Turtles and the crazy plague.

The first birthday party supplies have been purchased for next month’s big day.  His theme is turtles for obvious reasons… slow and steady wins the race, baby.  I always tell him that.  This year has been tough- there is no reason to lie.  He’s been sick a lot, he missed most of his milestones and he has had more appointments than I can count, BUT guess who is almost all caught up??  Somebody is walking along furniture, eating all regular food and is even practicing standing alone.  That’s right.  Slow and steady, baby.  He’s my turtle.  Thank God.

Yikes!

Poor Girl.

Life at the Clark’s does not disappoint.  Always an adventure.  My entire family was so sick a couple weeks ago.  I swear it was the plague.  First Easton got sick.  Shocker.  He had a respiratory virus that ended up in pneumonia (or new activity in the upper lobes, whatever!) that lasted 12 days.  It was a joy.  He was at the doctor 5 times in two weeks, which was embarrassing, but I was OK with it because monitoring him outpatient is always better than inpatient.  I am a major Hurley fan but I think we have put our overnight time in there and honestly- I’m over it!  Easton finally got better and all was well.  For a day.  Next I get a sinus infection and strep throat.  So annoying.  Four days later, Paige gets a crazy case of croup.  We have had croup in this house a few times and let me tell you- this girl did it up right.  I’ve never heard such a scary sound coming from such a small girl. It sounded like her throat was closing off.  On top of that, she had a fever of 104 for about 10 hours that wouldn’t break on Motrin and Tylenol.  Off to ER we went because she was lethargic, not talking, eating or drinking.  Scaring her Mama!  Once we get in the car she started vomiting.  Those of you who know me, know this was not good.  I don’t do puke.  My kids do not puke.  This was the first time ever one of my kids puked and I have been a Mom almost 5 years.  This sounds terrible but I am calmer standing next to a baby on a ventilator than a kid that’s puking.  I can’t deal.  Ugh!  Anyways… We get to ER and she pukes up the medicine again.  Seriously, I almost fainted.  Thank God she had her Super Daddy there.  He was awesome.  Never left her side as her Mother was pacing around the hallway, drinking pop and eating sugar, trying not to keel over and end up in the bed next to her.  I was a wreck.  In my defense, the beeping machines, super sick child, and scary noises she was making were hitting a bit to close to home.  I’m usually a soldier at the hospital but I failed big time.  Poor Paigey.  Again, Thank God for my husband.  He is the hero.  I eventually got it together and cuddled my girl.  After some medicine, steroids, hydration and the 7 hours it took to get her fever down to 101, we went home.  Missed an entire nights sleep but went home! Paige still ran a fever for 4 days and then was better by Sunday night.  Next was Matt.  Sick as a dog.  Fever, coughing, chills.  Super sick and could hardly move for 3 days.  Monday morning rolls around and guess who has a temp of 103.9??? Carter!  Awesome.  I stay home from work to take care of everyone.  Things are manageable until later in the day, Paige spikes a fever of 103.  She was healthy for one day and then caught what the rest of the family had.  It was a joke.  I had to line my counters with paper tracking everyone’s temperature and what kind of medication they were given at what time.  It was an absolute train wreck.  Seriously, a disaster.  In the middle of this, I got sick again too.  At one point, everyone had a fever.  Are you exhausted reading this?  I am.  It’s over.  We survived and we are back in action.  Whew!

This child was on the couch for 6 days!

Trouble.

Team Easton Gives Back is right around the corner!  I’m so excited for this event.  Tons of hard work has gone into this and I just pray it is successful.  I’m looking forward to having so many people all in one room celebrating Easton and coming together to raise money for such an important cause.  I’m spending all my free time getting the final details in order and checking my mailbox for RSVP’s.  It’s like getting married all over again!

May is going to be busy, busy, busy for us.  My birthday, the benefit, Easton’s birthday and Carter’s birthday… and that’s just the big stuff!  Can’t wait!

Giving Back.

