#4 we are all caught up

Samuel and Sophia dancing.
He is actually a very intuitive dancer with a graceful air. He is so funny. Lillian loves to dance also, we are really stuck on the "River Dance" theme though.

Yes, sweet smile, I love you too! She is so amazed and finds such gratification standing in charge of the computer. She was dancing in the chair in this picture sneaking a key stroke in here and there when i wasn't looking. I took this picture last night.

Nick wasn't happy with his original compost bin design. Now we have the hay bale megalith compost cube.

It is a lovely addition. The children like it and I think it smells nice.

November

We love to take drives on the week end around the country side dreaming of that illusive 30 acres we hope to have someday.

Mildred makes every one happy. She is a smart cat too. I have seen her runt o the back door when Lillian shuts the cat food cabinet.

Sophia brings me her shoes and points to the door a lot. She loves being outside.

I know, these are all picture of the baby. She just changes so much. As you can see she is comfortable at the dinner table.

I think she is fussing about something in this picture. She is starting to look like a little girl and not so much like a baby.

October

This is an autumn picture of our street from October. I love walking to pick Lillian up at the bus stop every day. Now that it is cooler I just take my fleece pouch that was in the car seat, put it in the stroller and off we go. Samuel can still be seen in a short sleeve t-shirt (maybe because that is about all i can get him to wear).

This is Sophia's "Shhh, quiet" face. This is Sophia at the horse race when my Dad was visiting. This is Sophia dressed. Nick took the children (and the keys to the truck) off the get drinks on the other side of the track. While they were gone Sophia had just enough time to spill all of her water out of her thermos on to her pants, I was able to hang them on the out to dry (remember no keys!), and then for Sophie to be wearing them again by the time they walked up with one bite of ice cream left. Darn! Yes, I did bring shoes and socks for my child; in fact we were all wearing shoes (part of the time).

Horse races are a lot of waiting. I understand why every one was tailgating. All the ladies were dressed for a night out on the town ( I am not joking, high heeled knee high boots and off the shoulder mini dresses). As you can see we came under dressed for the occasion (or over dressed depending on how you look at it). So now just imagine classy me with a half naked baby whose wet pants are hanging out to dry on the race track fence.

On the other hand horse races, for the five seconds the horses are running in front of you, are breathtaking. Horses are so strong with such graceful movement; the sound of their hooves musical. I shed a tear.

Sophia driving us to the farmers market. It was a joy having my Dad around for a few days.
Please come visit. You might have to sleep on the floor. You can expect much from a lady who hangs wet baby breeches out at a race track while her youngun sits half neckid for an hour.

Me thinks...

I listen to Eminem when I am raking the yard. If this is surprising to you, I understand. It isn't that I find his music particularly inspiring; though it is moving and I am trying to figure out why. I kind of enjoy it and that is a surprise to me. However, I am a forced participant. The high school plays Eminem over it's stadium loud speakers, and the high school is basically in my back yard. So, thank you Lafayette HS, for my very loud, very Eminem, Saturday soundtrack. To accompany what would be an otherwise boring scene.





There are other things going on. Helicopters (hospital 2 blocks down), trains (tracks across the road), Fire engines (Fire house around the block), and the high school band that apparently wants to be THE best band in the universe and practices 6 days a week (the same song!). This may simultaneously be both the nicest and loudest neighborhood experience I have ever had.

But serenity; it is just around the corner. I hope.

Somehow I stood in the middle of the yard this afternoon and worshiped. Yes, to Eminem...sort of. I don't know. The breeze was causing the crispy brown leaves to rustle and dance, my children were being children, Nick was being Nick, and the bright blue sky was alive with light and sound. I was comforted maybe by the brazen humanity that accompanied all this quite beauty. Possibly I was eased by the familiarity in the sounds of struggle and frustration and fight. I think the stark contrast was the thing. Loveliness and life, fallen-ness and frustration. I am still not reconciled to the feeling and am not sure if it was holy or fleshly but it was mine.
I do occasionally find "me" in all these little clips of life that are so generally about everything else.

Funny things, children...

