Vacation

Sean and I, along with the boys, have the opportunity to go to San Diego in 3 weeks! We haven't been out of the Northwest since our Honeymoon and we couldn't be more thrilled. Plane tickets were on sale for half off, and with Brayden turning 2 soon, he will no longer fly for free. We couldn't really afford it but it was important enough to us that we just made it happen. We won't necessarily get to do a lot while we're down there but I'm kind of looking forward to a vacation that is actually restful. I'm glad it won't be the type of vacation that you need a vacation from when you get home. Sean has family down there, and we are so excited to go show off our boys to them. It will be an adventure flying with the kids but hopefully it will all be worth it!

Bloggers Block

Life has been crazy lately and blogging just hasn't been high enough on my to do list to get anything written. However, I'm realizing that the days are numbered until I can get my next Blurb book and I want it to have more than 20 pages. So, I'm going to *try* to start blogging more frequently.

Sean and I applied for a position as apartment managers. We aren't sure why we didnt' think of this sooner, but it means free rent and a place of our own. We applied for a position out in Aloha, and found out this past week that we got it! Not only is it free rent, but free utilities, phone and fax as well. On top of that, Sean get's $12/hour for maintenance. This is such a blessing to us. It is a townhouse complex (you know the townhouses all sardined together? Yeah...those ones) with 42 units. We don't have to do any of the marketing or evictions, or even the deciding who we accept to move in and who we deny. We collect the rent, give late notices, and give the tours to people that want to move in. We also do the maintenance. The townhouses were built in 2000, and our place is 2 beds, 1.5 baths and 990 sq ft. It is 2 stories, with a 1 car garage. We are elated. We are so excited to get out on our own, and not have to pay rent. This will give us an opportunity to start saving, which we couldn't be happier about. Given the circumstances of these past 2 years, we're ready for this next phase in our life! We don't get to move in until June, but we knew that before we applied for the job. Now, we just wait! We are sad to leave this ward, as we have made so many friends and love it here, but the fact that we'll have our own place makes it worth it!

"Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet"

I was called on Thursday evening at about 8 and asked if I could speak in church on Sunday. I hesitated a bunch but I could hear my dad in my ear saying "we don't ever turn down a calling" so I very apprehensively said yes. The topic was following the prophet. Great. I follow the prophet, this should be easy right? Um... not so much. So thursday night I got on lds.org and read a few talks from the general authorities, since they are the experts on this subject. I found a few talks quotes and stories that I liked and tried to glue them together with transitions and personal experiences.

It would be really hard to come up with something that takes me further out of my comfort zone than giving a prepared talk in front of a lot of people. I'd almost rather be called out of the congregation and told "Hey Kimberly, would you mind coming up here and talk on following the prophet?" I'd be nervous, but not as nervous as when I have 48 hours to build up to it. Anyway, I think that overall it went well. I was asked to speak for 7-10 minutes so I prepared a 12 minute talk because when I get nervous I talk like an auctioneer but I think I did fine. I'm grateful that I was able to feel the spirit calming me and I was able to not stumble over my words. Overall, I'm glad that I had the opportunity...it was good for me. But I'm glad it's over :)

100 miles

YAY!!! I am so proud of myself. Who knew that I, Kimberly, could run 100 miles...ever. I'm PUMPED! On Saturday I ran to Costco (3.4 miles). Sean and the boys met me there after the run so we could do some shopping. (What better place to run to than Costco during sample hour?) I've always heard of but never really believed in "runners high." I always have gotten more and more exhausted as runs go on. The first half of the run I didn't enjoy at all. But once I got past the halfway point I thought "oh man, no sweat!" I picked up my pace and kept going. By the time I got to Costco, I felt like I was just getting started...I could have run another couple miles!

Running for me is 80% mental. I have to mentally overcome the run more than physically overcome it. I never thought I could run even a mile. However, between Wednesday's 4 mile run and Saturday's 3.4 mile run...I'm feeling pretty confident. I CAN do this. And now, I KNOW I can do the Helvetia 10k in June...I just have to now physically work up to it now that I'm mentally capable of doing it. I'm getting excited!!

Score!

Sean and I were picking up some groceries at Albertsons and they had this bin full of books. They were all 75% off the lowest marked price. We hit the jackpot! We got all of the books pictured, along with 3 CD's of kids tunes that Brayden loves to sing along to in the car, for $10!! Most of them are the perfect size for my diaper bag and are great for church. I'm stoked! Oh, and it helps that Brayden loves them :)

Sean's Birthday Dinner

Sean's 25th birthday is on Thursday. We had his family birthday dinner last night since next weekend is crazy. Lorraine made a huge Thai dinner since that is Sean's favorite food. It consisted of Phad Thai, Massaman Curry, and Tom Kha Gai, along with spicy beans (I don't remember the Thai name.) It was delicious! Most of the family was there, plus the missionaries and Brenden and his friend so it was a packed table but oh so much fun! Then for dessert there were 2 cakes and 4 flavors of ice cream (all of which besides boring vanilla had chocolate in them.) Lorraine knew this though so she bought me my own box of Dulce de Leche Girl Scout Cookies. Yummy! Thanks Lorraine!

#81 Visit Everett Children’s Museum

Check! Saturday we went to the Everett Children's Museum with my parents, 3 younger brothers, sister Lisa and her 4 kids, and sister in law Jenny and her 2 kids. All 8 grandkids (and 1 in utero) were all in attendance for this fabulous fun filled day! The museum was amazing!! They had SO many cool little exhibits and toys. It was super fun for all ages. My favorite thing was the green peg board. Remember THIS toy that has all the tiny metal pegs? Well there was a massive green one at the museum. (See first picture and 1st video) We spent a good hour on this thing alone. We really wanted to make one so we did the math. We figured out that that there were about 31,725 pegs on that thing. Each peg being 5 inches long meaning 13,219 feet of the clear acrylic tubing. Then 26,437 of the green caps. PLUS the cost of the metal sheets and the frame. Add to that the thought of hours and hours of sticking pins through matching holes in lined up pieces of punched sheet metal. So, we decided that we weren't going to make one for ourselves afterall. But it would be cool! My second favorite thing was the magicians stage. (see 2nd video) There were some cool props and then a sound board in the back that you could control. It was fabulous!

William was my barber

Keith built this car and trailer in the "construction" room. The kids loved it!

And since I haven't posted a video in a long time, I decided to put lots of videos up :)

Sorry, you have to watch this one sideways!






After the museum we went to my sisters house and stayed the night. Then we left after church to come home for Sean's birthday dinner (Post to follow.) In the car ride, B was extremely happy. I'm not sure why, as he generally HATES being in the car, but it was too cute to not share. I love having 2 kids! They make each other laugh all the time. It's great!


And a video of Asher from last week...just cuz he's so dang cute!