August 2003

Hello Everyone,

Summer is quickly drawing to a close, although we still feel the heat of the sticky, balmy midwestern air. It can be a blessing and a cursing as we experience all four seasons (to the max) out here. Thank goodness for air-conditioning and swimming pools to get us through the Summer. I admire our pioneer ancestors more and more. I don't know how they did it all without our modern conveniences.

Our Summer hasn't been all about heat, however. We've had some great opportunities and adventures over the past few months while school has been out.

Wesley celebrated his 7th birthday shortly after his kindergarten graduation. He chose a Spiderman theme and invited his friends to a Ëspidery-webbyÓ party in the park. I still get the chills thinking about all of those plastic spiders we gave to the kids in their goody sacs. Yikes! A little too realistic looking for me. Wes had a great time, however.

Two days after Wesley's party, Tom left for a 3 week USO tour to South Korea. This was Tom's 19th (?) country to visit. Some of Tom's highlights with this tour included going to the non-militarized zone between North and South Korea and . . . This October, Tom plans to do a tour of the Caribbean, then possibly the Mediterranean next Spring. (I'm trying to find a way to tag along on one of these.) Besides carrying his saxophone all over the world, Tom lugs his lap top along wherever he goes. He continues to use this handy lap top to do design work for the University. Most of the time he goes in to work, but he really can do his job anywhere. Tom's talent, intellect, and hard work continues to amaze me.

While Tom entertained our troops overseas, the kids and I headed for the west coast to visit family. We covered California, Oregon, and Washington. Again, I'm thankful for modern conveniences---I don't know if my patience level would have lasted very long in a 4-5 day car ride, much less a wagon ride lasting who knows how long. The plane ride was only a few hours and the kids loved every minute of it! They really are good little travelers. We all had a wonderful time getting reacquainted with cousins, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. The only person missing was Tom. Maybe next year . . .

After a month of traveling, Tom, the kids, and I were all reunited. It was great to be a family again.

Since our return home, we've enjoyed having a number of visitors, especially the Rackhams. Having them come to visit was kind-of like the cherry on top! With the exception of Trina's family, we were able to cover all siblings on both sides of the family this Summer. What a treat!

We are now settling into a routine again. Nathan is back to his Legos, PlayStation 2, Scouting, and playing with friends. He will be entering the 4th grade this Fall and turning 10 in September. Nathan totally caught me by surprise this morning. At about 7:30 AM, I went to the living room as I noticed the light was on. When I peeked around the corner, I saw that Nathan was reading his scriptures. Sometimes I wonder where this boy came from. He's just such a good kid!

Camilla is 3 and is full of spunk! Her favorite thing in the whole world is music time in nursery. She loves to dance and sing and laugh and make animal noises, etc. We obviously have a wonderful nursery music leader in our ward. Camilla also enjoys playing with any girl who is older than her. This works out well as most older girls enjoy playing with her as well--especially her babysitter. Often when Camilla sees her sitter (at church or out and about), Camilla tells me to go away so she can play with Ëher friendsÓ. Goodness, this isn't suppose to happen until they're teenagers, right?

And me? Well, most people who know me know that I'm the eternal dieter. It seems like my entire life has been spent trying out one diet or another. In fact, when most people ask me how I am, I feel like my answer can be paralleled with how much I'm weighing that day. So, today I'm doing a little better than so-so as I'm slightly more than half way to my weight goal. By January, if all goes well, I should be fantastic as I should be at my weight goal by then. Now, putting weight aside, I'm doing very well. Life seems a little weird, though, as we're heading toward the Ëgoing back to schoolÓ transition. The boys seem restless and could do with a little more structure to their day, but I like having them around. I guess it's just a Ëmom thingÓ.

Well that about wraps it up. I hope you're all doing well and that you don't hesitate to call if you're ever coming this way. We'd love to see you!!! May you continue to be blessed in all of your righteous endeavors.

We love you, Tom, Michelle, Nathan, Wesley, and Camilla

March 2003

Dear family and friends,

It is Spring and time to update our letter and family web site.