I see a butt. One peachy white hiny, sticking out from between the branches of the enormous tree in my back yard. My son, who has run, shimmied up the tree, is now half naked. I see a twinkly, sprinkelery, stream squirting from the opposite side of the trunk; four feet off the ground. "Uh, lou know Mom, that is the out house!"...

Yesterday He asked his Papa. "Do you have good eyesight and a good hypothesis?" and this morning he informed me that he was going to China so that he could ride his bike on their big wall.




I just realized that my baby, when she sounds off "DOT, DOT!" pointing her precious little finger, is really telling me to stop. Why? This is what I say to her when she is trying to twist away from me with a dirty bottom. "Stop, Stop!"



Some of her words are "Tie, Tie" this is quiet which requires a finger going over her nose before she makes the shhhh sound. "Mil-ma", "Mam-moe", "Ma-ma", "My-my"...I don't know, they really almost all sound the same. I am playing connect the dots here. "Mil-ma" for the cat "Mildred", "Ma-moe" for Samuel ("Ya-ya" is Lillian), and so on. She will try everything though. Yelling "MA-MA-MA-MA-MA-MA", I tell her to say "down" if she wants out of her chair. Suddenly looking very sophisticated, if that is possible with almond butter smeared into every facial crevice and jelling her hair straight up; she says "DOW!". Samuel was trying to climb a chain link fence (well he WAS climbing it) and I noticed that Sophia was lifting her leg up and trying to get her pink converse high top in a good spot so she could do the same. Her five year plan is to do everything she sees her brother and sister doing.

She likes to walk on her tip-toes, spin in circles, and do leg lifts (who knows?). She sings and at dinner she holds hands and mumbles a sweet little sing-song prayer and then yells "Mem!"



Number one is a blessing in her class. Her teacher feels encouraged weekly by Lillian's affirmations and hugs. Lillian seems to be enjoying herself.

Uh...apparently USC got back on the bus and went home at half time.

I was going to send Lillian to school in garnet and black Monday. I am going to re-think that.

Camping

Please...I beg you...let me go into this black hole in the earth...I MUST!!!!!
Oh please, oh please, oh please...

We went on our first camping trip last week end. Pack n' play, check, blow up mattress and down comforter (hee-hee! Momma doesn't own a sleeping bag) check, a bazillion other things (just in case), check. I have a more realistic list now of essential camping items for my family, but by the looks of the truck the first one was pretty impressive.

Our first stop was a beautiful natural bridge. It is hard to tell from the picture just how enormous the bridge was. Nick is actually going down hill. We visited the park once before and I was the only one to discover this spot. I wanted to take every one back to enjoy it. But first we hiked a pretty normal trail up to the top of a cliff. Little did my family know the leaf covered, not so interesting trail was hiding this beneath their little feet.

Later Daddy took all the little people on a cave tour. Samuel vibrated with enthusiasm, Lillian was impressed with the guide Jonathan, and Sophia snored. They saw a tiny bat, a stalactite chandelier and when the lights were turned off... absolutely nothing.
Meanwhile I was back at our tent trying to figure out how to start a fire without a lighter. I was supposed to be cooking dinner. I sat in a camp chair wondering why Nick had left me with no lighter. He had, it was in my pocket. How the heck did it get there? I have no clue. I also do not remember getting the baby out of her crib last night and some how I also missed the point which Nick went to sleep on the couch. Sad, I had the whole bed to myself and didn't know it. Anyway, the fire was started and the beef stew was an empowering accomplishment and very tasty.

Ok, my children think that an authentic Appalachia camping trip requires bare feet. Yes, and a coon skin cap (no pic, sorry)!

Good morning 49 degrees!

Hello yucky pancakes, but yummy bacon and eggs...and coffee...and FIRE!

Lillian took this picture. I love autumn!

West coast mountains are panoramic, breathtaking, and grand. In Washington the tall strong evergreens dominate the landscape, in California the mountains look like God picked up a carpet and shook it out. The east coast mountains in my opinion are quiet and supple; like they are keeping a secret.

