Surprise Sweet Sixteen [S]elebration = Sucess!

I learned something about Jo when we went to a late night movie. She is afraid of being outside at night. So I got out my taser to protect her. ... Not that I need it of course. ;) Looks can kill.

This morning my library website suggested BOB ROSS for me! Ahhh! I love Bob Ross! So Hann, Liz, and I watched Bob and his "Happy Little Accidents" on YouTube for a good 20 minutes. :) Oh Bob.

 Look out world. These lips are licensed!!

What a babe! First date = diversion for the surprise!

The decorations were a blast, the food fantastic, and the guests loud! :) Hannah was surprised AND we got it on video! Great party! Thanks to Matthew and Sarah for planning the whole thing!

Love you, Jo!

Much Love!!

Dampen OUR Spirits? NEVER.

 GREAT NEWS: I got Jackson to hold still for some pictures! :) What a cute-ikle. I cannot believe how big he is getting... I love how he put his hand by his face. What a little model.

Hann had a Birthday! Shout HURRAY! Sweet 16! Her Birthday was... quite the day. Details to follow.

I made her the ever-popular kissing license. ;) Look out boys! [Especially buff potato farmers.]

I had a nerve conduction study/ EMG done yesterday morning. ... I would not wish this upon anyone.

I had heard this described as... unpleasant. Every time someone went to explain it to me they would pause exactly like that. "It's...... unpleasant." I get it now. That is exactly the way to describe the experience.

Here's what went down: This nice man sticks electrode things on me and pokes me with... a tuning fork? Then he turns up the frequency and yeow! He did this all over my leg and foot. Some places were more unpleasant [and sometimes downright painful] than others.

 The best way I can describe the feeling is what happens to a string instrument when the string is struck. Except with electricity.

 

 They were really ubrupt and... powerful shocks. And I was often concerned that the nerve was going to jump out of my body to escape... or maybe just explode. ... Unpleasant. ;)


Then came the needle part. [The good news: I did not pass out! Can you believe it!?! I am getting so good at being poked. I might even put it on my resume.]

Dr. #10 put electrode things on me again and stuck a thin, but long needle in my muscles. 5 different muscles. Again, some were worse than others.

 He did not just stick it in and take it out, OH NO. He would put it under my skin and wiggle it around and keep moving it up and down in and out of my muscle. Then have me flex and relax.
"Ok. I need you to relax your leg muscles." Ha! Ok. As soon as you take that needle out or at least stop moving it around! Haha

Unpleasant. :)

But no lasting effects other than being a little sore. And the study was normal. This means no nerve damage. This is good. Time to look elsewhere for answers, I suppose!


All of us girls [including Malena] went shopping for Hann's Birthday. We also played around on the piano and ate sushi. :) Jo, you sure know how to celebrate.

 Then all hail broke loose. Literally. We got the biggest storm I think we have had [excepting snow perhaps] since we have lived here.

 This is a picture of the earlier, less severe bout of hail.

 Major flooding, tornadoes a little south of us, and hail, hail, HAIL!

The crazy storm could not dampen our spirits though. :) What a blessing to be able to stay safe, dry, and happy inside our house with the BEST company. Happy Birthday again, Jo. :)

The damages: All of the cars outside took a major beating. :/

 Here's my baby. Just adds character. ;) Too bad it's covered, huh? I kind of like it like this...

And the roof is totaled. Yikes!

 Luckily I was playing with Mom's camera outside just a bit ago so I can give before and after pictures!

Before: Pretty, perky flowers.

 After: Mangled... discouraged flowers... [We all feel like that sometimes, right? I'm sure they will make a comeback.]

 

Before: Clean, smooth grass.

 After: Leafy, holey lawn.

Looks like Autumn came for a little visit in June! Haha

BUT we got a lot of moisture and a free lawn aeration.... :)


Want my oh-so-thoughtful life metaphor of the moment?

Too bad. I'm gonna type it anyways. :)

Things are better when you look past the mustaches in life.

... I'll explain. Mustaches are... gross. But sometimes attractive men [Of course I am not referring to anyone specific] decide to grow a mustache. Does this make them unattractive? No. You just have to look past the mustache. :{D

Why say "look at the glass half-full" when you can say "look past the mustaches in life." ? Much more exciting and meaningful.

Here's to Hail-fire and looking past mustaches. :) Thank you for your prayers. They are felt.

Much Love!!

A Nerve-Wracking-Keep-Laughing Week

Honesty time: I just beat my Nancy Drew game [No, of course I did not use any cheats....] so I have nothing left to do! Time to blog? Of course. :) P.S. Enjoy a few puns courtesy of an email.

