God!<br /><br />Honestly, I'm really happy with how every minute of my time at the school yesterday went. It feels so good to feel content and confident in all of my interactions and everything. I mean, I can't remember ever feeling that way after a job interview - can you?? I feel as though there is always something I wish I had thought of in the moment, or that I wish I hadn't said.<br /><br />But nope. Not this time. What a blessing!!<br /><br />So for now, I'm enjoying this feeling. =Dteam clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-8800673583056072212010-05-07T23:32:00.009-04:002010-05-07T23:58:16.585-04:00My #1 Fan =)I had an interview on Thursday that was very important to me. This job is my first choice private school teaching job on the planet.<br /><br />I have been preparing for teaching and for this interview for months upon months. Daniel has been a great support all along, but Thursday he really got a chance to go above and beyond.<br /><br />And he so did.<br /><br />I woke up to find a note on the counter, telling me how great I was going to do, how much he thinks of me, and how often he was going to be praying for me all day. This was super sweet, but if I'm being honest, he's so mindful of me that it's not uncommon for him to leave a note. So I was delighted, but not surprised =)<br /><br />I am one blessed chica.<br /><br />Anyway, I spent some time relaxing, then got all ready to go. I walked out to my car and found... another note, on the driver's seat of my car. "I'm still praying..." it began. I squealed, out loud =P<br /><br />The interview went just about as well as I could have hoped. I was invited to come back next week. I also felt that I presented myself well. Sometimes in interviews my nerves get to me, and I am not quite myself - less articulate, less joyful, less warm, less relaxed. It was SUCH a blessing to leave the interview feeling satisfied with how I came across.<br /><br />So I started out to my car, only beginning to process the long interview and the faces I had not seen for some time. All caught up in my thoughts, it took me a moment to recognize the person walking across the parking lot toward me.<br /><br />Daniel!<br /><br />I'm sure you guessed it. But I didn't! I was shocked, amazed, thrilled, swooning, relieved, and impressed all at once! He drove all the way out to the school and sat in his car praying for me until I came out. Whoa. As I write this, I still kinda can't believe it. Oh! And he even wore my favorite of his work outfits. Seriously? Who is that thoughtful??<br /><br />I am humbled and overjoyed to be reminded of what a gift I have been given in my faithful husband. He loves me when I'm cranky and when I'm lazy and when I'm too focused on the task at hand to fully appreciate his sweetness. He is my best friend and my favorite person to be around. He is the most fun person I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with.<br /><br />He is the clearest picture of Jesus I have ever seen (or will ever see) in my life.<br /><br />And I absolutely HAD to share, because "my cup overflows."team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-33413812234798526922010-04-20T00:31:00.002-04:002010-04-20T00:40:51.987-04:00rohanna regrets...i can't sleep.<br /><br />my brain won't quit mulling over all the things i could have done better when i taught ballet at rohanna dance productions. i was there only one year. i started out teaching only 2 or 3 shorter classes, but when one of the main ballet instructors left, i had the opportunity to step in and take care of her classes.<br /><br />and i feel like i dropped the ball.<br /><br />there were a few small successes, and i felt like i was able to help a couple of the students really learn and grow. but as a whole, i feel like i could have done SO much better! i hate that feeling!<br /><br />true, it was the hardest year of my life, personally. really, unbelievably hard. but still, i wish i had rebounded better from that, and learned faster from my mistakes as a teacher.<br /><br />i'm sorry for the time i called troop 2/3 "babies" when they were whining about a particularly challenging combination i asked them to do. what i should have said was, "come on, guys, you can totally do it. i have complete confidence in you." because that's what i meant. i should have taken a lot more care with my words.<br /><br />i'm sorry for being so super hard on troop 4. i was SO concerned about teaching them discipline and responsibility, that i forgot to let them have fun. and i forgot about grace. how could i forget about grace?!?! i also forgot how much discipline they were already demonstrating, just by giving up almost all of their free time to be at the dance studio.<br /><br />i'm sorry for when i lost my patience with my littlest (and cutest) ones - troop 1. i forgot to let kids be kids.<br /><br />i wish so much that i could do it over again. i KNOW i could do better, and serve those girls better.<br /><br />well, if any of you girls read this, know that i think of you often, and that i did (and still do) care about you, even when it didn't show. i hope your teachers are encouraging you and challenging you, so that you grow as dancers and as young women.