Happy Mardi Gras!

Ever since Jackson was born, we have always taken a trip with Aimee (Erin's sister) and Michael (bro. in law) during Mardi Gras Break (in Louisiana, all colleges are out Monday-Wednesday of Mardi Gras). Two years ago we went to Gulf Shores; last year we went to a state park in Mississippi. This year, we decided to go to Flintstone, Georgia and stay with Aimee and Michael and do some of the touristy things of Chattanooga that would appeal to Jackson.

We were able to leave on Thursday evening prior to the break due to school being canceled because of snow. We made it to Tuscaloosa and then on Friday morning drove into Atlanta to see my BFF Dave's new baby, Eden. Jackson is betrothed to Eden. It was great seeing Dave and Brooke and meeting their sweet new, Eden. Jackson LOVED her.



That evening, we went on into Flintstone (just 7 miles south of downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee). There was quite a bit of snow, so we were able to play (and pee) in that. Jackson and his cousins built a rather large snowman. In Chattanooga, we went to the Aquarium, which Jackson simply adored. He was all over the place mesmerized by all the fish, stingrays, sharks, frogs, penguins, etc. The next day we went to the Children's Discovery Museum. That place was fantastic. I think Jackson enjoyed it too...I didn't notice, as I was enjoying all the neat experiments and artifacts. We finished our tourism elements by going to the IMAX theatre to see an ocean film in 3-D. Again, very cool stuff.




Jackson threw up more than average. I guess, mainly due to large amounts of junk food in short spans of time.

It was really refreshing to see family and still get a vacation and STILL manage to do some things we never take advantage of when we are there for other occasions. In all of our excursions, fast food outings, Dunkin' Donuts, car snacking, Mother-in-Law's home cooking, and bowls upon bowls of ice cream, I only managed to gain a half a pound.


stay tuned for more pictures=)

the Real BETH MOORE!!

This past weekend I had the privilege of going with my BFF in Ruston, Lindsey, to see Beth Moore. I have always been a fan of her but never a die hard fan so I was unsure as to what to expect. Lindsey and I had a great time traveling all the way to Huston, TX! It was a much needed time with her talking about nothing important and being away from our families. It was nice to be able to talk and not have small boys at our feet wanting our attention! It was my first time away from Jackson over night and was a lot easier than I thought. Not that I want to do it again anytime soon but I am glad that I did it!! The conference was for those who had memorized scripture over the past year. It was so encouraging to see all these women who have been intentional to hide God's word in their heart. The scripture that I memorized was all of Psalm 139. I am grateful for the way the Lord used it in my life over the hard times of miscarrying. I know and can rest in God's providence of his timing and the fact that all of our days are ordained before one of them begins(psalm 139:15-16). Our little one's days were numbered and it happened to be only a few weeks. I take complete comfort in that! I want to thank Lindsey for being so consistent to keep me on track to memorize my scripture and would stay on top of learning it with me. Ruston is an easier place and life is better because of her!! I love you BFF!!

potty training!!

January 4, 2010 we started potty training. Jackson is a champ at going to the potty. He has even learned how to put his poop in the potty. We are so proud of him and are thankful for his quickness at learning!!

Merry Christmas

So Christmas is over and we are back in Ruston. We spent time in KY with Jonathan's family and in GA with my family. It was a blast and we are TOTALLY spoiled!!

Jonathan's brother, Billy, made him a quilt for Christmas=)


Ty, Ally, Jackson, Alex, and Ethan. All the Clark cousins=)



Jackson, Jonathan, and Ty. Jackson and Ty are only 6 months apart!!


Patsy's fun tree and Jackson!


Notice Jackson is SO SO excited about taking a family picture=)



My Granny, she is 92 and so funny=)


Jackson drinking is first cup of Starbuck's hot chocolate.


Regan, Jackson, and Shelby.. Sweet cousins..



Mimi and Jackson and the HUGE snowman in Mimi and Papa's front yard!





Spoiled I say SPOILED!!

Christmas is wearing us out, but we are LOVING it!

December has been moving by pretty quickly and a LOT has been happening. As you probably know, we miscarried the Monday prior to Thanksgiving. A couple of weeks after that initial start of the miscarriage, we ended BACK in the emergency room on a Sunday afternoon after church which resulted in a D and C (that is basically where they go into the uterus with a little vacuum cleaner and suck out all the impurities). That thing did wonders. Erin was back up to 100% in no time flat! If we knew it would be that easy, we would have had the D and C back in November! Our church family has been incredible. They have signed up to bring us meals and have rallied around us. It is really good and we are very humbled and grateful.

On a MUCH lighter note, we have been going, going, going with various Christmas parties and get-togethers. Sunday School parties, BCM parties, Church Staff parties, dinners with friends, etc. I cannot tell you the last time we have had an evening at home, just the three of us. Students are done with school for a couple of weeks, which means things will slow down for us as well.

Jackson was able to attend his very first Murray State basketball game as the Racers came to Ruston to play Louisiana Tech! Murray State lost by 6, but it was very exciting to see Murray folks down here and to be reminded of just how amazing college was. Plus, I was asked to say the pre-game prayer. I was wearing my gold Murray State Alumni shirt during the prayer, but I had my jacket zipped up.