There has to be a time in your life when it is not OK to just take.  There has to be a time when you must give back.  When the amount or value of something you have received is too great to continue on your path without more than just acknowledgement.  When this happens- you make a choice.  A choice of how you are going to react. A choice to be thankful, a choice to praise God, or a choice to try and make a difference.  I’m choosing all three.  Words are not enough to express my gratitude.  I know and believe that God chose to save Easton but I also believe that he had to be under exceptional care in a particular place for this to happen.  The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hurley Medical Center has a good reputation and for that reason alone, I chose to have my children there.  Never in my plan of making a family did I picture what that unit would mean to me.  Never did I understand the depth of what happens behind those locked doors.  Never did I imagine my darkest hours to be in that place.  That’s just not the picture your mind paints when you decide to have your perfect, little family.  Sometimes life just happens.  You cannot predict what your life will be like.  You will never really know what is next to come or what challenges you may or may not face.  All you can do is plan to the best of your ability and rise to the occasion… whatever that may be. 

My experience with Hurley’s NICU changed the entire course of my life.  Having a baby that you aren’t sure will survive is excruciating.  There are no words to explain what that feels like.  There is no preparation for this experience.  I could spend my time asking the “why us” questions but that isn’t what matters.  What matters is that Easton is alive.  Easton fought hard.  He could have easily succumbed to his illness on many occasions but he didn’t.  You know why he didn’t?  Because, he had a team of doctors and nurses (and family) fighting just as hard right next to him.  The staff at Hurley’s NICU cared about our baby.  He was not just a patient number.  He was a human being deserving of a chance at life and that is exactly how they treated him.  They NEVER gave up on him.  They believed in him as much as we did.  One of the doctors even pulled me aside as I stood with tears in my eyes next to him and said, “You know, we love him too.”  I will never forget that.  Ever.  My point to all this is not to rehash the near tragedy of our last year but to explain to you all how fantastic this place is and to invite you to share in my attempt to support this unit. 

Team Easton Gives Back is my family’s way of trying to pay it forward in the only way we can.  We will never be able to repay the people that took care of and saved our baby but we can try to help make it possible that they have the things they need to continue to take care of other babies.  We have decided to come together annually as a family and put on a benefit for the Hurley NICU.  This year’s event will be:

Date:      May 11, 2012

Place:     Warwick Hills Country Club, Grand Blanc, MI

Event:    Dinner, Dancing, And Silent Auction

If you would like to come with us to celebrate Easton, one week before his first birthday, and to raise funds for  Hurley Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, please send me your address at lindsaymatlock@aol.com.  All donations are 100% tax deductible.  If you cannot make the event but would still like to donate, please let me know.

Thank you to everyone in our life that supported us during that difficult time and for continuing to support us today.  We are lucky to be surrounded by all of you.

Adventures in Parenting

No rest for the weary.

Disclaimer:  I dream of a quiet room all alone with a cup of hot chocolate where I can sit looking at beautiful scenery as I write really important blogs and pour my heart and soul out without time constriction.  However, like I said, that is a dream.  Currently, I am at home with all three kids.  I'm in between loads of laundry and listening for the oven timer to go off.  There is a lot of hollering behind me.  It varies between Carter and Paige tattling on one another and fighting with an occasional yell from Easton because his sister is sitting on him, stealing his stuff or knocking him over.  Accidentally, of course.  Regardless of my current situation I wanted to update everyone on Easy E.


