Inspiration

Sometimes inspiration comes when you least expect it.  

Color, Nature, the scent of an essential oil, the design of a vintage piece of jewelry or furniture, instrumental hymns, instrumental Latin Jazz, a full-bodied red wine, a nice Sauvignon Blanc, a glass of Champagne poured in a tall flute, spending time with my  
Grands, spending quiet time with my Love, my Sons, my Daughters, Tropical flowers, traveling and cruising, sitting on a beautiful beach, Sea glass, being in the Mountains, sitting by the pond in my hometown's Central Park, enjoying Lexington's scenery, remembering the California Coast, remembering West Virginia, the perfect pan of Jalapeno cornbread, Amish butter, caper berries, fresh Salmon, fresh coffee brewed in my $5 Perc pot, Photography, the sound of my Grandmother Clock, Vintage Glass, the soothing sound of my Love playing the piano, the view out of every window in our home, watching the families of deer from our front porch, seeing the sunrise each morning, being grateful for God's true Love, listening to the voice inside and finding a Watercolor Artist from the Netherlands...Annemiek Groenhout...

My Firstborn in June

The dawn came in with a hail storm the sixth day of June.  The Preacher man in black appeared in the waiting room...perhaps an Angel God sent in at the right moment to calm the anxiety of a young Father and the Grandmother of the baby that was being born.  He said a prayer with them and went on his way.

In the operating room was a young Mother-to-be waiting on the Doctor to perform a C-Section and deliver her firstborn.  And all of a sudden, it happened. The face of a beautiful baby boy was looking up at his Momma for the first time.
I immediately gave thanks to our Lord and then admired the little miracle placed on my chest.  He was beautiful in all ways!

My pregnancy went very well although I was very young.  I didn't have a life reference manual to go by.  I did have my faith in a Living God who gave me my baby and Brad's Dad,who made sure I ate carrots when the baby's eyes were being formed and drank plenty of milk when the baby's bones were developing. And anything else we could research that would help in the formation of our little miracle.  One of my main cravings while pregnant was sauerkraut and wieners.  To this day, my son enjoys everything fermented!

I'll always remember our drive home from the hospital.  The sunny cool morn, the slow ride passing Central Park on the way to the Clark household on Weymouth Drive.  We had a huge support system of family to help us through the becoming young parents.  Lots of Love for our new addition. When we arrived home, we immediately took him back to our bedroom, unwrapped him from the little bunny blanket my Mom made, and looked at his little self.  We raised him up in our hands and dedicated him to our Lord.  We thanked the Lord for Brad and for allowing us to have him.  We asked for guidance in raising Brad and began our journey.

A Friday early morning child...born under Venus and full of a loving/giving and artistic spirit.  My boy, who now is an adult, loves to socialize and engage in the pleasantries of life. Brad loves color in all things.  The color of life.  He strives for balance and does as pretty good job of balancing all of his obligations.  When he needs a little more balance, he mixes up his morning drink of lemon, apple cider vinegar, cayenne and maple syrup. 

I just had to write again, in celebration of my firstborn, and the color he brings to my life!  The role is reversing a little.  He's now my Teacher guiding me into new foods, new technology and new travels.  Bring on the dawn with cool June mornings and new things to explore. I'm in good hands.

In The Merry Merry Month of May

Once upon a time, in the merry, merry month of May, many important things began like...

                                               In our Backyard...taken while we were dating

Mr. Jonathan Nabors asked me to become his wife...we made it official and our life together began in the month of May twelve years ago and wound up Honeymooning in San Fran...a place we had both enjoyed before with our previous families and wanted to experience together. 

                      Fisherman's Wharf Seafood is the best! Especially with my Love.

                                           All fancy-fied at Adam's Wedding

When we were picking out a date to marry, I thought of my Mother and how she would have loved to have been with us.  Her birthday is the day after our Anniversary. Each year, it gives me a double dose of love remembering our Anniversary and my Mom's birthday. 

                                                 Zina Mae

                                                                    Me and my Momma

And then comes...Adam's birthday a week later.  Adam Gabriel Clark came into this world with the biggest Moon in the sky I've every seen!  Adam's Dad and I were amazed at how large the Moon looked in the San Diego sky before dawn that morning I delivered what I thought was going to be a girl!  It turned out that the Doctor and his Nurses were wrong!  What a sweet surprise...a big boy was laid on my chest which meant the pastel pink dress my Mother sent to me for the baby's ride home would have to be placed in my hope chest.  Saved for Adam's baby someday...if his lovely wife has a little girl.  Side note: While considering boy's names...Jonathan was one of my favorites!  How funny this would have been to have a son named after Jonathan...my Youth Minister I met so many years ago in a little church in KY.

