update!

Top to Bottom: Hunkes in TN, New Clark Family Babies and Cousins, Nim and Laynie, Creel Cousins. Below: Sarah in Seattle

I hate that it's been about a million forevers (ok, two months, whatever) since I've posted, especially since so many things (things requiring photo documentation!) have occurred. These things are inclusive of, but of course not limited to:

• The torture of all tortures--finals week (I survived!)
• The great trek to Alabama by way of first driving to Salt Lake City
• Christmas in Alabama--Laynie rode around in a wagon!
  
• Christmas in Tennessee--four new babies!
  
• Flying out of Nashville after the terrorist scare on Christmas day AND THEN driving back to Vancouver from SLC...

Shew, I'm tired after just bulleting those things out. It was all worth it, though. We got to spend a lot of time with our families, and what's more important than that? Nothing. I felt especially grateful this year to spend time with all my cousins (see above picture), especially my cousin Dale. It seems that no matter how much things change, I always see him as the skinny little pest of my childhood (in a good way). Being at Nanny and PawPaw's house with everyone reminded me of those days, and it was fun to also have husbands and boyfriends and soon to be financees all around us. The big yellow house in the country was so full--full of games, and food (what would Christmas be without the little burgers?!), and kids running around everywhere. It was insane...it was wonderful.

From there we went to Birmingham to celebrate with the Hunkes. We even got to see Tommy's aunt and uncle, Juanita and Jim, for a bit, and that was really nice. Then Dave, Sherrie, Kenny, Tommy, and myself headed to Tennessee for the annual Clark Christmas extravaganza. With four new babies in the family this year, it was quite the event! Projectile spit up, bottles, and tired parents abounded, but there were enough babies to hold and kiss on, and the food was amazing (as per the Clark usual), so all was well.

From there Tommy and I travelled back to Salt Lake City. It felt weird to be leaving him after a solid month of being together. He flew into Vancouver during what I refer to as the seventh circle of hell, better known as finals week, and was such a welcome sight. He cooked; he walked the dog; he cleaned; he did the laundry. He was so wonderful to me. Then he didn't take his flight back to SLC--he waited in order to drive with me and Mads through the winter weather to SLC. And then...he let me drive his car back to Vancouver, and he took my Corrolla (which looks like it has a giant fur coat covering in the backseat--not to mention that it's been broken into, backed into things, etc etc). Basically, he wins the good husband award of the year. Our plans as of right now are to see one another during the Olympic break (I'm getting the heck out of dodge), and then for him to move here at some point over the summer. We'd like for him to have something full-time here, but we think we can work if he can get contract work. It's worth whatever it takes.

And so I'm back in Vancouver. I'm glad to be back, and I know this is because I have an amazing set of family and friends who love me. It's easy to lose sight of who I am and where I come from when I'm here in a city full of people who don't know me and don't care to. It's easy to become one in millions, to hide behind reading and a degree and being alone. But I remembered what I had come close to forgetting--that I am here because everything lined up for me to be here. Because you all have been a part of my life and encouraged me and loved me.

And so I go back to the usual with a grateful heart.
xo,
s