Proof of Drama

Michaela with Great Grandma Jessie.

I am so happy that some family was able to make the party! Thanks Aunt Jo for coming up and bringing my sweet grandparents with you.

Is this not the cutest picture you have ever seen? This is Michaela with GG, her great grandpa. He adores this little girl!

So on last nights posting, I stated that Michaela is quite the drama queen. Well, pictures are worth 1000 words. This is a little dress up outfit that she got for her birthday from the Longs. These are classic Michaela.

Michaela's 3rd Bday!

At Birthday dinner with MiMi and POp. We went to Mi Hacienda.
Her school party.

Michaela and Ms Amanda, her CDC teacher.

Showing off her birthday dress that mommy made her.

Aunt KT was able to make it. Michaela is sporting her new birthday swimsuit from Aunt Audie, who we dearly missed!!

She was so proud of all of her presents. She told Carrington she wanted a puppy dog, and she was excited to see that her request was filled. She loves everything she got!!!!

Mommy with the birthday girl. Cake was yummy, thanks to a joint effort from my mother in law. I am not much of a baker, so she baked the cake and I did the iccing and decorated it! Yummy chocolate.

MiMi and Pops golf cart was a big hit!

The tire swing Chris just put up was also a big hit for the kids. They also were able to play on the "playground" daddy built. They are all wet from the slip in slide, which proved to be amusement for several of the kiddos!

I know, I know, I have not posted in forever and a day. I have very good reason to post today though. My baby girl just had her 3rd birthday!!!! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. It seems like just a short time has passed since she was born. I have to say that as time goes by, the days just get sweeter and sweeter. We have been so blessed to have this precious little girl in our care during our time here on earth. I am just so thankful that the Lord saw fit for Chris and I to be able to raise her and love on her for this time. It is such a joy! She has just really blossomed over this last year into such a character. Anyone that knows her can attest to the fact that she is very dramatic and full of life. (Usually a good thing, but not always! :) ) I have not decided what she will do in life quite yet, but I do imagine that she could be quite the sales person. People ask me often, how can you say no to that. Well, I have to admit that she is quite convincing, but I have mastered the art of saying no when needed, all to her dismay I suppose. Anyways, I could go on for days about my little Michaela. SHe and her daddy are the light of my life.

I never quite understood or imagined how strong a parent's desire for the best for their child. Our biggest prayer, as parents, is not for her safety, health, and success (although very important to us), but that she will come to know the Lord Jesus at a young age. I desire so strongly for her to live her life in love with the Lord, serving Him!!! It is such a large responsibility for Chris and I to be an active example of Christ in her life, and I know that so many times I miserably fail. I am putting my trust in the Lord that He will call her and that she will be sensitive to His calling on her life. When she accepts Him into her heart, oh what a glorious day! That birthday will be the one worth most celebration!

Thank you to all of you who are reading this who have had an impact on her life, whether it be indirectly through prayer, or directly through pouring love into her. I am so thankful that she is surrounded by so much love from all of our family and friends. We are so wonderfully blessed with amazing people in our lives.

Here are some pics from her third bday party. I will update on past few months soon hopefully. I have a ton of pics documenting all the summer fun we had.

Yards are cool.

OK. So I am super excited over the fact that I now have a yard free of little dirt hills everywhere. Chris and his wonderful dad worked on equipment all day yesterday to make our yard more "human friendly." NOw it is just a mud hole though, due to the fact that we have gotten so much rain in the past 24 hours. Too bad be dont have any grass planted yet. Michaela has already explained to Chris exactly what she expects from her "playground" that he will eventually build her. I just hope that the whole castle thing works out. Hee hee.

Question... does anyone happen to know a good place where I can get my blog printed into a little booklet. I was looking back and there is stuff in it about the last almost 2 years of life. It is like a nifty little journal. I never even realized how much stuff I have already forgotten about in such a small time. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. May be a nice mother's day gift from chris. Who knows?

I am back into my reading obsession. I am currently reading a book called "Riven" by Jerry B. Jenkins. I think that I am going to really dig this book. I am only a little into it, but I am already likin it. Reading is just so relaxing to me. I prefer it over TV any day. I will have to say that my TV obsession is about to begin once again. "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE." If you grew up with me, you would understand that I love some dancin. I may not be that good at it, but it is just a release to dance like a fool. KT and I used to have dance parties, let me tell you... it was a riot. I just came in contact with a friend that goes way way back. He was in on the days of old and will completely understand to what I am referring to. Speaking of dancing, I have a shout out. Are you A2J? If you get this, please message me! So, going back... I encourage each of you to become as into So you think You can Dance as I am. It will premier on May 11th. Ok, now on with things that really matter!

