Visit from.... MorMor!!!

My 89-year-old grandmother made the trek from New Jersey all the way down to Charlotte last Thursday and stayed here until this past Tuesday. What a trooper! And not only that; she then visited each family's house down here -- which had to be several hours of additional driving to the five different homes (not to mention staying with John, Keiko and Sammy in Stafford, Va., on the way!).

Of course, if you know MorMor (what we call her - it's Swedish for mother's mother), you'd know that she has always been extremely adventurous, and I'm sure I don't even know the half of it.

We had the privilege of spending Friday afternoon (she beat my mom and me in cards as usual - she is as sharp as a tack!) and Saturday evening with her at our house for dinner. Titus just loves spending time with her. She's so good with babies/toddlers. Here are some pics from our time with her.









(My mom took some great pictures of MorMor and Titus holding hands, walking down the sidewalk to our pond... I wish I had them here to show you, but maybe I can post them once I get them from her.)

Thanks for visiting, MorMor! We love you and can't wait to see you again!

Down on the Farm

The Clark family went back to its roots today -- you know, like 400 years or so, when one of our ancestors was some kind of farmer. It was awesome! We went on a mini-tour of several farms north and east of Charlotte as part of the Know Your Farm / Know Your Food event taking place today and tomorrow. What a great idea. Have you ever met the man who cared for the cow that you had for dinner? Tonight, we did -- how cool is that??

We learned a TON about: organic farming, from a real-live organic farmer; the link between food and nutrition, from a homeopathic doctor; about the Cabarrus County Cooperative extension, from a nice host at one of the farms; micro-greens from a lady who just started a business (Lucky Leaf Gardens) four months ago and is expanding it; and the beef cattle industry from 5th- and 6th-generation farmers. It was quite the educational experience.

It is awesome to know that so many good people right in this area produce healthy food. Katie and I are going to sign up for a campaign -- North Carolina's 10 percent challenge -- to commit to buying at least 10% of our food locally. Join us!

Here's my wife and son in front of a tractor. 

Alternative caption: wife, son, tractor. (Just sounds cool to put it like that.)

Here's father and son learning from farmer Jill, who did not run a hill nor fetch us a pail of water. (We didn't ask her to -- but maybe we should have? It was pretty hot.)

Brad, the organic farmer. Man, this dude was cool. He's totally certified USDA organic. And you'd think he'd be shouting that from the barntops, so to speak, but we kind of had to pull it out of him. He talked with us for probably half an hour as we peppered him with questions about organic farming and why he believes in it, etc.

Brad is the man. He told us he works 60-65 hours a week in the winter, and 100-120 hours a week in the summer. That is some hard work! And boy does it show. We bought organic apples from him afterwards and they were sweet - literally and figuratively.

We might go in on his CSA (community supported agriculture) operation. Anybody care to join us?

Titus, apparently imitating Ray Charles. I couldn't get over how cute he was in Katie's sunglasses.

Katie and Titus eating the organic apple.

Dad, son, tractor = awesomeness.

Here's Eric Deal, the 6th-generation beef cattle farmer at Circle D farm in China Grove. 6 generations!! This farm started in 1842. Yes, that's 18, as in the voting age. Crazy.

Katie and Titus again at Circle D. Great day to be out and about and learn from these awesome people!

Tough News for Parents - Installment #2

Tough news for parents installment #1 was that Titus' leg was broken. His leg is great now and you'd never know. He's starting to walk now, as the previous post noted...

We just received tough news installment #2: Titus is allergic to peanuts. Also, sesame seeds, pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts. But a peanut allergy was really the one we were hoping against... as everyone knows, they're everywhere.

Wow, this is tough to hear... we have tried so hard to make sure Titus is eating well. Lots of vegetables, organic foods, breastfeeding him (he still feeds once a day in the morning). Things we thought would reduce the risk of things like allergies.

As I've been processing this the last few minutes, some of the immediate questions are: "Will he grow out of it?" "Does this mean we can't have any peanut butter in the house?" But then there's the defeating one I know we'd (inappropriately) love to dwell on... "What did we do wrong??"


