Garth & Kat…the remake...

We've had the privilege to have my best friend Sarah Rogers and her son Miles stay at our house since the end of January (until mid March when Sarah gets married to Myke Olsen- 3/14/14). It's been so much fun for all of us! It's like having a sister wife (except for sharing the husband) - someone to watch Reese when I need to pickup carpool for Jovie, an instant "cousin" for Jovie to play with, cooking dinners together so that it actually makes sense to cook, staying up late and talking, watching the Winter Olympics and crappy reality tv (the Bachelor- Juan Pablo!!), etc!

So, Jovie and Miles share a special love for Legos! We just went two weeks ago to see The Lego Movie in theater and just loved it! They play Legos the minute Miles gets home from school (unless it's Minecraft on the iPad) and talk mini figs, sets and pieces. 

Well the other night before bed these two goof balls were looking through Jovie's Lego book and started mimicking each other about the sets and how many pieces were in each one and it got me busting up laughing! 

Doesn't that video remind you a bit of this Saturday Night Live skit of Garth (Fred Armison) & Kat (Kristen Wiig)!

(I couldn't get any videos on YouTube, but I needed a picture for the memory! haha)

I love these two together. They are such good friends. And it makes it even easier when I'm great friends with his mama too. 

Resolutions...

I've thought long and hard about this...and I've decided to actually do things that are humanly possible. I'm kind  of a mess when it comes to "realistic" goals. To a "normal" person, my goals are quite lofty- to me, they are doable. Are they REALLY doable, you ask? Some, yes. Most, no way. I aim too high, and in the process feel like a failure when I can't do them. Why do I do this to myself?!! I'm NOT a failure. I can stick to things. I can finish projects. It's just REALLY hard for me!!! 

So, in an attempt to resolve some things, here is my 2014 resolutions list! (In no particular order)

1. Blog at least once a week.

2. Stick to a house cleaning list!

3. Finish one craft project every 2 months! 

4. Complete 1/2 Young Women's medallion. (I've already gotten it as a YW but now want to do it as a leader!)

5. Read the Book of Mormon cover to cover!!

6. Read all book club books (about 20 books this year- including both book clubs I participate in)

7. Pray each day for instruction on how I can better serve The Lord. 

8. Go to the gym 3 days a week (or other form of exercise!) 

9. Track and lower sugar intake! 

10. Hold Family Home Evening EVERY week! 

11. Better execute meal planning- write out meals for the week, shop for and cook at least 3 dinner meals! 

For now, this seems like a good list!! Here goes nothin'! 

In other news- I am a lucky lady. I have two adorable kids who LOVE each other and an amazingly talented and hard working husband- all of whom I am incredibly grateful for!!

Time after time...

Today I got the dreaded error message on my phone that says "your device is full...please delete some items, etc." I am the worst at keeping my phone (and my life, let's be honest) free of clutter. I've read books on when, why, and how we should declutter- but I just can't keep it up. It's like I feed into the clutter. I do really good for a while, then all in one day it's like the house exploded with STUFF. Is it my personality? Am I not motivated enough? Maybe it IS my personality. I go BIG- or I do nothing. What a mess.

In other news...I have a baby. A sweet little one month old- tomorrow. This month has flown by, but also been the longest month EVER. Remind me to never have a baby right before Christmas again, ok? I am living in the fog...the "I think I feel pretty good today...not THAT tired" kind of existence. Until I start really adding up how much ACTUAL sleep I've had, and then I think- how am I actually ALIVE right now? Weird. But, I love my little Reese- she is sweet. And I am grateful for Blake for getting up with her to feed her a bottle at night, change her always rank (sorry honey) diapers, and just holding her the second he gets home.

And let's not forget the 5 year old...oh, yeah, what's her name? Jovie? Yeah- she has just loved on her sweet "Little Sissy" since the second she saw her. Don't worry, that nasty cough she had before Reese was born- well yeah, now Reese has a stuffy nose... 'tis the season. Ugh. But really- if I weren't sleep deprived I would actually not mind all the messes she is making around the house....my little tornado is wreaking havoc on the house and all I can do is trail in her wake. I AM CRAZY!

Well... the baby is crying...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAND I'm out.

Reese Georgia Kimball…newborn extraordinaire...

We have waited patiently for this sweet little lady. She is perfect in every way. My friend Leanna of Urban Country Photography did an amazing job on Reese's newborn pics. She was a little angel. 

Reesey piecey...

