A Wild Week

After several rounds of strep during the winter and other issues Clark has faced with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, we decided about two months ago to have them removed. Drew and I discussed (in detail) what exactly that meant with the doctors, nurses, and other parents who had been through similar situations. We scheduled the surgery for this past Wednesday since we knew it would be a two week ordeal of being out of school and arranging for Clark to stay with grandmothers. I couldn't afford to miss before the CRCT (what a shame,but how true that statement is)! So we went in for the surgery early Wednesday morning expecting the procedure just as everyone told us about. "Kids react differently, but overall they bounce back quickly." Well....what a shocker we both faced when Clark was brought back to us. He was MAD and inconsolable for about an hour and a half. It was terrible for him, Drew, and me! After he got the IV out and threw up a few times and we got more medicine in him, he seemed to be feeling better. That was temporary. The night was hard for him and me! But...every day has been a little better and he is recovering "as expected". We are all emotionally worn out and Clark is physically worn out. It has been harder than we expected, but we are hopeful that Clark will (not any any order) a)stop snoring b)eat more food c)not gag at the drop of a hat d)be well e)hear better and f)breathe better. Now off to a child who has seen way too much t.v. and who has learned all about the Nintendo DS.

The Real Snow Day

We got snow (and an extra day off of school)! Clark got out a little while yesterday to play, but we all got out to play this morning. He and Drew tried to build a snowman, but it didn't work so well. Clark had a great time until he took his wet gloves off and then realized his hands were freezing!

Snow Day (the way we Southerners refer to it.....)

Today was a day off from school because of a little bit of snow, but a lot more ice. We went out just for a few minutes to play, but with the temperature at 18 degrees, it was a short trip! The warm hot chocolate was a nice treat afterwards!

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was very busy, but we got to enjoy visiting with all of our family members and ate way too much food at every event! I only took my camera to Memaw's on Christmas Eve and took a few pictures at our house Christmas morning. We had some really cute photo ops at Mimi's and PawPaw's and at Peep & D-Dog's, but of course I had forgotten the camera! Please excuse the crazy order of the photos...it's too much work to rearrange them.Clark on his scooter for the first time in the cul-de-sac. He loved it until he fell in the driveway and hurt his finger. It's been too cold outside to try it again!!!!

Clark is enjoying playing with one of his many toys he got for Christmas.

Us on Christmas morning (still in pajamas at 11:00!!!!)

Crip made the whipped cream for the pancakes!


A griddle full of pancakes for breakfast.
This was our dining room on Christmas morning, including the extra chair that didn't get moved out in the chaos of the morning.
Memaw and Alice at Christmas Eve.Baby Austin and Mrs. Carol enjoying some good cuddle time!


Clark was ready to drive through the lights at Callaway Gardens!
One of the scenes Clark enjoyed


Arnie, our Elf on the Shelf, went back with Santa on Christmas Eve!

Drew and Clark having a conversation on Christmas Eve. Drew was probably asking Clark if he thought Santa would find our house. I think Clark was worried he really may not come because the first thing Clark said on Christmas morning was, "Did Santa find our house?"

A Precious Face

I had a very hard time trying to decide on which precious face to put on our Christmas card! The one of him really smiling/laughing portrays his personality best, but the sweet, adorable face on the others melt my heart!

Santa Claus visits Cedar Grove

Today, Santa came to visit the little kids (and big ones too) at Cedar Grove. Clark told him all about what he wanted for Christmas and he explained about our new tradition, the advent calendar.

Randi helped Clark complete a few Christmas crafts/ornaments for our tree.

Reasons for thanks...

We have dozens of reasons to be thankful. Below are some photos of Thanksgiving that remind us many of the reasons we are thankful each day!


Carl, Barbara, Drew, me, Clark, Kim, Peep, & D-Dog (Crystal is taking the photo) enjoy lunch together on Thanksgiving day.Mimi and Clark sneaking into Clark's turkey brownie treat!
Since I rarely post any pictures of Drew and me...
I joined Clark for his little "feast" at school on the Friday before Thanksgiving.

The Clark family
Kim, me, and Crystal