simple inspiration

great quotes for the week

After telling me about an incident at school Tank said, "It was sad. It made me cry." 

Short pause.

Then with a happy tone added, "But only in my mind though."

While playing a game at a church youth activity, a very cute young man inserted his toothpick into his mouth such that only a tiny bit was exposed (relay game: passing life savers via toothpicks).  Arnold quickly told him, "I will not lose my first kiss to a 9th grader at Church!"  He grinned, but the toothpick came back out to a reasonable length.  That's my girl!

Arnold is the comedian in our home and dinner time is never dull.  This was a random statement one night,  "I can't wait to be a senior citizen.  You can buy cats for half price (the program is called "The Lonely Senior Citizen Program"  (who knew?  Apparently Arnold) and get into the zoo for a discount.  Just think dad, you are almost there." He's not quite almost there, but we got a good giggle.

a princess and a sweet boy

 
1. Loaf is really into folding her arms, it usually happens when she is mad or telling someone to be good.  She is really good at imitating my tone.

2. The ball sweeper is now the new favorite ride.  We love to chase the boys around while we clean up the tennis balls.

3. The Princess loves art time and is very meticulous in her coloring, making little small strokes.  It's very cute.  She is favoring her right hand, like her sisters.

4. Grandpa's glasses.  She has her own little small pair to play with, but she knows they are not the real thing.

6. Brick's Primary teacher (Sister T) relayed a very sweet story about him on Sunday.  At one point during the day a little girl in their class said something very mean to Brick and it really hurt his feelings.  The teacher quickly dealt with the situation, but kept looking over at Brick to make sure he was okay.  She said that he slowly pulled out two treats that he had in his pocket (where he got them I have no idea... not from home).

She recounted that he kept looking at his treats and looking at the little girl who had been mean.  After some time offered one of the treats to the little girl.  His teacher went on to say that the little girl was shocked and quite taken back by this gesture.  She (Sister T) was then nearly brought to tears when my sweet little boy leaned over and helped the little girl open her candy when she was struggling with the wrapper.

This is one of those proud mother moments.  Those rewards for all the daily naughtiness, that gives hope that they will grow up to be good people.

7. We praised Brick and told him how wonderfully thoughtful he had been.  Then early (not too early) Monday morning brought a surprise in the form of his sweet teacher.  She had run to the store to get him a small package of treats, wrote him a sweet thank you note (which he can't read but beamed when I read her words), and a big hug telling him how proud she is of him. 

8. I don't know if he will remember this, I hope it will have a lasting impact, but it certainly has with me.  I am so grateful to have people like Brick's sweet teacher who influence, praise, uplift, and support my children.  I can not successfully raise them on my own, even if I was the best, most dedicated mother.  It is through the kind actions and love of others that help build my children, giving them added love to fill their lives.  Thanks "T".  You are the best!

things to note (and a freebie)

Making a few changes here at AllisonKimball.com:  a little bit of fancy in the design; a few organizational changes and simplification (I hope). I've had a few requests to make the blog an app and/or mobile version, it might be more ambitious than my brain can take.  I'm still working on the drop down menu for the navigation bar, hopefully that will be live in the next few days.

1. Subscription changes

Each blog (or sub-blog as is the case) now has it's own subscription feed button now so you can subscribe to any or all of the chaos which is called my life.  I don't update everything everyday (except here), but as I was learning more html code the other day I figured I would apply what I was learning.

Here is a brief description of what will be happening and where.

simple inspirations (where you are now): a mixture of everything, all downloads, kits, patterns, etc will still come from here, as well the children, their antics, and love. Not much will change here.

simple testimony: a collection of faith promoting quotes, notes from meetings I've attended and don't want to forget, a general reference place for me (probably won't interest anyone else)

simple food: our collection (the beginnings anyway) of recipes, what we eat

and introducing.....

simple projects: nothing but art, sewing, drawing, scrapbooking, anything and everything.

I have contemplated this for quite a while, because really, do I need another blog to maintain?  However, I have a pictures of things to share, or rather just document, lovely pictures just of things that I find interesting that I haven't found a place for here. 

My "art" is all over the place media wise so adding to other boards or sites would make me crazy, not to mention remembering where I have posted things and the passwords.  So "simple projects" will be a lump sum of the creative side of our lives.  Probably not much commentary.

