A letter to Jasmine-Happy 5th Birthday

Happy Happy 5th Birthday to my beautiful daughter Jasmine Emma! I can't believe it has been 5 years since you were born. I remember the night you were born so perfectly. It was getting real cold out but there wasn't any snow on the ground yet. Your due date was on the 21st of October but I wanted to meet your pretty face so much i had them induce my labor early. You took 21 hours to finally get here but it was worth the wait! We were all speechless and so happy when you got here...i clearly remember this special moment when you reached up and held your father's pinkie finger and watching the tears run down his face, how proud and happy we both were. You had beautiful thick black hair and these piercing blue eyes...you were perfect. I have so many years of such amazing memories with you and I am so proud to be your momma. The memories all have been running through my head this morning, the mornings watching cartoons and laying in bed laughing tell mid afternoon. The trips in the car and you singing "Country girl shake it for me girl" haha. The time down at Stoie's bridge when you were playing in sut and you got it all over your face. The time you got a really bad flu bug and holding you and rocking you for two days straight because that was the only way to comfort you so you could sleep. The time you caught your first fish, you were so excited! Now it has been five years and I am missing your birthday. There is no apology or excuse that can make this ok, but I do know I would do anything to be there with you! Your dad has strict orders to send me lots of pictures and I get to talk to you on the phone later and I can't wait!!! I love you more than the moon loves the stars and the sun loves the sky, Happy Birthday my baby girl! I love you so much! Love, Momma

Norstebon Family Recipe

This entire journey so far has been so life changing for me...I have learned so much about myself this whole way and have changed only for the better. I have seen so many family's that are broken and heard stories of people that don't even speak with there family. This breaks my heart but reminds me of how lucky I am.

I am Kimberly Emma Norstebon and I am damn proud of it! Being a Norstebon is not just a name it is a life style and a privilege. It means that family is always first, that you must have way more children than you planned on, and that success is measured by who is laughing the loudest when we get together. Being a Norstebon is being selfless on certain occasions and sharing your beer, stating your opinion loudly at all times even if no one cares, and fighting vigorously for what you believe in no matter what. Being a Norstebon mean's loving with every bit you got even your enemies, indian leg wrestling at every family occasion, and knowing the most miraculous nights happen around a bon fire. Being a Norstebon means for Christmas we knock over our tree every year, take cleavage shots as a formal photo, and all our friends show up because yah we are that awesome to be around.

Being in my family is something miraculous that i wish others could learn to do with their families. My best advice for a family recipe like this is let the BS go, forget all the small stuff and drama. Appreciate who and what you have. Always be there for each no matter what. And also know when to and not to over step your boundries... this is especially important. You need to be able to have your own life and your family doesn't need to run it for you even if your screwing it up. The best thing that had happened to me was hitting rock bottom. My family watched it all happen but did nothing...why...cause i needed to learn. But when I finally hit this point they helped me pick myself up again.

A beautiful Storm

I love storms, from a snow storm, to a tornado, and especially thunderstorms. The day usually starts off quiet and calm, than the clouds roll in and it begins to thunder than followed by lightning. The wind blows and the rain pours down. Full of chaos and force. I have always been fascinated by this since I was a little girl. The most beautiful thing about it is the rainbow at the end with the sun shining brightly. I have endured many storms of my own, some smaller than others. But I have found there is always a rainbow at the end. Life is never fair and when a storm has appeared it may seem like it will never end. I have had more magical amazing moments in my life than storms, but sometimes it takes a storm for us to hold on to these moments. I have watched my life crumble around me, but I have always had someone to help me put it back together again. In the end I have become wiser for it and there is always a reason these things happen, a bigger purpose, even if you don't see it at the time. I watch friends/family struggle with things that they shouldn't have to go through, but I was taught by a very wise woman that the best help sometimes is no help at all. Sometimes as a friend, family, or even parent you have got to watch them fall flat on there face and just be there for them when it happens. I feel everyone has there own path so how can you tell a person what to do or how to feel, you can't. So my best advice if you going to help them is to ask what do you want with your life? Are you going to hide or run from the storm? Or are you going to embrace it and enjoy all the things god gave us? "It's never to late to be what you might have been." - George Elliot A marvelous first step to this might just be a black cup of coffee and an open ear that you trust. This is one thing I learned from back home, going for coffee is like therapy, at least for us women.

