Month in Review: October 2007

Welcome to Month in Review: October 2007, documenting key events for our family history. This is a great way to catch up with the Clarks.

• We announced the creation of our new website, Wife Advice, a place where we share anecdotes and our own brand of marriage "advice." A few days after we set it up, it was named as a finalist in a $10,000 blogging scholarship competition. We didn't win, but we gained a lot of new readers. We're having fun with it. (Be sure to submit your questions, for a chance to win dinner on us!)
  
• Tommy gave a speech on termites. Helping him find pictures online was creepy (I don't really need to see those critters close up).
  
• We enjoyed General Conference. Tommy was disappointed that he had to miss a session to go to a birthday party. Ahh, the power of candy.
  
• I'm way too excited about my new dishes.
• Chris had a week off of school. It was nice to have him home on more evenings than normal. We went to the gym together a few times, which is always better than me going early in the morning and him going late at night.
  
• Michael is a cute younger brother to Tommy; he really is his shadow, and loves to mimic his sense of humor; they have a lot of cute little inside jokes that I don't even understand. Michael is also a great older brother to David. He is obsessed with kissing David's head, and will follow him around the house, clinging to him. Thankfully, David is a good sport about it all.
  
• Chris's dad came for a visit, and we all went to Pocatello for Quin's baptism, which Chris had the privilege of performing. We stayed the night at the hotel where Chris's mom works, so it was a fun, quick trip.
• Chris's dad gave us a new blender, because he loves making smoothies, and apparently our old blender didn't cut it. Thanks, Ron!
• My brother Kevin and his wife Kelly were sealed in the temple (my name-matching sister-in-law posted a few photos). We were sad to miss it, but look forward to seeing my whole family at a reunion next year.
• Chris turned 31. For a whole 2 months, he cannot tease me about being older than him. The most exciting gift was a little practice-size amp for his electric guitar, and the promise that I will set him up to take a few professional lessons!
  
• We are on pins and needles, waiting for David to start talking more, as it's one of the cutest stages. So far he is saying "hi" and "bye" and lots of other stuff that only he understands.
  
• Tommy has been on a school break for the last two weeks. Our routine has been thrown off (read: life is hectic, the house is a mess, and Michael refuses to nap), but we've had some extra fun as well. Tommy was excited to visit his old stomping grounds, and join us for story time at the city library. He was even more excited that they had every volume of the literary masterpiece, Captain Underpants.
  
• I survived the major ordeal of getting all the winter clothes out and sorted. It's getting tricky, because David is much bigger than Tommy and Michael were at his age, so it's hard to figure out who wears what. While sorting clothing may not seem like big news, it is actually a major accomplishment for me to have the right clothes in the right places before January.
  
• We had a fun Halloween. I missed out on taking the kids trick-or-treating, since I was at traffic school (a small price to pay to have my driving record wiped clean). The kids had a great time, and Chris said they were very polite; hopefully that will last as we enter the begging for/stealing candy season. We posted some photos of Halloweens Past. And here are some shots from a fun Halloween party we attended:

Howdy Folks

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

...from two cute cowboys and their trusty little pony

(pay no attention to the man holding up the one-year-old who refused to stand still)

There. Now I at least have a couple cute pics. Hopefully I'll get some more tonight, but if it's anything like previous years, the candy and chaos will make it difficult to capture the moments. At least this year I won't have to re-dress everyone in their costumes for the Day-After-Halloween-Photo-Shoot.

What's Not to Love?

Top Ten Tuesday

I've had a pretty yucky week or so. Nothing particularly bad, other than the fact that every area in my home is messy, and it seems like whenever I get one spot clean, it just means that a bigger mess is being made somewhere else. Kind of like whenever I wipe one kid's nose, the other kid is wiping his own nose with his hands and then wiping it all over his face, his clothes, and the rest of the house. Or he's doing that with poop (don't ask). When I have these kinds of days/weeks, I often let myself start feeling negatively about being a mom, and whining about what an annoying job it is. If I start sounding overly negative, Chris may even ask, "But haven't you always wanted to be a mom?" That of course makes me even more irritated. But lately I have found that I am asking that question of myself. I have always wanted to be a mom. Today then, an attempt at positive thinking:

Top Ten: Things I Enjoy About Motherhood

1. Waking up to the sound of a little person who will squeal in delight when he sees my face
2. Watching three little boys take after their father--irresistibly cute, even while irritating me
   
3. Eskimo kisses
4. Snuggling up together to read or watch cartoons
   
5. The first time each child tells me that he loves me (without being prompted)
6. Butterfly kisses
7. Being someone that they come to--for owies, help, reassurance, and love
   
8. Knowing that what I do is important business
9. "Just one more kiss Mommy"
10. Those beautiful, peaceful sleeping faces

Now, back to the grind--this time with a hint of a smile on my face...

