Happy Valentines Day???

So do you get judged by your good intentions??? I REALLY wanted to get Christmas cards out this year but alas...I did not. Then I thought New Years-perfect! Well it is December 31st and so far-no New Years cards. My good friend Tiff suggested Valentines Day cards. Love the idea and I have great intentions to take that family picture, have Taylor write a fun, creative update and send it off. We shall see...

On a lighter note-just finished looking at Tiff's blog on MAUI! I so appreciate having friends who blog on a regular basis. I believe I will just copy and paste her MAUI blog into mine because I would have said everything she did...and I am ready to go back. Next Anderson? Weeyum trip...???? Looking into that as we speak!

Can't believe it is the New Year tomorrow! Feeling like time is passing faster than the speed of light. When I looked at Taylors graduation year from HS 10 years ago, it seemed to be so far away and here we are! I am excited for the many opportunities of growth that 2011 will bring for me and our family. It is going to be a great year. I can feel it already!

So, I will miss another night-it has been many years (sad but true) to be with most of our children and Cal ringing in the New Year but if I can't be with them my second choice would be to hang with the youth and that is exactly where I will be! Should be a fun dance tonight!

I'm rambling-as usual but got some thoughts down! Next up-famliy list of fun things to do and accomplish in 2011! See you back here-after FHE on Monday!

So I was talking to Cal the other day. We were discussing the end of the Diet Pepsi drinking at our house. He said when it is gone (the Pepsi storage-no seriously- we have it in our food storage!) that he would be done. I have started to buy caffine free Pepsi and am feelin' good about that. Cal asked what the point of drinking it was if it did not have caffine? My response-it tastes good! I will still drink it- and just in case you are wondering-Loaf and Jug-just down the road has Caffine Free and it is really yummy from the fountain! Sad-my vices in life.

Last weekend was my 25th High School Reunion. My best friend from HS sent me a photo fo a few good friends. They all looked fabulous. Funny what age does to women. Most of the women I knao have become MORE beautiful with age. Take my mother for example. She is gorgeous and no one would be able to guess her age by looking at her. Hope I have those genes.

THe 2 older girls and I are on a "diet"-well not really a diet-it is a change in our eating habits. When we are not active in sports or regular exersise we have discovered that we cannot eat half a pan of brownies in one sitting. Sad but true! It has been good for us and has gotten us in the habit of reading labels and counting calories-not in a paranoid way-just learning to eat healthier. Syd is also taking a great nutrition class that has added to our vast amounts of knowledge in learning to be healthy.

Last but not least-need to get those Christmas cards going. I am thinking that we just need to take a casual picture inside by the Christmas Tree and get them sent. We will need to do family ohotos this summer before Taylor leaves for college. She is working on applications and I believe finished up the essays last night. Wow! tHAt is huge. I am proud of her hard work and am excited for the opportunities ahead!

That's it for today! The Church is true!

Enjoy every minute!

I cannot believe that this year has flown by so quickly and that yesterday I was changing 4th of July Decor. to Fall Decor! With school starting, it has hit me that these are the "lasts" with Taylor at home all the time. This will be our last Halloween with her home. I have such mixed emotions. She is so prepared and ready in so many ways for college and the responsibilities of life on her own, but I don't know that I am ready to let her go!
As Cal and I talk about the changes that will be happening in our home over the next few years, I must say how grateful I am that I will be facing these with him. He is such a strength to me. As a full time Mom for -almost 18 years, I am struggling with the fact that in two+  years I will have 2 of my favorite people not living with me! That is a hard pill for me to swallow. Especially when I adore them as much as I do. They make me laugh and they make me cry. My life is so fulfilled because of my family.
Each week I am trying to take it slower, speak more kindly, hug more often, teach more small and simple lessons...I never want to have regrets. I remember over and over when I had 3-4 and 5 little kids, people would say "it goes by too fast-enjoy every minute". Well, I believe I have. Yes, there has been frustration and sadness, but I truly LOVE being a Mom to these kids! I have learned that it is not always important to be places on time. When your children need a hug or a conversation-that needs to come first. Those times are the ones I treasure. I love being in the kitchen after school baking or canning-something about that draws them in and they will sit and talk for hours. The lessons they have taught me are unforgettable. They come programmed to do great things and we just need to  help them channel their thought and ideas and then jump out of their way!
So now I  can say-to anyone who cares to listen-"enjoy every minute beacuse it goes by way too fast"!

Spring Break!

The past few weeks have been great. I have spent a lot of time with my sister, Lindsay-who is doing so well and has been so blessed. We also spent several days with the Shupe's and St. Claire's. I feel so blessed to have such and incredible family. We live out here with Ry and Tam, who is the best sister in law EVER! We have Tawna and Mike just a block away and Mom, Dad and Grandma within 7 minutes. I TRULY hope that Cal and I can create the same bonds of love that exsist in my family. It truly is one of my life's greatest blessings.

I was so happy Cal was able to go with us to Utah. It was fun to have hime with us as he usually is not able to make it because of work. He is amazing-such a great guy! The kids were good and seemed to have a lot of fun. They were able to BUNGEE JUMP on a tramp, go on a hike in the canyons and EAT good food! It was a fun part of Spring Break. All is well in the Williams home...at least for this minute!

