I always feel overwhelmed when I think about a blog or journal because I have so much to catch up on that it feels completely impossible to achieve. So, I am hereby going to relieve myself of that burden and try with all my might to allow myself to be in the moment and not worry about the things I have not recorded about our past. If a great memory comes to mind or I feel inspired to share something that I haven't about the last few years then I will do so. However, I think it is time to move on and go forward with a clean slate.
That being said, I do want to start with our family newsletter from 2014 to quickly review the last year, then I will be moving on to the new year:). Ha, see, I'm already having a hard time leaving the past behind! I guess I feel regret at not sharing it more with others. I will also admit that I haven't even written a family letter for the past year yet, so this will now be the time and place to do it!! I will add photos as soon as I figure out how!
2014 WAS A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR OUR FAMILY
We were able to party hard this year with a few vacations and even ending the year with some family visiting us for Christmas! We didn't have a baby or even get pregnant this year, making it 4 years since we have done so and I has been both weird and liberating! There have been no dirty diapers or baby bottles around here for a long time (although we have wanted them). Thus life has moved on to a new stage we are both enjoying and dreading!
Nathan continues to "dominate" at work. That word has brought on new life and meaning as he has literally inspired dozens of missionaries with his "domination nation" motto and acquisition of one of the most amazing and jaw-dropping gyms that any fitness fanatic would be jealous of. He uses every single big weight and machine he owns and all you have to do it look at his chest and arms to see it! Nate now weighs over 100 lbs more than me- continuing to widen the gap that in the past has only been about 50-75 lbs more! He is a wonderful and intelligent doctor, saving the feet and lives of many locals and even has patients travelling to see him from farther more urban settings! He is thriving as the ward mission leader and also teaching the Youth Sunday School class. He continues to bring laughter and inspiration to our family and friends frequently.
Nichole has found new freedom this year as the kids aren't as needy and most are in school. Two days a week she even gets a few hours to herself as Grace is in preschool and it has been heavenly! I have been using the internet and its boundless information to stretch my craftiness and talents. This year I have been spending a lot of time on my sewing machine and have made: Easter skirts, a graduation dress for Kaylie, some vests for K for a school performance, 8 basket liners for my piano room, blankets for 5 people in the family, stockings for the whole family and a few other lucky recipients, and over 50 bags to wrap Christmas presents in! On top of that I have become fairly good at making girl hair bows and bow boards. My girls have more bows than most and lose them at a fairly quickly rate which decreases my desire to make more! I still love serving as YW president.
Kaylie has grown up a lot and continues to be a mature and wonderful example to her siblings. She played softball, soccer, and now basketball and is a very natural and talented athlete. She graduated the 5th grade with straight A's and several recognitions and is now adjusting to life as a middle school student. She has also been learning new talents like playing the piano, guitar, saxophone, and singing. Beyond her athletic and musical abilities she still excels in the kitchen and has become a master of making smoothies, brownies (her lemon ones are amazing), cookies, dinners, you name it! She can't wait until September when she turns 12 and enters young women's but we are in no hurry for her to grow up!
Carter is such a fun and tenderhearted boy to have in our home. He is all boy, which is quite nice since he is surrounded by so many girls! He is now in 4th grade and a really good student. He is really good at whatever he puts his mind too, but if he doesn't want to do it, there can be problems! He, like his older sister, is a very good athlete and really helped his teams this year. He played baseball (mostly pitcher and first base), and soccer he was usually a midfielder and had one of most beautiful goals I have ever seen in real life when he kicked it from nearly mid field and it flew over the goalies head into the corner of the net! He is now learning basketball and has been doing really well at it too. He LOVES penguins and has added a whole new family to his collection this Christmas and I don't know if I've ever seen a happier boy! He is also really good at puzzles!
Lily is growing up quickly and loves to read and show that she knows how to read words almost everywhere we go. She loves her first grade class and her teacher and has no problem making friends and getting along with people. She is a very creative and fun girl to have around. She has a natural talent for art and loves to color, write, and create. She also loves to sing and write her own songs- she can be caught nearly hourly singing about whatever she is doing or thinking (it is quite adorable if you ask me; annoying if you ask some of her siblings). Lily is really looking forward to this summer when she will be getting baptized and looks forward to seeing as many family members there that she can get!
Abigail has been doing really well in kindergarten and loves being a big girl and getting to go to school full-time with her siblings and ride the bus! She also loves to sing and is by far our most girly-girl in the family. She loves to steal and apply makeup and to do her hair- she is going to be doing my hair soon and practices all the time. She loves watching mommy get ready and learning all the tips to being a woman that she can. She is learning to read and seems to enjoy "reading" to her little sister. She has several friends and likes to play dress up. She loved playing with her cousins this summer and Christmas.
Grace is the life of the party or the ruin of it depending on her mood at the moment. She knows that she is the baby of the family and milks it for all it is worth. She is a spunky, fun, and a really adorable little person. Her smile can melt hearts instantly and she is also very independent. She loves going to preschool and playing with her friends. She was getting addicted to tv and Netflix and thinking that she could watch whatever she wanted whenever she wanted, so we had to stop that quickly! Now she loves doing puzzles, playing with her baby unicorns, and using her imagination.
We had a wonderful trip around the country this summer that was absolutely fun and memorable. We drove over 5000 miles to Chicago, Layton, San Diego, Phoenix, then home. We had a great time visiting family and friends, going to the bead farm, playing with cousins, hugging grandparents, going to Sea World, Big Surf, the lake, Grandpa Cooks amusement park backyard, and being with those we love most. We also recently went to Hersheys Park in Pennsylvania and we were all able to create our own chocolate bar and ride rides, which was very fun. Nate and I ended the year off with a weekend getaway to Florida (he had CE) and went to Universal Studios together. It has been a fun-filled and exciting year and we are not so sure we will ever be able to top it! We give thanks for the Savior the most this season and KNOW that He is the reason for not only the season but for the whole year! We would be nothing without His Atonement!
Merry Christmas,
The Clark Family
No comments:
Post a Comment