2013 Year in Review for Michelle

There are many many things that I have done this year.  I have attended many choir and  band concerts for my children and a couple plays.  I have ran in a lot of races, but not nearly as many as in past years.  Probably about 1/4th  as much.  I have continued to teach Body Sculpt at two different places, but dropped Zumba for a while so my ankle could properly heal.  I just started teaching Zumba again in December.

 There has been a lot of training to get ready for the triathlons that I was in so I spent many early mornings swimming, biking and running to get ready for the big races.  I only had time early in the morning since I'm a very busy Mom of 6 children (5 of which were home most of the year).

I have lost some friends this year that at first really hurt, but then I realized they weren't friends to begin with especially if they weren't willing to talk it all out and work it all out.  Apparently I'm the only one that really cared about trying to save the relationships.

I made some new friends this year, and strengthened some other friend's relationships.  But most of all I have become closer to my family this year.  We have had several day trips and spent more time together than in past years.  I realized this year more than ever that Family is Forever.   In my church we believe that Family can be sealed together for not only Time but Eternity as well.  This many seem like it is not possible, but it is.  I truly believe it with all my heart.   See link HERE or  HERE  if you want to know how you can be with your family forever.  Family should mean more to you than anyone else and you should spend more time with them than anyone else.  If anyone tells you differently or is upset with you because you don't spend time with them, then they just don't get it.

I have had many trials this year (financial, emotional, work, home, immediate family and extended family) and have had a bunch of things happen to me that have been really hard in life in general.  I have learned to push through and make every day a new day.  Also to be happy no matter what life gives you.  I could list a long list of hard things and challenges that have really brought me down, but I choose to focus on the good things.  So because of that, I have made a short recap of my year.  I know I have forgotten some things, but this is a pretty good list.


January:

The North Dodge Indoor Triathlon was a big part of our lives.  See link HERE.  Both Brenden and I competed in this.  Tons of fun.  Jason directed the race and spent many hours working on this race to make it awesome for all that participated.  I volunteered for many parts of it and was in charge of getting all the volunteers for it, that seemed like a really big job and took tons of time.

Caleb was only out on his mission for 3 months and I still missed him like crazy.  Having him gone was really hard on my emotions.

I was hired as a temp at Hills bank in the mail room part time.  I really liked that job, but needed full time.

Body Moves Fitness and Wellness center split off of Curves and  moved down the street from Curves.  I chose Body Moves to be an instructor at instead of Curves.  See link HERE.

February:  Our van turned a cool # on the odometer:  123456.  Let's hope we can double that number before it dies.

I ran/walked a 5K and felt a little closer to healing my ankle.  The link is HERE.  None of the people in the pictures are friends with me anymore as of August.  That was mentioned above.   I am so much happier now and as a result have realized what friendships really mean.  I have tried to strengthen the friendships I do have, make some new friends and have become a lot closer to my children and husband this year.

Our dog Abby turned 2.  See link HERE.


March:   Finally ran an entire 5K since my horrible ankle injury.  See link HERE.
Celebrated Daniel's 18th Birthday.

April:
Got to see Daniel in a Rugby game.  See link HERE.
Participated in a wedding party.
Got my bike tuned up and then started riding my bike to North Liberty and back in the early mornings.
Celebrated Scott's 11th birthday.

May:

Went to visit my parents in Ohio for 3 days.  I ran a Quarter Marathon for my first time since my ankle injury.  It went well.  Here is that LINK

My 2nd oldest son, Daniel graduated from high school.

June:

Went with two of my girls from my Body Sculpt class to swim in the lake and try out our wet suits.  See link HERE.
Had a graduation party for Daniel.  See link HERE.
Did a sleep study at the University.  See link HERE.
Was hired on full time at Hills Bank as a Receptionist.
Celebrated Jared's 17th birthday.
Went to see Lindsey and her family in Kansas City.

July:
Had a wonderful 4th of July with my family.
Completed my very first Duathlon.  See link HERE.
Celebrated my 21st wedding anniversary with Jason!
Celebrated Alyssa's 14th birthday.
Was in a 3 month driving study.

August:
Completed a Triathlon with my husband and my friend Ashley from my Body Sculpt class. See link HERE.
Celebrated Caleb's 20th birthday through letters and a package and also celebrated Brenden's 16th birthday.
Still in a driving study.
My children started school. I have 3 in High School this year.  Super expensive by the way.

