She's 4!

I interrupt my regular scheduled blogging to catch up on all my September escapades that I have neglected to post. So without further ado, I present my daughter's 4th birthday!

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I had decided, even before we moved, B's 4th Birthday was going to be a small family affair. At the time, I had no idea if she'd have a bunch of friends {or not} and to relieve the stress of planning and executing a kids birthday, a family thing was the answer.

Now, I know, above it says "small," but our little house filled with 11 people sleeping here and only one spare bedroom, it didn't feel small. While we may have been short on sleeping locations {sorry, Jen's kids got the floors}, we were not short on laughter, hugs and joy!

The rest of this is best explained through pictures!



The cake was made my Josh and Addy and decorated by Addy and me.





What is it???


Only the best toy EVER! She's been asking for that Cinderella for months!




Pops has great taste and she LOVES her Tiana dress up dress!


More games for her Leapster, thanks Grandma.


And of course, Alice.


I almost forgot!

During the craziness, Yaya {my mom}, snuck in a kitty. Okay, so we knew Yaya was bringing her, but it wasn't until my mom was getting ready to leave that B realized we were keeping her!
This is Cookie!

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B wanted to give her daddy Prince Charming for his birthday. She was quite bummed when, for an entire week, he refused to open it.

And they lived happily ever after...

Road Trip! A Weekend in Pictures

On Labor Day, the Clan decided to make the 12 hour drive to Oklahoma to visit my parents. Of course, the 12 hour drive took 14 hours and we had to leave in the middle of the day because, well, we weren't able to leave as early as we would have liked.

But we got on the road and soon were all smiles.




Or not.

There it is.


Our dinner stop was entertaining.




Our fondness for taking pictures seemed to weird out the lady behind us.


After driving all night and arriving at 3:30 AM, we really just wanted to veg a bit before starting the day.



We spent the weekend relaxing and visiting,




Bear was taking relaxing to a whole new level.


Hide and Seek


Utterly Kissable!


Worn Out


B got a hold of the camera on the way home.







For lunch, we stopped at a Chic-fil-A that had a play structure for the kids. The girls had a great time but when it came time to get back on the road, one little munchkin did not want to come down and an extraction party had to be sent out.









It was a GREAT weekend!

Update: Busy Week

It's been a crazy week filled with birthdays, beach days, an overflowing house of people, laughter, delayed flights, prayers, and utter joy!

I have missed writing and am looking forward to sharing the smiles and good times.

Some really great things are being planned in the weeks to come and I'm very happy to be a part of it. Again, I'm looking forward to sharing.

The Sunday Creative: Comfort

My take on "Comfort"


Breathe in
calm
Breathe out
peace
Breathe in
quiet
Breathe out
relaxation

The peacefulness of a quiet and calm home
Thoughts are able to escape, transform onto the page

Breathe in
creativity
Breathe out
art
Breathe in
poetry
Breathe out

MOMMY
MOMMY
MOOOOOOOM

Breathe in
babies
Breathe out

Get tackled with hugs

Breathe in
happiness
Breathe out
laughter
Breathe in
joy
Breathe out

Blessings!

Bigger Picture Moment: I Am a Steward

I am beginning to understand...

These are not my children, they are God's and these children are more than just a gift from God, He has entrusted me with their well-being.

I am a steward. I have been given wards to raise, nurture, teach, lead, and utterly love. My children are God's children, given to me so that I may care for them.

That's a pretty big responsibility.

When I look at my children through these eyes, I begin to change the way look at them, the way I speak to them, the way I love them.

I ask myself, how would God speak to them? Especially when I feel I'm being harsh. Or raise my voice when volume is not needed. {These are also the times I thank God for not talking to me that way.}

Rules still exist in this house, there is still discipline, as I fully believe we need rules and limits. God even gave us rules by which to live {remember the 10 Commandments?!}. Paul told us of the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. {Gal 5:22,23}
I feel he could have been yelling, "Rose, pay attention to this!!"

So everyday, I thank God for this chance to serve Him, for this awesome challenge. For is there a better way to show my love for Him than by loving them?!

A Little About Me

{because I know you're dying to know more about me...}

I was tagged by my lovely friend Ally to answer the following questions.

1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why? Teleportation! I decided that years ago when I was in the Middle East. I didn't mind being there {volunteered to go} but would have loved to be able to go home on the weekends. Now with my friends and family being spread to the far reaches of the world, I would again, appreciate such a power.

2.Who is your style icon? My sister! She's trendy in a non-trendy sort of way. She's chic and sporty, classic.



3.What is your favorite quote? "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot protect you." Author Unknown {I know this is not a direct quote from scripture, if you know who deserves credit for this quote, please enlighten me}

4.What is the best compliment you've ever received? A couple weeks ago, my husband came home from work and told me I was doing a great job with our kids and our house. I don't know if it's the best compliment I've ever received, but I sure needed it, more than I knew at the time. And just today, when B spelled "DAD" with the letters on the fridge, he told me it was a testament to my work with her.

5.What playlist/cd is in your CD player/iPod right now? I have a 6 disc CD changer in my van, the CDs are as follows: Simon and Garfunkel, WOW Worship 2010 {both CDs but I do prefer the first}, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Disney songs.

6.Are you a night owl or a morning person? Night for sure, I only get up early if I have to!

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats? Either or neither, depending on the day. With the life we live, a cat is easier. Never knowing where we're going to end up next, what the climate will be... We've told B we'll get a dog when Daddy gets out of the Navy. I'm hoping this will be the next member of our Clan. Her name is Cookie {named by my nephew}, she's currently a ward of my mother's. We spent this past weekend with her, the girls love her and she loves the girls!



8.What is the meaning behind your blog name? I started My Clan as a way to keep my family posted on our lives as we travel wherever the Navy sends us. Somehow it has morphed into what it is today, an outlet for my poetry or ramblings. It's my therapy, writing, that is.


And now is the time I tag others, 8 others, really?!

Robin at The Misadventures of Jack and Luke
Kamryn at All Pop No Corn
Lindy at Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood
Callie at Mia Bella Vita
Diana at Little Pieces of Me
PJ at Confessions of a Sugar Addict
Elizabeth at The Strahan Clan

I'm following Ally's lead, I will be leaving the 8th spot open. If you follow my blog and would like to participate, please do so and share your link in the comments below.

Oklahoma Trip

Definite signs you're at Yaya's and Papa's.


The sound of little feet running through the house.

Kids chasing kitties, kitties chasing kids.

Endless horsey rides. (oh my aching knees)

Gold fish and bananas for breakfast.

Extended bedtimes. (Utter lack of bedtimes)

Slumber parties in the living room floor.

Sleeping in! (Til 8:30)

Colorful band-aids for pretend boo boos, and for real ones.



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Definite signs you're home from a long weekend at Yaya's and Papa's

Very little in the house to eat, total lack of fresh fruit and veggies.

Suitcases still packed and laying open on the floor providing clean clothes to be grabbed in a hurried effort to get out the door on time.

Allergies! Nice dry, cool weather in OK; hot and humid in MS.

Dreading driving anywhere after spending 14 hours in the van the day before.

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We had a great time in Oklahoma visiting my parents. We had wonderful weather and enjoyed sitting outside chatting. The girls were wonderful on the ride, their resilience amazes me sometimes.