Movie Memories

Top Ten Tuesday

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see that a dear friend was online, and we spent a few minutes instant messaging. We reminisced about some random moments from our younger years, including the first time we saw A River Runs Through It; I remember sitting through the entire movie with my jaw in my lap. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you probably need to rent it. And pause it at the part where the old fashioned car is stopped, with the sun setting behind it. Simply beautiful.

Top Ten: Random Movies that Bring Back Random Memories
(in random order)

1. Raiders of The Lost Ark. The first movie I remember seeing in a theater. Very vaguely.
   
2. Home Alone. I attended this movie on a "pretend date." That's when a cute guy asks you out, but since you aren't old enough to date yet you have to drag a girlfriend along. It also involves "pretend handholding"--a tricky process where the guy and girl each fold their arms and let their hands touch each other.
3. Dances with Wolves. This is when I realized I actually kind of like long, slow movies. It's also when I realized that Kevin Costner's voice is pretty annoying.
4. Dumb and Dumber. I went to this movie by myself in the theater. I highly recommend seeing a movie in the theater by yourself. Just not one where you'll be tempted to laugh out loud.
   
5. Power of One. I saw this at our dinky little campus theater my first year of college. I can still hear the music in my head, and feel the chills run down my spine.
6. Newsies. I remember reenacting this entire movie--songs and dancing--in our dorm-room kitchen. I'm pretty sure I was the one up on the table, shouting "Look at me--I'm the King of New York!" I'm pretty sure you all find that so hard to believe.
7. Water Boy. The first movie I saw with Chris. And then we kissed.
   
8. Star Wars Episode I. The first movie Chris and I saw in the theater. More kissing.
   
9. City of Angels. I watched this movie the night I came home from the hospital with my first baby. Within the first few minutes there was a scene that forced me to think about what it would be like to lose a child. I will never forget how different I suddenly felt about life that night.
10. Finding Nemo. The first movie we took our first son to--of which he was actually aware. The end of one era; the beginning of another.

What movies do you remember and why?

Need Costume Ideas?

Since we are less than 2 weeks away from Halloween, I suppose I should start thinking about costumes for the boys. How about a little trip down memory lane, for inspiration?

Their First Halloweens
(Tommy, Michael, David)
Tommy Over The Years

Michael Over The YearsLast year: ImpersonatorsMichael was "Thomas"---------- Tommy was "Mike"
Get it?! Get it?!

Worth Family Costumes Over The Years

(click to enlarge)What can you learn from the Worth Family?

• It's ok to recycle costumes. A lot.
  
• In a pinch, a garbage bag will make a great witch costume.
• When in doubt, be a clown. Or a hobo.
• Sometimes a fuzzy afro comes in handy.
  
• Too old to dress up, but still want to go trick-or-treating? Just throw on your purple striped shirt and bowler hat; no one will recognize you.
• Boys need facials too!
  

Anyone else posting photos from Halloweens past?
Feel free to leave a link in the comments.
Or just leave a comment.

Take it From Me

Top Ten Tuesday

Tommy is up in bed reading, and shouting down to me every time he finishes a chapter of his book. It has 12 chapters, and he is supposed to be done with it tomorrow. He just started reading it today...oops. The terrible part of the story is that he was the one reminding me every day last week that he needed to read it, and I kept telling him that we would get to it the next day. Then of course, we lost the book over the weekend. I've already assured Tommy that I spoke to his teacher, and that he will not be in trouble for not finishing it, but the thought of showing up to school with work unfinished is terrifying him, so he is pulling a first-grade version of an all-nighter. Isn't it sweet how he takes after me? Well, that got me thinking.

Top Ten: Things My Children Could Easily Inherit From Me

1. A fuzzy afro
2. Thriftiness
3. A proclivity for a sedentary lifestyle, which I constantly occasionally battle to overcome
   
4. Big, droopy eyes with thick crow's feet
5. Geekiness
6. My collection of cassette tapes full of 80s music
7. A mostly-cheery disposition
8. Defined calves
   
9. Obsessive interest in things that suck my brain of all ability to tell time or do things that I should be doing
10. Love of life

I Recommend: Go City Kids

How do you find fun kids events? What about searching for athletic classes, local libraries or the best family-friendly restaurants?

One of my favorite websites is Go City Kids. I signed up for their Salt Lake City newsletter, and every Thursday I get a list of ideas for weekend fun (if we're not too busy with laundry and projects, that is). This has helped me not to miss out on free fairs, special events, and fun outings!

I have tried to spread the word to most of my friends who live in an area that Go City Kids covers, but recently they have added a slew of new cities--too much for me to keep track of. So, head over and see if your city is on their list!

Anyone else have a good way to search for family fun? Share in the comments.

Give Me Something Good to Eat

Top Ten Tuesday

We went out to dinner tonight with one of my favorite mission companions and her husband who are visiting from the UK. We ate at The Roof; Remember how I ate there a few weeks ago and came home feeling like a glutton? I did retain in remembrance that experience, so today wasn't quite as bad; I had smaller helpings and fewer desserts, but I'm still a bit over-stuffed. Chris and I came home and immediately threw away all the candy and junk food we could find at the house. Maybe this would be a good time to get a head start on my New Year's resolutions. Then again, Halloween is coming up, so maybe I should just start looking forward to that.