Anyone else into Prison Break? I am loving it. I am just really sad that there are only 2 more episodes.... ever! I know there is only so much you can do with the story line, but I just really like the show. It is getting down to the wire though and I am so nervous to see what will happen...

Alright, I have no clue why I just went on about some of the past things. I just thought I would sit down and write what came to mind. HOpe you all have a wonderful start of the week. Remember, God is in control, even when your life seems out of control. IF you ever run into me, just keep reminding me of that. We all need the pep talk once in a while. Smooch!

sewing is fun

So, here is a pic of one of the recent dresses I made Michaela. Nothing overly special, but I am just proud of myself for doing it without relying on someone else's help. I just love to make things. I rarely do, but it is so relaxing and rewarding when there is a finished product.

I am loving the warmer weather. Michaela and I have spent a lot more time outside, which makes us both happy. Time goes by much faster hanging outside. HOpe you all have a wonderful, fun week! I will get back to you soon. Bye Bye!

Blessed.

Pics by www.talleyimages.blogspot.com

Pics by Heather, not so good photographer.

Michaela and Aunt KT

Easter. Like my bunny purse?

Life has been wonderful here lately. The Lord has blessed us in so many wonderful ways. It is so easy to see how blessed we truly are when we go though little bumps in the road. Michaela was sick last week. When you have a sick child, days in which they are well are just such a wonderful blessing.
We started going to the W today to use the pool. Michaela was a little squimish at first, but by the time we were finished, she was a little fish. I am determined to get her swimming on her own by the end of the summer. I just really want her to be comfortable in the water at a young age. I am also trying to go a few times a week to swim laps. It is so hard to get dedicated. I have to say though, I am feeling so good from the extra exercise that this just might very well stick. I just want to tone the not so firm areas, if you know what I mean. Having a child really can do some weird things to the tummy area. I am sure that many of you ladies know exactly what I am talking about.
Michaela got some pics done about a month ago. Addie Talley did them, and I am so pleased!!!! If anyone needs a fantastic photographer, I highly recommend her. Esp for the active child. She got 100 pictures that I absolutely love. If you would have been there, you would understand how much of a miracle this actually is. Michaela is a very active child and she didn't want to cooperate some of the time. Addie got some great shots even during the "storms of uncooperation!"
Still trying to have a baby. Frustrating at times, but we are still confident that this is just not the Lord's timing. It does get old though when people make comments about how I need to have my kids close together because they will not be close if they are too far apart. I am like, "trust me, if I could I would have one every year!" Not really, but I think sometimes people forget that some people have difficulties getting pregnant. It is so true though, that it is the Lord's timing that is the best timing. I can look back on so many things in my life and see that my timing was "screwed up" and that His timing was so perfect. I can only see the smallest speck of the big picture. I know that He can see the whole thing. All I can rely on is faith and prayer. So far, it is serving us well. We are so so so joyous over everything we have and if God decides to grant us another miracle, that will just almost be too much to handle! I will say this though, if I do get pregnant anytime soon, watch out, because I am going to be shouting it from the rooftops!
I am still, yes, still loving our small little teeny house. I keep thinking the new will wear off, but I just like the cozy small area. I guess I just hate cleaning that much. Ha Ha.
Michaela has been stinking hilarious these days. The things she comes out with puts me in stitches quite often. The mind of a child is so amazing. She never ceases to leave me with my jaw on the ground and my mouth sore from smiling so much. I mean, you just never know what is going to come out of this little ones mouth. I am beginning to see more and more of her personality blossom. She is really motherly. Really bossy! Tenderhearted. Really bossy. I could go on and on but you see where I am going. She will be a wonderful big sis and mommy one day. The other day, Chris got on to her about something. She got this pitiful face and said, "Daddy... That made me willy sad." It was so funny. She is trying to work on our more sensitive sides. I have to say though, we just busted out laughing. Motherly side.... We were over at Jenn and Taylor's (Michaela's best friend, she will tell you this if she hasn't already) the other day and Michaela comes running up to Jenn and I and says, "Ms Jenn, I am worried that Taylor is going to get hurt." She was climbing on a rocking chair outside. I still can't figure out if Michaela was really just concerned or if she was being a tattle tale. I guess we will never know. She is a sweetie though. Even though sometimes she makes me want to pull my hair out. Hee Hee
Been sewing some lately. I am really loving it. I will post some pics of outfits soon. I have decided it is a great way to give gifts. I am going to try to start making baby gifts and so forth. I just have to figure out what I want to make first. Anyways, I hope that all is well with all of you out there who may actually take the time out to read this. Have a blessed day. Look for the blessings in life. They aren't hard to find when you actually look. Tah Tah for now!

