Birthday Girl

 Cassidy turned 19 on November 13th!

Curt and I spent the afternoon with her driving around town to collect her FREE Birthday food!

 Joe's BBQ

 Liberty Market

 Firehouse Subs

Later that evening, she made stops to Taco Bell, Cold Stone Creamery and Panda Express.

Needless to say we ate well that day!

We also made a surprise stop at the AT&T Store for her birthday gift.

A new IPhone!!!!!

 Cassidy's request...19 Spice Cake cupcakes

 We love this girl and are so grateful she belongs to us!

17

Can't believe this guy turned 17 this month!

Time just keeps passing more quickly and I think he is realizing it, too.

Crazy to think that in just two short years he will be on his mission!

Clark is a fun kid to have around!

Does he listen to me much?   Not really!

Is he neat and tidy?  Not at all!

Does he like it when I take his picture?  Absolutely Not!

But when it comes to the really big, important stuff in life,

this #4 child of mine IS THE BEST!

 Since all he ever wants to do is spend $$$$ on food,

we opted to give him cold hard cash.

I taped one dollar bills together, end to end, and stuffed them in an empty Kleenex box,

with the saying..."Don't BLOW it all in one place!"

Pretty sure he will be frequenting Lenny's for their Family Pack Hamburger Deal

and Charleston's for their ribs.

(Just his two latest obsessions!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLARK!

We love you tons!

11.13.11

April 1993 was a surreal month. 

Tia was 3, Haley was 4 months old, Curt had lost his job, and I was expecting baby #3. 

 How had my life gotten so completely out of control? 

 I remember lying in my hospital bed,

hooked up to IVs due to my severe dehydration and nausea,

wondering how the heck I was going to survive. 

And then on November 13, 1993 this angel was born...

6 lbs 12 oz of blonde, blue-eyed perfection!

We brought Cassidy home from the hospital all bundled up in pink,

and as she slept, we tried to teach Haley how to take her first steps.


Cassidy was a patient, calm baby.

She never demanded attention, unless she was hungry.

She was exactly what I needed as I tried to figure out how to be a mom to my 3 girls.

And now, 18 years later...not much has changed.

I am still trying to figure out how to be a mom,

and she just does her thing, whether it is homework, student council responsibilities,

church callings, reading her scriptures, memorizing the "Family Proclamation",

practicing the piano, completing personal progress, fulfilling her service hours,
applying for colleges, and the list goes on and on.

There is not much I have had to teach her during her life.

She was born obedient and trusting and my job has been to watch and learn from her.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Cassidy!

We love you more than you know!

Bennett's Birthday Party

I am not a birthday party mom, so it is a really big deal to my kids when they actually get a party.  Bennett caught me in a weak moment, and I agreed to a party in mid-December.

It was the easiest party ever!  We went to the church, played frisbee dodgeball, basketball and ate pizza.  We gave each of the boys a shirt that said "Team Bennett 09" as a take home gift. 
 It was a lot of fun and we are so grateful that Bennett has such great friends!

Our Birthday Week

Having a December birthday myself,

I know first hand what a drag it can be. 

It is easy for the birthday festivities to get

glossed over in the Christmas rush.

In highschool, there was always

a concert or finals on my birthday.

I learned to cope, but also swore I would never get married in

December, and I certainly would not make the same mistake as my mom...

that is to have two babies in December. 

Well, I learned quickly...NEVER SAY NEVER!

So, due to my apparant lack of planning, I was gifted with not just one December baby, BUT 3!!!!

As crazy as it all is, I am so grateful to have each one of these amazing children!

Bennett was born on December 6th and has a heart of gold. 

He was able to celebrate his special day with cousin Isaac, who's birthday was two days earlier.

Bennett's birthday was extra special this year as he turned 12 and was ordained a deacon.

Grandma Charlene was able to attend and witness his ordination, as well as Haley being set apart as Laurel class President, and Cassidy as the Laurel class Secretary.

We greeted Haley during her lunch hour with a curb side delivery of pizza for her to share with her friends.

Finally, at 11:00pm on December 10th, we were able
to dig into Haley's birthday cake.

Happy 17th, Haley!

She was so excited to see antlers and a big red nose decorating her car.  She had been loving all the cars she had seen that were decked out, and after going to 5 different stores, I finally found a Walgreens that had one in stock.

It is hard to believe that on December 12th, 20 years ago, in Pasadena, California, I became a Mom!

