Six Legs

Before I get down to what y'all really come here for, I wanted to say a little something about having faith. When it rains, it pours. And God has rocked our little town clear down to it's foundation. And I can honestly say, that whatever trials people are going through, whatever fears they are facing, whatever mountains they have to climb; it's all in His plan. You WILL turn out to be stronger, fearless, and triumphant if you have faith in Him. Keep within His will and do these things for the glory of His name, and trust in Him. We're praying. :)

My lack of absence does not go without justification this time, as many of my previous hiatuses have. This time, it can all be blamed on a couple of fellow redheads. Six legs have been added to the Clark household, and surprisingly they aren't covered in fur. You may have seen them floating around this blog before, but you can expect them to be making regular appearances from here on out. This is for a couple of reason: 1. I will be seeing A LOT more of them, and 2. they don't mind having a camera follow them around constantly...unlike Mr. Brent.  I'll leave the other details up to your imaginative minds, 'cause let's be honest, this town is really good at that.

Since I'm really big on introductions (cat, dog, people...whatever) I will do just that. (I hate when I go to someones blog and they have all these people they talk about, and you have no idea who they are...I feel as though if you're going to have a blog, every detail about every aspect needs to be completely clear! Duh!) 

Trista: The matriarch of the Duncan Clan. The leader of the laughter, the creator of the craziness. The calm to the storm, and the waves to the ocean. Freaking hilarious this woman is. Strong as a rock too.  Definitely my Soul Sister. If you know me, you know her. If you know her, well...you know me. 

Grace: The eldest. Most definitely the more cautious of the two. She has learned her limits and won't dare go past them, though with a little coaxing, she'll try anything once.  Full of giggles and smiles with the occasional emotional moment of pure innocence. Brilliant. And I mean brilliant. She understands so much more than the average seven year old, with the knowledge and experience found in the depths of her books.   She is a "who, what, where, when, and why" child, and finds security in the details. She is never to busy for the hug of a life time.  She is put together, organized, and socially commendable in all occasions.  

Faith: The youngest.  Free spirited, and a modern day hippie.  A fly by the seat of your pants child with no concern of limitations. If ever in need of a laugh, call Faith. The words that come out of her mouth are so funny and outrageously smart, it's almost unbelievable you're taking to a five year old.  There is no need for fresh clothes, combed hair, or clean faces.  (But no worries, Mommy implements those sorts of rules) She is outgoing and will tell anyone about her love for unicorns and princesses.  Her imagination is always one step ahead of her mouth, and will be the one to tell you a bedtime story or sing you a lullaby. She has the ability to speak with animals, imaginary friends, and God on a level so deep you nor I will ever be able to understand...I hope she never grows out of that.

I want to share little blurbs about our adventures, things overheard from the backseat of the car, the bathtub, or the kitchen table.

I'm loving this time in my life. 

Faith's Prayer for Dinner

(I should state that she was recently given a giant stuffed penguin, and it has become the center of our lives)

"Um, Dear God. Please help Penguin with his eye allergies. Help Brent with the fires. Amen"

.....

"Oh ya, and Lizzy with the ambulance that she saves people. Amen again"

Who knew stuffed penguins have eye allergies? 

Grace's Show and Tell Dilemma 

(Grace has fallen in love with Ashley, my sister-in-law, and she was over hanging out with us yesterday. Grace didn't leave her side....I became chopped liver) 

"Gracey, are you still going to bring Zip for show and tell tomorrow?"

"Ya, well....I was thinking I could bring Ashley instead."

Day Seven

A Picture that...

Makes me laugh.

Day Six

A Picture of...

How you would spend the money if you won the lottery.

Build an orphanage. Probably located in a third world country somewhere where homeless children run around...well, homeless. For real though, I would. This isn't some generic Christian answer, as nonchalant as my approach may seem. There is such a need to take care of our youth today, because they really are the future of tomorrow. Across the entire world and right here at home.

Oh ya, and a little bling for myself. 

Day Five

A Picture of...

