Taking a Chance to Breathe...

I experienced heaven on earth this weekend with one of my dearest friends, Lisa! We were treated like royalty by our families with a spa getaway certificate for Mother’s Day and redeemed it these last two days, with an overnight at one of America’s best spas’, Revive (in Phoenix). It’s amazing how refreshed we felt after being together; while being pampered with facials, a Turquoise Massage, and all the other spa amenities. I could get used to this lifestyle! Many times there was the gift of silence (a rare find in my life) and then there was the gift of total belly laughter and heart to heart connection. Lisa and I are so spa compatible. We’re already dreaming BIG for our next one (hint hint Kempiak/Keller husbands and kids), feeling like it would be a marvelous thing to do by exploring our horizons at all the other “hot spot” spas around Arizona the United States!

My Prayer Hike

This morning I woke at 4AM to meet with five gals from my prayer group to hike Usery Mountain in Mesa. We vowed to one another that once we exited the car all the way until we returned to it again, we’d stay totally silent, not talking to one another at all. The task was challenging, yet so rewarding! Three hours of alone time with God was wonderful. As I first took route on the trail, I found myself asking Christ for things (“Bless this person, help this other one, and don’t forget so and so…”) until He spoke to me, “Kymberly…just enjoy me!” So from that step on, I just praised him for all his qualities, (“Lord, thank you for always being here for me, thank you for being an unchangeable God, I praise you for your justice and grace…”).

Once I hit the top of the mountain where the Wind Cave is located, Diane, our amazing prayer group leader, gave us an envelope to open. Inside was a lovely letter as if it was written by Christ. It started out, “Come away my beloved. You do not need to make your path like a snow plow, for I say unto you, I go before you. I shall engineer circumstances on your behalf. I am your husband, and I will protect you and care for you, and make full provision for you.

“I know your need, and I am concerned for you: for your peace, for your health, for your strength. I cannot use a tired body, and you need to take time to renew your energies, both spiritual and physical. I am the God of Battle, but I am also the One who said: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. And Jesus said, Come apart and rest a little while.

“I will teach you even as I taught Moses on the back side of the desert, and as I taught Paul in Arabia. So will I teach you. Thus it shall be a constructive period, and not in any sense wasted time. But as the summer course to the school teacher, it is vital to you in order that you may fully be qualified for your ministry…” (more followed)

I sat, read the letter, and meditated on the words, read from my Bible, then found myself breaking out in song to him for the thirty minutes I sat there overlooking the valley and watching the sun shed its full light.

Coming down from the mountain, God have me another thought. With the full light upon the path, it was so much more beautiful than as I had headed up in some darkness. Isn’t that so true?! With Christ (He is the Light), you see things in such different perspective and beauty. Oh how we all need to see his Light!

I didn't miss talking or listening to others speak. I very rarely ever get to rest in silence, yet it’s in the silence when we can really hear loud and clear what God has to say to us!

Me and My Greek Goddess Weekend

What a blast of a weekend! Baylee and I, along with 8 other moms and 9 girls from our troop headed to Camp Willow Springs in Prescott for “Me and My Greek Goddess” themed Mommy and Me weekend. It was a packed ‘house’ with well over 200 families participating. From singing silly songs, tie dying, hiking, game playing, pottery painting, flag making, late nights, lots of laughs, SWAPING, and more…it would be hard to beat this time of togetherness. Here’s a few shots of our weekend away!

Blogger and Facebook, Connecting the Two Worlds

vs.
Which do you prefer?

Blogger or Facebook?

Tell me why?

I have a Blogger and a Facebook account. To me, they serve as different functions. I LOVE blogging and blog surfing and can get lost in that world for ours at a time far more than Facebook. Blogging is my way of journaling our family activities and happenings in our lives. I like the fact that I can record a lot on any given day since I’m a wordy person and the fact that it’s there to stay for us to look back on year after year. I enjoy how personalized and creative you can get in the blogging world, down to putting music and beautiful backgrounds on your site and the comments people can leave…oh, don’t get me started, I love that too!