<br /><br />live and learn, right?team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-46401445020512122232010-04-12T23:20:00.003-04:002010-04-12T23:27:54.053-04:00goodbye, houstoni received my official "no" from Ad Deum, the Christian dance company in houston that i auditioned for when i was down there.<br /><br />we had been anticipating it since last wednesday, when i found out that some friends i met in houston had received their invitations (<span style="font-weight: bold;">congratulations!!!</span>). it was a sad day.<br /><br />after these three big "no"s and losing my job, i have no idea what God has in store for us, or where He would have us go from here. but i know that He is good. He is faithful. He is trustworthy.<br /><br />Jesus is in charge of my life, and i wouldn't have it any other way.<br /><br />the waiting and wondering challenge me almost minute by minute. it's rough sometimes. so, if you think of us, please pray for <span style="font-weight: bold;">peace</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">wisdom</span>.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-75309609847748972992010-04-01T17:55:00.002-04:002010-04-01T17:56:07.856-04:00the end of the end =Ptoday was my last day.<br /><br />i found out as i was putting the jewelry away... hah!team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-24506705898773942542010-04-01T11:23:00.003-04:002010-04-01T11:31:21.947-04:00the beginning of the endso after much prayer, thought, and discussion, daniel and i decided that i should put in one month of notice at my jewelry store job.<br /><br />at the end of february, he reduced my hours. instead of tuesday through saturday, i've only been working tuesday through thursday. this also cut my commission dramatically, since most of my commission came from friday and saturday sales.<br /><br />on top of this, he has been sending me home or telling me not to bother coming in about once a week. so as it turns out, i've only been working 2 days a week on average. and earning a tiny fraction of the commission i used to earn.<br /><br />we used to have 3 stores. now we just have the one. we were anticipating that jeff was going to let me go altogether. well, we both felt that it would be much better to quit than to be fired (even for such an innocent reason). so that was what we decided to do.<br /><br />once i brought it up with my boss and gave him a date for my last day, he said, "well, we'll see about that. you know how slow it is. i just don't need people during the week." i offered to work fridays. he has some other help on fridays, though.<br /><br />all in all, i have no idea whether or not i will work another day for jeff, because next week i will be in indiana for easter break with my brother and sister-in-law (!!!). i have no idea if he will have me come back in after that. maybe one day a week.<br /><br />we knew it was possible that this would happen. but we decided that if that was the case, all the more reason to beat him to the punch.<br /><br />so that's that.team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-79537035471148885112010-03-30T15:11:00.009-04:002010-03-30T16:48:09.604-04:00houston happinessfirst, i have to tell you the story of our superfun rental car. we had reserved a compact car, because it was cheap. we pulled into the lot at the airport and saw this little cutie:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JRBajxdzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/C9_HpPqOfdA/s1600/100_2963.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JRBajxdzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/C9_HpPqOfdA/s320/100_2963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454511183450175282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />when we got up to the counter, we asked if we could upgrade to the bug out in the lot. she said, "yes," but it would cost us some money. so we shrugged out shoulders and settled for what we had reserved. she finished up our paperwork and sent us on out, saying, "just pick any car from the row marked 'compact.' if that row is empty, pick any from the 'mid-size' row."<br /><br />well.<br /><br />there were zero cars in the compact row and only one car in the mid-size row - the very same lime green bug we had seen when we arrived!!! i mean, we had no choice but to have the funnest car on the lot. haha!<br /><br />and yes. we bought a flower to put in it. a big flower =)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaNkp-3dI/AAAAAAAAAOA/TaNpH1Y1S0o/s1600/100_3032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaNkp-3dI/AAAAAAAAAOA/TaNpH1Y1S0o/s320/100_3032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454521287923654098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />off we headed to <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3127">houston's aloft hotel</a>. it was super contemporary, and we really liked how the room was laid out. it was pretty groovy, but we don't think we'd choose this hotel again, because they charge you extra for everything - parking, breakfast, etc.