You MaDe IT!

Kimber graduated from Seminary on Sunday, May 23rd. 

She has been a wonderful example in the way that she has lived the gospel, stood up for what is right and lived by the standards that she has set for herself. She  has helped instill valuable lessons of faith and righteous living in the lives of her siblings and other family members.

Graduating from Seminary is a goal that I am so happy that she has accomplished and I know that she will continue to live a gospel centered life.

   It won't be long before Cameron is doing the same thing...2 more years is all that has left, and 3 more years until he goes on his mission. Once again, I am left wondering where all this time goes...and why it has to go by so fast?!

Congratulations Kim! 

You will do many great and wonderful things in your life...

but graduating from Seminary is one of the most meaningful. 

Grandma and Grandpa Weight and Kimber~

Grandma and Grandpa Allred and Kimber

Families are Forever...and always make the world go round!

Kimber, your family- far and wide...through mountains and valleys...

over the river and through the woods

couldn't be more happy or prouder of the way that you live your life

and the things that you have done. 

Always remember who you are and what you stand for...just like you alway have~

It happens...be ready!

Once upon a time there was a red headed, fun loving little girl who wasn't afraid of much. She liked to play in the mud, read books (for hours on end), eat chocolate, 

go for bike rides, jump on the trampoline and swim at the pool. 

She liked to make cookies, watch scary movies, eat popcorn, sleep and have fun..

THEN OVER NIGHT...

...SHE grew up and graduated from High School. 

How does that happen so quick? YOU think it won't, but the time goes by

faster than you could ever imagine!

Watching as each of my children have gotten to this point both in their lives 

as well as on the gymnasium floor, makes me both

sad...and overwhelmingly happy...SAD because its over, but happy because its just beginning.

 "Friends are the ones that stand by you when everyone else walks away"....Thank goodness

for "bestest friends"!!!

Its all over but the crying, at this point!

...Looks like we made it......

...and she COULDN'T have made it without the "two bestest friends" 

in the whole entire world!!!!

Thank Heaven for these AWESOME, VerY SpeCiAL People!!!!

Congratulations to the class of 2010! 

May you walk tall and make new paths, being strong and courageous and faithful!

Call it what you want...I call it a BLESSING from Heaven!!

This years High School Graduation meant something more to me than just the accomplishments of good test scores, completed essays and endless hours of school work...this year it went a little deeper for me. This time it was a celebration of  life, of love and gratitude for the many, many blessings that I have been given this week. It was a celebration of four beautiful girls that were walking down the center of the gymnasium floor to the sound of the infamous "graduation song" with a hobble to their step, many bruises, countless scrapes... stitches and bumps...but smiles stretching from ear to ear. Many tears welled up inside my already swollen eyes as I once again reflected on this week and how things could have been so much different for our family. Four girls graduated with their class on May 28th, 2010 , all dressed in their white gowns with anticipation for the next chapter in their lives...all because of miracles and blessings that were bestowed upon them, as well as their families....during this week that will never be forgotten.

I feel like I am living with an "angel". Kim skimmed heavens door, ever so slightly...she could have easily been on the other side right now looking down on me...it puts things into perspective and makes me once again appreciate every single day and every single moment. I find myself watching her more intently, soaking in her smile, her laugh and her countenance...I find myself crying uncontrollably sometimes, from out of no where...because I am so thankful for today, for yesterday and for tomorrow...that I still have her here with us.

No one ever knows what tomorrow will bring...tomorrow is in uncharted territory...and sometimes the things that happen are out of our control...but I don't want to live with any regrets. I hope to make my "today's" count a little bit more...

I'm living with an attitude of gratitude and once again, I can't help but be thankful that I was able to go to graduation and watch my sweet daughter receive her diploma. I can't help but feel gratitude for the knowledge that she has obtained through experiences both "in and out of school". I am thankful for her accomplishments and for the  strength and determination that she has to live life to the fullest . She is truly a light and example to many...She's going to go far in this life as she moves on toward the next chapter, the next phase of her life and toward fulfilling her dreams and goals.

