Last Post Before We Hit The Road

I'll probably post en route, but if not we'll be posting once we get there.

KKS

Getting Ready

We're packing, shopping, cleaning, gathering, healing and being really excited for our trip!!! Everyone is almost over the terrible cold that has hit our family. The food is all bought. The van is full of gas. The suitcases are (almost) packed. We got the TripTik's from AAA. General Conference tickets are in our possession. Laundry is all washed and dried. Fridge is cleaned out. The iPods, camera batteries and cell phones are all charged. Neighbors have been notified. The bills are paid.

Now all we have to do is pack the cooler, load up the van, go to the demolition derby (a favorite of ours) at the fair and wait for Mike to finish up his shift tomorrow night.

Then......

UTAH OR BUST!!!!!

New Family Pictures

We have so much fun sitting in front of the Mac taking these. It's a sure way to get us all laughing together, having a great time.

KKS

Nuttin' Sweeter

This picture sings to my heart. I look at it and I know that these two love each other so very much. They have a bond between them like none other that I have ever seen. I am so grateful for the relationships that we can take with us into the eternities. I know this one was formed before they came to earth. I am so lucky to be their Mommy!!!

KKS

The Barn

This has become one of our favorite places to play. The kids say that it's like a museum. It has many secret passages, antiques, rolling doors, hay covered floors and places to explore. The barn swings are the biggest attraction.

Our friends moved from here a few weeks ago and we went on Saturday to do some harvesting in their humongous garden. We ate cherry tomatoes right off the vine. Yummy!!!

Harrison in the barn.

This is the neighbor cutting the hay.
Lundi looking out.
Lauren trying to figure out the record player.
Lauren on barn swing.
They tried on these "pioneer clothes."
They found this old record player and asked "What is this?"
Harrison on the barn swing.
Busy spider.
This ladder was so high.
Audrey with Lundi (the other Mommy).
Caleb said that this chest was one recovered from the Titanic.
The kids ask to go to Gabi's almost every day. We would go if it was closer. They think it's more fun than an amusement park. Free fun is always the best.

We thank our friends for the open invitation to visit their old stomping ground.

KKS

I Remember

Photo: AP/Shawn Baldwin

I was on the bed in our apartment in Salt Lake. I was half asleep, nursing Harrison. Mike comes into the room. "Kim, wake up, our country is under attack!!!" I quickly got up and went into the living room to watch the horrific scenes play out on the screen. Wailing. Crying. Sirens. Destruction. Fear. People lost, not knowing where to go or what was happening. Wandering aimlessly down the streets, helping those who couldn't walk on their own. Papers flying. People jumping to their death to escape the flames and smoke. Orange flames shooting out the sides of buildings. Black smoke. Blue sky. Chaos and confusion everywhere. Mouths agape. People bleeding and burned. Dry throats gasping for air and water. Rescuers anxiously waiting for direction from their chiefs. Calling all ambulances and firefighters. Tears. Spectators. I think that those of us far away had a better idea of what was going on than those who were right there. My initial reaction..."We WILL get you back!!!" Then, my two year old brings things into perspective. She knelt down in front of the TV, folded her little chubby hands, squinted her eyes and said "Hevney Fodder, pease bess the people to not be sad. Name Jesus Christ, amen." I immediately scooped her up, hugged her and cried. Thanked the Lord for such a special child. I continued to watch in horror. Wondering who would be next, but at the same time having full confidence in our military. "They just have to mobilize" I thought, "Then this will be under control." So many heart broken people, wondering if their loved ones survived. Unbelievable, but yet there were the pictures. The memories still make me cry.

I spoke with the kids about this horrific day. I know they will never appreciate it, just as I will never fully appreciate the attack on Pearl Harbor. You have to live these events in order to fully comprehend the magnitude of them. I hope they never do.

KKS

Grind of the gRind

Here's a funny video - Enjoy!