moments with kim

Memories of Mom

I have hesitated updating my blog this week. Simply because

this is the most difficult post I have ever had to make. I worry if it is even right for me to post.

As many of you know, or for those of you who might not know, my Mother passed away Saturday, October 11th. Her death was not expected and as you can imagine has completely changed my life. I will never forget the phone call I received early Saturday morning.  Last week was a complete blur. Her services were held Friday afternoon.

I have learned so many things this past week. I have been blessed in so many ways. I hope you don't mind me sharing with you a few of those things I have learned.

I have learned that there is NOTHING more important then family. NOTHING. How blessed I was to have all of my family with me. Each of my sisters were home within 24 hours of Mom's death. We were able to be with my Dad the entire week. Plan the service together. Cry together. Look through photos together. Pray together.

I have learned that we tend to focus on all the negative we see in people more then the positive.We all struggle in our relationships. Some of us have very serious issues with parents, siblings, in laws, etc. How quickly those issues take the back seat. I am going to make more of a effort to express my love towards people. To find the good. My Mom was a amazing person. How wonderful it was for so many to share with us their thoughts. To tell us of the many ways she helped them.

I have learned how POWERFUL a photo can be! All of last week we sat for hours looking through albums. Finding pictures of Mom. How you can see ones spirit in their eyes. How I need to be better about letting people take pictures of me.  Pictures of me with my children. These photos brought us so much peace and comfort.

I learned how important it is to be prepared for death. My Mother was prepared. She had written down what she would want done if something was to happen to her. She had vital information organized. What comfort and peace this brought to us. I will be working on that!

I learned how important it is to keep a journal. I have always been passionate about this but have failed to be consistent.  Last week I found a journal she had kept while we were traveling through Europe. This was a trip that only her and I took. Reading this journal has brought me so much comfort. 

She had written down so many details about her final wishes.  When ever she would loose a family member it would prompt her to write a bit more. I know she understood how painful this would be for us and she wanted to ease that pain if it was to ever come. I know my emotions are high this week but I am going to take the time to journal more. Take the time to prepare information so that if I was to die, my family has that help.

I am going to miss my Mom. I know where she is. I know she is at peace. I know she is happy. How grateful I am for this knowledge. I can't imagine feeling that death is the end. I am happy for her, just sad for me. Sad for my children. My father.

I love my family with every fiber in my being. I would give my life for them. I am so grateful for wonderful friends. So grateful for all of the kind e-mails, cards, flowers, meals. We are overwhelmed with the love that has been extended.

We will make it through. Life simply continues. I might be a bit emotional (poor Darren) but we will get through this. I love you Mom. I pray that I can live my life in a way that I am worthy to be with you again. Miss you.

Tag... YOU are it!

Once again, I have been tagged. Don't you just love these games? Who comes up with them? Who is starting them? One of these days I am going to create my own and see how long it takes to circle back to me. :)

I have been tagged by my sisters to answer questions about Darren and by Jaime to post random facts. (By the way Jaime... I am SO with you on the fly thing. Can not stand them!)

I posted these random facts back in April of '07 on my blog. So I am going to be ever so lazy and simply post them again.

1. I refuse to eat any kind of seafood. Even frozen fish sticks. Can't do them. In fact, I have major issues with seafood. It creaps me out. Darren loves it but will hardly order any just to show his love for me. He knows that I freak at the site of lobster tail, etc. The smell of shrimp about makes me pass out.

2. I was fired as a hospital candy striper when I was 14. Seriously I was. I was supposed to go to a certain amount of meetings a month. Each time they held a meeting, it conflicted with my dancing. I was actually a really good dancer in my day. ( Before children)  Anyway, they told me that since I hadn't made it to the meetings that I was no longer needed. How embarrassing was that!

3. I have major sleeping issues. I have to sleep with covers no matter the temperature. My poor husband just sweats, because I insist on the quilt even if it is the middle of July. I also can not have him too close to me that I can feel or hear him breathing. It drives me crazy! I like it quiet and no air in my face. I am odd... I know.

4. I am very talented with my toes. I can pick things up off the floor with them. It freaks Darren out. He can hardly bend his toes. Mine are very flexible. It is a Toombs thing.

5. I said no to Darren's marriage proposal the first time. We were only dating about 2 months when he asked me to marry him. I told him he was crazy and we needed to wait. So we dated a year before we got married. I knew I loved him and wanted to marry him but the thought of getting married that fast freaked me out.