My Favorite Memory

This memory will always be imprinted in my mind as one of my favorite parts of that day. Our whole wedding day was absolutely spectacular, but a memory that I'll never forget was happening as this picture was being captured.  As I stood over the balcony watching the guests being seated, I happened to glance out the window. It was just in time to notice my husband-to-be walking up the entry way. He had this calm peace about him, but inside I knew he was just as nervous and excited as I was. It was my own moment. A moment to myself in my own mind. While my bridesmaids were watching the people dressed in their Sunday best mill around and socialize, I was focused on one man. He stole my heart and my attention not only for that moment, but for the rest of my life. 

Day Four

A Picture of...

My Night

I spent my night cuddled up on the couch, holding hands with my best friend, as he told me this:

"With every hold of your hand,

touch of your face,

with every smile, laugh, or tear,

or look you glance my way,

I love you more and more."

Day Three

A Picture of...

When you looked different

.What do I see? Cute new hairdo, tan and thin. Cosmetically, I look no different that I do now. But when I look past the smile, it's not about how I look different, it's how I feel different. This picture is about how much I have altered my internal appearance.  

I was not the woman that I am today. There, I was a Barbie playing house. The shell of a girl coated with layers of ambitions unparalleled to reality; dreams, laughter and security. But the filling underneath didn't match. Inside were the insecurities, doubts, and mistakes hidden so deep, even I didn't realize how thick they had become.  I knew the path I was on was no where near my destination. Something had to change. And, by trial and error, it did. 

Today, I am a strong woman inside and out. I know who I am in life, in my relationships, and in God. So my hair is much longer, my skin is a little paler, and my figure is a little fuller. But smiles aren't forced, laughs aren't fake, and my heart is full. I like the new me. I like looking different. 

Day Two

A picture of...

The person you have been closest with the longest. 

None other than Miss Hillary Rose. Read our story here.

Day One

Since Facebook doesn't have the same credibility (and by credibility, I mean popularity) that my blog does, I am taking the "30 Day Photo Challenge" on here. (Honestly, what exactly is so challenging? Committing to something for an entire month? Some folks must really have commitment issues.)  And seeing how May has 31 days, I'll tack one on. I may or may not fall into the commitment category, seeing how numerous "blog specials" have fallen through... and 31 days really is a long time. Whatever. Basically what this is, is everyday you post a picture and a statement in accordance to the daily topic.  Join in if you want to, and prove to yourself that you can more than cook dinner and do dishes on a daily basis. 

(Yes I realize it's six days in to May, and I'm starting late. It's doubtful I'll stay on track anyway...but what the hay, right?!)

Day One:  A Picture (obviously) and 10 facts about yourself.

1. My biggest accomplishment in life is that I am very well rounded. I've done a little bit of everything.

2. I still listen to music from my childhood and sing it loud and proud. (Hanson, Backstreet Boys, B*Witched) 

3. I am attached to my dogs more than a girl possibly should be. But they are worth it.

4. I am a Christian. Love my Lord! Amen! 

5. As much as I tease my mom, I am scared of heights too. 

6. I play the Oboe. (and Piano, clarinet, and a tiny bit of the flute and percussion) Dorky, I know.

7. I love gore. Guts, blood, and missing limbs are super cool. (Good thing I'm an EMT, right?)

8. I have webbed toes. 

9. If I could live in the ocean, I probably would.

10. I have to smother touch my husband when I'm sleeping. at. all. times. 

Loud and Clear

 Can I just say, I love my job

p.s. My husband likes his too.

Bunnies and Burritos

So it occurred to me that I absolutely love it when my friends’ vehicles break down. See, when their cars are out of commission they totally and completely rely on me I beg them to let me drive them around town. It doesn’t concern me in the slightest that it totally sucks for them, because I pretty much make them hang out with me when they need to go somewhere.  The Duncan’s entire car lot went ka-poot.  Seriously, like three vehicles in a week. Honestly though, it’s not like she has anything better to do that hang out with me all day, so it totally works out for the both of us. Kidding. But in all reality, they don’t make me drive them anywhere, but when they do I get the opportunity, it’s fun having them around.

