Brenden is 13!

Brenden's list for his birthday was very unique this year. He wanted everything that is "Cookies and Cream"
Cake, chocolate bars, poptarts, etc.
I was able to find an ice cream cookies and cream pie, so that was his cake. He seemed to love it.

Then for presents he got cookies and cream poptarts, cookies and cream Hershey's kisses, cookies and cream giant Hershey's bars, and I even found a box of cookies and cream pudding.

He also wanted fishing gear and he loves Hawkeye stuff. Here are pictures from the celebration!

The giant Hawkeye blanket that will cover his bed!

He looks great in white pants!

Ok, so there's definitely a story behind that title.

Caleb tried out for Drum Major at the end of the school year. Before trying out he had to fill out a paper indicating why he should be picked for Drum Major.

One of his reasons he put down was: I look great in white pants!


I laughed really hard when I read that. Here are pictures from the first football game:

wreck

Today while leaving the North Dodge Athletic Club, life was good! No life was great!

Then smack

While backing out, someone else was backing out also and we hit each other in the middle of the parking lot.

Both of our bumpers are damaged. I pulled forward after the accident and got out and we both inspected our cars.

We both agreed that we hit each other. She said she didn't see me. I said I didn't see her.

I called Jason, he said to call the insurance guy so I did.

Our insurance guy said that since we both backed into each other that it's a "No Fault Accident and we would both end up paying 50/50 to get each other's cars fixed."

So we both exchanged names and numbers and talked a little bit. She (the other driver) was calm. I was calm.

Her bumper clearly has more damage by first look than mine does. My bumper has paint missing and shows it's been hit. Her bumper is broken in a spot and has been pushed forward.

Both of us agreed we'd get estimates and then talk about the 50 50 payment in a couple days, or however that works.


THEN her mother (who was the passenger) jumps in the conversation. She says, "You (meaning me) clearly hit us cause we have more damage. We were out further and you hit us, so you should pay more." and she was all heated in a little fit.

I told her that we would contact our insurance company again and talk about things after we each get estimates.

The lady that hit me told her Mother to go sit down and let us talk about it.

So who knows how this will work out, for now I'm shaken up and upset that I didn't see her and that she didn't see me. At least none of us is hurt.

I just hope her Mother doesn't get her all upset and I hope this doesn't get ugly.

I hate confrontation and try to avoid it.

Being a parent

Most parents of teenagers like to complain a lot. I am no different. Teens are exasperating know-it-alls who oftentimes don't think of anyone but themselves. On the other hand, they can be incredibly funny, thoughtful, and a true joy to be around. I often wonder how much of what I have been trying to teach them is actually getting through and taking root. There isn't much in my life that is more satisfying than seeing or more likely, hearing, about my children making good choices. I will have counted my life a success if my children serve missions, get married in the temple, and stay true to the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout their lives. Nothing else I have done or will do in the future matters as much.

17 Already!

I have to say that today I feel older than usual. I am in shock that my oldest child is already 17. Where did the time go?

Happy Birthday Caleb

Here are some memories Dad and I have of you for each year!

Birth: I couldn't wait to hold you. The hospital took you away because you had amniotic fluid in your lungs and were breathing badly.

1st year: We lived in Rexburg, Idaho and you had just learned to talk and walk. Your first word was "No" and your second was "IGHTS" for Lights. You were fascinated by electricity.

2nd year: We lived in Pocatello, Idaho and you shared your room with Daniel since he was just born. You loved seeing the sprinklers come on outside our apartment and would run to the window to watch them pop up.

3rd year: You were a super helpful child and loved to stand on chairs to get what you wanted from the counter. I was finally able to potty train you and we would frequently get written up from management of the apartment for you getting caught peeing outside.

4th year: You started a pre-school and loved it. Still fascinated by sprinklers, we now would get written up all the time for you getting into the Sprinker control box at the apartment complex. You had learned how to turn them off and on and switch their water schedules. I was sure we'd be kicked out of Kirkwood Meadows.

5th year: You started Kindergarten in Pocatello and I cried.

6th year: 1st Grade and a super helpful big brother to your 4 younger siblings, your sister was just born this year and you adored her and took care of her so I could take short naps.

7th year: You loved the piano. We would sit together and you would request songs for me to play for you. This year we moved to Iowa. You started 2nd grade.

8th year: You were baptized by your Father.

9th year: 4th Grade at Lucas Elementary. You were adored by all your teachers.