We are alive!

Hey everyone. I feel like I have fallen off of the face of the earth in the past month. I am usually good at keeping up with everyone on here and posting periodically, but I just haven't been into it here lately. I think I just have so much to share, that I don't know where to start.

Quick Michaela update:
---Potty Trained in December, We are loving it!!!
---Paci free for almost two weeks!!!! I seriously dreaded this and imagined it would be a nightmare to get rid of her paci. I hate to admit it, but she got it taken away from her for pulling someone's hair. I figured it would make a lasting impression to take it away for a nap. Well, she did so well with sleeping for the nap, that I said, HMMMM I think we will try putting a positive spin on the fact that she did so well without it and try paci free again tonight. Well, I really talked up the fact that she was so big that she doesn't need it anymore. She agreed and told me she wanted to give them to babies. Well, we haven't done that yet, but we are going to wrap them up and give them to baby Thomas and Colin. She hasn't asked for them in over a week and I am just so thankful. I have to admit, it has been harder on me then it was on her. I just loved seeing her sucking on that thing when she was sound asleep. It was so stinking cute!
---Favorites: bunny, baby Helen and Becky, loves putting diapers on all of her dolls and feeding them a bottle, she is always soothing the babies when they "get hurt or are crying," shoes shoes shoes (esp... flip flops, thank goodness it is getting warmer outside,) asparagus, gummies, yogurt, pizza, hotdogs, nutrigrain bars, loves the outdoors (thank goodness, once again, it is getting warmer outside,) step stool for the potty (carries it everywhere,) movies Open Season, Alladin, Imagination Movers, reading books, singing, playing with playdough, stickers, and much much more. I am enjoying her so much. It is amazing how much my love grows for her each day.

Update on Chris:
---building a spec house, still for sale if anyone wants to buy a beautiful house
---finishing up a custom house and possibly starting two more (God is really providing for us in an amazing way even though the economy is not reflecting a good housing market)
---loves his job and I am so proud of the job that he does
---teaching our Sunday school class at church, if you are looking for a church family, come give us a visit

Update on me:
---went to Dr. to get tests run... everything looks great, it is just not God's timing for me to have another child, I prefer His timing over mine
---loving my new house still, the small space is still perfectly wonderful for me
---I am itching to get into some sewing, I want to make some things for the house and some cutie clothes for Michaela
---missing my family!!!!
---taking a cake decorating class. I have really enjoyed it thus far. Chris enjoys the product.

Anyways, there is a small profile of what is up here with the Clardy family. Time flies by so fast because we stay so busy. I am working on getting more out of my day. I really don't know where the time goes. I have tried to upload some pics several times and it is not working! I will put some up soon.

Merry Late Christmas.

I said I would not wait this long to blog, and well... I lied. Life has been a beautiful whirlwind these past few months. Chris, Michaela, and I are now in our new house. I am loving it. It is very very cozy, (nice way of saying "small") and I absolutely love it. I am still in the process of using the limited space we do have to organize the too many things we own. This has really forced me to clean out and get rid of things that just don't seem as important as they once may have. That is one thing that is great about moving so often, you can't accumulate a bunch of clutter. An update with many pics from Christmas etc... is coming soon. We have limited web access now, so I have to wait until I can actually spend some time on here. I have to shout out that she is officially potty trained now! I am loving it!

Our Hope Endures!

2 Choronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Psalm 71:14 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Romans 5:5 "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

OK, so I must admit. I have spent the last month or so being totally consumed with the election. I have always been somewhat of a talk show junkie and it just became a "close to" addiction of mine to listen to what was going on with the election and such. I believe that it is very important to be informed of what is going on, but I think that I was just a little too informed. I mean, I haven't watched ANYTHING except for Fox News for the past few weeks. I also love to listen to talk radio on my XM Radio. I am saying all of this to point out that sometimes it is easy to get so consumed with what is going on around us that we can easily forget what is important. I don't think it is a bad thing to be interested in the news etc... It is just so vital to keep priorities in tact. So I must confess, I spent much more time soaking up all of the things of no eternal value than soaking up the Word of God and finding what HE wanted me to hear amist all of the uncertainty concerning the election and the outcome.

