A Reason for the Season

Dear friend in need of a coat,

I would like to personally thank you for so kindly taking my daughters brand new coat and leaving her without one. Each day the weather has been getting colder and colder. My daughter was sad, however, I promised her we would buy her a new coat after school.

It's not every day you attend a church function (Christmas church function that is), hang your coat on the donation (oops, I mean)/coat rack and return to find it missing...gone!

Perhaps it was taken by mistake. Perhaps you and your family are in greater need of a new coat at this time. Whatever your circumstances may be...the coat is yours and I hope it serves you well this winter.

It is cold today and snowing. I thought of you. My plan was to go to town to buy my daughter a new coat. To much surprise, a friend, aware of her newly donated coat, bought her a new one and dropped it off at our house. I was overwhelmed by her compassion and kindness. It softened my heart and made me realize there are so many more important things in life than a coat. A coat is just a coat and can be replaced, but human compassion, love, and kindness will last forever!

It's not every day I get to teach my children so many different important life-lessons. Through this experience I have been able to teach them the importance of being honest, compassionate, kind, forgiving, giving service, and much, much more! I thank you for that! My 4-year old is convinced it "could not have been an adult because they know better than that." Isn't child-like innocence a wonderful thing?

Please. Enjoy the coat. It's yours. I hope you like it and I hope it keeps you warm.

Sincerely and Merry Christmas,

Kimberly

All I Want for Christmas...

Okay, so last night was the annual church Christmas party. Since it was Sunday dress, I wanted to snap some quick pictures of the kids in front of the tree.

I used all kinds of bribery to get them to sit, smile, pose, hold still, etc.

When I finally pulled out the M&M's, Blake would only sit still long enough to chew his candy and then ask for another.

Why is this always such a feat?

Seriously! What's the deal with all the open mouths, hands on the face or in the air, and so on?

I just wanted 5 minutes with a few good pictures...is that too much to ask? Geez!

Christmases Past

A couple of nights ago we set up the Christmas tree, turned on our favorite Christmas tunes, and watched the kids decorate the tree.

Watching them decorate the tree reminded me of how my dad would always get a little teary as he lovingly watched my brother and sister and I decorate the tree.

Since then I have been reflecting on Christmases past and remembering the ones that have been extra special and meant the most in my life.

The picture above is of Devon and I at Temple Square, in Salt Lake, seven years ago. I was approximately 22 (or so) weeks pregnant with our daughter Taylor.

Being pregnant at Christmastime, to me, is such a magical experience. It made the whole nativity story more emotional and meaningful to me. I can't imagine riding on a donkey pregnant, sleeping in a barn pregnant, or delivering a baby in a barn among farm animals...amazing!

The gift of life is a miracle in itself! Now, seven years later, I feel so blessed to have three little ones of my own--they are so precious! Yes, they all have their quirks, at times, but every time I look at their tiny hands, sweet faces, and interact with their fun personalities, I am reminded, especially at Christmastime, how blessed I am!

Give Thanks

These last 10 months have been filled with numerous ups and downs, however, with Thanksgiving just around the corner I wanted to remind myself of all my blessings and what I am thankful for...

• I am thankful for a daughter who kindly reminds me that all of the other moms put notes in their kids' lunches at school and that she would like to have one as well.

• I am thankful for the 70's. Had the 70's not existed, I would not have been born AND Disco would have never been invented!! Without Disco, my substitute teaching life would be completely boring and I would not be the Rockstar on campus that all the kids make me out to be. The Rockstar image really suits me well...the second I am spotted, on campus, the kids start screaming my name and rush to hug me...it's a great self-esteem booster!

• I am thankful for the Jig-A-Lo game I learned at Cheer Camp back in 1992! One of these days I'll post a video...it's hilarious!

• I am thankful I read the entire TWILIGHT series and could attend the midnight movie premier with a bunch of screaming teens and my hubby!
  