Those Precious Moments...

So here was Abbie's letter to me yesterday during church. "Dear MOM You are the Best mom. You Make me happy I Love You so much. Some Time I Throw Tachrims (tantrums) But I pray aftr. To: Mom Love: Abbie (written as she wrote it) What more can a Mom ask for? (except for a little respect every now and then)
Was able to be with my girls yesterday in YW. Loved it and it just reinforced how much I miss it. Honestly, ward conference at my own ward was a bit awkward and hard. I felt like I could not speak and that everything I said was just not coming out the way it usually does at a ward conference. I am sure it was partly because of the fact that Linds and Mat left yesterday for Baltimore. It was just a tough, emotional day.
I read D&C 84:88 yesterday about 10 times and gave it to Lids as they left. I know that this time for them will be hard but hope that together they will have some precious, unforgettable moments as well. They are amazingly strong.
It will be a week of watching and listening as we see the hand of the Lord in the life of our family.I already feel the angels coming to attend!
If I can just be like Abbi and pray after I throw tantrums...all will be well.

Kim

BIRTHDAYS!

So this last week we celebrated three birthdays in our family...Mom Thiess, Kenner-10-double digits (!) and Abigayle-7! It was a busy and fun week. Kenner decided on his birthday he wanted to take the day off from school. He stayed home with us but unfortunately Cal had a ton of con-calls and I had a previously scheduled presidency meeting. We went to breakfast at Great Beginnings-just the three of us. Then we came back and had a morning of meetings. Kenner was patient and played with Legos, watched a little Bear Grills. Then I took him to get some tater tots and a shake. Yes, it is all about the food here at the Williams home! That night we made his birthday request-Salmon and rice with a nice salad. We were all happy he chose that!  Thursday we were able to watch a friends kids-Audrey and Isaac. It was so much fun but I do believe the dog was a little jealous of all the attention the baby was getting! Last Sunday we celebrated with everyone because the Shupe's were here. It was a fun evening.
Yesterday was Abbie's 7th birthday. Being Sunday and the Superbowl, she shared her day a little with the Lord and the Colts and Saints. She chose Spaghetti for her birthday dinner so that is what we had, along with chocolate cake and cookies and creanm ice cream. I think overall, the week was good for everyone.
Still LOVE the dog. He is so sweet.
House will always need to be cleaned but I try a little every day.
Calling still a little rough-I just feel very removed and don't feel like I am making a difference in anyone's life but...still trying and doing my best.
Cal has traveled but not a ton the past two weeks.
Heading out to Utah for Jill Catt's wedding (one of my former young women) on Wednesday. Yippee! I love it when they reach the temple stage!
I am thankful this week to have celebrated the birthdays of three people I love very much and glad that we are able to go through life together. Love you Abigayle, Kenner and Mom!

More things I've learned...

#21. I love being with my friends who make me laugh...you know who you are!

Things I've Learned...

Here are some things I've learned or re-learned over the past few weeks:

1. Life/health is fragile-learned through Lindsay's darn cancer diagnosis!

2. The mess will be there tomorrow-Lisa Lundell

3.Family is #1-Cal is always good for this reminder

4. People/relationships are important

5. What you put in is what you get out-a pretty universal law that can apply to so many things-exersise, relationships, diet...which leads me to my next one

6. I have discovered that people and food are very important to me

7. I NEED my prayer time

8. I love my scriptures...if I ever lose them, it will be trauma!

9. I am trying to have a "heart like His" but it is harder than I thought

10. I need to listen to the Spirit more closely

11. I love raisin toast with LOTS of butter and cinamon sugar on it

12. I love flowers

13. Calvin is so good to me-I married the right person for me

14. You are never happier than your saddest child-Mom

15. Faith is vital

16. Life is good

17. It is nice to be busy

18. I have a good life

19. I LOVE my house

20.I am addicted to Orbit Sweet Mint gum

I've learned that I am so grateful to have grown up in that family that I did and have all of us still be so close. I learned that not everyone loves their in-laws (sisters and brothers spouses as well as husbands family) as much as I love mine. I have learned that living with teenagers I just have to love them and take the relationship day by day and be grateful for the great kids they are. I've learned how grateful I am fo all my children and for a husband who loves me and the family he married into. I've learned that I am very lucky after (19) years to have a strong marraige and to be in love with my best friend.

Looking back, it is amazing what a few weeks of life can teach. I am sure there is more...just not now. I'm headed to pick up the messes that will still be there tomorrow!

Angels

Over the past few months, I have realized that we are never alone...not in a creepy, scary way but in a comforting way! As I was reading the scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants 84:88-a scripture with which so many are familiar with it was another reminder of this.
"And whoso recieveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up."
We all have and will face challenges in our lives that sometimes seem impossible to overcome alone...but then we remember...we are not alone. We have a Heavenly Father who loves each of us so deeply and who knows us so intimately it is difficult even for us to understand.He sends his angels-no doubt, those who know us and love us as well, to strengthen and uplift. I have felt them around me strengthening me. So when life has a way of getting you down...Remember, YOU are NEVER alone! We all need to know that sometimes...