I hope you are all enjoying the renewal of life at this time: blossoms, buds, bird's eggs, etc. It really brings a feeling of renewal and hope after the long, cold, dead of winter.

With warmer weather, we have all enjoyed recent trips to the park, kite flying, picnics, playing in the mud and sand and bike riding as opposed to snowball fights and hiding inside from the below freezing temperatures. The kids have had the week off of school for the annual 'Spring Break'. I think we are ALL worn out from the sleep-overs and playing.

Speaking of playing, Tom just got back from "playing" in Cuba. Many of you may have already read his Travel Logs from this trip. Tom has traveled so

much of this world. Each tour has had it's own interesting and unique experiences. However, Cuba brought its own surprises with Tom entering Camp America where the US Troops guard the Taliban members. Tom also got to do a lot of real playing (not just with his saxophone) but fishing, playing paint ball with the military officers, going for boat rides among the dolphins, etc. I always enjoy looking at his pictures and hearing of his experiences. I hope to someday join him on one of his adventures.

Nathan just finished up his basketball season. He's a little guy, but has lots of spunk. He would now like to try Ice Hockey, soccer again, and of course swimming. He spent quite a bit of his Spring Break playing the NBA Final Four Play Station game. I guess it's his way of pretending that he's Kobe Bryant.

Wesley has many admirers all of a sudden. He occasionally comes home from school saying "I don't know who I should marry: Olivia, Summer, or Madi. They all want to marry me." He's got a little fan club at church, too. I hear on a regular basis of adults who have LONG one-sided conversations with Wesley about Star Wars, Spiderman, or Harry Potter. They're impressed with how well he retains EVERY DETAIL of each movie, book or game that he tells about. Wesley impressed ME last week by actually singing a solo for our Primary Talent Show! He did great!

Camilla has just recently discovered mud puddles. I wish that I had my camera the other day when she covered herself in mud at the park. I now have to call her a mud magnet. She enjoys other things, too, such as the computer, play-doh, drawing, and riding her bike with training wheels.

I have recently had a change in my ward calling. I was released as Primary President last Sunday and will be sustained this Sunday at Stake Conference as the Stake Primary Secretary. (Ugh!) I've already been acting as the Stake Primary Secretary over the last several weeks (doing double duty). Goodness, it's A LOT of work! I find myself constantly on the phone or at the computer. I just put packets for every unit in our stake together for the Stake Primary Girls Day Camp. I'm tired already and I'm not officially the secretary yet. There's lots of meetings and traveling... Etc. I don't know. I'm wondering if I can have my other job back. Besides that, I try to get some exercise and house work in. Most of my joy comes in playing with my kids and talking to Tom at the end of the day.

I'm so thankful for all of you and enjoy getting your emails, letters, and occasional phone calls. I pray for all of you that you'll continue to find peace, comfort, and solace in the Lord's blessings, especially during this crazy war time.

We love you,

Tom, Michelle, Nathan, Wesley, and Camilla

December 2002

Well a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!!

The year 2002 is coming to a close and what an eventful year it has been for all of us in the Clark household. I'd like to share a brief update with you.

Tom, who doesn't really care for change, was pretty much forced to look around for other job opportunities recently. Although this news wasn't very welcomed right before Christmas, it has actually turned out for the better. Starting January 6, Tom will begin working for Indiana University as a Systems Analyst/Programmer (Graphics Designer/Web Developer) within the University Information Technology Services. Everything about this job appears to be better than where Tom was before, so we're thrilled for him. Other than that big change, Tom continues his routine of teaching saxophone lessons during the week and performing on weekends. He recently returned from a 2 1/2 week USO tour to South America with a Show Band. He plans to go back some time in 2003.

I think I can summarize this entire year for me into one word: LEARNING. I can easily compare all of my learning experiences to being at the MTC. 2002 has been really intense, but really wonderful at the same time. I'm so grateful for the power of prayer, for scriptures, for great friends and family, and most of all, for the gifts that the Spirit brings. I've learned so much from listening to the promptings of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father. My testimony continues to grow daily. I'm grateful for my calling in Primary, for my three kids, my husband, for opportunities to use my talents, and constant encouragement from those around me to keep reaching for my goals.