Adventures in Parenting.  That's what I am calling it.  This week was a tough one.  Easton had four appointments this week and I had to work three days.  We just got home from our final appointment and I couldn't be happier this week is over.   The first one was the MRI.  His neurologist had requested it months ago but I had put it off because I didn't feel it was necessary.  Easton was developmentally behind but I wanted to give him a chance to catch up without having to put him under anesthesia because I didn't think he was stable enough.  However, recently Easton has been showing significant weakness on his left side.  He sort of drags his left leg behind when crawling and tucks his left arm.  This was enough for me to agree to do the test.  The day of was dreadful.  You have to starve the poor baby and then to make matters worse- they were running behind by two hours!  They put him under general anesthesia because of his history and age and Matt and I paced the halls of the hospital during the test.  There are somethings you can't just sit in a chair for!  Easton was awesome.  He did absolutely great and had no complications!  Next came the waiting.  The results were supposed to be in on Wednesday and were not.  As the hours dragged on I was beside myself.  I would rise to the occasion no matter what Easton has but I was having a difficult time with some of the possibilities.  During this time I was having terrible headaches and the most annoying, constant eye twitch.  I had myself so worked up I thought I was going to be on the MRI table next!  Yesterday, the results came in and were... NORMAL!  His neurologist will look at the results himself but initial findings were normal so I'm going with that.  Amen!  Crossed another hurdle.  We still will need to investigate and find the cause as to what is causing this issue but at least we know its not his brain.  I'm so happy.  Next up was his Opthamologist appointment. Babies that were ventilated can have damaged eyes so we had to make sure he was good.... and he was! Wednesday was a weight check (which he lost) and his RSV prevention shots which is now divided into two pokes.  Awesome.  After the shots we had to head to physical therapy where we now have a weekly 10:15 date.  Easton HATED it.  Wow.  He was so mad that we could only stay for half the session.  Its unclear to me if it hurts or he is just frustrated because its hard.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with him being forced to do something he doesn't want to.  No way.  Today was our last appointment.  It was his Pulmonology appointment.  Funny how last time around I was scared to go to this one and now I'm scared of everything but this!  He is doing well.  Still has mainly the same condition but his maintenance plan seems to be working.  We increased his reflux med and switched him to an inhaler from the nebulizer to make life easier... Yay!  I just love when people realize that easy is what I need in life!  All in all- this week was good.  It was hard to get through and very trying but its over, everyone survived and my eye stopped twitching.  We had a lot of positive news this week and I am feeling refreshed.  Parting words from his lung doctor as I am walking out the door:  "We will get him doing better all the time,  hang in there."  I'm diggin' this chick!

He's going to Kindergarten:(

TROUBLE

Bro's

Holy Hair!

February has been insanely busy for the Clark family.  Our calendar is literally packed almost every day. We are busy trying to lock down a date and venue for an awesome charity dinner we are planning.  I will be posting the details and I hope you can all come help to raise some money and celebrate our miracle!


Matt has been busy redecorating our main floor.  Yep, Matt.  Carter is kicking some major booty at basketball.  This kid is a dribbling machine and even trying some sweet tricks rolling the ball over his back and shoulders.  Paige is Paige.  The girl is a gem.  Matt and I were just talking about how much she brings to our world.  She is the funniest child in the world.  She is so sassy and finds her greatest pleasure in antagonizing he older brother.  She is full of it at all times and I love her so much I can't take it.  Her newest stunt is refusing to wear pull ups to bed.  She claims she is a big girl and states with 100% confidence that she won't pee the bed.  Matt seems to believe her and lets her go to bed in big girl pants.  I'll let you all guess where that takes us at 3am.  God love her for trying:)


NICU Mom's.  Yeah, its kinda like a sick club we are in.  Others may even think we speak another language:)  It's all good.

Normal Chaos

Serious Business

Here's to hoping we get continued good news with very few setbacks!  Have a great weekend!

Ebb and Flow

Ebb and flow:  a decline and increase, constant fluctuations.

Yup, that sums up our life.  I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain what this crazy whirlwind life feels like.  There are ups, there are downs, but fortunately there always IS.  Something is always happening, changing, shifting…  Dude, it’s the ebb and flow.  Its how we operate.  How we exist.  How life just happens.  Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster and sometimes its smooth sailing.  In the end, I will strive to remain grateful for the fact that I’m here to experience it all.

We are figuring it out.  We, meaning Matt and I.  For the last few months we have been just trying to “wing it.”  We aren’t the biggest planners in the world.  We plan the big stuff but the day to day we were just trying to go with it.  Guess what?  It wasn’t going.  Nothing was getting accomplished.  At the end of the day we would realize that we may have survived the chaos but nothing really happened.  It was time for some action.  We got out the calendars and started planning everything out.  We have our workout days planned, we know who is cooking dinner on which day, every appointment for our kids is scheduled and we know who is taking care of which one.  It feels good.  I never thought I would like to have to check a calendar to see how my day would pan out but I have to admit that a little bit of structure and predictability after the year we have had- feels fabulous!  Obviously things run off course and things get bumped but overall we are trying to stick to the plan.  We shall see how long it lasts;)  You know that saying:  We may not have it all together; but together we have it all.  That’s us.  We’re the best team and I sure am glad he picked me.