There is nothing like holding your first baby in your arms, smelling that newborn scent and realizing the responsibility that is now yours.  Tia holds that place in my heart.

The Koozers took great care of her with a beautiful cake and decorations, along with 20 reasons why they love Tia attached to 20 roses.  (A special someone all the way in Italy also had 20 of his own reasons for loving her!)

The icing on the cake, was being able to go as a family to perform baptisms at the temple.
A family first and a day never to be forgotten!

It is always a crazy week, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Happy Birthday to all!

Life after 40!

My brother David celebrated his 40th birthday today. 

 

This is what was hanging above his front door this morning in honor of the occasion...Good job, Robin!  

So nice to have another one of the Clark siblings joining the ranks of "OLD"!

Hope you had a great birthday, Dave!  Thanks for always making us laugh!

We love you!

Happy Birthday, Tia!

The baby that graced me with the title "Mother", my first-born, 

is 19 YEARS OLD!

Tia at 6 months...

2 years...

For the longest time, Tia had a deep, raspy little voice.  

It was very distinctive.  

She used to love to bear her testimony, and although the congregation could rarely see her face above the pulpit, her voice and her bow, made quite the impression.  Even now, many years later, people remember us from our previous ward as "Tia's Mom and Dad".  

(Not a bad title, either!)

8 years old...

In her baptism dress 

(don't be mad, Tia...I know how you despise this picture, but I love it!)

And yes, we are so grateful for good orthodontists!

16 years old...

Tia loves playing tennis and it was a highlight for us to watch her play in junior high and highschool.

And now today...one of my best friends and my beautiful daughter!

We have loved watching Tia grow up, make good choices and develop into an amazing person.

We look forward to watching her life continue to unfold!
Excerpts from a letter to Tia, December 1989...

(at the time, we lived in California, away from all our family.  

Tia was born 10 days early, thus the grandmas were not yet in town, and the mother just a bit surprised at her early arrival)

This month, more than any other up to this point in my life, is most memorable.  After 3 1/2 years of marriage and two long years of longing for a baby, you were our answer to many prayers and much patience.

For as long as your daddy and I have been dating and married, we always talked about our "Baby Tia".  

On Tuesday, December 12, 1989, at 3:37pm, our dream came true!  We finally had our long awaited baby--"Baby Tia".

There wasn't a prouder father in the hospital that day.  Your dad asked every nurse on duty if you weren't the cutest baby in the nursery.  He also became acquainted with many of the other new fathers and took every opportunity to show you off.

We came home from the hospital on the night of December 13th, just 24 hours after your birth.  Driving home from the hospital was one of the scariest and most overwhelming 30 minutes of my life.  To know and realize that we were responsible for your well-being, both spiritually and physically, gave me butterflies.  

We arrived home to all the Christmas decorations and lights.  You were our biggest, best and only Christmas present that year, but you made that Christmas most memorable.  

We love you, Tia...    Happy 19th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Haley!

We are half way through our birthday bonanza week!  

Having a December birthday myself, I swore as a teenager I would not have a December baby!

Never say never!  I had three December babies all in the same week! (different years, of course!)

It does make for a crazy and insane week, but would I trade it?   No way!

Today is Haley's 16th birthday.  We have been waiting for this day for what seems like forever.  

Dating, driving, and the all important and necessary cell phone.

From the moment Haley was born and let out her first determined cry, Curt and I knew we were in for a ride!  (and she hasn't disappointed us!).

Haley at 6 months...

at 2 years...

She has a smile that lights up a room!

4 years...

13 years...

and today...
I wrote this letter/poem for her to read at girl's camp this past summer. 

 (I just found in my pile "to be filed")

Sparkling, mischievous eyes

Perfect white teeth and a smile that captures every heart.

Loves to run her fingers through her dark brown hair,

as she thinks, talks, reads...

A laugh so contagious it occasionally gets her out of trouble.

Magnet to boys, babies and many of all ages.

Poised beyond her years, with an ability to capture any audience with

her stories and her testimony

Counting the days 'til dating and driving

Wasn't it just yesterday that a little bundle of pink was placed in

my outstretched arms?

Fun to tease, especially about cell phones, and her lack of one

Confident in who she is,

Seldom a second thought about clothes, hair and make-up

Has mastered the art of scaring her sisters, jumping out of dark corners,

all for the thrill of it.