"AFTER THE STORM BY MUMFORD AND SONS"

And after the storm,
I run and run as the rains come
And I look up, I look up,
on my knees and out of luck,
I look up.

Night has always pushed up day
You must know life to see decay
But I won't rot, I won't rot
Not this mind and not this heart,
I won't rot.

And I took you by the hand
And we stood tall,
And remembered our own land,
What we lived for.

And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.

And now I cling to what I knew
I saw exactly what was true
But oh no more.
That's why I hold,
That's why I hold with all I have.
That's why I hold.

I will die alone and be left there.
Well I guess I'll just go home,
Oh God knows where.
Because death is just so full and mine so small.
Well I'm scared of what's behind and what's before."

LOVE THE BEACH

Reggie in the Water


Hey everyone! How have you been? Things have been going pretty well here! Last weekend to on Sunday I had a fabulous day rewarding myself for getting A's on my midterms. On Sunday our apartment had a bbq for the residents that was fun. They had food, face paintings, a petting zoo, pony rides, big blow up jumping castles, and over 40 reptiles to hold. So we went down and had lunch and I held a python which was pretty cool. Saw a 150 pound turtle too, I LOVE turtles. Afterwards since it was almost 80 degrees out which doesn't happen here to often, Shawn had promised to take me to the beach, so we went to this beach in Pacifica. It is a beach we found about 15 minute drive from us that we had seen on an earlier trip there. So we went and it was so perfect! It's a beach on the Pacific Ocean with a pier, a little cafe, a boardwalk, not to many people, and amazing views! We brought a blanket, towels, some water, and just layed in the sun for a few hours tanning. Than we played in the surf for awhile and headed home. It was a great way to end the weekend. Other than that I've just been doing homework and hanging at home. O yah, and in and out of the dentist, two more root canals...this accident haunts me still apparently. I hate all of it and the pain sucks but I got to do it I guess. O and Jasmine lost her first tooth this week, I can't believe it! She is so happy about becoming a big girl...it makes me a little sad, but a very proud mamma! But I suppose I'm gonna sign off. O yah and I forgot I'm not sure If I mentioned my trip to Vegas and Orange County before I came back to SF. They were both amazing I got to see my best friend Chase in Vegas and see the strip. And I got to see where my boyfriend grew up and meet his little sisters, whom were great.

Chase and I the day I flew in to see Shawn

Fremont street Downtown Vegas

Shawn's dad's backyard and view from Orange County

Birthday's when your older...

So things around here have been a little stressful but over all good. School is still going great! I'm starting my fourth week of class and I still have straight A's. i have been watching this great show called brother's and sister's, I love it and highly recommend it. It in a weird way reminds me of my own family. Were all a little crazy and there is always stress and complicated issues, but at the end of the day we all love each other and support each other very much! And that is what brings me to my title, birthday's when you get older.

Tomorrow is my eldest sister's birthday, she will be 31 I believe, it get's hard to keep track with such a big family. My best friend Chase's birthday is today and it was my boyfriends birthday a few weeks ago. I noticed the older we get the less fuss we make of birthday's, some even say birthday parties are for kids. I highly disagree with all that. I think there is always great reason to celebrate your birthday know matter how old you are. I know your all thinking i'm just saying this because my birthday is around the corner and I'm just spoiled and want tons of presents, which is partially true ;) haha. But honestly the truth is it is a time to celebrate life and that god has given us another fabulous year. Life is a blessing and I think we all at some point lose track of that. We get caught up in school, work, stressful things, and how sometimes things can be hard. But on our birthday we should celebrate being here, and having the wonderful people and things in our lives. I am about to turn 23 years old. Man where did the time go? I have a daughter who is about to turn 5 years old. the older I get I feel the faster time flies by and the more i realize how precious it is. All the great memories I have made in this past year and how blessed of a life I have. I think it is a day to let go of everything we are caught up in and just enjoy the day with close friends and family. It makes me a little sad because this year will be the first year i will be celebrating my birthday without my family. I never had a huge party or anything before, not by choice necessarily because I was born opening weekend of deer season, but I have very fond memories the last few years on my birthday. Going to the fashion show with my mom and sister. Getting new shoes which I LOVE! Than going out with them and my best friends to the bar for a few drinks and than always up to deer camp after. So this year will be different of course but i'm sure it will be great all the same. And for my Jazzy Pooh, I pray I could maybe make it home around her birthday if I get this job with Delta, but if not I will celebrate her birthday when I do make it home! As kids birthday's are about presents and cake, but even now when I think back when I was young. My memories weren't of the presents or the cake. They were of all my friends and family that were there.