I recently read a really great blog from the Huffington Post.  It was a woman telling it like it is.  She was talking about people expecting you to enjoy every moment of raising kids because they grow too quickly.  It was the best blog that I’ve ever read because there is nothing I like more than honesty in parenting.   I’m not sure why some people are not honest when it comes to this subject.  It’s hard.  I don’t care who you are or how many kids you have- at some point it has been hard.  My opinion is that we as parents should band together and talk each other through it.  We need to make each other feel less alone.  Let’s discuss the fact that my daughter drew with Chap Stick all over my car window on the way to school today.  Or about the fact that my 8 month old refuses to sleep through the night more than two days in a row.  Or possibly that my oldest son had a complete and total meltdown for over 20 minutes because I told him he couldn’t have chicken for dinner for the 107^th day in a row.  This all happened in the last 18 hours.  I mean, I cannot be the only one living this “dream.”  Yes, I love my kids.  Yes, I would give up everything in the world for them.  Yes, I feel blessed to have them.  Yes, every decision I make from the day they were born until the day I die revolves around how it affects their life.  All that said- it doesn’t change the fact that I would do just about anything for a few days on the beach somewhere tropical while they are home in a Grandparents care.  Does that make me a bad Mom?   Does that mean I don’t count my blessings daily?  Absolutely not.  It makes me human.  It makes me honest.  I do my best.  At the end of the day that’s what I have to live with.  My kids are happy, my husband is happy and so am I.  Ebb and flow… keepin’ it real.

No surprises

Such a sick baby:(

Nothing surprises me anymore.  I mean that in all seriousness.  It is extremely hard to hit the real shock level with me these days. Having said that- it was absolutely no surprise to me that the first moment I knew Easton needed to be hospitalized was at 2am on Christmas morning.  You know- about 4 hours before Carter and Paige would wake up to find what Santa brought them.  His timing is amazing.  Always has been and I’m sure it always will be.  Poor little guy just couldn’t breathe.  His breathing is always a little off, not quite normal, but this was extreme even for him.  Instead of rushing off to the ER, I sat up with him and gave him breathing treatments and suctioned his nose in an attempt to help him or at least buy myself a little time.  By the grace of God, or my outstanding medically healing touch, which I am doubting- it worked.  I was able to get him calm, his breathing under control and him back to sleep.  By morning and during Christmas day he seemed to be doing better so I decided I would wait and have him seen by the doctor the next morning.  On the morning of the 26^th, Matt called the doctor only to find out they were closed.  Outstanding.  Why in the world wouldn’t they be closed when my son cant breathe?  Ugh!  I asked Matt if I should just take him to ER and we both agreed we should try to manage his care at home if possible because the ER is complicated for Easton for a few reasons.  For starters, the exposure to all the illnesses alone freaks me out.  He has a crappy immune system and the last place he needs to be is in a hospital waiting room.  Second and most important is the issue with his lungs.  We knew they would do a chest Xray and we also knew that they would all freak out and immediately decide he has pneumonia even if he didn’t.  His Xrays always look bad so we needed someone to read them who knows what his “normal” is.  Regardless, we were able to make it through another day at home.  In hindsight, I don’t know if that was the best call on our part but I have to live with the fact that I really weighed the options and felt I made the best call.  Cut to the morning of the 27^th.  Now I am officially the psycho Mom who showed up without an appointment to the doctors office with a shaky voice and tears in my eyes claiming that my baby cant breathe.  Wow.  That had to be a sight.  I’m usually better than that but this had been going on way too long because of the holidays.  Fortunately, we were taken back immediately and he was put on a pulse ox.  For those of you that know what that means- his SATS were at 81.  My heart sank.  I knew we were not in good shape.  He was given steroids and a double breathing treatment in an attempt to stabilize him before sending him to the hospital.  Its never a good sign when you aren’t stable enough to leave the office!  The treatments worked and he was stable enough to head out.  Once we were admitted into Hurley’s pediatric unit we were greeted by a doctor who had just spoken with his primary physician and was there to assess whether he could have a room on the main floor or if he needed to be admitted to ICU.  Seriously?  I nearly hit the floor.  Thankfully he seemed stable for the time being and stayed on the regular floor.  In fact he was super happy and giddy all afternoon as a result of the steroids.  At 7:00pm Matt decided to leave and go take our other kids home for the night.  Easton seemed good so I was fine with being alone.  In true Easton fashion- everything went nuts as soon as we were alone.  By 7:30 he was on oxygen and having back to back STAT breathing treatments.  He was wheezing so bad even after so many treatments that he was almost moved to the ICU.  Why he needed to wait until his Dad left to act up- I’ll never know!  He ended up testing positive for RSV.  This is a nasty virus that can be extremely dangerous for preemies and children with chronic lung disease.  For this reason they offer a monthly immunization for those who qualify.  Easton was denied and we have been fighting since October to get it.  Insurance didn’t want to pay for the shots but in turn now get to pay for 4 days in the hospital.  Its beyond frustrating and this rant could go on and on but it wont because its exhausting.  One week after discharge- Ins approved the shots.  Gee, thanks.  Once again, not surprising.  The bottom line is this.  Easton got better and came home just before the new year.  We had a little chat with Mr. E and let him know that he needed to pull it together and be discharged before Jan 1.  We are counting on 2012 being a better year and ringing it in at Hurley Medical Center did not seem like a great start.  Easy listened to him parents and was discharged on December 30^th- just in the nick of time!  Thanks, pal! 

