Ask and You Shall Receive

Living far away from all my family and most of Kevin's family brings HIGH demands (in the social media department) now that we have a little one.  At least three times a week I get asked, "When are you going to post more pictures/videos on your blog or Facebook".  Yes, I am talking about you Mom or should I say Grammy! I am so thankful to have a mom that loves her children and grandchildren to the degree that she does. She has not only spoken her love to us, but lived it out by her actions in how much grace she shows to us in our everyday lives. She has proven to us that there is nothing we can do to make her not love us unconditionally. I pray that I will show that exact love to our children in all the years of my life being a mom.  This blog post is dedicated to you, Mom.  Love you and Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Katelyn

This last Saturday Katelyn had her first birthday since Logan was born.  We thought it would be special for Katelyn to spend her birthday with Logan this year.  We invited Katelyn and her family over for a small birthday party to celebrate Katelyn!  We grilled hamburgers, ate cup cakes, and played games. Kevin and Katelyn had their bonding time playing their video games, while Christy, Meaghan, and I played Bananagrams.  Mark ended up taking a nice little cat nap in our living room recliner.  It was a relaxing afternoon together!

Katelyn, Logan, Kevin, and myself

Katelyn enjoying Logan

Katlyn opening up her gift from Kevin and I. We got her the video game
that she and Kevin talk about every time we are together!  Can you
guess who picked out her birthday gift? (Meaghan and her mom holding Logan)

A Day on the Dock

Last Sunday Kevin, Logan, and I decided to join Lance, Tami, and Steven for a day of fishing. This was our first time spending most of the day outdoors with Logan.  We didn’t stray too far from home just in case Logan had a rough time.  Our spot of choice for the day was Chester Woods.  It did end up being a little windy and we did not catch any fish, but we spent a nice day outdoors together.  Logan did fantastic. We brought his peapod and he chilled in that for the entire time.  It was perfect for blocking the wind and giving him a place to stretch out and be a baby!   

Getting ready to leave for the day!

On our way 

Logan gave me lots of giggles!

Daddy taking a break to love on Logan

All I did all day was sit and play with our
little guy, EAT, and watch them fish...
and take pictures!

Out COLD!

Time to head back home!

Happy to See Mommy!

Gave it a Whirl

I am not going to even pretend to know enough about making baby food to give step by step instructions.  What I will do is share how much fun Katie and I had together on the day we gave it a whirl! We ended up making sweet potatoes and apples.  To our surprise they both turned out really good and it was WAY easier than we had thought.   After we calculated how much cheaper it was to make and taste tested the difference between store bought and homemade, I will definitely be making Logan’s solid foods!  Once we were done with our adventure, we started making dinner and waited for our hubbies to get home from work.  We made a new Pinterest recipe and it was liked by all! 

Katie getting us started!

I did do more then just this...I promise!

Turned out beautiful!

Ian approved!

Elise had to get in on the action too. 

Kevin has found one more buddy that shares his love for
"Thumb" movies.  Kevin had shirts made for Travis, himself,
and Josh Mulvihill.  Oh, how he makes me laugh!

No Pinches for Logan

I have become a weekly shopper at Savers.  I even signed up for their Super Savers Club Card!  You just never know what you are going to find each time you walk through their doors.  Last week when I was going through the baby clothes I found this cute little St. Patrick’s Day onesie.  We didn’t have any plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, so Kevin and I went to church Saturday evening and came home to grill a few hamburgers.  It was the first time we fired up the grill this year.  We are thoroughly enjoying this beautiful weather that we are having in March!  

Cheering On Steven

Kevin, Logan, and I were able to make it to one of Steven’s basketball games this year.  Next year we are shooting to cheer him on more!  It sure has been fun watching him year after year practice and improve his skills.  I can guarantee that Logan will be a bit more interested in watching his cousin play in the years to come! 

Steven making his shot

Logan's 1st appearance at Steven's basketball game!

Logan and His Mobile

Logan sure does enjoy the mobile that mommy 

made him. He is 10 weeks old today!

In Memory of My Dad: August 10, 1958 - March 7, 2009

Mark Clymer’s Testimony

Written by Nicole Youel (Clymer)

These are the words I spoke at my dad's funeral.

It is amazing how the Lord uses trials in our lives to bring us to Him.  I want to share with you what has gone on in my dad’s life this year.  He has an amazing testimony that I know he would love for you all to hear. 

