Never Too Late for Greatness

"Carpe the diem! Seize the...carp!!" It's a line from one of my favorite shows, "Out Cold." The humor is sometimes a little raunchy, but the enjoyment factor of sometimes letting a movie wash over me and NOT need any mental energy to process anything is sometimes a much needed reprieve. This is when I love playing with my kids, no strategy, no "plan;" just them and me on the floor and going all out.

What I love the most about being a Dad, is that my kids love me. Sometimes I'm a little hot-tempered, and I hear Angela reminding me to "cool it" a little bit...but it's never very long afterwards that "hugs and kisses" abound and we're ready for something else fun to do.

Last night as I was getting ready to leave for work, my kids knelt in prayer with Angela and I, and then we kissed each other good-nights, and then all went silent as we helped them into their beds. It's a slice of heaven when they both go to bed peacefully, happily, willingly, and so sweet. I'm so proud to be their Father, and honored beyond description to be their Dad.

I may not be great at some things, but I vow today to be a great Dad tomorrow, the next day, and every day after that until it actually happens!!! :-)

The Me that I am not Anymore

Not to sound completely and totally crazy, but it's funny how a simple question can really make you think. "...I am not who I was and that person has gone away. That ever happen to you?" When you sit and honestly think about that statement/question, what comes to mind is actually quite interesting.

I am Kitchener; have been for almost 31 years now. That hasn't changed a whole lot. :-) However, yesterday I was a son. Today I am a Dad. Tomorrow I will be a grandfather. Yesterday I was a brother-in-law, today I'm an uncle.

It's funny how my life has "Chapters." Each grade in elementary school was a chapter, Jr. High was a chapter, for some reason High school seems like a collection of short stories all brought together in a collection of sorts, then the mission, and everything else until I got married (college, dating, heartache, pain, no sleep, depression, endurance)...AND THEN MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!! That story has been much more exciting!! Pregnancy, child birth, first apartment, second, third, fourth, etc. :-) A MORTGAGE!!!!!

My mission mom once shared a thought, "Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery (waiting to be revealed and explored), Today is a gift." Yesterday I was thinner, today...not so much. But I am so happy! I wouldn't go back to being single or back in college for ANYTHING!! There are moments that I recall from yesterday that make my heart break. There are moments I would like to experience again. I am so grateful for memories and the feelings that I am able to take with me; sometimes there is something tangible that brings them back suddenly...almost as if I was there again.

I may not play the role I had yesterday, but I am still the "star" in my own performance. I have an innumerable cast of co-stars that add an entire spectrum of spice, drama, and pizazz to my life, but I'm still Me.

I am Kitchener. Honored son of Paul and Gale, incredibly blessed husband to Angela; lucky parent to Kitchener Jaxon and Lia Eliza-Sonja; humble sibling to Jenny, Jason, and Mike; grateful son-in-law of Mark and Jonni; brother-in-law to my best friends Andrew, Wendi, Sarah, Cameron, Aaron, Ian, Corby, Emily, and Em; proud uncle to Hayden, Ahlia, and Eliza, indebted grandson to Kitchener Edward & Sonja, Boyd and Leila and Claron, little (big) nephew to some of the most incredible Aunts and Uncles that this earth had ever known; and a cousin to some pretty amazing and incredible people that inspire, motivate and love me; I can't even begin to number the several special and dear friends that have enriched my life. I couldn't number all of my blessings. :-)

In more ways than one (metaphorically and physically) I am not the same as yesterday. I am; however, so blessed and happy to be who and where I am today. It's probably a good thing that I can't step into the same stream twice. A running stream is cool, refreshing, clean...full of opportunities and adventures; water that doesn't move and is stagnant is usually dirty. There's a reason we don't bathe in the same bath water. :-) BRING ON THE RAIN!! I can't wait to jump into that stream! I love you! Remember that. You are counted and numbered, and I value you more than you will ever know!! The ties that bind us run deep and eternal; remember that!

