Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ago today the "Clark and Maryann Siler family" was born. I feel it was the beginning of the happiest years of my life. Clark has been a wonderful blessing in my life and truly is my best friend. I couldn't have dreamed of a better life. I have a heart full of love and gratitude to our Heavenly Father who guided us together.

Families can be together forever.

(link to song)

Merry Christmas!

We made an ecard and letter for you to enjoy! Click here to read about how our family has gorwn and see the cute collage of pictures.
Have a "most exciting Christmas!"
(Children's Songbook, pg 51)

Preschool Day

Yesterday I took my turn hosting our preschool group and we learned about the seasons. This was our craft. I found the idea online somewhere. They are ice cream cone Christmas trees. The children loved it and were able to do the whole craft themselves, with a little supervision. I loved seeing the children really enjoying the craft and all the other activities they did.

Cold days mean hot chocolate. A favorite treat of ours is hot chocolate with a peppermint stick in it. I let Benjamin try one, as you can see he really enjoyed it.

Here is a funny one of Rebecca. She was playing on my bed while I was reading and then I noticed the room got quiet. I turned and saw she had fallen asleep. I thought it was funny she fell asleep with the "Sleep Book", which just goes to show that it really should "be read in bed". I can't help but yawn just looking at the book.

Looking Like Christmas!

Our little family has a tradition of decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. We are all home and can enjoy doing it together. The children loved helping to decorate the tree. Here I am putting the last touch of red bows on the tree and they sit and enjoy our basket of Christmas books that comes out with the decorations as well. There is something special in the air this time of year. I love Christmas!

Snuggle Bugs

Rebecca has a cozy bed which is like a little cove under Davids bed. (this is the bed, plus the tent) Everyone loves to roll onto Rebecca's bed since it is so easy to crawl to. Benjamin especially loves snuggling down in her bed. I think he wishes he could join them in sharing a room.
Don't you want to jump in and get cozy too?

Feeling Relief

Benjamin being funny.

This past week we had a follow-up appointment to the doctor for Benjamin. I really haven't enjoyed the visits to the doctor since our little one is very little. When I am at home with him I don't worry about his size because he is just right to me. He is active in crawling and trying to walk. He communicates in almost using recognizable words. Best of all, he has a great sense of humor and loves interacting and laughing with each of us. All this points to a very healthy little boy, even if he is very little in size.

The doctor has been informing us that these situations are worded as "failure to thrive" just because the child isn't following the growth curve. We have even taken a cystic fibrosis test (thankfully negative). We were also told to call an interventionist who would help us watch Benjamin.

This last visit came and as usual I had a prayer in my heart that perhaps this time we could hear some good news about his growth and health. We took him in and they weighed him and I couldn't believe my eyes! Benjamin had jumped 5 ounces in two weeks, which is an amazing jump since he hasn't grown very much in a long time. Then they told us the C.F. test was negative, and his wheezing (something he also had at the previous appointment) was gone. I was filled with gratitude and felt like I was walking in the clouds. We will still have to watch his growth, but I am so thankful to have at least one happy visit for Benjamin (although he did have to get his shots, poor boy)!

"Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings (see Alma 37:37). . . . We are promised that if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God's will, we can be blessed, protected, and directed (see 3 Nephi 18:20; D&C 19:38)."

David A. Bednar
"Pray Always, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 41

Growing Big

We have updated our photos here, if you care to see some of the fun we have had this past month.

Rocks

David loves rocks. Often when we are playing at the park, or going any where else, David will notice rocks and inspect them. Here is a bit of his collections, of course he didn't find many of those on the ground, but a few of them he has.
I love seeing my children learn and explore the beauties around them. David even made a museum, much like the one we visit, to go and look at rocks. He has quite a collection.

Halloween Fun

The children loved making root beer and watching it bubble.

Thanks to Clark's brother, we had some great costumes for Halloween.

Flying

David felt the weather was right, he changed his clothes and took flight.

Sick Day

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.
(2 Nephi 2:11)
But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.
(2 Nephi 2:24)

There is something special in caring for sick children, it touches a spot of my heart and I feel an increase in my abilities to be patient, tender, and loving. I am able to do so much while I would have been more exhausted on a normal day. This feeling helps me see the kind of person I would like to be more consistently. Although I don't like to see my children or our family suffer in any way, there is a great lesson to learn in our trials, and a strength we can get no other way.

I am truly grateful to a loving Father who teaches me and watches over my sweet little angels.

