December and beyond!

I know, I know, it's been over a month since my last post and I'm really sorry. I've been super busy with the holiday season and then not having a computer while I was in Indiana didn't help much. But now I'm back, with lots to tell you.:)

As you're probably aware, Steven left on the 5th of December. It was a hard time saying goodbye. I didn't want to see him go but I knew this would be the last time I'd have to do it. After he gets back from Iraq he will be out of the Army for good! (Keep praying!) So I dropped him off at his Battalion and then went back to work on that Friday. Overall I feel like I'm doing pretty well. I've been keeping busy with school, Navigator's, and the holidays. I was kind of anxious to see if things would change once I got back from Indiana but so far so good.
Steven is now in Iraq. Not sure exactly where though, near Baghdad I think. He's keeping busy which is a good thing. Even though it means we can't keep in contact as much, I know the time is going by quicker for him.

Steven with some Iraqi kids

So for Christmas I flew home to Indiana. The weather was blistering cold when I got there but warmed up a bit and I got used to it. Negative 24 on my first Sunday but up in the 40's later on. While in Indiana I spent a lot of time with my sister, brother-in-law and my wonderful nephew Landon. He is the cutest thing ever! Notice from the pictures.:) It was so great to be with them and see how much Landon has grown in just a month's time! He smiles now and talks and even did his first laugh while I was there! I also enjoyed spending time with my parents. They are the greatest parents a child could ever have and I'm reminded of that each time I'm with them. They are the most selfless and caring people. If you don't know them, you really need to!

Cold Indiana winter!


Could he be any cuter?
Alicia and me

We celebrated a few Christmases while I was there. We did the annual Christmas Eve at my aunt and uncles house. Christmas day was at my parents house. And the Hahn/Berger/Clark Christmas was at Matt and Alicia's house. We also had our Berger Christmas at Red Lobster. Mmmm, Red Lobster. They were all great opportunities to see family members and spend some more time with them.

Sloan

Landon's baby dedication


Shh, the reindeer is sleeping!

For New Year's Eve I was invited to Amos and Jess Frye's house. We did our tournaments of Euchre, Ping pong, and Guitar Hero. I won the Euchre tournament! (Okay, so not really, it was Amos. But since it was his party I think he didn't want to take the prize. So thanks Amos!) He probably would have won the Ping Pong tournament if Jenn wouldn't have beat him in rock paper scissors.:) But I will admit that fair and square my sister won Guitar Hero! Woohoo! Who knew I had a rockstar for a sister! :) That was a fun night of hanging out and staying up until 3:30 am. I know, if you know me you know my usual bedtime is 9:00 so I was living large that night!

The gals!

Over the time at home I also spent time with the Hoover family. My best friend Amy's parents and mine spend a lot of time together and so when I'm home we usually all get together. Let me tell you, those people know how to have fun!

Amy and me

Overall, my break was very restful, entertaining, and much needed. It was hard without Steven there but I know that this will be the last one without him. Please keep praying for him and his ministry in Iraq. Thanks and I promise I will update more regularly from now on!

Thanksgiving

Steven and I had a wonderful time over Thanksgiving break. We didn't decide until about a week before that we would be going back to Indiana for the holiday. It was really up to him. He realized that if he didn't go home now then he wouldn't go back for another year. He didn't want to miss that family time. It makes me realize how lucky I am to have a husband who really loves my family and wants to spend the holidays with them. Steven also told me on the way back to Indiana that he never liked the holidays until he spent them with my family. I'm so happy we could introduce him to all the happiness the holidays can bring!

Our Thanksgiving was filled with lots of family and lots of kids! Here are just a few pictures of the good times we had.

Landon and Grandpa :)

My second cousin Jamie and her necklace

My cousin Natalie, Jamie, and me

My second cousins Sloan and Dan

My cousin in law (?)Jessica and Gunnar, Landon and me

Zuzu and Landon

Steven, Landon, and Zuzu

I love him with everything

As time is winding down for Steven to deploy I'm reminded everyday of how much I love him. He's asked me before what I love the most about him and most definitely it's the way he makes me laugh every day of my life! Even if he's not trying to be funny, he can still make me laugh until I cry. I think it's just the way he can look so innocent, like a little child who has really caused a great deal of mischief! I'm so thankful for these times we've been able to spend together. I can think on these for the next year while he's away and instead of crying because of his absence, I can laugh because of the wonderful memories he has given me. Here are a few pictures of the great times we've had over the past year.

I can't say I've ever had a better year in my life. And I know that when he comes back from Iraq we will have the rest of our lives to spend together with no more interruptions. It will be our dream come true! Steven, I love you and thank you for the greatest days I've ever had and I can't wait to make even more memories.