Facebook however helps me connect to friends from the past, as well as finding out little snippets of things from people I care about that would otherwise never blog. For instance, it’s the craze right now on Facebook, listing 25 random things about ‘you’. I had been tagged numerous times, which means I was to reply with my own list of twenty five but sat on it for a long time. We’ll I finally made my list. And I thought instead of making it a Facebook exclusive, I’d blend the two worlds together. I’d love to hear your 25 here in my comments if you haven’t sent me yours yet. Come on, give it a try! It’s fun!

25 Random Things About Me

1. I am a night owl! It isn't uncommon for me to head to bed around 1:00 (or later). I love how quiet it is during those late hours. Waking up on the other hand isn't so fun!

2. I sold my car to buy my wedding dress.

3. I think chocolate and peanut butter is the best combination ever!

4. It saddens me when I get a card (birthday, anniversary, etc.) and it’s “just signed”. I love handwritten notes on cards!

5. I do not like seeing men without shirts walking down the street or exercising/jogging. Every time Jon sees a guy doing that, he just starts laughing and nudges me! Baylee’s joined me in the “no shirt” club too. She often says, “Gross mommy, tell him to get dressed!”

6. I’m a book collector. Well, kind of. I have a big pile of books I want to read that I’ve bought. One day, I’ll get to them. I just don’t get it how moms have time!

7. I am totally freaked out over heights! I had a major panic attack in Gammage Theatre a few months back in the 2nd balcony and again in Tempe Center of the Arts when it was time to walk over an indoor bridge with glass on both sides. So sad! I haven’t always been that way…age I guess! I really want to take Baylee to the Grand Canyon next quarter too since she’ll be studying “rocks and minerals” however, I don’t think I can handle the height factor!

8. Another irrational fear I have are those large graded drains on streets and in parking lots. I purposely dodge them by walking over or around them (which Jon and the kids think is totally funny). All four of them, on the other hand, love to stand on any grade they can see and even jump, just to see my reaction. It makes me cringe just thinking about it.

9. Secretly I’d be so happy if I got pregnant again…especially with twins! Jon on the other hand I think would cry! (Baylee would love to have a sister and I'd love to "give" her one...or two.)

10. My daughter’s first name is after my mom’s maiden name/family in honor of them all. Her middle name is after my junior high and high school choir director’s name, Mr. Rose from Westlake Village.

11. I fell in quick sand when I was a little girl. My brother pulled me out. It made the Arizona newspaper too. Too bad we don’t have any copies of the article.

12. Worried that I wouldn’t have enough money if I was a teacher, one night while in college I went to an open audition for the soap opera, One Life to Live. When sitting there, all prepared, God totally convicted me of what I was doing. I ripped up my number and walked out of the ‘hall’.

13. My husband thinks I need to mention that I have all the shelves in my pantry labeled (and many in my refrigerator). I’m not sure why he thinks that’s unusual.

14. My 4th grade teacher told me I was stupid…many, many, many times! Ironically, my first teaching job was as a fourth grade teacher.

15. I love God, my husband, and my kids (in that order) more than anything in the world!

16. Don’t hold it against me…as a teen my dad took me to the Jackson Five concert (you know, when Michael was on the top of the charts for Beat It, Thriller, etc.). At some point in the concert, when it was just “Michael” on stage, I yelled, “I love you Michael!” YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

17. I love being able to help in practical ways like watching friends’ children, setting up memorial displays for funerals, or bringing meals to people in need. That brings me joy, showing love in practical way, no strings attached! “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

18. Although my dad loves me to pieces, he’s still upset that I changed the spelling of my name from Kimberly to Kymberly. I began writing it that way in junior high and now it’s legal. My mom on the other hand, thinks it’s totally fine!

19. I have not had any caffeine since 1990 (except what’s naturally found in chocolate).

20. I have not eaten any beef since 1988.

21. I love to pray and have seen BIG things happen that didn’t seem possible. “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

22. I very rarely give up on people…even when hurt by them deeply. I’m a loyal friend and cherish the people God places in my life.

