Back at it :)

Well, I've contemplated whether or not to just delete my blog and start over but.....I figure this is just part of my story. I fell off the wagon and I wasn't journaling....that's all. No biggie. I'm just starting up again and I'll be trying my best to keep at. 

We survived the craziness that's December. For our family that means 4 birthdays, 3 birthday celebrations (luckily Zach + Brian have birthdays on the same day...2 birds with 1 stone), school programs + school Christmas parties (Ella's the only one left in this category now), putting up the Christmas tree + inside decorations, putting up the outside Christmas lights, church Christmas party, Christmas shopping, taking our family photo, sending out Christmas cards (with that new family photo), family get-togethers, get-togethers with friends, making sugared nuts for our neighbor gifts, church duties and activities all while maintaining our day-to-day lives. Phew! Just thinking about it wears me out, hahaha. I truly am grateful, however, for the opportunity that this special time of year gives us to reflect on the birth of our Savior. 

I hope and pray that you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....now, let's get this party started. Bring on 2015 :)

First Day of School 2013/2014 School Year

Getting the kids ready to go back to school this year was really difficult for me....where did the summer go? 

As Brian gave the kids their Father's Blessings Sunday evening, I was so sad. It seems as though the older the kids get, the faster time slips away. It doesn't feel right that I have a child who is in the 10th grade now.  I can still remember "no longer being a Freshman"; walking down the halls of Canton South.  I guess in my mind I'm still cool + youthful (okay, maybe cool is a stretch, but a girl can dream, can't she?, lol)

Every day when I wake up, I'm so grateful for the time I have to spend with my children...summer is great for spending quality time together, and when the girls aren't fighting, it's totally I awesome :)  

As the kids came home from school, I wanted them to tell me how their day went....

Zach's 1st Day: 
-My English teacher videotaped everyone individually so she could remember each student by name.  We had to say our name + one thing about us...I said, "My name is Zach Beazer and I like to wakeboard." Oh, and there's this hot girl in this class also :)
-I signed up for Driver's Ed and it starts the beginning of September. 

Lauren's 1st Day:
-The best part of my day was that I was able to get assigned to be a TA for my favorite teacher, Coach Lowe.

Tess's 1st Day:
-I don't like my Sign Language class....we're not allowed to speak at all + I have no idea what the teacher is saying to us because she signs the whole time.  I don't know how to sign, that's why I'm taking this class.  I want to drop this class and sign up for something else.
-I sat with Ashley + McCrae at lunch.
-Our brand new school is pretty cool.
-So far, all of my teachers seem nice.
-I received compliments on my shoes + scarf today.

Ella's 1st Day:
-Miss Thorstrom went over some of the stuff we're going to be doing this year.
-I wrote a paper about my 1st Day.
-I met the new music teacher, but I can't remember her name....her last name is the name of a river in the US (or something like that) :)

Well, goodbye for now summer...we're sad to see you go :(

WARNING! the use of a certain potty word ahead...

The other evening, Brian, the kids and I were talking about some of our favorite camping memories.  Well, a certain conversation came to mind immediately.  It happened a few years ago when we were camping and boating at Yuba (according to Zach, we were at Sand Hollow when this took place...but we all know Mom's always right. lol) Anyhow, we were all tucked-in, ready for bed and for some reason Lauren and Tess started talking about the janitor at their school. Tess said that this individual was really smart and going to college.  She and Lauren were talking about what this person was studying....would he be a teacher, would he be a veterinarian? Well, out of the blue, Tess says, "I guess he wouldn't need to go to college if he didn't want to.  He could always rub hobos feet, OR he could clean poop off the bottom of the pools." We paused, tried to figure out if that was REALLY what she had just said.  And, then we all proceeded to die laughing....tears rolling down our cheeks.  Leave it to Tess...we love that she is always making us laugh with her random comments. 

The highlights of 2013 (so far)...

Instead of trying to play catch-up, I believe it's best for me to just start with the New Year.  Hopefully, I can remember back these last 2 months.

After a fun-filled Christmas break, the kids went back to school on Thurs. Jan 3rd.  It was actually sad to see them go back...usually I'm ready to say goodbye when school resumes, but I missed them being here with me all day :(

 

January brought lots of celebrating:

*Nannie's birthday on the 18th

*Lybbe's birthday on the 26th

and

*Nannie + Papa's Anniversary on the 29th

 

I still need to upload photos from our camera but I figured I'd better start this post and get it done while it was on my mind. 

 

February at a glance...

