busy - ness

A few posts ago I mentioned the busy, crazy week I was having and today was the pinnacle of the busy-ness. This morning we had baptisms and as I was rushing from place to place, trying to help the families, I backed my SUV into a small car. There's just nothing like a fender bender to put a damper on your spirits all day long, particularly when the bender is your own offense! I then spent the afternoon preparing for a baby shower I helped throw for baby Gabriel (the most delicious baby I've ever held. That's him, sleeping on my shoulder,) -- see blue cookies -- and a dinner party, where the required dinner ticket was a dessert that would be judged on presentation and taste. Yikes. At the shower I got to feed the little man a bottle and enjoy a major endorphin buzz. It was almost good enough to ease my qualms about the car incident. I rushed back home to bake my dessert for the party, only to have it sink and rise in all the wrong places. (But somehow it won second place in the contest so I guess it tasted better than it looked.) I said hello and goodbye to my boys and they looked at me as if they didn't recognize who I was. I knew I'd neglected them far too much this week when Kenyon called our amazing, beautiful dinner party, I answered the phone, knowing it was him, and he asked if he could talk to Dad. My good husband has had to pick up far too much of my slack this week, yet he has done it uncomplainingly and I hope he knows how much I love him for it. Even though he and I were going out for dinner tonight, he fixed a gourmet meal for the boys. (Not to mention the yummy pancakes he made them this morning while I was at the baptism.) He probably fed them lunch too but I wouldn't know. I wasn't here. Tonight I've got to prepare a Sharing Time for tomorrow because I promised myself I wouldn't go to bed until it was done. So why am I on this computer? Because, once again, I am reminded that my life is full. I am surrounded by people I love...friends, neighbors, family, a wonderful husband, and blessings galore. I stand by the old Utah cliche: I AM BLESSED. I am truly, truly blessed and I thank my Father in Heaven for my full and vigorous life. I strive to someday strike a better balance, but in the meantime, I will recognize the gifts in my life. Oh shoot. Just realized I forgot to pick up a birthday present for Grandpa's birthday party tomorrow. My life reminds me of a bumper sticker I had in college: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." That is my unintended mantra in life. Will I ever catch up? I'm going to ignore the scratchy feeling in my throat and move forward. Next week? Bring it on. I'm ready. (I think.) OH, and Happy Birthday, Wesley!!!

Princess Tea Party!

Utah residents: Wouldn't you just love a day out with your granddaughter, your daughter, your niece or your favorite little girl? Find out about this amazing Queen Bee Tea and charity princess dress auction at the link on my sidebar. Mrs. Utah, Emily Nelson is putting on the worthwhile event and is also looking for companies/entities to sponsor dresses. Please e-mail me if you are interested or may know someone who might be.

CTMH Artwork

Finally a piece of artwork I can show a pic of! Lately I've been working on fun projects I can't share. This one is for a big, fun swap with friends for a two day retreat at a gorgeous lodge. If it were just for me, I would probably bling it out a bit more, but since I have to make 20 of these layouts, I'd better stop! The title says, "In a constant state of perpetual motion" and on the other side it says "{BOY}" That's my life! I haven't turned the layout in yet. Comments and suggestions are welcomed (and appreciated!)

VIP

One more thing to post tonight...I have a busy week ahead and my to do list was a mile long today when Kaden came home from school and said he's the VIP in his third grade class this week and needs a poster for tomorrow. "Great! That's so exciting!" I said through clenched teeth. I'm proud to say we were able to create a digital poster in half and hour. I'll pick it up at Sam's Club tomorrow morning and deliver it to the school. It will only cost 6.50 for a 16X20 poster. I love the digital age! -Oh, and at 12:38am I've checked off everything on my to do list and I'm off to bed.

TGIM

"Thank goodness it's Monday," ...that's what I say, because every Monday Wesley and I go to lunch at Joe Bandidos and splurge on our no caffeine diet. (And every other kind of diet, because, let's face it, Mexican food and DIET don't belong in the same sentence.) Daniel, our waiter every Monday, knows exactly what to bring us. He doesn't even have to ask. What could be better than that? (It's almost embarrassing.) I don't know what I would do without this Monday afternoon tradition. Wesley is the best friend anyone could EVER have. She knows everything about me and yet she continues to be my friend. Thanks for all the Monday Joe Bandidos therapy sessions where you solve all my problems, Wesley. Here's to many, many more! (Oh, and I love the look on Kolby's face. He's thinking, "Ummmmm, I don't think my mom is supposed to drink that stuff anymore.")

