Christmas 2009

We were very blessed this Christmas in so many ways. We had a wonderful morning together with lots of fun gifts from santa and from each other. Rorie got twin baby dolls! She just loves them. They are water babies. She also got a stroller and diaper bag from Brenden. The diaper bag came with two bottles perfect for the twins! I purchased the twins for Rorie because we have had Lauren and Andrews babies over a few times a week and Rorie loves them a little too much some times so I am hoping that having the dolls will help direct her attention away from the real babies when needed.

Regan and Kyra love animals. They have asked for an animal of one kind or another every Christmas. They have never really been to excited about dolls. So this year they got a Fur Real pet. They move and make different noises. Kyra got the panda and it makes so kind of strange noise and it also snores when you put it down. Like we need more snoring noises in this family right? Kyra's dog of course barks. They both love them!

Allison got a West side Story sound track and DVD. She was pretty excited about that. She loves that movie.

Brenden, Alli and Bridgette got a digital camera and an ipod to share. Hopefully that will work out ok. We really want them to learn how to share and we did not want them to be spoiled so we decided to get just one and see how they do with that. So far so good!

Bridgette got a pink keyboard, mouse and hub to go with her computer. Bridgettes computer is in her room but doesn't have internet it is just for her writting assignments for school etc.

Every year we take the same picture of the kids on the stairs waiting (usually for dad) to come down the stairs and see the presents that Santa left by the tree and the stockings he left on the sofa. It reminds me of growing up and waiting for my Grandpa Kinmont and Aunt Susie to wake up and get ready for us to open presents. We were always so excited and had a lot of fun together just waiting and anticipating.

But all of these gifts seem so small and unimportant when I think about all the spiritual and physical gifts we have been given this year by the Lord through friends, neighbors family and doctors.
Rorie's heart is great and at the last appointment the Dr. said she only needed to be seen once that year. We have an appointment in January for her. But what a blessing this is to our family.

Allison had oral surgery this year because of a cyst in her face near one of her adult teeth. The cyst actually was quite large and had pushed one of the teeth up next to her nasal cavity. They were able to remove the cyst and also had to remove two adult teeth as well. The bone near the cyst was almost completely gone. The oral surgeon wasn't sure that the bone would grow back on it's own and he was pretty sure that Alli would need to have a bone graft. He was going to take bone from her hip and to put in her mouth. But it turns out that her bone has indeed started to grow back and she will not need a bone graph at this point. She will however need to eventually have implants where those two adult teeth were taken out. That will happen after she is done with braces. Our families health has been in the Lords hands this year and we are so grateful that he is in charge and that we are all healthy and well!

We have had many mortal ministering angels assist us this year. There have been so many times this year when my car would break down or the air conditioning broke down and needed to be replaced or the heater wasn't working or the water main started leaking, and I would get so down and start to wonder why Heavenly Father wasn't watching out for us and blessing us. In everyone of these instances my prayers were answered and someone was sent to help us. In July when the AC went out we were told that the compressor had gone out and that we should just purchase a new AC. Well I knew that we couldn't do that financially so I called my neighbor who owns the company that installed the AC in the first place. He came himself and looked at it. He verified that it did in deed need a new compressor and that he would look into different options or sales that he might have for us so that we could maybe get a deal on a new one. I was sick at the thought of coming up with $1200. I questioned why this was happening to us especially because we had just had a special FHE where we talked to the kids about the importance of fast offerings. We decided together that we needed to give quite a bit more than we were and that we would need to sacrifice somewhat to be able to do it. We showed the family budget to the kids and it was decided that we would double our fast offerings each month. So a few days after our neighbor came to look at the AC he was just driving by our home with one of his employees in this truck and he had a thought that he should stop by and have his employee look at the AC unit. He asked him to stop at our home and look at our AC for a minute and see what he thought about it. The young employee came to find that there was a wire loose and it just needed to be reconnected. I of course had to do a little repenting at having so little faith!
The same thing happened multiple times with my truck. It would break down and I wondered what in the world I would do without a car with six kids and two different schools to transport them to. I again questioned why. One of my good neighbors came to my home picked up my truck and left me the keys to his car so that I would have a way to transport my family. He then brought back my truck in working order and would not allow me to give him any money for the new parts he put in or the labor. He did this on three different occasions this past year for our family. Our heater went out three or four time this winter. Each time I called my father and he would quickly come and repair it for me. When our water main started to leak I told my dad about it. I told him that it would be around $5-7,000 to repair. He told me that he would help and that he and Kevin should be able to fix it on their own. Well it turned out that the entire line had to be replaced. We had many neighbors come and help and a wonderful neighbor bring a back hoe (the same neighbor who fixed my truck so many times). We were just speechless at the amazing support and help of others. We only had to come up with a couple hundred dollars for the whole project. We have truly been blessed this year!!!!