So...this baby at least has a first name. We decided that we like the name Reese.  We haven't decided on a middle name yet, but I am glad to have at least gotten the first name figured out! A friend of mine got this idea from Pinterest to do nurses gifts- and I thought I could apply it to us as well! So when our sweet little girl gets here, we will have a cute little treat to share with our beloved nurses! They always do so much and aren't nearly given enough props!!! 9 more days and counting!!

Side note- my last appt I was 2.5 cm dialated and 60% effaced. I WILL NOT let him strip my membrane this time!! Ugh! That was worse than actual labor! 

This chick and her obsessions...

Normally I'm not one to post belly pics... especially when pregnant. But today was a bit of an exception. Lately Jovie has been obsessed with my belly button. She's been noticing that my innie has been disappearing for the past few weeks. She also likes to put her face on my belly and talk to her baby sister in-utero. It's really sweet. So today as I was resting my swollen feet and we were cuddling on the couch she lifted up my shirt and was resting her face on my belly. She said she was listening to the baby burping! Haha. (Or just my stomach digesting) The things kids say at this age are so funny. I'm loving how sweet and fun she is being lately. I'm sure having this baby sister will rock Jovie's world, but maybe be a bit easier since she is so obsessed with being a "big sister". She is so sweet with other kids and really phased by babies so I'm sure she is just gonna love her sister to death! I'm so lucky to have Jovie! She is just spunky, silly and sweet and I just love and adore her to pieces!!

P.S.- 3 weeks and counting until she comes!! 11/12/13 (I hope we can get induced on her due date!)

Today was a good day...

So today at church we had a really unique opportunity to have a guest come speak in Young Women's...a church celeb for a lack of better words. 

Sister Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women's General President 2008-Apr 2013) came to our ward since their son/daughter-in-law's son was being baptized over the weekend (who are in our ward). She asked if she could speak to the youth so took 2nd hour teaching the YM and 3rd hour teaching the YW. It was so special! She spoke on the importance of modesty and virtue. She also did a Q&A at the end and spoke about the process of writing a talk for General Conference- and how difficult it was- how much prayer, fasting, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost it took. She said the hardest talk she wrote was "Love Her Mother" (Oct. 2011- General Conference) that was written for the brothers of the church. She said that no female general authority had spoken to the brotheren before so she was really intimidated by doing so- but this is one talk that I will ALWAYS remember hearing and really feeling the spirit. It was awesome! Overall, this day at church was really amazing! We had the YW take a pic with her and they were just ecstatic. She gave each of the girls a hug and thanked them for being there and being modest. So sweet. 

She also took pics with the leaders and signed some of the girls Personal Progress books. A day to remember- that is for sure! 

After I organized the girls getting their picture taken with her and as we were waiting to get the leaders pictures she said to me- "it's obvious to me why you got called to this calling (as YW Secretary)." (I'm guessing that she meant just organizing and getting everyone together). But then she asked when my baby was due (4 weeks) and she said these YW will be such a blessing to you and your family- she couldn't be more right about that! I'm so sad that our YW President (Rae Orth) was out of town this weekend! 

L to R- Aimee Cardon, Andrea Christensen, Mandy Kimball (me), Jamie Prahl, Elaine Dalton, Kristi Whetten, Shari Lyon and Lisa Cooley. Missing Rae Orth! 

I'm alive...despite what might (or might not) appear on my blog.

And by that I mean...I'm alive- and haven't documented this pregnancy well at all!! I think I've just been trying to keep up with Jovie (who's turned 5 years old this past month), and survive the hottest summer on record in AZ since 1997. Those two things alone have been enough to kill me off.

But let's be honest, that is not the only fun I have...

•  I get heart burn EVERY day (no matter what I eat or when I eat it)- so I combat that with a Zantac at least once every day! Thank goodness I had couponed those about a year ago and only paid $1 a box instead of a normal $8-$10/box!! 
• Then recently this sweet little baby girl has been kicking me as if she is trying out for a marshall arts movie!! She does a 1-2 punch on my ribs and then drop kicks me in the nether regions (at which time it's almost inevitable to wet myself if I haven't gone to the bathroom in the past 30 minutes). Geez.
• Plus- she's a night owl...so I have a feeling I will be up a lot during the night with this one. Jovie was so calm and easy- I guess this is pretty typical for the 2nd child to be totally unlike kid #1!
•  I also get the crazy pain in my sciatic nerve down my back- so I walk all crazy if I've been sitting for more than 30 minutes, or get up to pee in the night (which happens EVERY night)
• And for the past month I've been getting Braxton Hicks contractions in my belly- which is totally unfamiliar since I never had them with Jovie- and then labored in my back and not my stomach. 
• Oh, and don't forget the swollen feet. Elevate...elevate...elevate. Drink water (but really want Diet Dr. Pepper instead)...and more water. ugh. 
• And I love waking up in the middle of the night, panicked that we don't (even slightly) have a name picked out for this baby. 

