Operation Christmas 2013

Christmas was a huge success this year. We got American Dolls from Santa comers with little white beds and a back pack to haul them around. Kaya was more into fluffy frilly sparkley Hello Kitty dresses but seems to like her doll. Her wish from Santa was a barbie phone which he sent in a Barbie medical kits. Some of my favorite memories; last night at Grammy and Grandpa Clark's Gus and his dad started teasing McKenna that her present that she wanted to open the most (wrapped in Tinker bell) was socks and panties. She was really worried and kept asking me why I got her  those she didn't need socks and panties. Continuing the joke Gus told her she needed to be grateful for what she got, some other kids didn't get nice socks and panties. Her reply was 'But I already have socks and panties'. Then after convincing her to open her present, she found beautiful Ariel pajamas and told him that he 'was wrong, neener neener neener'. It was hilarious. The girls got a lot of clothes and pajamas which Kaya was especially excited about. After pulling each one out she would ooh and ahh then hold it up to her and twirl. She really loved them. There was once when McKenna pulled out an outfit that she wasn't thrilled with and Kaya came up to her after sensing her disappointment and said 'oh, McKenna that is beautiful' which cheered McKenna up a bit. This morning Santa had given Kaya a Frozen coloring book that McKenna was especially envious of and Kaya walked over and gave it to her without any prompting, I was very impressed. The girls have been such good sisters lately, they live playing with Grant and it warms my heart to see how concerned they are over his happiness. All in all it was a great Christmas, having little ones at Christmas brings out the true meaning of Christmas. My heart has been so full of love 

Milestones

Grant started sitting up by himself just a few days ago I'd say he was 5 1/2 months old. We also started feeding him peas and carrots yesterday. He had no reaction just ate it up! Funny boy. He loves everyone, today he watched daddy whenever daddy was near. I love him I hope that these memories will last forever

Blessings and the power of the priesthood

Yesterday you were blessed, my sweet boy, and I wanted to tell you all about it. I will admit I cried several times throughout the day. Once when I saw your daddy putting you in that tiny white suit, it just hit me that you are here with us but so recently you were an angel in heaven living with your Heavenly Father and wore white all the time. I felt like I caught a glimpse of your spirit and how big it is squished into this tiny, uncoordinated body. We finally made it to church and got settled in with all our family and, sitting amongst them and the ward, I realized how many people love us. Then it was time, I don't even remember Daddy taking you from me but almost all the men in our lives stood up and walked up front, there was: Uncle Matt Bileadou, Uncle Ian, Grandpa Clark, Grandpa Jack Anderson, Papa Brad, Bishop Adams and our stake president. Uncle Stanton and Mickey were there but a minute to late to stand with you. As all these men of the priesthood rose up and encircled you the spirit in that church blossomed. I could feel it so strong and it testified this church was true.  Daddy was nervous but he gave you a wonderful blessing. He blessed that you would always KNOW you are a Son of God, that you would protect your sisters, and that you would always encircle yourself with friends  who will help you walk of path of righteousness. And closed the blessing by telling Heavenly Father how grateful we are to have you here with us. I will never view a baby blessing the same way, I bore my testimony and wish to do so now. I know this gospel is true, I believe Joseph Smith restored this church and Heavenly Father loves us more than I love you (which is hard to imagine). I am so grateful that we have this knowledge and that I can teach you to rely/ask for Heavenly Fathers help when I can't be there for you. As a Mother this brings me peace and great joy, the power of the priesthood is real. You reaffirmed that for me today, I am so grateful to see that you have so many men of the priesthood surrounding you and I pray daily that you and your sisters will love the gospel. Amen. 

Kaya Starlin Clark

THis is my sweet Kaya, she is so tender. She feels so strongly and I believe she is extra-sensitive to others emotions which makes her extra emotional. This can sometimes be challenging in a 4 yo but I think it will serve her well later in life. She loves attention and has a hard time saying goodbye. I just randomly found these pics on my phone, her sister must have taken them but, they speak so clearly of her sense of humor as well as her beauty that I had to share.  I love this little one. 

Those mommy moments-

Sunday was the girls first Primary Program! It was such a special day, I had been the chorister up until I had Grant and so I was ESP proud to watch all the kids sing and recall special moments of teaching them the songs. The girls did really well saying their parts but not so well sitting still.  A couple of times all I could see were their shoes over the banister. The spirit was so strong as these precious kids reminded us of the gospel principles. It was themed 'I am a child of God' and I was thinking about how things would change if we KNEW that like they did. I cried almost the whole time. They each had to say 'My name is McKenna and I love playing football with daddy but most importantly I am a child of God' I loved McKenna's she came up with that all on her own.  I now have a new fav sacrament meeting!

Grant Keith Clark

My sweet little man joined our family on May 31, 2013 at about 10 am weighing 6#14 oz. I was so scared once I saw the OR room, but Gus was there with me this time and squeezed my hand through all the scary parts (epidural!). I remember Dr Leavitt telling me he could see hair at one point and I remember that once he was out he SCREAMeD the whole nursery was aware of his arrival. Gus let me see him him but more than that I got to watch Gus see him for the first time. All the worry about how we were going to take care of another baby was gone as soon as they put that sweet bundle in Andy's arms. He kept looking at me with this can-you-believe-it look! Over the next couple of days in the hospital me and Grant got to nap together and snuggle. It was so nice to have baby in the room with us. Honestly, those 3 days are some of my most cherished memories. I never got those days with the twins and I am so glad that I was able to experience them with Grant. Grandparents did an excellent jobs of making sure the girls were well taken care of. Grant 'got' the girls plush princess dolls as a present. McKenna got a tinkerbelle but the silly girl ended up not liking it because her 'cheeks were funny' (rosey) and 'they bothered' her. She was very vocal about her displeasure so Oma took tinkerbell back and we traded her for a Belle doll. Funniest part, now Mac talks about her tinkerbell and is sad because 'now I'll never get have her'. She wants her back and promises her checks won't bother her anymore. Kaya got a 'married cinderella and loves that thing more than any other toy. In fact, she wants to be married cinderella for Halloween. They both were excited for a baby brother until we had him and they realized he couldn't play with them although now they love to help with him ESP at bath time! We are so glad that he has joined us and I was right about the tornado thing he is the wigglyist baby ever!

Oh BOY !

We are so excited to announce that we will be adding a new addition to our little family.  Our baby BOY is due in June, 2013.  I know it has been a long time but I wanted to write a few things about this pregnancy. First off all first trimester I was sick but mostly I had the worst heartburn ever! Second, HE MOVES constantly. I really enjoy being able to feel him but somedays he gives me braxton hicks contractions just from his tumbling around. I wonder if when he gets here he will be a little tornado because if I had to bet I would say yes.
The girls are  very excited especially McKenna, she has been into playing with her babies a lot more lately. Kaya has been slightly jealous because she is mama's sidekick.