September:

On September 3rd I had my 900th plasma donation.  To think I almost didn't come back for my 2nd donation 11 years ago because I threw up all over the phlebotomist.   The guy told me to give donating another try.  Glad I did.  I donate at Biolife plasma.  You should try it if you are healthy enough to do so and not afraid of needles. The link is HERE.

September 14th we went as a family to Wilson's Orchard.  Every year we try and go.  Here is the LINK.

On September 21st I completed a half marathon with my husband.  I was able to achieve a new PR (personal record) by 10 minutes on the dot.  What a sweet moment when we crossed the finish line together.
Here is the LINK.

Finally ended the driving study, but got paid $500 and went shopping with my daughter.

October:

Donated my hair.  See link HERE. 
Went on a 40 mile bike ride with Jason.  See link HERE.
Completed a really fun Quarter Marathon race with our good friends Lisa and Kyle Helland.  See link HERE.


November:
Transferred jobs at the bank to work in the loan department.  Such a better fit for me with better hours, a shorter commute and a much busier, more exciting job.

Celebrated Jason's birthday!

Spent Thanksgiving with some of Jason's siblings and their families in Kansas City.  The weather was perfect.  Here is the LINK if you want to read more or see pictures.

December:  

Helped out as an elf at the bank where I work.  See link HERE.

Ran in a fun Christmas race and got to see our friends Lisa and Kyle and their children. Santa's Snow Shuffle

Had a really great Christmas:  Click here to see the post.

Christmas 2013

Christmas this year was so awesome. Trying to put a finger on what made it so great is hard really because so many things made it nice, so here are pictures to tell the story.  If you want to see any of the pictures bigger just click on them.

My parents showed up to celebrate Christmas with my family.  My parents brought a bunch of Christmas decorations that they no longer wanted and since I don't have very many, I was extremely grateful.  My Mom got to work decorating my UGLY fireplace mantle with lights, snow, and cute snowmen.

Alyssa and Scott made sugar cookies.

Here is the decorated mantle.  CUTE

Alyssa posing for a picture with my Mom the night my parents arrived.

Christmas Eve morning I saw this truck out in the country with the snowman in it and thought it was picture worthy.

Daniel came to visit us.  Here he is with his stocking.

Brenden pulling jalapenos out of his stocking and super happy about it.

We have a traditional HUGE breakfast with all the trimmings.  Hash browns, eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, clementines, orange juice, orange rolls, cinnamon rolls.

another breakfast picture.

Alyssa with her stocking.

Jared with one of his gifts.  Being goofy.

Brenden posing.

Scott with his stocking.

One of my best presents is Skyping with Caleb.  

I caught the squirrel that made a home in our birdhouse and actually got her picture.

My parents.  I'm thankful they made the trip to come to a very cold Iowa.

A video for Christmas

Good Tidings of Great Joy: The Birth of Jesus Christ

It is so cold here in Iowa

This picture was taken at 7:45 a.m. this morning.

17 below zero.  Can you believe that?   Crazy cold.

O Come, Emmanuel

I love this video and invite all to watch it.

O Come, Emmanuel by the Piano Guys

HUGE Thank you

I don't know who did this as it was anonymously done through the Bishop of our church in an envelope.  However that doesn't matter.  What does matter is my husband and I are extremely grateful for the gift of money that was put in an envelope with a note that said to give it to Michelle and Jason Clark and set on our Bishop's desk at church.

This meant so much and we will be able to fix our car now.

Thank you again.  My heart is full and I can't express enough thanks because there aren't enough words to say.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and you get blessings beyond anything you can even imagine.

Helping Santa at the bank.

I work at a local community bank that does a ton for the local community. As employees we are asked to volunteer for at least 2 things a year. A couple weeks ago there was an opportunity to be an elf or Christmas helper at the bank.  I thought that would be tons of fun!

Every year around the 2nd Friday of December an elderly couple comes dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to the bank. Different children from around the area will come to see Santa and get their picture taken. I volunteered to help.

 My co-worker made the hat for me to wear. I found the outfit at a local consignment store super cheap (only $10) and knew it would be perfect for this day.  The dress was a tiny bit big and I didn't have time to alter it, but it was still perfect for this event I thought.  Ends up I could wear the outfit again in a running race the next day with several layers of clothing on underneath for warmth. Here are a couple pictures:

Nativity Celebration

Last Saturday three of our children, my friend Deb, her granddaughter, Jason and I went to Cedar Rapids to a Nativity celebration. I'm not sure how many years they have been doing this celebration, but I know for at least the last two they have because I've heard about it.