This was just the secret we were hoping for. There was only a rough trail with no trail markers. But, Samuel doesn't understand "No trail markers" so off he went around the bend and through the low limbs of trees. This was a cave. It looked like the roof had started to fall in. Before Nick and I could decide how to proceed our son had already climbed to the top (he is like Waldo, see if you can find him in the picture). It is evidence of two major points, one, Nick and I are slow to make decisions and two, Samuel doesn't like to wait around to find out what they are going to be. And that is all pretty normal at our house. Anyway, I was only kind of waiting for a wild animal to come crawling out of one of the 20 holes in the wall looking for a sweet little boy morsel (or a Momma...morsel ;0)

Bless him, he didn't get to go far, but he did get to go!
(the shoes you see are actually Lillian's, you can't see Samuel)

Well pinch my cheek , I am sooo cute!

This is pouting because I have the camera and she does not.

Yes! I am dedicating this whole post to #3. She "needed" a thermos. Lillian and Samuel got one each for school. She walks around the house making her please "me" sound behind them. She sneaks sips from theirs whenever she can. I just got her her own. It really was lavish. She is so happy and carries it around, with a very big girl expression. Her adorable booties came from Aunt Keely. They didn't fit her last year. I am so glad she can use them now.

I made this dress for her from one of m old t-shirts. It was my first attempt. I really am going to have to attempt a lot before i get the hang of it.

She is asking if she can eat the potato. On the way home from the farmers market last Thursday I gave her a whole peach to eat. She ate through half of it before we were past the first light. She saw the peaches on the table at the market and turned her head to the side (that is how she asks for something, as if she is suggesting) and patted my shoulder pointing to the basket of peaches. I would have bought ten baskets after that. The only problem is...I have finally made the switch to cloth diapers. Thinkin I might nix the peaches for a while if you know what I mean.

She likes to take what I call tactile walks through our neighborhood. I let her do the walking and about every two sidewalk squares she is touching, grabbing, or tasting some new ground item. Usually I am ok with this. Her Daddy might be a little more adventurous. He lets her roam free through the dusty, sometimes muddy, and I have notice occasionally cat toilet, garden of ours. She loves it, dirt all over her face, with her people doing what people do...

On that note, and this is very serious you see, she must sometimes wear her brothers bike helmet. For all you devoted loving moms out there...she probably wheres it more than her big brother does. It is so silly, but she thinks it's big time. She also gets a self satisfied look when she is writing on paper, helping wipe the floor, and just yesterday, entering a new phase for mom, climbing up to stand on our tippy kitchen chairs. She fell out of the chair three times; still she prevails! One is such a fun time. Bless her heart and "Thank you" to Heavenly Father, she won't remember all the bumps and bangs and... other stuff. That folks, is grace right there; not remembering the first three years of your life!

Our own little Eden (the garden variety)

We have been in this little house for about two months. In this time we have put in a garden with Collard Greens, Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Lettuce...

I prayed and worshiped while I planted. I am trying to put some of my hope and suspicions into practice. Prayerfully stewarding the earth. My hope is that Christ in me will work through me to sanctify and bring abundant life to all of creation. Maybe through the laying on of hands, or my breath, or my prayers; who knows. But Mark 16:15 says that we should take the good news to ALL of creation. I am going to spend a little time applying myself to this principle.

Well, our garden is lovely and we are in the process of planning for a bunch of chickens. However another thing is happening. There could be many combination's and reasons. But my life is being inundated with life. We have 3 Raccoons, at least a Opossum, many Birds, worms, crickets (they chirp for us in the doors and windows), and spiders. Today we have aquired a beautiful cat and this week noticed a noble hawk (that likes to eat the birds) and perches in our large oak trees. In the last few weeks we have caught a caterpillar and released a butterfly (!), reunited a baby squirrel with it's mother, and well, acquired this cat.

As we were walking home from the bus stop a few weeks ago, right before we left for Kansas City, Lillian caught a huge velvety catterpillar. It was fantastic! When the catterpillar was scared it would rais it's head up and make itself look like (to me) a baby mouse; very strange. She put it in her bug house. One night after we returned from KC I was reading "The Very Hungry Catterpiller" to Sophia before bed. "Oh my goodness!" and "Phew!" I ran to the laundry closet and there it was a "...beautiful butterfly". We were all very pleased.