2. photo albums: I am adding a few more pictures from the various sides of the families.  These pictures are for personal use only by the various family members.  I would prefer not to password protect these albums, because I love seeing old photographs and would like to make them available. However,  I do not want to see my family images on someone's mixed media collage or page.

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3. A small little freebie:  I am currently taking a class over at JessicaSprague.com and we are working with some mixed media type projects.  I wanted to incorporate some of my own designs into the designs.  As always you are welcome to use this download for personal use only:

Download Akimball_snow_art

no regrets

I want to live a life with no regrets, not because I didn't make mistakes.  That is impossible, I make them by the minute most days especially when it comes to being a mother.  I do however want to look back and say when my life is all over that I did the best I could and I wouldn't change a thing (because hopefully I'm learning and growing from those mistakes).

I recently heard a young mother give a talk about her children, apparently they are on the wild side, but I'm skeptical.  She has never met my children or seen them in action.  She did however give some wonderful insight into motherhood that I thought I would pass along.  She talked about the wonderful things that her children do and praised God for their talents and gifts.  However when it comes to their faults and weaknesses she takes the blame.  (I'm like a broken record when it comes to these two things. I take the blame for everything my children do that is wrong. I blame myself.)

Then this wise mother read the scripture in Ether 12:27

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them."

"I give unto me weakness."  Not me, although I do and have corrupted them (my children). This spoke to me in such a way as to make me stop and take notice.  I'm not ready to give up all the blame, because I am well aware of my failings as a mother.  However I don't blame my parents for my mistakes or faults and I can see the wisdom and light in the message presented to my heart.

I understand more clearly that my children have similar struggles and weakness, often I identical to the weaknesses I face.  This is in part so that I can help them to not make the same mistakes I have made and to buoy them up when things are difficult.  I was taught once again that each of us is moving along this straight and narrow path leading back to our Heavenly Father differently and at our own pace. 

So today as I look upon my first and my last, as I think about the other seven in between, I am humbled once again at the magnitude of my calling as their mother. I am filled with added peace and awe that the Lord would send to someone as imperfect as I.  President Boyd K. Packer said last week in the Seminary conference, "You will learn more from your children than they will ever learn from you."  (you can find a similar reference here in this talk).  Perhaps that is why I have so many children, I have more to learn than most.  No matter the reason, they mean the world to me.

to be meek

"A meek man is defined as one who is not easily provoked or irritated and forbearing under injury or annoyance. Meekness is not synonymous with weakness. The meek man is the strong, the mighty, the man of complete self-mastery. He is the one who has the courage of his moral convictions, despite the pressure of the gang or the club. In controversy his judgment is the court of last-resort and his sobered counsel quells the rashness of the mob. He is humble-minded; he does not bluster. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.” (Proverbs 16:32.) He is a natural leader and is the chosen of army and navy, business and church to lead where other men follow. He is the “salt” of the earth and shall inherit it."

(President Harold B. Lee,“Chapter 21: Striving for Perfection,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 195)

creating (free download)

Spent some time this week working on my to do list, that is miles long. It was wonderful.  I hung curtains and curtain rods, I did a little bit of mending (but only a tiny bit, I need to do this in small doses), more cleaning and organizing. I love having clean cupboards.  It does something to my soul that is beautiful.

I even added a few stitches to this project that I pulled out of the "to finish" pile.

Finally added a scripture to our sign holder that I've had sitting in the cupboard for years.  Design wise it's not perfect, but it's done and now I can quickly change the scripture each month.  I loved walking in and seeing Tank reading the scripture while no one was looking.

I created a chart one night with all the children's school start and end dates/years as I was trying to arrange Loafie's preschool reservations. It's a bit overwhelming looking at the what is too come, but then I remember feeling that way about Munch when she was little and time has flown by.

I created a color swatch of some watercolor markers, it made me happy so I had to take a picture.  Then I had to draw something.

I loved this line from President Packer's talk last Sunday (found here).

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My drawing isn't perfect and the lettering could use some work (not to mention that the picture is blurry), but if anyone would like a printable version of a small bit of play you can here: Download Akimball_company.