New Pictures

We've updated our pictures page (link) to include our fun adventures of last month.


(This was a fun moment turned to tears when a smiling yogurt-covered boy started to play peek-a-boo... right when the camera was ready. Poor sweet little one!)

Taking a Peek

I do not cook or bake often; however, these past few days I have had a strong desire to make cinnamon rolls. I was a bit nervous that they would turn out small and hard like they have for me in the past, but Mmm look at this peek into the oven window. They turned out beautiful and were enjoyed by eager fingers and mouths. If this feeling of fulfillment keeps up, I may try baking more often. (At least as long as the weather is cooler than 90 degrees!)

Field Trip

On a field trip with the preschool group. We enjoyed fun things at Cabela's: animals, fish, fudge, and camping. Unfortunately the children move so fast I just can't capture all the cute things they were doing.

Super Saturday

This last Saturday was our Relief Society's "Super Saturday" activity. I was put in charge of this advent calendar. My sweet Mother-in-law made this for all her children and we have loved it so much, I offered the idea for this activity thinking other young families would enjoy it as well. I was very excited to see the finished product of a few of these calendars and see that they turned out to be very cute!
This has been a special tradition and a wonderful way to celebrate Christ's birth. Mary and Joseph travel on the path and at the end baby Jesus is taken out of Mary's pocket and put in the manger. The children love it.

"Rain is Falling All Around"

On Sunday the Austin Texas Stake held a special fast for the area because we are dangerously low on water. We fasted for rain to come and relieve the area. After church we drove to Lake Travis (where Austin area gets its water) to see how it looks before rain comes. The lake is about 50 feet below what it should be. (link here to see)

July 2007

We visited Mansfield Dam two years ago before the drought started and the lake had received so much rain they opened the flood gates.

September 2009

Below is the picture of the lake. I wish I could have shown how there is land exposed in the middle of the lake as well making islands were there were no islands before. You can see the dirt strip around the lake where the water level used to be.

Now, the reason I post this, every day of this week has had a forecast of rain and it is now raining and sprinkling. Are prayers answered, I think this is a resounding YES!

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation 0f God, and for his arm to be revealed." -Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

Little Scientist

David has been coming home with his pockets full of rocks. His teacher said that he spends most of his time exploring and digging in the ground. I was impressed with the rocks he found, they were all fossilized shells. He loved telling us all about them and how old they are. He is a great explorer.

The Temple

We took our monthly trip to the San Antonio Temple last Saturday and I was the lucky one who was to walk the grounds with the children while Clark went in first. We explored and took the opportunity to take pictures of each other in front of the temple. We felt the Spirit and enjoyed the peace that filled us. As we sat in one spot, David stood and gave a talk on the importance of the temple. I love the joy that fills my heart at the temple.

My three sweet children.

David took this picture so that I could have a picture of me.

Here are my boys, preparing for the temple.

My sweet little girl that has a heart full of love and is excited for the day she too can go to the temple.

"As a child of God I've learned this truth: A family is Forever."

Lunch with Only Two

The days have been so quiet with David gone, but normalcy is starting to come back into our lives. Rebecca often pretends while she eats, especially with David. She is starting to do it again. Here she is being a kitty. She is so patient, sweet, and kind. I love having this time to have with her.

Benjamin loves sitting "crisscross applesauce" all the time, even when he sits in his chair for lunch! I love his little toes.

Our sweet little boy always with a smile.

Again, our sweet kitty and apple, of course. Rebecca is a great example of pure love.

Fast Learner

Last week was David's first week of school. Everyday he brings home a folder that we check and also contains pages that he practices (words, numbers, letters). One of the papers in the practice section was on learning to tie your shoe. We showed David how to tie his shoes and let him practice, and I figured in a few weeks he would start to understand it and get the knack of it. I don't remember how old I was, but five seems pretty young.

To my surprise, David picked it up after only a couple times of us helping him. This morning he surprised me by doing it completely by himself, and even adding the double knot! Perhaps I am just his mother, but he amazes me at how quickly he is picking everything up. What a smart little boy!

Our children amaze me in how quickly they learn.

First Day of School

Here we are walking to school, which happens to be just around the corner from us. That is the school in the background.

My sweet boy is now at school. He is very excited, but as you can see he is also a little nervous. I hope he is having a good day!

We had time to read together and enjoy hugging and loving each other before we left. Daddy even surprised us by being there to go to school with us!

