Month in Review: March 2008

Welcome to Month in Review: March 2008, documenting events for our family history. It may seem like I've given up blogging, but I'm still here. Here's what we've been up to:

• The big news of the month is that I'm pregnant! I'm now about 9 weeks along. We don't usually break the news this early, but since Chris decided to broadcast it, I figured I better mention it here. I'm fielding lots of questions about whether we're hoping to finally get a girl. Tommy keeps saying, "I think it will be a girl, but I'll still be happy if it's a boy." Sounds good to me.
  
• At the beginning of the month, Chris had a business trip to Boston, where he was trained and certified to teach David Allen's Getting Things Done program. This means he can conduct this particular productivity training at his place of employment. For those of you who haven't read Getting Things Done, it's a great book about being productive in whatever you're doing. I highly recommend it.
  
• Chris finished his last classes for his MBA program. Just so I feel like the last 9 arduous years are recognized and justified, I have to be sure to mention that he now has 3 degrees--Bachelors in Advertising/Marketing (BYU), Masters in HR (USU), and now his MBA (U of U). I am so proud of him for all his hard work. He always worked full-time, and always had outstanding grades. We took every chance we could to celebrate this month--last day of class? Let's get take-out! Last test? Milkshake night! Final paper turned in? Time to eat out! Of course when it came time to go out we had a busy night, so we had to choose a place that was close-by AND where the kids would not go too crazy AND where they would actually be willing to eat AND that wouldn't break the bank. Denny's it was! We still managed to have fun. Our final celebration will be in April when Chris and I take a trip to the East Coast to see baseball games galore! Congratulations Chris!
  
• David (1) is talking a lot more, although we still can't force him to say much more than he wants. He loves to say our names, and pronounces them all quite well, except "Tommy" which he pronounces as simply, ah-ee. He has started saying "thank you" without being prompted, which is always my favorite thing to hear! People constantly comment on David's happy personality. He is always smiling and giggling, and it makes us all so happy!
• Michael (3) has suddenly become obsessed with spelling, and is getting quite good at sounding out three-letter words. We introduced him to one of Tommy's favorite games from this age, "Last to First" where we say a word, then he says a word that starts with the last letter of our word, and so on. ex) CAT - TRIP - PENCIL - LETTER
  
• Tommy (6) participated in his first Chess tournament. He has been attending Chess Club this year, so it was exciting to put some of his skills into practice. He especially liked using his new chess clock for his "blitz" games. He doesn't have a personal coach or parents who make him play for hours a day, so he was one of the kids who was just there for the fun of it. He won a few matches, had a great time, and was very proud to receive a "participant" ribbon!
• I had a fun Girl's night out with my sisters-in-law, Karine, Brittany, and Lindsey, plus our good friend Michelle. (I miss all my other sisters-in-law!) We went to dinner and saw Penelope, which was cute. Over the last year or so I've been making more of a point to get out of the house and have some fun on my own. Chris is always willing to help make it happen, and I've found it to be great for my overall well-being, and for our marriage!
  
• We celebrated Easter in Lehi, where we attended the baby blessing of Phil & Karine's baby, little Philip. They were great hosts for a huge group of Clarks that weekend, and we had a fun time lounging around and playing games.
  
• Katie & Quin came to stay with us for a few days, since their Spring Break coincided with Tommy's this year. It's always fun to have them here--there were lots of treasure hunts, plays, some gymnastics, extra special snack-times, and movie nights!
• I just noticed that March marked ONE YEAR since I started blogging. It's been a fun new hobby for me; it's given me a voice and a feeling of individuality, while at the same helping me feel more connected and close to others. It's helped me improve on some things I've always wanted to do--take and share more family photos, record our history, keep up with loved ones, develop my talents, etc. Overall, it's been a year of personal growth!
  

Nap Time is Mommy Time

Top Ten Tuesday

Well, since I've received dozens of emails asking why I haven't done Top-Ten Tuesday in a while, I thought it was about time I got it going again (ok, fine--nobody emailed me about it, but I miss doing it anyway).

I'm sitting here in a quiet house, which I'm hoping will remain quiet for another 2 hours or so while my little guys sleep. Whenever this time rolls around (on the lucky days when it actually happens), I start dreaming up all the things I could do, and quickly have a list of potential activities that would fill an entire week. The toughest part is deciding which activities will make the cut.

Top Ten: Nap Time Activities
in no particular order

1. Computer Time. You know--check my email, read the news, update the blog(s), spend way too much time reading other blogs and wishing I were as cool as the people who write them.
2. Reading Time. It's really an ideal time to read the scriptures, a good book--or just a frivolous magazine--in peace.
   
3. Cleaning Time. This is when I can actually unlock the cabinet with all the poisonous chemicals and spread them all over the place without needing to re-close the poison cabinet every time I turn my back, and without worrying about footprints on the newly mopped floor.
   
4. Organizing Time. It may not sound exciting at first, but I'm thrilled at a chance to sort toys, game pieces, clothes, mail, and school papers without little hands trying to help me decide where everything should go. ("Mommy, I need that milk cap--don't throw it away!")
   
5. Talking Time. It's always great to call my mom, a friend, or a sister and gab about who-knows-what. I especially like to combine this with Cleaning Time or Organizing Time.
   
6. Bath Time. I love a hot bubble bath. This can be combined with Reading Time, or sometimes I just lie there and drift off to that land in between waking and sleeping
7. Nap Time. This is not the in-between land. This is a nice, serious nap. Sometimes it happens on the couch, but I especially love to get PJs on and get all cozy in bed.
8. TV Time. Gotta catch up on all those Monk episodes that are piling up on the Tivo. Caution: may turn in to Nap Time, so have an alarm clock handy if you're supposed to pick a child up from school in the next little while.
   
9. Snack Time. This is when I dip into the secret stash that the kids don't know about. Goes great with TV Time, or Bath Time, or Reading Time, or... you get the idea.
10. I-Can-Actually-Hear-Myself-Thinking Time. This is one of my favorite parts of this time of day. No matter what I decide to do, I can take a few moments to breathe, ponder, and relax.
    

As much as I love my little guys, there are times when we all need a break. If I use my time well, I'm that much happier when I hear them wake up...