Top Ten: Trick-or-Treat Candies
The first half of the list is what I like most;
The second half is what I remember having the most of.

1. Butterfinger
2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
3. Reese's Pieces
4. Peanut Butter M&Ms (anyone noticing a theme here..?)
5. Almond Joy
   
6. Smarties
7. Dum Dums
8. Tootsie Rolls
9. Laffy Taffy
10. Sweettarts

What will you be stocking up on?

It Pays to Be a Donkey?

You might have to see it to believe it, but our new blog has been announced as a finalist in a blogging scholarship competition. The $10,000 prize will be awarded at the Blog World and New Media Expo in Las Vegas, next month.

Head over to www.wifeadvice.com and follow the link on the top right to vote!

Dish Delight

Out With The Old

And In With The New
I grew quite tired of my old, ivy dish set quite some time ago, and have been dying to replace it. Tommy's school had a yard sale to raise money for their music program, so I boxed my stuff up and donated it. It was the perfect way to get rid of my dishes; that way I wasn't just tossing them, but I didn't have to go through the hassle of selling them myself, and I got to support a good cause!

I've had my eyes on the new dinnerware set for about a year. It's just a simple style from Wal-Mart. Of course when it finally came time for me to get the new set, it wasn't being carried in the store anymore. With a little persistence (and 2 weeks of paper plates in the meantime) I was finally able to track down a few sets of my coveted dishes in the Wal-Mart a few towns over!

I chose white in the hopes that the dishes will match anything, and allow me to get creative with the table decor depending on the time of year/event, etc. It's easier to replace a tablecloth or placemats than an entire set of dinnerware and serving dishes! I chose a low-cost set because I now understand the distinct possibility that I will grow tired of these at some point. I also know that expensive dishes break when they are dropped, just like the cheap ones. The only drawback I have found so far is that the dishes are quite heavy and take up more room in my dishwasher. Also, the bowls are deeper than I am used to, meaning when we have a bowl of ice cream, we have to put half of the half-gallon in the bowl before we feel like it's a proper serving.
I guess that could be viewed as a pro or a con.

Ready for Conference?

I am looking forward to watching General Conference tomorrow and Sunday. We watch at home, usually while wearing PJs and eating cinnamon rolls. The boys are looking forward to a rousing game of General Conference Bingo. We use these bingo boards; the boys put candies on the words they hear, then eat the candies when they get a Bingo. Another fun game is to use the photos of the General Authorities from the last conference report to identify and mark the current speaker.

Need more ideas?
Conference: It's for the Whole Family [Ensign]
General Conference Activities and Games [About.com]

What are your General Conference traditions or tips for involving the family?

The Big Announcement

Chris and I have combined elements from our blogs and married them on our brand new site:

www.wifeadvice.com

The Donkey will continue to share his very insightful tips on what NOT to do, and I, The Wife will attempt to keep him in check. We are also continuing our He Said, She Said debates on that site, along with answering readers' questions, and who knows? we might even throw in a couple useful tips.

Be sure to check it out.

Experience the joy and humor that is inherent in marriage, by hearing all about ours!

...And yes, you'll also still be able to find us at our individual blogs.

They're So Sweet When They're Asleep

Top Ten Tuesday

Right now my house is quiet and peaceful, and even somewhat clean (just don't look in the kitchen sink). Sure it's nice now, but you should have seen us a couple hours ago.

Top Ten: Ineffective Ways to Ensure that Children Get to Bed (and Stay There)

1. Bribing them with extra cookies right before bedtime.
2. Telling them that it's ok to skip teeth-brushing just this once. They won't let you, and the argument will just take longer than the teeth-brushing would have taken, and now you're stuck doing both.
   
3. Rushing through bedtime stories, hoping that no one will notice that suddenly the Brown Bear just sees the Teacher, and Teacher sees the Children, The End. (I didn't really want my children growing up thinking that horses were purple anyway...)
4. Failing to plan ahead for the speech that the oldest child has to give in school tomorrow, causing him to continually come out of his room asking how is he possibly going to answer the other little children when they ask him to explain the life cycle of a termite.
5. Giving in to multiple requests for the door to be cracked wider and wider.
6. Giving in to multiple requests for additional hallway lights to be turned on.
7. Asking the older child to help "teach" the younger child to behave, forgetting that the older child's preferred teaching method is whispering things like, "Go turn the lights on," or "Get all your toys out," or "Yell POOPY really loud."
   
8. Stomping loudly up the stairs, hoping it will scare the little tikes into jumping into their beds and laying quietly in fear until sleep overtakes them. It won't even phase them.
9. Yelling up the stairs, "I'm not going to give you any more warnings!" at least 5 times
   
10. Sitting on the couch waiting for Daddy to come home and solve everything.

Any other "fool-proof" methods I failed to mention?