Thanksgiving Dinner

On thanksgiving day we went to Jim and Tiffany's new home in Provo. Everyone was there except Dave and Vaea I think. The dinner was so yummy! After dinner we went to the high school and played B-Ball and just hung out. I think the kids really had fun and of course Brenden was in heaven playing ball with all his uncle's and his dad. Kevin was also in heaven playing ball with all his brothers! It was fun to watch.

The New Babies

Lauren and Andrew's babies are about six weeks old now I think and they are growing so fast. I've been watching them on Tuesday's and Thursday's so that Lauren can go to work at the salon. They are really good boys and so sweet I just love having them around. It's really nice for Rorie to because she is learning how to share her mom's attention.

Allison's first vocal recital.

Allison has been taking vocal training from a young man in Syracuse. She had her first recital on Saturday. She sang three songs (all memorized) My Favorite things, Unexpected Song and Castle on a Cloud. Her voice has really blossomed this year and she sounded so good. I was so proud of her. She was really nervous but she still did a great job. The recital was really fun and at the end the vocal teacher got up and said that his vocal teacher always told his students and you should never make your students get up and performer if your not willing to do it yourself! So he sat at the piano and put on his harmonica head gear and sang "The Piano Man". WOW he had an amazing voice besides the fact that he was playing the piano and harmonica as well. He later told me that when he was 12 years old he had a horrible voice and didn't have any desire to play the piano. One day he watched someone perform "The Piano Man" and the rest is history! I thought that was a really great example of following our dream!
Sorry that these video's are turned the wrong way I can't figure out how to turn them. If anyone knows how to do that please let me know.

Sunday school

I wanted to share a pretty cool lesson we had in sunday school today.
My teacher started off by asking us what we didn't like. We names off pet peeves, foods, even football teams;) Finally He told us to list people we didn't like. This may sound harsh but you know, us being a bunch of teenagers, we had a couple people who we didn't exactly...admire. We all made our personal lists. Then he pulled out a dart board and handed us some darts. He told us to pretend the white paper on the board was a picture of the person. I, personally, thought it was harsh to "throw darts" at the people we didn't like but all the other kids thought it was a great plan. We were all given three tries to hit the board. I missed two of the three and the third was barely on the board. Then after everyone had had a turn he'd asked us if we felt better now. If we had all our frustration out. Mostly everyone said yes. Then he read the scripture Matthew 5:25. if ye have done it not unto the least of these my bretheren, ye have done it not unto me. Then it started clicking in everyones heads. He asked a girl named Rashell to take the paper off the dart board. Under the paper was a picture of Christ.
I thought this was pretty powerful. If we are rude to others we are being rude to the Savior. I think this is the season to try our hardest to see the good in others and to see past their faults.

Kevin's 40th Birthday Party!

The kids and I had so much fun putting this surprise party together for Kevin. We decided to invite lots of people and to just have Ice cream and cake. After I sent out all the invitation via evite we had so many people asking what they could bring or what they could do to help with the preparations. We decided that with the help of so many friends and family we could do a funeral dinner with funeral potatoes, Jello salad, ham etc. We had so much help that all that was left to supply was the ham.

I asked Lynette Zaugg in our ward to make a cake for the party. Well she went all out and made the most amazing cake. I love that it had the kids names listed on the back!

Bishop Michael Packham made me laugh so hard I cried. He came to the party dressed as an undertaker. As everyone was waiting for Kevin to come he instructed everyone on what to do when he arrived. He played Happy Birthday on the piano in a minor key and everyone sang along. Then he started measuring Kevin and talking about the different options for Kev's grave and coffin. It was really funny. He also played Taps on his Bugle. So funny! Before he sat down he said "At Packham's Mortuary our slogan is You sack 'em we Packham"!

We also had a special visitor the Grim Reaper (Josh King) come and give Kevin his 'YOUTH' in a box.

Bishop Brad Johnson conducted the funeral services. He did a great job!

