Clark has become more vocal in the past month. Most of his utterances are still unrecognizable, although he has an earnestness on his face when he's talking that leads me to believe he is in fact trying to communicate something particular, I just can't figure out what it is. So far, here's what he says that I can recognize.
mama
da (meaning Daddy, dog and duck--you have to recognize it in context)
moh (more--and he does the sign language for it)
mbawh (which sounds a lot like more, but means ball--he's still working on the b sound)
oh (hello--while holding up anything-straws, water bottles, TV remotes-to his ear)
bru (bird)
ba ba (bye bye--accompanied by vigorous waving)
br br (whenever he sees a big truck or plays with his matchbox cars)
owf owf (barking at Hank, or pictures of dogs or cats or any other animal)
bir (book---accompanied by going to get a book)
Although his word list is still very limited he says these words repeatedly throughout the day. Yesterday he took his ball with him in the car and as we walked through Walgreens he said "mawh!" about 50 times. Thankfully he wasn't crying, he was just excited about his ball. I'm going to try to get some video of him with his ball collection. He gets so excited and wants to pull them all out at the same time.
It's so fun to see him learning new things every day. It also helps that he understands and can communicate more now so that I can figure out what he needs. He doesn't ask for food or drink yet (we've been working on the sign language), but if I say, "Are you hungry, do you want something to eat?" he'll walk toward the kitchen and get really excited when I open the fridge.
Have I mentioned we love being parents? He's so fun! He cracks us up all the time. I thank God for him every day. He brings us so much joy!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
No news really
We got back from Vicksburg at 2:30 in the morning today. I don't really have any news to report because we won't know anything for another two weeks. Here's the rundown on the visit though...
Overall it was a great trip! We flew in Friday evening and met Michael's mom's best friend for dinner at McAllister's (Michael's favorite sandwich place--a trip to McAllister's always makes him happy). She is super sweet and always encouraging. She prayed for us and encouraged us not to be nervous about the interview.
Saturday for lunch we met the pastor, Tim Brown, and his wife Le. We had been told we would love them and we did. They were very welcoming and told us all about the church and answered our many questions. We loved seeing their heart and hearing about their vision for the church. They told us the good along with the bad which we appreciated because it gave us a more real since of what it would be like to work at the church.
As side story, when I told my Grandpa we were interviewing in Vicksburg he said, "Oh, I know the guy who was the pastor there 20 years ago." His father is a good friend of Grandpa's and he and my dad grew up together. I wasn't sure whether to mention it while we were there since I didn't know what kind of relationship the current pastor might have with the former pastor and didn't want to bring up anything bad. So, at lunch I decided to just ask if he knew my grandpa's friend. When I mentioned his name Tim and Le both looked at each other and laughed. They said, "He married us and he is my mentor in ministry." As they told us more, it turns out that my grandpa's friend had a major role in Tim going into ministry. What a small world!
After lunch we got a tour of the church. The main building was build in 1908 with an addition in the 60's. They have plenty of space and several rooms used for youth. Clark enjoyed playing with the toys in the preschool rooms, playing with a styrofoam cup over the air vent and stomping up and down the wooden wheelchair ramp (The pastor taught him how to do that).
Saturday afternoon/evening we got a tour of the city by two members of the search committee and had dinner at one of their houses. They had sent Michael some interview questions ahead of time so he could prepare. They talked with him after dinner and then just hung out. I was entertaining Clark, so I didn't get to hear his actual interview, but he felt it went well and he was able to explain his vision and philosophy of youth ministry. I did get to visit with the wife and son of one of the search committee members though. They were super nice to Clark and kept him well entertained with plastic containers, lids and a loud monkey toy. We had a good time getting to know the members of the search committee, especially Ridley and Chris who are high schoolers. We would definitely enjoy getting to know the students and being involved in their lives.
Sunday morning we went to church and Sunday School. Steve, a search committee member was our tour guide. He took us around and introduced us to everyone. We met lots of church members, youth team members and parents as well as youth. He took us to the 5th and 6th grade, Jr. high and Sr. high Sunday schools. A number of youth were out of town since it's summer, but at least we got to meet some of the youth and see what they're currently doing in the youth program. We felt very welcome.
