autumn

Fall is my favorite season.  In fact, before I met Brent I wanted to someday have a daughter named "Autumn."  Of course, he shot that one down in less than 2 seconds, just like the rest of my baby name suggestions.  Yup - he's pretty much named all of our kids.  I've chosen the middle names because he doesn't care about those, maybe because he's always just had a letter.  H.  That's Brent's middle name.  But I've gotten completely sidetracked.  I love the fall.

The temperatures are lowering, and the air SMELLS different.  It FEELS different.  That's how I know summer is gone.  I'm looking forward to the green changing to gold and orange and red.  I'm getting ready to find my pumpkin candle and pull out the hot chocolate mugs.  I'm excited to decorate for Halloween, and I'm ESPECIALLY excited that my parents will be visiting soon!!!!!  We're counting down the days, mom and dad.

Let this serve as a notice to y'all:  We finally put a Queen Bed in Mercedes room, so we are READY and WAITING for any visitors to ring our doorbell!

It's been a hard few weeks for us here.  I've been sick for almost a month straight now.  Flu, ear infection that took forever to clear up, and now tonsillitis that is ALSO taking forever to clear up.  Sinus infections too, which are probably causing some of the aforementioned infections.  But today, even though my throat still hurts and my head ACHES and I feel weak and tired - I am not discouraged.  I am looking forward!  Brent gave me a Priesthood Blessing last night, before which I WAS feeling quite discouraged.  I am so thankful for the gospel, and for my patient boys who have hardly left the house this week.

Life is a blessing.

august

August has been a full month for us.  

Unfortunately, I didn't take our camera to Utah.  

*Sigh*

But still we had fun....

Being with grandparents.

Bowling with cousins.

Seeing Aunt Suzanne.

Going to the park with Grandma.

Feeding the neighbors' horses.

Seeing old friends.

Camping in American Fork Canyon - thanks Grandpa!

Riding "Taylor's" horse - the boys fell off and got right back on again!

Having movie night.

Playing with Mendo and Willie - we'll miss you!

Playing games with Aunt Lorraine and girls.

Shopping for school clothes.

Going to movies.

Going shooting with Kev, Annmarie and Chris.

Shopping for Atlee - we're so excited to meet you!!!

Eating too many donuts.

Watching the Iron Giant with Chris.

Going to the Provo Beach Resort with Gram and cousins.

Spending mucho bucks to keep our beloved Yukon running.

Riding the 4-wheeler.

Watching the "pioneer day" fireworks.

Thanks to Uncle Chris for getting us to Utah, and to Grandma for getting us back home.  I would not have made the 15 hour drive by myself.  At least not in one day.

Now we're working on getting back to "real" life.  

I'm grateful that I spent yesterday cleaning, since Lincoln woke early this morning throwing up what little was left in his stomach.  So far, he hasn't been able to even hold down water.  We're rubbing peppermint oil on his feet and back to help with the fever.  I've never been able to get him to ingest any kind of medicine.  

So far this morning we've watched Callou, Strawberry Shortcake and are currently on Meet the Robinsons.  It's a "cuddle-couch" day for sure.  Every once in a while Lincoln will nod off, but isn't able to stay asleep.  He usually wakes up barfing.  Nice, right?  Don't worry - we've got a bowl on standby.

Mercedes and Cooper are doing well on their own, for which I am grateful!  They're playing school at the moment.  I'm all set with a pile of books picked up from the library yesterday.

ride the ducks

Brent's parents gave him the best birthday present ever this year - a visit!

Here are a few shots of our fun weekend:

Brent took his parents to the base...

Space Needle

I'm not sure?

Riding the Duck - a WWII amphibious landing craft, which took us on a tour of Seattle and Lake Union.

Seeing a plane land on Lake Union was a highlight for Coop and Linc.

After our fun tour (a HAVE TO if you ever visit Seattle) we spent some time looking at ships and searching for the Pike's Place Market before enjoying a super-delicious Italian dinner.  We were all so worn out the next day that we just stayed home and relaxed.

i am going to be an aunt!!!

Well, I guess I am already an aunt.  And it's so much fun to BE an aunt.

But this time, I will be an aunt to someone with whom I will share a special bond.  Something that just the two of us have in common (at least pertaining to my immediate family).  We will both share the "maiden" name of CLARK.

Congrats to Annemarie and Kevin who are having a....

GIRL!!!!!!

Mercedes is ecstatic to have another girl cousin (she's only got one right now).  The Bethers clan is awesome at making boys.  But we're excited to add some more estrogen to the mix.  

This will also be the first cousin born on the Clark side.  I'm sure that my parents are doing cartwheels.  They live for the grandkids.  Grandkids are their favorite hobby.  And now they'll have one living just down the road.  

I just wish I could move in on their street.  And be the best baby-sitter ever.  I probably won't get too many chances to baby-sit, though, since 13 hours is a bit far to drive...  darn it.

my whole life is ruined?

What a great day.  Seriously.  It was great.

Mercedes was invited by our neighbor to attend a church camp every morning this week.  She was THRILLED to have some "big girl" time away from her "pesky" little brothers.

Cooper, who thinks that Mercedes is the best thing since sliced bread, is not Mercedes favorite person of late.  I feel so bad for him!  I think that the age gap between them is getting bigger.  She enjoys her brothers more when she's not around them all day.  Such is life, right?

The boys and I had a very relaxing morning: Cooper had the house to himself while Lincoln napped.  I got about 5 loads of laundry done.

All three were extremely well behaved during my doctor's visit.  I was so happy (and shocked and relieved) that I told them we'd get icees on the way home.  I'd forgotten that it's July 11th.  7/11.  Meaning that 7-11 is giving out free slurpees today.  It was a madhouse!  But the slurpees were free!

When we got home Mercedes, her friend Grace and the two boys played in the rain on the trampoline.  They had a blast.  After they came in soaked, the girls went to Grace's house for dinner.  The boys and I read scriptures (and the kids actually listened!) while they ate dinosaur chicken nuggets and Rainier cherries.  We talked about the Temple being Jesus's house.  Cooper said, "I want to go see Jesus in his house!"  I told him that he needs to be a very good boy so that he can go to the temple when he's old enough.

No fighting.  No complaining.  A very peaceful and fun dinner.  What a gift.

Then the 8-year-old got home.

 I asked her to take a shower, because it was already her bed-time.  She whined, "do I have to right now?"

I said, "yes, you do.  It's bedtime."

She said, "But I'm thirsty!"

I said, "Well, there's a cup in the bathroom.  Get a drink!"

She complained about not liking the upstairs water, and then I heard her crying over and over:

"MY WHOLE LIFE IS RUINED!!!!"

I just need to know: When does school start again?