moments with kim

Warm HOLIDAY Wishes {CONTEST}

WELCOME! WELCOME! to any NEW readers that found my blog from UCreate! I am excited to have you hear and hope you will come back often. The internet, web sites, blogs are amazing. I love finding new sites that inspire me which is how I found UCreate.

I will warn you... I offer A LOT of freebies on my blog! If you like FREE STUFF come back!

I sat down tonight and made a list of all that I need to do within the next several days in order to be ready for Christmas. I try to pace myself each year and try to simplify each year as well, but as always I seem to be stressed the week before the big day and convince myself that I will never have the time to get my list completed. I have a feeling that I am not the only one who feels that way.

The FIRST item on my list is to send our our cards TODAY. I am working on the labels and finally found the right size envelope. Above is our card this year. I know that I will most likely forget someone on my list and don't have addresses for all of YOU so consider the above card my holiday wish to YOU!

What are you working on this week? What last minute gifts are you trying to wrap up? Do you deliver neighbor gifts?

I thought I would share two of my favorite ideas for quick and easy neighbor gifts. I give these each year to several friends and loved ones on our list.

The first one is white chocolate covered popcorn. I have a large 32 cup mixing bowl that I fill with popped corn. You can either use microwave corn or do it the old fashioned way over the stove like we do. We found this popcorn maker a couple of years ago and it works like a charm for making large batches. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add one 24 oz brick of white almond chocolate. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate over popcorn and turn to coat completely. Spread on wax paper and let cool. Divide into cellophane bags, tie with ribbon and tag. I always create a cute tag that says "Popping in to wish you a Merry Christmas" or you can also add a liter of soda and have your tag say "Pop, Pop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh what a good neighbor you is!"

So simple. So cute.

The next idea is to give a cellophane bag with the following ingredients.

1 orange

1 lemon

4 cinn. sticks

8-10 whole cloves

Create a tag instructing them to slice the orange and lemon then add all ingredients to small saucepan. Cover with water and simmer on lowest stove setting all day. Add more water as needed. Their homes will fill with the most wonderful, holiday fragrance!

What are a few of your favorite holiday neighbor gifts you have either given or received?

The next couple of ideas I want to share with you are project ideas using this months Moments Scrapbooking and Expressions Card Kits. I invite you to check out these kit as well as other club kits HERE The December kits are AMAZING! Filled with so much goodness.

This next idea was created by this months guest designer Alicia King. So cute! So easy! Be sure to take a peak at her blog too for a second chance to win a FREE kit from ETM! You can view her blog HERE

You could easily recreate this idea by using some of your current Christmas pattern paper and finding inexpensive frames at your local craft store.

THIS is the NEW December Moments Scrapbooking kit. Filled with goodness! How would you like to win a FREE kit? There are several ways you can enter to win.

1. Leave a comment telling me what your favorite neighbor gift ideas are or simply just leave a comment!

2. Leave a comment on Alicia Kings blog. See link above.

3. Join ETM on our FACEBOOK page (see sidebar link) leave a comment and increase your chances! Refer your friends to ETM and increase your chances even more!

Be sure to check back in one week and see if you won! GOOD LUCK!

A Toombs Family Thanksgiving in review...

THANK YOU for leaving so many comments and sharing what you are thankful for! I have a confession to make. I am going to admit somthing. Something that might make some of you GASP with shock.

I am not a HUGE fan of Christmas.

I know.. I know.. shocking. Let me clarify.

I DO love Christmas. I love the spirit of Christmas. I love when the day actually arrives and we do nothing but focus on each other. I love being home on Christmas.

Somewhere, somehow, our society has placed a lot of importance on so many things besides the spirit of the holiday. While you find that people can so loving and so generous, I also find that so many people are rude and actually fight over a $10 game the day after Thanksgiving. I find that so many people struggle and this time of year is so depressing for them.

I struggle not being depressed. I struggle with the fact that my Mom is gone. Walking into a store filled with Christmas decor (her favoirte holiday) sends me into complete tears. Setting up my tree brings tears to my eyes as I think about all of the memories I have of my Moms tree that was always perfect.

