Recent Developments

Well, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Pictures of Christmas in Indiana 20008

We spent Christmas with some friends in Indiana. We had a lot of fun. We were so busy with 15 baby puppies, and 7 kids. Lots of fun, but busy, Enjoy the pictures. We had a blast! To see more pictures of our fun, check out my photo's on my Facebook page. :)

Christmas Fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper and Gift bags - depends on who it's for and how much time I have.
2. Real tree or Artificial? we own an artificial tree... but i like both, it's just easier with the kids to have an artificial tree. plus it's more cost effective
3. When do you put up the tree? just after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? after the New Year - I heard that brings good luck..
5. Do you like eggnog? oh yea, I love eggnog mmmnnum yummy
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hard to say I got a lot of gifts I loved. I think it would have been my fake cabbage patch doll. My grandma Lancaster made it for me.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband, he gives me his list of electronics he wants and usually will buy them himself, and doesn't let me get him what I want or he'll make me tell him what I'm getting him. It's really hard to keep a secret from him. I have to do better. I say that every year!
8. Easiest person to buy for? my boys typically. They are boys... pretty easy, nerf guns, bionicles or legos, and Cars for my youngest.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Oh yes, I love them so much I collect them, I think I have about 5 or 6 so far, and every year I see another one I want to add to my collection.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?I buy cards, and some years i've even written the name and address on them, even signed them just never get around to mailing them off. I was good the first part of my marriage, but after three kids, i've been really bad, I'm planning on sending out cards this year. WE'll see how well that goes.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?I think it was last year or the year before, my husband bless his soul... he tried to get me a gift he thought i would love and needed. He got me a franklin planner purse. It was not what I wanted or needed. He has learned not to do that again. I love him for his efforts and trying to help me make my life easier. I applaud him for his effort. but yea worst gift I ever got.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story, White Christmas, The Nativity, Its a Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try right after christmas on all the after christmas sales, but those usually get used for birthday gifts throughout the year. So usually after Halloween.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? heck yeah. Those are the best gifts to give to someone else;)
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate, Ham, Bill's Grandmother's christmas cookies, Homemade yeast rolls, everything basically.
16. What story do you read on christmas Eve? We read the night before christmas as well as the story of Christ's birth.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night, and What child is this?
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually we stay close to home, we are home the first part of the day then we usually go to Bill's parents house. This year we are traveling to Indiana, unless my dad passes and then we'll be going to Texas. That's the plan so far.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course. Who can't... I don't know anyone, do you?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? nothing at the moment, but usually an angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? one on Christmas Eve the rest on Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? materialism, crazy people in the stores
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? kids, my kids decorate the tree with things they've made, to me that is so special. Usually red, green, white, yellow
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? ham
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Time spent with my family and friends, Love and peace

Once Again it's Christmas

Once again it's Christmas and loads of gifts with Family and Friends. I've learned that it isn't the amount of gifts we've recieved but the love given behind the gift that is important. My wonderful husband Bill and by Three awesome boys Bryen, Braeden and Mikey, gave me a wonderfully thoughtful gift that wasn't expensive but full of love. I received a picture of my three boys in a frame that was taken Mother's Day. It is a wonderful picture of the kids, smiling and happy. As well as, a Willow Tree Keepsake box called A loving embrace. My husband knows I love the Willow Tree line of figures. He felt so bad that it wasn't more. But my cup runneth over! The most important and precious thing to me is my family. The love of my husband and the love of my children. This christmas was so special! We didn't have to run first thing in the morning. We got to relax and enjoy each other's company. The kids could enjoy their gifts from Santa and mom and dad. (Yes! They still believe in Santa!). Wide eyes with a few gifts under the tree. Special one's the kids really wanted/needed. A 4-wheeler power wheels for Mikey, A computer for Bryen and Braeden(second hand but they don't care). and a nano for the older two. Not much else.... The nano's were pricy... as well as the 4 wheeler. but the rest was cheep and important for their growth and learning. We wanted the spirit of christmas to be in our home. My mother came over around lunch time and spent a few hours with the kids. They love it when she comes over. They run to her and hug her. She is such a blessing in our life to have her around them. She has wisdom and insight to things that I don't and I appreciate her calming affect on my home.

This Christmas was even more special because our Oldest Son, Bryen, was baptised 3 days earlier. It was a very special day, We invited our non-member neighbor/friends to the baptism (and they came!). We had in-active family attend. My Father-in-law spoke on the Holy Ghost and My husband was able to baptise Bryen and Gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost and confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What a blessing it is to me and a wonderful gift that my son has decided to follow the Savior. I have noticed a change in him. I am grateful for the blessings of my Savior. We also spent Christmas Eve with the missionaries and my mother. We watched a movie called the fourth wise man. And the gifts that are important to give others for the savior. What a blessing it is to have such wonderful missionaries in our area, and to share with them the holidays in my home.

My cup runneth over for the sweet service of others and the sweet joy the savior give to us.