23. I am passionate about family time and having rich family values and traditions. It’s what defines us as a Party of Five.

24. I love blogging (and reading other people’s blogs).

25. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. My major is education; minor is theatre, as well as having an emphasis in psychology.

Okay, it's your turn.

An Isaiah Month, I Guess

I’ve been asked what Bible verses I am memorizing this January so I thought I’d share. Again, what a pick is what speaks to my heart and what I am trying to grow in/through.

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 40:31
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.”

I Will Try...

I don’t know about you, but I love a new year and all of the hope that it represents. In years past, as a family we each came up with monthly goals/resolutions instead. For us, it gave a shorter focus and made things easier to achieve and observable. But for today, there are a few (resolutions if you want to call them) that will cover my entire year. Then at our family meetings each week, I will still come up with monthly goals for myself as well, while the rest of the Party of Five creates and shares theirs.

So my commitments for myself this year are:

1. I will pray more, including scripture throughout my prayers.
2. I will memorize more scripture. I’ll choose 2 per month that focus on a need I have in learning (not what I need my family to know/learn).
3. I will exercise my "NO" muscle, giving myself limits on things I can do. This will protect our precious family time more. It’s a sensitive area though since I want to be selfless and teach it, however “NO” is still a Biblical thing to say when my main ministry is my family.
4. I will get an exercise routine established again and follow it to my best ability.
5. I will try to tell my husband Jon “I love you,” “Thank you,” and “I’m sorry” right away (he’s a great example in this area).
6. I will read more age appropriate books to Owen. I read with and to the kids daily but our Owen is just used to hearing chapter books and very rarely get’s to see the world of amazing picture books (although we have a thousand here)!
7. I will be outside more. Isn’t that one reason why we live in Arizona? We’ll eat outside, read outside, play outside, (etc.) more often.
8. I will be a good finisher on projects! I’ve started so many but haven’t completed them. Yikes!

Feel free to ask me how I’m doing on them and hold me accountable.
I’m curious if you have any resolutions besides “not having resolutions” for 2009? Please share!

Two Dates in a Row...Pinch Me!

Okay, Jon and I are really good at telling other couples that date nights are important however, we don’t take that advice for ourselves. If it wasn’t for his work schedule, I know we would…it’s just a season, right?

Well, it’s two days, or should I say two DATES in a row! Can someone pinch me? We’re still celebrating our 15th anniversary. So tonight, the Keller family took care of the kids while Jon and I went to a Christmas concert by my favorite artist in the whole world, Michael W. Smith! To top things off, on stage with him many times were Melinda Doolittle and George Huff from American Idol. We absolutely LOVED the concert!

Afterwards instead of heading home, we headed to the movies…an 11:30 showing! We’re really living it up when we can. Maybe we should call it, making up for lost time.

Tonight was wonderful. Thank you Jon for putting it all together! And thank you Tim and Lisa for watching our three kiddos! You are an awesome duo!

Thankfulness

I’m pondering the words of “Thankfulness” today and have many things floating in my mind.

Thankfulness has little to do with what I own.

Being thankful is when I look into my life, at the blessings that I have been bestowed, and I take the time to cultivate a grateful heart.

It’s when I offer up thanksgiving for my needs being met, more than most fanciful desires.

Being thankful creates a compassionate heart, and helps one realize that nothing that we have is ours alone.

I heard once, “The bread that is spoiling in your house belongs to the hungry. The shoes that are mildewing under your bed belong to those who have none. The clothes stored away in your trunk belong to those who are naked. The money that depreciates in your treasury belongs to the poor.”


My prayer this Thanksgiving is that this day will be more than a holiday.

That it will be a way of life that I sincerely live and teach my children to.

That in being thankful we will gain a new perspective, giving us a tender heart and an ability to see the needs of others whether they ask or not, and the courage to reach out, expecting nothing in return.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118

Gilbert Days Parade

The city of Gilbert has a long-lasting tradition of coming together for a week’s span of time with many activities; starting off with a “hometown” parade, a rodeo, carnival, and family run. This is our Brownie Girl Scout troops second year participating in the parade, a highlight for many of the girls’ ‘year’ as they wave like movie stars to the hundreds of people that line the streets.