Now... the reason..

I asked each of you to share something you were grateful for because I have found that I have to think of something each and every day in order for me to stay focussed. I have to remind my self of all the many ways my life has truely been enriched and not think about all of those things we struggle with day to day.

This year, Christmas will be a bit different. We are taking our children on a trip and that trip is their Christmas. My kids are older and past the "Santa" stage so when we asked them what they thought about it they were very excited and just fine with not receiving extra gifts on top of the trip. So.. my shopping list is not that long this year which I love. I am almost done. Whew.

So.. I am looking forward to the holiday a bit more then I usually do but still struggle with the added stress, time and MONEY this entire month. Is it just me?

Ok.. now for the reason for this post.. sorry... I got side tracked.

Turkey Day.

My favorite holiday. Why? No shopping. No obligations. Just food, family and love.

I have another confession. I love Darren's family with all of my heart.. BUT I would rather spend Thanksgiving with mine. Growing up, Thanksgiving was always a family favorite and my Mom spent years perfecting the recipes she would create that day. We were not raised close to extended family so for the most part, holidays were spent with just our little family. Each of my parents came from pretty disfunctional backgrounds so it was so important to my Mom to create new traditions and provide memories for us girls. I don't know how she did it. How in the heck did she provide Santa for six girls? I know she would shop year round but seriously... how?

So many times through the years, each of us girls would call her when we were doing our shopping. How do you make the stuffing? What do I need for the cranberry jello? What type of wine do we use to inject in the turkey?

This year, we went to my sisters house in Utah. One of my other sisters and her family came too so we had a large group. The past couple of years, we have traveled to Phoenix on Thanksgiving and spent the holiday with my sister there. While I missed the warmer weather this year, I have to admit that being in Utah so much fun and we were sure to create a TOOMBS family meal.

We made my Moms famous stuffing recipe. Trust me... whatever stuffing recipe you are using it doesn't compare to this one. In honor of my Mom, I posted it on the Taste of Home website. You can find it here

Teagan was very impressed at how quickly my sister Jen can peal potatos so she decided that he needed a quick lesson. He was thrilled. Can't you tell? (By the way... my sister Jen is an amazing cook. A talent I DO NOT have)

My Mom taught us how to cook a turkey. NOBODY else can cook a turkey like my Mom could and I mean NOBODY. We have each learned the tricks but oh how I miss her.

(Excuse the dark shadow on the right of this picture. ) We had a full house! My sister wanted us to all be able to sit down together so we moved around furniture and added an extra table. It was so much fun. The little kids even made name tags so we knew where our spot was. Very creative.

One of my FAVORITE things about the holidays is the fact that my children get to spend time with their cousins. Like I mentioned, I did not grow up with cousins. I have cousins I have never even met. Each of us girls decided a long time ago that we wanted our children to be close and that takes effort. We see each other often. When we travel, it is usually to see a sister. My kids love each of their cousins. When they were all younger, it was a challenge and their was a lot of drama but as they get older and we have a variety of ages they all seem to get a long pretty well.

 

 While we were upstairs cooking, apparently the 17 year olds thought it would be fun to jump off the couch with the 4 year old in hand. Ummmm.... what?

My two sisters and I went shopping the next day. Why do I do that? We stayed clear of the big box stores and just hit the mall which was insane but we had a great morning. I love my sisters more then I could ever express. We know everything about each other. Some things we might not want to know. :(

 
My favorite part of the weekend was Friday night when we took all of the kids to tour Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. It has been years since we went to see the lights and nativity. We don't live far at all and why we don't go more often is beyond me. I was reminded just how beautiful Temple Square is at Christmas time. As we toured through the visiting centers and took a few pictures, I couldn't help but notice that hundreds and hundreds of people that were there. People from all over the wold. People who just like us wanted their children to feel the spirit this holiday season. Please.. Please.. if you ever have a change to be in Salt Lake.. no matter what relgious beliefs are... take some time to walk the grounds of Temple Square. 

