Wicked

My parents arrived in California this week to spend some time with Todd and family before heading to Utah for Conference. Debbie suggested they see Wicked since it's playing at the Pantages. The girl knows every word and has been dying to see it. Her husband Brandon had to go to Germany for a last minute work trip, and so she decided to bring Ellie down to visit from Seattle, since it is snowing there and it's 90 degrees here. That way we could all go to Utah to meet up with my parents on Monday as planned. Except that Debbie and I sort of invited ourselves to California to crash Todd's party and see Wicked with them. We drove all day Saturday (and listened to the soundtrack the entire drive) and met up in LA in time for the show. Alan was on kid duty (our boys and Debbie's girl) and is the hero who made it all possible. We drove back this morning and are now furiously packing to meet up with my mom and dad in Park City tomorrow. Can't wait to see you Mom and Dad!

Easter Morning

Major bed-head and two happy boys.
Happy Easter.

Easter Hike/Hunt

Nana and Papa planned an Easter Hike/Hunt at South Mountain. We all met there this morning and had fun on a short hike up to the egg hunt. Alex was a champ- not a word of complaint, nor did he ask to be carried. Will, on the other hand...not such a fan of hiking just yet. But he was a fan of the donuts- he ate 5.

I find myself becoming more like my own parents every day. I remember going on family hikes various times during my childhood- and I remember thinking to myself, " This is NOT fun. Why does my dad make us do this??" There may have been a time or two that I even said that out loud and maybe some whining and complaining were involved. Today I kept having thoughts that I'm sure my own parents had as they dragged all six of us around on different family adventures. I kept thinking how good it was for my son to be out in the wilderness (okay, so maybe there were some fancy condos that we passed on the hike, but at least we were outside!) and using his little body to climb a really big hill- I wanted him to know that he could do it and we could make it fun. We held hands the whole way and talked all about how it felt to have our heart race from pushing our body to do what we needed it to and how good it felt to be outside in the sun looking at the cactus and rocks and hills and at the top of the hike- we saw the entire city of Phoenix spread out before our eyes. Alex loved it and was such a great sport- I'm so proud of him.

Spring Break Day #5

Searching for eggs at our church Easter-egg hunt.

After the party, we came across the Easter bunny who just happened to be spending some time in our local Super-Walmart. How lucky for us! Will wasn't totally sure about sitting on his lap, but did manage to whisper to him, "I be good and you bring me The Bee movie?"

(Sister, I took this picture just for you.)
We finished Spring Break by meeting Alan for burgers, then heading to our local soccer fields where the adults of the East Valley were making it happen on the field. Boys loved it.

Spring Break Day #4

Something I wonder about: Why is my 2-year old the same size as my 4-year old?

The Arizona Science Center was packed. But so fun.
The minute we got home Alex was off to see "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who" with Nana and cousins. I sense a theme emerging from our spring break.

Spring Break Day #3

Swimming with cousins in cousins pool heated to 90 degrees.
Any maybe we are a little bit sunburned.

Spring Break Day #1

The Phoenix Zoo with Nana, Papa and cousins.

Jen's Visit

I had a great weekend with one of my very best friends, Jen. We met when I was living in Dallas and we were both new moms. Jen really showed me around Dallas... we had many fun adventures and also spent countless afternoons in the backyard with our babies. In many ways we taught each other how to be better mothers. I am constantly inspired by her, and had such a fun weekend with her all to myself since she left her family home. Her visit was NOT long enough- Come again soon, Jen. You know how much I miss you.

Our Sunday Afternoon....

...consisted of rolling down the grassy hill over and over and over...

...and trying desperately to fly one of these. It was so windy we broke both of our kites. But we had fun doing it.

100th Day and Star of the Week

Alex had his 100th day of school and was Star of the Week all in a one week span a while ago. I always get a kick out of school projects that are so obviously done by the parents but are passed-off as being the child's work. This poster is obviously Alex's production- the cutting and pasting, the choices of his favorites, the placement of everything, he even wanted to type everything up (which was accomplished with some parental help, I admit.) I'm very proud of this boy.

Quite the Predicament

He spent a considerable amount of time getting himself into this situation. What's your plan now, Will?

Lately...

