tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47491481077833240052024-03-13T19:52:56.689-04:00TO HAVE JOYA family striving to find joy in everyday life. In the small things, the big things and the blessings of this life.Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-18896040088826747722013-04-11T15:06:00.001-04:002013-04-11T15:06:15.456-04:00Time for a change again... and then some....Hmmm. Now where to begin... I can't believe it's been so long since I've written. I guess after I got a job things have been kind of crazy. Well, I no longer have a job and we've move AGAIN... I know it's been a whirlwind of a time to say the least.<br />
<br />
Let me back track a little. So we moved last year... that was my last post. Well, while we were there the kids started a new school after that school year was over. They started going to the local public school from the public charter school, where they had been attending. During the summer between that we traded in both vehicles. The boys had out grown our vehicles. I had to upgrade to a minivan. Those boys have LONG Legs. With my over 6ft older boys it was crazy. After they started school at the new public school by our new home I gave in to the idea of working for the school. I applied and was hired at the first part of September 2012 as a Teachers Aid. I Loved it! It was the best job and perfect with the kids. While working that job I also volunteered and started after school tutoring for 5th and 6th grade math. It started out every day of the school week, then eventually turned into three days a week. Due to demand not being very high. I saw such great improvement in those kids I was tutoring. It was a very fulfilling opportunity.<br />
<br />
Bill and I around October of 2012, started feeling like we needed to move back to West Virginia/Virginia area. We tried to ignore the feelings but they kept getting stronger. We tried justifying things and to appease these feelings we decided at the last minute to drive to WV to visit with family for christmas. When we came for our visit for Christmas, we were certain we would be moving back. We planned after we got home to move in June 2013 when our contract on our rental was over. Bill would talk to his job and try to work from home. That was what we originally thought we would do. Bill talked to his company when we got back from vacation and they seemed amenable with the thought of him working from home but due to the nature of their business they would have to talk to their Legal department to find out the legalities of it all. So, they asked us to wait until Feb. 15 before we did anything else. That would give them a month and a half to figure things out. We agreed we would give them the time. So half way through January my Mother-in-law mentioned she was going in for surgery in February and might need some help. She was nervous since she'd had several surgeries and would be under General. We were also concerned for her health. So we decided I would spend 3 weeks with her in WV to help her with her recovery and help around their house. All the while knowing that we were planning on moving back in June.<br />
<br />
While I was helping with my Mother-in-law recover from surgery in WV, Bill and the boys were in Utah. It was so hard on our family being so far apart. I tried to stay busy to keep myself from being too depressed. Bill was crazy busy at work and with the kids that we didn't talk much. That made things hard too. So about a week after my Mother-in-laws surgery Bill got word that his company would allow him to work from home if he became an independent contractor setting up a shell company in Utah and then his real company in what ever state we chose to live in. He would be in charge of all of his taxes, health insurance and everything. His job was stressful enough without the added stress of adding all that on top of it. We made the decision to look for a different job. (that was a Wednesday night late) The next day, Thursday, Bill was checking his Facebook acct. One of his friends mentioned a job in VA at his old company of AOL that they were looking for someone like him, willing to relocate. He contacted that person right away and started the process. He was called later that day and was asked to set up a phone interview with their HR dept for Friday. He agreed. Friday after his interview with HR, they asked him to interview on the following Monday with a team looking at his resume via Skype. It was to be a 3 hour interview. We were flabbergasted at how fast all of this was happening. We didn't realize we wouldn't need 4 months to find a job. Bill had his interview with that team and thought it would be a great opportunity and was trying not to get his hopes up. He was contacted Tuesday and was told they LOVED him. They briefly talked salary and start date. They wanted him to start March 15th or 22nd! They said there was still paperwork and background checks he had to do, but that they really liked him and thought he would be perfect for this position. He accepted the offer and told them he could start March 22. That was less than a month later! So, we had to break our contract on our rental property, he had to give his 2 weeks notice. I wasn't even home. I couldn't pack. We talked to his parents and they said we should move in with them and save money so we could buy a house instead of renting. We prayed about it and decided we would. So I started fixing up and rearranging my In-laws house getting it ready for our family of 5 to move in. I ripped up carpet, panted, moved furniture, cleaned out closets and what ever else needed to make this work. I had 2 weeks til I was to head home to Utah. So I became a busy bee and got busy. Bill gave his two week notice once he got the official offer paperwork. When I got home Feb. 28, Bill had already gotten his official offer paperwork and had given his two week notice. I had blue and gold banquet that night. All I wanted to do was spend time with my family. But didn't.<br />
<br />
We decided the cheapest and most effective way to move would be to only take what was essential. Since my in-laws had a fully furnished house we didn't need any furniture, and there was no point in moving our stuff and keeping it in storage. So, Saturday after I got back we started selling our stuff,... and I don't mean just a few things, I mean EVERYTHING. TV, Deep freeze, couch, knick knacks, clothing, beds what ever we could sell. We sold most of our furniture Saturday. We took several loads to donations at the local Deseret Industries. We were emptying our house and would only take what we couldn't replace or what we felt we could fit into our vehicles. Yes, we only brought with us what fit in our vehicles. A mini cooper S, and a Dodge Grand Caravan. We brought three kids, a cat and two cars filled up to West Virginia. We arrived March 14. In 14 days more or less I packed and drove to WV. It took us 4 days to get to WV.<br />
<br />
Bill started his new job March 25. He loves his new job, is not as stressed about what he does and what's expected of him. The kids started a new school again, and I'm still a stay at home mom. I cook and clean and take care of the kids. Still waiting on the first paycheck from AOL. That's the hardest part right now. Having to rely on my in-laws to sustain us until we can support ourselves. It's a strange feeling. From being self sufficient to being reliant on others. Very humbling experience. We are following where the Lord is sending us. For reasons we do not know, but are grateful for the blessings he has wrought in our lives. We are all safe, loved and blessed.<br />
<br />
I am grateful for the blessings staying close to my Savior has brought to my life. I am grateful and blessed to know that he cares about me and my family. He hears my prayers and answers them. There is difficulty in life, but it eases when we share the load with our Savior and Lord. Through prayer and sacrifice I have drawn closer to him in recent days and months. All I have and all I am is because of him. I am truly blessed. May God Bless and keep you safe until next time. :) Love shae :)Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-44604809796417114502012-03-08T15:03:00.000-05:002012-03-08T15:03:58.950-05:00Moving... Again :(So we have been told that we can no longer stay in the house we've been renting for 2 years. This really stinks for us, the kids are adjusted (finally), we have made friends and we have come to love this area... We have been searching since we found out we had to move for a place near by... The kids are pretty sad they have to leave the ward and move further away. We finally found (or hoped we'd found) a condo in Lehi about 3 miles from where we currently live. However, they haven't been getting back to us about when we can move in, how much the deposit is or really even if we passed the application stage and can proceed forward. There are no houses that we've found that we can move into. We have a cat and all have either gone with a different family, or doesn't want an animal, especially a cat. We have put all of our hopes into this particular condo at this point, our only ray of light. As the move out date is approaching we are really getting worried about where we're gonna go and all that jazz. Well. Today in my depressed state... yes I've been a little... ok a lot depressed. I have been doing the Biggest Loser challenge with some friends and have lost 20 pounds so far... well this last week.. i've been so depressed... I've gained back 2 pounds!! AHG... anyways I digress... So today being depressed and praying for direction on how to get out of the depression and what we should do about a place to live... I had an impression to look back on KSL.com for other houses/condo's that may have been added to their list since I looked last, which was about a week ago. So, I looked on KSL.com. I saw a condo right behind our current house, comes with a pool, garage and other neat stuff... for the same rent as the previous condo. The owners are REALLY SUPER Nice! They like us, and are most likely moving to California. I filled out an application and sent it to them. They said if they can find housing in California, then we will be able to get the condo! :) We should know by Tuesday next week or before depending on what they find in California. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel like this is where the Lord wants us, that we have been lead to this condo. I pray that this is right, it feels right and I just hope and have faith that all will be well. :) I am so grateful for the power of prayer and answers received to those heartfelt, ernest prayers. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord has a plan for us, that we are lead if we listen and follow his promptings that we will have what our hearts desire. We truly are blessed and our cup runneth over. We are hopeful once again, but not without trial. Blessings definitely do come out of tribulation, prayer and faith!Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-63873803286044198652011-10-11T13:52:00.000-04:002011-10-11T13:52:28.347-04:00Catch upWell, a lot has happened since I turned 34. I went and spent 3 weeks visiting family in Texas from the end of July to the middle of August. It felt like it was too little time, and too quick. I got back in time to get the boys ready for school, I had 1 week before their school started. Then I finished up my Associates program through University of Phoenix and I'm now officially a college graduate! I also started my Bachelor program through the University of Phoenix. Time is flying by. And in the mean time I'm working on schooling, the kids are in school, and I started working part-time. As I have been trying to keep up, I've been a little crazy. Bill and I are still Sunbeam teachers at church, and are about to get another calling on top everything else. My head spins sometimes, but that's good, because it hasn't killed me yet! :) The boys are busy busy busy with their scouting advancements and schedules. That right now between their school and scouting, I just don't have the time to add any other extra-curricular activities to our family schedule.<br />