The joys of pregnancy. Through it all, I know I've been prepped to have this baby. I know that what I go through is common, or even typical. But it still feels special to me. I couldn't have asked for a bigger miracle. And I'm grateful beyond measure for the blessing of carrying this healthy baby and adding this angel to my family. I'm keenly aware of the struggle that others (especially those near and dear to me) go through to have children and I am very aware of how I act during pregnancy. I just want them to know that when they hurt, I hurt. Even if they don't know I know. I've cried those same tears of frustration, anger and despair. But I also know that the Lord's plan for us is on His timetable- and not ours. I can vouch for being impatient. I always thought I'd have 4 kids- two years apart and be totally sane in the process. But this trial has taught me much more about myself...my faith...and the need to rely on those who love and care about you. 

Well, 7 more weeks in pregnancy left...and I realized I have VERY few pictures of this belly. My sweet neighbor Shannon Beckstead snapped a pic of me upon leaving a baptism the other day and said I needed it for my posterity. At the time, I was just trying to be nice and allow her to take it- but I'm glad I did. Jovie did a pretty good job at covering me up- but you get the idea. Baby bump.

Sainthood

It's been 16 years since first seeing this movie...and since watching it for at least the thousandth time tonight, I am again reminded of how much I love this movie. And of how dreamy Val Kilmer was in 1997. Geez. I would run away with Thomas Moore too.

It's official...we're pregnant!!

I honestly couldn't be happier. These weeks of exhaustion and nausea will all be worth it!! Baby Kimball is due 11/12/13!! I'm gonna make that date happen if there is any way at all possible!! I actually had a dream about this date last year in November right before I was due for surgery to remove another polyp in my uterus. Little did I know that I'd need to go through invitro to get pregnant, and not find out anything until March 6!! With all of the shots, medications and crazy time tables I wasn't even sure how to calculate my due date! But when Dr. Zoneraich called and congratulated (literally yelled it into the phone) us that I was pregnant he told me the due date and I just cried!! And since this was the 6th time being pregnant, I just had a calm feeling that THIS one was going to make it. Never in my life could I have prepared myself for the heartache of 3 miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy. But through all of this I have remained faithful and optimistic. More than anything, having children is a righteous desire. That is natural. I just couldn't be happier.

This ultrasound is my third one. My first was at 6 weeks- and even then I could see AND HEAR my baby's heartbeat. I had another at 7 weeks and everything is going great. When I got home from my appt with this ultrasound image I showed Jovie and she said "Awe, this baby is so cuuuuuuuute, Mom". You are so right, Jov. She is gonna be the best big sister.

Weekend in paradise...er- Williams, AZ Part 2- Grand Canyon

Today we lazed around for part of the morning, then decided to go to the Williams visitor center to get info on things to do. Our agenda for this trip: go to the Grand Canyon, and go to the snow (for Jovie- she just wanted to sled, throw a few snowballs, and build a snowman). Once we realized we missed the train that goes to the Grand Canyon, we decided to drive the hour to get there. Not a bad drive. Not much to see, but good conversation. (This was the original Grand Canyon train that began the tourism boost in 1901)

This was our first look at the Grand Canyon from Yavapai Point on the South Rim. I'm not gonna lie. It took my breath away and just the sheer magnitude of what I saw made me cry. It was emo. In such a good way. Blake got choked up too, so I knew it wasn't just hormones. These are the moments where I will never understand people who don't believe in God. (Bright Angel Canyon- the one that looks almost vertical from front to back of picture)

We took a nice leisurely walk (per my doctors orders) along the trail (.7 mi.) and even found some snow to throw! It was perfect for snowballs!

 We did a lot of Jovie hand holding along this trail, not only because we love her dearly and adore that she loves this physical connection with us, but also because there were no guard rails along the trail, and a few steps off the path and you plunge 7,000 ft to your death. Not my (or my loved ones) ideal way to die. 

Just look at this place...breathtaking! And what a beautiful family of mine! 

Jovie's airplane was ready for takeoff! I love her imagination these days!

First time riding in a (shuttle) bus. Pretending to be sleeping- but was really exhausted from all the sightseeing and hiking around!

My favorite stop along the way from the Visitors Center out to Hermits Rest was Powell Point. Such a gorgeous view. Jovie makes a great Vanna White. 