She's here for a reason. She is here because she has many things left to do, so many people's lives yet to touch and so much to achieve. She is here because her time is not yet finished here upon the earth!
Experiences like this, like the "what if's", the "could have's, might have's, and "glad they didn't happen", kind of moments,  make me want to spend more time with my children, with my family and the people that mean the most in my life...These moments make all my messes, the laundry, the scrubbing and all of my daily, mundane chores...look so much less important. These kind of things make me forget all that meaningless work for awhile...even if it is only for a little while.
Kim and Halle and I went to dinner on Thursday, and I did just that...I forgot all of the work that I needed to do and I spent time completely and fully enjoying 2 of my daughters. We went to dinner and enjoyed a little time together, time that I wouldn't trade for anything. The dishes were still here, the laundry was still in piles, the spills were still on the kitchen floor...my carpets weren't vacuumed, the bathroom didn't get cleaned...and yes, the company arrived Friday after graduation just as planned...messes and all. BUT I did what I thought was most important, and thats what will make a difference in the end.

Today, I am thrilled and very happy that I've had another one graduate from High School...not because I am ready for her to leave the nest, because I'm not...but because of the crazy events of this past week and had things been slightly different, I might not have seen my sweet little girl walk in her graduation gown and throw her cap into the air...but thankfully,  I did.

 I got to see my daughter graduate with her class, the class of 2010! 

You can call it what you want...I call it a precious gift...a miracle...to have my daughter here...

and I love her dearly!

Angels are watching...

Its 4am and I can't sleep....there is just too much on my mind. I feel so humbled and very blessed today. Kim was in a car accident with some of her friends, and walked away with only scrapes, bumps and bruises. With graduation only days away, the seniors of our small community try to spend as much time together as they can, doing fun memorable things because they know they won't get these opportunities again. Kim was with 3 of her friends out for a drive to the lake, when they came upon some very "washboardy" roads, the next thing Kim knew, they were rolling over and over again. When the vehicle finally came to a stop they all called out to each other to make sure that everyone was okay. They were all talking, but shaken up a bit. They were all wearing their seat belts, which I KNOW saved their lives. A few of the girls were bleeding and cut...but they were all alive. Police arrived, ambulances arrived and before long they were all swept off to the hospital to be observed, x-rayed and checked over. Deron and I arrived at the hospital not too long after the ambulance, but they wouldn't let us go back to see Kim.

We waited in the waiting room as our minds were left to wonder and WANDER. We were told by one of the other girls mothers, who's daughter was also in the accident, that Kim was okay...scraped up, but okay. BUT for me...that wasn't enough, I wanted to see her for myself. To touch her face, to hold her hand and be to with her. Waiting only made things worse as I thought of all the "what if'" and possible scenarios of what might be taking place behind those closed doors. BUT I was grateful to know she was alive. I couldn't help but feel like angels had been with her on this day and watched over her as she rolled in a vehicle, smashing it to pieces. When I was finally able to go back into the emergency room Kim was still back in x-ray, so I waited and paced the floor in her hospital room. A police officer came into her room and talked to me for a little while. He told me that if the girls hadn't been wearing their seat belts, they wouldn't be alive. 

WOW!!! Hearing those words come from the mouth of a man who sees accidents like this more often than he would like to, sent chills down my spine and brought more tears to my eyes. I started to think about how my doings at that very moment could be so, so different. I could have been mourning the loss of my little girl, holding her cold hand instead of waiting to see her scraped up face and warm body being wheeled back to her room. We could be planning a funeral instead of a graduation party....it's  

all so surreal. I cried and said a prayer of deep gratitude, thanking my Heavenly Father for the blessings that I have and especially for my wonderful daughter, Kimberly. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. I have no doubts in my mind at all that Heavenly Father blessed Kim to be able to still be with us, it wasn't her time to go. Life is always full of change and uncertainty...but today I am so grateful that my little girl is sleeping in her bed, that I can look forward to hearing her laugh in the morning, to see her smile and that she is still here with us. I feel so blessed that I get to have another tomorrow with her.

