Funny Face

J-Man cut this face out of a pizza carton.

Freaking awesome right?!

Love it.

Meu irmao.

My big brother Marcus and me. Circa Spring 2006
(Photo by www.leishakelsey.blogspot.com)

All my life growing up I longed for a super close family. I think I would have done well to have had fifteen brothers and sisters. In some ways we were close, in others we were really distant.

For 9 years of my life I was the youngest child. For those same 9 years I had one person to which I could rely upon. That was my big brother. Isn't he so studly? Oh and he blogs which is totally radical.

When I was seven and he was ten-ish our parents split. It was prolly for the best, of course looking back, we know it was. But for me, I felt like I lost something, I lost my older brother.

Both of us had a lot more responsibility placed upon us. Up until that time our mama was home, she made us dinner, she saw us off to school. Then our mom had to start working, and it was up to Big Brother (further on in this post to be referred to as BB) to help get me to school safely, and after school he would help my mom start dinner. I have vague memories of this time in my life...but so many of them are full of memories with my BB. (Thanks for always keeping me safe yo...and for teaching me the street smarts when we lived in downtown SLC.)

Upon walking to school each day, we passed this little ghetto grocery store. Sometimes we would have quarters and such and would get some sort of treat or small token item out of the machines on our way to or from school.

When we moved out of our "home" and away from the only place we ever knew...things
like this
started happening.

And eventually as we each reached our teen years, we weren't as loving to one another as we had been when we were little. There were many a day when holes were kicked in walls or doors when our parents were gone to work. Tee hee. Sad, sad times.

I am thankful to have the relationship I have now with my BB. I love his beautiful wife, and their son is my little pride and joy. I never knew how wonderful it felt to be an aunt until he was born.

We have seen each other through so much.

Broken bones, two divorces, illness, death, and so much more.

I hope that my kids can continue to grow up and continue the close relationship that they have with each other.

I get a little misty when I think I won't have that huge family that I always dreamed of...

(It was 8 not 15...but dang, Heavenly Father most def knows that I am not capaple of mothering 8 kids)

...but I am thankful that thus far in our little lives I have been able to be home for them when they go to school and come home, and that I am helping to nurture their friendship and loving bond.

Mostly, I just hope that they don't put holes in my walls like we did to our mom. Sorry mom. :)

Easily Distracted, Migraines and Progresso

I am easily distracted cuz I should be working, actually I finally got my work done but have been dying to blog. It is never a good idea to have the Internet on while you work. Anywho...

A few weeks ago, as I was sitting in church, one of my dear friends MJ who was seated behind me looks at me with big eyes and says,

"Kim! Your face is so skinny, have you lost weight?!"

I looked behind me and scanned the room, certain she was talking to some other Kim. When I finally realized indeed she was talking to ME...I laughed at her and joyously accounted to her that she must be mistaken, but thanked her for the nice compliment.

As I went home that evening, I thought about what she had said, I looked in the mirror and while to myself, the image hadn't changed, the scale said otherwise. What is the difference you ask? Well, I shall tell you.

Back in early December, after reading this article and this article (I don't care if you are LDS or not, you should read it...some good stuff!). After reading these particular articles I vowed never to put caffeine in my body ever again. ('cept for maybe the occasional Excedrin Migraine or two.)
Of. Course.

I hadn't really noticed that it was making a difference to my body, I wasn't a heavy drinker of such beverages as the Dr. Pepper and Pepsi and such, but much more that I would have liked to have had.

At the time of my swearing it off, I began to suffer some SEVERE headaches. Let's talk, 5 or so migraines a month (please people, don't be concerned, I have discussed them with a doctor, it runs in my family, yes I look for triggers, yes I know there is medication but at this time I am choosing not to die of a stroke, because I can handle five migraines a month (I think.) So, lucky me, having migraines I was also puking my guts out five days of the month.
(Not fun. Blowing chunks NEVER recommended.)

SO...I got to thinking, heck I am prolly losing weight with all the puking, the lack of soda in my diet and my new love...which is the entire point of this post:

PROGRESSO

I love me the Progresso. I was first introduced to it by this lady. I am hooked.