After church we had lunch and talked to the search committee again for a short time. They gave Michael more specifics about salary and benefits as well as their time-frame for hiring. They are interviewing another candidate in two weeks and then plan to make their decision quickly after that. We should hear something by the end of June. They're looking get someone there by mid to late July, so if they call and offer the job it'll be a quick transition.
Overall we were encouraged since we felt it was a good fit for us and we could see ourselves working there. But, we're trying not to get too excited since we know they may or may not offer the job. If they call and make an offer then we'll be super excited! Grandpa said to pray the other guy gets another offer. Mississippi would definitely be a big change for me, but I have a better feeling for it now that we've visited. I really liked the people and felt would enjoy making friends. The town is small, but has all your basic necessities. It reminded me a lot of Brooksville which has wonderful memories for us. There's no Target (sad..but there is one I could get in less than an hour if I needed to), but there is Gap outlet and a Children's Place outlet (both very exciting!!) Michael is so ready to be able to get into ministry and we're looking forward to being able to settle in somewhere and plug in.
Now, we're just trying to be patient and not stress (it's easier said than done).
Overall it was a great trip! We flew in Friday evening and met Michael's mom's best friend for dinner at McAllister's (Michael's favorite sandwich place--a trip to McAllister's always makes him happy). She is super sweet and always encouraging. She prayed for us and encouraged us not to be nervous about the interview.
Saturday for lunch we met the pastor, Tim Brown, and his wife Le. We had been told we would love them and we did. They were very welcoming and told us all about the church and answered our many questions. We loved seeing their heart and hearing about their vision for the church. They told us the good along with the bad which we appreciated because it gave us a more real since of what it would be like to work at the church.
As side story, when I told my Grandpa we were interviewing in Vicksburg he said, "Oh, I know the guy who was the pastor there 20 years ago." His father is a good friend of Grandpa's and he and my dad grew up together. I wasn't sure whether to mention it while we were there since I didn't know what kind of relationship the current pastor might have with the former pastor and didn't want to bring up anything bad. So, at lunch I decided to just ask if he knew my grandpa's friend. When I mentioned his name Tim and Le both looked at each other and laughed. They said, "He married us and he is my mentor in ministry." As they told us more, it turns out that my grandpa's friend had a major role in Tim going into ministry. What a small world!
After lunch we got a tour of the church. The main building was build in 1908 with an addition in the 60's. They have plenty of space and several rooms used for youth. Clark enjoyed playing with the toys in the preschool rooms, playing with a styrofoam cup over the air vent and stomping up and down the wooden wheelchair ramp (The pastor taught him how to do that).
Saturday afternoon/evening we got a tour of the city by two members of the search committee and had dinner at one of their houses. They had sent Michael some interview questions ahead of time so he could prepare. They talked with him after dinner and then just hung out. I was entertaining Clark, so I didn't get to hear his actual interview, but he felt it went well and he was able to explain his vision and philosophy of youth ministry. I did get to visit with the wife and son of one of the search committee members though. They were super nice to Clark and kept him well entertained with plastic containers, lids and a loud monkey toy. We had a good time getting to know the members of the search committee, especially Ridley and Chris who are high schoolers. We would definitely enjoy getting to know the students and being involved in their lives.
Sunday morning we went to church and Sunday School. Steve, a search committee member was our tour guide. He took us around and introduced us to everyone. We met lots of church members, youth team members and parents as well as youth. He took us to the 5th and 6th grade, Jr. high and Sr. high Sunday schools. A number of youth were out of town since it's summer, but at least we got to meet some of the youth and see what they're currently doing in the youth program. We felt very welcome.
After church we had lunch and talked to the search committee again for a short time. They gave Michael more specifics about salary and benefits as well as their time-frame for hiring. They are interviewing another candidate in two weeks and then plan to make their decision quickly after that. We should hear something by the end of June. They're looking get someone there by mid to late July, so if they call and offer the job it'll be a quick transition.