Tonight was one of those reoccurring rare occasions where I kidnapped Trista and the girls and came home to Brent, and had burritos for dinner. Dale was being the “responsible adult” (really, who does that?) and was putting a new engine in one of their cars while us girls played.  Brent had just gotten home from a long day of work as well (again with the responsibility crap). So pretty much it was my obligation and duty to cook dinner.  Hard life, right? 

The bunnies come into play right after dinner. We made chocolate covered strawberries…and peep marshmallow bunnies. Yu-um-my. The melted chocolate came from the solid chocolate bunnies I just had to have.  Gotta be quick though…marshmallows tend to melt quickly in boiling chocolate. Go figure. 

The burritos were more than just food on our plate. We had some real live burritos hanging out in our living room. Such couch potatoes burritos.

Dale throughly enjoyed his evening, as much as he would like to fight it. 

Clark Riding Lessons

Objective #1:

See that cool new button over there? ---------> 

(It looks something like this)

Click it.

(Good job)

Ok, now that you’re back here, where you belong, you probably noticed it took you to a fabulous Facebook page for “Clark Riding Lessons”. Send me a friend request. 

Objective #2:

Do you love me? Want me to succeed? Be happy in life?!

I teach horseback riding lessons. Spread the word. Thanks.

Six Hours Later...

We're back! Another year of Cody Fire School is under way, 

and I must say I'm pretty excited to be here. 

Casual Tuesday

This is the part where I say something witty as an introduction to today's post but taking care of a batallion of berserk animals has caused me to lose what little sense I'm capable of making on any day that's not Friday or Saturday.  


Anyhow, as much as a hit that Easter was, I want to update on more than just the blessings of Easter Sunday. So, sorry if I duplicate any details you might already be privy to. If it makes you feel better, I promise to include some fun pictures. Promise.

Let’s talk about my fingers for a second. Long story short: I got in a fight with a hot glue gun, and apparently it won.  Till we meet again glue gun….till we meet again.

Next, remember my short lived Sunday Briefing blogs and how I rambled on about my stoppage of the nail biting? Not only are they blistered all over, but they are nailless. Honestly, how did you not see that coming?  Ya well, that was short lived because I am back to my nubs. Actually, I’m pretty sure I have bitten them as short as they have ever been. There goes my hand modeling career. Crap.

So you know the boys? The furry ones? Well, everyone knows my dog drama, right? No? You mean you don’t actually READ this crap? Whatever.  Long, long ago Zip escaped from our backyard and the coppers found him and wrote us a lovely “canine at large” ticket. Fixed the fence, fixed the problem. Flash forward. We move. Zip finds and/or makes a hole in fence on first day. Zip escapes, same lovely cops write us another lovely ticket. Two weeks later, zip repeats the process and gets out again. And because I am the one who calls the cops in the first place to tell them he is out, we get another ticket. In no way am I blaming anyone here. He is our dog, and our responsibility. And if we can’t obey animal’s laws, we most definitely deserve the tickets. But nonetheless it’s FRSUTRATING!!  They have actually cut us some many breaks; it’s amazing Animal Control hasn’t shot him.


 Actually, Zip only runs. He’s not aggressive or a nuisance…just horny apparently. It’s not like the dog has anything to run away from. It’s the hotmommas he finds around town he is running too. Anyway, in accordance with the town, if your animal commits three offences, you have to go to court. And they can potentially kick your dog out of town. So I went to court. I would have appreciated a large crowd with posters outside protesting that Zip keeps his citizenship, but I didn't see anyone. I must have walked out the wrong door.


 Zip gets to stay alright, only after I pay a billizon dollars to compensate all the hard work animal control does. Ya know, there are so many dogs “running at large”, and it just so happens that mine is one of the few that gets caught.  Life ain’t easy being the Chief’s kid, I tell ya. Got to love the politics of a small town. It is what it is!