Favorite Things Photo Challenge #4,5,6,7,8 and 9

Kolby and I drove around the neighborhood today, snapping shots of the gorgeous scenery, all blanketed in white. (That's me in the rear view mirror.) I was so excited to see little peeks of green grass after all the rain this weekend, but this morning we woke up to another winter wonderland. Okay, okay, it IS only January. Can't hope for Spring yet, so as they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. I've decided to enjoy the beauty of winter today. But brrrr, it is COLD!

Urban Cowboy

That there is an Urban Cowboy...

Man in a Black Hat

Cool Blog

Found a really cool blog today and she's doing an awesome vinyl lettering giveaway. Check her out at http://shealynnbenner.blogspot.com/ (You can link to it from my sidebar on the right, under "Blogs of People I Don't Know But Love." It is called the Benner Daily.) I'm a blog stalker of that one for sure now! She also sells the cutest camera straps I've ever seen. Kent, if you read this post, this is what I want for Valentines Day or our Anniversary or Mother's day or Friday or Monday...

Historic Day

What a cool thing, and Kolby, it was in your lifetime!

But then here's the bad news...the day after Kenyon's birthday, we took him to the doc and after chest x-rays and throat and nose swabs (that looked really painful), and after nearly passing out at the dr.'s office, Kenyon was diagnosed with our doctor office's first official case of influenza. Eeeek. So those eight cute boys we took snowmobiling were all exposed to the nasty bug. Sorry guys. Happy birthday, Kenyon...poor guy!

What a fun birthday party for Kenyon! Josh, Brandon, Shay, Will, Jaden, Hayden, Birk, and Shawn all bundled up for an afternoon of adventure. I guess it's a good sign when no one wants to go home, even when it's 22 freezing degrees out!

Kenyon's Birthday Party Invite

Kenyon turns 12 tomorrow. I cannot believe it. Funny how you can remember every detail of a child's birth - like it was yesterday. Twelve years ago on this night I was also "born" -- as a mom. Incredible. Can't possibly have been 12 years ago, can it? Here is his birthday invitation. SO nice of Grandpa to let us have a snowmobile party. Can't wait until tomorrow.

Game night

One of the best parts of the boys growing up is that we can actually have game nights now. (Game nights that don't include Candyland or Chutes and Ladders.) Scrabble is one of our new favorites. We like to get the little guys to bed and then play until Dad wins. Tonight Kaden spelled "nah." I said it's a valid word, Kent said no. I won. I'm the English major...nah is definitely a part of speech. Example: "Will dad ever take less than ten minutes spelling a word?" "Nah."

Kenyon sandwich - My Favorite Things Photo Challenge Photo #3

THIS delightful creation is what we have fondly termed a "Kenyon sandwich," and it's a Sunday tradition around these parts. Named for its original creator, here is the recipe: Homemade roll (made lovingly every Sunday by Dad,) roast beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Don't knock it 'til you try it 'cause it's delicious! Yum-mo. Kind of makes you hungry just thinking about it, doesn't it? Stop by on any given Sunday and you can taste this little culinary delight for yourself. (Oh, and I'm adding this to my photo challenge because it's a great picture, if I do say so myself!)

Friday Feelings

I need to post, and quick, because I'm afraid anyone visiting my blog for the last couple of days has been rudely met by my previous post and may think I'm awfully crass. (Well, then again, maybe I am...) I wanted to post a quote I saw today on my old grade school, growing-up-years-friend, Melissa's blog -- the most amazing blog I've seen. Visit her blog for eye candy and inspiration of all kinds. (See my blog list - lilybeanpaperie) Thanks, Melissa for posting this quote and making me think about what's important in life!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Wednesday Whimsy

Hope this isn't offensive to anyone...it just made me laugh. I felt compelled to share. Too true. Thanks for sending it to me Jackie!

Gabriel!!

I just got this e-mail from Heidi, my friend who, just a few short weeks ago, asked me to create an adoption profile book (see old posts): Hi Kim!!

I tried to talk to you on Sat but I missed you. I'm sure you have heard by now but EEEEEEEEEEEK!!! We have a baby! I can't believe how fast it all unfolded and sometime I'll share the amazing details with you but here we are sitting in a hotel room in Florida holding our new little guy! He is soooo precious and we are totally in love with him!

He was born on Monday 1/05, weiging 71bs 3 oz and he has more hair than all our other kids put together! It's so fun. Anyway, I feel bad for leaving my Primary class after just one week but tell Kyler I will be back as soon as I can and show off the little man. (just waiting for permission to leave the state with him) Thanks so much for everything!!!!!!

