Kim's World

Remember those good ole' days on the school playground? Everything was going great, you had friends, you laughed together, slid down the slide, swung on the swings, played tag, boy, life was grand! Then, you are hit with a rock or someone inadvertently "shoves" you. What?? Thought we were having fun? Thought everyone liked each other? It was then you had the realization that not everyone was going to be your friend. Very sad moment, indeed! No matter what you did, that person didn't like you. Often it was jealousy, or they were just plain mean and didn't care for anyone. But it hurt. At home, you would cry to your mom, wondering what it was you did wrong. Always searching for some way to redeem the friendship. The bruises on the outside came no where hurting as much as the ones on the inside. Unfortunately, these relationships were not only on the school playground when you were eight years old. It continued to happen as you got older, someone here and someone t...

There are a few meanings behind the word CHARACTER. The dictionary defines character in this way:  Noun: the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature   of some person or thing. one such feature or trait; characteristic. moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully . reputation: a stain on one's character.    Adjective:   (of a part or role) representing a personality type, especially by emphasizing distinctive traits, as language , mannerisms, physical makeup, etc (of an actor or actress) acting or specializing in such roles.     We often refer to someone with integrity, as a person of character. You can hear people say, "They are of great character!" This is referring to "qualities of honesty, courage or the like; integrity." A...

Last weekend, the kids and I took a little day trip to The Dalles (Oregon). Besides the awful rain and wind on our return trip, we had a great time. We went to see my niece and nephew, Faith and Caleb Tillmannshofer, bible quiz. It was awesome to see them. This was the first quiz of the season. Really, I was there to see my friends, Shhh..don't tell anyone. In addition, my brother, Jeremy, stopped by The Dalles on his way home with his three little munchkins. It was definitely exciting but not enough time. I love those little ones and miss them dearly. They are like little rays of sunshine! It is always a delight to hear them say, "Aunt Kim" and give me a big hug. Jacob, who is almost 8, has the most infectious laugh ever! There are times I can just think about his little giggle and I begin to laugh. Then there's Judah, who is 4. This little guy is hilarious! He reminds me so much of my brother when my brother was young. When they came into the restaura...

Yeah, you read it right! I am learning to let go. Let go of household chores, making dinner, kitchen cleanup, etc...and letting my kids pick up slack. This has been a HUGE step for me to take. But yet, I've noticed it has been WONDERFUL for my kids. So let me back up and explain. In 2008, I decided to go back to school. Taking it one class at a time, I was determined to complete the requirements for my degree. Until this quarter, most of my classes have been online except two physical ed. classes. This quarter, however, I have an algebra and a biology class that I had to take on campus. Major shift in the dynamics of my household! Seeing that the end is near (I will graduate in spring), I felt this transition would be okay for my kids. Fortunately, my husband works from home for the most part. We can do this for a few months, I know we can! As the week began, I planned meals for each night I would be gone. The first night I made it easy for them and did a roast in the crock pot...

Negativity, is not always a bad thing. Negativity, can be good. It is all in the way you handle it. Here are a couple "Kim rules" for handling a negative comment, attitude or person in general: For every negative person in your life, there are a least three to four positive people; cherish them. If someone makes a negative comment you know is not true, disregard it. It is called a lie and we don't believe lies.  Peacefully remove yourself from a situation where negativity abounds.  When negative thoughts creep in (words that were spoken come back to haunt you), pour over God's word. Then repeat as many times as you like: "God loves me"  Remind yourself that Christ died for you while you were still a sinner (well, we weren't even born yet), but He loved you enough to die for you.  Use the negativity to produce a positive outcome. Prove to that person you are strong through Christ. Show them by example that they too, can have strength to overcome!...

Sometimes nothing comes to mind when I need to blog. Other times, I bubble over with ideas. As much as I wanted to save this post for another day, it will not let me! It is nagging me, pushing me and consuming me! For the past few days, a song has been playing in my mind. Because I am lyrically challenged, I text my sweet, beautiful and extremely talented pastor's daughter, Megan to see if she had the words. Of course she did! She knew them off the top of her head as she sang this song in church a couple months ago. The song, "Some People Dream" by Jonathan Moore, is a song that makes you think. Dreaming is a good thing. We all have dreams. We need to dream. But how many of us are making those dreams a reality? This is not a "what you are doing wrong" kind of post. I am simply challenging you to think about your dreams and what you are doing to make them happen. Not all our dreams turn to reality. Some dreams fizzle, others are smashed, yet some dreams sit...

Okay, so not EVERY day goes as planned. Yesterday happened to be one of those days. The following is a run down: 6:00 am: Wake up, stumble to shower 6:20 am: Out of shower and feeling awake (sort of) 6:30 am: Wake up children (of course they are all so chipper) 6:35 am: Finally pry Ashley out of her bed and into the shower* 7:00 am: All have eaten and heading to brush teeth, comb hair, etc. 7:10 am: Read devotional (While Myles is falling asleep) 7:20 am: Try to start car, doesn't turn over, goes click, click, click *Forgot to mention I was supposed to be at Levi's school at 7:30 to work in Student Store* 7:22 am: Call neighbor friend to see if she can take kids to school 7:25 am: Try car one more time, Levi notices the interior light was turned on. Thank you, Ronnie!  7:40 am: Get kids into friend's car and off to school with Elle pouting** 7:45 am: Another neighbor gives my car a jump and it decides to work. Whew!  8:00 am to 10:30 am: I am home doing random...

One of my very favorite things to do at the start of the year (or school year), is to fill in my calendar with all the significant dates. All the birthdays, anniversaries, special events, appointments, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, lessons, etc. This often takes me a day or so because inevitably, I get interrupted a few , constantly . Then after I finally get it all filled in, I still end up filling in new things throughout the year. Or I ended up crossing things out. So by December, my calendar usually looks like a kindergartener's drawing board with lines, dots and scribbles going all directions. Oh but I love it, the planning, the anticipation and the daily grind of a schedule. Yes, it is all very motivating to me! As I was writing in the calendar, I realized how many fun, exciting days are ahead. This made me think about what is referred to as Red-Letter Days. Red-letter days originated on the Medieval church calendars. They were written in red as a way to signify it was a day of impor...

Ah, the second day of the New Year! So fresh, so clean, like the first set of footprints in fresh fallen snow  yahoo pics Like the first steps into the sand as the tide recedes yahoo pics   Like the skin of a new born baby Ashley's feet (6 years ago) :)     Like a new life in Christ So serene, so beautiful is this time of beginnings. Cherish it, embrace it and go forth a new person.