Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! We are so grateful for the blessings in our lives; for the true and living Gospel that has been restored to this earth, for Brian's wonderful job, for our warm, cozy home, for the yummy food that's provided for us each and every day, and for all our family and friends...for all of you we are truly grateful!

With love, Brian, Kim, Zachary, Lauren, Tess + Ella

Recuperating

So, I believe that I've recuperated from my lack of sleep. Going to New Moon at midnight probably wasn't my best decision as a mom, but it was worth it! Our group of crazy's: Marieke, Katie, Kahea, Kahea's sister, Kahea's sister-in-law, Heather, Rebekah, Rebekah's sister, Jessica, Tris, and me. I'll have to get someone to forward me some photos from the evening because I forgot my camera. My mom came over and as soon as Grey's Anatomy was over I told the kids to go to bed and I headed out. We went to dinner, and then headed to the theater. It was pure chaos! They really needed to be a little more organized for that large of a crowd. Some impatient theater employee was standing on the counter yelling...it was C.R.A.Z.Y. Our theater was the only "Event Theater" so we were seated last. Marieke and her friend reserved the theater and organized the whole thing...we each received a goody bag (mug, t-shirt, candy + lots of business cards), a box of popcorn, a soft drink, and there was an awesome raffle. I didn't win anything (I never do), but Marieke won a New Moon quilt, Marieke's sister-in-law won a nicely decorated photo book, Julia won a magnet, and Katie won an awesome necklace! I can't say enough about the movie, but I won't spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it yet. I got home, mom woke up and went home, and by the time I went to sleep it was after 3:30 am. Those of you who know me well, know that I am a beast without my sleep. It really wasn't that bad, but I started working for Lindsey (littledressupshop.com) on Thursday and I had to go in Friday morning. I took Ella over to mom's and was at work by 9:30 am. I came home around 12:30, tried to take a nap, picked up the kids from school, met Brian in Lehi and then we drove to Salt Lake for the Grizzly hockey game. We drove back to Lehi, dropped Brian and Tess off, Brian took Tess to get a b-day present for her friend, I brought Zach, Lauren + Ella home, carried Ella to bed, washed my face, brushed my teeth and then I collapsed! Phew...what a day!

New Moon

Okay, yes...I went and I survived. It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E! I'll have to elaborate later. Love, Kim

General Relief Society Meeting

I know I spoke of going to the General Relief Society Meeting in September, but I just came across these pictures on my cell phone. I went with my mom that evening, and we had a lot of fun! I jotted down a few notes during the talks from that evening...

Julie B. Beck, General RS Pres.

-Service magnifies and sanctifies each sister.

-Much of the RS work that we do doesn't happen in meetings.

-A sister in this church has no greater calling outside of her home than Visiting Teaching.

-Visiting Teaching is never finished...it's more a way of life than a task.

Silvia H. Allred, 1st Couselor, General RS Presidency

-Heroines are women who strive to be righteous rather than selfish.

-Our participation in RS will bless the world.

-RS assures me that Heavenly Father loves me.

-RS helps me recognize my responsibility to raise up the next generation.

-RS is vital to EVERY home and family.

-RS needs you and you need RS.

Barbara Thompson - 2nd Counselor, General RS Presidency

-We need to be "Minding the Gaps" in our lives. We all have "gaps" (the difference between what we KNOW and what we DO).

-One gap in our lives is "Believing that we are a daughter of God and KNOWING we are."

-We need to accept HIS love. Love ourselves and love others.

-It's not just about what we can get out of RS but also about what we can contribute.

-It's the duty of each of us to be honorable women.

Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor, First Presidency

-President Eyring spoke of the great legacy of those that have gone on before us.

-The sisters who crossed the plains, in their poverty, comforted others.

-For all, both men and women, there will be no salvation without compassionate service.

Those are just a few things. I was truly inspired that evening...Inspired to always be trying to do better.

Halloween continued

I really wish that I'd quite getting behind. Playing catch-up is no fun...however, Halloween WAS! We went over to Gary + Christine's home for some yummy soups + bread before we headed out for the trick-or-treating. It's so nice to just visit and relax with good friends. When we first moved here, my dear friend/neighbor Paige introduced us to her friend Christine...this has been the tradition every year since. Ella wasn't acting herself that night which made me worry that she was coming down with something (she didn't though, thank goodness). She lasted maybe 40 minutes into the extravaganza and then she was bawling because "Mommy, I'm fweezing!" Tracey offered Ella Gaby's jacket and gloves but she was too stubborn to take them. So, being the lovely mom that I am, I told her "Ella, E.N.O.U.G.H. with the whining! You were offered a warm jacket and gloves...if you're too stubborn to wear them, then too bad. I don't want to hear it!" She shivered for about 5 more minutes when I broke down and realized, okay, I should call Brian to come and get her. Where was Brian you ask? Well, he skipped out this year on the trick-or-treating. He enjoyed the warm, yummy soups at Christine's but after he was done eating, Oscar gave him a ride home. Do you believe that? He didn't even pass out candy!! He was supposed to be doing homework, but instead, he preoccupied himself with installing the extra rod in Ella's closet that's been sitting out in the garage for several months. I guess it needed to be done that night ;0) Anyhow, I'm glad he was able to come and get her because by the time he reached us she was hysterical. Poor baby was freezing! After we finished in the Harry Potter neighborhood, we packed the kids up and headed to a couple more. They had a lot of fun, and they got some yummy candy (which is already gone, of course). A good ending to Halloween 2009. Love to all, Kim

The Adults

My little coven of vampires

Waiting for the others to catch-up to us

Zach is missing his fangs...they were bothering him

My frozen baby