Heidi (and Gabriel) So I'm all teary eyed and so happy. I can't wait to post a picture of the little man and meet him for myself. Sounds like he's beautiful. Congratulations Heidi and family!!

What I did NOT do this week...

I did not copy cat this journaling excercise from another blog. I did not get up with the kids this morning, fix them a chocolate milk, then climb back into my warm bed to watch Good Morning America and doze. (That would be totally irresponsible.) I did not accidentally pull out the key halfway through my treadmill workout this morning and figure that 17 minutes was a good enough exercise session. I did not send my 11 year old to school wearing shorts, even though he said his throat hurt so bad it felt like it was bleeding. (But in my defense, he really wanted to go, and I did make him take a Tylenol.) I did not allow Kaden to eat a brownie for breakfast this morning. (And I didn't have one myself either!) My arms, from shoulder to wrist are not killing me right now because I played Dance, Dance Revolution this weekend on Basic mode for only 35 minutes. (I couldn't possibly be that out of shape.) I did not watch The Biggest Loser while eating a Hershey's chocolate bar. I certainly did not spend two hours last night trying to figure out how to add a signature to my posts, only to discover that the default signature is also still there. (Could someone please teach me html?!) I did not work on my Kindergartner's homework assignment after he'd gone to bed. (And I didn't marvel at how much easier it was to do it without him.) I did not cheat on my no caffeine diet last Wednesday at McDonald's. (And I didn't eat a Big Mac, either - that would be REALLY unhealthy.) And last of all, I certainly did not invite guests for dinner and Family Home Evening tonight...oh wait...I did...I'd better run now. I feel much better getting all those things I didn't do off my chest. Enjoy all the things you won't do this week too!

My Favorite Things Photography post #2 The Piano

Once again, practicing photography and depth of field. The piano is one of my favorite things because I can't play it. I admire anyone who can and I love sitting down at the piano and trying to pick at a familiar Primary song or Hymn. Someday I'd love to be able to play well enough to at least fill in when the Primary pianist is missing, but I'm far from that now! Also, this particular piano has special meaning to me because it is the piano I grew up with. When I returned home from the hospital after having Kyler, my parents had given me the wonderful surprise of the piano. One of the best gifts I've ever received. (My parents are way too good to me!)

Snow day today!!

New photo challenge

In surfing the web for great photography inspiration, I've seen that one way to improve photography skills is to issue a challenge. So I'm issuing a challenge to myself (and to anyone else interested) to take 26 pictures of things I love. We'll see where it takes me...

Oh My!

I was downstairs today when I heard a terrible crash...you know the kind...the kind that makes your heart skip a beat...so I ran up the stairs and as I'm running I hear Kent say, "Oh, that's not good." He had been changing a kitchen lightbulb, standing on top of the glass range, when his foot went right through. Is it bad that these were the first two thoughts that went through my head (after I found out Kent was okay, of course)?: 1. "Too bad he wasn't standing on the dishwasher. I could really use a new dishwasher." 2. "I'm thinking...stainless steel."

Teenagers?

I think I'm ready for the world of teenagers...Kenyon will be twelve in just a few days...but I don't know if I'm ready for this! Today we had 15 kids all under the age of 13, all playing guitar hero. Things got pretty loud but I love it. I'm so glad they'll come here. I don't even care if they're rowdy. They're such cute kids and close friends. I hope they stick around forever! - Kenyon, Birk, Brandon, Josh, Hayden, Anna, Claire, Kaden, Ben, Zack, Jared, Nathan, Kyler, Jack, Kolby!

Shoes

But this is the funnier view. (And I think some of them came without shoes.)

Kimber

A few people have asked me why I'm using the name Kimber. Here's the long version: when I was young I was a BIG fan of Gem and Holograms. Kimber Benton, the youngest, cutest member of the band was my idol. I always wanted my name to be Kimber. When I went to college, I told my roommate, Jackie Beltran (now Davis) of my wish and from then on, she made sure everyone only knew me as Kimber. She fulfilled my childhood dream. Thanks Jackie! Even now, if an old roommate calls or e-mails, they always call me Kimber. Some of them don't know me as anything else. So there you go...the story of my name change. Kimber Benton rocks!

Happy New Year!

And in honor of the occasion, I'm saying goodbye to an old, dear friend. I must let go of my daily companion for nearly twelve years now so as to help me achieve the lofty New Year's resolution of a flat stomach. So goodbye old friend. I will miss you dearly!