Why do I love it so? Well, because there is a vast variety of "Weight Watchers" approved choices, 0 and 1 point options. Am I on Weight Watchers? H no...but if anything says Weight Watchers on it, it has got to be good right?

Holy delicious vegetables. Scrumptious. This has been my lunch of choice for days and days and days and days and days. One can is TWO servings and I eat them both. My body has never relished in so much vegetable goodness since, well, EVER!

So, if these three things can make my face "look" skinny and keep the scale down, well then I highly recommend trying it.
(Well, prolly not the migraines or the puking so much...but try the other two.)
Let me know how it goes.

And let's be honest. The entire reason I am writing this is because I am hoping
Betty Crocker
sends me a year supply of the Progresso.

Hear me Betty?

I am waiting.

Just got back...

...from the happiest place on earth. Also other parts of California and Las Vegas. I can't wait to share all about our wonderful week. I am really good at keeping secrets. My kids didn't even know where we were going until we walked through the gates at Disneyland, and Memms looked up and saw "Tinkerbell! Look mom, TINKERBELL!" and we broke the news and they were in complete bliss the entire day. It feels good to be back, to be home.

For now, I must catch up on some work and laundry, and apologize for not being a very good blog friend, reader, and commenter for the past two months. I have wanted to, but I have had this overwhelming feeling and NEED to immerse myself in my little family.

I no longer chat on instant messenger, I hardly ever text anymore...EVER, I keep my phone calls limited, I don't spend a lot of time online anymore. I feel really good and really happy about all of it, but at the same time, I miss my friends from blog world. I am ready to make a new schedule, to include a little more of the things I love to do (like blog reading). Can't wait to see what you have all been up to!

Blinds, and Rambo Yo.

So, it has been almost a year since we moved in to our new house. Can you believe it? And we FINALLY, finally, finally, FINALLY broke down and got blinds. We had wanted to do shutters in the bedrooms, but we got so sick and tired of looking at the blankets and sheets hanging over the windows that the need for shutters went, well, right out the window. ( I am SO freaking hilarious I know! ) They weren't the best blinds, or the most expensive...but I am SO happy with them. Our house FEELS so much cleaner, so much BIGGER, it is like having a new house all over again! We are in love.

Next, I have this lovely picture of Rambo for your viewing pleasure. Er, I mean Memms. The kids were out back playing in the "yard" ( next project hopefully! ) And they found the tracks to one of their Tonka trucks. I have just been informed by my husband that they are not considered a "truck" that particular vehicle is called a "tractor". Well, I've been schooled. Anyway, seems like it is a lot funner to wear the tracks as a Rambo headband than to actually play with them in the dirt. I still laugh when I see one of the kid walking around the house with one on their heads.

Photo Love

Christmas Eve 2007 THE Batman watch.


The infamous cookie babies. My kids have carried these EVERYWHERE! (Thanks Mom.)

This look, this photo...I just love him oh so much.

Going to be posting some personal photos that I never got a chance to edit. I have been going through so many today, it has been so great to look back and to laugh. I love my life, enjoy...

Tagged, I'm it.

Thanks Amanda!

What was I doing 10 years ago? Hmm, ten years ago I was...wha? Almost sixteen, probably wishing I could date. But seriously was a sophomore in high school, making some of the best friends of my life!

What was I doing 5 years ago? Five years ago I was also celebratiting our second wedding anniversary by going to Brasil! Oh man, it was such a great time. I was a pretty stressful time of my life. I wish I could go back and relive that trip with a much better attitude.

What was I doing 1 year ago? One year ago we were celebrating our first Christmas with Memm. I can't believe how much joy she has brought into our lives and how much J LOVES her. Ya seriously they love eachother. Cool, I know.

What was I doing yesterday? I was SICK! I mean I. WAS. SICK. I had THE worst headache I have had in. a. long. time. And a low grade fever. I was on the couch the whole day with the exception of diaper changing, and meals. Other than that it was thank goodness for PBS and Signing Time.

