My Christmas Wish

I loved this beautiful nativity on the reflecting pool on Temple Square. May we all reflect on the birth of our Savior every day of the year and how He reflects His love for us every minute of every day...through His light, His love, and His Atonement. It is my Christmas wish for all of us that we will be partakers of these wonderful gifts and continue to be an instrument in His hands by loving and serving His children. Merry Christmas and a most Happy New Year.

The Date

Ok, so not to take away from Mom's big news (ha ha....love the carpet by the way) but Bailey and I called the temple this morning and set the date and reserved the room.

We will get married on March 21st at 10:30 am in the Idaho Falls Temple.

There you go.

Chad

p.s. these rapid posts will not continue....

Basement carpet

Not to take away from Chad's great news and post...but wanted to get pics up of the downstairs carpet like I mentioned I would. We still have some baseboard work to do and door framing, but it is nice to have a bigger room to enjoy tv/movie watching and rock band/guitar hero!

My satellite guy from Gooding is coming Saturday to help get our dish network realigned with two new locations...who knew it would be so difficult!

The Story....W/ Pictures

OK....by request here is how it all happened:

I had the ring about a week ago and had actually bought it the Wednesday before thanksgiving.
Yesterday (12/13) was Bailey's birthday (mark the calendars) and i decided it would be the perfect day to pop the big question.
So, we went out to dinner, and then went to look at some Christmas lights (all part of the plan).
We walked down this road that had a few houses and looked at their lights. At each house, I would ask what would make it better, and then say something lame like "it needs an angel, nativity, etc."
We got to one house and i asked the same thing (i.e. you know what would make this better?) and she just looked away, expecting another lame answer.
I, however, got down on one knee, pulled the ring out of my pocket and said "if you would marry me...Bailey Robertson will you marry me?"
So, she said yes and the water works started (for her....not me.....). So, yeah...there you go.
Oh....we are tentatively looking at March 21st for the day......will keep ya all posted.

Here's some pictures:

In Case Ya'all Hadn't Heard........

Ok,

In case you all haven't heard (i.e. mom hasn't announced it or passed a note with the sacrament) I am now officially engaged to Bailey Robertson (AKA my everything).
I just thought you would all like to know.
Will post pictures later.

Love ya.

New Carpet

I got new carpet in my music room and I love it, especially the new vinyl entry way.(We will be doing the wash room with this same vinyl). The basement family room has the same entry way in front of the door and the chocolate brown carpet should be done Wednesday night. Then we can get everything moved down there for a bigger tv room and finally get our Christmas trees put up. Will post pics of the downstairs when it gets done.

Homecoming Royalty AKA Sonny and Cher AKA Chad and Bailey

Chad posted pics on Facebook of ISU's Homecoming Pageant that he and Bailey were in and won. They are awesome so posting them so you all can enjoy. The first one is the dreaded questions and answer portion of the pageant and the second one is the creating spirit portion.

The talent portion featured Chad as Cher and Bailey as Sonny...well I am sure you figured that one out! And the winners....!!!

Thanksgiving Memories

THANKSGIVING GET TOGETHER
When we get together we share laughs, stories, food, games, and of course music!!!

The Clark boy's rockin' out to "Eye of the Tiger!!!"




The cousins playing "Around the World" with a little help from Jef



DISCLAIMER: I was going to post both videos I had taken of Rockband, but dad's is taking literally hours to upload, I think it is too big....you lucked out on that one dad!!! But you all can still view it on Facebook!!!

Paris?

Thought I'd share the newest celebrity on the block....Malia. She thought it was cool to wear Mary's eye doctor glasses she found.

Turkey Day 2008 Menu Recap

Dad and Mom: (way to many things signed up for)

Turkey
Potatoes and Gravy
Strawberry Jello Salad
Cheesecake
Turkey Sugar Cookies
Salsa and Scoops (Given to Chad)
Beans
Corn
Habby Ham


Jef and Sarah:

Sweet Potatoes
Yams
Spinach Dip and something to dip with
Rolls (We will take this from Dad and Mom)
Relish Tray (pickles and such to go with Jeremy and Sarah's Olives)


Alisa and Grant:

Cabbage Salad
Cheeseball and crackers
Paper Plates and Cups Napkins and Silverware


Cam and Mary:

Dressing
Deviled Eggs
Chips
Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cranberry Sauce


Jeremy and Sarah:

Crackers and Cheeseballs
Pumpkin Pie
Lemon Merangue Pie
Olives
Baby Carrots


Collette:

Helping with Mom and Dad


Chad:

Salsa and Scoops

Turkey Day Plans

Hey Jef and I have been talking and wondering what everybodies plans are for Turkey day weekend. Jef might have to work on Friday but is not sure so he wanted to know what everybody had going on and where they will be. He might be able to request a later shift (big maybe) so we could visit longer so let us know what everybody has planned.