 I don't know what I would do without her in my life. She is such a special part of my life, as are each and every one of my children. Each one of them holds a special place in my heart. Kim has always been such a sweet, "fun" girl...from the time she was just little she has brightened the lives of everyone in the family. She has a corky, fun sense of humor, a smile that lights up any room and a deep love for others. She is patient and thoughtful and is a joy in our lives. She is a blessing in the lives of so many people and I feel so humbled and so very blessed to still have her here with us....I am once again reminded to "enjoy my children more each day- and to the very fullest, don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy the little things they do just a little bit more, don't take any moment for granted and hug my children a little harder today-and even a little longer and most of all...to be more grateful for my children. 

I am a very blessed mom today and so happy to have my daughter here!

All Grown UP!

Erik's big birthday was this past week... 

He turned 21! I can't believe that we have 3 kids over the age of 21 now...WOW what happened to my babies? I get a kick out of making Erik's birthday dinner every year. He has asked for the same thing since he was 5 years old..."Barbecue Meatballs and Lemon Bars"...if you notice below-last years picture

has the same dessert in it..LEMON BARS

Erik's birthday is the only time of the year that I make barbecue meatballs OR lemon bars...
Happy Birthday Erik!

She's got "Dance Fever"

I always wished I was talented in dance, music and the arts...I just didn't get that gene like my girls did. Halle has been taking dance lessons from "24/7 Dance Studio" for the past 2 years. She has loved every minute of it. Dana (her teacher, as well as her sister-in-law) does such an amazing job at teaching these girls how to dance.

Halle has learned how to do things that she didn't think she would ever be able to do. She is learning new things all of the time. Its awesome to see the improvement that she has made in both her technique as well as her confidence.

She holds her chin up and smiles and I can tell that she is loving her opportunity on the floor. She lives to dance and is excited every week to go to class. She had her dance recital on Saturday where we got to go and watch as she preformed the dances that she has been learning. I was very impressed...what an amazing dancer she has become.

Halle got the "Most Creative Award" for her age division. She was thrilled and excited to be honored at the recital. I can't believe that she is growing up so fast and well on her way to being a full fledged teenager.....its kind of sad!

Time...it comes and goes so quick!

Every girl needs a new dress to graduate in...right?...Kim found a cute pattern and 

so we whipped one up for her. Who would have thought that 30 years ago when I was ripping seams apart and screaming at the top of my lungs to my mom that "I don't care if I ever learn to sew, I hate it", that I would be sewing yet again...another piece of clothing for one of my children. 

I actually enjoy sewing and have done a lot of it over the years, more than

I ever thought that I would.  

 I think the dress turned out really nice and Kimber loves it

and thats all that matters.

I even made this "rosette" to pin on to her jacket. I think the rosettes are so fun and classy...it was easier than I thought and it added a lot to finish off the look of her dress. 

One week from today and she will officially be done with 

HIGH SCHOOL!...I am so sad!

Where did the time go? It seems to move on wings of lightning anymore!!!

Rock- a....ByE

"Rock a bye baby...in the tree tops...when the winds blow the cradle will rock, when the bow breaks the cradle will fall....and down will come baby...cradle and all"......

...and thats just what happened!

I was sad to see that our little "bird family" got shaken up, 

and their home blown away, similar to Dorothy's in the Wizard of OZ. 

"Gary and Gloria" were no where to be seen as their little 

house made of sticks and straw came tumbling to the ground...along with their hopes

and dreams of 2 little baby birdies.

Oh the cruelty of Mother Nature and her wrath....THE wrath THAT I call "WIND!"

Its often a destroyer of my plans, my day...and just recently, my week. It brings in the cold, the storms and wrecks havoc on things that I like to do. The weather always seems to get in the way of 

doing things outside. If it's not one thing, its another...isn't that the way it goes?!

The wind has been blowing something fierce for the past week. I am wondering if 

Summer will ever come. I was looking at pictures that I took last year at this time...