Jackson has also become a chewing-gum addict.


I carry both of these in my 18 year old wallet.


Jackson spent the day with Daddy at work and received a blue candy cane.





Emmanuel Baptist Church Staff and families Christmas Party


It is a good thing there is no audio on this picture, because we were all screaming at the top of our lungs.


Jackson displaying some of his silly faces.


This is Jackson and his buddy, Ethan Hogg, at the Emmanuel College Christmas Party.


Ethan Hogg and Jackson again. Jackson SERIOUSLY loves this kid.


We received this baby doll as a gag gift at a Christmas party and Jackson was reading to her before he put her down for her nap.

Thanksgiving Break

Being at Louisiana Tech makes for odd breaks. They are on the Quarter system, which means, they have a big break for Thanksgiving. The BCM always takes a Fall Break Mission Trip. In the past, we have gone to Wisconsin, Mexico, California...places that were way far away and not really conducive to taking Jackson (plus, he was a little-bity baby). This year, however, we went to Mission Arlington in the Dallas, Texas area. It is practically in our own backyard. And with Jackson being 2, meant he is old enough to go! We had an absolute blast. There were about 80 students that went and we all stayed together under one roof. Jackson loved all the attention and excitement. He also loved being out on the Mission Field. We had to clean a yard that Mission Arlington had acquired and he jumped right in there raking leaves and picking up trash. Mission Arlington also does a lot of apartment ministry, especially with the children there. Jackson was very sweet to play with the kids and give them presents and love on them. It was like he knew there was a bigger purpose for his being there. It was really neat to experience a Family Mission Trip for the first time...hopefully the first of many.

This is at one of the apartment complexes where we did an after-school program. Jackson gave the children Christmas books about Jesus that were written in both English and Spanish.


This is a Sunday morning worship service at one of the apartment churches. Many of these complexes allow the church to meet in a converted apartment. It was very neat to see the diversity and the informality of what we might be used to.


This is also at an apartment complex. We were playing soccer, football, and frisbee with the boys while the girls colored and talked jewelry.

We also got to see Brett and April Duncan (Brett was one of my best friends from High School who went to Dallas Baptist on a baseball scholarship. He stayed there). They have a one year old boy named Mason who we all got to meet for the first time, plus they got to meet Jackson for the first time. That was fun.


Since we had been doing so much traveling (the week prior going to Atlanta for a DNow and then to Mission Arlington for 6 days), we decided NOT to try to make the trek to Kentucky or Georgia...plus there was a wedding the Saturday after Thanksgiving where Erin had hair responsibilities. All that to say, we had decided to stay in Ruston for Thanksgiving. We missed seeing our family, but it sure was great to not be on the road. It was great to rest. It was great to have some very intentional family time. It was great to heal from the miscarriage news. It was just a really refreshing holiday. We got the house decorated for Christmas and had a wonderful meal with Marmee (Melinda Pratt, mother-in-law to Aurelia Davila Pratt, mother to Lyle Pratt, husband to Dr. John, etc) and her family. It was nice. We all had a really great time of non-blood-family fun.

The progression of our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree being built.


Tree built, lights on.


Tree built, lights on, decorated, Nativities, watching The Office...done.


Jackson with Marmee...his resident Grandmother.


Erin with Aurelia Davila Pratt, Marmee's daughter-in-law and friend of the Clarks.


Jackson LOVES these boxers. We all had a lot of fun wrestling around and rough-housing. I (Jonathan) even left with two big scratch marks from my eyebrow to just below my lip. I think Jackson is checking this dog's oil.

"Glory Baby"

There is a song by the Christian band, Watermark, called "Glory Baby" which is a song about miscarriage. We figured this would be an appropriate way to announce we have done just that, miscarried. We are very much at peace with God's sovereignty and take rest in Psalm 139:16. God has given us both great and significant peace...really. We aren't just saying that.

"Glory Baby"
by: Watermark

Glory baby you slipped away as fast as we could say baby…baby..
You were growing, what happened dear?
You disappeared on us baby…baby..
Heaven will hold you before we do
Heaven will keep you safe until we’re home with you…
Until we’re home with you…

Miss you everyday
Miss you in every way
But we know there’s a
day when we will hold you
We will hold you
You’ll kiss our tears away
When we’re home to stay
Can’t wait for the day when we will see you
We will see you
But baby let sweet Jesus hold you
‘till mom and dad can hold you…
You’ll just have heaven before we do
You’ll just have heaven before we do

Sweet little babies, it’s hard to
understand it ‘cause we’re hurting
We are hurting
But there is healing
And we know we’re stronger people through the growing
And in knowing-
That all things work together for our good
And God works His purposes just like He said He would…
Just like He said He would…

BRIDGE:
I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies
and what they must sound like
But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home
And it’s all you’ll ever know…all you’ll ever know…

Even though the baby we carried never got any bigger than our pinky-nail, it is comforting to know that he/she had a soul and is with its Creator...and his/her brother/sister that was also miscarried three years ago.