End of Summer: A New Beginning

Here is the end of Summer. Now we enter a new season of life. Here is what will happen:

Little Benjamin is starting to look not so little anymore. In this picture he is enjoying time playing the piano. He has loved pianos since he was little, so from the beginning. Now that he can move around himself, when he hears me playing the piano he will crawl as fast as he can to play with me. He will be going into nursery in January, which is coming fast. I am sure he will be running around by then too!

Here is David. He is now entering the school age. He will start Kindergarten on Tuesday and my biggest little boy won't be little for much longer... He is already starting to read and write, and create many things. In this picture he is giving a talk during family home evening about the Nephites from the Book of Mormon. Somehow our children came up with this podium by standing on a little chair behind our bench.

Here is Rebecca. She is my big girl, the same size as her big brother and always making me forget she is still only three. Since she was two I have felt that she and David were the same age, she has wanted to keep up with him and be his best friend through and through. Now they will be separated by school. She will be in a Mother's Co-op Preschool group which will happen once a week. She is starting to be interested in really knowing her letters. She and David love to sit while Mommy or Daddy read stories to them. (even for hours at a time on some days) She is our sensitive little girl, aware of every creation and every creation is her friend. Here she is giving a talk during Family Home Evening on Temples, her favorite place in the whole world.

Here comes Fall and our new beginning.

Back to Normal

I haven't posted in a while and the reason mainly being that I was having a hard time and can't think of anything to say when times get tough. I was mainly struggling to adjust back to normal after all the fun I had when my family came to visit. I wake up in the morning wish I had somewhere fun to go and fun people to be with. Things just didn't seem so fun when you don't have visitors...
After two hard weeks, I think we have finally adjusted back to normal. We have relearned to take our trips to the park in the mornings and spend more time at the library reading books. We are very excited at preparing David for school in just a couple weeks. He is very excited and very ready. I will be sad not to have him home with me all the time, but I know he will have so much fun having the school experience. There is so much fun in going to school and having a desk, backpack, lunch, crafts, games, etc. He will have an all day Kindergarten, and I will miss him so much! My sweet boy is growing so fast.

One Year Old

Yesterday Benjamin turned one. We had a fun day together. The children ran into his room when they heard him wake up and they started singing all the happy birthday songs they could think of.

David said he wanted to have another party today. I think he expected a bigger party yesterday, but Benjamin had lots of fun.

Togetherness

I am so thankful that my family has been able to visit our little family this past week. I have had so much fun sharing and making memories with them. Now I have to deal with withdrawals as they have left for home again. I hope we can do it again. Family is everything! Here are a few of the fun adventures we had:

Zilker Park

The Alamo
San Antonio Temple

Mt. Bonnell

U.T. Campus

Thanks for visiting us! We love you all!

The Winner Is....

Thank you to all who voted for Clark picture. He just talked to me on the phone today and was excited to tell me he won the photo contest! He is pretty happy. Thank you.

Still Time!

Clark is very excited to be participating a contest. If you haven't had the chance yet, there is still time to vote. Read the last post or click here to find instructions on how. Wish him good luck!

Lizard Contest

I’m attending a conference in a couple of weeks (This is Clark, Marann's husband, btw) where one of the vendors is having a competition. I'm looking for friends to help me win their photo contest? (Here's my entry)


3 simple steps to help me win (I’d do the same for you, you know!):

1. Go to the contest page: http://www.lizardtech.com/esri2009/vote.php
2. Mark my picture (on the bottom row)
3. Enter your name, etc. and vote!

You’re done! I appreciate you (and your help),
Clark

P.S.
Feel free to ask any friends, family, or coworkers to vote for me, too!

"When We're Helping We're Happy"

David has been very helpful in taking care of Benjamin. He keeps an eye out for him and if Benjamin starts crawling somewhere he shouldn't, David will pick him up and carry him off to a safer place. I taught him to hold Benjamin in a safe way, but it still makes me nervous to see such a little boy carrying a big baby.

Benjamin thought this was very funny, although I think he is now sensing that David is taking him away from some of the fun...

Benjamin loves bath time. He likes to crawl to the bathtub and look in. Here he is excitedly waiting to get in.

We traded our old van in for this one. We are excited to have this van, and right away Clark and the children cleaned it up extra well and made it sparkle. They had a lot of fun cleaning together.

I had to take a picture of it before it got all dirty, they did such a good job cleaning it. Rebecca wanted to be in the picture too, cute girl.

Rebecca has been very helpful and obedient too. She has surprised us lately by being prompt when we ask her to clean up or put pajamas on and we turn and see she is doing it! She has really grown a lot.