Kimball received a black semi truck from one of the ladies I visit teach this week. The back of the truck opened and a ramp came out. When Joseph saw it he asked Kimball if it was a "Knight Rider" truck. Kimball had no idea what Knight Rider was so Joseph showed him all about Kit and Michael Knight and the semi-truck Kit rode in. Kimball was instantly in love with the entire idea. He spent the rest of the evening "playing" Knight Rider and talking with Kit.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Stake Conference
This weekend was our Stake Conference and it was a really special weekend because Elder D. Todd Christofferson from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in attendance along with Elder O. Vincent Haleck of the Second Quorum of Seventy.
We have known for about 6 weeks that these two men would be at our Stake Conference and then we found out a few weeks ago that Stake Conference would be broadcast to our church building in Russellville to insure that all who wanted to attend the Conference would have room and the capabilities. Our Stake Center is 153 miles round trip. We asked Kimball if he would prefer to watch the broadcast at our own building where we could sleep later and have a short drive to church or if he wanted to get up early, have a long drive and then a long wait for Stake Conference to start so he could see Elder Christofferson in person. From the beginning Kimball always wanted to see our visiting General Authorities in person.
The messages Saturday night were really good and I just felt so happy to be in the presence of Elder Christofferson and Elder Haleck. At one point Elder Christofferson and I made eye contact and I smiled at him and he smiled back.
One thing that really stuck out in my mind was the love I witnessed and felt from these men. The 1st Counselor in our Stake Presidency, is in a wheelchair, and he was sitting next to Elder Haleck and when we all stood to sing the intermediate hymn I noticed Elder Haleck sat back down so he could share a hymnal with President Brown. Witnessing that quiet act of love just touched me so much.
We woke Kimball and Rebecah up about 6:30 Sunday morning so we could leave. We had family prayer and I said the prayer. I acknowledged that Elder Christofferson was a busy man, but I asked if it was possible for Kimball to have an opportunity to shake Elder Christofferson’s hand it would mean a lot to us. Our drive to the Stake Center was good. We ate breakfast in the car. At one point I told Kimball we were at the turn off for another church building in our stake and I asked if Kimball wanted to go to that building instead and Kimball kept insisting on seeing Elder Christofferson in person. We arrived 2 hours early for Stake Conference but that allowed us to have a parking spot at the Stake Center and we were able to have a good seat in the chapel.
Kimball seemed happy to see our special visitors and he told me he felt really good during conference.
After Stake Conference ended and people were standing up to leave Elder Christofferson announced in the microphone that he had noticed a lot of young children and he would like to shake hands with all of the youth and children. I knew it was an answer to my prayers. Kimball was suddenly shy and hesitant about shaking hands with Elder Christofferson and Elder Haleck, but I picked him up and carried him because I didn’t want him to miss the opportunity. Kimball wouldn’t shake their hands, but he met them. They each patted his back and they said they liked his tie. It was a neat opportunity for me as a mother to have him meet these men. He might never remember it but it will be recorded in his journal.
Joseph and I both agreed that it meant more to us to have Kimball meet these men than for us to have had the opportunity. As it was, Joseph took Rebecah and all of our bags to the car while Kimball and I were shaking hands.
We have known for about 6 weeks that these two men would be at our Stake Conference and then we found out a few weeks ago that Stake Conference would be broadcast to our church building in Russellville to insure that all who wanted to attend the Conference would have room and the capabilities. Our Stake Center is 153 miles round trip. We asked Kimball if he would prefer to watch the broadcast at our own building where we could sleep later and have a short drive to church or if he wanted to get up early, have a long drive and then a long wait for Stake Conference to start so he could see Elder Christofferson in person. From the beginning Kimball always wanted to see our visiting General Authorities in person.
The messages Saturday night were really good and I just felt so happy to be in the presence of Elder Christofferson and Elder Haleck. At one point Elder Christofferson and I made eye contact and I smiled at him and he smiled back.
One thing that really stuck out in my mind was the love I witnessed and felt from these men. The 1st Counselor in our Stake Presidency, is in a wheelchair, and he was sitting next to Elder Haleck and when we all stood to sing the intermediate hymn I noticed Elder Haleck sat back down so he could share a hymnal with President Brown. Witnessing that quiet act of love just touched me so much.