Adam came into this world at dawn with a big strong Moon in the sky and the strong hand of God willing this beautiful child to me.  And I say, "Thank you Father"...

                                                Adam always enjoyed dressing up as a child

                                                                    Adam G. Clark

Next in line...is Miss Cora, known as Cora-bell, Beasy, Cora B, little Missy, and Sweet Girl.  All names are fitting for this little one who fought hard to be here as her Daddy said, "Come on Girl!,  Breath!".  Once again, I say, "Thank you, Father"...

KY Logging Show

Cora loves to play with the little bears when she comes to visit Pop J and Nona

MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY

Our Memorial Day Holiday has passed and I must say that I am proud to be an American.  As I grow a bit older, I never pass up the chance to tell our Soldiers (past and current) how much I appreciate their service to our Country.  It's important to tell them "Thank You".  It's a small token that may remind them that what they do (or what they've done) for our freedom really means something.  Political agendas have changed our society in a negative way.  Media has changed our society in a more negative way.  I choose to remain a Patriot for America and pray that Almightly God will continue to bless our people and our land!

FLAWED AND FORGIVEN

Flawed and Forgiven

Yes, that's what we are.

This life we are livin'

Is flawed by our humanism.

Forgiven because our Maker 

Sent His son, Jesus 

To walk this Earth and be human for awhile.

I am in awe that someone died for me.

Someone, my Lord, Jesus Christ

Died for me (and for you).

Jesus Christ.

Tender Baby King.

Humbly left His throne.

To die for someone like me.

I am humbled.

You loved me first.

There's nothing I can say or do 

That would compare to your sacrifice.

So I remember.

And I humbly pray Your Prayer:

Our Father, who art in Heaven

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done

on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM

AND THE POWER

AND THE GLORY

FOREVER

AMEN

SHE WHISPERED I LOVE YOU

"I Love You" is what she whispered in my ear during the restless night. I whispered back "I love you too".   After a few quiet seconds passed, another whisper came..."I couldn't wait any longer to snuggle with you so I left Bubby's bed and came in YOUR bed a little early".  "Did you check in the other bed to see if I was there?".  I answered, "Yes".  Little Missy giggled with contentment as she got the answer she wanted. Earlier that evening, as I gave my goodnight sentiments to my Grands, I had told her that I would check on her before I retired to bed.  I checked on her and her brother before going to bed myself and said a little prayer for our Lord to watch over them.  They are so sweet and bring so much love to my world.

So, I enjoyed every moment of being a Nona while visiting with my kiddos .  I soaked up all of the good stuff which included both Grands sitting on my lap at one time and revisiting the game of Sorry. I drove away with a smile on my face, sharing this story with my best friends by phone and laughing all the way home.

Now that's what it's all about folks!

LOVE STORY, Be Mine, I'm Yours

Be Mine, I'm Yours

Valentine's Day is happening this month and thoughts of little candied hearts with sayings like "Be Mine", "I'm Yours" and "Love You" come to mind.  It gives us a nice warm feeling inside to know you're loved by someone.  The true benefits arrive when the love felt is mutual.

A bond that cannot be broken and unconditional love are a couple of benefits that come from sharing love with someone special.

How great our Lord's love must be for each of us!  He created us out of Love.  His true Love was with us in the beginning because He loved us first!  Since the days of Solomon, people have praised Him saying, "His love endures forever!".

Psalms 2 5:7

....According to Your love, remember me, for you are good, Oh Lord! 

January

January 2017

January has come and gone.  

It was a special month despite the familiar feelings of grief.

Our family tip-toed through the process each day.

Most days it began in the morning.  Then changed to the evenings when things settled down.

With each new day, we heal and remember to be grateful and to love each other in a big way.

January is a big birthday month around here...Brandon - 1st, 

Anna - 2nd, Paul - 8th, Kelsey - 23rd 

and then there's my birthday towards the end of the month.

While sitting at our kitchen counter, Jonathan asked what I would like to have for my special day.

I replied, "I don't need a thing, I have all I need and I'm so very grateful".

With a full heart, I sincerely meant it.

And then, God opened the clouds and dropped sweet surprises at my doorstep for two solid weeks!

I still shake my head in disbelief...it's that formula of being grateful that I've known about most of my life.  I've been content and grateful for many years, however, this year was different.

Maybe God's surprises came at the exact time I needed a pick-me-up.

God knows my heart and my every intention.

He knows what we need to make us smile.  

I give God the glory for showering me with His love.