After we were done at Temple Square we stopped at Kneaders Bakery for a few treats on the way home. I couldn't resist taking a pic of this adorable tree. I love it! LOVE the simple, adorable decorations used on it. Totally random pic... just thought I would share....

 

SO... this week is going to be busy just as all weeks are. The countdown is on. The clock is ticking. Tell me what you are going to do or are doing to simplify your holiday? What neighbor ideas to you have? Are your Holidays filled with extended family or just your immediate family?

Leave me a comment and YOU might win a little Christmas goodness from me!

We have a {Winner}

Congrats Stayce! Yahoo! YOU won a FREE kit from ETM! Thanks for reading my blog and for leaving a comment! Be sure to email your shipping address at kim(at)expressthemoment.com

xoxoxxo

Daily GRATITUDE {Contest}

I can't believe it is already the middle of November. As I look back on this year, I seriously don't know where time has gone. I always feel like the holidays come so quickly and I am never ready. I know it is because we are a very busy family with demanding schedules and commitments. Not a week goes by that I don't have a full schedule every day. :(

I have had to teach myself to look for opportunities to slow down. I have had to teach myself to focus on living now and not always be so worried about what will happen next week or in a year from now.

With that, I have also had to find ways each and every day to be grateful for all I have. I tend to worry so much about all that we are struggling with. All that we are working towards. All those issues that each of us have. My life has been full of trials, as has everyones, but my life has also been filled with blessings and I am ashamed to admit that I am not always the best at recognizing those blessings.

So... take this challenge with me.... start today. Find a journal. Even just a note pad. Keep it beside your bed and each night journal something that you are grateful for. It doesn't have to be HUGE meaningful things. It might be something so simple as the blanket on your bed. Just write it down. Take the time to recognize what your are GRATEFUL for.

I will start..

 
I am so grateful for my family. As much as I love all of my extended family... I could never express just how much I love these four people in this picture.

 
It makes me tear up a bit. I remember being told as a young mother that time would go by so quickly and I almost wished for it a bit because I was so frazzled. I had two babies. TWO! I love my boys with all of my heart but the plain flat truth is that twins are hard work. When the reached the age of two, people started asking me when we would have another. That was NOT the question to ask me. Hello? I had two toddlers.

We were blessed to be able to time our next baby the way we hoped for and Katelyn joined our family when the boys had just turned five. Much better timing however, they were still very active. The past several years our life has been crazy. Raising children. A dog was added. (don't get me started) The boys are now juniors and Katelyn will enter junior high next year.

I find myself wishing time would slow down. I watch the clock knowing that within a short time my boys will no longer live at home. :( It is a feeling I can't desribe and one I am not ready for.

I look at them and am just so GRATEFUL that I have been blessed to be their mother. I am so GRATEFUL that the Lord placed in my life the children that he did. They are great kids. As with all families, we all have things we need to improve on, but they really are just amazing young people who have big hearts. AND they love their Dad. He is the favorite. I have accepted it. Mom doesn't have the best job. But it's ok... I love thier Dad too and LOVE seeing them play.

 

For some reason.. the boys think that because their is two of them they can take their Dad on... they always regret it.

 
Long post.. I know.. your turn.

Tell me what you are GRATEFUL for today. Right now. Are you going to keep a journal?

Leave me a comment. I will choose a lucky reader and send YOU the new November Moments kit featuring all new GRATITUDE paper by Teresa Collins!

OH and be sure to take a peak at the ETM Online Store this week! All 2010 kits are on sale! Just our way of showing our THANKS for you!

We have a WINNER!

Congratulations Ginger! Be sure to send me your shipping address to claim your kit! Send to kim@expressthemoment.com

The past couple of weeks have been so hectic. I keep thinking life will slow down a bit but it isn't happening. We had so much fun celebrating Halloween. Take a peak at a few pics from the night!

I decided that since football rules our life each fall, it was only fitting to dress the part. Of course our FAVORITE high school team is Skyline High School and our favorite college team is Boise State from right here in good 'ol Idaho. My sister Emily cheered for Boise State while in college and still had one of her uniforms so Katelyn was set!