Nathan is 9 years old now and is such a nice kid. I think my favorite thing about him is his raspy voice and his freckles. He recently did a school project based on the book, Freckle Juice by Judy Blume. It was well received by his classmates. Nathan tries very hard at everything he does. His motto is to "Do my personal best". He hasn't quite found his niche yet, but he spends most of his time playing basketball, playing Chess, Cub Scouts, playing the piano, Legos, and playing with friends.

Several people have come up to me recently telling me that they "just love Wesley". I think it's because he is so unique. He can not be described or stereotyped-he's just Wesley! He can be frustrating for me sometimes because I can't seem to figure him out. But over the past 6 years, we've developed a nice relationship regardless of how well we understand one another. Wesley, like Nathan, really enjoys Chess, Checkers, and Legos. But Wesley is still in his Good Guy vs. Bad Guy mode and loves Star Wars and any other movie/story where Good vs. Evil is well portrayed.

Camilla is 2 1/2 and FULL of spunk! For the first time EVER (it seems like), I'm allowed to go down the "pink" aisle of the toy store. Camilla is fully into dolls, playing house and dress-up. However, I saw her rocking Darth Vader to sleep the other day, and putting the Storm Trooper on a "horsie". Hmmmmm . . . I love seeing her feminine side, yet observing how she 'deals with' her two older brothers.

Well, I think that covers everyone. We don't have any pets this year to report on so I think I'll just end with another round of We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Please keep in touch. We love you,

Tom, Michelle, Nathan, Wesley, and Camilla

March 2002

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!

I hope you enjoy receiving updates from us as much as we enjoy hearing from you. We're even sending pictures in an attachment this time. Yipeee!

Well Spring is definitely in the air in Bloomington and it's all around us. I forget how glorious Spring is until the flowers start to bloom again. Sometimes the beauty is almost overwhelming. It's a reminder to me of the joyous resurrection of our Savior and his promises to us.

Well Nathan, Wesley and Camilla are definitely ready for Easter and to start spending more time outside with the Spring like weather. (So am I.)

So here's what's new with all of us:

Camilla is almost a terrific two. She has sort-of learned how to whistle and her vocabulary continues to increase. She loves Nursery now and enjoys playing with all of her toys as well as Nathan's toys and Wesley's toys (much to their dismay). She enjoys mimicking mommy, singing, giggling and is attached to her blanket. She still looks like Boo from Monsters, Inc.

Nathan is 8 1/2. He loves cub scouts, basketball, soccer, legos, reading, the computer, and playing with friends. He does very well in school-especially spelling. His art skills have increased dramatically, but he struggles in math. He's an all-around great kid and tries hard to always do his best and to always choose the right.

Wesley will be six in June. His 6th birthday will be spent in Disneyworld. He will be starting kindergarten this Fall. He is learning how to read, how to tie his shoes, and will hopefully learn how to swim this Summer. Wesley is always difficult to describe because he is so unpredictable. He loves to quote movie lines at odd moments and go into character or play dead when he's been listening to someone too long. His preschool teachers can't figure him out-but neither can I.

Tom's daily routine doesn't change much, which is good I guess, since he doesn't like change. He continues developing web sites for the local newspaper full time and gigs and teaches in his Àspare time”. Tom is still the Wolf Den Leader and picks up any of my slack from Primary. Tom is awesome at helping me at home with housework, dinner, etc. I am so lucky!!!

I love change so I have all kinds of new plans this Fall. First, I'm going back to school to get a Bachelor in Nursing Degree. I would then like to continue on and do a master's in counseling. Why not? As long as school doesn't interfere with me spending quality time with my kids I think it's a great plan! I would still like to run a marathon in October. And I'm still the Primary President, but that may come to a halt this May when our ward gets divided. I think that's a good place to stop.

I hope you all are doing well. Please keep in touch and have a terrific Easter!!!!

Much Love, Tom, Michelle, Nathan, Wesley, and Camilla