Kim's World

As this year draws to a close, and we embarked on another new year, another decade in fact, I thought I would go back and review the year for my readers. However, there is a problem, I can't remember every cool thing that happened. Or a least I can't remember them in order! Do you ever get get the holiday letters with your Christmas cards? The ones that go over the entire year and highlight all the important events? I love them and dislike them all at the same time. I love them because they're great memory keepers, but I dislike them because I CAN"T DO THAT!!! I can't remember! LOL! It's awful. Even my kids make comments. For example, I said, "Remember back in July we went to such and such place and it was pouring down rain and we got soaked just trying to get to the car?" And my kids look at me with this odd expression and Levi pipes up and says, "Mom, it doesn't usually rain in July around here, I think that was earlier this year." Oh ...

The Christmas morning madness has faded into the Christmas afternoon lull. Wrapping paper that once flew through the air is now crumbled and in the garbage. New toys are scattered throughout the house. Dinner is cooking, family will be coming. Then I realize just how quiet it is. I think to myself, "the kids must really being enjoying their gifts." I decide to investigate, girls room first. Yes, they are playing so quietly with their new toys. Then I am off to the boys' room. Huh? No boys? Where are they? They must be outside with their new basketball or football. Outside this is what I found, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn!

For those of you who know my little Ashley Jean then this will mean something to you. Ashley is four and has beautiful blond hair that doesn't grow very fast. For a Pentecostal, this could be a challenge. I have worried, I have prayed, I have claimed long hair in Jesus name, but to no avail it doesn't grow. Sunday night I decided to curl Elle's (Ashley's big sister) hair. Guess who else wanted her hair curled? Yep, you guess it, Ashley! I've curled her hair before, very carefully but this was different, I was using hot sticks on Elle's hair. Do you think I was going to get by not using hot sticks? Uh, think again! So I set out to make Ashley's wish possible and low and behold they stayed in her hair. I couldn't believe it! I took a picture of the curlers in her hair for proof and one with her daddy when they were out. Now I am giving God the glory, because her hair is growing! This is just the beginning of many wonderful years doing her hair.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte , Nebraska , it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri .   The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem. And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet. Crabby Old Man What do you see nurses? . . . .. . What do you see? What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me? A crabby old man . . . . . not very wise, Uncertain of habit . . . . . with far...

Happy __th Birthday Ronnie! I won't reveal your age, I am sure you have enough friends that would be more than happy to oblige. I love you and wish you the best year ever!

I am going to post this so I have proof. Tonight my 10 year old son gave me a note and this is how it read: I love you soooo much! You're the cutest girl in the World! and you're the best! I Love You! to: Mommy by: Levi He has written me many notes during his brief existence. However, this one is quite different. I am glad to know, right now, he thinks I am the cutest girl in the world, for I know it will not last forever. Levi, I love you more...

Here are some of the pictures I took of our little trip

Thanksgiving as always, was a wonderful time spent with family. I left Sacramento on Tuesday morning, headed to the airport to pick up my Aunt Paula, then we went to the coast. It was a long drive but fun. I had Myles, Elle, and Ashley with me because Levi and Ronnie were already in Coos Bay. They left out the week before and descended upon my family in Portland. So back to us, we went to Mendecino and took a walk down to the water, and around some rocks. It was so beautiful! We stayed there for a bit and then drove up the coast some more and stayed the night in Eureka. Next day we went to a beach there just up from Eureka, where Elle found a whole sand dollar. Then we continued up into Oregon, through the beautiful coastal towns, we made a stop in Bandon to go to Face Rock. That was awesome! The weather was gorgeous and I took some really cool pictures of the sun setting. Then we got to my parents house, had dinner, spent time giving hugs and greeting each other, chatting and then off...

Tonight, as I was heading to the great Walmart, I decided I wanted some coffee. I was by myself, no munchkins, so I could a least drink something without sharing. I didn't really feel like getting out of the car so I just went to McDonalds, which by the way has some pretty good coffee(that's a lot coming from a Starbucks fan!). I place my order and proceed to the first window. The guy I see has on an outfit that looks to be some Mexican celebration costume. So I casually ask, "So what's the occasion?" He looks at me and gives a little chuckle, like "you've got to be kidding, lady!" Then it dawns on me, duh, it's Halloween. So I smile and say, "Oh yeah, that's right, it's Halloween." Ugh, such a blond!!

