Keith's Nativity Collection Now Online

After I purchased two nativity sets in 2003--one on sale at the last minute and one after Christmas--, Teri and the kids decided to make the nativity the theme of gifts for me last Christmas (2004). Constant vigalence on e-Bay, web searches, a stroke of luck in a second hand store, work and effort left me with quite an appreciated collection. It is displayed online at http://kcnativity.blogspot.com/.

Shearon Harris Field Trip

Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant Visitors Center 

Teri took the girls to the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant Visitors Center on April 25th. They had a great time learning all about nuclear power, exploring the electricity lab and exploring Harris Lake. This trip will help Kimberly earn a badge for scouting as well!

Sanford Ward Pinewood Derby and Chili Cookoff

Our family's pinewood derby cars! 

The Sanford Ward held the Second Annual Pinewood Derby and Chili Cookoff on April 23rd. Unlike the 5 oz weight limit for the Cub Scout version of the Pinewood Derby, the weight limit for the Sanford Derby was 3 pounds! Rebekah's car, the blue with red stripe, was the fastest of our group. Kimberly's was a representation of her Beehive class. Katherine made the red racing car. And although Matthew was unable to attend, we did race his dinosaur car - an original from his own Cub Scout days!

The chili cook off was quite successful, with Teri and Keith's chili placing first in two categories: Most unique ingredients, and most unusual flavor. Teri was heard saying, "If you can't make it taste good, make it taste weird!" The unique ingredients were cocoa powder and cinnamon. Click here to be taken to the recipe!

Update on Matthew's Mysterious Illness

For an update on what ails Matthew, click here.

Watch Out! She's a Teenager Now!

Kimberly turned 13! As she stated, "I'm now a teenager and not just a double digit!" She was happy to get a new softball bat, batting gloves, and some money for her big day, as well as a trip with her dad to Golden Corral over the weekend and a trip to get ice cream with Keith on her 'big day'!

Back to Keith's Boyhood

Last week Keith returned to where he grew up to attend a Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary Reception in honor of his cousin, Jean Hinesley who married Sam Burgess on April 8, 1955. Teri had a chance to meet more of Keith's relatives and a lot of folks who knew him as a boy. One was his cousin, Linda Odom (left photo) who she had especially wanted to meet. Keith is shown with his cousin Jean, who he credits with fixing him the first cheeseburger he ever ate when he was about 6. It is obvious he liked it because we can tell he has had plenty.!!

The reception was held on April 9, 2005 at Flat Branch Church Fellowship Hall in Anderson Creek, NC. Pictures from the event can be seen at this link.

If The Software Could Just Do Real People!!

At the anniversary reception, Keith met with children of his late cousin Carolyn. He had perhaps seen two of them when he was a teen but is sure he had not met the other two. Their mother died suddenly in 1969, leaving their aunt, Debbie, as their closest relative in Keith's line. Keith collected family history information and promised them a rare picture of their mom. Upon opening the picture, it was obvious it was not in good condition when he acquired it with his scanner years ago. He had restored a picture of his son Clay a couple of years ago and decided to work on this one to keep his promise. The original was 2"X3" and is now in a format and resolution that can be printed up to 5x7.

Just What Is It?--Updated April 29, 2005

As many of you know, Matthew has had a mystery illness since right after Christmas break including fevers for no reason, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint aches, headaches, and more. After lots of testing and waiting, we think we have discovered the causes :

Lyme Disease - with a standard treatment of 4 to 6 weeks of doxycycline
Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis - caused by untreated strep.

The strep infection has taken over Matthew's kidney filters, thus causing blood and blood cell casts in his urine. The standard treatment is 1000 mg of amoxicillin twice a day for 30 days - that is 10 times the normal dose for 3 times as long.

We were very blessed to find a doctor that had Lymes disease with negative Lyme tests like Matthew as well as Lymes with strep. She knew what to look for and is treating the disease vigorously. In addition to the daily antibiotics, he has also had 2 shots of roseferin and 4 shots of penicillin.

The biggest worry at this point is possible rheumatic fever which is also caused by untreated strep - however, instead of attacking the kidney, it attacks the heart. An EKG shows no damage at this point to his heart.

The strep was found using a test called an ASO titer. The titer of someone who has had strep is usually 40 or above. Matthew's titer was 514. His doctor had never seen such a high number in her 15 years of practice. A retest this week now has his number at 491 - still very high but moving in the right direction.

Another worry was that the terrible bladder/kidney infection earlier on was caused by e coli. This is very atypical in men, so they did some other tests to check out Matthew's bladder and tubing. One of the possible explanations would have been Crohn's disease causing fistulas to attach from the bowel to the bladder. However, the test showed that this was not the case. Since they could find nothing during this testing, they will just assume that the e coli was an anomaly and let it go.

So, until around May 22, Matthew will be on bedrest, taking massive doses of antibiotics - and he still hopes to be well in time to go to Philmont the end of June!

Happy Birthday Katherine!!

Katherine turned 7 today - April 3 - and when asked if she felt any older, said, "No! I feel exactly the same. My hair is even the same!" I guess she thought there would be big changes coming her way! Stay tuned for more spring birthdays.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

We were driving by a taxidermist and Matthew said something about it. Katherine asked what a taxidermist was. Matthew said, "Well, that is someone that takes animals and turns them into trophies for people." Katherine, in all seriousness, said, "OHHH. I've always wondered how they made trophies." After the laughter subsided, Matthew was able to explain the other meaning of the word trophy!

Never a dull moment here.

Keith Is Cyperpet Sitting

Kim has brought I-Cybie to our house so for at least a little while we have a "pet." Quite a high techy one, too. Keith has "voice" trained him and dubed him "Bart." Bart responds to verbal, remote control, and hand-clap commands, performs a variety of tricks, and even seeks out his recharger when his battery is low. We now have a video of Bart warming up. With sensors to detect petting and scolding, he develops a personality. If Bart doesn't make a good house guest, we will know who to blame.

SAT Scores, Driver's Permit Top Matthew's Day

Matthew does have something to smile about. He obtained his driver's permit and will be able to drive with one of his parents or guardian in the front seat. Also, he recieved his SAT scores. They had been delayed due to a problem at the Collge Board. A score of 660 verbal and 600 math gave him an impressive score of 1260, in the top 74% in math and 90% in verbal of the college-bound students who took the test.

Girl Scout Cookie Time--Sold Out

It has been Girl Scout Cookie Sale time. This picture is only a portion of 1550 boxes picked up on February 12. Kimberly, Rebekah and Katherine sold more than 1650 boxs, and each girl qualified for special GS recognition at a fun event this summer.

Head Heredity

There is a common shape of the head of four generations of Clark males shown in this composite photo. Another characteristic is called "strong willed" by some and "hard headed" by others. (L-R), Keith's Dad, Keith, Kyle, Keith's son, and Kyle's son, Jaxson.

Matthew Gives Sacrament Talk

On Sunday, February 20, 2005 Matthew spoke in Sacrament Meeting in the Sandford Ward on the topic, "Respecting Women, Girls, and Children." Click here to read his talk. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints youth, as well as adults, can be assigned to speak at the worship service.

Matthew Appointed House Page

The Speaker of the NC House has appointed Matthew to serve as a page in the NC State House of Representatives the week of February 21-25. He was nominated by Lee County Representative John Sauls. The North Carolina House of Representatives Page Program affords youth of the State the opportunity to see first-hand how laws are made by participating in the legislative process. Young people help in individual Representatives' offices, in committee meetings, and during daily Sessions for one-week terms when the General Assembly is in Session.