March into April

Spring is happening all around and we are thrilled for warmer weather.  On top of baseball and volleyball we have added track to our schedule.  We are busy busy busy!  Sometimes kids are changing and eating in the car as we drive from one sport to another.  Track is a short season so we don't have to double up much longer.  Cate is ending up her volleyball club season.  She has one more tournament in Indianapolis next weekend and then she is done til Fall.  Josh is just getting into the outdoor part of his club baseball.  He has had 2 games so far.  The fields are pretty wet so we need some non rainy days.

In track Josh is running the 100, 200, and 4x100 relay.  Cate is throwing discs and shot put.  Both kids seem to love the sport and really enjoy their teammates.  It keeps them busy after school and active so Mom really enjoys it too!

Grandma Carol is our biggest fan no matter what Josh and Cate are doing!

We had a great weather weekend recently and were able to get out on the bikes. Josh loves to ride this old bike of his big brother Nick's.  This bike is about 15 years old and a favorite!  They just don't make 'em like they used too. This bike was bought for Nick by his Grandpa Walker on his 6th birthday.  I bet Grandpa Walker is grinning up in heaven and slapping high fives as he looks down and sees Josh riding it. 

 Thanks Dad!  We miss you!  You would like Josh and Cate!

We had a fun Easter weekend!  We loved having Nick and Autumn's family home with us plus all the great grandparents were able to join us along with Uncle Kirk, Aunt Jenni and Matt.  What fun too have so many family members around the table.  We missed Luke, Susi and Konrad but since they were in Germany visiting her family it was a little far to commute back for lunch.

Coloring eggs, fixing deviled eggs, baking pecan pies, decorating bunny cake, and arranging bunny fruit were all projects to be completed.  The kids and Grandma Carol had a lot of work to get done.  They worked hard and did a terrific job!  Thank  you!

 The feast!

 The egg hunt and counting their stash!

Family is Forever!  We love these guys!

 Wyatt loves Great Granny's wheels!

Nick Clark family of 4 1/2.  Baby boy Clark arriving in August.

Saying good bye is never fun.  We love you guys and will see you soon.  

Everyone had left and we were feeling kind of sad so Mom and Dad pull out one more surprise that involves some new spring clothes for us.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

 Can you see the resemblance?  The one on the right is Josh and Cate when they were little's in the Philippines at King's Garden Children's Home.  That was then , this is now.   The one on the left is now, ages 15 and 14. Doesn't your heart just melt to think about how God had a plan for these 2?  In a perfect world they would be with their birth parents in the Philippines but it is not a perfect world.  God loved them then and he loves them now.  He knew their name when they were little and he knows their name now.  

We are counting on Him.  

Following Christ will fill you with a joy that will last forever!  Psalm 16:11

Choosing joy,

Chris & crew

February into March

Hello Spring!  Winter is winding down and it has been a mild one for sure.  The kids got new sleds for Christmas and barely used them once.  Now we are thinking about mowing the yard and planting flowers.  We could still get more snow but most days the weather is 40-60 degrees and that is just fine with me.  Josh's baseball has been practicing all winter on strength and agility.  Soon they will start playing outside.  Here are a few pics from the indoor practices.

We had a fun weekend with Nick, Autumn, Nolan, and Wyatt.  They live near Chicago so we enjoyed a day at the Brookfield Zoo.  The weather was wonderful and so was the company.  We always love being with the married families.

Cate continues to wow us with her volleyball skills and intensity of play.  We love to watch this girl attack the ball.  She is 5ft. 1in and can spike the ball!  Quite the vertical leap and athleticism God has gifted this child with.  Go Cate Go!

The fan section!

We finally talked the kids (especially Cate) into getting haircuts.  Their hair seems to be a vital part of their identity and they never want it cut.  Josh of course gets his cut regularly but Cate only consents about once a year when it finally gets so long and heavy she is getting headaches.  Then it is always so nice a little shorter and she wonders why she didn't say ok earlier.  They both look great in any style of hairdo!  Nice looking kiddos!

We currently have 4 adorable grandchildren I just got to show off.  We are also getting 3 new babies this year.  God is so good!

 This is our oldest grandson, Nolan Denham Clark.   Nolan is a fan of super heroes and is always eager to save someone in need!  Nolan is 4-1/2 and in preschool.

This is Evelyn Hope Kennedy, age 2 years. She is beautiful like her mother.

This blonde curly headed child is Konrad Walker Clark, age 22 months.  Konrad is a world traveler and is currently visiting his other grandma and grandpa in Germany.  

This sweet boy is Wyatt Lee Clark, age 16 months.  He is a doll baby and loves to chase after big brother and save the world.    

Aren't children precious and such a gift from God?  Just think we are getting 3 more grandbabies by the end of summer 2016.  So fun!

Below is a photo of Josh and Cate during their first Easter season in America.  Look at these babies!  Ages 11 and 10.  My goodness they look young and adorable.  This was then....

and 4 years later...this is now.

A couple of things I notice by comparing these photos.  Josh is now taller than Cate which has been his goal for years.  The look on their faces is much more relaxed and less forced.  They seem relaxed and not so stiff.  Both are holding their heads up high which tells me they feel good!  Cate still puts her hand on her hip for a picture!  Josh is feeling pretty cool wearing his Dad's IU shirt since he is cheering for IU in the NCAA tournament. They are both comfortable choosing their own clothes for school and wearing what they like.  They have grown into their teenager faces and they are still adorable, beautiful people created and loved by Jesus.  A wise person once told me always look at how far you have come and not at how far you have to go!  Wise words those were.  Yes we have come along ways from that first Easter.  

You'll see the goodness of the Lord....wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart!  

Psalm 27:13

The NIV says it this way.

 I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  

How can you not see goodness in these faces? I'm telling you Jeff and I could not walk this journey with Josh and Cate if we weren't being led, and sometimes carried, by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   I pray you know Him today.  

Happy Easter 2016.  He has risen.  He has risen indeed.

Thanks for reading the blog and praying for us.  

Choosing joy,

Chris & crew