.....they sure look alot different from this year!!

1. I had peas....it's been too cold this year, I didn't even get any planted

2. I had lilacs...this year I barely have leaves on my lilac bushes. There are a few little buds poking out and playing peek-a-boo...but I don't think I'm going to see anything like this for my MAY 2010!

3. Todd and Dana's crab apple tree was in full bloom....THIS year....the tree is just barely leafing out! 

It makes me SO sad!! I feel like I've missed out on an important part of enjoying the Spring/Summer...the pretty flowers, the blossoms and the joy of playing in the dirt....I hope it's not a sign of things to come. I NEED a SUMMER more than you could ever know. I NEED the heat, I NEED the sunshine, I NEED the colors of green, red, yellow and blue, I NEED the lazy days of playing in the mud and dirt and watching things grow...I KNOW I AM I am being GREEDY, I am begging for it ALL...Please Mother Nature...just give me this one wish, the wish of many months of Summer?!

Is it time to EAT yet?!

Food...seriously, who doesn't love it? I have to say that I don't know what I would do without yummy, scrumptious, delicious....FOOD in my life (be much thinner...but we aren't talking about that). I think eating is one of lifes little pleasures. We all HAVE to eat - its something that we do with our family...just for fun, but also out of neccesity. Its something we do with friends for entertainment and recreation purposes. Its something we do...just because we want to-its enjoyable, it tastes good and we just all (most of us anyway) like to eat!
 I know that many of my problems in life have resulted from my love for food...mainly, weight...yes I said the big bad word...weight! Two and half years ago I finally decided that I had had enough of myself, so I joined Weight Watchers. I love, absolutly love, the program....I lost most of the weight I was hoping for (could always stand to lose a little more)...and have tried hard to maintain it. I sacrifice a lot every single day, I work my tail off....and then sacrifice some more...but one day a week I allow myself to splurge a little. It's my way of helping myself NOT feel like I've had to give up all of my favorite foods. NO my "free day" is  NOT a Weight Watcher rule, it's not protocol, NOT even approved... but its something that has worked for me and helped me to stay sain. On a regular day of the week I eat a lot of fruits, veggies and whole grains...on a free day, well its called "free day" for a reason....I eat whatever sounds good.

We all have favorite foods, our least favorites, the little things that we "splurge" on and then the things that we eat all of the time...we have the foods that we crave and the foods that repulse us...we have things that we can't get enough of and those things that we would just as soon go without...

Food and its how it tastes-are all in the eye of the beholder

just thought you might want to know some of my Fav's~

   

Fresh Homemade Bread! I make it every Thursday (free day) and bask in the 

smell as well as the taste.

Spinach!...yes I love it and eat it frequently. I like it on and in anything where you would normally put lettuce...it just tastes so much better. YES, I even like it cooked...but raw is my favorite.

Veggies. I love them!...I really do! I have to say that I could eat an entire head of broccoli all by myself, although I prefer to eat it cooked, not raw...with a lot of pepper. 

Avocado's! Yes...this is a splurge food. It's so good sliced and on a turkey sandwich 

or just smashed up and made into guacamole. Can I just say...YUM!

Grapes~ any color, any shape....just give me grapes. I love grapes. BUT I have learned the 

trick to picking out a good grape is...(are you ready for this)...they have to be firm! They 

taste so much better if they are firm and "pop" when you bite into them. So if you see me pinching grapes (ever so gently) in the store, you will know that I am just trying to pick out the "best ones" and buying them up before someone else does!

I love to spread Nutella on my fresh homemade bread...because it helps me remember just why I

love it so much....only because it is DIVINE!

You can't get any more "whole Grain" than Oatmeal. I like to eat my oatmeal cold, dry and with WW yogurt mixed in with it....then I mix frozen (but partially thawed) blueberries in, 

just to make it a little more tasty! Sad enough to say,  I have caught myself craving raw, cold oatmeal  and I've been known to eat it by the handfuls.