My two sisters and their families and my Dad and his wife came to our church Halloween party with us that night. We had such a great time. Everyone dressed up. This was the first year we add wore a costume. It was so much fun!

This is a horrible picture of me and I can't believe I am posting it.. but it makes me laugh. My sister Natalie (aka: Madonna) was being typical Natalie and acting out a bit of a skit right before we were to have our picture taken. My son thought it would be a GREAT idea to snap the picture then.

Check out my Dads costume. My Dad is the most modest, conservative, political person I know. I was shocked to see him in a costume. It is a night I will never forget. We had a great time!

Check back this weekend. I can't wait to post my NEW contest idea!

 

I waiting... just waiting..

The past couple of weeks, the weather here in Eastern Idaho has been BEAUTIFUL! We have not had this nice of a fall for several years. We usually have extreme temperatures going from hot to cold. Not much spring.. not much fall.  I am waiting.. just waiting.. to wake up to a blanket of snow. BUT... the past couple of weeks have been perfect.

Perfect for staying on top of the leaves falling. We have acutally been able to rake a few times already and are avoiding a huge mess.

Perfect for FOOTBALL! We have lucked out. Each game, the weather has been perfect. We don't sit and freeze from being cold and wet.

Perfect for enjoying the out doors a bit. Perfect for all of the families in this area to snap a few family pics.

Last weekend, we took Kateyn to one of our local pumpkin patches. As you can guess.. the weather was perfect that day!

I don't care how old you are... it is always fun picking out your own pumpkin for the season. I told her it was a bit early to carve them, so she is waiting. Anxiously.

Katelyn and my niece also enjoyed exploring the straw maze that had been created. Here they are being Vannah showing off to the camera a bit. :)

And...

I couldn't resist a quick pic of my litle niece Alyson. Isn't she so stinkin cute? Love.. love.. her!

I have been thinking all week about what my favorite things are about this season. Have you ever thought about creating a layout or project showing what you love or dislike about each season?

I LOVE the colors of fall. Love how the leaves change. Don't like cleaning them up but LOVE the beauty and amazed at nature taking its course.

I LOVE the smell of fall. When I walk out to my car first thing in the morning, the air is crisp and cool. I can smell the leaves. My allergies have a fit.. but it is worth it.

I LOVE watching my son play football this time of year. There is not much better then a great high school game. I love the spirit of our school and am one proud Mama when he performs well. Again, I am also a nervous wreck at the chance of him being injured but I keep a silent prayer in my heart the entire game.

I LOVE to just be home. This time of year it turns dark much earlier. I love coming home, changing into my cozy sweats and just being home. I even don't mind cooking!

I LOVE looking forward to Thanksgiving. I dread Christmas, but LOVE Thanksgiving. This holiday reminds me so much of my Mom and each of my sisters and I love the day and try so hard to make the meal exactly as she did. There are certain recipes that are a must!

Wish us luck.. we are getting our family pictures taken this Saturday. This weather BETTER hold up! I can't wait to share a few with you but in the mean time.. tell me what YOU love about this time of year.

Don't worry.. I am still going to announce the winner of the contest from my previous post. There is still time to leave a comment there too!

Happy Fall!

BOO to YOU!

October already? Where has the time gone? I am not ready! I am not ready! October will come and go then it will be offically time to start thinking about Christmas. Gasp! :(

September and October are my most favorite times of the year. With the exception of the fact that my allergies go crazy.... I love this season. I love the change of colors. I love the cooler (not freezing) temperatures... LOVE a great football game and LOVE to just be home.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how quickly my children are growing and changing. Of course the stores are filled with Halloween costumes right now and I have to admit it makes me a bit sad. My boys are certainly past the age of wanting to dress up. I remember they would start talking about their costumes and what they wanted to be for months before the actual day. Before my Mom died, she enjoyed having each of us over each year for a potato bar then SHE woudl take the kids around the neighborhood and see that their bags were filled with the loot. She loved being able to send home kids that were on a sugar high. It was her form of pay back I think.