 Hammock time. [Not to be confused with Hammer Time.] Love my leetle man, Jack!

{How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.}

 Great news! I officially have the cutest sisters in the world. :) You guys are goofballs.

Nate: Whatever McDonald's Worker. Retaliation will be coming your way.

{Broken pencils are pointless.}

I had my nerve block done this Monday. Here is the man whodunit in his suit of armor. [Do I look like I was being civil? I was trying... Truth is, sometimes your doctors aren't nice and you just have to deal with it because they are sticking a needle in your spine.]

It didn't exactly go as expected, unfortunately. [Remember that one time that my body hates medicine?] But I am alive and feeling better after a few days. :) We'll work through it as always!

{Velcro, what a rip off!}

Here is a picture of the most painful IV I have ever had. Haha One of those lucky ones that left me a big purple bruise. ;) But how grateful am I to have this modern medicine technology? SUPER!

I am now a 'special' patient that has an 'allergic to' sticker. Woopie! Don't put steroids in me!

 {I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.}

I'm a gem on medications. Just ask my momma. ;) Sorry, Mom!

Mom, thanks for always giving me the best food to recuperate. Maybe you should be a post-op nurse and sneak all of the patients pizza and take videos of them saying weird things.

Marjorie Hinkley: "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

What a smart lady. :)

I am thankful for wonderful friends and family. [And to the creators of Nancy Drew.] You guys rock at keeping a smile on my face and my foot on my body! :)

Much Love!!

Smiles and Leafagami

 This is what a Sunday afternoon at the Clark household is like:

All the single ladies... :)

 Oh yeah. And this.

And the finale. Yeah... We are a good lookin' bunch alright! 

Muahaha! Nate is safely in Arizona and out of reach of MY glass. *Secret handshake*

You would do the same to me and you know it. :) What are sister-in-laws for anyways?

I know Meem already put these on her blog, but they are just too cute not to share!!

 Aww we miss you guys soooooo much! :) Arizona had better be nice to you! Just look at that SMILE! You'll drive the girls crazy with it someday, Little Man.

Thank goodness for Skype!

In case you haven't heard, I am getting a needle stuck in my spine on Monday! Oh the joys of CRPS... Type 2. [We think.]

Don't look it up, it'll freak you out. Just know that I am in good hands. :) I am a happy girl and all will be well soon enough! MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ROCKS! [Picture me flexing my muscles and looking super intense right here] PLUS: Kyley comes home this weekend. :) Life is just so great!

Also: If you are looking for a good leafagami swan, I know where you can get your hands on one. ;) It is pretty impressive. [Insert eyebrow raise here]

Much Love!!

Gems?

This post is [mostly] written out of PURE and genuine boredom. :)

That means you should probably expect a lot of gems in this one... Sort of...


It has come to my attention that I juggle books like some girls juggle suitors. I have finished 2 this week and am currently knee deep in 5!

... Yes. April and I did take a trip to the library yesterday, what did you expect??

But the good news is that I read probably the funniest book I have ever held in my two hands before. "Not My Type" by Melanie Jacobsen. Mormon Chick Flick about the awkward YSA scene. What more could you want out of a funny book? The girl in this book dislikes dating way more than I do and I was literally laughing out loud at the awkwardness levels!

Mom caught my geekiness on camera. How nice of her. Haha

Really. It is hilarious. I am willing to lend it out for the price of a hug or maybe a super convincing smile.

 [And don't worry English buffs. I am reading real books too! I promise.]


Quinci, Thank you [NOT] for putting this oh-so-glorious song on my computer.
The joys of shuffle.

... I still love you though.

I'm glad Cho didn't make you cry or I would be making scary threats involving arm hair. [I learn from the best.]

I enjoyed laying in my hammock for over an hour talking about being "Grown Up" with you last night. You made a somewhat crummy day much better. :)


There may not have been a scary/ strapping Indian scratching on the door this babysitting job [thank goodness], but there was definitely a messy diaper explosion!

Child care really is such a glamorous job, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. ;)


Good news: I finally cleaned out the truck. :) YUMMO!

Best real life use of movie quote:

I jumped on Hannah and wrapped my arms and legs around her in a hug.
As she struggled to stay standing she said: It's a good thing you're not a big fat guy or this would be REALLY difficult.

Bahaha! Good one, Jo. :)


I got a letter from Elder Britt this week. He seems to be absolutely loving life! He is the greatest example of "Finding joy in the journey." It is impossible to read anything written by him with anything other than a smile. I want to be like him when I grow up!