5 Snacks I enjoy - This would be easier to say five things I do not enjoy. Hmm, I like Ice Breakers antioxidant gum. I chew it as a snack I swear, six pieces at once. I love to snack on Special K Chocolate Delight or whatever it is. Bugles. Loaded Potato Bites from Arbys, and I love a good Hagan Daaz double chocolate ice cream bar...but really have to be in the mood.

5 things I would do if I had a million dollars - Pay Tithing, also pay off my house, and my cars, buy a new camera, and save the rest.

5 Places I would run away to - Brasil (two weeks is my limit though...sadly), Hawaii baybee, the mall, the camera store, and California.

5 T.V. Shows I Like - House, ER, Little House on the Prairie, The Brady Bunch, hmmm, this is hard, but love Law and Order.

5 Things I Hate Doing - I am so with Amanda on a few of these: laundry, dentist, ironing, housework (of all varieties) and cooking. Um, yes, you are right this says I am a horrendous housewife. It is okay, I make up for it once a week when I deep clean everything, and by my sweet nature! Love you Hubbs...thanks for putting up with me!

5 biggest joys of the moment - Hubbs, J-Man, Memms, my life, the gospel.

I am now tagging - Moosh in Indy, Lace, and Sarah.

Rotate, Teach, Get a Rock.

Warning...this post is LONG...but worth it. Come back and read it in parts if you must.

Ug, toys. Where do I begin? I think it started with an obession and leftover from childhood. We didn't "get" much...but what we did get we took care of. So, feeling a little "jipped" as a child if you will, I went overboard, a little. Okay probably a lot. And it only looks like so much now because it is nicely organized into these bins, with labels and all. Thank you Leisha! When we moved, I decided that it was either time to get organized or get rid of it all. I got rid of a ton, and frankly would like to get rid of more, but that will have to wait I guess. For every new one we get, one is given away, and eventually that will become less and less and we give away more and more.

So, on to the Great Toy Rotation... See these bins? They are located in "the scary room" of the house. The room that is unfinished and houses the heater, (and is soon to be my new studio, HOLLA!). So, basically the kiddos are too afraid to go in there alone, hence they will leave these toys ALONE! Which is nice. So a few weeks ago, these bins were in their rooms, under the stairs and everywhere, and we gathered them all up and put them here...and every Monday night after Family Home Evening, we put away the bins from the week before and the kids can each choose two bins and one "big" toy box, (we have three of these which contain big trucks, stuffies, dressups etc...) and the key? They have less to play with and they actually do. play. with. them. I am not even joking. They play and they enjoy them as if they were new. I can't take full credit for this idea. I got it from a dear friend in my old ward who is a genius and a wonderful mother and example to me. Hi Katrina if you are out there, THANK YOU!
I hope I can explain this and share the power of this topic, but sometimes I lack words or thoughts, so I will do the best I can. This definition comes straight from http://www.lds.org/.

Family Home Evening

"Church leaders have instructed members to set aside Monday night as "family home evening." This is a time for families to study the gospel together and to do other activities that strengthen the family spiritually, create family memories, and increase unity and love."

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I feel very blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I have seen many powerful effects on my life, and one of the greatest has been the blessing of Family Home Evening. I can remember when I was very young having a few lessons from my mother. Shortly after my parents divorced, my extended family, (grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...) began having a weekly FHE. From the time I was nine until I was 21 we had this gathering of family and love and teaching. It was a great strength in my life then. Once the family became TOO huge to house a weekly FHE, it fizzled out and I have to admit that it has been four years since we have had a regular family night in my home. A few months ago Hubbs and I decided to implement it again into our little family, and I can tell you that it has made a world of difference.