<br />
I know it sounds a little crazy to be so busy, but we work really hard to have time with the family, even with our crazy schedules.<br />
<br />
I am so grateful for everything that the Lord has blessed me with! We are so blessed to be busy, have jobs, and to support our selves. I am grateful for the ability to juggle many things, and stay sane. I don't get many breaks, but today I had one. I watch two little boys one day a week. They were supposed to come today, but their dad is home today until their mom gets home from work, so I didn't watch them today. This freed me up to write on my family blog a little. Also, I have some great recipes on my <a href="http://lovingcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com/">cooking blog</a> if you'd like to check them out. <br />
<br />
Bill and I are getting ready to start a juice fast. Juicing fruits and veggies to help repair our bodies. We have both gained excessive weight and are trying to take it off, and get healthy in the process. We will probably start the juice fast within the next few weeks. What got us to do this juice fast is watching the netflix documentary called "fat, sick and nearly dead" it's an eye opener. check it out.<br />
<br />
Well, until next time. Enjoy your day and may God Bless you!Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-17210306933968003782011-07-14T18:29:00.000-04:002011-07-14T18:29:11.651-04:00Good Deed IdeasAs I just celebrated my 34th birthday I am wanting to encourage my children to do random acts of kindness and good deeds for each other daily. I have added this as a requirement as a chore to hopefully get them in the habit of doing this. I am however hitting a brick wall as to what they can do for each other or another family member. Since this will need to be something that is FREE I have decided that I want to create slips of paper in a jar with ideas on it, they can pull a paper out of the jar with a good deed on it, and they can decide who to do it for. I am looking for ideas from my friends and family a far of what kinds of things I can add to this. I have posted my list so far on the bottom. Please comment so I can add to the list. Thanks so much for your help. :)<br />
<br />
Ideas for good deeds jar:<br />
<br />
make someone's bed<br />
pick up their toys on their bedroom floor<br />
write a thank-you note<br />
write a why I love you note<br />
read a story to someone<br />
play a game of their choice<br />
let a sibling tag along with your friends and make them feel welcome<br />
volunteer to help with their chores<br />
pull weeds in the flower bed<br />
sweep the kitchen floor<br />
clean the back door windows<br />
mow the lawn<br />
make mom & dad's bed<br />
Take out the trash<br />
start a load of laundry for someone<br />
process the laundry<br />
clean out the kitty litter<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the list I have so far. If you have any ideas that could be added to this list please let me know. I really want them to think outside of themselves and encourage helping each other. Thank you so much for your help :)Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-6315042221407076422011-04-14T14:02:00.000-04:002011-04-14T14:02:11.449-04:00Spring BreakHere we are chilling in California! Trying to figure out what we're gonna do in Los Angeles, as we have spent two days in LegoLand. Now that we're almost all sunburned, we'd like to spend a day not in too much sun. We are talking about going to the Los Angeles Temple and seeing the new visitors center. It's a way cool temple. I also would like to see the San Diego Temple, it's my favorite one! I have been making dinner in the crock pot every day, breakfast of cereal, english muffins, pancakes with bacon and eggs, cinnamon raisin bread and lunches are sandwiches with carrots and chips. Not a bad trip. We are having a blast spending time with Bill's parents, and the kids. I'll be adding pictures to my photo gallery on .mac soon. So, keep an eye out for the link.Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-52940128077790123502011-04-11T22:43:00.000-04:002011-04-11T22:43:32.255-04:00It's SPRING BREAK!We are here on Spring Break and enjoying time with family. Mikey was also baptized this last weekend. Grandma and Grandpa Clark came out to be apart of it! It was so great to have a little family share in that special ordinance. We are in Oceanside, CA for spring break. Lego Land for several days, a day at the beach and a day in Los Angeles, then back home. It will be so much fun, It is so beautiful here, and sunny. It's a nice change from all the snow we've had the last several days. Unfortunately, I still get to do school work while we are out having fun, but at least I have the flexibility to do both at the same time. I have one assignment in early, and I'm going to try to finish those up. Here's hoping for a nice, fun, safe spring break here in California with the In-laws. Wishing we could spend time with more family. Looking forward to our summer vacation, seeing more and more family and friends.Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-942362098929431742011-03-31T19:39:00.000-04:002011-03-31T19:39:16.092-04:00My baby's growing up so FAST!As I'm writing this I can hardly believe that I now have no children under the age of 8. Yes, that's right 8 years old. I can still remember all three of my boys in diapers, and running around crazy, I kept thinking I was going to pull my hair out and they were never going to grow up! Now, I sit here almost in tears thinking those days are so far behind me. Before I know it, they will be off on missions, going to college and getting married... I think of the things that have happened since my first child was born. He is now 11 and 1/2 and doesn't let me forget it that he's a BIG boy and wants to be treated like a MAN, except when it comes to chores and being told what to do... Then there is my middle baby who is no baby. He's only 1/2 and inch shorter than his elder brother. Some of you may say that may not be that big of a deal. Well, my oldest "baby" is 5 ft 7 inches tall. My middle "baby" is 5 ft 6 1/2 inches tall, and my youngest "baby" is 4 ft 10 inches tall... and he's the one that just turned 8! He will be getting baptized, starting cub scouts and growing up even faster. He is so GROWN up. He is the most responsible of all three of my children. I watch him and think of the blessing he has been to our family. I love my boys so much! My goodness, why do they have to grow up! Can't they stay small a little longer. I've been saying that for years! they have outgrown their little bodies so fast, by the time i was getting used to their size compared to their age, they sprouted again and the vicious cycle continues. I have been told that they will slow down their growth many times. Still waiting for that as I replace "high-water" pants every couple of months, no holes, no tears, just either too short or their waist is finally growing a few inches and needs them a little wider. I have one who is in 12 slims, (my 8 year old) and they are "high-waters" on him, but if I buy 14 slims, they will not fit his waist. He's too stinking skinny. He has to wear a belt with his 12's as it is. I noticed the other day how long Braeden's neck is getting. He used to be so chunky and squishy and loving... now he's TALL ... SUPER TALL... and everything is getting longer, his hands, his feet, his neck... his torso... even his legs. The only thing is that his stomach area that used to be rolls and rolls of flub... is now a 6 pack and staying so skinny. He's almost wiry. with this huge bobble of a head on top. So cute!!! I have some amazing boys and they are growing so fast, I feel if I blink too long they will be gone. I enjoy them as they are now. Watching them play with their nerf guns, fanoodle light sabers, and running around the house with endless energy. Their faces full of smiles and learning along the way. I hear stories of how they are turning into wonderful young men. I hope that it continues that way.<br />
<br />
A neighbor who was picking his daughter up from Mikey's 8th birthday party this week. Stopped Bill and said how impressed with the our boys he is. Bill was a little taken aback. He asked in what way. Braeden (my sweet boy) was looking for some friends to play with, and could find none available to play. As he was walking around the neighborhood (unbeknownst to me or his father) noticed a gentleman in our neighborhood digging in his yard. Braeden asked what he was doing and the gentleman said digging footers and a slab for a soon to be pored concrete surface. Braeden asked if he could help... He said sure if you want to, Braeden then picked up a shovel and started helping to dig. (can you say impressive). I was so impressed when Bill relayed that story to me! My child who I can't get to pick up his clothes in his room, or pick his toys up, is so thoughtful and genuine that he helped a neighbor dig in his yard (performed unasked for service!) I then realize that it isn't about the clothes on the floor, or the toys they refuse to pick up or the messy house... It's about teaching them how to serve their fellow man! I stand a few inches taller, realizing that I'm not that much of a failure. I think sometimes I get so bogged down with the cluttered, messy house, the dirty dishes, and dirty clothes. That I forget to notice the boys are turning into men by watching and doing the important things of serving others and being kind to one another. I have been so blessed to have been given such wonderful children, from a wonderfully loving heavenly father!<br />
<br />
I struggle some days with being a mother and worried about how they will turn out, and if I've done all I can to help them be honorable, productive, sweet, kind, generous, strong men when they get older. When with stories like the one above grace my ears I think in that moment that I'm doing an o.k. job. Then, the house stays a little messier, the boys are a little messier, but we are focusing on more important things such as building a strong character in a young man, than building a shrine to live in. One tear is shed as they grow more and more each passing day. it goes too fast. With your little ones, don't get too caught up in the house cleaning and the dirty clothes, there will always be time for that later. But our children will only be little for a little while. From a mother missing those precious, tender years and days of their "little" childhood. Take TONS of pictures, record memories of things they said, teach them love, compassion by example. Speaking doesn't work, it's action. I can't always tell them I love them, I have to show them by giving of my time, energy and love. I ask all the time "Do you know I love you?" "REALLY love you?" They in turn answer "YES" As long as they know that I love them, no matter how mad or frustrated I get, or whether or not the house is clean, or dinner on the table on time, or even a shower/bath it has been a GREAT day!<br />
