simple inspiration

dressing up

Sometimes it's fun to just dress up and be a princess.

Sometimes you endure your mother and her camera, because your hair is just too fabulous not to document.

burrito baby

Mom came over one day last year to show me a project she was working on to use up some leftover fleece.  The simple doll is called a "burrito baby" and she brought a mock up, a sample to get my thoughts (I love that she wants my advice when truly, her wisdom and knowledge far exceed mine).  Loaf became instantly attached.

No matter that it was meant for someone else, hair was still to be applied, and Loaf already had a plethora of other dolls she knew grandma had made the perfect doll for her and she was not giving it up.  She cried and cried when I handed mom the doll as she was leaving.  Of course Grandma quickly gave it back, Loaf with tears is hard to resist.  It has been a favorite ever since.

Loaf is so pleased to show off burrito baby fresh from the laundry. 

Burrito baby (no other name was required, she immediately called it Burrito) has endured more washings than one might imagine, especially with kisses like this which are not usually as clean.  Burrito has been literally dragged everywhere and it a treasure to be found at the bottom of the toy bin or under her bed. 

I might have to make a few to donate to the Humanitarian center, if Loaf loves it this much I can only imagine the joy it could bring another baby girl. Who knew a simple piece of fleece could bring such joy!

Front

Back

wrapped

You can find the pattern here (towards the bottom) and here.

brothers

The play starts out calmly, some invasion into the fisher price bat cave taking place.  Then something inexplicable happens, someone hits another person.  Or was it the urgent need to tackle a brother?

Today there was more laughter than anger.  The violence was playful as the boys contained their frustrations and enjoyed the fun, but that is not always the case.  Sometimes the anger takes over and as the boys get stronger this can be a frightening thing to see.

Then, after some parental interference, everyone is calm again as if nothing ever happened.  It's a mysterious thing for the estrogen filled population of our home.  One day I overheard one of the sisters asking another sister about something one of the brothers had done.  The response was priceless, "It's because he's a boy." To which the reaction was, "Ahh, that explains everything."

I'm not sure what was explained because I still wonder.  I have learned that holes in the sheet rock  are going to stay for a few more years.  Sofas and bed frames are going to squeak, groan, and crack under the pressure of bodies being thrown and banged against them.

The strength of a little boy is a wonder to behold. Four brothers, full of energy and life filling our home with holes and broken things.  Life cannot possibly be sweeter!

sisters

I have no idea where Fred was during this series of photos, perhaps she was still at school.  Sorry Fred!

Sometimes words just muddle things up!

love at home

"When we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on—home and family and the loyalty of loved ones. We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life."

(President Thomas S. Monson, "Love at Home—Counsel from Our Prophet", August 2011 Ensign)

laughter

Studies show that humor and laughter help people live longer, happier lives; be more creative and productive; and have more energy with less physical discomfort. Humor reduces stress, fear, intimidation, embarrassment, and anger. Laughter also has extraordinary healing power. When a person laughs, blood pressure decreases, heart rate and respiration increase, the body releases endorphins, and depression declines. After the laughter subsides and you relax again, that good feeling has a lasting effect, even until the next day. Not many medicines will do that. (Gary K. Palmer, “The Power of Laughter,” Ensign, Sep 2007, 32–35)

“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.” ― Mark Twain

“Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting some on yourself.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

So much to be grateful for a life filled with joy, hope, faith, and peace. Smiles and laughter are the best medicine. 

in the final hours

In the final hours of the day, the sun casts such a beautiful golden glow and during one unusally warm winter day the children spent the last few hours basking in it's light.  We find ourselves in this same situation with Munch headed out the door for her adventure  this week.  We can not bear to let the last few hours be wasted.  Sometimes we giggle when we say it's her last family home evening as if she is never coming back, but it's a huge change for us and we want to relish the moments and create beautiful memories.

Among the other responsiblities of motherhood, that I struggle to learn, one of the hardest for me is to learn when to let go.  I can't tell you the countless times, my children have been patient with me as I've said, "This is hard for me to let you do this, please be patient with me as I work through my fears and gather the strength I need."

I'm a selfish mother.  I love to have my children with me.  I love to look at their beautiful faces, even if we are not participating in the same activity.  I love to hear their laughter and the stories that bring a smile to their faces. I'm so thankful I get to comfort their tears and ease their fears.  I relish my job, even when I forget and complain.  They are my babies.

As the sun sets on this period of time, I will bask in the warm glow that reflection provides.  I will look once again upon the faces that bring trial and joy to my life and appreciate their goodness.  I will gather warmth from the knowledge that we are a family, sealed to one another by covenant. 