The most wonderful thing about FHE is that you don't have to be LDS or a "mormon" to have your own night to spend with your family. What better way to show your children or your spouse how much you love and adore them, then by devoting a night a week to them, for them, spending time with them, teaching them, and showing them how important they are to you, and how loved they are. Our evenings are usually spent with a short lesson (thank you four years of Primary Presidency lessons), an opening prayer, a closing prayer, a song, and of course a treat! Sometimes we aren't so formal, we will take the kids to play at the children's museum, walk around temple square, go out to dinner, but generally there is a purpose and we invite the spirit of our Heavenly Father into our home. It allows us time to be together, and when that time is devoted to Him and to one another, the week goes better, our house stays cleaner, and we fight less. There is more patience and love. I have witnessed this, and I encourage everyone who is reading this to implement this into your lives and schedules and let me know how it goes!

From our lesson tonight, one of my favorite Bible stories about Joseph in Egypt. Can you say, "Technicolor Dreamcoat" anyone?

And finally, if you're still with me, our little Toddler chores:

Brush your teeth.

Wash your hands before eating and using the bathroom.

Get yourself dressed (as best you can).

Pick up your toys.

Take your vitamin.

And that is it. They can earn 1 "pedra" or rock for every job they do without having to be asked more than once. We have been doing this for a little over a month now and it works! Right before bed we hand out the rocks, they put them in their little jars and they are SO excited about it. Even the little two year old screams, "Pedras! Pedras!" And FLIPS out if that word is said and she doesn't get to put the rocks in the jar at that very minute.

I let the kids choose their reward. Obviously Miss is a little too young to understand the concept, so her reward is putting the rocks in the jar, (and sharing a bit of Mister's rewards too.) While Mister, he chooses to get a pinata for each jar filled. Not sure why he loves pinatas so much or why that is his choice...but it is. And happily for him he filled up his first jar in time to have a dinosaur pinata for his birthday!

Seriously these little things help keep me sain and keeps our house a little cleaner with four little hands helping.

As for me...well that big jar is mine. Hubband has one too, and seriously, it has been a great motivator for me to do MY chores. I give myself one WHENEVER I do SOMETHING. I know that seems silly, but it helps me make a good dinner, load the dishwasher, fold a load of laundry. When mine gets filled I get to have a scrapbooking night with one of my friends...I can't wait!
So, that's it from the Simply Me house. Hope everyone is doing well, can you belive Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK? I am dying with how fast time is going by. And that my baby isn't so much a baby anymore, but that is another post ENTIRELY!

Until I get more time...

...some answers to your questions:

FHE: Family Home Evening. One night a week devoted to spending time with our family. It has seriously become my favorite night of the week!

Sweater: Sam's Club Oh ya baby!

Toy Rotation: Watch for this in depth in a forthcoming post, but for now, basically taking out some toys, storing them, and only giving a few choices per child, per week. Then the next week taking out those toys, putting them aside, and letting them choose new toys.

And finally...the chores. You'll just have to wait for that one, but so you get an idea, they aren't really "chores" but things that the kiddos can do that is on their level. Hopefully I can share this on Sunday!

Random Goodness

Not sure when I took these. They got lost in the shuffle of my crazy summer perhaps. Went through them today. So random. Not even sure what the objective was, if there even was one. I am always amazed at how random my photography is. Some days so great, other days I think "what was I thinking"? Somedays saturated, some days not much color, some days light, some days really contrasty. I seem to love it all, and wonder if I will ever find "my" place. Love these kids though. I remember this day, so happy to have it captured, just love them. Love them so very, very much!

Thankful for my freedom.

I wish I had a photograph to post with this. I don't, but hopefully my message can get across.

Today as I was so blessed to be able to drive to the store and pick up a pizza, I noticed on my drive home, our flag--The American Flag waving on a flagpole. It was then that I remember a trip I took to Brasil a few years ago. I remember visiting, and how odd it felt that everywhere I looked I saw the Brasilian flag waving in the wind, instead of my beloved Stars and Stripes.

I felt a lot of pride today, and thankfulness that I live in a country, and more importantly a portion of our country where I can afford food for my children. I have the luxury of driving to the corner and picking up a pizza.

I dunno, just stuff I take for granted a lot, but seeing that flag today, reminded me of how blessed we all are!