Better Late Than Never

OK. I sat down today with the lofty goal of updating my blog with pictures from all major holidays/events for the past 3 1/2 months and realized.......it's not happening. You'll just have to trust that we have done some really fun stuff, that Natalie has been an utter joy, and that the adjustment to 3 kids, and accompanying new mini van hasn't been all THAT bad, even if does leave one without time/energy/hands free to blog. . . or write Christmas cards.

Don't worry though; it isn't a total loss. Instead of the full update, I give you our holiday highlights. So, however late, Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and with a little luck, I'll be back to blogging with more regularity soon!

Also, Happy Birthday to Jared, who turned 5 on Christmas Day! I love this little man!

One more of the cake, because I'm so darn happy with how it turned out. To clarify for any non-gamers, it is Sonic the Hedgehog, Jared's favorite video game character.

Happy Holidays 2008!

Love,

The Clarks

Emily-ism #4

"I'm all done with the new baby. You can take her back to the hospital."

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Say hello to the newest member of the Clark family:

Natalie Elizabeth

Born Tuesday, September 30th, 5:33 p.m.

7 pounds, 12 ounces

20.5 inches

Welcome little Natalie! We adore you!

For more details, check out Aaron's blog.

Big Girl, Little Hair

Pregnancy can drive people to do desperate things. Some women eat dirt. Others feel the need to wash every wall in their home. Me? I chop my hair off.

I started growing my hair out over a year ago when I couldn't decide how I wanted to cut it. My goal was to let it go until it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love, with enough left over to reach at, or just above shoulder level.

I don't know if it was the summer heat, the need for something on my body to start shrinking, or

some other unknown factor, but about 3 weeks ago, I couldn't take it anymore. Locks of Love requires at least a 10 inch donation, and I didn't want my year-plus to go to waste, so in a moment of hormonal insanity I decided I didn't care how short it would end up. I was done with it. Here are the results:

Before.

(Sorry, I couldn't find a better picture - I try to avoid the camera these days.)

After.

(I made the kids pose with me for moral support. And to hide my belly.)

It has been......OK. The day I had it cut, I came home feeling free, but I wasn't really thrilled with it. I like my hair a little longer. And I'd rather not feel like I resemble a mushroom from the neck up. Even still, I have no regrets.

Luckily, this week has been much better. The cut is starting to grow on me, enough that when I look in the mirror I don't really mind it anymore. See? Look how happy I am....and big.....happy and big*:

By the way, my due date is tomorrow (another reason I am smiling).

*As Emily likes to point out frequently, "Mommy has a big tummy. I have a little one."

Emily-ism #3

This week, during a tantrum, Emily informed me, "Mommy, I will bite your belly button." You've gotta love the terrible two's.

Emily-ism #2

Emily has been learning a new Primary song lately. Her version begins, "When Jesus Christ was baptized, down in the river Georgia..."

Jaredism #7

Jared came to me the other day like this and asked, "Mom, do I look like a lamb?"