Sister Julie Jewell played "Amazing Grace" on the piano and we watched a video that Krystal put together for us. There were about 100 plus people there. I think that Kevin was pretty surprised at how many people were there! On Friday night I told Kevin that the kids and I wanted to take him out for his birthday. I told him that I wasn't quite ready to go and that the kids and I had a few things we needed to do to get ready before we could go so could he please go pick up Bridgette from McKenna Watt's house while we finished getting ready. Than after he left the house we hurried and got in the car and went to the church. After a few minutes I called Kevin on his cell and told him that Bridgette just called me and said that they were at Sarah's (Bridgette's friend) ward holiday party and asked him if he could go pick her up there. So he turned around and headed for the church that Sarah go's to which was where we all were waiting for him to arrive. So when Kevin pulled up to the church and saw all the cars he just thought it was for the holiday party, until he pulled up right next to his bosses car and wondered why he was here. So when he walked in he knew right away what was going on but he was still really surprised I think.

The kids started off singing "I'm so glad when daddy comes home" and then they stopped after a few lines and made this circle to talk about what to do. After a few seconds they started singing the same song but in a minor key. Than they stopped after a few lines and conferenced again
and started singing again the same song but with different words.

It's so sad to watch our dad get older everyday.

He used to run but now he's done, his hair is turning grey.

I put my arm around his waist and help him up the stairs.

Don't worry dad it's not so bad......(than Regan said)

Just look at Bishop J!

Brett talked about Kevin and how he was the "perfect child" who never got into any trouble. He told a few funny stories about Kevin's early years of driving and how he hit a parked car. It was really fun!

I

LOVE

CHOCOLATE!

☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻

☼♫☼♫☼♫☼♫☼♫☼♫☼♫☼

The Family Is Central to the Creators Plan for the Eternal Happiness of His Children!

Sometimes I worry so much about our world and the economy and all the the turmoil that is swirling around us out there. I realize that if I think about it too much I can become physically ill! "what if this happens" or "what if that happens". It can take over my life if I'm not careful to focus my thoughts elsewhere.

After listening to General Conference earlier this month and after hearing how "the family is under attack", I felt an overwhelming urgency to focus my attention on MY FAMILY. The truth is that there is no better way that I can improve the the world around me than by nurturing and loving my children and teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ. My thoughts have most particularly been focused on "The Family a Proclamation to the World". After a person reads this proclamation written by the first presidency and the council of the twelve apostles, it leaves no room for ANY question as to how the Lord would have us live our lives with reference to the family! In fact I know that if we follow the council in the proclamation we will find ourselves in a family organization that can be likened to "Heaven". How do I know this? Two reasons really. One I believe everything written in it! Kevin and I have tried to follow it the best way we know how and we have had little glimpses of Heaven because of it! Two, because I know that the Prophet is the Lords mouthpiece and the Lord knows what will bring true happiness into our lives.

Kevin and I really want to make sure that our children grow up with no question in their minds about what the prophets have said concerning the family. We decided that the best way to do that would be to have them memorize the Proclamation. The last three family nights have been centered around memorizing it and talking about it. We only have the first two paragraphs memorized because it's hard for the younger kids. We wondered if what we were doing was making a difference or if we would ever be able to finish the entire proclamation.

Today was our stake conference. The theme of the conference was "Family". Our family participated in the stake family choir. We sang four songs for the conference. It was really great to be together and to sing together. I loved it! The thing that was fun to witness was as a few of the speakers made reference to the proclamation and recited some of it, I saw my children's heads jerk up and their eyes sparkle with excitement as they listen to the words that they could recite right along with the speaker. I knew at that moment that what we were doing was good and right and that the words they memorize will come to them during times in their life when they are making decision that will effect the rest of their life!

On the Fourth of July we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Kinmont's house. We had a little program and talked about Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, and we also talked about the Star Spangled Banner. Kari, Bridgette, and Allison sang the Star Spangled Banner... It was AWESOME! ! ! We had breakfast, and played some games... sack races, water balloon volleyball and stuff. It was neat. We are blessed to live where freedom exists. I hope we never forget what we have. Below is a photo montage created by Kari's sister Krystal.