Snow (free digital kit)

I had a hard time waxing emotional on our snow-less winter thus far.  I made this layout with the intention of adding a cute picture of one of the children.  However I still like the quick-page that I'm offering so maybe someone else will have wonderful snow pictures to fill it's void.  Here is the completed kit: papers, quickpage, snowflakes (and stickers), glitter alphabet (lower) and numbers.

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Download Akimball_snow_glitterALPHA

Download Akimball_snow_flakes

Download Akimball_snow_paper&QP

an unhappy list

Not writing this for sympathy, just want to make sure you remember that we are a normal family with ups and downs.

1. Vomiting.  I am the worst mother ever.  I do gross things on a regular basis, but this is one that I just can't manage.  We have had the craziest stomach flu running through our home and sparing you all the details I approached Munch and offered her $50 to clean up after one of her brothers.  I didn't think she would say yes, who says yes to vomit and on top of that she said I didn't even have to pay her.  Seriously, she is AMAZING!  She wins all sorts of awards and accolades.  Not my finest mommy moment, but there are some things my body is not equipped to do and John was asleep.  (Just to let you know, when I'm home alone I do clean up, I might dry heave through the entire process or add to it, but I am capable. I just dislike it very, very, very, very, very much.)

2. Bedbugs!  Makes me want to use a swear word.  Munch moved to the dorms back in June.  Within two weeks she was covered in bites, however before we figured out what they were she had already been home to visit and wash her clothing.  Bedbugs are tough and they make me unhappy. We thought we were rid of them until last weekend (the vomiting weekend, isn't that how it always happens) when all 4 girls found them in their beds, explaining the horrible rashes they have had.  Poor things.

The canine team came, found our trouble spots, actually the bug guy spent four hours here thoroughly inspecting all the beds and rooms.  He couldn't believe that the infestation was so small and localized considering all the communal living that happens around here.  No other spot in the house had a bug and when I expressed my concern about contaminating other people (I would feel so bad) he felt certain that because we are a little neurotic about cleaning (not that your could tell when you come over it's always so messy) we have been able to contain the problem.  Still it makes me itch just typing this.  

Tomorrow is the big heat day when they will be eradicated.  I don't feel sad about the death of these little creatures and their baby eggs, I wonder what that says about me. I'm also sending the bill to the university housing department as they got us into this mess (I doubt they will pay, but I'm sending it anyway especially because they told Munch when it happened, "Welcome to campus life.")

3. Impatience.  I wish I was better with my children.  I wish I didn't lose my temper so quickly.  I always regret it and I'm constantly saying I'm sorry and asking for forgiveness.  Yet, I keep making the same mistakes.  Frustrates me. I will keep working on it.  I love them too much to give up.

4. Days without art.

5. Tickets.  I got one today, speeding.  Drat.  As I handed the officer my license he asked for the registration and I'm embarrassed to admit that I pulled out about 10 years worth of papers from my glove compartment and said, "Sure, could you describe what it looks like?"  He smiled,  took an expired one from 5 years ago while I riffled through the remaining pile of insurance cards, old registrations, and such.  I might need to clean it out later this week.

6. Scissors.  

Can you see it?  That HUGE spot where hair used to be.  Dash and Brick decided again that it would be a good idea to give Loaf a hair cut.  However I think they were nervous at the chunk they took out because they smashed it back onto her head and mixed in a few of the surrounding curls.  It wasn't until a few hours later when we were driving to see Mutti and Oopa that Munch was playing with her hair and out came the huge clump.  

It's bad.  It's one of those, have to go to the stylist and have 1/2 your hair removed to try and make things better.  Now Loaf is a scissor magnet.  She can find them anywhere and everywhere.  Our scissors appear to be multiplying, because every day I take a pair away from her and nearly every day she cuts off another curl.  It's not a happy thing, but then who can get mad at a face like this.  

So maybe in the end it's a happy list.

1. I learned that Munch is even more astounding than I once knew. She is constantly surprising me with her goodness and talents (not that she would like this particular trait to be numbered among her many talents).

2. Our bedbug issue will be over soon and if not he owner will guarantee their work. It was also amazing that he was able to come so quickly and schedule our treatment because they are usually booked 3 weeks out, but for some reason he had a lull this week.  His business has gone up 200% in the last year.  Gross.

