January birthday bash

We had a great night celebrating the birthdays of Grammie, Luke, and Brady (we missed you little Ginger, Nicolette, and Jen!) at Kate and Mark's house. With such a large family, we have to do a once-a-month birthday party. Brady was happy to be the center of attention again!

Brady sandwiched between cousins Tyler and Carson (almost 2yrs). They're twins...obviously!

little girl's letter

Erin and I stayed up late together tonight because there is no school tomorrow. She handed me this note with a pencil drawing of me and her with grass, flowers, and sunshine...

Dear Mom,
I love you ever so much. I know you cannot hold onto me forever, but I wish you could! I am growing old. And I am starting to be a young lady. But you want to know a secret? There is one thing I will never grow out of, being my mother's little girl!
Love,
Erin

Erin was 5 in this picture. My tiny 4lb 10oz preemie baby girl is turning 8 this year! When she was born early I wished she would hurry and grow, but now I wish time would slow down just a little!

Roy G. Biv...

...the colors of the rainbow. I learned that in my Physical Science class at the Salt Lake Extension of BYU. Isn't this a gorgeous picture? It had been raining for days and then "ta-dah!" a massive rainbow appeared! I called my girls outside to check it out and they were very impressed. Rainbows are so beautiful.

BJ's & Pinkberry with Fruity Pebbles (yum!)

Thank goodness for true friends who aren't SO worried about what other people think!

Friends that allow themselves to:
-be real
-admit weakness
-ask for advice
-say "I'm having a bad day"
-say "I'm having a bad week"
-tell the truth even when (especially when!!) it's not pretty
-wish for 2 minutes of quiet alone time and not feel guilty about wishing for it! (or hiding in a dark bathroom to actually get it!)
-admit mistakes
-confide fears and worries
-talk about struggles and hard times
-share true feelings

I feel safe with my true friends. I love feeling like I'm not the only one who isn't perfect and cheerful all the time! Doesn't everyone need friends like this?!? I am so lucky.
Thanks girls, sure love you!

Brady's Spiderman 3rd Birthday

If you ask Brady how old he is, he'll always say, "um...six!" But no, he's only three. If you ask him about his birthday, he will refer to the event as his "Spido-man" birthday. He is getting so big and so is his personality! We love our little boy. Happy birthday Brady-boy!

Welcome Lilia DeVonne!

Congratulations to my brother Trevor's family. This tiny girl with the chubby cheeks is their 6th child and 5th daughter! She was born the morning after Grammie's funeral. We all like to think that Grammie brought Lilia's spirit to their family.

There is Sunshine in my soul today

That was the opening hymn at Grammie's funeral service today. It was the perfect choice for the occasion. This is going to sound really strange, but her's was the best funeral I've ever been to. I really enjoyed it. Did I cry? Of course, but mostly I found myself smiling as I listened to the speakers share their thoughts and memories of Grammie. She was truly an amazing woman as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

I will miss her but I know I'll be with her again.

My little family

My BIG family!

How awesome is this picture of the 13 of us?? I love that we were all able to be together.

See what you did Grammie? You raised your only daughter right.

I seriously have the best family.

Ferris DeVonne Clarke

...otherwise known as Grammie. My dear Grammie passed away on Friday evening in my Mom's house where she's been living for the past year. I'm so grateful that it was a peaceful, not traumatic, experience for my mom. My mom says she can see in her mind's eye Grammie's last moments--she can picture that my grampa, who died over 5 years ago, came to get Grammie and she happily left her body to join her sweetheart! How beautiful. My grandparents have such a unique love story and their reunion must have been so sweet.

Of course I mourn her loss because I'll miss her, but I can't help but feel excited that she is with Grampa and other loved ones in a state of rest and beauty. She has waited a long time to be there...she was 87!Richard and DeVonne

-taken at my parents wedding reception in September of 1967

Sunday Afternoon

Erin's New Year Song

...coming soon!! I promise you'll be entertained, but I'm waiting for the video from Wendy. Check back later.