Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

These pictures are a little old, but I ran across them on my camera and wanted to post them. This is of when we took the kids to Discovery Gateway. We had a blast!

The Leaps of Faith We Take

Photo taken by my co-worker Dawn at Liberty Park. (Thanks for letting me use it...again)

For me this picture represents the leap of faith I am taking by quiting my job to become a full time mom. See those rocks down there. Those are all my concerns. I don't know how we are going to make it. I get scared. But every time I pray about it to tell Heavenly Father about my fears I get an overwhelming feeling of peace. No answers on how it is all going to work out, but an overwhelming sense of peace and a prompting that everything is going to be all right. Guess what, these little goslings were just fine. :)

Today has also made me think about the leap of faith it took to get married. It was scary. Especially with how well relationships seem to end up in our world. I didn't know Spencer for that long and once I was married for several years and into the family life good and deep I honestly had a lot of feelings I felt I probably shouldn't be having. There have been a lot of moments that I have really hated it. I landed on those blasted rocks and they hurt. They were tough to get out of. But today has been an incredible example of why it is so right and so good.

Spencer gave a wonderful family night on the love of a husband and wife. He reminded us of why we are in families and the spirit witness to me the truth of what he was saying. We went and had ice cream and then came home and played as we got the kids ready for bed. Let me just say there was a lot of laughing go on. You should have heard Tanner. When he laughs he doesn't just give a little giggle. No, when he laughs, he laughs hard and it comes from the belly. His laugh is contagious.

While helping Aine take her shirt off Spencer pulled it onto the top of his head "by accident". He played it up that he couldn't see her. Then he found her and pulled her close, trying to get the shirt off his head. When he got it off he plopped it right back onto her with a "Now, how did that get back on you?" We all laughed.

These are the moments when a Heavenly Father gives me a little glimpse into why leaps of faith work out for our better.

Our Valentine's

This was our Valentine's this year. Just hanging out and goofing around, me and the kids.

We miss you honey and love you! Happy Valentine's Day!

Getting Settled In

Okay, I know we have been settled in for a little while now, but these are some pictures of us hanging out during our first week here. Thought you might enjoy them.
I love this Daddy Son picture and the smile on Tanner's face.

Aine found Spencer's BYU beany amoungst all the stuff that needed to be unpacked. You can tell she's Spencer's daughter. A BYU fan from the get go!

Spencer and Faith's New House

Faith and I bought our first home and it's located in Tooele, UT. We moved in on December 4th. We live in a subdivision called Overlake which is located right before you go into downtown Tooele. We are enjoying the area and its surroundings. We are excited to make some great memories out here with our family.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful New Year.

Together As A Family

Family Photo Bloopers

Anyone with young kids will know how difficult it is to get one good shot with the whole family. Here are some of our family shoot bloopers.
. Notice the ball? It was being bounced to Aine between shots to keep the kids entertained and smiley. Great idea from Charity!

The same ball also worked in distracting Aine right out of the picture on most of these. :)

Aine getting the lecture from Daddy. You go Daddy!

Some More Family Blooper Shots

This sitting was the last of the family shoot and you could definitely tell that Aine was done with all this. At least Mommy and Daddy were smiling. :) I was able to crop these and get a couple of good pictures of Spencer and I. You would never know that Aine was squirming all over the place.

Oh, a smile on Aine's face, sweet victory!

Picture Time!

Charity did a little photo shoot for my family. Her handy side-kick was this lovely lady, Catie!

Tribute to My Mom

I was reading one of my old journal entries from Mother's Day 2000 and thought I would share it, in tribute to my mom and upcoming Mother's Day. So, here it is, directly from my journal:

"I really love my mother. She really takes care of me and watches over me in every way possible. I never have a qualm with the way she has brought me up. To make things even more wonderful I feel like she is my best friend. I don't hide anything from her and know I couldn't if I wanted to. And even though I feel like she catches me in my faults and weaknesses, I know she still loves me dearly. She still loves me enough to be willing to listen to my long drawls of complaints and worries. At the end of it all she is prepared with all the answers and is there if I just need a hug.

We were talking about a fun family night where Catherine first saw a rainbow and loved it. We went in for a while, but Catherine wanted to go back out and see the rainbow. When they did go out to find it it was no longer there. She demanded that Mom put it back. In discussing it, my mom laughed at the unfailing faith children have in their mothers that they can do anything. She went on to confess that they must realize as they become older and wiser that their mothers can not do everything. But, I must confess I still have a strong belief that she can do anything."

Reading this makes me smile.

Mom, now that I have become a little more "older and wiser" I know that you can't do everything that you wish you could for us. But I do know that you have done and do everything that you could and should do for us. I want you to know that I still think of you as "Super Mom" because you are truly amazing in every way. I know you have sacrificed a lot as a mother. You are an example to me on motherhood, but also on balancing your own development and needs.

I love you Mom and I hope that you soak in all the good this Mother's Day! Because you deserve every bit of it!

Some of My Easter Blessings

These are a few of the blessings I have this Easter season and I hope to keep forever because of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection...

The family traditions that help me to remember.

This one symbolizing the new birth of resurrection and the gift of life that Christ gives us.

A handsome son,

newest to join our family, and enjoying his first spring.

A beautiful daughter

in a beautiful Easter dress, getting old enough to discover

the small and special things in the world outside.