6. I am a clean freak. Many of you know this. I really am. I am most picky about my floor. The kitchen floor, the bathroom floor. I vacuum them every day. Sometimes twice a day. I can't stand to feel things under my feet. Can't stand them to be dirty. The winter freaks me out. I hate it when wet shoes come in and get my kitchen floor dirty. Major stress.

7. I was a "extra" in a movie when I was 15. Me and a friend were skiing up at Targhee one day and they were filming. It was being produced by the Osmond's. Check it out if you ever get a chance. The name is " The Christmas that almost wasn't". You only see me for about a second, but I am there!

8. I love to travel and have been pretty much around the world. When I was a teenager I spent the summer in Europe. I have been to France, England, Germany, and Austria. Here in the states I have visited Georgia, Arizona, Washington, Montana, Utah (of course) California, Wyoming, traveled through Nebraska, Missouri, Tennessee, New York, and Nevada. My goal is to visit each state before I die. Maybe when I get older and don't have a much to do. ( I hope I spelled those all right!)

9. I HATE my hair. I really do. I always have. I have naturally curly hair. Many of you don't know that because I straighten it out almost every day. The curl is not a pretty curl though. My hair is thin and does not retain moisture well. I have tried every single hair product under the sun. From cheap to expensive. Bottom line is I hate my hair and always feel like it looks horrible. I have had 35 years of bad hair days! Feel free to post some hair tips!

10. I am a perfectionist. I stress over the little things. Darren reminds me daily that I need to relax and let go of those things I can not change. I am trying. I promise. But I really do stress. I expect a lot from myself so I find I expect a lot from others. I have no patience for people who are lazy. They stress me out. Let me know if you have any suggestions in this area!

This next tag was issued by my sisters. The first was random about me... these are about my hubby.

Where did you meet?

We met right after I graduated from High School. He had been home from his mission for a year. I got a job at the old IGA that was on 17th street. He was a night manager there. A friend of mine introduced us. We tell the kids that we met in the frozen food isle. They think we are the biggest geeks. Actually he worked the frozen foods. I worked the floral and video department. Good times.

How long did you date before you were married?

See above on this one. We dated for a year. Almost exactly. I moved to Rexburg right after we started dating. He would drive back and forth to see me since I was with out a car. (The car was taken a way because my parents did not like him!)

How long have you been married?

We just celebrated our 16 year anniversary in August. I can't believe it has been that long!

What does he do that surprises you?

He surprises me just about every day.  Too often he will tell me something or do something very odd. Something I did not know about him. Or something he has decided. He tries very hard to make sure I am having a good day. He is always leaving little notes. Dedicating songs to me. Bringing home a treat.

What is your favorite feature of his?

I love his arms. He is VERY strong. Because of his line of work, he works his arm muscles every day. LOVE his eyes. They melt my heart.


What is your favorite quality of his?

I have too many. One of my favorites is his Christ like love for children. He is so kind and gentle. He loves kids and they adore him. If it was up to him we would have a dozen or so. But... it is NOT up to him. My attitude is the one who bears the pain of childbirth decides. So.. we have three. He has so much patience with children and I love watching him with ours.

Does he have a Nickname for you?

Dianne. Funny story. One year he had a Christmas gift for me under the tree. The tag said "To Dianne" from Darren. My sister Katie was about 13 or 14 at the time and thought that he was having a affair. She got so mad and confronted him on it. It took her a minute to remember what my middle name was (reason for nickname) but she was relieved to know he was being faithfull.

What is his favorite color?

He doesn't really have one.

What is his favorite food?

Again, he doesn't really have just one favorite. He loves seafood, a good steak, and his favorite snack is popcorn.

10. What is his favorite sport?

He loves all sports. LOVES  them. I think Football is his favorite though. He is so proud of the boys and gets so excited for every game. He is a excellent basketball player. Doesn't play as much as he used to in his younger years. But he LOVES it.

When and where was your first kiss?

On our first date. (Crazy!) We went to Rexburg to see the International Dance Festival. After the show we were sitting on the corner in front of my car. We sat and talked for the longest time then he went in for the first move. 

Favorite thing to do as a couple? 