Tomorrow, October 25th marks our 13th wedding anniversary. It is also the 7th birthday of the older of our princesses. Elle Jenalee Marquez was born at 1:39 pm on October 25th. Weighing in at 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 18 in. long, she is not much bigger now! Only kidding, but she is definitely our petite child. But don't let size fool you, she is like the famous saying "Dynamite comes in small packages!" For example about the age of 4, her and I were in the kitchen, talking. Well she was doing most of the talking and I was simply responding, "uh-huh." After a few minutes, she stopped, looked at me, and with a very serious expression, stated, "I don't like when I am talking to someone and they only say "uh-huh" and they don't say any words!" Guess she knew I was only half listening, and she didn't like it one bit! However, as much as she is sassy, she is sweet. She loves to write her daddy and I little notes of love. She loves to play ...

Today I am watching Clayton pack up his truck, as well as his dad's, to move to his new home. Although this is wonderful for him, I am having a hard time, and I am even a little weepy. He has been staying there since he arrived home from Arkansas this last time, but most of his belongings were here. So I kinda felt like it wasn't final. Sarah and Clayton have an adorable house in Galt. She still stays at home, so he has been staying there and working on it. They tie the knot in less than two weeks. All this is fine and good and I am so happy for them, I am still sad and felt like blogging about it. Clayton came to live with us almost three years ago. It has been such a blessing for my kids and I to have him here. I'm sure this transition is going to be hard on them as well, when they stop playing long enough to realize it. Kids are resilient though and bounce through situations like this with ease. He has been some what of a big brother to them. They respect him and love hi...

Happy 4th Birthday Princess Ashley! I can't believe how fast you are growing! You are such a joy in my life. I love you so very much! We all do, Daddy, Mommy, Levi, Myles and Elle.

It would take me forever to update you on all that has transpired since my last post. I will post pictures soon, I'm not at the right computer to upload my pictures. In July, I decided we needed a cat. I happened upon a mouse in my garage, and one got into my house awhile back. We live in the country, so that is normal, but mice and I do not coexist! So I began my search and found two little boy kittens(well, they are umm..put it this way, we won't have any extra kittens appear). One kitten is gray and white, the other is black and white. They are so cute and feisty. It would take me a whole other post to explain the controversy over their names but once settled, the gray one is "Oscar" and the tuxedo one is "Beethoven". The kids just love them and they are adjusting well to their new home. After getting the kittens, my boys had visitors. Grayson and Ian English came for a visit. They had so much fun and you wouldn't even know that it had been nearly two...

My Uncle Les (Clayton's dad) arrived in town earlier this week. For right now he is staying at my house and my kids are very excited about this. They have all spent time showing off for him and trying to impress him with their new gadgets and tricks. Ashley Jean, not wanting to be left out, began to bring him little treasures from her room to show him. She started with her "God", yes it is a Jesus doll that quotes scripture. At Christmas time she decided that she wanted this doll (it looks like a G.I. Joe in a white robe and sash) and now she calls it "my God". So, from that she started showing him her collection of animals. Then she decided that wasn't enough, she would show him how animals eat. She then gets down on all four and acts like she is eating like an animal, this is a bit of the conversation: Ashley: "this is how animals eat." Uncle Les: "oh is that right?" Ashley: "yep" Uncle Les: "well do you eat like that?...

I have abandoned my blog for quite some time now and I apologize. I apologize to the faithful followers (is there about 3 now?) for not updating you on my crazy yet wonderful life! Since I last posted we finished baseball season, (taking second place), I have a new little niece named Kaleigh Louise Carlson, Elle performed her second piano recital, Ashley graduated from preschool, Levi is getting ready to perform in our MIFK production as Shem (one of Noah's sons) in "Captain Noah and the One and Only Zoo Cruise for Twos", my parents actually get to be here for it (they are on their way right now!), Myles finally got a bike so now he can quite stealing his brother's or Sharadyn's bike, we no longer have a dog, we have a new fish bringing the total to two betas, we are going to get two kittens, we leave for Oregon on Sunday, there are many other things but lastly Levi and Myles will have a birthday on the 25th. Levi is entering the double digits, coming in at 10 yea...