More Poetry

hello, this is bridgette. i saw my dads post on some of my poetry and wanted to thank you for your support! i also wanted to put a couple other poems on here.

they make you want to sing

they make your want to jump

to reache for them

they sparlke like a million diamonds

flashing and blinking

as if beckoning you to sair

calling you sayin,

"its more fun up here

in the black of the night"

too many to count

more than you can seethe more you stare,

the more fantastic they become

so alike but so unique

twinkling, sparkling

beautiful

why do people care so much

what other people think?

we should all just be ourselves

and disregard the thoughts of others

if we acted just like us

there would be no back-stabbing

or two faced people who dont know

how they are acting

if we lived like ourselves

we'd be better friends

and then we wouldnt care so much

what all the world is thnking.

why do people just throw their lives away?

why do people say they just dont care?

cant they see the endless problems

awaiting them?

why do poeple give up their dreams

if its a dream they really want?

why do people make goals if

they've convinced themnselves they arent

going to try to achieve them?

why cant the recognize the big hole

they are digging for themselves?

why throw your life away?

what happens to a dream forgotten?

does it float away

like a ballon?

or hide like a caterpillar

in its cocoon?

does it get stored for later?

or dissapear

like sugar in water?

it probably sits and waits

like a patient someone

or is it simply over and gone?

thanks so much for everything! you guys are great(:

We need to let people see our family.  These are the newest photos we have of us...  We really need to get some new ones taken.  But for now these will work.

Mother's day and poetry

     Today was a great day.  I hope it was for Kari, 'cause I had a great day.  We had a 'family day', which means 'extra' meetings.  We had the three hour block and spent the rest of the day with Kari, and some of the time with Grandma kinmont.   Our choir sang a song with the primary choir, so that meant everyone except for Rorie was singing.  It was really neat!!  We made waffles (with blueberries, strawberries, and bananas), hash browns, sausage, and OJ for breakfast, it was fun.

     I really am blessed to be married to Kari.  She is a great example and an unshakable support.  I hope her day was really special, because she deserves it.

Bridgette brought home her poetry assignment and really blew me away.  She has some really cool stuff.  I hope I don't come across as a braggart, but I want to share a few with y'all.

We love to talk

We hate to listen

We expect others to hear

But we don't open our ears

We need help

But won't tell

We want others to see

But we refuse to look

We beg others not to judge

but can't help but to judge others

Can't we understand?

We must be what 

We want others to be.

Understanding looked at me

Her eyes focused on mine

Her callused, gentle hand grabbed my shoulder

"Tell me" she said "I want to understand"

I looked into her knowing eyes

And my eyelid pricked with tears

As she pulled me into a comforting hug

I told her all my troubles

I finished and she looked at me.

Her eyes seemed to say

"I know how you feel"

As she stroked my hair

Her finger tips sent

A flood of relief over me.

I smiled, Finally, someone understands.

I am pretty proud... I will have to get some more on here later.  I am dozing off a bit right now.  Thanks for your support.  -Kev

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Kyra taught me something today!  Actually she teaches me something daily.  But today what she taught me really hit me like a ton of bricks.  She was the first one up this morning.  I was getting ready for church and she had gone downstairs and turned on a DVD.  I asked her to come upstairs. I asked her what she was watching and she told me it was "The Rescuers" (It's an annimated movie about some mice who save a little girl named Penny).  I preceded to remind Kyra that she needed to choose a "Sunday Movie" (We have some movies that are designated for Sunday because they are gospel centered).  I also reminded her that we choose movies on Sunday that help remind us about the Savior and what he did for us.  Kyra looked up at me and said "Mom, this movie is about "rescuing" a little girl, and Mom Jesus is our "Rescuer".   

I stand corrected!  Kyra is right you know, the Savior is our "Rescuer" and without Him we cannot be saved!  

I'm so grateful that the Lord in His wisdom sent children down to earth to help us become humble and to teach us in ways that others cannot.   

And then we were reading scriptures tonight in 3rd Nephi about how babies and young children's mouths were open and they talked of marvelous things that could not be written.  Brenden was the one reading and he stopped and said "I've been thinking about that and I think that the reason why babies can't talk when they are born is because they still remember where they were before they were born and maybe Heavenly Father doesn't want them to tell all about the pre-earth life".  I told Brenden that I believe that we lose our memories a little at a time.  I was also thinking, but didn't say this to Brenden, that even small children remember things from the other side of the veil and that sometimes they know more than we do about the plan of Happiness and about the Savior and His unconditional love for all of His children!

NCAA championship woes

Well the darn Tarheels won.  The results of our Family bracket competition are as follows:

1st. Bridgette with 46 picked correct

2nd. Kim with 45 picked correct

3rd.  Brenden with 43 picked correct

And Kari and I tied for last with 39 picked correct.  