Anything! We love to go to the movies together. Go on walks. Go on drives. Love to just talk. Snuggle up and watch a TV show or movie. It seems like our time together is limited these days so we treasure any time we have. 

 Do you have any children?

Yep! The twins are almost 15 and Katelyn is 9.

Does he have a hidden talent? 

Many. He actually has a beautiful singing voice. I wish he would develop it more and put himself out there a bit. 

 How old is he?

One year from the BIG 40. I remind him of his age often. He doesn't mind. He insists that you are only as old as you feel you are.

Who said I love you first?

I don't remember! How bad is that? I think it was him. It had to be. Right?

What is his favorite type of music?

He loves all types of music except for rap and extreme hard rock. I have always loved that about him. He listens to a wide variety of bands. The only thing he wants to spend any extra cash on is either a CD or a book. He has never been into the "boys toys" and is content with his i-pod.

What do you admire most about him?

I agree with what Natalie said about Quinn. Darren is very humble. Very content with who he is and what he has. Nothing comes before his family. He does not have a selfish bone is his body and DOES not judge or criticize others.
 

Do you think he will read this?

He has told me that he reads my blog. So I am sure he will. He better post! :)

 

That was a LONG post! I now tag my other sisters who have not done either of these tags. PLUS I tag Kelly B., Jec, Jaime, Brooke, who else... if you have a blog.... then you are tagged!

Those are MY boys!

Congratulations!  Sherri! Thanks for sharing your Crock Pot Soup Recipe. You WIN a FREE Scrabpook kit! E-mail me at etm@ida.net  with your address.

THANK YOU  to all of you who posted. I can't wait to try all of those new web sites and recipes shared. YUMMY!

I hate to admit it... but I can honestly say that I am starting to understand the game of Football. Coming from a family of six girls, this is a HUGE accomplishment for me.

When I was pregnant with the boys, the doctor told me that we were having one boy and one girl. Imagine our surprise when two boys were delivered. I remember feeling a bit nervous about having boys. I still am! So many times through the years, Darren has reminded me that their behavior is "normal" for boys. My heart still jumps a beat every time they wrestle with each other. Every time they jump off of something. Build something. Destroy something. EAT me out of house and home!

So.. the game of football has been a LEARNING experience for me. I still don't understand how beating the heck out of each other is fun. And what is the point?

Michael started playing in 5th grade. Good ol Grid Kid ball. I could handle it. It didn't seem like they were hurting each other too bad. Those were the old days. Here he is... a FRESHMAN. This is big. This is serious. He freaks me out!

Teagan was smart. He wanted nothing to do with the game for the first few years. I think he was being stubborn and just did not want to do what Michael was doing. Last year he had a AMAZING track coach who was also the Junior High football coach. All through track, this coach would constantly bug Teagan about football. Beg him to come play this year. So... Teagan gave in and is playing. He won't admit it, but he LOVES it. He is working so hard. Because most of the other boys have had more yeas of playing, he has had to earn his spot and playing time, but he has worked hard and it is paying off.  

We have had several games so far. Our team has not lost a single game! Yeah! Next week we play Hillcrest who is also undefeated. It is going to be the most intense game ever. (According to Darren)

Last night, we played Madison. These pics are from our game against Blackfoot but you get the idea. Anyway, the game last night was amazing. Teagan was awesome! I found myself happy that he as bull dozing over the kid in front of him. He was right in the middle of the pile and loving every minute of it. This is normal for boys right?

At the start of the third quarter the team kicked the ball. It was clear down by the 5 yd line. Michael picked it up and ran the entire field for a touch down! Darren and I were freaking out. Just before he scored his touch down, another kid scored one in the 2nd quarter. His Mom was so excited and starting telling every one"That was her boy!" She was very excited. So when Michael ran for 95 yards and scored... then scored the extra point... YES I stood up and shouted with just as much excitement. Several of the other Moms ran over to give the geeky high fives.

No worries. The boys were in the game. They didn't see.  

We won the game! Both of the boys had a amazing game. I am so proud of them. So grateful for Darren. He has so much patience and answers all of my questions. I am still trying to learn all of the calls. What each call means. I will never completely understand the "fun" of it. What I do understand is that the game has brought both of my boys confidence.They both love their team. Love their coaches. Love playing on the field at the same time.

So.. GO EAGLES! Wish us luck. We still have two games left. I hope they can take it all the way!