Earlier last year Dad was told after multiple surgeries, chemo treatments, and radiation that there was nothing else they could do for him.  I remember the phone call like it was yesterday.  He was so scared and depressed.  I told him that he could come stay with Kevin and I to see what Mayo Clinic could do for him.  Not even two weeks later Kevin and I were picking him and Nina up from the airport.  Dad had his appointment with the doctors at Mayo, and the news did not get any better.  There was nothing more that Mayo could do for him.  That night Dad, Nina, Kevin and I were in the living room talking.  Dad asked “Why would God allow everything to happen so smoothly and allow me to be seen at Mayo only to find out that there was nothing else that can be done?”  I told Dad that the Lord answered my prayer.  You see I had been praying that I would have the opportunity to share with my dad what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ.  I was willing to take time off work and stay with him if needed.  But, God brought him to me instead.  We all talked that night about the purpose of life, what had to be done to accept Christ, and if you choose to have faith what Christ can do to comfort you.  I will never forget what my dad said that night.  He said, “You are right, the Lord did answer your prayers and I understand now.” My dad went from hanging his head because he was depressed to trusting the Lord over night.  He went to bed and woke up a new man.  God is powerful and the change that happened in my dad’s life that night was only something God can do. 

The next few weeks were the best memories I will have of my dad.  He would call me and talk nonstop about Christ.  He asked question after question about what things meant in the Bible and asked me what I believed on certain things. One afternoon he called me and told me that he had been completely healed from cancer.  He stated he had read over scripture with a man and asked the Lord to heal him.  I know my God is powerful enough to heal, but I just agreed with dad and said that would be amazing if you were, but please don’t be angry at God if you are not.  About a week later at his appointment the doctor said, “Well, Mark, you have no cancer in your adrenaline gland, no cancer in your pancreas, no cancer in your liver and no cancer in your lymph nodes. You are cancer free!!!” God did heal him. Over the next few months my dad grew more and more close to Christ. He was able to spend this time encouraging and supporting other friends that were fighting for their life due to cancer.   I know God healed my dad to give him the faith he would need to get through the last few months of his life. 

When Dad got the news about 6 months ago that his cancer came back, it was hard news to hear.  I never heard him question why he was going through all of this. In fact, he told me that he knew this was the only way that God would have been able to get his attention. He never blamed God and knew he was going through this due to his choices in life.  While he was visiting Kevin and I he told me that no one could have told him anything that would have made him change the way he lived his life, it took cancer.  He never gave up hope.  He laughed at times when he could have been crying.  He joked around with the doctors at the hospital when he shouldn’t have felt like joking.  He did have some really bad days, and I am sure Nina is the only one who knows how bad those days really were.   There were so many things he said to me in his last months which I wish I would have written down. 

The wonderful thing about today is I can say I know for certain that my dad is not suffering right now.  He is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know this is due to last year in my living room when he chose to make Christ Lord of his life.  I could not imagine having to say goodbye to my dad knowing he was not spending eternity in heaven.  Friday afternoon was the last time I spoke to Dad.  I asked him if he was angry knowing he only had a short time left.  I loved his answer.  He said. “No, I’m ready to go.  I just don’t want too and I am not ready to leave Nina and Wes.”  We talked about how good it felt to have the peace of knowing that there were only two places he could go, and he was going to heaven.  Christ is the only way to heaven and he understood that before it was too late.

It now has been three years since my dad went home to be with the Lord.  This year as I sit here watching Logan swing, I think about how much I wish my dad would have been able to meet Logan. I will have to pass on everything my dad enjoyed doing to Logan.  He will know how much my dad enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, and cooking. I have high hopes that Logan will enjoy many of the same hobbies my dad enjoyed!

Through The Eyes Of Skype

Happy Birthday Kaiden!!! We were invited to Kaiden, my nephews, fourth birthday party this weekend.  With us being miles and miles away we could not make it this year...at least not physically.  Our family is so thankful for technology! It brings us together when we are so far apart. Not only were we able to be a part of his birthday, but the rest of the family got to see Logan for the first time! 

My cousin Sherri talking to Logan!

Logan watching Daddy capture the moment.

Mom, Nana, and my Aunt Pam all around the computer
talking to Logan.
 
Mom and Kaiden posing with what we got
him for his birthday!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day

This year for Heart's Day Kevin and I decided to have a low key evening at home.  I made us homemade pizza.  Kevin rented us a movie and surprised me with one of my favorite treats.  Ice cream Snickers Bar…King size!  It really was a wonderful night at home.  You can call us old fogies, but we truly do enjoy our time together alone at home.  

Logan giving daddy his new frame for his office
at work.  Happy Valentine's Daddy!

Devouring my Ice Cream Snickers bar.

Now it is OUR time to cuddle!