You have never...and I mean never, had a biscuit unless you have eaten one of these. I have tried for years to make biscuits that are light and flakey and taste as good as these Pillsbury Grands, but have failed continually! I love biscuits and gravy...and these melt in your mouth!... and they are just as good with melted butter and honey on them. (seriously, isn't your mouth watering?!)

When I was a teenager I would buy Cheetos and eat them for lunches. I would leave them in my locker and eat them for days...or I would take them home and hide them in my room and eat them all until they were gone! To this day, I STILL love them...I know, they are a "kids food", but I am still a kid at heart and like to splurge a little sometimes. 

ha ha ha...I know you are probably laughing right now, thinking to yourself...what a dumb food to love. Salsa makes everything taste good. The more the merrier in my book!

My new found favorite treat is~ this Laughing Cow Cheese. It comes in a round cardboard circle, when you open it up you find these cute little wrapped triangles of HEAVEN!...I love, love this cheese. I like to eat it right out of the wrapper OR spread it on crackers with a little slice of canadian bacon...

It just makes me happy all over inside~

Limon chips are right up there with Salt and Vinegar chips in my book....a FaVorITe all the way!..But then I like sour, salty things! They taste even better dipped into a chip dip (but then what doesn't)

I have tried many Fat Free cottage cheese's, and most have a bitter bite to them. BUT not this one. I love it. I like it better than the "regular" cottage cheese...

sad thing is, I could eat the entire tub by myself...but I don't!

Cinnamon Life cereal is just ONE of my favorite cereals. I am usually a "granola" girl, but this cereal is one that I really like to eat on those days when I am giving myself a "little treat".

I grew up in a house where cheese was a staple, just like flour and sugar. Not very often did we NOT have cheese in our refridgerator...my favorite hard cheese is SWISS (which we didn't have in our house much). I love it plain, melted on corn chips or on a sandwich...just give me cheese please!

Growing up we NEVER had whipped topping unless it was Thanksgiving...and only if my grandma bought it. It was one of those "special treats". I remember getting scolded many a time for sneaking into the "Cool Whip" and eating it by the spoonful. Grandma didn't take to kindly to my snitching into it ESPECIALLY when she went to serve it with the pies and found only half a tub left. 

AND just for the RECORD~ Cool Whip and Whipped Topping aren't the same...they are supposed to be, but after my many years of "sampling the goods" I have found that Cool Whip by far out weighs the generic brands!...go figure! SO if I need whipped topping for a recipe, to be mixed in with other things, I usually buy the genric brand because I've noticed that it doesn't effect the flavor much...BUT if I am serving it as a topping on pies, cakes etc...I buy Cool Whip every time!

There is something to be said for a good pickle! My FAVORITE are homemade (which I DON'T make, so I have to wait until some kind soul gives me a bottle)...but in a pinch, these will make my tongue do a "happy dance"!

For as long as I can remember my favorite ice cream has always been "Chocolate Chip Mint". I use to BEG my dad to get it...and when he did, I wanted to (but didn't) eat it all in one sitting. NOW that I am a grown up I like to eat it with "THIN MINT" girl scout cookies. I make myself a nice little ice cream sandwich and then sit and relish in my little happy spot....of Chocolate MINT!

BUT...as I have grown up and ventured out into the ice cream world...I have adopted another favorite!

Pistachio Almond Icecream. Its SOOOOOO good. I DON'T eat it with my thin mints...but in a bowl or on a cone (ha ha ha...yes I still like cones)...

its rich and creamy and makes my mouth water, like it is  right now!

There you have it...a few of my favorite foods and on a bad day...my reason's for living. There better be food in Heaven...it seems that it wouldn't be Heaven without it right?!

AND just for the record~ NO ONE paid me to say these things...to brag about any certain product or brand...I just wanted to share a few of my favorite "Happy Foods"...and so that is what I did. NO money was exchanged, NO deals were made, and NO movies or commercials came from anything that I said in this post!....just thought you might want to know...JUST FOR THE RECORD! 

PS...is Thursday almost here...I'm feeling like I need a "free day!"?