24/7, 730 days

 

Nicholas, 5, holding his new sister, Lottie, on her BIRTHday.

I love this picture so much!

I remember how excited he was to hold Lottie in the hospital.

Then about 1 minute later, he looked at me and said,

"Ok, I'm done."

Today, we spoke to Gigs in Slovakia.

He's happy, and he LOVES this area and his companion.

I am so grateful that he feels this way in his first area. 

It's fascinating to see how differently my four missionary 

children have approached their missions. 

Gigs' attitude is typical for him; 

he has always been such an easygoing kid.

He's pretty accommodating, but also very opinionated.

This 24/7, 730-day service in Slovakia will not only help him develop

a closer relationship with the Savior and the people he is serving,

but he'll grow into a man, leaving all selfish traits.

I can already see it.

Halloween 2025

We celebrated Halloween.  

Somehow, I pulled off a dinner (I even made chili!)

We had the usual Halloween dinner suspects:

dry ice with root beer

charcuterie board covered with flies and bugs

sourdough bread and

Jane made cookies, which we didn't eat because I think

we were all sugared out.

I must have had 100 Snickers and 100 Tootsie Rolls throughout the day

 not because I wanted to eat treats, but because this pregnancy has made me

have the WORST taste in my mouth ALL THE TIME, and 

so I keep eating sugary stuff.

This pregnancy has been so strange.

After dinner, we drove out of Stillstead country

and into our old neighborhood so Lottie could

find her friends, and we could see the fun decorations and 

watch the kids running around.

I love Halloween.

Earlier this morning, Jane and Lottie (who skipped school)

went to a Barre3 class at the studio, both wearing matching Halloween bows.

I was sad to miss the class, but vigorous exercise physically hurts

my super non-stretchy pregnant skin.  So I'm skipping out.

Next year I WON'T be pregnant and WILL have a little

baby girl whom I get to introduce ALL my favorite 

Halloween everything's!

I get to read ALL my Halloween books to her,

and watch ALL my favorite Halloween cartoons together.

It can't come soon enough!

Validating

 

Today was NOT a good day.

My usual morning throw-ups lasted ALL DAY.

I was also very super emotional. 

It hurts to work out in the studio,

And my nausea meds make me dizzy.

Christian took me in the truck to go for a ride.

It was nice to get out.

And, I love feeling baby six move around in my belly,

 it's so validating and gives purpose to my many woes.

Moving

I woke up to a text from my mom

"Cubby, I need to see a picture of your face."

So I sent her this:

I was slow getting out of bed, but managed to keep Christian's

oatmeal down for breakfast.

It was a gloomy October day- my favorite.

I worked on getting a few decorations out for our Halloween dinner.

I also planned our menu.

Most days I spend alone.

Christian and Jane are at the studio working, and Lottie,

of course, is at school. 

I move super slow and at my own pace

lying down like every 10 minutes because I have ZERO energy

and the taste in my mouth is killing me.

Christian came and picked me up and took me to lunch.

I was in my PJs.

The world out the car window is absolutely glorious.

Reset

 

A stranger friend sent this to me today.

Her daughter read my book and did a little follow-up report.

This brought tears to my eyes

because I don't feel tough right now at all.

I didn't even make it to church today.

I spent the day in bed.

I'm pushing the reset button tomorrow.

I'm all done being sick and need a good week ahead.

It's Halloween, for heaven's sake!

Thank You, October

Remember when I was supposed to take treats to the 

studio for the Halloween class?
Well, it didn't happen.  

Instead, I spent most of the night before vomiting.  It was bad.

So grateful for my Barre3 team, who took over

and picked up the treats for me.

Around dinnertime, I went out for a walk to check on 

the cows and smell the fresh air, and have a good cry.
I needed it.
It's so beautiful out, and I am so thankful for October. 

Daddy Daughter Camp-out

 

To celebrate fall break, Jane, Lottie, and Christian

 planned a fun backpacking trip

in the Blue-Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

The fall colors right now are breathtaking.

They spent weeks planning for a two-day trip with delicious food 

and warm clothes to handle the below-freezing temperatures.

I stayed home with plans to clean the boys' room, so Lottie and Jane

 can move upstairs while we create space downstairs for baby six.

I went upstairs, sat down, and couldn't move.

I felt so unmotivated and nauseated.

Then I fell asleep.

When I woke up, it was nearly dark.

I went downstairs into the tub and then to bed.

And that about sums up my life.

Tomorrow, I am headed into the studio early to bring Halloween treats

to the clients and their kids for the mini & me Halloween class.

Clark Genes

My sister, Courtney, sent me a text today to check in.

She lives in Idaho.

We're the only two from the Clark family of nine who live outside of Utah.

She also included this photo of Jesse and me swimming

In Lake Powell, probably the summer of 1987.

In the photo, I am the spitting image of Claire and Jesse, 

the spitting image of his son, Max.

The Clark genes are strong.

I am so anxious to meet this baby six!

Who will she look like?

Will she have red hair?

In my mind, she is a mini-me or a mini-Claire

with dark hair.

But with my babies, anything can go; I've had just

about every combination possible.

Black hair, hazel eyes

Red hair, blue eyes

Brown hair, blue eyes

Blonde hair, brown eyes

Red hair, brown eyes

We have a name picked out.

I've known her name since July.

We're not announcing it until she's born in January.

But it's a really cool story.

 

Gigs In Slovakia #1 October 2025

Gigs made it to Slovakia!  

First, he landed in Prague, Czech Republic, where he and several

 other missionaries were picked up by their mission leaders, 

President and sister Everton.

(God bless the Evertons!!!)

They had dinner at the mission home, then spent the night in Prague.  
He took a train to his area in Slovakia the next morning, 

where he met his new companion and his new apartment.  

Honestly, I have never seen Gigs so happy.  He is thriving.  

I am so happy for him.
He's so cute!

He's loved the changing weather and the beautiful, colorful leaves.

October in Slovakia has been wonderful.

So far, everything is good.

He loves his companion.

He loves the food.

He loves where he lives.

He loves the people.

And, he's not homesick.

He did say he wished he were better at the language.

That will come!

Some things never change!

Go, Gigs, Go!