December 2006

Merry Christmas!

Can you believe it??? Another year is coming to an end. And what a year it has been for us. We’ve had our share of challenges and blessings, but I think more blessings than challenges. At this time of year when we ponder upon the great gift of hope in eternal life that comes through our Savior Jesus Christ, how can I not feel overwhelmed with joy over the blessings that are mine? And what blessings still can be mine? I think a feeling of gratitude best summarizes how I feel at the close of this year.

I think I’m most grateful for my family, in particular my fabulous husband. I think all who know Tom know how patient and tolerant he is. He would have to be to put up with me for 14 (almost 15) years. Tom works very hard to provide for the family, even working, what seems like, around the clock. If you consider his day job + gigs + freelance work, I think it all adds up to ‘round the clock work. Tom is not only dedicated to providing for his family, but he is dedicated to being a good husband and father. He makes an effort to help around the house when he’s home, just to make my job easier. Tom’s been known to bake several loaves of homemade bread, make the kids lunches, do laundry, clean the kitchen, make breakfast, dinner, etc. The kids love their dad because of the time, love and support he gives to each of them. We will sorely miss him over Christmas while he travels through South Korea entertaining the U.S. Troops, but will look forward to spending part of the holiday season with him when he returns Jan. 2.

Heather, age 1, is progressing slowly. She has therapy twice a week and is now able to sit up well, turn around in a sitting position, clap her right hand with her left, and can occasionally hold something in her right hand. We’re grateful for any progress that she makes. We’re also grateful for the “First Steps” program that offers free therapy to children under the age of three, and they’re fabulous therapists. As you can imagine, therapy twice a week could normally cost a fortune. Heather has obviously inherited her father’s good nature, as she is very patient, tolerant, calm, and is a VERY good sleeper!

Camilla (6) is beginning to thrive in her 1st grade class at school. She had a rough beginning, but has since settled in. It seems that all of our kids struggle with some shyness in social situations. This is sort of a surprise to me as our kids aren’t shy at home, especially Camilla who never stops talking. I’ve enrolled Camilla in a dance class again and recently took her to see the Nutcracker. I hope that she develops a love for dancing because although she doesn’t realize it yet, she is a beautiful dancer.

Nathan is 13 and overnight has turned into a typical teenager. I guess what I mean by that is he’s never home. He’s always at a church youth activity, at a school football game, at a band practice, at a friend’s house, etc. When he is home, he’s either eating, playing on the Play Station, doing homework or sleeping. Sound familiar to anyone? If I were to choose to raise any teenager, however, I’d pick Nathan. He, like Heather, has inherited Tom’s good nature. Nathan is kind of quiet, but nice to everyone, easy to get along with, and confident. He’s following in his father’s footsteps and is becoming a decent saxophone player and a wiz at the computer.

Wes (10) is our Taekwondo-Man! He’s also our Drama-man! Since as long as Wesley could dress himself (age 2?), he’s enjoyed dressing up as some character from a book, movie, or his imagination and acting out a scene from the story. I finally wizened up one day and enrolled him in a drama class. I think both his drama class and his Taekwondo classes allow him the creative outlets that he needs. Besides Wesley’s creative mind, he has a very keen mind. Wes continues to surprise us with his academic test scores at school. He regularly scores in the top 99% for math and reading. Unfortunately he dislikes school and would rather spend time acting, karate chopping, or playing on the Playstation.

As mentioned before, I have a wonderful family to be grateful for. I’m also grateful for the educational opportunities that the Lord blesses me with. I’ve been asked to teach High School Seminary. I teach 12 fabulous freshmen and sophomore students every morning (Monday-Friday) at 6:30. I’m learning a lot about the Gospel through this opportunity and am hopefully learning how to be an effective teacher-especially with this age group. Thirdly, I’m grateful for the patience that everyone around me has as I continue to struggle with getting myself back in shape after Heather’s birth. I always feel so horrible about myself when I’m not as fit as I like to be. To some this may sound silly, but to me it’s probably one of my biggest daily challenges. Again, I’m grateful for the patience and support that everyone, especially my husband, gives me in trying to conquer this “monster.” I have great faith that with the Lord’s help, I’ll get it under control. “In the strength in the Lord, I can accomplish all things.”

Lastly, I’m grateful for all of you!!! Friends and family have enriched our lives in so many ways. Thank you for everything!

Love,

Tom, Michelle, Nathan, Wesley, Camilla, and Heather

June 2006

Well HELLO to Everyone from The Hoosier State,

Summer is upon us which means long hot days, evening walks with fireflies, A/C, swimsuits (ugh!), entertaining the kids, birthday parties, staying up late and sleeping-in, camping, BUGS, friends moving away, and traveling to see family.

It’s also a reminder that my kids are growing up as three of them have completed another school year.