This year’s theme centered on the three “R’s” (reduce, recycle, reuse) so we decided to decorate ourselves and the float that way. We made big newspaper flowers and created posters with recycled materials for the float. The girls wore recycled hats while holding signs, and even yelled for the three miles, a recycle chant (thanks to Mikelle’s creative side). Right next to them, I followed by foot (with many sweet moms), pushing our home’s recycle bin and collecting recyclables found and given by the viewers. My once empty can ended up full (and heavy) by the end of the route.


We had a fun day and to top it off, our float won, “Most spirited!” With 19 fun- loving, energetically passionate girls, I wouldn’t doubt that title!

I'm Okay!

I’ve had to take some things off my full plate and blogging has been one of them. I don’t feel right blogging if I haven’t…
had time with the Lord in prayer, reading, and meditation,
time with Jon,
time with the kids,
and a clean home.

I miss blogging and find it to be both therapeutic and enjoyable but for a short time, it’s had to sit on the bench. So many things have happened in our lives since my last entry that I’ve been jotting down…(thank God) just not entering yet. I will however because this is my way to journal the Kempiak Party of Five’s days.

For those that care, I promise I will catching up on our family blog very soon and catching up on reading and commenting on my blogging friend’s stories as well.
My goal by the end of the week is to be “caught up”. So while many of you sleep, I’ll be blogging my little fingers off.

Wish me luck and a compliant speedy computer!

Happy Birthday to Me!

My family has an exceptionally unique way of making me feel special, especially on my birthday. The day began as any would but after my early evening tutoring session, I came home to our “traditional” silly stringing endeavor. You see, every birthday boy or girl gets pelted with four cans of silly string (one per family member, minus the birthday person), filling the recipient with that gooey wet string from head to toe and tons of laughter that trumps the colorful mess left behind.

I opened my precious cards and gift then we headed for yummy lettuce wraps (one of my all-time favorites) then…to the Melting Pot for dessert (yahoo!). We had two pots of true ‘yummyness’! There’s gotta be something like this in heaven!



I’m not a person that get’s freaked out by numbers/age (or at least not yet)…so I welcome 38 and look forward to all the wonderful blessings God has for me in the months and years to come!

Thank you to my friends and family that wished me a special day!

Happy Birthday to Us!

Baylee and I received an early, totally amazing birthday present from Nana and Papa D (Jon’s parents). They sent both of us to see Carrie Underwood in concert! Carrie has been Baylee’s all-time favorite singer since she appeared on American Idol. She was a phenomenal performer (just as good as on cd) and I appreciated her modesty in each gorgeous outfit she wore. This concert was great! I still can’t believe what a generous gift we both received. Nana and Papa, you’re the best! Thank you!

(On a side note, Nathan and Owen watched Star Wars with Nana and Papa while Baylee and I were at the concert. They thought that was pretty cool too!)

The countdown for Carrie to come out!


Here she comes to begin the concert


A little more...


Here she is...(Wish you could see Baylee's face)


This was Baylee's favorite outfit, a long flowing teal gown.


During a crescendo of the song, the flowing part of the formal dress flew off backstage in a beat and Carrie bounced off the tall platform walking along the stage now signing in this cute dress.

It's Been 20 Years...Hard to Believe!

I know, look at my 80’s hair! The bigger the better, baby! I worked hard at getting this hairdo to cooperate each morning, especially with how very straight my natural hair is. So, the timer in the bathroom would go off at 4:30AM…2 sets of hot benders, 1 set of hot rollers, and a curling iron. I’d wake 20 minutes later to go through the regime then add the final, most crucial ingredient…mega hairspray!

Why am I posting this today? Am I a glutton for some embarrassment and ready for some smart-alecky comments back or do I just want to give all my faithful “readers” something to laugh about? No, tomorrow would have been my 20 year high school reunion from Westlake High School (in Westlake Village, CA). I couldn’t get Jon to take me and going alone didn’t seem “okay” with me. I would have totally enjoyed myself, I know. I loved that school and so many people I attended with. I just wonder if we would have recognized each other without the “hair”.