I loved these long skinny inlets that look like Mesas. So cool!

The best part was when I freaked Blake out by taking Jovie out onto this ledge. It's all about trust. 

(Besides the fact that there was another landing about 6 feet below us- and I knew that. I just waited to tell Blake that AFTER he took the picture. He was sweating bullets. Jovie and I were free as birds)

"This place is HUGE"

I love this little angel of mine. And I love the fact that she is obsessed with (and very good at) climbing trees. 

Completely bushed. Couldn't have seen that coming. ;)

Seeing the Colorado River below was almost surreal. That's 7000 feet away. OVER 1.5 MILES below us.  

Finally made it to Hermits Rest. Got an ice cream sandwich at the snack bar, took a potty break, then back on the 40 minute shuttle back to the Visitors Center. 

 Along the way back we even saw 6 Bighorn sheep. That is so rare to see in the wild. And I just couldn't get over this spectacular view. Such an amazing adventure. Glad we were spontaneous and just did something great. I will NEVER forget this amazing day. 

Weekend in paradise...er- Williams, AZ Part 1- the town & Bearizona

This was a much needed getaway for our little family. Why was it needed so bad? Well, we have been doing fertility treatments since last June and timing is (literally) everything!

I bought a Living Social deal last October for my birthday in November- but we just couldn't find a weekend to go. Then In-Vitro started and there were appointments after appointments, church calling commitments, and other issues...so, no trip...until now!!

So the trip included a two night stay at the Days Inn in Williams, AZ and 2 adult tickets (worth $20/each.) to Bearizona (sort of like a mini Yellowstone National Park! Not to mention being an hour drive to the Grand Canyon, which we have wanted to see for a long time!

So this post will be dedicated to the town of Williams, as well as  Bearizona- which was totally cool. So, we pulled in to Days Inn, and the first thing Jovie said was "SNOW!!!!" She was ecstatic. Even if it was probably a week old and melting. She and Blake had to have a snowball fight!

We drove through the town of Williams and I just loved this mural that we passed. It was just a sight.

Mini Yellowstone - AKA Bearizona

I loved this place. The cool thing was that you drive through the park in your car, and they give you a speaker box that you put on the dashboard that tells you all about the animals you are seeing and changes each time you go into a new exhibit with different animals. Pretty sweet. It was like having my own park ranger in the car. 

The American Bison- crowned in glory!

 The White Bison were really neat- never seen one of those before!

Rocky Mountain Goat- I asked this guy to say "cheese" and he did.

Alaskan Tundra Wolf- they were pretty content just laying in the middle of the road. 

America Burro- these guys were quite friendly.

Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep- such majestic animals.

Black Bear- a big mama out for a stroll.

This one we spotted hanging out on top of a den. So close! 

 Fort Bearizona was the walking section of the place- much like a zoo but a much smaller scale. I loved it because there were animals I had never seen in a zoo or even in the wild! This Red Fox was just gorgeous.

The rooster and hen were cracking me up. I guess you could say they were having a mohawk sort of day!

 Jovie is obsessed with pine cones. I guess she shares that tradition with my family. Every time we'd hike as a family- if a pine cone was spotted, a war was started. Who knew they would be so fun to throw?

Jovie getting all sorts of weird up in here. Evidently, she wanted to be an animal too.

They also had a petting zoo with goats, ponies, chickens, etc.

Jovie even found some snow to throw. It was hard dodging the "chocolate chip" and "peanut butter" looking snow. Lets just say the goats left their business any and everywhere.

Jovie "cock-a-doodle-doo-ing" back at the roosters

There were about 10 bear cubs inside this cave (you could go behind this cave and see from the inside angle and they were all snuggled up into a big pile. These three cubs decided to emerge for a stretch and some fresh air. 

Raccoon- these little guys were so cute, I could hardly stand it! So inquisitive. 

The Swift Fox- evidently it didn't feel the need to be swift. Crazy eyes!

Porcupine- This one must've been in a fight, cuz it wan't about to leave its perch at the top of the tree.

Canadian Lynx- it had unusually large paws. 

Badger- This crazy little guy wanted to just bask in the sun. 

The best part was going into the gift shop and seeing 8 week old brother and sister bear cubs in a little incubator. We were all enthralled! The girl had pink nail polish to identify it as female! 

Overall our day at Bearizona was a blast. We went through the park twice and through the walking area twice. And each time saw something new and exciting! Great place for a family and not crowded at all. That 55 degree weather didn't scare us off a bit.