Baseball season started yesterday for my boys. But even before the first game, Levi already became a victim. While playing catch with a friend he was hit right between the eyes and now has a beautiful shiner, and is quite swollen. The first picture is the night of the hit and the second picture is from this morning. Quite a beauty isn't it? Daddy says "that is the sign of a true ball player." I say, he needs to be seen by a doctor. Wonder who will win this mini battle?

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Yesterday we left for Idaho. We stayed the night in Reno, Nevada and then headed out this morning for Idaho. We are currently in Nampa, Idaho (a town I've never heard of) and tomorrow we will head to Twin Falls. So far, we have been having a great time. Not sure of where we were going, we are following Dalen and Javawn. We met some of Dalen's family tonight and had an incredible homemade dinner. Great Nanny lives there so that was the highlight for me to be able to see her. We will end up in Portland, Or by Friday and spend the weekend with my parents at my brothers house there in Oregon City. That part is a surprise for the kids, they think we are just heading home from Twin Falls. I can't wait to see their faces!

No Limits is over and what a time we had. This week has flown by so fast but it has been awesome. I am looking forward to next year. I just want to say The Rock Church has the best of the best, the cream of the crop, bar none!!! From ministry to every saint that worked together to make this possible. You are awesome!!! Oh and by the way, the coffee shop and bookstore is fantastical!!! I love it!

Ok, I am gonna brag a little! Normally, I only brag about my kids but this time I am gonna talk about myself. I am very excited and quite proud of myself, I am going back to school! I am into my second week of an online English class and I am loving it. I am learning new things as well as recalling stuff I learned in high school. After high school I went to Sierra River College, briefly (I think 3 semesters) then I got married and was busy working. Then my motherly time clock started ringing and we decided to start a family. Never thinking I would end up with four children! I've always known I wanted to go back to school, I've always loved school (except mornings were a little rough for me, just ask my mom). So anyhow, I thought I'd share my new adventure with you in hopes that you'd keep me in your prayers. I am a wife, a mother, a teacher(homeschool), a preschool teacher, and a student, and that is just the beginning! What a life!

I haven't been real good about my blog lately but this is a celebration worth mentioning. Five years ago tomorrow (Jan. 25th), my little nephew, Jacob was born. With so many babies being born every day, why is this one so special? He is simply a miracle. At birth he weighed 1lb 12oz, and he was 14.7 in long, he was born just before 28 weeks gestation. It was a minute by minute situation, and God was with him every step of the way. I saw pictures first, and cried. Then I saw him in person and nearly cried again. I couldn't believe that something so small and frail could be alive. His little fingers could wrap around your entire pinky finger. His skin was transparent and you could see every little bone in his body. He had tubes in his mouth and nose. It was amazing! There was a beanie baby bear in his crib that was as big as he was. I still cry when I look at the pictures, God is so awesome. Jacob is alive and healthy today because God has a purpose and a plan for his life.

This is not just a cliche, it is scripture. And it may very well be one of the most used scriptures. On Tuesday night, my boys participated in their very first communion and foot washing service. Some may think they are too young and don't understand the symbolism, and that may be true, but being that they both have the Holy Ghost and have been baptized, I thought it was time for them to take part. I explained to them what would happen and the reasoning behind it. I also asked them to examine their hearts to make sure they were heaven ready. They both seemed to understand and they both expressed desire to follow through. It was all going well until Ashley realized they had something in their hand that she didn't. She asked me what it was, and I told her. Here is how the conversation went.. Ashley: "I want grape juice too!" Me: "Well, honey you are still too young." Ashley: "Why I too young?" Me: "It's for after you get the Holy Ghost and ...