Time to watch my children grow and experience life

I’m grateful for this season, especially as Easter falls on the Sunday of Conference weekend. I’m reminded of the great gifts and sacrifices that Jesus Christ has made for me and my family. He has given us the chance to receive bodies and live on the earth together as our little Clark family. We are learning and growing together. We are moving forward to the greatest gift of all, eternal life and exaltation as a family,

all made possible because of Christ.

Aine Giving Kisses

After Aine saw Mommy and Daddy kissing. She decided to give kisses too. She ran back and forth between Mom and Dad. Mom was on the bed doing her work and Dad was in the the living room. Aine then decided to give kisses to herself in the mirror. Aine your a cutie.

My Sick Ones

Well, beginning with Spencer last week and now Aine this week, both my loves have been fighting some sort of bacteria. I have felt so helpless in trying to make them feel better, but I'm happy to say that with both we are definitely on the right path towards health again. Spencer is to the point where he is feeling pretty good but is just coughing like crazy to get all the junk out of his lungs. Aine, on the other hand, just broke her fever this weekend. I'm sure she will have plenty of coughing to come. It's hard with her because I know that she isn't feeling good, but it is difficult to know what will help her feel better. The good news is that overall she has been a trooper. Even though she doesn't feel well, a good majority of the time she is happy and jabbering on just like usual. I've even had some good cuddle sessions with her. This is unusual for her, considering she is always running off my lap to play or explore. But I still do hate when Aine and Spencer are sick!

Here We Go Again

Yesterday, Spencer started school again. After a 6 week break I almost forgot how it felt to have him away at class... almost. This is not going to be any fun. Spencer is excited to get into the books again, but I can't wait until he's finished. Hopefully, if we can have some miracles it won't be too much longer.

Congrats Grad!

Congratulations to Abraham for graduating from Grantsville High School yesterday! Good job Abe!

Three Years of the Best Times of My Life

Why I am the worst wife ever! Spencer and I have used Memorial Weekend as an excuse to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary all weekend long. (At least there is one good thing about being married so close to Memorial Day) But our actual anniversary was yesterday, Tuesday. And the total extent of my recognition for him was a few "Happy Anniversary"s throughout the day. But, I was feeling tired and grumpy for most of the time we got to have together. I have to admit that these feelings were mostly pregnancy problems, but it sure doesn't make it fun to hang out with me, especially on a day you would be expecting more.

So, this is my lame attempt at telling my Spencer how much I love him and appreciate him. He is truly the place I run when I'm upset or when I'm looking to be goofy and have fun with someone. He is the one I love to talk to about whatever and the one I love to just hang out with and do nothing at all. He is the one who is always watching out for me, taking care of me and my endless needs. Since before we were married I would tell him how lucky I felt to have him and as the years have gone by I feel it more and more. I am the luckiest wife ever! I love you Spencer!

Memorial Day Car Ride

Faith, Aine and I traveled with Vaughn and Tammy Durfee down to Wendover, Nevada. We enjoyed seeing the Salt Flats along the way. Drove downtown Wendover on both the Utah and Nevada border. We had lunch and stopped at a playground afterwards so Aine could get rid of the wiggles. Drove back to Stansberry Park. Sorry we don't have any pictures. We forgot the camera. Those of you who read this might have to use your imagination.

We're Excited

I think that Spencer is probably more excited about Nathan getting his mission call than Nathan might be. He can't stop talking about it and he spent a good portion of his morning researching Nathan's mission after he found out. Congrats Nate! We're excited for you!

Christmas Morning & Grandma's Waffles

Every year growing up one of my family's Christmas traditions was to go to Grandma Durfee's for waffles topped with strawberrys and whipped cream. This year was the first that Spencer and I were able to go together.

It was fun to see Warren and Anna and their family this year.

Aine soaked up all the attention she could get from the cousins.

Getting Ready for Christmas Day

So, remember how it wasn't feeling at all like Christmas? Well, it is only a day away and I think I'm starting to feel it. I mean how can I resist with a happy baby like Aine in front of a Christmas tree? Spencer and I sat down and watched "Meet the Robinsons" (thank you Catie!) while I rapped gifts tonight. I reaffirmed that I am no good at wrapping gifts, especially odd shaped ones. But most of them were for Aine, so I figured she wouldn't care much.

I'm hoping that she will have more fun just tearing the wrapping paper apart. Anyways, wrapping and just being able to spend some down time with Spencer and Aine has really helped my holiday spirits. I think, especially with this being Aine's first Christmas, that having her has really changed what Christmas is for me.

Now, I'm excited for her to see all the new experiences that Christmas brings. I'm excited for her to see the magic that comes this time of year and to feel it again in my heart. I know, it's cheesy, but that's exactly why this time of year has always been my favorite. It can be cheesy and it's okay.

I think, if I had it my way this year, I would be spending Christmas day with Aine and Spencer at home. Sorry Grandparents, I know that's selfish of me. It's just that with work and then all the stuff going on after work, I'm missing the one on one time with Spencer and Aine. It breaks my heart. I would just love to spend the day with them. I would be soaking in every minute I get to just be with them. Especially when I don't have to worry about anything else but enjoying their company. They truly are the very best gifts I have this Christmas!

P.S. Don't tell Spencer I put this picture up. Let's just see how long it takes him to realize it's on here and then kill me out of embarrassment. I think he thought I was just going to delete this when I was done, but I think its funny.