ANOTHER breathing treatment!

Get me outta here!

We went to a check up about a week after discharge only to find out that he lost nearly a pound.  He looked terrible.  He was taking 8 vials of medication through the nebulizer a day and still wheezing although he was improved.  I left that appointment feeling a little desperate because his weight is so important to his overall recovery.  I mean, how are we supposed to grow new lung tissue if we are losing weight?!  It sometimes feels like a never ending battle.  With no other choice, we went back home and kept on keeping on.

Bubble Boy.  Kidding...Kinda.

Cut to yesterday:  Yesterday was yet another check up.  Guess what?  This one rocked.  Per usual Easton, this kid rallied.  He not only gained almost a whole pound in a week, but he gets to wean his breathing treatments to twice a day!  He looks strong, acts strong and blew his doctor away.  She is shocked that he was able to recovery as quickly as possible.  He may have fell really hard into this illness but its says so much for his health that he came out of it so well.  Sure, he had to be hospitalized when most kids wouldn't have but when his body needed to get up and fight- it did.  He is the best I have seen him and I’m beside myself.  We actually don’t have to go back to the doctor for 3 weeks.  That has never happened.  It was the first appointment I have left with a smile on my face.  I’m proud of him.  He is so strong.  His life has been tough and we don’t really get a whole lot of positive news very often.  Yesterday’s appointment felt normal.  No complaints.  No new things to try.  Just coasting for three whole weeks.  It feels good.  I could get used to this.  The journey with Easton is different than the journey with Paige and Carter.  Its more heart wrenching, more stressful, more work but worth it all with every smile he gives.  He is a great sport and I’m so glad he is mine!

Twas the night before Christmas

Love their Mimi

In other news, Carter and Paige had a great Christmas.  They were tearing through Christmas presents for three days with all the different festivities we had going on.  They never tire of opening a present.  They used their manners and made Mama proud.  I love how exciting the holidays are for them.  The magic of the season is so real to them.  They literally had the best time and love all of their new goodies. 

Ready for Dance!

Carter has basketball starting up next week and Paige is back in dance.  We are trying to stay busy during this weird winter we are having and keep the kids active.  Matt and I have been trying out different gyms in an attempt to motivate to get ourselves back in shape.  If I am going to be a mini van driving,Mom of three- I better look good doing it!  Let’s hope I can find enough energy to hit the gym a few times a week instead of my normal once a month;)

Life is busy and full but its good.  Until next time….

Mama and her Babes.

The end of 2011...

Time sure does fly.  Sometimes.  Sometimes it actually seems to stand still.  However, most of the time- it flies.  This year has been rocky but its also been awesome.  Our family is complete.  I have been pregnant or had a baby every year for the past 5 years.  As exciting as that is, its also a little exhausting.  I'm really looking forward to moving ahead.  Watching my children grow and change as I do the same.  Life with three kids under five is crazy but its also a dream come true.  It is what I have wanted my entire life.  I've learned to accept and expect the craziness but to also find the time to stop and laugh at the chaos.  There is no way around the chaos.  I don't care how organized you are- its a crazy life.  And its fun.  And super rewarding.  There are not a ton of things that I can say I am really good at but I do think that I've found my way as a Mother.  If I am not good at anything else for the rest of my life its OK because I have confidence that I am succeeding at the most important thing I will ever do.  I think I am raising secure children that are learning right from wrong, beginning to understand values all while absorbing all the love that we as a family share.   The future looks bright.

The Best Gift Ever.