I find a greater appreciation for the time in which I live.  I cannot imagine how my ancestors bore the loss of a child as they left home.  Munch is equiped with various electronics to keep in touch and a promise from me to not neglect the blog, because more than one child last night made a comment that I have been shirking my blog responsibilites.  It made me smile especially considering these are the experiences they have already lived.

Please excuse me as I will wax emotional over the slightest things and lay aside the worries of schedules and lists.  This time is fleeting and I want to cherish every luminous ray that falls upon our lives.

love affair with the word of God

“I would encourage my people to read the scriptures, to read the Book of Mormon, to read the New Testament. I would urge them with all the capacity I have to read quietly and thoughtfully and introspectively.”1 Hoping that we would gain a love of the scriptures, he also said, “I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God.”2

 1. “Messages of Inspiration from President Hinckley,” Church News, Apr. 5, 1997, 2. More recently, President Hinckley encouraged the young women of the Church to read specific books in the scriptures (see “Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly,” Ensign, May 2007, 116).

2. President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99.

racing day

We would like to thank you for joining us and welcome you to the 145th daily race at the Kimball home.  We here at the Kimball channel are thrilled that you could join us for what will prove to be an exciting match up.  First of all let us meet our racers, weighing in at 60 + pounds we have Brick. He shared his strategy earlier  today by saying he is going  to breakaway from the pack quickly and use his good looks to wow the judges with added tricks and smiles.

Next, weighing in at 45+ pounds we have Dash.  Dash is known for his speed, but today he wants everyone to know that he will not easily be intimidated by the other contestants.  He will be a fierce competitor to beat.

Our final racer weighing in at..... wait, we have been interrupted by Loaf's legal counsel advising us to proceed with caution!  Loaf is known for her charm and sweet disposition, but don't let this fool you folks, she is a competitive racer who will stop at nothing to get her way: biting, hitting, innocent looks, and unsuspecting kisses easily throw a racer out of his rhythm.

After some heated discussion the racers have finally selected their shoes.  On the left under protest, Dash has consented to wear the gladiator heels.  This is a new shoe for him and he is choosing to wear them on the wrong feet hoping to give him greater speed around the tight corners.

In the middle we have Loaf sporting her coveted red high heels, Dash tried to make a play for them, but finally gave in when Loaf started to have a temper tantrum.  He was putty in her hands from the moment this contest started.

Finally on the right, wearing the formidable 4 inch heels, Brick is confident the added height will be to his advantage, but folks he is swaying in the wind.  I don't think he can pull this off, but his natural athleticism might just make this a good choice for him.  (Edited: Arnold is protesting that her shoes are actually 5 1/2 inches.)

The racers are are on their marks, "ready, set.... Go!" shouts the judge and the racers are off.

Loaf makes a quick start from the line,  she's a pro folks don't let those dainty steps fool you. She can always be seen with heels on, she is going to be tough to beat.  But wait, there seems to be some confusion on the first turn Loaf has turned around and is now going the wrong way. 

Brick takes advantage of Loaf's mistake and quickly manages the first turn. He sure makes moving in those heels look easy. Folks, I don't know if you can tell on the left of your screen, but there might be some points taken off for the illegal stabilization rounding that corner.   We will have to wait and see what the judges say.

Word just in, Brick is fine.  Apparently his mother is the judge and she promotes safety first.  We'll have to see if there is some protesting later over this nepotistic decision.

Loaf is back on track going once again and now Dash true to his name is with lightening speed rounding the corner making up for his late start. Wait folks this doesn't look good, Loaf is veering into Dash's lane, this could be trouble.

Oh no!  He's down!  He's down!  It looks like the gladiators have proven to be too much for such a tight turn and Dash is down.  This looks serious folks, he is wailing as if he's lost a limb.  I can't tell from this angle, but it appears to be serious. 

No need to panic, it appears that Loaf has taken control of the situation.  She is assessing the injuries, offering kisses, we have just received word that the race has been officially postponed until tomorrow while the judges offer consolation and perhaps even a cookie for good measure.  We will keep you informed if there are any further developments.  What a great day for a race!

We here at the Kimball channel know you have choice where you spend your leisure time, we  would like to thank you for spending some time with us, we hope to see you again soon for another wild adventure.

gobbles

There are a few essential things one should never leave home without: large hair flower, pink pea coat, a favorite blankie, a princess (in her hand) and of course gobbles (goggles). I love that she calls them gobbles!

I thought I had hidden the goggles sufficiently after the summer was over so we could have another year of use from them, apparently not and somehow I won't be upset if I have to buy new goggles when summer comes.  It's worth seeing her excitement when she finds a pair.  Some of my favorite pictures of Loaf include gobbles, she is almost making them fashionable.