Both Bridgette and Brenden had NC picked as champs... Kim had Louisville beating Pitt.

Bridgette is proud to be the champ.  She is getting older... I am getting more stressed ;-)

Actually Bridgette is a wonderful girl and daughter.  She is a great first child.  She is a good example, and very fun to be around.  We are having a spring break weekend coming up this Thurs and Friday... so stay tuned for exciting updates.  :)  Kev

Draper Temple Open House

Yesterday evening we went to the Draper Temple Open House as a family. Actually Kevin, Bridgette and Brenden went in the morning with the youth and then they came back home and a few hours later all of the family got in the car and went together. I thought that Bridgette and Brenden would not want to go again but they were actually excited to go again. Brenden was so excited when he got home from the first trip. He just couldn't believe how beautiful it was! Kyra and Regan were both so excited to go into the Temple. Alli loved the bride room, especially the mirror. Brenden couldn't stop talking about the mirrors in the sealing room's and how it represented eternal life and eternal marriage.

Regan had heard Bridgette and Brenden talking about the cookies at the end. She said to me as we were going through looking at the different rooms of the Temple "Mommy do we just get to look at the cookies too?".

I hope that the kids will remember this event and that they will remember the spirit they felt. I didn't ask them if they felt the spirit but I know that I did. As soon as I walk into the door of the Temple I felt the spirit SO strong. It reminded me of the spirit I felt at Mathews viewing. I know that's sounds odd but the spirit was SO strong there and I know that it was the spirit of our Heavenly Father comforting Ritchie and Laura and the boys. I know that I felt the spirit of Heavenly Father at the Temple too!

Kev's ramblings

Yesterday (Jan 31) and today have been very emotional, and spiritual for me.  Yesterday was Kyra's birthday.  She had her first party with a bunch of her friends.  Allison was the perfect hostess.  She had games planned and was sweet and kind to all of Kyra's friends.  It was a fun day.  Kyra wore her special necklace, and caught me off guard.  I was just talking to her about her friends coming over for the party, and noticed her necklace and my mind (oh my foolish wandering mind) started to reflect on birthdays when I was a kid and the things we did (some we continue to do, like the homemade birthday banners), and well me emotions kinda got the better of me if you know what I mean... ;)

So we had a good party, a fun evening with Kari's parents coming over and Lauren and Andrew.  So we had cake and ice cream twice in about 8 hours or so (SWEET!!).  That evening as I was trying to keep my eyes open until Bridgette got home (it was only about 10:10 or so) and more importantly trying to stay awake and talk with Kari... she told me I had the spiritual thought for PEC in the morning.  

Let's jump to this morning (Sunday).  We had a Stake priesthood leadership meeting this morning at 7 am.  We were taught about being better teachers.  We were asked by one of the Stake presidency to think about a teacher that really had an impact on our life (mainly spiritually, of course).  I started pondering, and naturally my mind focused  (in my mind) one of the greatest teachers, ever... Elaine McEvoy (mom).  So we were asked to think about the reasons for our respect and admiration of said teacher.  I remember walking past the Lundahl's for our Sunday walk, and mom was able to talk to us about Heavenly Father, whether is was the beauty around us or the things we may have discussed in Church that day.  Then we would usually stop at one of the senior couples homes to visit.  Another great teaching moment without us even noticing.  I think mom was excellent at teaching by example and I believe that was almost ever present in her mind... I believe she was constantly thinking "what is Jim watching me do right now while he has to sit on that chair for a WHOLE hour"  (I exaggerated the chair part)  Just kiddin' ya Jim.

Well now you know a bit about what wheels were turning in my mind during the priesthood mtg, let me tell you about the planned spiritual thought I had for the PEC that was after above mtg.  We are reading in Helaman right now and reading about Nephi the prophet and how he was so trusted by God that he was given sealing power and how he asked for a famine to avoid a war, believing the famine would humble the people.  His faith was recognized by our Father in  Heaven and the famine occurred and the nephites humbled themselves.  However by the end of the chapter, they had become prideful again and forgotten their Lord. So my thought was about humility and being careful to be prideful.  Again I thought of Mom, and Dad.  I remember dad saying "...being humble is being teachable."  So it has been a very emotional and spiritual couple of days for me.  I have to say the capper was fasting today, seeing one of the priests (after being challenged by the Bishop) cut his hair, and hearing some sweet and sincere testimonies in sacrament meeting.

Sorry for droning on so much, we should be adding some photos of the b-day party shortly.