An Easton update:  Finally, we have a great team of doctors looking after our sweet boy.  We have a new great pediatrician that is leading us in the right direction.  We have had Easton evaluated by a Neurologist and Pulmonologist.  He has an MRI and an evaluation for physical therapy scheduled for the first week of January.  The main concerns now are the fact that he has Chronic Lung Disease, a floppy airway and is really struggling to gain weight as a result of the effort his body has to make to breathe.  He is in good hands with the physicians and has parents that have a close eye on him at all times.  We feel confident that in three or four years he can make a full recovery.  I'm expecting bumps in the roads and am as prepared as I can be for any setbacks.  I vowed to walk this journey with him and that is my full intention.  Whatever it takes- I'm right there holding his hand.  He has changed my life on so many levels and I will never forget how blessed I am to have him in my home and not just in my heart.  

Gingerbread house 2011

Christmas is right around the corner and I sure have some excited kids in this house!  Our elf "Pete" could not create more excitement even if he tried.  These kids barely have their eyes open as they come barreling down the stairs to see where he is watching from each day.  We have done our share of festivities this year.  So far we have made gingerbread houses, baked cookies, had school programs and even had brunch with Santa.  I love the magic of Christmas.  It is especially fun to watch Carter.  He is beyond excited.  He is trying to figure it all out.  He knows there are some glitches in the stories but he is still fascinated by the whole idea.  There have been more questions this year.  For example:  How does Santa get into our house if there is glass on our fireplace?  Why don't I ever see the reindeer tracks?  How does Pete fly in and out of our house?  We answer the best we can and then when we run out answers we confess that we really don't know all the answers...because its magic!  

Cookie Baking with Patty

My Christmas Crazies

And now for the big news...  My journey to the Mini Van.  Some people don't care what they drive.  Some people do.  I happen to care.  A lot.  I care so much that I switch cars like some people switch their clothes.  OK, maybe that's an exaggeration... but not by much.  I am very fortunate.  My parents always provided me with very nice cars and ever since I have bought my own- I have been able to do the same. I like nice things.  While I was pregnant and in bed with Easton, I bought my last car.  Literally, from my bed.  Never left the house.  Found it online and had it delivered.  (Yes, this is an option!)  Maybe I was bored, maybe I was crazy.  Possibly both.  Anyways, I bought a Yukon Denali because I was having a third kid and needed more room and of course, more luxury;).  What I got was a bigger car with no more room.  It is sort of like driving a big box down the road with a lot of wasted space.  It does not suit my needs of multiple strollers, bags, groceries, junk, etc that I need in my car at all times.  Its so big and I am so short that its the most inconvenient car for me to have.  My kids have to climb in and get themselves filthy daily and then nine times out of ten they clumsily fall out of the car while insisting on exiting by themselves.  Its no treat heaving Easton's car seat in and out either.  Overall, this car is a fail in all areas except that it looks cool.  So this brings me to the mini van.  This big box that I drive down the road has decided to give me lots of trouble the last few weeks leading me to a rental car of a mini van!  Those 4 days were so easy transporting the kids around that I got right on the phone figuring out how to get myself one of those bad boys!  My life is chaotic and if there is one tiny thing can make it a little easier- I'm game!  Sounds like a no brainer, right?  Wrong.  Something was standing in my way.  That's right, my ego!  Not to sound crazy but I must be honest.  Everything made perfect sense about this van EXCEPT that I couldn't bring myself to drive it.  I have literally gone back and forth for over a week about this trivial, meaningless subject of transportation.  The more I thought about it, the more mad I got that I was going to inconvenience myself because I was too cool for a van.  Oh, no!  Not this time.  I decided that I'm stepping up and kicking my ego aside.  I'm not only buying the van today.  I am gonna rock that van and I am going to revel in the convenience it brings my life.  I am now a mini van driving, mother of three.  And I couldn't be happier about it!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I hope the holidays are relaxing, safe and thrilling for you all!

Rolling with it...

I am becoming the worst blogger in the world.  It's a shame too because I really like it but I am having the most difficult time finding a few minutes to sit down and let my fingers fly!  Something is happening with the Clark's this year.  I don't want to call it the "Clark Curse" because we did get a sweet baby boy this year and I would also like to think its just a coincidence that everything is so crazy right now and not actually a curse.  I'm not sure if we are being tested or what but we are trying to just roll with it.  Allow me to share a few things that have been going on and hopefully shed a little light on the reason I can't blog!