This certainly means some changes around the Clark household. It will mean changes in the foods we buy. It will mean checking labels all the time; communicating to babysitters, children's rooms at church, other parents when we take him to his friends' houses; carrying two Epipens with us, etc. I'm reminded of Switchfoot's "24:" "Life is not what I thought it was / 24 hours ago."

But now the most important questions are coming to me: "How does the LORD want to be glorified in this?" "What is He trying to teach us through this?" The first thing for me is humility; the second is reliance upon Him.

I know these next few days will be tough for Katie and me as we settle into a new normal with how life needs to look now. And though we may deal with blaming ourselves, my hope and prayer is that we would not dwell there, but ask those important questions of the LORD and through this whole situation, continue to be shaped into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

I also think it's important to take a step back and realize: WOW, the Creator of the universe has seen fit to entrust us with a happy, incredible, handsome, wonderful little boy! He created him, for His glory, and has the very hairs on his head counted. He has a plan for Titus and that plan is GOOD. We are so thankful for little Titus. May our God be glorified through this situation and anything else Titus or Katie or I may face. No matter what, our God is always and infinitely worthy of all praise, honor and glory.

It's Off to the Races (or Paces)

Despite the advice of some other parents, Katie and I have been trying for weeks to get Titus to walk. We understand walking makes things a little more difficult, but we're not at that stage yet. Right now, we're just thrilled to see him making strides (get it?).

Titus is One!

Titus,

My sweet, smiley boy. I can't imagine a better first year than this one we've had together. Your laughter is so contagious and you make me smile at least 100 times a day. You are so expressive, so enthusiastic about life, so opinionated and so easily entertained. You have taught me so much in your first year of life... I can't imagine how much more I will learn when you start talking to me! I have learned to be more patient, kind, gentle, joyful, thoughtful, selfless, service-oriented and loving all from knowing you just one year of my life. Just by being you, you have opened my heart to experience so much more than I was capable of before I met you.

I am amazed by how much you think and feel already, even when you can't fully communicate. You laugh at and with me when I'm silly, you can respond with thankfulness and excitement to let us know what you like, you can express frustration and sadness, loneliness and even sympathy. I remember coming home the first day I heard about Nonna's cancer and I cried on the couch and you just stopped what you were doing and looked deep in my eyes with concern and leaned your head in to cuddle with me and you have done that several times. I didn't think babies could possibly understand how to be sensitive and compassionate until I met you. Your heart is so full of love and life that I can't possibly have a bad day with you around.

I wish I could preserve you in these days forever because I enjoy each minute with you so much, just playing and enjoying life together. But I know it is best (and inevitable) for you to grow up and that one day I need to start sharing you with others so that you can bless others as much as you bless me by loving and caring for them, by using your contagious laugh to cheer them up, by serving them. I hope that you will grow up to be a man of God and that you will influence many people around you. I am confident that the Lord has given you a very optimistic spirit so that you might motivate others and encourage them. I can't wait to see how He will continue to use you.

Thank you for all that you've taught me, for all the wonderful memories this year and for breaking me in easy as a mom. I can't imagine a more wonderful little boy than you, sweety. I'll love you forever and for always and I look forward to all the joy that year two will bring!!

Mom


Some Birthday Pics:

First time in the car seat facing forward!


Playing in the cooler (a new favorite activity) - was with Lane and Cullen, but I forgot to get a picture of them all together.


Lunch with some cousins


The Birthday Boy!


Smiley Face Pizza for dinner


Cake! (or a morning glory muffin with sweet potato frosting...)

Great 1 year pics of Titus

Lindsey Turner (our wedding photographer) offered to take some one year pictures of Titus the other night. I'm really excited about them and can't wait to see all of them, but here are the samples on her blog:

www.LindseyTurner.typepad.com
(in the post called "thank you" dated July 26)

I can't believe he'll be one year old tomorrow!!

Loving the Giggles

Tonight Titus was in rare form... at one point, he couldn't even breathe because he'd lost control from all of the laughing. I love seeing him get like this and enjoy life so much. It just never gets old to me...