This was one of my most favorite costumes Katelyn has ever had. My sweet siser in law sewed the hat, bag and shirt. It has be reused by a few of the other cousins as well. See.. I miss my kids dressing up!

AND just as I think they are too old.. they come home looking like this. ( sorry for the bad pic. before my great camera days)

Anyway... I need your help! Our church is having a carnival/trunk or treating on the 30th and are asking that everyone including adults dress up. Keep in mind that this is a CHURCH activity and Darren and I are not wild and crazy type of people. Any ideas as to what we should dress up as?

Check out the NEW Value Kit I just added to the ETM Online Store Leave me a comment giving me some ideas and the above kit could be yours! Good luck!

Vegas Baby!

Congratulations Summer Braxton! You WON! You WON! Email me for your FREEBIE! (kim@expressthemoment.com)

Why is it that getting ready to leave town is so much work then coming home is also so much work?

Darren and I just returned from a week in Las Vegas. He had a conference for work so we decided to take mini get away and celebrate our anniversary while we were there.

We left on Monday and drove to Utah. I was asked to take some pictures of my niece and her friends for a display case at school. I decided that I love taking pictures of girls this age. They love to poise for the camera so getting a great shot is pretty easy.

Take a peak at a few of my favorite shots...

The above pic is of my niece Alyssa. She turns 17 on Thursday. Isn't she beautiful? I love her so much and can't believe she is already 17. Yikes!

This next picture is of one of her friends. I can't remember her name. :( I have not edited this shot at all. That is the real color of her eyes. No contacts. Just a bright, vibrant blue. Amazing!

  Such a pretty girl! The girls love this shot of them in the park bench.

 

Tuesday morning we drove through to Las Vegas. We stayed in a beautiful vacation resort. The weather was perfect all week. It was peaceful, quiet, and we were able to relax. Well... I was. Darren had his meetings every day but I slept in, relaxed around the pool and fit in a llittle shopping.

I have a love/hate relaltionship with Vegas. I LOVE to walk around and and amazed as to the massive hotels. Each hotel has it's own theme and has so many things to do. However, to see any of the amazing things, you have to walk through each casino. Darren and I don't drink, we don't smoke and I have never sat down at a gambeling tabel in my life so I am sure we stick out as the odd ones. I am a people watcher and honestly don't think that people doing all of those things are having a great time anyway. :(Plus.. I am very sensitive to smoke so I have to keep halls in my purse the entire time to keep my eyes from burning and me becoming so sick from all the smoke. :(

I am perfectly content being with my hubby... enjoying great food.. and even a couple of shows.

This trip we saw Donny and Marie Osmond. (Don't make fun of me. I like them!

AND... the highlight of the trip was us being able to see The Phantom of the Opera!

It has been a dream of ours for years to see this show. It was everything we dreamed it would be and more. We loved it!

Being gone for an entire week is much tougher on us then kids.... as you can imagine. We were very excited to go to the show but felt guilty about missing Michaels football game that night. After the show, we had to call and get the game report! :)

It was most likely a good thing that I wasn't there that night. He suffered a HUGE hit and had the wind totally knocked out of him. It took him a few minutes to get up and off the field. Poor kid. This Mama Grizz would have marched down on the field! (kidding... just kidding.. i know not to do that... i have been reminded that would embarass him.. )

All in all it was a great week. We had a LONG drive home and now I am trying to catch up from not working for a week but we will get there. So much to do to leave.. and now so much to do coming home.

Have a great week! I will be posting a NEW contest this weekend. I ordered oodles of new Value Kits for the ETM online store and can't wait to share!

 

 

It's time to be {INSPIRED} PLUS! New Contest!

WELCOME! WELCOME! to any new readers that found my blog from Samantha Walker I am so excited to feature her this month as our guest designer! Isn't she amazing?!

First and foremost.. CONGRATULATIONS to our two newest winners! Karen Propes and Becky Ball! You have WON a FREE value kit from ETM! Be sure to email me at kim@expressthemoment.com with your shipping address!