It all started January 15, 2011 when I got put on bed rest FIVE months before my due date!  This was a challenge but we rolled with it.  We figured it out and had a pretty good attitude about it.  It was the price to pay to have a healthy baby.  Hmmm, obviously it wasn't a guarantee but once again, we rose to the occasion.  We stood up and fought for our boy.  We survived.  Actually, I think we more than survived- we were courageous and walked through the fear while being as optimistic as possible.  Not an easy task.  These days Easton is a smiley, sweet, loving little angel that I couldn't love more if I tried.  I cannot explain how I feel about him other than to say that he is part of me.  He is fairly healthy.  He looks great, has a good disposition but he struggles.  Its so hard to watch.  I know that things could be much worse but it still worries me night and day.  I finally switched pediatricians and got somebody to actually take a look at him.  She is lovely and she agrees that we have some issues that need to be addressed.  Currently I spend all of my time (that I am not at work and chasing my other two kids) running Easton to appointments.  In the last week and in the weeks to come he has a ton of things going on.  He is seeing a neurologist, has been referred to a pulmonologist at U of M, will begin physical therapy, just had some blood work done to try and rule things out and will be having more frequent appointments to monitor his growth.  Things are complicated.  Its hard to find the time to fit these appointments in, work, spend time with the other kids, spend time with my husband, take care of my house, and Christmas shop!  I'll figure it out but its kicking my butt!  Let me add a few details of the last week...  Flying home from Florida over Thanksgiving we had the pleasure of having our flight delayed.  While on board we were notified that  a computer broke so we got to make an unexpected landing in Atlanta so they could install a new computer WITHOUT letting us off the plane.  Normally not a huge deal but with all three kids on board, it wasn't exactly thrilling.  Another issue is my garage door.  Its broke.  Shouldn't be a big deal but it is!  We called to have it fixed.  They don't have the part.  Apparently they aren't too accurate on the estimated arrival of the part since its been two weeks and they said two days.  The first day this happened, I was trapped in my garage with all kids buckled in their seats.  Had to call my Dad.  Had a mishap- scratched the top of my car.  Blah, blah, blah, we solve the problem and its fine.  We move on...an hour later.  Each day and night, Matt has to manually open and close the door.  Today was awesome.  The door is open so I begin backing out.  As I do this the door slams down on the back of my car and scared the bejesus out of me and my kids.  I have to get out and lift the entire weight of the door.  Its only like a million pounds.  I don't know how I did it but I found some crazy hercules strength and opened that door....only to have it slam down again because I am not tall enough to get it all the way up.  Shocker.  Not to worry because I am resourceful and found a piece of trim to prop that bad boy up.  Mission accomplished.  I rolled with it and I only swore once.  Pretty impressive if you ask me.  Oh, wait there is more.  Maybe I should tell you where I was going when all this went down at 8am.  I was trying to drop my kids off at school so I could drop my car off at the dealership. That's right, my car is broke too.  My car has decided that if will only start when it feels like it.  Very random and with no rhyme or reason.  Its pretty fun and not at all scary to go anywhere never knowing if I will actually make it back home.  Yesterday I had the pleasure of calling roadside assistance to jump start my car out of my own garage only making me an hour and a half late for work.  Are you getting the picture?  What in the world is going on here?  Its one thing after another.  Its getting more annoying every day. There is so much more but just thinking about all the mishaps is exhausting me!  Sometimes I just laugh, sometimes I want to cry because everything just seems hard but at the end of the day- I just roll with it.  Or try to.  I have to wrap up because I must sleep before my kids wake up at 5AM- nope, not kidding!  Tomorrow is an exciting day of chasing and gathering chest x-ray films around Genesee County  to take to next weeks appointments


On a positive note my house is decorated for Christmas!  Both Christmas trees are up and the outside of my house is lit up as if Clark W. did it himself.

Crazy Paigey decided to wear "undawares" and is fully potty trained... most of the time.

This girl is crazy.

Carter learned to snap his fingers after months of trying.

Mr. Dreamy

Easton continues to blow me away with sweetness.

Happy Boy

It's crazy around here but things could be worse.  That said, we are so looking forward to 2012!  


Happy Holidays!