Competitive and determined as she practices the sport she loves

Tennis

Gorgeous inside and out

Loves to take pictures, posing her subjects to bring out their best

Melts my heart every time she rolls her eyes (I love you, too!)

Reluctantly and cautiously learning to trust and obey

The seeds of a strong testimony, budding

An example to friends, family and me

The life of the party

A huge chunk of my life

Each time I look at her, I am so thankful

She is mine.

Happy 16th Birthday, Haley!  We love you!

P.S.

If you'd like to read Cassidy's letter, go here

Belated Birthday

It's not that I don't LOVE, LOVE, LOVE  him, it's just that my life is seemingly out of control!  

Excuses, Excuses!

We celebrated Curt's birthday the day after Thanksgiving.

He was a great sport to share it with my extended family as we continued to celebrate the holidays together.

Curt was born 3 weeks early on Thanksgiving Day, 1963.

His mom had been up most of the night preparing for the big day...

making pies, cleaning house, etc.

She took a hot bath and went to bed expecting to rest, but soon realized baby #4 was not going to wait!

November 28, 1963, 5lbs 10oz

Curt at 10 months...

In 1st grade...  

Even Bennett isn't sure if this is a picture of him or his dad.  

(The shirt gives it away!)

As a sophomore in highschool...

A returned missionary from Guatemala...

Curt's call was orginally to Mexico City, but after 2 months in the Salt Lake City South Mission, and still no visa, his call was changed to Guatemala. 

He loved his mission, the people, and learning the Spanish language.

And today...all mine!  
I Love you!  Thanks for taking such good care of me and our kiddos!

P.S.  Zwieback Pie, anyone?

Happy Birthday, Bennett!

Bennett is our caboose and what a great way to finish!

He was such a fun baby, always into or on top of something!

3 months in his blessing outfit...

6 months...he has eyes to die for! (and they still work!)

3 years...always trying to keep up with the big kids and doing a good job!

Kindergarten...

10 years...

Bennett loves babies, animals, National Geographic, and ME!

He is always so kind and considerate to others and never forgets a "thank you".

(He even told me "thank you" for this post!)

Bennett is also very obedient and wants to do what is right. He is often the one to remind us to pray and read our scriptures.

Last night when Grandma and Grandpa came over to give him his birthday money, before they had even left, he had his tithing counted and the slip ready to turn in to the bishop.

He is a wonderful example to all of us!
He got a fishing pole for his birthday and an early morning fishing outing with just Dad!

Although he didn't make a catch, we sure did when he became a part of our family!

We love you, Bennett! Happy 11th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Cassidy!

Today is Cassidy's 15th Birthday!

While she is having fun at "The Happiest Place on Earth" with her friend Emmy, I am reminiscing about why I am "The Happiest Mom on Earth!"

Cassidy was born 11 months after Haley (call me crazy!) and was the BEST BABY ever.



Cassidy at 3 months in her blessing dress...

Cassidy at 6 months wearing the heirloom pearl necklace that my Grandma Maude Clark gave me as a little girl...

(All my girls have pictures like this that I LOVE!)

Cassidy at 4 years old. I love the curly hair and bow!

And...Cassidy today! Beautiful, smart, kind, sensitive, funny, musical, obedient and ALL MINE!

Love and miss you, Cass! Can't wait until your return so we can celebrate right!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Not only am I the Happiest Mom, but also the luckiest...I have two 15 year old girls for the next 27 days!

Here is a letter/poem that I wrote for Cassidy to read at Girl's Camp last summer.

My perfect little baby

Rarely a whimper or a cry

Happy, happy, happy

Always making me happy

As she diligently practices the piano

Rolls out of bed onto her knees

Studies her scriptures and her school work

4.0, clever, quick, genius in my book

Leaves a trail wherever she goes

Shoes, make-up, books, clothes

Always perfectly put together as she runs out the door

Emerging into a beautiful young woman

Just days away from

Pearly straight teeth and even softer kisses

Holding out for the $200 offer

Humors me as she answers a mother's most embarrassing questions about

Boys, boys, boys

2, 4, 6, 8...a great Poston cheerleader she is going to make

As she flips, twists and bends her flexible little body

She owns the stage whenever she is front and center

As she speaks volumes, even when telling a short story

As she strokes the keyboard

As she glides over the strings

Yes, she makes me, oh so happy

My perfect little baby

My perfect middle child

My perfect teenage daughter

That I adore!