If you live in the Uinta County and you don't work at the mines you're either a. trying to get on at the mines or b. are already in the hiring pool. The mines is where it's at. And by "it" I don't mean your dream job of happiness; I mean the money. We are the people stuck in the hiring pool. This is how FMC's hiring process works. If you know someone who works there, you might get an interview. Then a second interview. Then testing. Then they stick you in the "hiring pool". And here, you wait. Pretty much like sitting at the doctors office. You know you'll be seen eventually, it's just a matter of time. But boy, when they call your name, you better be ready. Well, Brent has been in the hiring pool since October. They only keep that hiring pool open for 6 months before they start a new one. Yes, you have to start the entire process over if they don't pick you. That means applications, interviews, and testing all from the beginning. October to April is six months...and we obviously have no FMC. BUT! Yesterday, we received a letter saying "we aren't kicking you out just yet...we will keep you in until next October, so don't get your panties in a bunch just yet; you still have a fighting chance". Or something like that. 

• Funny- I am usually the one to handle Brent's work e-mails via his account, and to make my life easier, I saved all of his job prospect Human Resources' e-mail addresses to his contacts. WELL. Brent received a funny e-mail, and decided to send it to all of his best buds. So that little "add all" button was clicked, and the e-mail was on its way. I had happened to notice "Cyndi Johnson-FMC" and "Union Telephone-HR" and about 5 others included in the list. After rolling on the floor laughing for a good five minutes, Brent lets me know that "he does this all the time" having no idea that his potential bosses are getting his "God is good" or "You know you've been married forever when..." forwards. Uggggggg. So Cyndi from FMC apparently didn't appreciate "why God is a woman" forward and told us to take her off the list. She obviously has no sense of humor. Woops. Please still hire him FMC, please.

The sun is shinning and there is snow on the ground. I'm wearing flip-flops and a skirt.  If you think it, it will come. Whose with me?!


....I forgot to take out the trash...again. Crap. 

So regardless, my husband and I will continue living happily ever after. 

 Until next time folks.

Don't Tell Me I'm Too Old!

Easter, like most holidays is most commonly escalated around the enthusiasm of small children. Kids get to murder chocolate bunnies with their mouths. Kids get to wake up Sunday morning to baskets filled with useless annoying green stuff “Easter grass” and candy. Kids get giant stuffed bunnies to accompany them on their egg quests. Kids get special bunny pancake breakfasts with life-saver eyes and candy corn noses. Kids get to run outside and push each other down while hunting for those plastic eggs I love so much. Yes, kids get all the glory. Kids…and Liz.

I am the proud owner partner of this shiny new toy I commonly refer to as my husband. He is the BEST Easter bunny on the block, correction; world. I think it’s pretty clear I have a slight obsession with reclaiming my childhood with every holiday, and Easter is no exception. I made my demands preferences known with egg hunts and SOLID chocolate bunnies. Has this kid ever let me down? I think not. Sunday morning I had eggs galore to find, and a hidden message to decode that lead me to my hidden basket and goodies (giant stuffed rabbit and FOUR solid chocolate bunnies included). Breakfast, of course, was complete with the bunny pancakes. This is no mature adult old he’s dealing with. Brent is in for a lifetime of immaturity and frantic holiday mania.

::: Bunny pancake disclaimer: As I handed Brent his pancake a la bunny, I start hearing cries of help coming from the plate. “Nooo I can’t hear! Not my eyes! You’re killing me!! I can’t breathe!!!!!” Yes, my husband was expressively narrating the asphyxiation of his breakfast. Death was ruled murder by digestion. Poor thing never had a chance. ::: …and here I thought was the one with maturity issues.

 Though my husband has become accustomed to my alternative lifestyle as a 7 year old, the Bridger Valley has not. They apparently don’t realize the importance of the phrase “you’re never too old for whatever”.  Every year, the town puts on a huge egg hunt at the Fort. They hide over 4,000 eggs, and divide the areas into age groups. As little Grace and I walked up to the map to locate our appropriate hunting grounds, I noticed they were missing the 20+ section. Surely, there must have been some mistake, so I opted to join in on the 6-7 age group instead. I’m faster and could get more eggs that way.  Less competition. Kidding. (No, really, I am kidding…but I wouldn’t put it entirely past me.) Instead I opted for the photographer position and took pictures of Faith and Grace as they stole all my fun. (You’re wasting my fun time!!!)<---- You’re welcome, Trista.