I hope you're all enjoying your climb! I love you guys!



Much Love!!

My Reality

One day [hopefully soon] I will know what treatment for my foot will entail and I will be able to go back to school or work... or do something else productive with my life.

BUT for now....

I'VE GOT 3 NEW BOOKS!

2 chick flick books and a Brandon Mull. (Plus the Conference Ensign and I am half-way through Eye of the World...) I'm nothing if not varied in my taste. :)

One book down. 2 to go. Let's see how long they can keep me occupied...
My mother reminded me that there is a library close by and we all know what Arthur would say: Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card!

Books. ALMOST as good as my reality. What a blessed life I live. :)



P.S. Watch this. I want to do this so bad. I just need a double chin and maybe being partially bald would help too.... ;)

Haha! How awesome. People are just great. :)

Much Love!!

Sometimes... You're a Radioactive Mountain Climber.

This blog is going to be done halfway in Quinci style. :)

 Sometimes you chug hot sauce packets with your dad just for the fun of it...

Sometimes you do [LOTS] yard work because you are bored... [And because it is free therapy.]

 Sometimes you bite into a raw eggplant... YUCK

Sometimes you are still living out of a suitcase...

 Sometimes it is a good thing that DisneyLand planning is is going on full force because you miss your girls. AND sometimes you still talk to them every day...

Sometimes you also realize that Harry Potter describes Quinci's life and relationships with people perfectly. Harry Erin Weasley? Obv.


Sometimes you go on Saturday night adventures with the coolest person in the state.

Sometimes your mom spits water all over the kitchen so you fall over laughing... in a pencil skirt.

Sometimes you get letters from Brazil.... So you have to send a package with candy and a pink tie to help a brutha out.


AND SOMETIMES you are RADIOACTIVE!

This is what a radioactive person looks like:

I've decided it is a good thing I have superpowers to help me out with this week of being a fill-in soccer mom. It is hard work!

You know that song "Mr. Mom." I am Sister Mom. Haha

It's only 11:44 in the morning and I have already used a quarter tank of gas! Oh. And remember that time that I wasn't a morning person. 6 AM. Woo! ;)

Poor Jo, has strep.
Doctor trip? No big. I am great at going to the doctor these days....

Dear Mom,

You are my ultimate hero. I want to be just like you when I grow up. I hope I can become half of the mother that you have been to me! You are SO appreciated. You do so much for all of us. I love you so much! I don't know what I did to get such a wonderful mother. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have some serious heavenly brownie points. Thanks for putting up with all of us. You rock. :) I hope you've had the best week with the fam in Utah! I can't wait for you and Dad to come back!

Love, Michelle

P.S. Dad, I love you so much! Thank you for all of the hard work you put in for us. 67 hours was it last week? Yikes! I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents. COME BACK!!! ;)


And don't even worry. The ladies of Canterberry are already using my babysitting skills! :) Woohoo!


Quinci, thanks for letting me half-way borrow your blogging style. ;)


Sometimes your foot seems to be getting worse [within the last week even] and it is so good to be home with highly qualified doctors that are working hard to solve the mystery that is somewhat consuming my life.

I actually tallied up the doctors and specialists I have seen for this wonderful foot problem. Not counting radiologists and techs that perform the tests (and only counting all of the physical therapists as one), I have seen 8 doctors. Doctor # 8 is fantastic. But he is referring me to 2 other specialists that have more obscure titles... In fact, I can't even remember what kind they are... They are going to do some more weird tests focusing on nerves and vascular shtuff and hopefully fix this thing.

I feel fortunate to be here seeing people who put in years of school to hopefully get me back to my active lifestyle.

 I've decided that next time that someone asks me what happened to my foot, maybe I should just say I am a [radioactive] mountain climber. This is what I am doing. [I know I have already used this one. This is the metaphor of choice for my life right now.] I am climbing mountains. The coolest thing about this is that climbing mountains is not only about being at the top. It is about finding joy and beauty THE WHOLE TIME because there IS so much to be found. This is the attitude I have been striving for because it is what life is all about!


Gosh, life is a blast! This is one of the craziest, but coolest times of my life. I have no idea what I will be doing in 2 weeks or what my life is going to look like for the rest of this year. BUT I am learning so much and seeing the greatest miracles, big and small, happen in my life everyday! I am surrounded by amazing mountain climbers that give me a leg up and ALWAYS cheer me on. Thanks guys. :)

AND Midnight showing of Avengers tonight?? Of course!!!! :)

Much Love!!