<br /><br />but we really enjoyed staying there! we had been wanting to check out this hotel for a while (there is one near arundel mills), and we ended up with it through hotwire (our new addiction). all we knew was the general location of the hotel (houston, galleria area), that it was ranked at 3.5 stars, an impressive listing of typical hotels at this ranking, and the oh-so-sweet price.<br /><br />here we are just arriving with our groceries for the week:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JTUmiZLiI/AAAAAAAAAMg/qHOhDNQkHsc/s1600/100_2892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JTUmiZLiI/AAAAAAAAAMg/qHOhDNQkHsc/s320/100_2892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454513712106384930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />and check out this groovy sink! i totally want one =P<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JTVg3hFMI/AAAAAAAAAMw/51nV6m8Aaz0/s1600/100_2900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JTVg3hFMI/AAAAAAAAAMw/51nV6m8Aaz0/s320/100_2900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454513727764239554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />later that day, we tried to go to the zoo, but we ended up getting all turned around in an attempt to find parking. so we ended up arriving just 10 minutes after they closed. so we walked around the <a href="http://www.hermannpark.org/">park</a> instead.<br /><br />which was LOVELY! oh man. it's like a bite-size version of cental park, nestled in the medical center area of houston. there's a zoo, a really nice outdoor theater, a lake, a japanese garden, a trail, a cute little train, picnic tables... it's awesome.<br /><br />that night we ate at the daily grill at the <a href="http://www.simon.com/Mall/?id=805">galleria mall </a>(which has an ICE RINK inside of it, by the way. so cool!), and we were DELIGHTED to learn that they have a gluten-free menu! this is SO good to know, since a <a href="http://www.dailygrill.com/">daily grill</a> recently opened up at the new town centre.<br /><br />ballet class on monday kicked. my. butt. oh man. i was completely winded before barre was even over. but i pushed through, and i was AMAZED at how quickly my body adapted to that much physical exertion. by wednesday or thursday i was really starting to feel less drained by it, and friday it felt totally normal to be dancing 4.5-5 hours per day. hah! crazy. the human body is seriously incredible.<br /><br />i really enjoyed modern class. i used to have <a href="http://www.danceaddeum.com/id25.html">randall flinn</a>'s modern classes every summer at ballet magnificat's summer intensive. but it's been about 7 years since then. it felt so good to take his classes again. i love his particular style of modern. love it.<br /><br />i was also SO pleasantly surprised to really enjoy mime class!! i have seen a couple of mime performances in my life and have, honestly, never really liked it. but our <a href="http://www.ambassadorarts.org/about/dcossette.html">teacher</a> was extremely talented and completely hilarious. he made it both fun and interesting. i learned a lot. we put together a mime performance of "star wars, episode VI - in five minutes" that was a blast. i played very exciting inanimate objects such as a door, a trash-compactor wall, and a wing of darth vader's tie-fighter. haha! what a hoot.<br /><br />we also had a jazz class on wednesday. best jazz class of my life. i just adored the combination we learned. it was to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmQFwIKsU1U&feature=related">amos lee's "keep it lose, keep it tight."</a> i bought the song off of itunes as soon as we got home =) you should seriously check out that link.<br /><br />i, unfortunately, have no pictures to share with you of the dancing part of the vacation, even though daniel did watch several classes. everyone i talked to was super impressed with how supportive daniel was/is. =) i am very proud of him!<br /><br />we were so blessed with accommodating servers and restaurants whenever we ate out all week. this might seem like a silly point to bring up, but eating out can be super stressful when you have to live gluten-free! so that made the whole vacation more relaxing and enjoyable. we ate at <a href="http://www.outback.com/">outback</a> (thanks for the gift card, mom & dad clark!), <a href="http://www.chipotle.com/">chipotle</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodecompany.com/our-restaurants/goode-company-bar-b-q.html">goode company bbq</a> in houston, and <a href="http://www.landrysrestaurants.com/pages/restaurants/pg_rest_dutchman.htm">the flying dutchman</a> in kemah. way to go, guys! you did a great job taking care of my special dietary needs! =)<br /><br />we checked out the <a href="http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Texas/Houston-878298/Things_To_Do-Houston-Williams_Water_Wall-BR-1.html">water wall</a> near out hotel. it's a huge semi-circle fountain, where the water pours both inside and outside of the structure. it's hard to explain, so take my word for it. it was cool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYFL_DyHI/AAAAAAAAAM4/VZ1N5BFWXy0/s1600/100_2959.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYFL_DyHI/AAAAAAAAAM4/VZ1N5BFWXy0/s320/100_2959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454518944838961266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaMJcepXI/AAAAAAAAANo/IdD4F1wsuKc/s1600/100_2957.