The first year of marriage

So this past weekend my husband and I celebrated our one year anniversary. We spent the time hiking and just staying away from distractions. Our first year of marriage has been filled with the distractions of work, school, family and unfortunately a tragedy that affects us both to this day. It was a tumultuous year where we both felt that we did not get enough time together. However, given all this we never once questioned our decision to get married or felt unhappy with each other. We recognized that outside circumstances would always be there but it was how we faced them together that would define us as a couple. After everything this past year has brought on, I can say that I am so glad that I had my husband by my side to help me through it. We talked about all the obstacles we had to go through before we met each other, how all those things brought us to the right moment in time to meet each other. If either of our paths had changed marginally we never would have even met. I thank god every day for bringing me to my husband. It is hard to understand when people talk about how god sees the bigger picture and that you may not understand why you are going through the trials in your life but to trust that god is leading you to where you are supposed to be. I did not see all this until I realized everything that I went through led me directly to Thomas. He is the best thing that ever happened to me and our wedding day is the best day of my life. Looking forward to the years ahead...

Cara Box

So this post is sooo late, I had my last week of school last week and things got a bit crazy so I am so sorry to my Cara Box partner I hope she forgives me. This past month I got to get to know two ladies: Hallie at the blog Life Oceanside and Desiree at the blog Macke Monologues. I had so much fun getting to know them, they are both so wonderful. Desiree is a runner and I found her posts on running inspiring to get started again. Hallie is interested in going back to school and is even interested in my major so it was really neat having that to connect over since school is practically my entire life right now (you know, other than work, being married and friend and family obligations). I sent Desiree a box and Hallie sent me one (pictured above). She sent me the best box I could have asked for. This months was a nautical theme and Hallie did not disappoint. I received the cutest seashell decoration, a adorable sand dollar magnet (which is so funny because I actually really need more magnets), sweet & salty trail mix, anchor earrings, nail polish (how did she know I love nail polish, seriously I have tons of colors), and not to play favorites but the sign is my favorite. It reads: Keep Calm and Stay Anchored, I think it is my favorite because Hallie made it herself which is pretty much the sweetest thing ever. She wrote me the nicest letter and even wrote cute sayings on the inside of each flap of the box, I mean how clever is that? She put so much time, thought, and effort into this box and there just are not enough words to describe how grateful I am.




If you are interested in joining in on the Cara Box fun click the button below to learn more.

You're a songbird themed birthday

My adorable niece had her first birthday last month. She loves to "sing" and listen to music, she even attempts to sing along. At least that is what we think she is trying to do. So the theme for her party was "You're a songbird" (thank you pinterest).



She even had her own sash and party hat.



We decorated with these cute wooden bird houses that were from the craft store for just a couple bucks each and then we painted them ourself.
Also, we had some wire bird cages and these cute little white picket fences we filled with flowers and there were flower pots filled with bird
shaped sugar cookies.



My sister made the most adorable cake and bird nest cupcakes. We even found these adorable little white picket fence cupcake wrappers to put on them. She made that cute letter I by cutting out a piece of cardboard wrapping it in yarn and adding a decorative fabric flower, I personally thought this was genius. She brought a picture frame that had a picture of her at each months age for family who dont get to see her as often, I thought this was a really nice touch.



To top it all off she had a station to paint your own birdhouse for all the kids to enjoy, combining activity with take home gift, also genius.



My sisters and I had so much fun brainstorming for this birthday and it turned out so cute. Feel free to share any of your fun kids birthday themes, were already preparing for next year!

Wildcard Wednesday

 Welcome to Wildcard Wednesday!