* We've been working on our manners around here. I am sick of being bossed around by my 2 and 4-year old. About a week ago I started refusing to do anything that I was asked to do if they didn't use their pleases and thank-you's. It's working!! You should hear the sticky sweetness in Alex's voice lately- love it.
* So maybe we were robbed. A couple of weeks ago Alan had some late-night visitors to the office. They took 13 grand worth of stuff. We were able to watch the entire thing since Alan has surveillance cameras throughout the office. IT SUCKED. But Alan is discouraged by nothing. How does he do it? He was mad for literally 5 minutes. Then he was figuring out how to pull it all together before his huge open house next week. The good news: they didn't touch his computers or his server. What a huge relief that was. Also? He's getting ready to open Curtis Orthodontics Location #2. I'm tired when I think about his life.
* Am I bad mother if my my 4-year old knows every single word to Fergie's "Big girls don't cry?" We had a great duet in the car yesterday, Alex and I.
* Yesterday Alex made an announcement: "Mom, I will not be living with you forever. When I grow-up I am going to be a cowboy. And my job will be to put all of the animals in their pens everyday." I will miss you more than you know, Alex.
* I stabbed myself with a steak knife. Fourteen stitches and a week and a half later, I'm pretty sure I have gangrene. Can you get that from a stab-wound? Did you know that being a mom is a hands-on job?? I am useless without my hands.
* While driving in the car, I was chatting with Alex and called him baby. Will was furious. "He is NOT a baby, I'm da baby Mommy!" Good to know that everyone knows their role in our family.
* We got into an elevator today. A man and his daughter stepped in behind us. The door shut. Will looked up at the man and said, "My mommy is so beautiful." Thank you baby, but can you say awkward??

Obsessed.

www.freshandeasy.com

This I know.

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior." II Samuel 22: 2-3

It's a good life.

Friday night movie with the Curtis'.
The feature: Annie
The treat: Chick-fil-a milkshakes
The true entertainment: Listening to Will belt out "Tomorrow." It's quite amazing.

So much fun

Cari, January, Amelia, me, Marlies, Shannon

Last weekend was our first-ever reunion with my girls from our time UCLA. Since Shannon will be giving birth in a month, we headed to Seattle for our girl's weekend. It was rainy and cold and I loved every second of it. We hit the spa, shopped, baked, laughed, ate, slept and just got caught up after not seeing each other for years. The greatest part: it was like no time had passed at all. Love you girls.

Alex's Unity Program

Alex's Pre-K class had a "Unity Amidst Diversity" program tonight, where all 40 Pre-K kids sang and danced and performed for much longer than little brother Will could handle (I keep wondering when Will will learn what it means to whisper. Shouldn't he know by now?) The program also honored Martin Luther King Jr. They played a very short clip from the "I Have a Dream" speech and sang a song called "A Man Named King." I must admit I shed some tears watching those innocent little children belt out such a powerful story through song.
A Man Named King
Once there was a man named King, Alleluia;
They called him Martin Luther King, Alleluia
King was wise and he was good, Alleluia
He believed in brotherhood, Alleluia
He had a dream for you and me, Alleluia
He knew that all men must be free Alleluia
The freedom road is weary and long Alleluia
But Martin sang a freedom son, Alleluia
We must keep the dream alive, Alleluia
Freedom's song can never die, Alleluia
Once there was a man named King Alleluia
They called him Martin Luther King, Alleluia

Playing Catch-up

I've been in withdrawal since we returned from our Christmas vacation. Seriously- it's been a really hard adjustment. Usually I'm happy to return to the routine, but not after this trip. It was just that fun. But- life goes on and since I'm headed out of town again tomorrow (Girl's Weekend in Seattle! Wo-hoo), it's time to get caught up.
A glimpse at our travels:

The Wedding
This is the only picture we have to document our time in Park City before heading to Costa Rica. We were so busy having fun we didn't remember to take any pictures. The boys spent a few days with the babysitters while I spent a few days with grown-ups. It was amazing. Alan made it to Utah in time to be my date at the wedding.

Christmas morning in Costa Rica- a happy reunion with cousin Elle-Belle

Alex adjusting to vacation mode!

There was lots of game-playing.

Will making friends with a monkey.
Ready to do the zip-line.So maybe I let my 2-year old do the zip-line by himself...he loved it, for the most part (yes, he's covering his eyes).
The only picture of our riverboat adventure. We had monkeys crawling onto our boat, saw tons of crocodiles, pink flamingos, iguanas.... it was amazing.

It wouldn't be a Clarke vacation without some of this.
When we weren't at the beach we were in the pool.
Surfing Lessons: Believe it or not, we all surfed. I never thought I would be able to say I went surfing! It was a blast (by the way, Brando, we owe you for watching our kids-Thank You).
After Costa Rica we went back to Guatemala City with my parents to spend a few days. The highlight: climbing the Mayan Ruins of Tikal.

And now we are home.

It Is Finished...Almost

After more than a year of planning and agonizing..... It is finished.

Reception DeskWaiting room with Wii, PS3, and HDTV. Waiting room has 20' ceilings.

Fingerprint scanning check-in station & brushing station

New patient & Consultation room

Open bay, 4 plumbed ops and one "quick check chair"

Storage next to quick check chair

instrument/supply counter with lab sterile pass through

LABThank you Christie for putting up with me and my late nights planning!

I LOVE YOU!!!!

The Barn is finished...... time to work on the farmshouse!