Halloween...and other things

Hello all. Time for another update from the Clark crew. This past week has been crazy at school due to nine weeks tests, Red Ribbon Week, Spirit week, Halloween, field trips, etc. Thankfully it's all over and we had a fun relaxing weekend. Steven's aunt, Robin, came up from Georgia to spend the weekend with us and see Steven before he leaves for Iraq. We enjoyed taking her to dinner, showing her around Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, and showing her our new house. I think she had a good time. I also was interested to learn more about Steven as a little boy. She said he hasn't changed much. Which is a good thing because I like him pretty well the way he is now. ;) Robin spent a lot of time with him when he was younger. Steven has always loved Robin and learned a lot from her as a child. She was able to debate politics and religion with Steven as well which is something I'm not very good at so I think he enjoyed having someone around to do those things with.

On Saturday night we went to a Navigator's Halloween party at John and Jess's. I think the best thing about it was just seeing everyone's costume. There were some creative ones no doubt. Anytime we get together with Navigator's we have a good time. It's just nice to know that you have a good bunch of people to hang out with who share your same values. There was also some good food there. And I tried firsthand making pumpkin roll. It turned out pretty good. I've had better but I'll keep trying! Someday I'll get as good as Emily Rummel. ;)


On a more solemn note, Steven's deployment is back on for the week of the 16th. Which leaves us only about 2 weeks left. I try not to think about it because when I do I just get sad and pitiful. But I also want to think about it so that I can relish the time I have with him now. I know God will keep him safe and I just pray that the time will go by quickly, or even better, the deployment will be shortened! And as of now I'm roommateless for the next year. So if anyone out there is looking for a place to live for cheap rent...come see me!:)

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. I hope you enjoy!
Sarah Palin and Dwight Shrute Doctor and Disco QueenWendy- the best female costume, and the Burger King, worst male costume. Hence the pink bunny suit!:)





Best couple goes to Dick Cheney and his hunting buddy!


Steven and Robin

Keep praying!

Just a quick one this time. Since my last blog I've felt and seen everyone's prayers. Just last Wednesday Steven came home and said his deployment got pushed back a few weeks. Now he won't be going until after Thanksgiving. Which means, if it gets pushed back just a few more weeks he won't have to go at all! How awesome is God? Thanks for all of your prayers and keep it up! :)

What's been going on?

Well, not a whole lot really if you want to know the truth. Since we got back from Indiana a few weeks ago Steven and I have been pretty much hanging around the house on the weekends, getting our work done and just enjoying each other's company. I love spending time with my husband because we have so much fun together! Last week at Bible study I was asked the question, "what's the best thing about being married?" My answer was, "It's like having your best friend around all the time." It truly is. We can make fun of each other, wrestle with each other and laugh until it hurts!

We had an FRG meeting last week where we found out Steven's deployment window was the week of November 16th. As of now that's about 4 weeks away. :/ I'm not sure if I'm just not really thinking about it or it hasn't really registered with me yet how long that time is going to be. I remember thinking through the last deployment that I never want to go through that again. And I didn't think we would have to. He was supposed to be out of the Army in October of this year but now he can't because of the stop loss. So we'll have to make it through another one. I know that God will be with me through it all and he will keep Steven safe. I was reading in my Bible the other day in Luke where Jesus says,

9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

This got me thinking, "ask and it will be given to you". Well, what I really want to ask God for is the keep Steven home and not deploy. But can I ask for that? Is that going against God's will? So I've decided to word it like this, "Lord, I really don't want Steven to deploy but if he does please allow him to be able to minister to the men he's with and keep me close to you throughout the deployment." So I'm still asking God to let Steven stay home but if he has to go I want him to be able to work for God's kingdom.

So sorry this post didn't really have much of a point. I just wanted to share a little of what's been going on with me. I'm going to leave you with some pictures we took through Steven's FRG. A professional took them and we really like them! What do you think?

Family time

What a great weekend I just had!!! First of all, for those of you who have not heard yet, I'm an aunt! Landon Matthew Hahn was born on Thursday afternoon at 4:27 pm. Steven and I had plans to go to Indiana over the weekend so we made a side trip to Fort Bellvoir, Virginia to see Matt and Alicia at the hospital. They were super excited and Steven and I were so glad we could meet our nephew (especially before any other family members)! He is a cute little boy and the mother is doing fine. I can't wait to spoil him like any good aunt would do.:)

After we got to Ft. Bellvoir we stopped in the hospital around 8:30, stayed for 2 hours, then went back to the hotel room because we left at 5:00 the next morning. So even though it was a short trip it was well worth it!

When we were in Wakarusa we were able to celebrate my grandfather's 90th birthday! I'm so glad I was able to be there and celebrate with him. This was also the last time Steven would see my family before he deploys in November. So there were a lot of reasons to go up north and I'm very happy that we were able to do it.

ZuZu dancing at my grandpa's birthday party

It was nice just to spend some time with my family. I won't be going back for Thanksgiving so I won't see them again until Christmas. At that time I'll be able to spend more time with my nephew, actually get to visit with Matt and Alicia, and spend good quality time with my family. It seems that I don't realize how much I miss my family until I visit them again. So I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing but I'm glad I can spend time with them. I guess when you are away from them you realize how much they mean to you. I think that if I lived in Indiana I wouldn't appreciate them as much and all they do for me so I'm happy I can see what a blessing they really are!