We woke Kimball and Rebecah up about 6:30 Sunday morning so we could leave. We had family prayer and I said the prayer. I acknowledged that Elder Christofferson was a busy man, but I asked if it was possible for Kimball to have an opportunity to shake Elder Christofferson’s hand it would mean a lot to us. Our drive to the Stake Center was good. We ate breakfast in the car. At one point I told Kimball we were at the turn off for another church building in our stake and I asked if Kimball wanted to go to that building instead and Kimball kept insisting on seeing Elder Christofferson in person. We arrived 2 hours early for Stake Conference but that allowed us to have a parking spot at the Stake Center and we were able to have a good seat in the chapel.
Kimball seemed happy to see our special visitors and he told me he felt really good during conference.
After Stake Conference ended and people were standing up to leave Elder Christofferson announced in the microphone that he had noticed a lot of young children and he would like to shake hands with all of the youth and children. I knew it was an answer to my prayers. Kimball was suddenly shy and hesitant about shaking hands with Elder Christofferson and Elder Haleck, but I picked him up and carried him because I didn’t want him to miss the opportunity. Kimball wouldn’t shake their hands, but he met them. They each patted his back and they said they liked his tie. It was a neat opportunity for me as a mother to have him meet these men. He might never remember it but it will be recorded in his journal.
Joseph and I both agreed that it meant more to us to have Kimball meet these men than for us to have had the opportunity. As it was, Joseph took Rebecah and all of our bags to the car while Kimball and I were shaking hands.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Let's Go to the Movies...
For the last few weeks Kimball has been working on obedience. If he was good in the morning he would get to put an M&M in a jar and he would get a second one if he was good the latter portion of the day. On Sundays he could earn 2 M&Ms for Sacrament Meeting and 2 more for going to Primary and being good. This is our second jar to fill this year and it really helps Kimball when he has a goal to work toward.
Kimball's goal this time was to fill the jar so he could see Cars 2 in the theater. Kimball has never been to the movies so it was an exciting day for him. Joseph took him while I stayed home with Rebecah. Joseph said Kimball was all over the theater looking at things just so excited.
Here is Kimball with his M&M jar.
Outside the theater.
"Playing" video games to kill time before the movie.
Outside the Cars 2 Theater
Inside the Theater
Kimball's seat.
Joseph said there were only about 10 people in the theater and that was a good thing because Kimball isn't accustomed to being quiet during a movie and there were quite a few "Hey Dad! Look at that!" moments during the movie.
The movie was way over Kimball's head, but he loved it anyway.
Kimball's goal this time was to fill the jar so he could see Cars 2 in the theater. Kimball has never been to the movies so it was an exciting day for him. Joseph took him while I stayed home with Rebecah. Joseph said Kimball was all over the theater looking at things just so excited.
Here is Kimball with his M&M jar.
Outside the theater.
"Playing" video games to kill time before the movie.
Outside the Cars 2 Theater
Inside the Theater
Kimball's seat.
Joseph said there were only about 10 people in the theater and that was a good thing because Kimball isn't accustomed to being quiet during a movie and there were quite a few "Hey Dad! Look at that!" moments during the movie.
The movie was way over Kimball's head, but he loved it anyway.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Squash
I love squash. It is probably one of my favorite vegetables...spinach being the other one just because I can put frozen spinach in so many foods without really altering the taste of the food.
Anyway. I love squash and every year for the past 3 years I have tried to grow squash of one kind or another without success. This year I planted some yellow squash, butternut and green striped cushaw squash. I actually had some squash grow and I was very excited. Last night Joseph picked our 3 butternut squash and 2 of the 4 cushaw squash that we have growing. With the weather so hot and dry even though I watered twice a day some of the leaves and vines were dying.
The two cushaw squash were about 5 1/2 pounds and 8 1/2 pounds which are actually on the small size for cushaw. They can grow to be as heavy as 20 lbs.
I don't have a very green thumb at all but at least I finally got some squash. None of our tomato plants produced and we got only a few handfuls of green beans.
Here is a picture of my beauties.
Please notice in the picture that Kimball is actually looking at the camera. It is so hard to get him to look at the camera. He is also super dirty and sweaty because he had been helping Joseph work on our fence and play in the dirt.
Anyway. I love squash and every year for the past 3 years I have tried to grow squash of one kind or another without success. This year I planted some yellow squash, butternut and green striped cushaw squash. I actually had some squash grow and I was very excited. Last night Joseph picked our 3 butternut squash and 2 of the 4 cushaw squash that we have growing. With the weather so hot and dry even though I watered twice a day some of the leaves and vines were dying.