Also I just had a great idea lets plan who is bringing what for food here so we all know the menu and options. Just an idea though.

Happy Election Day!

You know your tired when....

"Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow"...well, sort of!

(This is what my Seminary class used to call Sister Clark's self-portrait...go figure!)

Ok, you people who enjoyed lots of beautiful snow this past weekend. We were gearing up for the weather forecast advisory for Friday night for 2 to 5 inches of snow after midnight. Well, I was excited to see our dusting of snow Saturday morning and took these pictures of it covering our flowers and our tomatoes…covered with tarps because of the freeze warnings the past couple of nights. Dale and I bundled up and picked 30 lbs of roma tomatoes for his marinara sauce he made. I helped him cut up peppers and tomatoes and then ran errands and did some needed shopping as he finished up and simmered his sauce in the afternoon. Here is a pic of his beautiful results already put away on our storage shelves.

He is such an avid canner and I am amazed at his patience with the whole process. It snowed all afternoon, but the ground was too warm I guess for it to stick. The stores were packed and it was like shopping for Christmas. I was getting excited again because I figured when the temperature dropped, it would probably start sticking. Last check out my bedroom window at midnight Saturday night before I went to bed showed big, beautiful flakes falling and I knew we would wake up to some snow. WRONG! No snow on the ground in Jerome Sunday morning…well, southwest of town where we live. Dale texted a picture from the Seminary building in town where we meet for our YSA branch meetings that showed 2-3 inches. Neighboring towns received a foot of snow between Friday night and Sunday morning. As we drove into church, the closer we got to town, the more snow we saw. And of course it was all melted by noon.

Just wanted to share these delightful creations that Collette has carved and painted, don't want to steal her thunder, I am sure she will blog about it when she gets a chance...but they certainly brighten up our holiday decor.We're having beautiful sunny days this week in the 50’s and upper 60’s. So, no more whining for snow, I am sure we will get it soon enough and hopefully more in the mountains where it is really needed.

Mikelle's Blessing

We traveled to Pocatello to the blessing of our sweet little Mikelle, Jeremy and Sarah's baby, on Sunday, September 21st. I had my camera but didn't take any pictures, I just get so busy visiting and eating and catching up with all that is going on with Chad and with Jeremy's family in Pocatello and Jef's family in Idaho Falls. Jeremy gave a beautiful blessing and the day was very special. We all gathered at the park across from his church and enjoyed the afternoon together with our family and Sarah's. I asked Jeremy to take some pictures of Mikelle in her blessing dress so that I could post them for you all to see. She is a little angel.
Her older brother, Isaak, loves her very much. We are blessed to have such a great family and such sweet grandchildren.

Mission Reunion

Well gang, i recently attended my mission reunion (as of Thursday) in Heber City, UT at my mission president's house. It was just fantastic.

It was great to catch up with my old companions and friends from the mission:

THE Elder Fackrell (he's mulalu!!)

Utley and I...comps in the MTC

Millet, Baldwin, me, and Batt (none were my comps)

Elder Curran (my comp), Me, and Elder Ray (I guess they are "Brothers" now)

Brother Kapp and I

The highlight of the evening was definitely going to visit the grave of my late mission president, President Duke:

Elder Brown and I

One of the senior couples, Elder and Sister Moore, who served with us, gave a wonderful tribute to President Duke. It was appropriate and reflected President Duke's joking nature and his rock solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was so glad to see Sister Duke again:

I had not seen her since she left after President Duke died on my mission. What a wonderful opportunity. I thank the Lord and I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve the Lord in the Uganda Kampala Mission. We were given a wonderful report on the current status of the work in that great land. Rwanda has been added to our mission, but no proselyting missionaries are currently there. President Christensen visited Sudan and found that land even closer to the gospel than ever. The work is rolling forth amongst those people that I love so dearly. The church is true!

