Celebrating 7 Amazing Years

Happy 7th Anniversary to my sweetheart

It was 8 years ago, today, that I met this amazing man.
He instantly stole my heart and my life was forever changed.
I have been blessed beyond measure because of the gift of his love that he gave me.

Ten months after we met  he proposed, first to Mia
- he asked her if he could be her Daddy -
and then to me.

We were married 8 weeks later, exactly one year after we met.

And now "I know how the river feels".
(Click the link to hear our wedding song)

Kurt, you have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. You have brought me so much joy and you have taught me so much. I have never been the same since the moment your heart touched mine. You are an absolutely incredible man and you amaze me so often with your willingness to do whatever it takes to care for me and our babies. You are a man of integrity and a true example of love. I will love you forever for the Dad you are to our kiddos, but the way you love me just takes my breath away. You bend over backwards to make me happy, and so today I want you to know that I appreciate you and all that you do, each and every day, to make our life together so amazing.

I choose you again today just like I did on this day 7 years ago, on our wedding day, and I choose you for each of my tomorrows. 

Forever and always.

<3 - Kim

Letting Go

Have you ever found yourself walking around a little bit dazed, feeling a little bit empty, a whole lot confused, and not really knowing why you are feeling that way? This is the place I've found myself lately. I'm feeling a little disoriented....not really sure what my purpose is or where I'm supposed to be headed. I mean, I know my purpose so far as the "mommy/wife" role, but I'm talking about the greater purpose that God has for me. The where that I'm supposed to be going for Him.

I'm still not sure where that is, but I do know that I'm here, in this place, for a reason. (Still not sure what the reason IS, but I know that I know that I know that God doesn't just leave us....so I'm here for a reason.) And I know that time will show it to me....when He's ready.

Yesterday at church my amazing pastor taught an amazing sermon. I know that he spoke on a major event in the Bible with several really amazing points, but to be honest I couldn't tell you what they were. What I got from the sermon, however was this: It's time to let go. It's time to let go of the hurts, the fears, the disappointments, the failures, the lies, the "issues" with others or that others have had with me, the anger, the disillusionment caused by situations and things out of my control. It's time to let go of the things that are so deep down that I can't even put a name on them. It's time to just LET GO.

So, I did. I honestly can't tell you what all I let go of, but I just did it. And it came from somewhere deep in me and it was hard, and it hurt, and then it felt so freeing. My heart got light, my tears came from somewhere deep inside me that was just relieved to let. it. go. And all I know is this: I really really really don't want it back. So, whatever it was that I was letting make me hard, whatever it was that I was allowing to keep walls up, whatever it was that was making me bitter....good riddance!

I feel deep within me that now it's time to just be still and let God do His work in me. I don't know where I'm going, I don't know what He's got planned for me, but I know that I'm willing. And I know that it is good. And perfect. And something only I can do. Because above all else I know that God created me on purpose, for a purpose, and perfectly for His kingdom.

So, this heart is now determined in a different way, for now. I am determined to be still, and to wait... I know He'll speak when I'm truly ready.

Love,
Kim

Bring on the torture!

I went to an AdvoCare mixer last night and, after it was over, all of us 'AdvoLadies' hung out and chatted about life, this journey we are on, the struggles we've faced/are facing, and encouraged each other to take it all to the next level. (Have I mentioned lately how awesome it is to have such amazing friends in my life? I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by women who have positive attitudes, hearts full of purpose, and big vision for their lives. It kind of rubs off on ya!) Any who, during the chat this amazing place called Xtreme KidFit was brought up. Now, I've heard chatter about this amazing place on FaceBook, but I decided to take the leap and go today. OH. MY. WOW. It was UH-MAY-ZING! The classes are free for mommies and they provide childcare while you work out. *raises hand* Yes, please! Sign me up! :)

So, I got there this morning and just did what everyone else did. I was welcomed with big smiles and open arms, and the instructor was absolutely fantastic. I felt right at ease. My body responded to the workout better than I'd hoped - it just went right back into the workout mode it used to be in...I guess muscle memory is something that exists!? Yay! - and even with Dillon being a little toot-head I got a GREAT workout. I can't wait until Monday morning when I get to do it again!

I am excited about my future, I'm so thankful for the women God has placed in my life, and I'm truly enjoying this journey I'm on. It's not always easy, it's not always fun, but every step has been absolutely, positively, worth it. And this new phase I'm in is super exciting!!! I can't wait to see where it takes me! :)

With rubbery legs and a big fat smile,
Kim

What's on my mind...

Life has a way of getting crazy busy and making time just slip right on by. Have you ever noticed that? I remember when summer seemed to drraaaaggg on and on, and now it flies right on by.

As I get older, and as my children are growing up so stinkin' fast, I am learning the art of slowing down, relishing the moment I'm in, and realizing that it's okay if "the list" doesn't get accomplished. I have other things that matter more to me than whether or not someone might show up unannounced and find that my house isn't immaculate. I have learned that there are things I can do to keep my sanity (keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, pick up the floors twice a day, etc.) but not steal all of my time away from those 5 precious people that God has given me. I have started taking pictures again. I have decided that if something were to happen to me my family will have memories, not just in their minds, but actual, physical, hang-on-to, pictures and videos with which to remember the love that we have in this home. I have decided that my job as the "home-maker" extends far beyond keeping the house clean and the clothes washed. While those things are still part of my job description, they are not the measure by which my success will be decided. My success at this job will be decided by the love I show, the things I teach my children, the time I give my husband, the joy with which I live, and the intangible things I leave behind.

I wonder how many of us, as women, get so caught up in the things we need to do, the places we need to go, the errands we need to run, the bills we need to pay, the surfaces we need to clean, the clothes we need to wash....the list goes on and on.... that we forget that our time is the most precious thing we have. We forget that once a moment is past, it is gone forever. We forget that the people for which we are doing those very things are the absolute MOST important piece of the puzzle. I wish we would learn to just STOP and laugh. Just STOP and let our kids be kids! Let them run in the livingroom! Let them act crazy and silly, while sitting on the floor laughing at them until they've had their fill of our attention. I wish we would set aside "the list" and let the kiddos dictate the day sometimes. I wish we would let our kids "help" more. Even if it does take 4 times as long to accomplish a task! I wish we would remember that we -and we alone - are responsible for the memories our children will have as adults. We are responsible for the adults they will one day be. We are showing them their worth through the time we are willing to give them.

I have a challenge for you today, if you'd like to take it. Take a good measure of your life. Look at your days, look at your week, look at your month.....what is it full of? What do your actions show to be the most important thing to you? Is it "the list"? Is it "the job"? Is it "your commitments"? Or is it your family? How can you change your actions to reflect your heart?....If your heart says one thing, and your actions are showing another, how can you fix that?....

Now, GO! Do THAT! :)

Love on your family. Have time for your man. Sit on the floor with your kids. Hey, sit in the dirt with your kids! Remember that kiddos are washable and dirt never hurt anybody (whispering* and that means you too!!!*) and memories are forever! Love with your whole heart, with your time, and with your actions!

Be blessed, my friends.

With all the love in my determined heart,
Kim