Gifts of Joy

Ka'anapali Kondo

Maui Thanksgiving 2008: Our Westin Ocean Villa Vacation!

It was pretty kozy, but such a delight to have everyone with us: Ray and I in the master bedroom, Jeff stretched out on the pullout in the living room and Blaise and Laura and Will and Derek and Hillary and Jocelyn in the second bedroom: a queen bed, a pullout, a roll away and two cribs. (A bit crazy.) But more family made for some wonderful card games, car trips, dinners out and casual conversations. Fun to just hang out together and spend TIME. Grandma Christy (or “Grandpa,” as Will calls me), watched videos with Will (Walleeeeeee) and bussed baby Jocelyn, who beams and makes wonderful noises.

Family dinners included a spectacular view overlooking the golf course and the Pacific from the Plantation; a scrumptious chicken fajitas night, hosted by Laura with special cooking assistance from Jeff; a just-pulled-out-of-the-ocean Mahi Mahi barbeque hosted by Jeff, who did both the deep sea fishing and the cooking, with special assistance on sides by Derek and Hillary; and an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet at the Sheraton.

Other highlights: warm ocean breezes and sunny skies; Ka’anapali beaches with soft, golden sand; pods of porpoises; snorkeling (some went); enormously competitive pool basketball; a gloriously beautiful car trip and hike up the coast; the spectacular Iao Valley—lush valley and verdant, jagged peaks rising up out of a thick mist that miraculously lightened into sunshine; and a day’s drive past humongous waves, dense jungle and the Road to Hana. On the last adventure, Ray drove slowly for an hour on twisting, winding roads so some of us could avoid motion sickness until we pulled into a garden-of-Eden-like botanical garden. This was actually the name of it. The man at the gate said, “Welcome to the Garden of Eden!” We saw lush landscapes that were part of the filming of Jurassic Park and a hundred-year-old mango tree. Will ran everywhere, picking up huge leaves and giant seed pods. A man at the gate had 12 enormous macaws, brilliant in colors and noises. He had trained the birds to sit on people’s head, shoulders and hands so he could snap a $20 picture with their camera. A family was there from Alaska and he talked them into it!

Other sweet memories: Will looking up at Laura and Hillary, who were behind the kitchen counter together, and saying, “Two mommies!”; Derek hugging, squeezing, kissing, tickling his baby girl; the pic of Jeff holding a 40 pound fish; Jocelyn happy in her tent on the beach; spectacular fish tacos at the Hula Grill; the exquisite last sunset over the Ka’anapali Westin Ocean Villas North; sacrament meeting at the little chapel in Lahaina with Laura and Blaise and Will; and Will running across the concourse at full speed at the airport, entertaining other travelers. Ah, Maui. So varied and sunny and green. Wonderful to think we have this bit of paradise now forever!We missed Natalie and family!! Ray and I look forward to future times with all of you.

Hawaii Baby

Granddaughter Jocelyn will be five months this Thanksgiving. What a sweetie! Ray and I can't wait to travel to Hawaii to see her and her parents, Derek and Hillary Williams, the week after next. Also coming are Jeff Williams and Laura and Blaise and William Harris. Should be an adventure!!

Wise Words for Parents from Dr. Peck

This came from a journal entry, January 1, 1985.....I have been reading The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck and it has helped me evaluate my parenting. He said that “the time and quality of the time that parents devote to their children indicate to the children the degree to which they are valued.” He went on to say that the feeling of being valuable is essential to mental health and is a direct product of parental love. Such a conviction must be gained in childhood and it is extremely difficult to acquire it during adulthood. Conversely, when children have learned through the love of their parents to feel valuable, it is almost impossible for the vicissitudes of adult life to destroy their spirit.....

Halloween Happy!!!

Nemo arrives at Grandma's door a few days before Halloween. His family is headed to Natalie's to celebrate on Friday with Cousins Katherine and Andrew , so Will practiced his trick or treating next door and we carved the pumpkin early. M & M's were a hit.

A New Call for Ray

Ray was recently called to serve as a counselor in the ward bishopric! He will be serving with Bishop Maddux and Brother Brown. Remember him in your prayers. He is excited but feeling pretty intimidated. Surely this will be an opportunity to grow in testimony and spirit and make a wonderful contribution in his service to the Lord.

The Great Gathering

Mother's 80th birthday brought dear ones from their far-flung places (also from just across town and Orange County) like Hawaii, Utah and even Azerbijan (note: Stan flew over to the U.S. for surgery, but while in Salt Lake, decided to jet down.) So wonderful to celebrate this marvelous people person who has been so much a part of our lives: our mom, gma, g.g. (great-grandmother), sister, aunt, friend. Exciting, too, that after the huge birthday party , Mom kept celebrating her decades by buying herself a new car!! (Well, new to her.) Many thanks to all who made the party such a success--invitations, music, flowers, program, etc. Special thanks to Derek and Hillary for the wonderful video program and to Randy and Gaye Haar who helped with its projection on to a giant screen and also made copies for family members.
Another wonderful highlight was the arrival of Jocelyn Kaila on her first trip to the mainland (such a sweetie!) and the blessing of Andrew Jeffrey by his Great Uncle Steve. Fun to spend time with Becky and Royden & Mom in La Quinta....Enjoy the pics of parties, a cache of cousins, farm adventure, baby blessing , brunch that followed and Mom and her new Lucerne. Gatherings are a reminder of how wonderful it is to be part of a family. I am so well pleased with your accomplishments! Love you all so much. Mom