"I Sat on THE Couch Club"

We visited Chad this weekend at Idaho State, we were there for the baby blessing of Jeremy and Sarah's beautiful daughter, Mikelle. (That blog will come shortly) As parents, we are proud of our college son, he is putting his smarts to good use. He has joined and served in many clubs while there at ISU. We found out that he is now undertaking a serious project and is currently serving as President of the "I Sat on THE Couch" Club. Below is a picture of "the beloved couch" that sits in his apartment in Shubert Heights....so pretty and colorful, retro in style...and the main focus of this well organized club... to honor those who have had the privilege of sitting on this beloved couch.
Here are the prestigious administrators of this club.

Officers:
Chad Clark (Idaho State)
Couch President and Booker
Matthew Noble (Chad's roommate) (Idaho State)
Couch Owner
Bailey Robertson (Idaho State)
Couch Picker
Cyndal Golightly (Idaho State)
Couch Fixer
Ryan Beau Bradley (Eastern Idaho, ID)
Couch Transporter
Group Type:
This is a closed group. Members must be invited or approved by an admin.
If 5,000 people join this group, Matt will go to Vegas and get hitched!!

Chad's reported on his facebook 9/3/08 - "What a glorious moment! We have officially (or actually unofficially....) had 25 people sit on THE couch. We've decided to shoot for 100....so tell your friends and family.......We should mention that the person who gets the most people to sit on the couch (besides the current officers) may be given a position....and a nifty t-shirt....just saying.....so get on that. "

I am sure that they have upped the numbers since then and of course we added to them with our experience this weekend. And besides sitting on the beloved couch, we were invited to join the "I Sat on THE Couch" Club. ( I personally joined and want a position and will forgo the t-shirt!)
Ah, kids learn SO much these days in college and I personally am glad that my children are applying their education to serious matters in the world!

First Twin Falls Scheduled Temple Sessions!

Yahoo! We are scheduled for sessions in our new Twin Falls Temple the day it is open for regular sessions on August 26th! This temple is by appointment only, so yesterday I called and set up Collette and I to do some iniatory work. We have tons of names that our YSA Branch did the baptisms and confirmations for and we are going to get to work to continue their progress. Dale and I are scheduled for endowment sessions on Thursday evening the 28th and Friday evening the 29th. Friday the 29th, two of our young single adults are going through and then we will be with them and their families the next day for their marriage. We also have baptisms scheduled for September 12th for our YSA Branch, which is totally exciting. We can have two times, one at 5:30pm and the other at 7:30pm to accomodate work and school schedules. Dale reminded the young single adults that instead of having to meet at the stake center 2 1/2 hours before our time in the Boise Temple, we can meet there 1/2 hour before we head over to Twin Falls. So cool! Can you tell I am excited??? Now, if I can just get over the nerves for the upcoming dedication. Out last rehearsal for our dedication choir is in Shoshone this Sunday. We have been practicing a long time and we are all anxious to be a part of this glorious temple dedication. I am going over with the conductor of our dedication choir to check out the organ that is being placed in the celestial room on Tuesday morning, the 18th of Aug. Then our choir will have the last rehearsal there that evening at 7:30. We will meet at the Magic Valley Mall on Sunday, the 24th to be bussed over to the stake center adjacent to the temple an hour before our 4:30 session. We will warm up in the stake center and then walk over to the temple. Our session is the one that will be broadcast outside of our 14 stake area to any stake center that decides to carry it. So Chad and Jeremy will be able to view it in Pocatello and maybe Jef and Sarah in Idaho Falls if their stakes do so. The cornerstone session and the early afternoon session will be broadcast to our 14 stakes. I am so looking forward to this glorious experience and will post all the details soon!

Wanna Buy a House?

Check this awesome house out!

http://boise.craigslist.org/rfs/776873651.html

Welcome Mikelle Marie

Jeremy and Sarah welcomed Mikelle Marie, born this evening, coming into the world at 7 lbs. 4.5 ounces and 21" long. They sent pictures via their phone, so here she is. Isn't she beautiful? They ended up taking her c-section, but all is well with Sarah and the baby. Details will follow.

Young at Heart

Here is Dale (l) and Stan Lott, (r) 1st Counselor in the YSA Branch getting ready to hit the waves at Wilson Lake this past Saturday. We had a blast with about 40 young single adults boating, wake boarding, tubing, swimming, and of course, eating. I couldn't believe these crazy guys went out on the tube, but they hung in there with all that the driver of the boat tried to dish out for them to maneuver. Like I have said before...Dale doesn't ask any of his YSA kids to do anything he wouldn't do!

Video of the Twin Falls Temple

Our local newspaper featured a video of the new temple inside and out. To view this, go to magicvalley.com and then scroll down and click on Temple Track on the left hand side. MAKE SURE you read Dale's blog on his experience in the temple below.