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaMJcepXI/AAAAAAAAANo/IdD4F1wsuKc/s320/100_2957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454521263439390066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />this is me, inside the water wall. for some reason, the inside water was not on that day. daniel went back later in the week to check out the full awesomeoness that is the water wall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYGv5effI/AAAAAAAAANY/N5tvUPqOj4g/s1600/100_2954.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYGv5effI/AAAAAAAAANY/N5tvUPqOj4g/s320/100_2954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454518971659091442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />daniel also spent some time checking out the highest buildings in downtown houston. here's my favorite of his shots from that excursion:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYGMKaOuI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3SvkQfg-4ck/s1600/100_2941.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYGMKaOuI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3SvkQfg-4ck/s320/100_2941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454518962066438882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />he trekked all the way down to <a href="http://www.galveston.com/default.asp">galveston</a>, houston's beach. it reminded him of the outerbanks a little bit. unfortunately, galveston is still recovering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike">hurricane ike</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYFav55FI/AAAAAAAAANA/v1L7R-SD5BY/s1600/100_2912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYFav55FI/AAAAAAAAANA/v1L7R-SD5BY/s320/100_2912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454518948801930322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />we got to visit <a href="http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/home.aspx">joel osteen's church</a> for a wednesday night service. what we found out is that, besides being unbelievably huge and having a very confusing parking garage, it's a pretty normal church.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaL1LUcOI/AAAAAAAAANg/jLBQPyRCPVE/s1600/100_2968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaL1LUcOI/AAAAAAAAANg/jLBQPyRCPVE/s320/100_2968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454521257998708962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />we also made our way back to the <a href="http://www.houstonzoo.org/">zoo</a>, and we made it before they closed this time!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaMRsJSlI/AAAAAAAAANw/wEgXXRTN0VE/s1600/100_2969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaMRsJSlI/AAAAAAAAANw/wEgXXRTN0VE/s320/100_2969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454521265652582994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />i was especially excited to see the giraffes, because we had not seen then at the national zoo last year on my birthday. i like giraffes =)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaNEON17I/AAAAAAAAAN4/XuQGMCmHqjs/s1600/100_3005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JaNEON17I/AAAAAAAAAN4/XuQGMCmHqjs/s320/100_3005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454521279217260466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />last but not least, daniel made a trip out to the nasa <a href="http://www.spacecenter.org/">space center</a>. i was dancing. he missed me, and so he took dozens and dozens of pictures. so sweet. i'll share 2 of them with you =)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JcB6Pf94I/AAAAAAAAAOI/9dQCuOFxixc/s1600/100_3074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JcB6Pf94I/AAAAAAAAAOI/9dQCuOFxixc/s320/100_3074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454523286582982530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JcCddLD2I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/N0A18m2l3sk/s1600/100_3036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JcCddLD2I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/N0A18m2l3sk/s320/100_3036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454523296035573602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />we had such a great time. we get happy just thinking and reminiscing about it =)<br /><br />nice to meet you, texas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYFodZtNI/AAAAAAAAANI/UEaNJwbmj2g/s1600/100_2913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S7JYFodZtNI/AAAAAAAAANI/UEaNJwbmj2g/s320/100_2913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454518952482419922" border="0" /></a>team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-45664769968298157042010-03-26T23:25:00.002-04:002010-03-26T23:29:23.112-04:00from DanielA verse for this little season of life:<br /><br />"Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long." ~Psalm 25:4-5<br /><br />I also wait for the mail all day long, for my Praxis scores to come in.<br /><br />And I wait for an email from Ad Deum all day long... even though the soonest I should hear from them is another week from now!