Overall we were encouraged since we felt it was a good fit for us and we could see ourselves working there. But, we're trying not to get too excited since we know they may or may not offer the job. If they call and make an offer then we'll be super excited! Grandpa said to pray the other guy gets another offer. Mississippi would definitely be a big change for me, but I have a better feeling for it now that we've visited. I really liked the people and felt would enjoy making friends. The town is small, but has all your basic necessities. It reminded me a lot of Brooksville which has wonderful memories for us. There's no Target (sad..but there is one I could get in less than an hour if I needed to), but there is Gap outlet and a Children's Place outlet (both very exciting!!) Michael is so ready to be able to get into ministry and we're looking forward to being able to settle in somewhere and plug in.
Now, we're just trying to be patient and not stress (it's easier said than done).
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Did you miss me?
I can't believe I haven't written anything in two weeks. For a while there I was writing something nearly every day, but the last few weeks have been really busy. OK, so I know you probably haven't missed me, but I'm going to write something anyway.
This past weekend Michael preached again at St. Nicholas Park Christian Church. He preached about the crucifixion and how the physical pain of the cross was not as painful as the emotional pain of having the father turn his face away from his Son because of the hideousness of our sin that he took on himself. He did really well and several people commented that they were touched by what he said and had never thought of the rejection Christ experienced from his own Father. I'm so glad he's been able to continue preaching even during this time of waiting. We have also enjoyed getting to know some of the church members since we've been able to go back four times now.
Our good friends Kathryn and Chuck came to town for Memorial Day weekend and to hear Michael preach. A mutual friend of ours had an apron that Kathryn loved,
but when she went to the store to get it they had discontinued the color she wanted. So, we had the idea of making one since she couldn't buy it. I have just recently discovered Hobby Lobby, which is an awesome store. They have nearly anything home/craft related you could ever need. We ran up there Saturday night right before they closed and sure enough they had a pattern and fabric that were nearly the same as the apron Kathryn wanted. We cut hers out and started assembling it only to realize we hadn't bought enough fabric (oops, I messed up the calculations). So, we went back on Monday. They had so many cute coordinating prints I couldn't resist. It was fun to have a project to work on, especially since it wasn't that complicated and could be completed in one sitting.
This weekend I'm hosting a baby shower for a good friend in Orlando. I've helped with several showers, but I've never planned one on my own. It's been fun researching games and food. I'm a little nervous that I'll forget something or not have enough. Hopefully everyone will have fun and they'll get lots of good stuff for the baby.
That's all for now. We're flying to Vicksburg in a little over a week, so I'll write more about that later.
This past weekend Michael preached again at St. Nicholas Park Christian Church. He preached about the crucifixion and how the physical pain of the cross was not as painful as the emotional pain of having the father turn his face away from his Son because of the hideousness of our sin that he took on himself. He did really well and several people commented that they were touched by what he said and had never thought of the rejection Christ experienced from his own Father. I'm so glad he's been able to continue preaching even during this time of waiting. We have also enjoyed getting to know some of the church members since we've been able to go back four times now.
Our good friends Kathryn and Chuck came to town for Memorial Day weekend and to hear Michael preach. A mutual friend of ours had an apron that Kathryn loved,
but when she went to the store to get it they had discontinued the color she wanted. So, we had the idea of making one since she couldn't buy it. I have just recently discovered Hobby Lobby, which is an awesome store. They have nearly anything home/craft related you could ever need. We ran up there Saturday night right before they closed and sure enough they had a pattern and fabric that were nearly the same as the apron Kathryn wanted. We cut hers out and started assembling it only to realize we hadn't bought enough fabric (oops, I messed up the calculations). So, we went back on Monday. They had so many cute coordinating prints I couldn't resist. It was fun to have a project to work on, especially since it wasn't that complicated and could be completed in one sitting.This weekend I'm hosting a baby shower for a good friend in Orlando. I've helped with several showers, but I've never planned one on my own. It's been fun researching games and food. I'm a little nervous that I'll forget something or not have enough. Hopefully everyone will have fun and they'll get lots of good stuff for the baby.
That's all for now. We're flying to Vicksburg in a little over a week, so I'll write more about that later.
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