In the last few days, I have heard the word of FEAR mentioned a lot. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Nothing happens that doesn't come through the hand of God first. The wonderful thing about God is that He has given us free will. How rewarding would it be to Him if we served Him like robots. When God's people cho0se to be obedient to Him and glorify Him through our lives, it is so much more rewarding. Although it breaks my heart to see that we as a nation are more concerned about the economy than the precious life of an unborn child, the Spirit prods me and says, "You have the answer, you have the hope, share it with all people!" I have dropped the ball. If we all get real with ourselves, we may be astonished to realize that serving our Lord is indeed not our number one priority. We have cheapened the awesomeness of God. It is like trying to offer someone something of little value. A child is not going to be all crazy about getting a gift that has missing peices or is outdated. We act so many times as if the Lord is "Just OK!" Why in the world would anyone want anything that we represent so poorly?

Jesus is The Way, The Truth, The Life. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is my sustainer, my rock, my salvation, my strength, my song, shelter from the storm, everlasting father, prince of peace.... The list goes on and on. I encourage you to make it a priority to clearly represent the One you Serve to everyone around you. He is the only One in which we can place our trust. Share the hope that is within you.

My Japanese Doll!

We had a sunday school social a few weeks ago in which we dressed up the kids (some adults dressed up also.) It was such a wonderful time. Audie bought Michaela this outfit when she was on mission over in Tailand before Michaela was even born. I was so excited to realize that it fit her because I am not one to really dig going out and buying a costume. We went trick or treating in the neighborhood and she had a blast. Thanks Chris and Victoria for opening your home up!!!! We had a great time.

Country Pumpkins

Well, I have to say that the weather has been absolutely gorgeous here lately. I actually feel like we are experiencing fall. It normally seems to me like it goes straight from summer to winter. We had such a great time at the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago. Michaela definitely enjoyed the freedom of running around and getting her hands on everything in sight. I just love getting out with the family and enjoying each other. I know that I take the fact that I have such a wonderful husband who takes time out of his schedule to spend time with us for granted. He works so hard, yet manages to let me know that we are his number one priority. God has blessed me so much.

Birthday Party with Aunt Kelly

Michaela and Aunt Kelly share the same birthday. This is a short clip of them blowing out the candles. This is going to be great fun celebrating their birthdays together each year. Happy Birthday Aunt Kelly!!!!

Party with Aunt Katie

Michaela's first birthday celebration was with Aunt Katie. Katie was able to come in town Labor Day weekend, so she wanted to give Michaela her gifts early. Both of my sisters absolutely shower Michaela with love. I am so thankful for the relationship I have with both of my sisters. I miss you and love you Audie. Michaela still calls you on the phone quite often.

Michaela's BDay Party at "School"

She didn't know whether she liked the hat or not!
Yummy Cupcakes!

Michaela and Mrs. Lucy! She loves Mrs. Lucy!
A picture of Michaela and her class friends.
Daddy and Michaela blowing out candles.
We celebrated Michaela's birthday at CDC last week. She had a great time. She didn't know what to think about blowing out the candles or wearing the hat at first. It did grow on her though. She started school over a month ago, and she absolutely loves it. If it was up to her, she would go everyday instead of just two days a week. She talks about her teacher, Mrs. Lucy, and her friends often. She loves to talk about Ella "Lella" the most. I have been so pleased with the program so far. Mrs. Lucy has been wonderful. She gets a daily report sent home everyday. It states how she ate, her behavior, nap stats, etc... Here are some funnies that have happened.

Last line of a report given to me a few weeks ago, "We did talk about keeping our clothes on at school today!!" OK, so turns out I have a very unmodest child. I am told that she tapped her teacher on the leg while working with another child on an art project. Mrs. Lucy turns around, only to see my "litte lady" in nothing but a diaper. She had taken her shoes and clothing off and placed them in the corner of the room. I got a good laugh out of this, but did have to talk to Michaela about stripping at school. She knows we only do that before taking a bath or getting dressed. Didn't realize that I needed to cover that upon going to school.

About two weeks ago she comes home from school. She had a substitute teacher and received good instead of great on the behavior portion. I decided I wanted to see why she didn't get a great. I say, "Michaela, Did you get in trouble today?" She replies, "Yes." I asked her what she did. She says as plain as day, "I pulled Lella's hayer!" So, of course we talked about using out hands to be gentle, etc... I am thinking for days that my child has become a violent individual. I ask the teacher the next time I saw her about the incident. She looked at me baffled and said, "Michaela didn't pull anyone's hair. She got along great with everyone last week." So I have come to two conclusions: My child either lies to get herself in trouble or she is pretty dang sneaky. I am just glad that I just talked to her about it and didn't get too upset about it. I just was shocked that she answered so matter of factly.

So, to sum this all up, Michaela loves school and I love to give her a chance to interact with other children and I enjoy the time I have to get things done that otherwise don't get done on a normal basis. She is so funny. I love kids at this age, minus the few terrible two traits that come with it!!