The two cushaw squash were about 5 1/2 pounds and 8 1/2 pounds which are actually on the small size for cushaw. They can grow to be as heavy as 20 lbs.
I don't have a very green thumb at all but at least I finally got some squash. None of our tomato plants produced and we got only a few handfuls of green beans.
Here is a picture of my beauties.
Please notice in the picture that Kimball is actually looking at the camera. It is so hard to get him to look at the camera. He is also super dirty and sweaty because he had been helping Joseph work on our fence and play in the dirt.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I love to see the Temple
In Primary for July the children learned about Temples and their importance. We planned on attending the Memphis temple at the end of July so it was a perfect opportunity to reinforce what Kimball had been learning in Primary and FHE.
We told Kimball if he was reverent we would take him in the temple. He could go in the little waiting area that is the ancillary part of the temple. I asked Kimball what he thought he should wear and he said "church clothes". Rebecah wasn't quiet enough to stay in the waiting area so I took her out, but Kimball loved being "in the temple". He was a little disappointed that he couldn't see the baptismal font.
Next year we plan on attending the open house for the Kansas City Temple and then Kimball will really be able to see the temple.
The kids didn't want to pose for pictures, but here are the best pictures we could get.
Out front.
Kimball by a little tree his size.
Rebecah and Kimball on a bench. Rebecah was intently watching a bee on the flowers and wouldn't look at me.
We told Kimball if he was reverent we would take him in the temple. He could go in the little waiting area that is the ancillary part of the temple. I asked Kimball what he thought he should wear and he said "church clothes". Rebecah wasn't quiet enough to stay in the waiting area so I took her out, but Kimball loved being "in the temple". He was a little disappointed that he couldn't see the baptismal font.
Next year we plan on attending the open house for the Kansas City Temple and then Kimball will really be able to see the temple.
The kids didn't want to pose for pictures, but here are the best pictures we could get.
Out front.
Kimball by a little tree his size.
Rebecah and Kimball on a bench. Rebecah was intently watching a bee on the flowers and wouldn't look at me.
It's Always Fun with Daddy!
Joseph really is a good dad...I know that's not a huge surprise. But he comes up with some really fun and crazy things that the kids just love. Here are a few pictures of their craziness.
Here Joseph is watching a soccer game with Rebecah on his shoulders while tickling Kimball.
I know it looks like Kimball is screaming from his torture, but he is really laughing.
Here the kids have their lovies, affectionately called their "guys", tied to them so they don't get lost. (We actually started calling all of Kimball's lovies his guys and then Cita picked up on it so she calls her lovies her guys too. It's cute to hear her say "guy" over and over until she gets her guys out of her crib.)
This last picture is fun with a pillowcase. Joseph took Kimball's pillowcase and made a hat for Rebecah and then he did the same for himself.
I don't know what we would do with Daddy. No wonder there are a lot of tears when Daddy has church meetings in the evenings.
Here Joseph is watching a soccer game with Rebecah on his shoulders while tickling Kimball.
I know it looks like Kimball is screaming from his torture, but he is really laughing.
Here the kids have their lovies, affectionately called their "guys", tied to them so they don't get lost. (We actually started calling all of Kimball's lovies his guys and then Cita picked up on it so she calls her lovies her guys too. It's cute to hear her say "guy" over and over until she gets her guys out of her crib.)
This last picture is fun with a pillowcase. Joseph took Kimball's pillowcase and made a hat for Rebecah and then he did the same for himself.
I don't know what we would do with Daddy. No wonder there are a lot of tears when Daddy has church meetings in the evenings.
Hot, Hot, Hot!
It has been quite warm ...like the rest of the country. Well, warm is an understatement. I know it is supposed to be hot when it is August, but when I see the temperature is 114 and I don't live in Arizona, something is wrong. Russellville has been really dry this summer as well and yesterday some hay fields near Russellville caught on fire. And to think less than 3 months ago we were wanting it to stop raining and warm up. Now we pray for rain and cooler temperatures.
Each week Kimball asks so go to the park and I just tell him it's too hot. What a mean mom, but I don't want any of us getting sick from the heat.
Each week Kimball asks so go to the park and I just tell him it's too hot. What a mean mom, but I don't want any of us getting sick from the heat.
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