I looked up some things that made the news in 1988 and the “popular things” that surrounded us…here’s a “flashback down memory lane”…

What things cost in 1988:
Average Cost of new house $91,600.00
Average Income per year $24,450.00
Average Price for new car $10,4000.00
1 gallon of gas 91 cents
Movie Ticket $3.50
US Postage Stamp 24 cents
Dozen Eggs 65 cents

Most Popular Television Shows
1. The Cosby Show (NBC)
2. A Different World (NBC)
3. Cheers (NBC)
4. The Golden Girls (NBC)
5. Growing Pains (ABC)
6. Who’s the Boss? (ABC)
7. Night Court (NBC)
8. 60 Minutes (CBS)
9. Murder, She Wrote (CBS)
10. Alf (NBC)

Popular Movies
1. Beetlejuice
2. Big (Thought it was funny)
3. Bull Durham
4. Cocktail
5. Colors
6. Coming to America
7. Crocodile Dundee II
8. Die Hard
9. A Fish Called Wanda
10. Good Morning, Vietnam (Saw that at a drive in movie theater with a boy!)

Popular Music
1. "So Emotional” … Whitney Houston (I can't get that song out of my head now!)
2. "Got My Mind Set on You” … George Harrison
3. "The Way You Make Me Feel” … Michael Jackson (was obsessed with this guy!)
4. "Need You Tonight” … INXS
5. "Could’ve Been” … Tiffany (Boy could I sing this song full of heart!)
6. "Season Change” … Expose
7. "Father Figure” … George Michael
8. "Never Gonna Give You Up” … Rick Astley (Annoying )
9. "Man In the Mirror” … Michael Jackson
10. "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” … Billy Ocean

1988 News
The Hubble Space Telescope Goes into operation to explore deep space.
A bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland on December 21st .
Prozac was sold for the first time as an anti-depressant.

What do you remember about the 80's? All I know is, I sure want to throw an 80's adult party so I can put my hair back up and wear my LA Gears that I've saved just for the occasion!

And I wonder, will perms ever come back in? Deep down, I sure hope so!

I'm Back to Teaching!

Little did I know that when I agreed at the beginning of the school year to substitute in Baylee and Nathan’s classes, that I’d be used back to back! I got a call the Sunday before school started up again from fall break that Nathan’s teacher, Mrs. Zavisch, was in a car accident and needed more time to recuperate. I was faced with somewhat of a dilemma since I had already promised Owen that he had me all to himself and that mommy wasn’t a “working mommy for the time,” We held an emergency family meeting with Owen and explained it all. He told me he’d be “okay” and for me to go help Mrs. Zavisch. So, needless to say I agreed but asked for the first day to be covered by someone else so Owen and I could have “one day”.

What a blessed woman I am to be honored to teach Nathan. Boy he’s a super hard working student with so many precious classmates/friends. I had a blast being a kindergarten teacher for the week.

Please pray for Lauren’s recovery. Thank God she will recover and has many people that love her and will support her along the way. She’s one incredible person!

(Thank you in the meantime for understaning why I am behind on my blogging. I'll catch up as soon as I can, one step at a time).

Gratituesday-"My" Class

My time in Baylee’s classroom as her teacher is coming to an end on Friday. I have mixed emotions. I’m going to miss it (the kids) and the “task” (teaching) like crazy but I am eager to have more rest and time with my family, especially our Owen who has been a trooper!

The class of 20 precious kids is what I am grateful for this week. Each kid has brought me such joy. I’ve been honored to help them along the path of learning as well as bringing them by name to the Lord often. I love them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight they presented me with a card full of gift cards and the most fantastic scrapbook put together by a dear mom, Andrea Shaw with help from each kiddo of course. I will cherish it forever and have a tangible memory to look at often.

What are you grateful for on this day?


(My simply phenominal Baylee)