 It was located at 4150 Blue Jay Drive NE, Cedar Rapids.The advertizement went like this:  There are more than 740 different Nativity displays on loan from scores of area collectors. One highlight is a life-sized 12-piece nativity set restored after the 2008 floods. Musical performances from some 20 local groups add to the festive atmosphere while you browse the display area, enjoy light refreshments, and let your children dress up in Nativity clothing. This is a great family activity. All visitors are urged to bring a non perishable food item for local food banks. Go to www.crnativity.org to learn more!

So we went and here are a few pictures of my favorite nativity displays:

This was the life size nativity. Sure doesn't look life size in this picture, but it was HUGE.  Very awesome.

Questions and Answers from Caleb

Here are some questions I wrote to Caleb and his responses. I haven't shared his letters lately because so many of these are too personal to share and he has asked me not to share some stuff on the blog, but I can share these:

 Do you still ride your bike a lot?

Not as much as I'd like. 

If not, why?

Because I am a zone leader and I have a car. 

Also, if not, when will you again?

When I am on exchanges and when I am released as a Zone Leader. 

Are there people that do mean things to the missionaries?  If so, what kinds of things?  What do you do back?

There will always be people who do mean things to missionaries. We had a missionary and his companion get mugged and robbed last week. We don't do anything back, that wouldn't be Christ-like. 

What kinds of nice things to people do for the missionaries?

Honk at us (in a friendly way) when they see us on the street, reminding us that people are out there who care. Occasionally they buy us meals, which is super nice of them. I had a member buy me a new bike chain for my bike a few months ago, which nearly brought me to tears. 

  What kinds of foods were new to you?

 Um, probably Turkey Tacos. Not a fan... 

Have you felt anymore earthquakes lately?

No :( We live in a tall apartment complex (we live on the 6th (top) story of the complex) though, and there is a train track that goes right by. The trains are very quiet (no horns) but they are so big that we feel the vibration up in our apartment! It feels like an earthquake :) 

Where are you going to go to school when you return home?

Freak Mom, I don't know! I'm a missionary! I don't want to think about that yet. 

Have you met your future wife yet?

Again, I'm a missionary. I really don't want to think about that. Like ever. That's really scary. 

What is your favorite kind of chocolate?

Dove. 

What is your favorite type of mint (brand and type)?

Breathsavers/spearmint 

Do you have one companion or two right now?

One comp, Elder Henriod.  We are the Zone Leaders over the Anaheim East zone.

What is your curfew?

9:00 or 9:30 if we are in a lesson. 

Do you work out every day?  If so, what kinds of workouts are you doing?

I try. I have been alternating, cardio and upper body. I'm a T-rex, so my lower body is doing juuuuuuust fine.

Will you run a race with me when you get home?

TBD

Have any of your friends from back home asked you questions about your religion?

Always. I constantly bear my testimony to friends. I try to keep it simple. Teaching about a prophet on the earth today and being healed from sin, and that God is our father. As a member of the church you are just called to find 'the elect' of Israel. As an ordained minister of the church, I am called to teach the elect.

How many lessons are you teaching a week?

In this area, about 3. We are constantly improving though. Before I got here, it was none.

Do you have a cool story to share from this last week?

I do, but it is a little sacred to share over email. I will have to share it when I get home, or during skyping with you over Christmas.

Are you feeling good?  Any more stomach problems?

I am always feeling good. Naw dawg.

Do you have enough stamps?

Plenty, thank you!

Do you have enough haircuts left and if so, how many?

Actually, that's part of what I need to send home. There are no longer any great clips inside our mission boundaries, so I have 4 or 5 to send home so that someone can at least use them. 

Thanksgiving with just our family

I wanted to have turkey for my lunch at work and I was missing all the leftovers we usually have kicking around after Thanksgiving. Since we had Thanksgiving away from home this year, there weren't leftovers to take.
 I decided to make all of it, minus the rolls. Jason whipped up the rolls from scratch. He also prepared the turkey in a brine overnight. It only took about 4 hours of cooking but it was so worth it.
 Here is the list of foods we had:

Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Butternut squash
Rolls
Deviled eggs
Banana bread
Pretzal/raspberry salad
Corn
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie

Jason carving the turkey. 

About to eat.

Jason made these rolls from scratch and they were amazing! 

Alyssa and I made these pies from scratch.   Even the crust!

The super moist turkey.

My plate.

Jared and Brenden

The turkey all carved up.  Can you see how
moist it is?

Jared, Scott, Brenden,  Jason and Alyssa.