Nathan just graduated from elementary school and will be starting Jackson Creek Jr. High School in the fall. I remember my jr. high years almost as if they were yesterday. I can’t believe my son is already at that stage in his life. He’s turning 13 in September and has all new interests. I find it fun to try and guess what talents and interests that a toddler will still have when he grows up. Nathan’s interests used to include science, science fiction, and more science. But now he’s all sports and music. Much to his dad and I’s dismay, he wants to play 7th grade football. We’re afraid he’s going to get pounded out on the field because he’s of small stature. (Science was safer.) However, because he’s such a great runner, he’s beginning to show some interest in track. He plans to play saxophone in the school jazz band, take accelerated math and learn Spanish. I do believe he’s a “chip off the old block” wouldn’t you say?

Wesley gets taller and older, but he hasn’t changed much. He just completed 3rd grade and had his 10th birthday on June 4. It was another Harry Potter party. (I think this was the 4th Harry Potter party I’ve done.) Wes is still a “goof ball” and keeps me laughing regularly. If I were to pick a career for him, it would have something to do with film, acting, or producing. He spends a huge amount of time daily studying movies, acting out favorite scenes (including every detail), dressing up in costumes, doing character voices, role playing with action figures and puppets, and making movies with his dad. He’s been doing this since he was age two and hasn’t “grown out of it” yet. Wes was invited to participate in a special school for “gifted and talented” children next year. But he said ABSOLUTELY NO WAY! Wes is generally a good kid who enjoys his baby sister, hanging out with Nathan, and tormenting Camilla.

Camilla, now six, equally enjoys tormenting Wes. I spend a significant amount of my days playing referee for them. Other than that activity, Camilla enjoys playing with friends, doing artwork, swimming, playing games on the computer, and LOVES school! Although I’m pretty sure she likes school, I think it was her kindergarten teacher that she really loved. Camilla saw her kindergarten teacher (who was with her husband and new baby) recently at the public pool. Camilla raced off to say hello to her, but never came back. I basically had to PRY her away from them. I hope her 1st grade teacher is loved as much by her. Camilla seems to get along better with her boy schoolmates rather than the girls. I noticed at her recent birthday party that she hung out with the boys (who often hugged her and wrote “I love you” on their birthday cards to her) more than the girls. When I asked her who her good friends were, she named: Tommy, Chandler, and Andrew as her favorites. Am I ready for her to grow up??? NO WAY!

Speaking of friends, three of my kids are all having really good friends move away this summer. It’s very difficult for them.

Heather, as most of you know, suffered a stroke on the left hemisphere of her brain. The neurologist who she sees has done numerous tests to try and discover the cause of the stroke. So far, the answer seems to be that Heather has a mutation that basically doesn’t break down an enzyme. This causes clots in her blood and one went to her brain. It’s possible that she could suffer another stroke as well as experience seizures, but so far no seizures (which is a very good sign), and she’s on a folic acid and multi-vitamin supplement to help with the enzyme problem. Heather really struggles to use the right side of her body (the left side of the brain controls the right side). She has therapy twice a week to help with her posture, to learn to use her right side, and to develop more sensation in her right hand. She hates the therapy. Regardless of all of this, we have great faith and hope that she’ll be able to overcome these challenges that she faces and will continue to face. I believe that we can all develop good character traits through the challenges that we face in life. Heather has a very cheery disposition and good sense of humor. (And cute as a button!)

Tom is still the busiest and most talented (and most handsome) man I know. His “to do” list doesn’t have an end. Tom is still in the Bishopric at church, works a full-time job at Indiana University, gigs, records, does freelance web work, and is trying to do a complete overhaul of our home. Whenever I ask him what he wants for his birthday, Father’s Day, or Christmas, he usually responds with “A day off!” But his “days off” are usually consumed with trying to make progress on his “to do” list. We are planning on making another trip out West this summer. It just might be the weirdest thing for me to see Tom relax and perhaps get some sleep. Regardless of how busy Tom has been lately, he is always good-natured and always makes himself available to the family. I couldn’t have searched the world over and found a better husband and father.

My goal, as always, is to lose weight. It seems that whenever I get myself “in shape”; I get pregnant again and get “out of shape”. So here goes weight loss attempt number four! I’m happy to say that I’ve started running again and am 1/3 of the way to my weight goal. I’ve discovered that I take an awful lot of my stress out on eating. As my family has gotten bigger and I’ve had more and more responsibility and less and less time for myself, I’ve sort of just put myself on the back burner and let my health go on the back burner as well. But this has changed. I’m putting my running, healthy eating, scripture reading back on the front burner for not only my sake, but for the sake of the whole family. Life is SOOOOO much better!!! I’m happier and so is the family. Funny how that is! I’ve also quit my job at the YMCA (although I really loved it), and have quit cutting hair outside the family. I’m doing much better at saying no to things that are not a priority and yes to things that are essential. My relationship with God, my health, and my family come before anything else. Then my church responsibilities (I’m teaching Seminary this Fall), then whatever else I have time for after that. I think it’s a plan that works for me.

Well, I think there has definitely been some growth among all of us over that past few months whether it be in height, age, or wisdom and experience.

I’m so happy for the friendship, support, and words of wisdom that you offer to all of us to help us grow. I’m looking forward to seeing or hearing from you soon. Thanks for keeping in touch.

Much love to all,

Tom, Michelle, Nathan, Wesley, Camilla, and Heather Clark