<br />
I have a cousin who had a little baby boy recently and seeing his cute precious face and how little he is. I can't help remember when my boys were littler (they weren't even as small as he was born). At how time flies and how I seem to be moving at a slow pace, and they are flying by. I look at pictures from a year ago, or even a few months and they have grown so much. Their faces are different, their demeanor is different. They are growing up. Enjoy the small stuff and climb those mountains together. one day at a time. and sometimes, one second, one minute or one hour at a time, cherishing every moment because before you know it,...<br />
<br />
they are all grown up!Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-66533709617474966352011-03-21T14:00:00.000-04:002011-03-21T14:00:17.352-04:00What's new?I have been so busy with school, house, kids and my <a href="http://lovingcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com/">cooking blog</a> that I haven't taken the time to write much here. Since it's been a month since the boys started their new school we've been able to create a more structured chore list, which has helped greatly. I still end up doing most things around here, but every little bit of help is helpful. The boys really like their new school. They are learning spanish and Bryen even volunteered to join the liberty bowl, which is a group of kids that study history after school one day a week. The boys have longer school days then before, and I get to volunteer more often. That has been a lot of fun. I help mostly in the library. Tomorrow is my first day subbing at the kids school. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I haven't done subbing in a library in at least a year.<br />
<br />
I'm in my second to last term before I get my associates degree. It is hard to believe that I'm almost half way done... Well, as done as I'll be for a while. Bill and I are working on getting out of debt. We are following <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/">Dave Ramsey's Get out of Debt plan</a>. It is not an easy thing, but it will be so worth it in the end. That is why I'm waiting before I finish my bachelor program. I want to be able to pay for it outright without taking out student loans. Bill and I make too much to qualify for grants, so this is the best way. Plus it would be nice to get out of the debt my associates degree put us in. We have a 5 year plan that includes, getting out of debt, saving enough money for the rest of my education, and saving enough money to purchase a house outright. Bill doesn't want a mortgage ever again. And I don't blame him. Me either. It's been tough having to go through a foreclosure, that isn't even selling. Our name is still on the property but we don't own it any more. It's a mess, and so is our credit. If we purchase a house outright then we don't need to worry about credit anymore. We just get what we need, when we need it. There is so much we'd like to do but being in debt has trapped us. So we're breaking free. Everyday is one day closer to our dream.<br />
<br />
I'm going to continue to be a stay-at-home mom after I finish my degree, the plan is to keep subbing at the boys school so I can be available when they are home, and flexible enough to be able to not work if the kids are sick and not feel too bad for missing work. The boys are so excited about me "working" at the school.<br />
<br />
I can barely believe that my youngest is going to be 8 in less than two weeks, one week from tomorrow he will be 8 years old. Many of you know how big that it in our family. My baby will be baptized and get to start going to cub scouts. He will always be my baby, but now, so grown up. Not only is that momentous but my oldest in October gets the Priesthood! WHOlly COW!... I hope I can not cry every sunday. Thinking about it makes me tear up. He is growing into such a wonderful young man! He is doing so much better than I thought he'd be doing after what happened in August. Time is going by so very fast, I just wish it would slow down soon, a little at least. I remember when they were all watching veggie tales and getting into everything and driving me nuts! Now, they are so respectful and kind. I am told almost everywhere we go, how respectful and polite they are. Some days I don't know what I would do with out my boys. They are the light of my life and I am so grateful to be their mom!<br />
<br />
Bill is battling with fatigue and tooth decay at an alarming rate for me. He blames it on his medication. But I don't know. I am glad that we are in a state where they are doing revolutionary things in the field of heart surgery. He is looking forward to the time when his valve needs replacing again to have it done laproscopically so he doesn't have to go through as much pain as he did before. I don't know if that is possible, but one can only hope. He also wants them to grow a new valve from his stem cells so he doesn't have to take anymore medication for his heart, but I don't know if that will be ready by then. I'm not looking forward to that surgery, so I'm just trying to enjoy him every day I get to spend with him. He still loves where he works and what he does. His parents will be coming out to visit for Mikey's Baptism in April. Then we will be headed down to San Diego for a trip to Lego Land and Hollywood with the family for spring break. So fun, looking forward to some sunny weather.<br />
<br />
It has been snowy and cold,... However, this week it will be in the 50's and rainy except for Wednesday. So I want to get outside on wednesday and soak up some needed sun. Also, I will be trying to get my square foot gardening started. I need to build my boxes, and get the soil mix. Also, i need to come up with what veggies I want to grow. I am going to try to stagger my planting so I can enjoy fresh crops throughout the summer, instead of all in at once. I'm reading a book about square foot gardening. So I hope I can act upon what i'm reading. Last year I had a few tomatoes and a handful of green beans, a few bell peppers and that was it. This year I want lettuce, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, squash, pumpkins, watermellon, and many other things. I just hope I have the space and boxes to grow them all. And the time to do them right.<br />
<br />
Bill and I are serving in the primary teaching sunbeams, 3-4 year olds. They are so adorable and sweet! It makes Bill and I ready for more kids. We just can't afford it right now. So that's another part of our 5-year plan. To have more kids, after we get out of debt. I know crazy huh... going back to diapers and sleepless nights. It will be an adjustment that's for sure. I would much rather adopt but Bill I know is concerned about adoption. It's still up for discussion. I know I would love to adopt sisters and enjoy the blessing of having more girls in the house. I've been cautioned by some to never get girls as they are much harder than boys. But at the same time, I've been told, I need girls. I know that we have two girls somewhere, either in heaven or to adopt. Time will tell where they will come from, but they will surely be a blessing in our family.<br />
<br />
Time to go work on dinner for tonight, I am going to brine my chicken before i stick it in the slow cooker. So, check out my cooking blog, lovingcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com.Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-15427583335680314492011-02-28T17:15:00.002-05:002011-02-28T17:37:26.277-05:00Another catchupBoy have we been busy!!! The boys have started going to the charter school near our house. A charter school is a public school, that has a lottery to have students enroll. Also, a charter school has smaller class sizes, uniforms, and a more individual approach to each child's education. Bill and I are so excited about the charter school. The boys love it there, even though they miss their friends at the school by our house. We feel that this is the best move for our children. They will be able to attend all the way through junior high/middle school. That way they will have consistency even if or when we move. Another bonus is that they highly encourage parental involvement. We are required to volunteer 4 hours a month. Not so hard. But they encourage more. So of course... I volunteer way more... I love helping in the library and in the kids classrooms. I also am trying to get everything I need to help substitute at the school. The librarian really could use a reliable substitute and since when I was in Davis County at Columbia Elementary and was trained on the library software there. It is the same system they have at this school. So, I'm someone she can call and doesn't need to worry about them being trained on the system. I just need to complete fingerprinting and then I'm ready to substitute. Another bonus for substituting is that they pay more for subs at the charter school then they do at the district. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I have been still going to school. I have one more term left to finish after the one I'm currently in before I graduate with my Associates Degree. I'm so excited! I'm really enjoying it.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bill has been working hard and doing well at work. The boys are thriving and enjoying all the snow and sunshine we've been having here. We seem to have lots of days with sunshine even if the weather had been snowy one or two days. We really enjoy it. We haven't been skiing or sledding or tubing but we enjoy throwing snow balls and building forts out of the snow. :) </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Coming up, James will be turning 8 and getting baptized. Bill's parents will be coming out for a visit, Spring break, and I'm even thinking of having Bryen join a city soccer team. Other than that I'm cooking up a storm. Staying busy and enjoying being a stay-at-home mom.</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-27778208462142702662010-10-04T17:19:00.002-04:002010-10-04T17:21:51.663-04:00I have a new BLOG!My new blog is all about cooking and my fun adventures in the kitchen. Cooking from scratch and all that goes with it. :) Join and follow. Enjoy!<div><br /></div><div>Here is the website:) Add to your bookmarks and favorites for new up to date recipes, new recipes daily. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>http://lovingcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com/</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-78596390098920709832010-10-04T14:11:00.003-04:002010-10-04T14:26:56.128-04:00Recent AccomplishmentsWell, As I sit here in the house as it rains outside... I am thinking about what we as a family have accomplished so far this school year. It might not be much, but it is something. Especially on days when I feel like we haven't done anything. So, here goes:<div><br /></div><div>Braeden has completed his Bear achievement in Cub Scouts and has advanced into Webelos. That is a big accomplishment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mikey has lost 3 teeth, I at one point thought he'd have all of his baby teeth forever... as none were falling out. But now, it's like a flood of teeth falling out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bryen has almost completed his Webelos badge and his Arrow of Light. Both HUGE accomplishments. And he will be an 11 year old scout. Boy time sure does fly. He only needs a few more items on his citizenship pin and his understanding of what it means to be a BOY SCOUT :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Bill has earned his RHCE (Redhat Certified Engineer) certification. This is something he has struggled with in the past, and has accomplished it at last! Way to go Babe!