<a href=" http://www.simplyclarke.com/search/label/Wildcard%20Wednesday"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jwJ121Pg2cqOcqYjyAk8jKbIUwAUCBD65UUhsJoeR0iITTs0WE3WU7xfL011LzHF3ZgN0deTQuTyGbh5DWg10BN9-9o7wj2Yey0oW-FOYmZEMdgQQvfT967BKfLl_hzM5DKsaf4UKns/s1600/wildcardwed.jpg"/></a> 

The name of the game is #wildcard 

Stakes: A special PRIZE will be up for grabs the last week of each month

 Your link ups each week are your entries

Example: If you link up your blog, bloglovin and twitter you will have 3 entries each week

Disclaimer: You MUST be following your hosts in order to win

Winner of the June #wildcard {Won A $20 Giftcard of Choice + Ad Space}:

Rules of the Game: 

1. Follow all your hosts

Simply Clarke: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

Mal Smiles: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

All That Glitters: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

and co-hosts

 Nicole Kelly: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

Treasure Tromp: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

(Mrs)Adventures of a Newlywed: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

2. Grab our button for your post so that
others can join in the fun

3. Link up using your Blog URL, Bloglovin' URL & Twitter

4. Visit at least 3 other blogs



5.  TWEET about Wildcard Wednesday using #wildcard 




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Now make some new friends :) 

Cara box = feeling spoiled

So this past month was my first experience in taking part in a Cara Box exchange. For those of you who are wondering what Cara Box is, it is a very creative program created by Kaitlyn at the blog Wifessionals. To learn more about it click the Cara Box button at the end of this post. This past month I have been getting to know Elizabeth at the blog: The DC Boese's and Joy at the blog: All Things White. Both women are amazing ladies and I have had so much fun getting to know them. I highly recommend checking out each of their blogs, they are so much fun to read. This months theme was "Take me to the fair" so anything fair/carnival/circus was the name of the game this month. I received this amazing box from Elizabeth:



It was filled with some of my favorite things like cotton candy, roasted peanuts, fudge covered brownies, the most amazing smelling cotton candy scented candle (seriously I can't stop taking the lid off to smell it), fun colorful socks and more. I am feeling very spoiled this month. To learn more about the amazing girl who sent me my box please visit Elizabeths blog at: dcboeses.blogspot.com

I sent Joy a fair survival kit themed box, if you want to see it you will need to visit her blog at: http://allthings-white.blogspot.com

I honestly can't say enough good things about these two ladies they are both so much fun and so nice. It has been really great getting to know other bloggers. If you have the ability to participate please do, click the button below to follow the link to Kaitlyn's blog Wifessionals to learn more.

Five great summer reads

So I am a not so undercover bookworm (ahem, see post titled Meeting Sarah Dessen). I am often asked for book recommendations and I thought I would share them here. So the following is a list of books that are great reads especially during summer time when those of us who are not in school have more time to read.

#1) Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by: Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
Why I picked it: This book has something for everyone. It is a compilation of interesting studies all done in about a chapter each. Ever wonder "how much do my parenting skills really matter?" or "how much do drug dealers really make?". Well they tackle these subjects creatively and thoroughly. It is the "Mythbusters" of social economics.

#2) The Truth About Forever, by: Sarah Dessen
Why I picked it: A great summer read for a coming of age story of a girls summer before her senior year of high school. You will feel as if you are reading your best friends diary and reliving the summer you missed out on with her. The characters feel real and you can't help but feel like you know them.

#3) Sloppy Firsts, by: Megan McCafferty
Why I picked it: A funny series about a girl, a bad boy and the crazy antics that follow as she goes through High School, the series follows her life through college. This book is written as a diary and she is often writing to her best friend. So you often feel as if you are being written to. The main character is smart and witty and you will find your self wondering how this story will unfold.

#4) Bossypants, by: Tina Fey
Why I picked it: I am not one for autobiographies but this one is hysterical. It will literally have you laughing out loud calling your sister to tell her what you just read. It is funny, poignant and memorable.

#5) The Year of Fog, by: Michelle Richmond
Why I picked it: I never read mysteries, they just are not my thing. However, this story about a women who while on a trip to the beach looks down to take a picture and when she looks up her fiances daughter is suddenly missing, will take you full speed fromt the very first chapter on the search for the little girl. You will be reading all night to find out what really happened and ultimately will she ever be found?

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did. I recommend them often and have gotten plenty of positive feedback. I tried to make sure there was something on this list for everyone and know that these books are in no particular order.

If you have read any of them I would love to know what you think.

Wildcard Wednesday!