Road Trip

We traveled 3700 miles and took in four national parks... Our all-time favorite was Bryce Canyon, Utah. Spectacular red and orange cliffs with the most amazing giant sculpted rock formations by the thousands, called Hoo Doo's. They look like a gathering of the ancients, frozen in time and waiting.....Ray drove most of the way (I took over for about 100 miles) and I navigated. We passed through awesome country, including Star Valley, Wyoming, where many of my Clark ancestors homesteaded. We stayed a fun couple nights with Natalie's family(it was a kick to play Appkes to Apples and Moods with Jeff Williams and friend, also in town) and then with my Aunt Becky and Uncle Royden. I was able to stop and see where Dad is buried at Wasatch Lawn in Salt Lake. Peaceful setting......Jackson Lake Lodge offered spectacular views of the Tetons. We hiked around pristine lakes, saw moose and deer. I talked Ray into hanging in there to see Old Faithful blow in Yellowstone. Do not make reservations for Yellowstone Lake Lodge. Beautiful lake but the bed was dreadful. We couldn't sleep and left one day early...Cold in Yellowstone, but wonderful weather everywhere else. Awesome stay at the Salish Lodge overlooking Snoqualmie Falls in Washington. We took some fun hikes, went sailing in the Sound, strolled through Pike's market, visited a marvelous aquarium, ate salmon at Anthony's Pier 66 overlooking the water and Etta's.....Fun to visit Del and Pauline, Ray's sister, in Welches, Oregon, and then spend the night at Crater Lake lodge overlooking the lake on the final leg home. The lake is the most unearthly deep blue. A full moon that night and glorious sunrise over the water. Happy to be home again and so excited that tomorrow all my beloved posterity are coming for Mom's 80th birthday celebration. Ray and I feel refreshed, despite so much driving. Fun to spend all that time together. One of our best getaways.

Everyone's coming to GiGi's B.D. Party!!

What a thrill that Derek & Hillary & Jocelyn will be joining us for Grandma's 80th on Thursday, Sept. 18.. Natalie, Laura, Jeff, Derek, let Uncle Jim know if you will be singing or dancing for the program. Or who you would LIKE to hear from on the program..... Also, put in your vote for Friday or Saturday morning: a first annual Don B. Clark Memorial Ozzie Osborne's Course (par 3) Golf Tournie (Grandma has extra clubs...we have LOTS of balls) OR rent bikes and go biking OR everyone to the beach? Other ideas? It will be so great to see you all....

Tongue Tied

A huge highlight of our fun day at the Santa Barbara zoo with GiGi (Great-Grandma Annette) and the Havell family, was treating the giraffe to a crunchy cracker. The giraffe seemed to love it. Will, too!..... Will was ecstatic with all the animals. Fish, even! Many thanks to the Havell boys....They helped us keep track of him.

All My Cuties

Here they are, all four!! Katherine, William, Andrew & Jocelyn. Sweet joys.

Captain Corbett Captures 2nd Place at Nationals

After four grueling days dueling on the high seas, Ray and crew scored a second place in the Annual Olson 30 Nationals at Channel Islands. The crew bunked here during their stay and we had wonderful salmon dinners while everyone recounted their adventures on the water. Ray was at the tiller, his brother Tom on the foredeck accompanied by former college chum Joe Burien, Tom's daugher, Kristen, and two veteran sailors and sail makers, Angela and Brian. Pretty awesome finish for these guys, some of whom have been sailing for a looooong time!! (To check out the action, zoom in on the boat on the right.).....

Oh, baby, baby!!!

Two babies in two days!! An unforgettable week! Natalie was in labor when I headed for my flight. I told my fellow travelers about the imminent arrival. When we landed and I turned my phone on again, there was a text picture of a little face in a blue cap! Andrew Jeffrey. "I feel honored to be sharing this moment with you, " said the woman next to me on the plane--also a grandma, headed for Baltimore....THEN that very evening, Derek called to say they were on the way to the hospital in Hawaii for the next birth. Unfortuantely, baby number two took her time. Many hours! We waited, anxious, all Tuesday evening. I had my cell next to me all through the night. No word Wednesday morning or afternoon. Baby was "stuck." I awoke in a panic Thursday morning. It was 4:20 a.m. and STILL no word. I prayed, "Heavenly Father, I just have to know." Three seconds later my cell went off. I could hear Jocelyn crying in the background as a very weary Derek announced her arrival. She had come late Wednesday, a C-section, but healthy and beautiful, Jocelyn Kaila Williams, born June 25.......

My week with Natalie's family was a delight. Katherine, when Natalie brought the baby home in his car seat and set him down in the family room, cried, "My baby!!" She seemed very certain that she did NOT need our help to take care of him. Interesting to see her various reactions to this new development. She put diapers on all her babies. Begged to hold the baby. Was thrilled to be a gopher for baby wipes and Desitin. Finally, she crawed into the baby's car seat with a blanket herself. ....Andrew woke up, yawned, snacked and smacked and fell asleep again in a kind of milk coma. By the end of the week, though, he was more awake. Fun to see him open his eyes and look around. He is such a cutie!!.. Natalie and Jeff took turns through the night. They are wonderful, devoted parents.....Hillary and Derek brought baby home on Saturday and have posted the most delightful, incredible photos on their blog (taken at wee hours in the morning), with lots of details about the adventure of Jocelyn's birth. She and Derek are crazy about her. She will be crazy about them. They will be a marvelous mom and dad...Two beautiful, healthy babies.........(yes, it appears they both have "the lips")..... and all this joy!! Now they are four: Katherine, William, Andrew and Jocelyn....