Christmas Card Pictures 2009

These were potential Christmas Card pixs that we were going to send out this year, we could only choose one...but here we can share them all! :-) Merry Christmas to all our Dear Loved Ones!!! May the Lord's blessings find you this year happy, healthy, and secure!

aSk anD YoU ShALl ReCieVe!!

Okay everybody; Cabella's may be one of the most amazing sportsman wear store to visit but it also has things for the kids in us too! At the store here in Utah County right off Thanksgiving Point, they have this HUGE fish aquarium where they have: catfish, large mouth bass, Muskies, and river trout! They even feed the bigger catfish little tiny goldfish!! Jaxon loves going to the aguarium, and says, "We going to see the fish???!!" *each word is rising higher and higher in octaves of excitement* He loves it there, and we get a real kick out of taking him. We even got some really good pictures of Jaxon having a "staredown" with one of the bigger Muskies. Enjoy!!!

DOes tHiS EVen stIlL wOrK!?!

It has been so long since I have even accessed this blog, I was shocked to find that I could still remember the password and login! :-) So much has happened, we both have new jobs, I'm an RN, Angela is a health coach in SLC, our kids are healthy, happy, and getting older/bigger all the time!! Our little dog Roxie (a Boston Terrier) is so freakin' hyper she is almost a bother for the first twenty minutes, but then she settles down and relaxes by us. We just bought a home, LOVE IT!!! Love our neighbors, friends, ward, and location! The snow was crazy for awhile, but it's died down a little, and now it's great! Life is good. Things are good; it's almost like we were in the fire so long, it's so relaxing to have a little break for awhile. Nursing school was really tough, but it was so worth it!! Much love to you for stopping by, and remembering that we still had a blog! Aloha!! Come on back for updates...it might be fun to update this every once in awhile! -Kitch

Our WONDERFUL Camer!!!

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT -- Cameron Campbell was critically injured Thursday afternoon in an accident on State Street in Orem.Orem police say, Cameron, a 22-year-old man was travelling north before 1 p.m. at 1150 S. State St. when a southbound van driven by a 50-year-old woman made a U-turn in front of him. Cameron struck the front right side of the van, throwing him from his motorcycle.Cameron was reportedly not wearing a helmet and was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in critical condition with head injuries. Police are still investigating the accident.

Status update: Cameron is still in a coma in the ICU. The doctor said he is in a "light" coma, which mean progression. His left elbow was found to be broken and is now in a splint. Surgery will be required. The pressure in is brain is looking better each day. Baby steps.

Cameron Campbell is one of the most patient, kind-hearted, obedient, loyal and loving people we know!!! He loves is sweet, loving wife with all of his heart and shows it in every way! Jaxon everyday says" Camers sleeping?, Camers getting better!!" I know our little 3 yr old has faith that is cool uncle will pull through this. And by listening to him and the feelings in my heart from our Heavenly Father, I KNOW he will too. We pray and fast for his recovery!! Please help us continue to pray and support our sweet brother in law, our wonderful brother, Cameron.

Our prayers are also with his sweet wife, Sarah. Sarah is 20 weeks pregnant with their first baby!! Sarah continue to be strong and be positive in the tiny miracles of each day!! YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS, and so WILL CAMERON!! We pray for you and your little miracle inside. We all are here for you and your family!!

Funny Kids and Quotes!

OUR FAVORITE OF LIA!!!

OUR SWEET BOY!!

This kid LOVES hats and bikes!

Lia, just like her brother, likes to say "oohh"

SO BIG!!!

"Daddy, my turn!"

So cute!!

Our beautiful Angel!

Our handsome little MAN!

So everyone has been telling me to write down the funny things my kids say, and now that I think about it, I'd better. Lia right now is saying "momma", "dadda" and "bubba". We swear she has also said "bath" and "what?"(but we aren't sure). Jaxon has said many cute and funny things. Some of which are "momma I hold you", that is said when he wants me to hold him. He used to call me "babe" because he heard Kitch call me that. "You ok?" is one of his most recent quotes when he sees me getting upset. There are more, I can't remember them all, Kitch will post more I am sure! I just love my Kiddies so much!!