First Day at the TF Temple

Yesterday (7/8) I went with 12 of our YSA from the Jerome 9th YSA Branch and our High Council representative to assist with the 'foot coverings' for the temple tours. We had 8 at the front door putting on the shoe covers and 4 the back door taking them off. (We were told we couldn't call the adventure 'Bootie Duty' - but, hey if the shoe fits...)

We arrived just before 4pm and received instructions on how we were to act and (yes really) how to put the foot coverings on over shoes. Special attention was given on how to keep them on small feet - rubber bands, to clean the wheels on wheelchairs before they were allowed in as well.

We started our 'shift' at 430 with the intent of being done at 8pm. We started out with 3 groups of about 40 Boise Idaho Mission missionaries then it slowed down until about 730. After 730 it really picked up and we were busy until the last tour group at 830 (yep we went over an half hour).

The funnest of all for me was when we were done we were given an opportunity for one more tour -- us. And since I and our HC rep are both 'tour guides' in training. We got to take the YSA thru on a tour. I was given the assignment to lead our tour.

As we started the tour, the YSA were excited and a bit rowdy (hey, who wouldnt be after 4 hrs of bootie duty!), but as we viewed the baptismal font and made our way along the tour to the Celestial room they got quieter and quieter. Hardly a word was spoken as we entered the sealing room, at the end of the tour. Tears were flowing and all were awestruck.

As for the tour guide and his presentation, you will have to ask Collette she can critique for you. But I know there is a lot room for improvement. I am just glad my friends were my first time.

I look forward to next Wednesday when Linda and I get to spend the day meeting, greeting, and giving tours to all comers.

The Exciting Countdown

It is an exciting time for us here in the Magic Valley as we see the end of the long anticipated wait for our temple coming to a close. Dale and I were able to go through the temple on Sunday with other tour guides from our stake and it was breathtaking. As I walked in, tears began to flow because the spirit was there so strong...it is the Lord's house! The original artwork from Idaho artists on the walls are amazing, especially the mural in the first instruction room painted by the same artist that did the Rexsburg Temple. Large falls and springs indigenous to our area are beautifully depicted on the mural. Patterned in the carpet, on walls, and in the stained-glass windows is Idaho's state's flower, the syringa, which definately defines the temple as our own. The oval-shaped baptismal font is patterned after the font in the Nauvoo Temple and made with exquisite marble.

Jerome Stake has July 16 and August 2nd as our tour dates. Dale and I will be doing shifts on the 16th from 8am to 12 noon and then again from 4pm to 8pm. Saturday, August 2nd we will be there from 12 noon to 8pm. Collette and other young single adults from our branch will be serving as ushers on those days and some will be helping with the foot coverings on the July 8th for the first VIP tour given by members of the Seventy.

Collette and I are enjoying our choir rehearsals, our 3-stake choir will perform for the 4th dedicatory session on August 24th. We will be able to go in the celestial room the week of August 18th to practice with the organ. We know for sure that Elder Costa, President of the Idaho Area, Elder Quentin Cook, President Eyring and President Monson will be here. We have given open house tickets to co-workers and have some for our neighbors. Experiencing the missionary zeal is very rewarding. Looking forward to going to this beautiful temple with you all.

No explanation needed!

The Batmobile Completed

Here is another LEGO project Mason and I completed. It is the Batmobile which boasts 1045 pieces and took us about 5 hours to completed. It is pretty cool because it has a lot of moving parts including fire exhast, moving fans in front, and a bunch of gears. Here are a few pics and a video of the exhast.














Construction....









And the final product...





Here is a short video of the batmobile in action. Notice how excited Mason is, the boys laughed and laughed when they saw this.


See more of his projects on my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41366&l=88abf&id=635589304

The BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

Many of you have probably seen this, but on the eve of having our fourth child, I got a big kick out of it...

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

Clothing:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress -- a whimper, a frown --- you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.3
rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Swallowing Coins:
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin, you deduct it from his allowance!

Lagoon

Well mom and I have survived our trip with the JHS choirs in Utah. There is more details on my blog, but I thought I would share this little video of mom being pulled on stage to be sung to by "Tex" during a short little show in Lagoon.

The Job of a Mother

I found this online and thought it was VERY appropriate!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there!!!

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar'.

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.

'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,

'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom'.

April 26: First Farmer's Market and Celebration of Birthdays

Check out the fun details on Linda's blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the
CLARK BOYS
Looking forward to seeing you this weekend so we can party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!