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have completed two more classes I got a B- in my Cultural and Diversity class, and an A in my Healthcare Administration class. :) Yeah me, and I've started two more classes Algebra 116 and Research writing English 102. I'm a little nervous but I'm hopeful I'll do ok. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have realized that I currently do not qualify to apply for a nursing program, so I'm adjusting and thinking that Respiratory Therapy is a good second choice. That will mean quitting online and going to an actual campus for the remainder of my college. I'm nervous about that. But still debating. I may take a few more general ed classes online, before i transfer. To limit the number of semesters I need to be away from home. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been getting more into cooking dinners and things at home. I feel that is an accomplishment all by it's self. As I struggle at times to even feel motivated to cook anything. It has helped writing a menu at the first of the week, to help me be motivated to cook. Now these aren't all those quick dinners that are practically premade. These are things like homemade hoagie rolls for meatball subs (and yes the meatballs were homemade too). Home made bread. Crockpot meals, and yes of course some of the premade dinners, such as pizza and hamburger helper. I am still proud of my self for even attempting to make hoagie rolls. They turned out pretty good. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I am thinking of starting a cooking blog, about my cooking adventures. Not sure I'll have any followers but still, a way to post my menu's, my recipes and my experiences of what we are doing here at home to help cut costs and be more frugal. My food storage has been coming quite in handy. As my freezer is slowly depleting and my pantry is getting more bare, I am grateful for the food storage I have and trying to incorporate it into our diet. It is a good feeling.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been grateful for the blessings that have come from these accomplishments. The knowledge gained and the feeling of the Lords hand in my life. Prayers have been answered, and spirits have been lifted. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-20077634364042213402010-08-25T18:30:00.003-04:002010-08-25T20:31:40.269-04:00Another whirlwind of a summerI can hardly believe that summer is over and school has officially started in my house. It has been full of excitement and turmoil, summer that is. I am working towards a couple of my goals, finishing school, and not going crazy... Not sure how either is going at this point. but taking one day at a time. <div><br /></div><div>Summer started off pretty good. The kids were making friends in our new neighborhood, and we had a couple of fun vacations scheduled. Our first vacation was scheduled for the second week in June with Bill's parents and his brother Matt. We were going to the Grand Canyon. It was a 10 visit by his parents and his brother. We stayed 4 days in AZ and saw The Grand Canyon and went down to Sedona, AZ. What a beautiful country we live in! It was a pleasant trip. Then the boys had a Father and Son campout with our ward. They had a lot of fun, and I went a little crazy cause I didn't know what to do with myself while they were out having fun. Then three days later we headed off to Texas. For a three week trip. The boys and I drove from Utah to Texas. We went to help my youngest sister with her wedding. It was a crazy trip to texas, I had wanted to visit and see so many of my cousins, but didn't see hardly any of them. Which was a bummer, I did however, get to see my grandma and several of my aunts and uncles. My sister was beautiful. While at her reception, my son Braeden passed out from heat exhaustion. Luckily, Shane was there and was able to bring him around, before the paramedics came. We are so blessed to have so many talented and qualified family members. We went home exhausted and grateful for family. A week after we got home from our trip to Texas, I started school again. I'm still passing my classes, but it's a very challenging semester.</div><div><br /></div><div>About 2 weeks ago, My oldest was struggling, and started to self mutilating during church. We took him home and tried to help him through his issues, which he wouldn't talk about. He seemed to get better, so we hoped it was a one time thing. Then on monday, the routine was back in and chores needed done so they could go play and enjoy their summer, back at home. Bryen lost his privilege to play his PSP. He quietly put it down and then went into the kitchen and then upstairs. On his way upstairs I felt impressed to ask him what he did in the kitchen, He was only in the kitchen a very short time. I asked him what he got in the kitchen. First thinking it was food, and he needed to eat it in the kitchen not upstairs. Then quickly realized it was far worse than food. He had taken one of my sharp kitchen knives and was going upstairs with it. I asked him what it was for. and very calmly he said, "to kill myself." OMG!!! WHAT!? YEah, that's what he said. I asked him to bring me the knife, and had him sit next to me on the couch, I called my insurance to find out what coverage we had for his mental issues, and then they said to take him to the ER. He didn't hurt himself, but was so ready to. We were at the hospital for 9 hours, and then he was transferred to a psychiatric in-patient facility for children. He was there for 7 days, they changed up some of his medicine, he's Bi-Polar, and was on ADHD meds, He is now on an antipsychotic medication and no longer on his ADHD medicine. My mother-in-law came out to "help" us with the situation with Bryen. I don't know if that was the right course for her to come out. But, she was here for 2 weeks. She went home today. Today was also the boys first day of school. So, needless to say, i'm still trying to recover from a hectic and crazy summer. Bryen is doing better, we are keeping a close eye on him. Not sure if normalcy is possible anymore, so we are taking one day at a time. Trying to create a new norm, hopefully one that is good for all of us. My schooling is going ok. Not as good as before, but trying to keep up on it. Some assignments are late, but My brain has been kind of fried. Well, that's been a brief summary of our summer. hopefully, this school year will bring better days, and better things. i hope you guys are having a GREAT summer and beginning of school year. </div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-4907957277743436632010-05-12T10:32:00.006-04:002010-05-12T11:00:33.573-04:00Fill'r Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rCduBV8oI/AAAAAAAAAJk/P4OKHJM3QQs/s1600/IMG_1492.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rCduBV8oI/AAAAAAAAAJk/P4OKHJM3QQs/s200/IMG_1492.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470398513220547202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rCdP764tI/AAAAAAAAAJc/QkRjzXz-Dpk/s1600/IMG_1451.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rCdP764tI/AAAAAAAAAJc/QkRjzXz-Dpk/s200/IMG_1451.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470398505144738514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rCcmfAyFI/AAAAAAAAAJU/M8smUJytmjc/s1600/IMG_1347.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rCcmfAyFI/AAAAAAAAAJU/M8smUJytmjc/s200/IMG_1347.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470398494017636434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rBsepxQuI/AAAAAAAAAJM/z28aPsTsBUY/s1600/IMG_1296.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/S-rBsepxQuI/AAAAAAAAAJM/z28aPsTsBUY/s200/IMG_1296.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470397667281552098" /></a><br />It has been a very long time since I wrote last. A lot of things have happened in my life since then. It's been very crazy around here. Let's see where to start... After we all got well, we started making a few changes in our schedules and life. I started college again, this time to finish it! I am in my second term finals week currently, I am attending University of Phoenix (Axia College - Online). I'm going to school to get my degree in Medical Administration. I'm excited to have direction. After I started school, during the first part of my second term, I found out that where we were renting they wanted to sell the house. So we had to move, Mid-term, Mid-school year for the kids. They were so sad... actually, we all were. We searched high and low in Kaysville, UT so the kids could stay near their friends, and they could stay in the same school, but no such luck :(. We were able to find something in Saratoga Springs, UT. So we moved in April to Saratoga Springs. It's been crazy since we moved in, too. The weekend after we moved in my In-laws came to visit for Easter, which was really nice. Then we had Spring Break, and we went to Lego Land with the boys (so much fun!). They started a new school, and I've been working on picking up my grades from the move. My school work didn't get done for a week, so I've been struggling to make up the work and my grades. I've since been back to California one other time for a trip with Bill and the kids, he couldn't come with us to Lego Land cause he had to work. So we took another trip with him a couple of weeks later. My sister Katy came to visit me the weekend we moved and she was such a GREAT help! It was so good to see her and her two girls. I miss my family, being so far away from anyone. I have a few cousins that live in Provo, but I never get to see them. They are really busy with school and stuff too. i am grateful for the challenges in my life, they help me see the hand of the Lord. I didn't think I could move and go to school and everything that has happened in the last several months... but he has blessed me and I'm grateful for his hand in my life. Bill loves his new job. He works for Overstock.com now. He loves it! I am grateful he has a job that he loves. Since moving to Saratoga Springs I've had a hard time getting to know people. I'm hoping that I can meet more people soon. It's kind of lonely here, I've made one friend and it's good to have a good friend :). We are excited to have my in-laws come visit again in June :) If feels like we see them more now that we're so far away than when we lived 20 min away. :) We have plenty of room for guests if any of my friends who read this want to come visit :). My little sister Jenniy will be getting married in July. I'm her maid-of-honor :) I'm excited for her. I'll be taking a trip to Texas leaving the end of June. Lots to plan and pull together before her BIG DAY! She is getting married July 9. So we are having a family bridal shower July 1 in San Antonio. Another Bridal shower July 3 in Temple for those up in that direction. Her Bachelorette party July 7th - can you say belly dancing!! :) We are gonna have so much fun this summer. I'm driving down to Texas with the boys, Bill will fly down on July 8th, then we will drive home together. I get to spend some Quality time with my best friend since 3rd grade Hulda and her family. I plan on seeing my friends in San Antonio too. And of course FAMILY!!! I'm so excited to have a positive reason to go to texas. It's been a while since we've had that. The last positive thing was Jenniy's graduation from High School! which was 3 or 4 years ago I think... If I remember correctly. I didn't get to see much family when we were there. So I'm excited to see more this trip. Well, I'd better go and clean up. School for my kids gets out May 28th. Then we have the summer to PLAY! So excited. I also need to start my final papers today. Ugh.. but so excited to be getting my schooling done. :)Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-88297337750718000162010-01-25T15:45:00.003-05:002010-01-25T15:58:30.830-05:00A New Dawn, A New Day, A New YearWell, we survived the trip home, finally got everyone well. I started college through University of Phoenix (Axia College) for Medical Administration. I'm doing ok. I have all A's right now. Yeah me... but mind you I've only been going for three weeks. :) I'm excited for the grades. :)<div><br /></div><div>Bill got hired at Overstock.com. He started Jan. 18. We're really excited. He loves what he's doing there and he thinks it's a great group of guys to work with. I'm so happy for him. He has about a 35-45 min commute, which is a far cry from the 2 hr commute average he had from WV. So we're not complaining at all about his drive. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've decided to give up looking for work and become a dedicated stay-at-home mom. Anyone who knows about stay at home moms is that they really don't stay home very often from all the errands, volunteering and stuff they do all day. But I'm grateful that I don't HAVE to work right now. I can enjoy and help my children. However, the house is the same as when I was working. We're just getting more hot meals since I'm definitely using my slow cooker more. I'm trying my first slow cooker lasagna tonight. I hope it turns out. I added a bag of mixed veggies to the meat mixture so we get in some green veggies. I am loving <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com">crockpot365.blogspot.com</a>! I love that site. She has great ideas and recipes. Also, I'm tempted very tempted to start buying from <a href="http://alisonspantrycachevalley.blogspot.com">Alison's pantry</a>, I don't know just yet if I will. I noticed a lot of the stuff she sells I can get at Sams Club or Costco. But she does have some stuff that is different. Only thing is that it's once a month thru her, and I would place an order by Feb. 2 and wouldn't get it until March. So that's another thing to consider. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been volunteering a lot at the boy's school. It keeps me pretty busy. I'm also still working with the CubScouts as a Wolf Den Leader. I am still trying to get my head around everything that involves, but it's coming very slowly. I enjoy it just not all the paperwork and meetings associated with it. It's a highly involved calling. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've lost 20 lbs. since moving to UT. I'm still trying to keep that off and not pack on more. It's hard in the winter as I'm not nearly as active as I am in the spring, summer and fall as I'd like to be. I am hoping I can get more motivated and get working out. Well, I'd better get off this computer and start the mountain of laundry hanging over my head. Thanks for reading :)</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-13318618060288178632010-01-06T22:09:00.002-05:002010-01-06T23:13:27.218-05:00Christmas Catch-upWell, we're finally home from our Christmas vacation. It feels like we were away for an eternity. It was a very long time to be away from our home. We were very grateful for my in-laws hospitality. But it is very unlikely for us to be making another one of those trips for a very, very long time. It was a good christmas. The kids had a lot of fun spending time with their Grandparents, Aunt and Uncles. We ended up having 4 christmases, and it was just Bill's family. All at his parents house, We had Christmas eve dinner celebration, Christmas morning present opening, Christmas evening opening presants and dinner, and then Day-after christmas opening presants again. sheesh... was it enough? I'm ready for more arn't you... Actually, I was done after christmas morning. We spent several days making food, TONS of cookies. I'm still eating Christmas cookies... do they freeze well enough so I don't need to make any for next christmas? yes we had that many cookies. I was able to take the boys down to Washington DC to some of the smithsonians. We went to the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum. The kids loved it. They got to sit in an airplane, and a space shuttle.. check out cool dinosaur fossels and bones. It was a good day in DC. By the time we went to the American history museum they were closed :( I wanted to see that one first, but with a group of boys... the other stuff won over. Santa was good to the kids this year. They got some books from mom and dad and some ear muffs, Santa brought them one HUGE gift... Bryen got the newest Lego Mindstorm (He has been asking for that for at least 3 years) and Braeden and Mikey got the best most economical gaming system out there... (the iPod Touch) with a $10 iTunes gift card. Let's just say they were exstatic and we even got tons of peace and quiet after that. They have so many games they play together or alone. I know, I know. pretty extravagent you might say. But we looked into all of the hand held gaming systems the psp, the DSi and the iPod Touch. The touch is by far the best most economical device. They share all of their games they have.. They cost anywhere from FREE to 9.99 a game. But divide that game price by 4 because Bill and I can also put those games on our phones. No cartridges to loose, scratch or destroy. Parental controls to keep them from surfing the web on sites that are inappropriate. and No UTube for little boys to get into trouble with. Yea, I know it's kindof pricey but the DSi and the PSP are around 300 a piece, especially if you buy one new game to go with it. We spent less than $250 for the iPod touch, $10 gift card and a case for each iPod. The joy on their faces was priceless. We saved them for the last of christmas morning. It was awesome. They didn't even care about the two other christmases. They were content. The food was amazing, as always. I got some good gifts too. I got a couple of smaller crockpots for my new obsession. as well as a couple cast iron skillets, and a cast iron enamel dutch oven baker. Along with the Julia Childs Cookbook. :)) Oh yea baby, just what I wanted. Billy spent way too much on me he got me a Coach purse. i love it! I also got a pink iPod shuffle (for my workouts). I had been complaining about how bulky my iPhone is when I work out. So he was thinking on this gift. I was touched. (A side note is that I've gone from 325 lbs. to 287 lbs.) That is a good think and I'm still working on loosing more. I'm down to a size 22. I know still too big, but a little at a time makes it life changing. Any who... i digress... okay. So back to christmas. We had gotten 20+ inches of snow the sunday before christmas, so no christmas programs at church before christmas.. actually no church period. So, We were able to go the last sunday we were in town and they had their christmas program, it was very nice. It was good to see a few people while we were in town. Not as many as we would have liked. I missed catching up with my friend Erin.. I was sad for that. :( Bill also had gotten pretty sick after christmas too. He ended up with a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) yucky. So, he was out of commission for a little while. Then Braeden got a cold/chest infection on the day we left for home. So it post-poned us leaving out of town a few hours. with the Urgent care visit and picking up meds on the way out of town. I started getting a little cough too so I was seen at the same time as Braeden. They said it was just a cold. So I got a little cough med and one the way I went. We made it to Indianapolis right before New Years! well an hr to spare. We were able to ring in the new year with our dear friends the Velasquez family. I was feeling was miserable. But it was nice being there. We stayed there one more night to rest up a little. Then off we were to our next destination Lincoln, NE. Which by the time we got there I was a royal mess. I couldn't swallow with out wanting to die, it hurt to breathe. It didn't feel like any cold I had ever had before, it actually felt more like strep throat. But I had a cough that was awful too. Which usually doesn't happen with strep. I tried to be a trooper and be tough, but my senses were slowly diminishing. We all went to bed and were trying to make the best of the hotel. Billy had taken the boys to the pool to get out some energy. I tried to rest in bed. It didn't help. By 3am I hadn't slept at all... I'd kept Bill up all night from whining, tossing and turning, and hacking all the time. So, I told him I was going to the ER. I couldn't take it any more. I decided to drive myself. So he could try to rest for our trip that day. I just wanted to go home. But he was in no shape to drive, and I was in no shape to sit in the car for 13 hrs. Then Braeden got up and vomitted. He said his tummy hurt. OH BOY... does it get good. So, He goes back to bed. I head to the front desk to get directions to the hospital, Bill tries to go back to sleep. It doesn't happen. He calls me on my cell as I'm about to get in the car. and he tells me he's going to take me. The boys are all alseep in the hotel. Bryen is old enough to watch them. So, Bill drives me to the Hospital. While there, I get an X-Ray of my throat to make sure it's not swelling where they can't see. I'm in excruciating pain. Still having a hard time breathing and my throat is on fire. They give me morphine to help with pain management. (I'd never had morphine before) my arm started itching... and I starting scratching.. It felt like an allergic reaction... and it didn't even touch my pain. It felt useless. But what they hey, they said it should've worked. I had a strep test.. Negative. Still just a cold. ugh... So, off we are sent with more pain meds and a steroid to try to help with things. That was Sunday early morning. We stay in Lincoln one more day. To try to rest up. So, we left Lincoln on Monday. Bright and squirley early. We went home... Still miserable, but heading home. Mikey had gotten sick on Sunday with vommitting too. so we were a sight in our car... Sick as anything. We make it home on monday night to an angry cat. Who was not happy about us leaving him home alone for 3 weeks. Three weeks of garbage, and junk of a messy house awaiting us behind the front door. No food for the kids lunches the next day, not sure who would actually make it to school, with them all being sick, And Mikey ended up screaming and crying in the car on the way home with a sore throat. We got home in time for urgent care to still be open, so Bill rushes him to the urgent care to get him taken care of. Well, he tells the doctor he's fine. GRRRrrrr. ok. So