This Saturday, I will be spending the day teaching, scrapbooking, enjoying great food, and visiting with dear friends. I hope to inspire them... and most of all hope they all inspire me! I am so excited I can't stand it!

What will you be doing this weekend? Will you be able to spend some time preserving a few memories? Take a peak at a few of the projects created using this month's Express the Moment September Moments and Expressions Club Kits. Amazing!

It doesn't get easier then this! Each month, you receive an amazing kit filled to the brim with all coordinating products PLUS we show you ideas using what we have sent! Sweet!

I love how in the above layout, Samantha used the traditionally school themed products to create a layout all about the carnival!

Who doesn't need a new comp book for school? I know my daughter can't wait to make this one!

And just a few more..

 

Now.. for the fun part... tell me where you are finding inspiration these days? Whether it be inspiration for home decor, scrap projects, inspiration in parenting... ( please share that one!) Leave me a comment. You know the drill. I will choose a winner and send you a FREEBIE from ETM!

A glimpse into our life this week... PLUS! Another {CONTEST}

First and foremost... THANK YOU to all of those who left a comment on my blog this last week and WELCOME! WELCOME! to any new readers who found me from KevinandAmanda.com

I invite you to bookmark my blog and visit it often. We have a great time! PLUS don't forget to join the Express the Moment FACEBOOK page for MORE chances to WIN oodles of FREE stuff! (see sidebar for link)

Be sure to check back THIS WEEK! I will announce two winners. One from the previous post and one from this post. Good luck!

This past week has been crazy at our house. As soon as the football season begins, we eat, sleep and breath the sport. I have stood on the sidelines for years watching my boys play all sorts of sports. Football is definitely the passion in our home so I decided that it was time I learn a bit more about the game. I still don't understand all the technical stuff but I am getting there. I LOVE going to a game on Friday night. LOVE the atmosphere. LOVE hearing my sons name called over the intercom as he makes a play. I still have major anxiety each time he is hit and worry about injuries but so far so good. We have been so lucky and have avoided anything serious.

We are so blessed to live in an area where my kids are able to attend good schools. The parental support and school spirit and our high school is amazing. Each game is filled with excited fans who are dressed head to toe in blue. Hair is sprayed and faces are painted. This coming weekend is the biggest rival game in this area and it is between our high school and another one across town. It has been a longstanding rival for over 40 years I believe. We are so excited because it will be the first year that Michael is on the varsity team and will be playing so be sure to cheer for Skyline and #22!!!

We had our homecoming game Friday night (we won) and then the big homecoming dance was Saturday night. Michael decided that he didn't want to go and that he has better things to spend his money on. Which is fine by me.. I saved $$$ as well!

But.. Teagan was fired up. Ready to party it up. Well... not really party cuz he is a good kid and does not do any of that but he had a great night with a few of his buddies.

Dances has sure changed from when I was going to them. He picked his date up at 12:30 for their "day date" then back up again at 5:30 for the rest of the evening. I have made it a new tradition that if Mom is helping fund this little evening then their group must meet by the river for a few photos before they are on their way. At first, Teagan insisted that I was the ONLY Mom that would want to do that. I challenged him to let the other Mom's know of the plan. Guess what? All other Mom's and Dad's have shown up the past few dances because they want pictures too. Funny how that works?

We are so blessed. Our kids have wonderful friends. They really do. Above is a picture of Teagan with one of his best friends Zach. This young man is amazing! Such a great example to Teagan. We love him!

Teagan had a great night. He danced the night away with many of his friends. I love that they are making those memories and hope they always look back at high school as a positive time in their life. I know you couldn't pay me to go back to my high school days!

PHEW! This past weekend was crazy. Tell me how you spent your weekend? Do you find yourself at football games each Friday night like we do? Have your kids had their Homecoming Dance yet? Did you snap a few pics? Of what? Do you plan on creating a layout or two with those OR did you spend some time Scrapbooking?

Leave me a comment! I will choose a winner THIS WEEKEND and YOU will receive a Express the Moment Value Kit from me! Good luck!