3. I have hope that I can do better, grow stronger and some day be the kind of parent my children deserve.  I am learning far more from them that they are learning from me.

4. Even without creating I can think and plan and making my art days more productive.

5. The officer was very kind and only ticketed me for 5 over the speed limit rather than the ________ unnamed number that actually happened.  When Brick woke up from his nap (during our ride into the city) he asked if he had missed anything. I replied that I met a very nice police officer. In the same breath he added, "because you got a speeding ticket?"  Nice.  In my defense it's been almost 20 years since my last ticket.

6. She still looks cute with short hair, although I can't wait for it to get long again (if she will quit cutting off the curls).

color wheel

Arnold and Gus each made one of these color wheels their first year in art which I have fallen in love with.  I adore the water color, but there is something magical about the color wheel (this is the point where Munch will stop reading). As I was looking at the color wheels trying to decide how and where to hang them in the studio I was standing right in front to the "useless" design board.  I call it useless because it's right above the sewing machine and a pain to get to without climbing on or moving the sewing machine so I rarely use it. 

The color wheel board began to form.  I contemplated adding some of these until I found an idea I liked better and besides these are already slated for another project.  They are just so pretty all lined up.

I have been saving a sample card from Kona, from back when we had the quilt shop.  Each of the samples was about 2 x 3 inches (tiny swatches), so I cut each of the fabrics out of the card and Fred helped me make them into buttons  (I wish I had had the sense to get the camera out during this part of the project because once again it was such a pretty picture). I created the tags and together we made this....

There was an even amount of tags until one of the yellow buttons met and untimely fate, but there is no reason to talk about tragedies here. This is a happy color wheel place.  We are still trying to decide if we like the tags with the strings attached or without and at this point as we are both ready to move on to something else we will leave them as is. 

It was such an easy project and I love how our color wheel board looks so far.  I can't wait to fill it with other projects.  I have a small quilt planned, but it might be a while as this year is my year to finish things and not start anything new. If I already have the fabrics purchased I wonder I can consider the quilt in progress and can add it to the be finished pile?

Happy color wheel day (I wouldn't be surprised to learn there is actually a day like this).

random list

1. Tempting fate: I have been de-junking and organizing the individual rooms in the house.  Each room leads me back to the storage room and those precious shelves filled with baby clothes.  I finally did it.  Found someone that was having a baby and sent them all away (except for a couple cherished ones that went into her baby box).  It made me a bit teary, end of an era and all, but it was time.  It made the children a bit nervous, because every time I give baby things away within months a new baby comes home. Made me smile.  I'm just happy with a few empty shelves.

2. While everyone is gone we like to take pictures and text them to "the sisters" and dad of course.  They are usually silly, but this one was a favorite.

3. I am becoming more and more versed in texting, or rather my phone.  I still write everything out and try and include punctuation and correct grammar.  Arnold showed me some alternate keyboards, who know there could be so much on one little phone (this makes me sound old).

4. Loaf loved Munches glasses to death, quite literally.  First it was the side which was glued back together until we get an appointment.  A few days later she had snapped the glasses in half.  She did not get my happy face.

5. Adding this just because I think it's pretty.  It's been sitting on my desktop for months waiting for the perfect post, but I haven't been able to think of anything so it just makes it today because this post is all over the place.

6. As I go from room to room each morning picking things up and cleaning I am constantly adding ribbons, elastics, bobby pins and such to my hair.  My hair is usually quite festive when I'm done.  I didn't want to forget the remote that Rock had hidden so it automatically went into the hair.  I might need to rethink this technique.

7. New hat and gloves from Grandma.  New pajamas from Gus (she made everyone in the family pajamas.  She is awesome that way.)

8. I received a text from Arnold (isn't there a rule about texting during class, actually it was during lunch) asking if I could find a sketch book for her art class. As I was looking I found this sweet little portrait she did of Tank 3 years ago.   I'm excited to see where this new class will take her, even though she doesn't like figure drawing.

9. I didn't think it was ever going to happen, a picture refusal because she LOVES to have her picture taken, but it did. It was cute that even though she was saying no, she was giggling and peeking yes.