Contractions...

Kimball and I had a little scare over the weekend. Friday I started feeling contractions. (I am only 30 weeks) Saturday afternoon they hadn't stopped so we dropped the kids off at Mom and Dad Clarks and headed for the hospital. Apparently I was pretty dehydrated which helped to bring on the contractions. I told Kimball that it was ironic-- I am always telling people to drink water, drink water, drink water and then I was the one sitting in the hospital hooked up to an I.V. After 3 liters of fluid they still couldn't stop the contractions. I was given a dose of terbutiline, still they didn't stop. The medication made my heart rate go up too much and they decided to try a different medication. The contractions finally stopped but my heart rate wouldn't come down. After a few hours they decided to release me with instructions to take it easy. It is not bed rest but pretty close. Anyhow I go to the doctor tomorrow and hopefully everything will go well from here out.

Kimball and I joked that it was like a date. We were out alone, we had a babysitter, he bought me dinner (ran to Wendy's), and we had entertainment (the Olympics).

Our fun week with the South Carolina Clarks

First Day of School

Gage and Amberly started school today. Gage is a 1st grader and Amberly is in Kindergarten. They were both so brave. No one cried!! Gage is excited to be back with the friends he made last year. After school Gage told me that his stomach started to hurt because he was nervous, but then he sneezed and everything was better. Amberly can't wait to go back tomorrow. She made a little friend but can't remember her name. It is going to be a great year!!!

Carrigan isn't so sure about the change around here. She was wandering around the house and said, "Mommy, it is so quiet around here. I miss Gage and Amberly." I agree that it is different but I'm looking forward to my time alone with Carrigan until the baby comes.

Little Pioneer Children

For family home evening, Kimball and I thought it would be fun to talk about the experiences that pioneer children had as they came across the plains. We told stories, hunted for buffalo chips (not real of course) sang songs around the campfire, and pulled taffy. We talked about how grateful we are for the pioneers and the great sacrifices they made for religious freedom.

Gage's flips

The other day Gage came up to Tiffin and said, "Check this out Mommy!" Then this is what he did. Maybe we will see him in 2012 Summer Olympics.

Gage's hair got CHOPPED!!!

We did not plan on giving him such an extreme change in looks, but he convinced us he wanted it spikey. At least it will be short and cooler in the summer.

Pictures of the little one

Here is a face shot on the ultrasound from Wednesday. I know this looks a little creepy, but its our daughter. We are not sure on the name yet, so any suggestions are welcome, unless they come from Bryan. We are not naming our daughter Seven or Kaloofa.

Congrats to Gage!!!!!!!!

Gage graduated from Kidnergarten on Thursday. He makes us so proud. He has really grown this year in so many ways. His confidence level has skyrocketed and he has made many new friends. He is sad that he has to spend the summer at home instead of being able to go to school everyday.

This is Gage's good friend Jace.

We love our Mommy!!!

There are a thousand reasons why I love my Baby Doll (Tiffin). I could name them all too, but as Mother's Day came and went I realized that one of my favortite things about her is that she has the qualities of the greatest mother anyone could ask for. Most mothers care and love their children, and make incredible sacrifices for them. Most mothers think of the needs and feelings of their children first and formost. Some mothers even take it to another level. Tiffin is Super Mom. I won't go into detail comparing her to others, as that would just not be fair to anyone else. :) But I want her to know that her husband and her 3.5 children know without a shadow of a doubt where her heart is EVERY second of EVERYDAY. We love her for that and thank her for that.

This is Dalton our newest addition

He is an African Emperor Scorpion.

He is approx. 3 inches and may get up to 8 inches long.

Tiffin is even ok with him in the house!

Dalton can not wait to meet Karin.

3 Muskateers

This was right before Gage went to get his haircut. They have so much fun together.

Easter Games and Mommer and Papa's house

Amberly got called over during Red-Rover. The kids just loved it. Papa works so hard and that yard is so beautiful.

Easter Kids

The kids all got new clothes for Easter.

Carrigan refused to cover her hair with her new hat and Gage might need a haircut, but its too fun for Dad to have a son with such cool hair.

The Clark Kids

Kimball's blog vs Tiffin's blog

Just to clear a few things up on the blogger thing. The Clark IV family has two blogs. I (Kimball) run this one and Tiffin runs the other one. We have the two, because Tiffin's family all have websites on the multiply.com network and the Clarks are here. So when you see us linked to others' sites as just "Kimball" or "Tiffin", that is the reason. Neither one of us feels the desire to run two blogs. So there it is.

My attempt to be like Nathan

Fear Not…

The line of cars is long
On the backups of life.
There are potholes of wrong
And streetlights of strife.

What is this direction I go,
At the speed that I live?
“Look out below!”
Choice flows through a sieve.

“Fly a kite in the rain”
Says the constable kind.
He betrayed you again,
I hope you don’t mind.

Who do you depend on,
For your pain and joy?
Is it Lover or Mom,
Or a small infant boy?

I have not learned much
Living life in the dark.
Can’t see past my crutch
Not even The spark.

But when I close my eyes
And think of the light.
It breaks the dark ties
And gives me the fight.

What’s the opposite of fear?
It’s so hard to spot.
Believe and not see?
Keep it simple; Fear Not.

The clichés I’ll avoid
They don’t capture the feel
I get a little annoyed
When I share what they steal.

Now here comes the thrust
Of this ramble I voiced.
What’s the one thing to trust?
It is your own “Free Choice”

Do not fear the power
This one thing can wield.
Understand and not cower,
Choice is your unbreakable shield.