he ends up with some cough syrup and off to school. so hundreds of dollars later. we're finally home and all supposed to be getting on the mend and back to life as we know it. Come tuesday morning. Getting the boys ready for school as best I can being horribly sick. Braeden decides he has a tummy ache and vommits. sigh... ok so, he's home... anyone else...? so, I get the other two ready for school. Rush to the store to get them something for their lunches. get them to school on time. run a few errands... like pay rent. and get Bill set for his interviews... Then home to try to rest. With a HUGE pile of mail Demanding to be addressed. So I sit in bed going through the mail. Making piles of bills, junk mail, christmas cards, misc... then Bill takes a nap as I'm going through the mail. I then start setting up the bills to be paid in my acct. He is still sleeping. I'm covered in paperwork. exhausted. As soon as i'm about done he wakes up and askes what all this crap is all over our bed. joy... so I explain what I was doing, through a very raspy, horse voice as best I could. Then he opens a few pieces of mail that were for him. Then gets angry cause the house is a mess, telling me how big of PIGs we are... and on and on... then does nothing....I can't even get him to make dinner... so we end up ordering out pizza... and leave the mess another day. Today, I was able to get the boys ready for school... all made it today.. YEAH! I'm a little better. YEAH! I did a workshop for school today, got the kitchen picked up a little. Got a grocery list together. Got the VW registered and tagged. But got a rejected inspection.. Need a new tire. Then went grocery shopping on a limited budget. Made up the kids portions for their lunches. Premade sandwiches, veggie baggies, snack baggies and such. Cleaned up that mess. Then put the groceries away. Kids came home and I got Braeden to unload the dishwasher. Bill to load the dishwasher. It has been productive. But still aways to go. Tons of homework for the boys to wade through. but we're slowly but surely getting back to normal. Me included. I hope you have had a wonderful christmas season with less adventure than mine. I hope all have been very well. I feel blessed to have made it through the tough times. I'm stronger for it. I am grateful for my husband and all that he does do. He was also hit this christmas with having to take a Voluntary Severance Package, as they were moving his job to India. He took it so he is no longer working for AOL. He is unemployed too. Sigh.. things get better and better don't they. He ended up with 3 months severance and his bonus. which will be helpful. He has a job interview with Overstock.com tomorrow. I pray he gets the job and it's what he wants to do. We are blessed through these trials and I know that the Lord is mindful of us. We will have all that we need to sustain us, I have faith. We have been blessed and guided to move here to Utah. And we are still following his lead through prayer, fasting and faith. School for me starts monday, but working on workshops for school this week. Excited as anything. :) see blessings :) there is always a silver lining and sparkles as it rains :) Be blessed and see the blessings!Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-60549274385434429412009-12-05T16:21:00.003-05:002009-12-05T16:33:25.774-05:00Recent DevelopmentsWell, here's the latest on the Clark Clan. I'm still looking for work... nothing even promising on the hunt. I'm going to be starting school in January online. Yeah me! I should be finished with my associates by May of 2011. I'm going to school for an associates as a Medical Administrator. It's a start.<div><br /></div><div>Bill is getting his resume ready. We are trying to be prepared, if he is laid off next year. His department said they need to get rid of 50% of their workforce in the US so we're trying to be hopeful he'll keep his job, but not sure. We'll be sending it out this week to lots of places... So if you know anyone looking for an amazing Senior Unix System Administrator. Let us know. We're entertaining all options right now. Not that he wants to quit. He loves his job. He loves working for Aol. but there is only so long you can avoid getting laid off. He's been there for 10 years +, and has been thru several (like 20) layoffs. He's riding his bike a lot these days and loves it. He's itching to go play paintball with the boys. Maybe when we go to WV they'll get to play. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bryen, Braeden and Mikey are doing very well in school. They love it here. Mikey has to wear a patch over his left eye to help the right eye get stronger. It may take 6 months + to help it but we'll check it in 3 months to be sure it's working. Or he'll need to get surgery. Other than that they are all healthy and doing well. :) What a blessing.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are loving living in Utah. We're enjoying our church callings and loving our ward family here. Last night we made chocolate covered pretzel sticks with caramel and chocolate with sprinkles on some. They are yummy. We're enjoying the snow we've been getting periodically. Today we're getting a good one. The grass is completely covered and so is the road and sidewalks. </div><div><br /></div><div>We're hoping for good weather on our journey back to WV for Christmas Break. We'd like to make it 3 days, but not sure with the weather outlook. It may take us longer since the midwest is looking at lots of snow over the next several days. I just hope I can leave the house clean and laundry done. That will be a feat in and of it's self. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well that's the update on all of us here. May you all have a wonderful Christmas. Remember the reason for the Season. Our Lord and Savior's Birth :) Merry Christmas!</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-3185087937916239922009-11-25T21:25:00.003-05:002009-11-25T21:44:57.002-05:00Happy ThanksgivingDuring this time of year we typically list and acknowledge more things for which we are thankful. I see this as an opportunity to "kick it up a notch" instead of only limiting my thankfulness during this time of year. I try to post lots of things for which I am thankful for. I usually list them as blessings. I am thankful for my family, my children and my husband. I'm thankful for my Savior and the knowledge I have of who I am, where I'm from, my purpose here on the earth, and where I'm going. I am thankful for the ability to be a stay at home mom. I'm thankful for our home. I'm thankful for a great school that my children have to attend. I'm thankful for missionaries who share the gospel to others. I'm thankful for a prophet who leads and guides us on the earth today. I'm thankful for christmas music. I'm thankful for uplifting movies. I'm thankful for the internet and it's wealth of knowledge it shares with me when I ask a question. I'm thankful for food. I'm thankful for snow. I'm thankful for pies and yummy goodness that I am able to taste. I'm thankful for good health. I'm thankful for a working oven and utilities. I'm thankful for wonderful FRIENDS! I'm thankful for so much, I am thankful for YOU!<div><br /></div><div>Today I have been baking up a storm! I've made 4 pumpkin pies (I tried two different recipes to see which one I like best). I made 2 macadamia nut pies (I used macadamia nuts instead of pecan since Bill's allergic). Two different kinds of Rice Krispie treats. and now ChexMix is baking in the oven. I'm going to crock pot my ham tomorrow, so I can use the oven to make rolls and green bean casserole. We'll also have homemade mashed potatoes. Shrimp cocktail and sparking grape juice. I'm so thankful for the bounty for which we have. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am going to miss my extended family in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, New Jersey, Boston, California, and West Virginia. I hope they have a wonderful holiday and know that we will be thinking about them. This is the first Thanksgiving we have not spent with family in a very, very long time. If ever. It feels strange. It feels very foreign. No family to visit with. No friends even to share the holiday with. If any of my cousins in Provo aren't going out of town for the holiday, you should come by. We have a feast, and have plenty to share. It's a blessing and a curse being the oldest girl of seven kids. I cook for an army. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure if I'll be watching the Macy's day parade tomorrow. I'll be enjoying cooking :)</div><div><br /></div><div>To one and all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-46863213190744826172009-11-15T15:15:00.002-05:002009-11-15T15:41:40.599-05:00Blessings DailyWe have been so blessed this week even among some of our trials. I am so grateful for the Lords watchful care over us. We have had an opportunity to see if we were prepared in all things this week. We realized that we weren't, which has given us a bigger drive to become more prepared. We almost ended up being blacklisted from our bank and any other bank for up to 5 yrs. Due to our inability to manage our money properly. Scary. We had been trying for a couple of weeks to start a plan to help with that problem. We started the process two weeks ago. after we noticed our problem...We had a plan, we started on our plan, but it was a little too late. We had been notified that our bank account would be closed after 10 days, my debit card had already been canceled. I was told before that it was canceled due to it being reported lost. I was totally confused. So I went to the bank manager at the branch near my house. He looked at my account, spoke to a bank investigator about my account, and said I could open up a new account. While I was doing that. They told me that I needed to open up a new joint account with Bill. So I picked him up when I was done with my account and we went back to the bank. sigh... Ok, well here we are in the bank talking to the guy who opens new accounts. And he tells us that we are unable to open a joint account. Due to us being blacklisted! WHAT!!! and that all the accounts I just opened will also be closed. Not to mention that the next day Bill's paycheck was to be deposited into the account we were informed was being canceled in 10 days. We were told we couldn't get any money from that account and that it would be sent back to his company. (more heart-attack), Well, were trying to get definitive answers on the situation that is exploding in our face. We understand we have a problem and were trying to fix it. But this was way too much for us to comprehend. deep breath. Ok so we get the branch manager back out to see if he could give us a straight answer about our account and what to expect. We were in a heap of trouble. Bill's that needed to be paid and the thought of not being able to get our money to pay them was a scary thing. The thought of being homeless was too much to think about. We stayed calm and said many a silent prayer that we would be able to resolve these issues quickly and that we would be able to still take care of our family. The bank manager was able to figure out what had happened, we were able to get things resolved. We had to close one of our accounts, but would still be able to get our money out of it and still be able to keep the plan we were working on to eliminate our issues. With the help of prayer and faith, and the diligence and kindness of others were are no longer blacklisted. We were able to resolve our issues at the bank and were able to open up the accounts we had needed . Tragedy averted. We are even more determined then before to be better stewards over the money the Lord has blessed us with. We are so blessed<div><br /></div><div>The boys are over their illnesses. They are doing well in school. We had parent teacher conferences this week, and they all did well. Their teachers said that they are all so very respectful. They wish all of their students were as respectful. That brought a tear to my eye. That is something that I am so grateful of that they are so good in their classes. They all have a few areas they could be working on, but that area is not one of them and I'm so grateful for their respect for their teachers and other classmates. It is truly a blessing. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great day at church today. It was stake conference. The talks were so wonderful, the choir was heavenly. I am grateful for the blessings of the Temple. We are more determined to make it a regular part of our lives. We are grateful for a loving, inspired Stake presidency and bishopric. I am grateful for the friends we've been making here in Utah. We have been so very blessed to be here. I hope you all will see the blessings of the Lord in your life and praise him daily.</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-72089579800058818602009-11-09T14:18:00.004-05:002009-11-09T14:35:11.168-05:00November Updatei have been really enjoying my cub scouts calling at church. We made clown hats from paper bags for our activity last week. It was so much fun :) Our theme this month is Under the Big Top :) So we're going to be clowns and we'll even have a strong man, one of our cubs :) I'm excited for our circus on Nov. 19th. We are going to make cars from boxes for our skit next week. :) <div><br /></div><div>The boys got their report cards on Friday, I'm pleased with the results. Braeden and Mikey did very well. Only a few areas to work on. Bryen is still struggling, but not as bad as I thought he would. Today I have an appointment with his teacher to talk to her and to hear from Bryen about his first term. they don't do grades here, If they get a 3 then it means that they are at or above grade level, if they have a 2 then they have areas where they need help to get up to grade level, and a 1 is needing extreme help, and no where near grade level. Bryen had several 2.5's and 2.75 and a couple of 2's, a couple of 3's, not a single 1 so I'm ok with that, We'll continue to work with him on his areas of needs. But he has a great support network at school and at home, I know he can do it. I'm proud of all of my boys and their efforts towards their education. Bryen was suggested by his last school to be held back. But I think he's doing very well.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just got a "new to me" couch set. I'm very excited because I now have plenty of seating in my living room. No more need to use folding chairs. :) took us long enough to get extra seating. Now to get a new table/chairs for the kitchen :) maybe next paycheck, The table and chairs I want to get are at Ikea... I can hardly wait to get those :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been using my crockpot a lot lately. I made a brisket in it for dinner last night, it was sooo yummy. and then I tried again to make a hashbrown casserole but it was a flop. :( I'll keep trying, I just have to figure out what I'm doing wrong to get it to work. I am thinking of making cream cheese chicken later this week in it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bill is doing well still at his job. We are still blessed to have a job. I'm still looking for work. But we are making it on Bill's income so I'm not complaining. I have really enjoyed being home with the kids. I've been helping in the Library and in their classes :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I may be able to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Katy in New Mexico, She is still waiting to find out what days she has off of work so we can plan accordingly. I haven't spent thanksgiving with her in over 11 years. Pretty sad if you ask me. I love my sister very much. We talk almost every day. Who would have thought with the way we were when we were kids. We got along ok, but not the best of relationships. I'm glad that we talk more now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been so very blessed, I am grateful for the blessings that we have been given. My wonderful husband, and amazing children. The ability we have for me to be able to stay home with the kids, and for Bill to be able to work from home. For the knowing that we are Loved and our relationship with family and friends. We are also so very grateful for the Saviors sacrifice for us and our personal relationship with him. I'm so very grateful for our trials that bring us closer to the Savior and each other. We are so very blessed. All we are and have is from Heaven. Praises be unto him. :)</div><div><br /></div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-83391173513026523682009-10-31T12:52:00.002-04:002009-10-31T13:10:49.483-04:00She's gone :(Joi is officially at the breeders now. :( They said she's doing well and made the trip well. She has been well behaved around the kids, for which I'm grateful. The breeder is going to try to fix Joi's ear, and try to bulk her up, as she's too skinny. She will work on training her and then finding a new home for her. :( I hope she knows how much we love her and wish her well. Joi is better off where she is now. I need to keep reminding my self this. As much of a headache she was for us. We still loved her very much. It will be an adjustment getting used to her not being here. But, I know it's better this way for her. Now to try to move on. We need to clean up the yard, all the poo and trash from Joi. Sell the kennels and other dog stuff we have. <div><br /></div><div>We are down to one pet... and will stay that way. Happy Halloween :)</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-3564689588004632902009-10-30T18:57:00.002-04:002009-10-30T19:09:56.779-04:00More winds of changeWell, here we are we made it almost a full year with a dog... what a feat in and of it's self. However, Joi is now on her way to Indianapolis IN. She is going back to the breader we originally got her from. It is expensive to fly a dog... can I just say... wow. crazy! We were having such a hard time getting the boys to follow the training instructions with her. Everytime we'd tell them... don't yell at her, talk normally to her, don't all tell her a command at the same time... one at a time. on and on and on it went... they didn't listen. She kept jumping on everyone. She wouldn't stop pulling on the leash. WE tried everything. Nothing worked. We had to get the prong collar and even then she tested it alot, then she would just jump on us. She would eat her leash and everything. What an adventure. She is about to have a wonderful experience being trained by a professional... and one who loves her so much. WE are so grateful for the breaders (our friends) who trusted us with her and are willing to accept her back and know that we love them and her. So now what is in store for us.. well, we'll just be a one pet family for a long time. Socks the cat is perfectly fine being an only animal. He I think prefers being the only one around.. pet wise that is... :) He's a good cat. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The boys had "Storybook Day" at school aka Halloween celebrations... They dressed up and had fun. The catch with the Storybook day was that they were allowed to dress up only if they had a book they were associated with... Let's just say... The boys had a blast... Bryen was a Zombie... his book Zombie Zone from A to Z Mysteries. Braeden was a Pirate... his book was Pirates from Magic Tree House the companion book to Pirates at High Noon. Mikey was BumbleBee from Transformers... Can you guess his book? His book was Transformers Animated... What fun. I volunteered in the Library and was from the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs... An egg on a Tree :) I know cute right :) I would go to class rooms and ask them What book am I from... and they all said Green Eggs and Ham... :) but only thing was I wasn't green :) Those are our costumes for Halloween. Bill will be Bacon. yea I know... cute. Together we are Bacon and Eggs :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Now to sell off the Dog stuff we still have, and start saving for christmas. I'm hoping to visit Katy in New Mexico for Thanksgiving but still waiting to hear about her work schedule. I'm gonna start on my book. Continue to look for work and volunteer at the school. I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween :)</div>Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-81845848225356109412009-10-25T17:31:00.003-04:002009-10-25T17:40:13.873-04:00Swine Flu?! Oh yea that... We got it tooWell, Here I thought we'd be able to miss this whole Swine flu thing. Well, not so much. Mikey shows up with Swine Flu, Friday night, Yea I know.... I sent him to school with a cough... that's it.. no fever, nothing, just a little cough. Well, he comes home from school and just sits on the couch. Not talking, not moving, looking miserable. I go check on him and he is burning up. I check his temp... 101.4 I send him with Bill to the Dr.'s office right away. I'm thinking we'll still get a date. It's just a cold. No biggie right... NOT so Much. I get a call from Bill. Poor thing has H1N1... So they get his cough medicine and are sent home. And I'm told that he can't return to school for a week. R U kidding me... Well, okay. No date night. No enjoying the beautiful fall weather on Saturday... And no going to church on Sunday to find out who the new Bishop is. I'm still home with Mikey, who by the way as of Sunday... has no fever at all. barely a cough... I would love to send him to school on Monday... He seems fine. But Bill informs me that the CDC says that he has to stay out of school a full week. Ugh.... So this week, No volunteering at the school. No Cubs... I'm hoping I can go Visiting teaching... I'll leave Mikey at home. This stinks... I'm praying and hoping the other two don't come down with it. As the coming saturday is Halloween... and it would totally stink if they had the H1N1 on Halloween. I'm becoming a little psychotic about washing their hands... but it's the best defense against it. oh well, Do I go shopping for costumes yet? or wait. I guess that is the question. Do I also buy candy for Halloween? I'd hate to get stuck with all that stuff... Hmmmm What to do......Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-39387276811249496252009-10-14T16:23:00.004-04:002009-10-14T16:40:32.845-04:00plugging alongWell, we are plugging along, we went to the Zoo last week, it was very nice, but cold outside, I feel like I live in the Dr.'s office these days, Bryen has had a skin infection on his eye... celulitus of the eye.. (sp?) He had to get an IV for heavy duty medication, and we had to go back three times for doses. Braeden hurt his arm on the playground and needed X-Rays. (he's fine nothing broken just bruised). And then today, Bryen got hurt playing wall ball at school with his friends. He's fine, just a little bruising on his arm... He'll go back to school tomorrow. Mikey is the only one so far that hasn't needed any medical attention in the last two weeks. (Cross my fingers it stays that way) I hope they stop getting sick and hurting themselves. I'm running out of Flexben. i need it to last til the end of the year, with Bill and Bryen's meds. We are in the process of selling our house in WV. It's getting appraised this week, and then it will be listed. We have decided to short sell our house. The current renters are looking into purchasing the house. :) I hope they can. It would be awesome. Bill is doing well, He and I both need to exercise more... we're working on it. Joi is going to be going back to the breader within the next two weeks. We have tried to train her and she just isn't doing well. We have decided to not have another dog for a while. We need a break. We still have our cat. He's doing well. I finally got a calling at church on sunday... I'm now a Cub Scout Den Leader - Wolf's :) yeah. I'm excited and overwhelmed at the same time. this is a great Cub Scout Program. I hope I can do it justice. We will only have 2 boys in my den for most of next year and the rest of this year. But hopefully it will grow after that. We are going to be traveling back to WV for Christmas, We are looking at driving ( I Know crazy huh:?) Well, it's too expensive to fly. I hope the weather cooperates with our drive... I don't want to get stuck in Wyoming or Colorado. Depending on which way we travel. i'm hoping i can visit with some family for thanksgiving. Either my cousins if they arn't going home from BYU, or visit with my sister in NM. I haven't spent a thanksgiving with my family in 11 years. I think its time. We had a great Conference weekend. We drove around and listened to Conference on the Radio. it was really nice. WE stopped in Park City and walked around in between sessions. On our way home we found an AWESOME authentic NY Pizza joint in Sugar Hill. It's awesome Este's is the BEST... outside of NY that is. Great atmosphere too. I've been canning somemore too ... I helped can about 14 dozen jars of applesauce. I got to take home 5 dozen :) The boys like all the canning and stuff I've been doing here. It's been really nice to learn new things and have the time to learn them. I am still missing my friends in WV, Helen, Jovan, Carolyn Hall, Erin Whitcome, Janea Barnes.... just to name a few. I'm trying to make friends, but everyone here seems really busy and already have friends or family close by so I'm kindof not fitting in very well. When we went to the Zoo, we ran into one of our friends we made in Indiana... The Blanchards (Doug and Debbie)... They are awesome people, unfortunately they live down in Spanish Fork, about 1.5 hrs away. :( I hope we can visit with them soon. I'm still looking for work, and collecting unemployement... but i'm not in too big a hurry to actually get another job. I am trying to enjoy being home and available for my family. And since I don't have a degree yet... I'm pretty sure it will be a long while coming finding a job. Even though I have a TON of experience. I don't have a degree so I've been told that due to the lack of education, I'm no longer a candidate. oh well, that has to wait too. :) Bill is loving working from home and we are enjoying him being home. :) i hope he keeps his job. He just got his 10 year award from work. :) It's hard to believe he's been with AOL that long. thru all their ups and downs. :) I hope we can continue to work with them. We love them and think they are an awesome company to work for. I really enjoyed working there too. :) Well that's what's going on here. plugging along and staying strong :)Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-18670776987871818432009-09-19T16:10:00.007-04:002009-09-19T22:21:48.195-04:00Catching up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB_JoKTLI/AAAAAAAAAJE/npYj84IJYW8/s1600-h/IMG_0500.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB_JoKTLI/AAAAAAAAAJE/npYj84IJYW8/s200/IMG_0500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281482763226290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB-0idbHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/zxBCaTRH_h4/s1600-h/IMG_0499.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB-0idbHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/zxBCaTRH_h4/s200/IMG_0499.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281477102169202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB-ftTtqI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Eus_DGjuJmU/s1600-h/IMG_0704.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB-ftTtqI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Eus_DGjuJmU/s200/IMG_0704.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281471510525602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB9zofnzI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Wjo0Qqc2aC8/s1600-h/IMG_0778.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVB9zofnzI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Wjo0Qqc2aC8/s200/IMG_0778.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281459679174450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBOEDUyDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/QKC3hK41cus/s1600-h/IMG_0775.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBOEDUyDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/QKC3hK41cus/s200/IMG_0775.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280639452956722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBNmKAr0I/AAAAAAAAAIc/AqwVd9YDTBc/s1600-h/IMG_0773.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBNmKAr0I/AAAAAAAAAIc/AqwVd9YDTBc/s200/IMG_0773.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280631427936066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBNOBXDEI/AAAAAAAAAIU/vHL7l7qFxAM/s1600-h/IMG_0772.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBNOBXDEI/AAAAAAAAAIU/vHL7l7qFxAM/s200/IMG_0772.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280624949201986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBMrEeVXI/AAAAAAAAAIM/MLsE0h61z9Q/s1600-h/IMG_0787.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBMrEeVXI/AAAAAAAAAIM/MLsE0h61z9Q/s200/IMG_0787.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280615567021426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBMKZzoQI/AAAAAAAAAIE/eyCStpBfA1s/s1600-h/IMG_0762.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UDoNXn5n7_Y/SrVBMKZzoQI/AAAAAAAAAIE/eyCStpBfA1s/s200/IMG_0762.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280606798127362" /></a><br />Boy, I guess it's been awhile since I last posted. Things have been good, crazy and fun. We've had good times and bad. It's been a whirlwind for sure. Let's see where do I start. Bill has been really enjoying working from home. The kids started school on August 25, 2009. They really love their teachers. Bryen is in 4th Grade and has Ms. Bagley, Braeden is in 3rd Grade and has Ms. Turnbow, and Mikey is in 1st Grade and has Ms. Lindsey. They are doing very well. I still have not found work, which is ok. I'm enjoying being home. I've been doing a TON of canning. I've made several kinds of jellies, and canned peaches and pears. I'm working on Salsa and green chili's. My father passed away Aug. 11, 2009 in Temple Tx. So we had to make a trip there. Bill's grandmother just passed away, he is currently in WV/VA. He returns Monday, Sept. 21. Joi is doing well, she is getting so big... Still a puppy, but you wouldn't know it looking at her. She is getting so big. I've made a few friends, which is nice. Still no one like in WV... But I'm hopeful. I've been active in the Ward Choir. I have a solo part in an upcoming performance at church. it's a small part ... with the choir. But I'm trying to be brave. It's Love at Home... I love that song so I should do ok. We sing in Church on Sunday... Master the Tempest is Raging. It's a hard arrangement. I just pray the angels are singing with us. We still mess up on a few parts. When I was canning some peaches two weeks ago with a couple of sisters in the ward... WE canned 216 jars of peaches in one day... crazy huh? yea I know we're nuts. But my friends peach tree runneth over and she didn't want them to go to waste. Braeden just loves them. He eats peaches almost every day. I ended up with 3 dozen quart jars full of peaches from that day. and about 5 other dozen from my other canning days. :) I learned you can make jelly out of the peach pits. It's called peachstone jelly. It's yummy and has a beautiful color. I am thinking I didn't cook it long enough to thicken the way it should have, so I ended up mostly with peachstone syrup. :) which is still yummy. I need to find a use for it besides on pancakes.. I'm thinking of mixing it with peaches in a peach cobbler. I will have to try it and let you know how it goes. I love being out here with all of the case lot sales. Lots of great deals on cases of food. I've been able to build up some of my food storage easier here than before. They even sale things at walmart in the Food Storage section in Bulk.. like Big 50lb buckets of cocoa, flour, sugar, wheat... etc... #10 can's of dried fruit, freezedried meats and veggies. It's awesome. The people in our ward are awesome. The scouting program here is awesome, Bryen got is Bear this last week and Braeden got his wolf. We are so happy for such an active and involved ward/scouting program. The school is a Gold Medal School. Columbia Elementary is so good, we couldn't have asked for a better school. We still miss our family and friends in WV... But we are grateful for the blessings it has brought our family living here in Kaysville UT. I hope to visit with my cousins now that they are back at school in Provo. Hopefully we can get together for sunday dinner soon. We have even taken a few trips, one to Antelope Island, and to YellowStone National Park. It was so cool. Bill's parents came to visit us. We drove thru the Teton's as well. It's been so much fun this summer. We are thinking of trying snowboarding and skiing this winter since we're here in Utah, with the best snow on earth. :) That's the download of what is currently going on. I'll try to stay in touch better.Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4749148107783324005.post-24490298916405795952009-06-25T13:09:00.002-04:002009-06-25T13:17:39.182-04:00So FarWell, lately it's been interesting trying to get into a schedule with the kids. We started chore lists this week. Some days are successful others a flop. The boys had Cub Day camp on Tuesday which they absolutely loved.. We found a theatre that has dollar movies on Wednesdays in the AM for charity. The boys have started making new friends, and are enjoying the multiple parks around our house. It has started getting hot here. So staying hydrated and covered with sunscreen are our priorities. For Fathers Day Bill wanted to go to Antelope Island and explore, so we drove there after lunch and church. It was a nice day. We saw Bison and antelope, and put our feet into the Salt Lake, It was yucky... But we did it anyways. It was really low when we went. Bugs were everywhere. and the brine shrimp were smelly... Other than that it was nice. We posted a few pictures to our facebook accounts. We are in a great ward. We are starting to get to know a few people. but it's hard breaking into a new area. So far so good.Shaeleen Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491759018361675533noreply@blogger.com0