10th year: You were in 5th grade and very mature for your age. You came with me to many of my Saturday afternoon Pampered Chef parties. Everyone thought you were great. When I would leave the room you would sell products and people were fascinated that you knew so much about Pampered Chef. You started playing percussion this year and seemed to love it.

11th year: 6th grade and last year at Lucas Elementary. You made some great friends this year. You helped Dad rebuild the deck to the house. You were a monkey and broke your arm. You sang your first solo this year.

12th year: First year in Middle school at South East Junior High. You were on the swim team and you also got into your first fight. We caught you holding a girl in your arms at Mercer Park - we were not impressed. You were also ordained a deacon and got braces.

13th year: We moved across town to a new house and a new school. You were not impressed and threatened to wear your Southeast Jr. High shirt to Northwest Jr. High picture days. Busted teeth and a broken arm. If only you had not been watching those stupid spinklers while riding your bike. Girls became even more interesting and you went to your first dance (without my knowledge).

14th year: High School. Early morning seminary. Got a job. Grew about 2 feet. We are not sure what else you did that year.

15th year: You found show choir. You made the prep show choir and realized you had found something for which you had a real talent. You also were able to go to Philmont and payed for it yourself.

16th year: More girls and more singing. All-State Choir for the first year. You made the Good Time Company this year and landed a big solo. One good thing led to another and you tried out for and made Celebration Iowa. One of only 20 students in the entire state to make it. You spent 2 months singing and dancing your way across Iowa. Your parents were very proud. Oh, and by the way, you became the new Drum Major (didn't tell us this one, either).

17th year: I guess we will see.

And the Winner is . . . . . . . . . . . .

We all woke up at 5:45a.m. to go to Swisher, IA. Here we are just after picking up our packets. This race was a 5K and 400 meter kids fun run.

Jason, Michelle, Stephanie (Michelle's friend) Alyssa, Brenden and Scott. Jared is with us (yet not pictured) because he is our photographer. Daniel had to work at the local grocery store so he couldn't be here with us.

Putting our packets in the van and getting the numbers on our bellies

Scott being silly right before the race.

Jason running fast to complete the race. When you double click on the picture of him running through the finish you can see his awesome time of 26:29 That is fabulous for a 3.1 mile race. This means he ran a 8:30 minute mile.

Then there's me, completely worn out and not doing well. I had a huge cramp in my side for most of mile 2, walked a bunch and just didn't feel good. My final time--31:45 this is just over a 10 minute mile.

Here are the children before the race.

Scott won a t-shirt and he was super excited about that.






After the race, here are Scott and Alyssa with their finishing ribbons.

Brenden ran super fast and was the winner. He won a bike helmet and received a huge medal that he wore around his neck all day.

Brenden's time was 1 minute 18 seconds for his 400 meters.

We loved doing this race so much that most of us have signed up for another race called the Muddy Monster race on October 23rd, a week before Halloween.
There is a 15K, 5K, 1 Monster Mile for kid's race and a Mini Monster 400 meter race. So far everyone except for Caleb is signed up. I'm hoping to talk him into it as well! Since it's a Halloween race, it is suggested that we dress up in costume. Alyssa said that we should all wear similar costumes that are all food and be the McClarkies! Too funny. There is even candy for the post face food for the children.

I'm an Aunt again!

My sister had her first baby at 10:32 a.m. Eastern time today

His name is Ethan James Francis




and here are a couple pictures:



He is 18 1/2 inches long and 6 pounds 10 ounces.

He was born 3 weeks early.






Congratulations Jan and Warren!

After 18 years, you'd think...

There are many low level, on-going battles in every marriage - putting the toilet seat down (that's not one of ours), too much time watching sports (again, not one of ours), and changing the toilet paper when it is out (this one is one of ours). Michelle claims that I never do it. That's a load of elephant pooh. Case in point. I went into the bathroom yesterday to grab some toilet paper to blow my nose and noticed that what little was left on the roll had obviously been re-wound. I used what was left on the roll and being the nice husband that I am, reached up and grabbed a new roll to replace the one I used up only to find that it wasn't quite as new as I thought. Michelle had purposefully rewound the roll I finished and used a new one so she wouldn't have to replace the roll. When I confronted her with the evidence, she sheepishly admitted that I was right (let's hear that again, I WAS RIGHT) but then tried to defend her dastardly deed by saying that I never change the roll. This ongoing battle will slowly simmer for years to come. The good thing is that it is always fought with an underlying vein of humor. I love her even though she doesn't know how to change the toilet paper roll.