*Lauren got her braces off on the 13th (wow, she certainly looks all grown up)

*Enjoyed spending some family time together over the long weekend for President's Day (for me that meant relaxing and reading a good book + then we took the kids bowling and out to eat)

*Sydne turned "9" on the 23rd (we've yet to celebrate together)

*Brian attended his staff meeting in Las Vegas last week.  We get SO ecxcited to see him after he's been gone all week, we miss him terribly.  After he came home on Fri, he was playing some good ole' 2-against-1 with Zach and his buddy.  Well, he rolled his ankle and spent the rest of the weekend in pain, with his ankle wrapped + air splint on.  He's not getting older though....definitely not.

*Mom B. celebrated her birthday on the 28th.  We remembered several time throughout the day, but neglected to call.  I felt horrible + the kids were upset the next morning when I reminded them that we had forgotten to call. So, "Happy Birthday" to Grandma B...we love you + hope you enjoyed your special day.

 

Hugs + Kisses to all of you :)

Happy Easter...it's been a year

So, it's been a year...I'm sorry. I must do better! Obviously a lot has happened since my last post, but I'll start first with Easter. We spent time with family, ate yummy food + visited. The kids got lots of candy + some new Sunday outfits. It was a wonderful weekend.

Love to you all, Kim

Lauren + Soccer

I've posted pictures of Tess playing soccer, but these pictures were taken of Lauren at the end of their soccer season. Lauren proved to be one tough defender and her coach mostly played her as middle defender (is that the right name for the position right in front of the goalie?). Well, I know we had a blast cheering her on. We love you Lauren.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was nice. The kids got lots of candy from the Easter bunny, some sidewalk chalk, a new kick/dodge ball, and even some gift certificates. We had a nice day at church and then Michael and Bekah came over for dinner. Mom + dad were in Ohio visiting family + friends, so we missed them this year. It was a nice day to reflect upon all that we've been blessed with as a family.

We are so grateful for the life of our Savior which enables all of us to live in celestial glory as a family and return to our Heavenly Father.

I hope you all had a happy, wonderful Easter. Love, Kim

Ella's confusion

So yesterday in the car after Kindergarten, Ella told me...

"Mommy, Gabby got her lungs removed." (Gabby is the little neighbor girl across the street whose mommy I used to work for at the little dress up shop)
I replied, "Ella, I don't think Gabby would still be alive is she had her lungs removed honey. You see, we can't live without our lungs."
"Yea-huh, Mommy...she got her lungs removed."
"Ella, do you mean she got her tonsils removed?"
"Oooh yeaaaaa, that's it...her TONSILS"

too funny, huh?

Later, after running around ragged from one soccer game to the next and being severely wind-blown. Ella fell asleep in the car. When we got home, she sleepily walked into the house where she told Lauren, "I almost passed away in the car Lauren." We were dying laughing and she started giggling when she realized what she had said. She said "I meant I almost passed OUT."

We love her silly adorable ways!

Spring Break

Some of the things that were on our agenda during Spring Break this year:

-Meet Michael, Bekah + cousins at McDonald's to play

-Lauren + Tess soccer practice Mon-Friday

-Zach dog-sit for the Manning's (Gus + Woody) + the Cain's (Shilo)

-Kim dog-sit for Mom + Dad (Jack, Maggie + Bell)

-See the movie HOP

-Go out to eat at Olive Garden after the movie

-Kim + Brian go to IFA and get seeds, fertilizer + plants for the garden

We would have rather been someplace warm + sunny but we hung-out, relaxed + tried to make the best of it. Wishing you all wonderful Spring!

My baby lost her 1st tooth today

Awww, I can't believe how sad this makes me.

Ella was shocked that it came out.

Ella was blowing an inflatable ball up and Tess ripped it out of her mouth (RUDE).

The tooth fell right out into Ella's hand.

I was a little freaked because I didn't even know she had a loose tooth.

Ella didn't tell anyone because she didn't want anyone yanking it out.

She wanted it to fall out on it's own.

She's pretty smart, huh?

She thinks she looks really cool now...

I think my baby getting to be a biggie girl.

I'm realizing that I won't have these 4 beautiful children in my home forever.

Time seems to be passing by so, so quickly.

Zach, Lauren, Tess + Ella....I love you.

This song reminds me how I feel today...

I don't mind your odd behavior

It's the very thing I love

If you were an ice cream flavor

You would be my favorite one

My imagination sees you

Like a painting by VanGogh

Starry night and bright sunflowers

Follow you where you may go

Oh, I've loved you from the start

In every single way

And more each passing day

You are brighter than the stars

Believe me when I say

It's not about your scars

It's all about your heart

You're a butterfly held captive

Small and safe in your cocoon

Go on you can take your time

Time is said to heal all wounds

Chorus

Like a lock without a key

Like a mystery without a clue

There is no me if I cannot have you

Chorus