<br /><br />Silly me... =P<br /><br />Tomorrow: Pictures of our Houston vacation!team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-27490058511728164752010-03-22T19:34:00.002-04:002010-03-22T19:37:48.318-04:00the verdictall the English teacher positions for the PGCTF program are already filled. =( <br /><br />i am still hopeful that i can teach in the fall. in a couple of weeks, i hope to start scouring the internet for private school openings, dropping in at various schools, and sending my resume all over the place.<br /><br />but first...<br /><br />i will wait to hear back from Ad Deum dance company to see if i've been invited to be a part of their company as a trainee/apprentice!!!<br /><br />last week, march 15-19, daniel and i had our trip to HOUSTON! it was a christmas present, as you might remember. it was a BLAST, and i will be posting pictures soon. it was on this trip that i auditioned. basically, i just danced my heart out all week at their spring break intensive, and they watched me, and they'll let me know in a couple weeks.<br /><br />=Dteam clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-66343738522964197482010-03-10T14:01:00.002-05:002010-03-10T14:05:24.088-05:00Prince George's County Teaching Fellows statusquick update:<br /><br />i got an email from PGCTF saying that they will let me know by April 12th whether or not i will be invited to interview. that's one month from friday!<br /><br />also, there is a slight chance that i may be able to fill a need teaching Spanish. wherever God wants me is where i want to be, so i'm definitely open to this possibility.<br /><br />exciting!<br /><br />my generous, wonderful recommenders are working on talking me up right now. i'm so thankful for them! i'll keep you posted on what happens after that. =)<br /><br />this whole process has been really exciting so far!team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-78302881902662739012010-03-02T16:14:00.002-05:002010-03-02T16:17:25.458-05:00Teach for America statusI've made it past the first application round! I have been invited to participate in a phone interview, which I scheduled for this coming Friday morning.<br /><br />Pray for me!!! I want so much to be where God wants me to be.<br /><br />I will find out whether I have made it to the final interview by March 16th. (Wow, that's soon!) I'll keep you posted.<br /><br />Haven't heard yet from Prince George's County Teaching Fellows, but they are supposed to let me know within two weeks of my application submission. So... soon!team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183510478616142105.post-84710281856045612082010-02-27T12:41:00.005-05:002010-02-27T12:50:29.243-05:00random photos...this is me, working on a screenplay =) i love to write.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laQDSSm7I/AAAAAAAAALo/gHzTM-GU-vo/s1600-h/100_2799.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laQDSSm7I/AAAAAAAAALo/gHzTM-GU-vo/s320/100_2799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442980856460385202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />this is jack. he is adorable. and he's a little two small to run around in 2 feet of snow. hehe! he doesn't know this, though. he thinks he's a very big dog. =P<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laQmQTMsI/AAAAAAAAALw/I8VQJEBR4zw/s1600-h/100_2782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laQmQTMsI/AAAAAAAAALw/I8VQJEBR4zw/s320/100_2782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442980865847276226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laRae-72I/AAAAAAAAAMA/1tg90joDfj0/s1600-h/100_2772.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laRae-72I/AAAAAAAAAMA/1tg90joDfj0/s320/100_2772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442980879867506530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laRH9kU5I/AAAAAAAAAL4/fMEX-DLCn8Y/s1600-h/100_2783.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laRH9kU5I/AAAAAAAAAL4/fMEX-DLCn8Y/s320/100_2783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442980874895512466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />this is my mom and me on superbowl sunday. they braved the un-plowed roads to bring us over to their house to watch together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laR36sc4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/z1SIrWAySSs/s1600-h/100_2795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4laR36sc4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/z1SIrWAySSs/s320/100_2795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442980887768363906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />this is jack, again. like i said, "adorable."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4la-pIfmYI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/N7k3rzNazOg/s1600-h/100_2817.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_eVCHJXh30/S4la-pIfmYI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/N7k3rzNazOg/s320/100_2817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442981656893823362" border="0" /></a>team clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341567436006872388noreply@blogger.com2