Growing Older Sucks!

So we got an XBox back in the fall and the kids love it. I really wasnt tempted to play with it because the games they play werent for me. When XBox announced that they would be coming out with a device that allowed you to be the controller, I was intrigued. Chris and I discussed it and thought we should wait to see if there would be any "bugs" in the new device. When Christmas rolled around and friends and neighbors started to get these devices we waited patiently for feedback and everything that was said to us was Postive. So Chris surprised the Kids and I this last weekend by going to Best Buy and purchasing this wonderful device. Sunday night was spent dancing with Emily to Lady Gaga and PitBull. I was quite impressed that I could keep up with my daughter and even more impressed that I beat her (Once) at the game. I think it was my big momma hips that could "dip" better than her little frame LOL! The next morning was spent playing bubble pop and obstacle course with Casey and that was fun too. I felt great! So much energy and I had a super workout. Things changed quickly when I went to bend down and WHAM-O! My back gave out! Are you kidding me?! Now I am sitting here like an old lady with a heating pad on my back and hobbling around the house. I dont want to feel like this! I want to dance and play with the Kinnect and I cant. Growing Old Sucks!

A New Year....A New Post!

2011...This year has been in the back of my mind for over a decade. When I first got engaged to Chris, 2011 was in the back of my mind. When I first held Emily and Casey in my arms for the first time, 2011 was in the back of my mind. When I drove cross country, up and down the East Coast and all over the gulf coast, 2011 was on my mind. Why? you ask. Because this is the year that my dear husband can FINALLY retire from the United States Navy. It feel so weird now that it is finally here. I had always imagined us getting ready to get out. I never imagined us living in Utah or not being able to decide where we want to retire. We have always thought that we would be back in Maine but times have changed and so has the economy. Unless something amazing happens, we wont be moving back to Maine and I am ok with that, which is the strange part. Over these 20 years traveling this amazing country, I have learned that our little family will thrive wherever.
So here's to 2011. May this year be AMAZING for us and hopefully all we ever dreamed of!

I JUST WANT TO GO HOME....

This week has been a strange one. I have seen so much negativity here and I am craving some nice Southern hospitality and manners. I stood by this week and let people walk all over me. I stood by and watched people walk all over many friends and I am tired. People dont hold doors around here or move when you say "excuse me". What happened to courtesy? Sometimes I think I am invisible and that I just get "the raw end of the stick" because people are having a bad day. But do I really deserve it? I try to be nice wherever I go but it is so HARD to be when you get nothing back in return. We have tried to "fit in" out here but so many obstacles keep it from happening. For those of you reading this and thinking that I am just wanting sympathy, I am not. This blog is like a journal of sorts and I am finally putting words down for things that have been bothering me for months now. I am just so TIRED of trying to be nice when all I get in return is CRAP! God taught us to love one another so why cant we? Instead it seems like we hurt one another until one of us breaks. What good is this doing? Are we accomplishing anything other than causing pain. I just wish some people would stand back and look at themselves yelling. I told someone this week that I truly believe that people have an out of body experience when they are yelling. It is after the fact, when I wonder if they even know how bad they have hurt that other person or if they even care that they hurt that person at all.
Enough of my venting. I guess I will put on a smile and continue on my way. All I can try to do is to keep being nice to everyone I encounter and HOPE that things might change someday soon.

Emily's friend gifts

So I have been busy making neighbor gifts, family gifts and friend gifts. Emily wanted something small to give to a couple of girls and I happened to get a great idea from a girl that used to work at my store. She came into the store with these cute "books" with chapstick in them. I thought I could do that for Emily's little friends and I did. The major problem I had was finding chapstick with clips on them. I finally found these colorful bonnebell ones at Target. They matched the MME Christmas line so well! I covered each chapstick with paper that coordinated with the "book". Its not an expensive gift but I am sure her friends will love it.

My third child

I have come to the conclusion that I am the only adult that lives in this household. Chris is the enforcer when it comes to discipline but he is also the dad that will play with the kids on their level. Case in point, yesterday the kids decided to make a play house inside the closet that houses our scrapbooks and books in the family room. I was working at my desk down there when Chris yelled for help. It seems that he tried to get into their play house and got himself stuck. It was hard for me not to laugh at my dear hubby when I was pulling him out of the closet. I couldnt resist taking a photo and he said "whatcha ya gonna do, put it on facebook?" No, I decided to put it on this blog instead and we will see if he ever finds out LOL!

He's BACK!!

That is Timmy the elf is back in the Kimball household. This jolly little guy normally flies down from the North Pole around this time of year to keep his eye on Casey and report back to Santa. Every morning Casey runs around the house looking to find out where Timmy has "landed". This morning he was upside down hanging in the stairwell to the basement. That Timmy is quite the funny little elf. I really dont think that Casey is paying too much attention to the fact that Timmy is suppose to be reporting back to Santa because Casey hasnt been the best of boys lately. This might lead to Timmy hand delivering a note from the big guy in red like he did last year. I will keep yall posted on the lastest developments with Casey and Timmy.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Years past, we have not decorated the outside of our house with lights. This is mainly because Chris was not home to do it. Well this year is different. We live in a little area called the "berry patch" (all the road names have berry in them). It consists of a circle of houses and my guess is that there are about 40 houses in our "patch". We didnt want to stand out like a sore thumb so we decided to decorate (modestly). Chris purchases the icycle light and clips weeks ago but hadnt gotten around to doing it yet. Yesterday was the day! He and Casey went outside when Emily ran to the grocery store. These lights went up quick and they look so good. I also purchased some little snowman lanterns that are solar powered. I love them! They glow three different colors and add just the right touch to the front path way. The lights might not look like alot to some but it is more than we have ever had. Maybe next year we will add a lawn ornament or two LOL!