• I am, seriously, thankful for cookie dough, doritos, and One Life to Live! On a bad day, those things always make everything better!

• And, last, but not least, I am thankful for an amazing husband, children, family and friends! Nothing feeds the soul more than good family and friends and knowing they are there for me when I need them!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Family Art

This is our most recent family project. Devo is finishing up his first semester, and, in preparation for his art final presentation, we all took turns throwing and flicking paint onto these three canvases.

Our little artists had a ball. In fact, I admit, it was pretty dang therapeutic throwing paint at the canvas!!

Who Me?

I admit it! I am either having bloggers-block, or my life has turned completely boring...which explains the lack of posts.

I could write and tell you about Disco Dancing with 4th Graders, today's Primary Program {{Luke memorized his part--very cute}}, or my NEW Vinyl Lettering hits!

I could also tell you about my friends dog getting shot for stealing a chicken {{I told you I can't relate to this place}}, getting my hair cut and high-lighted by a newbie at the salon, being invited to my first official "girls night out" here in CC {{maybe there is hope for me here after all}} and visiting, in person, with one of my best friends from SD this weekend {{w00-hoo}}

However, I figured since I have been tagged numerous times...it was time to make good on one of those tags. So. Here it goes, 6 Quirks about me!

1. I cannot go to bed without brushing my teeth or washing my face! No matter how tired I am, I always force myself to cleanse, tone, and moisturize my face and brush and floss my teeth!

2. I have said this before, but I L.O.V.E. musicals and teenage flicks. When I was in Elementary School, I really wanted my life to be a musical. I would skip around the playground, at recess, singing "dumb dog why are you following me...," or "do a deer a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun...."

3. When showering and getting dressed, I always do everything in the EXACT same order. I always put on my makeup BEFORE drying my hair. When applying my makeup, I always start on the right side of my face and can't put on eyeliner before eyeshadow, etc. I also, always, wear makeup! It's a rare thing if you see me without it or with just mascara on.

4. I workout everyday. Sometimes twice a day...those are the days that I teach at the gym. If I don't workout I start to feel stressed out and anxious. Exercise always calms my anxieties. Also, when I jog on the treadmill, my mind can't handle it if I don't start on my right foot, and, if I increase the speed or incline on an odd minute. For example, I can't increase the speed at 1:58, it has to be on 2:00 EXACTLY.

5. I can't sleep in. This is an inherited curse from my father {{thanks Dad}}. My brain starts to wake up before the kids do and once my brain is awake, there is no turning back!

6. I love dogs, but extremely dislike cats and rabbits. I'm not sure why, but holding a cat or rabbit disgusts me. I can't stand how you can feel their bones through their skin when you're holding them. I think I must have grown up around a lot of scary neighborhood cats when I was a kid or something....anyway?!

Halloween Birthday Style!

It is no secret, Halloween is my Birthday, and this year it was GOLDEN! Aaahhh, yes, I have officially entered my 30-somethings!
It was an emotional and happy day! Emotional because many of my friends from back home called to wish me happy birthday (and I miss them), and happy because so many people remembered me and texted me, emailed me, called me, and sent me fun, fun, fun packages in the mail!
It was full of lots of surprises and good times! One being my brother, Michael, came to visit...he is my favorite, and one and only, brother who I love and adore and love spending time with!
We ate at Costa Vida for dinner and, before Trick or Treating, came home to celebrate my birthday in High School Musical fashion! Yes, my husband knows me all too well and treated me to an HSM birthday party. He really knows how to make me feel young! Love ya Honey!
For Halloween, Luke was Darth Vader, Taylor was a Princess, and Blake was Spider Man, or, as he likes to say: "Spidey!"
The rest are pictures from our fun day! The kids had a blast trick or treating and are still coming down from their sugar high..ha ha!
All weekend we played games, watched movies, and went to see HSM3...yay!

Michale and Kimberly

Darth Vadar, Luke, at preschool

Blakey, or should I say...Spidey!