The people that can actually take credit for Grace and Faith, Trista and Dale.

Faith, Christopher, Jason (and his new hair do) and Timmy posing with a less than desirable portrayal of the Easter Bunny. (Somewhere in the E.B. Code of Ethics it should state you shouldn't have chew tobacco covered teeth while interacting with small children. Just sayin')

Easter night was spent at the grandparents’ house, as we compared the smells of people vs. brown or white chicken eggs. Ashley learned a lot about chickens and their lack of respect for color coding their offspring, and possibly a thing or two about super glue not being all that super when it comes to shoe repair. Grandpa learned that when grandma say to dispose of “A” cat, she doesn’t mean all of them. I assume he will also be learning how uncomfortable his couches are to sleep on.  We sat around embarrassing the crap out of and reminiscing of Clark childhood (and some adult) mishaps, as grandpa sat in the corner taking it all in, learning a little more than he probably wanted to. 

•        Disclaimer #2: I really missed my Momma, Pop and Bear on Easter. Brought back so many childhood memories. Love you guys!

And now I feel as though I have properly portrayed Easter as everything it shouldn’t be. Mission failed. So I’ll redeem myself by telling you how beautiful the sermon was in church. I had the opportunity to sing a ‘special’, a quartet with three other lovely ladies with voices of angels. We sang “That Old Rugged Cross”.  So moving. So beautiful.  God is good, and thank you Jesus. 

The End.  

Delayed

I love Easter time. It stems from my early childhood. I love everything about this time of year; it’s my very own “new year’s”.  I feel like everything has a new beginning come Spring. As a Christian, I look the Easter holiday as my time for resolutions, new promises, restoration and fulfillment.  So this is my season for change. Bring it on!!

So last year, I focused on not much more than my 'lellow egg and wedding plans. This year is so much different. Which is totally awesome. Every year that I live in Wyoming I am convinced this is the year that a. I will get (get; as in, be on the receiving end of the eggs. The one in search of those little plastic shells of heaven.) a stellar Easter egg hunt and a solid chocolate bunny and b. I’ll get to do it outside. As of yet, I have gotten one egg hunt and a ground covered in snow. So here’s to a Easter full of Christ, egg hunts, and good weather! ...and a chocolate bunny.

My EMT skills have been put to the test this past two weeks, as I served as the medic for the regional wrestling match. My goodness those kids are intense. And not just the kids! A gym full of children (5-16) running around in blue or red singlets (not ‘onesies’. Do not call them that…woops) And then a complete overtake of fathers running around coaching their child every minute of the day, followed by the moms who tuck the alternative onsies singlets into their front pocket with the head gear attached, I think this is a way of signifying their status. The kids crouch down into position, and it’s like WWE live happening right before my freakin eyes.  It’s pure amazingness .  Parents scream profanities words of encouragement as the kids sometimes forget what the heck they’re doing and get the deer in headlights look as they squirm around on the mat. My kid will most definitely be a wrestler. 

The weekend before, Miss Hillary Rose  came to town to visit mawh.  Normally she brings me a cool souvenir or some awesome pictures of a recent night out, but this time she brought me the coolest thing ever. Her new boyfriend. Ian goes above and beyond for her. They compliment each other very well. I told her if she didn’t stay with him, I’d more than likely consider having two husbands. Juuuust kidding. Brent’s my one and only, and if secondary husbands were legalized a choice, Tim Tebow would be my first pick. They are pretty cute together.  Just saying, Hill.

We had a great ski weekend in Park City thanks to my mom and pop. It was nice living the hot tub life style for a couple of days.

Not a whole lot else has changed. I’m starting to figure out my life is pretty lame, but I’m blaming it on the crappy weather.