Nick and I saw the cat last night on the back steps. I thought it was pretty. This morning it approached the children in the backyard with purrs and rolling tummy up, like a dog. She hasn't left and lets the children pick her up. They are of course thrilled. Nick and I explained that we would treat her neighborly (invite her for tea or a warm bowl of milk...I know I am asking for it) but nobody owned her especially NOT us; she is free and welcomed (!) to come and go as she pleases.

My bunch, in a very honest picture I think.

I am getting to the Wedding...but first.

Ok...I was looking at pictures of Samuel. One because around my children's birthdays I always go back and look at their baby pictures and two because of our most recent family addition (Deacon Z. Clonts) who is also a handsome boy. SO I remembered what an awkward first picture Samuel took and wanted to look on that funny little face.

Well, here is the really funny coincidence:

This is Nick with Sophia.

Wedding!

Janna and Jeremy's Wedding:

2 week end's ago my family hopped in the truck and headed for Missouri; Kansas City Missouri.

10 hours later we walked into a lovely hotel downtown and were greeted by the beautiful face of my youngest and now married sister and favorite old man, my Dad. I like Kansas City. It is very artsy and lovely.

We spent twenty hours at least in the truck. It was a well spent twenty hours as we were refreshed by the fellowship with family. We have missed our California family since we left and were so happy to see Mom, Mark, and Jared if even for a little bit. Sophia seemed to remember her uncle Jared and went to him gladly; right away.

Janna of course was stunning and I was thankful that her extended family and precious friends were such a help to her in the absence of Mom and sisters. She is truly blessed.

Lillian and Samuel played a small role. Flower girl and ring bearer. Samuel was still disappointed a day later that he hadn't actual born a ring and really felt cheated. He was adorable to look at with a tux that was a bit large. The back portion of the building was not air conditioned. By the time we walked down the aisle his cheeks were red and he had a sweat mustache. But both he and Lillian were perfectly behaved, for the three minutes of service required of them. I was so pleased.

I was musing as Dad said in response to the giving away question "Her mother and I do" about my parents having done this five times. Now that all of the girls have been "given away" does it feel like moving on to a new chapter.
If so we have been writing the next chapter for a while! 10...11...

http://emmclonts.blogspot.com/2010/09/baby-deacon-is-here.html

It kind of looks like Nick is stepping on my toe in this picture. Sophia danced and danced. She and her aunt Virginia had a blast.

I love this picture. Because it reminds me that I have the most fun sisters in the world. And a very handsome little brother. Everyone enjoyed dancing, mostly. Nick and I aren't very good dancers and Mom couldn't dance because Mark sustained an injury when a high heel clad girlfriend of the bride Kung-Fu'ed his shin (likely story Mark). But Samuel danced! He danced with me, and with Lillian, he danced with a cute little small sized girl, and he danced with the single bridesmaids (really he climbed up Amanda...), then he danced with "the girls" a group of Janna's girlfriends that he had charmed with his dashing good looks and winning personality, and he also dance with his grandmother (mom did get a dance in), and aunts. Phew! He could have powered the lights with all the energy he was putting out.

This is such a good picture. The wedding was in the third floor room of an old building that is now used for art studios and a church.

Keely giving an encouraging and sweet toast. The reception was a very tasty bar-b-q dinner.

Moms without their children get into all kinds of trouble.

Samuel drinking a toast to the happy couple. He was amazed that he could brake the bottom off of the champagne flute and then miraculously...it was fixed. He went from table to table showing every one his incredible trick. This is what Nick did all night...all week-end. He was such a great Dad, husband, and brother-in-law. I should also mention Giti and Brad as they were at home with their broods while moms were away.

I hope Jeremy and Janna will have such great adventures together. That life will only be restful at times but never stagnant. That Father God will establish the work of their hands and the dreams in their hearts. I believe these two are going to do great things!