So here is to everyone that has a birthday coming up. Happy Happy Happy Birthday! Celebrate your life with the ones you love, and look forward to another great year! Stop being modest and let your hair down for a night. Remember, you only live once, live it to the fullest! So on your birthday share a bottle of wine with your special some one, share your cake with your children and save the biggest piece for yourself this time, make jokes and talk about great memories with old friends, make new memories with new friends, and go to bed looking forward to another year. I love you all!

To Better Health

SF on our drive in to the city

also from our drive in to SF, fog coming over the hills. I see this everyday out here. It's so beautiful


I have now started my second week of class, and I love it so far! I am taking 2 classes every nine weeks. My current classes are Introduction to University Studies and Foundations to Personal Finance. They have been fairly easy and I just got my first weeks grades back and I got perfect scores. The website is easy to navigate and I think online school was a great choice. My major is Travel and Tourism Management which I love, but I am still not exactly sure what I want to do as far as a career yet. Hopefully I will figure that out by the time I finish school. I am hoping as long as all my roommates decide to stay for summer semester I can stay and also do summer semester which would enable me to finish school in about 18 months. Than I will full fill my promise to my princess Jasmine, and bring her here and take her to Disney Land. I can not wait! All this work is going to be well worth it!

Not only am I working on a healthy mind but now I am working on a healthy body. I have been eating really healthy, no eating out. Just cooking at home. Lots of fruits and veggies! I also have been working out in the gym at my apartment. It feels great! Shawn is trying to quit smoking, so I am trying to be supportive and have cut back a lot. I might even quit myself, but we will see.

Life is fabulous, still settling in, I think I will get even more done once the boys start their classes on Thursday. I won't have as much distractions, even though they are so entertaining! They both just woke up and they are rapping back and forth about sesame street and i'm laughing so hard I can barely get this blog done. The other day we drove in to the city and picked up some stuff we left at our friends house and spent some time with our friends. Driving in the city was terrible, never want to do that again.

boys playing the WII

me goofing around

*Jasmine Summer*

Man i know it's been a while....ok yes I haven't wrote anything all summer but in my defense...I had no internet. But I will catch u up on what's been happenin! I did make it home eventually...and Shawn barely survived his trip to the boondocks. He ended up getting very sick while he was visiting and was in the hospital, but apparently he didn't hate it to much cause he would still come back to visit again. So after Shawn left and reality kicked in I started bartending at my favorite little bar in Badger called Across the Street or the ATS. I loved my job there and had a lot of fun and saved some money to get back to school. I spent lots of evenings with my family at the riverbank fishing. I spent time with old friends and new ones. I watched my best friend Kayla get married to a really great guy. But the ultimate part of my summer was Jasmine Emma!!!! I got to spend almost everyday with her and I just can't believe how much she has grown up! my little girl is going to become a young lady before I know it. I need to finish school so I don't miss to much. I learned some hard lessons this summer, I found out how cruel some people can be. (for some reason I still think all people should be nice) I know that having a seperated home for my child is always going to be a struggle/battle..but I have learned to be the bigger person and to control my temper. And I also learned that I don't think I ever want to come home other than for a short vacation again. My summer home was great don't get me wrong but I don't want to live there and I am not happy living there. This leaves me with a problem though, what about Jasmine...well I had a couple of things that would make this work. But the ideal oppurtunity just came my way when I got back to San Francisco. I had gotten back in to San Francisco late Thursday night and moved into our new apartment. 2 of our room mates were already here, Lauren and Trevor, they helped us unpack and showed us around. After all that was done Lauren mentions to me that Delta Airlines is hiring, where she works. This would be the perfect job for me. Really good pay and me and my immidiate family fly's for free basically. I could go see jasmine whenever i want!!!! So please say a little prayer for me to get this job!!!! Ok....so man I have covered alot of things already i don't want to overwhelm you. And I feel really scatter brained today....for an ending note for the day...I usually never dream...but lately I have been having bad dreams every night. But they're like i didn't get the job i wanted, or I cut myself shaving and the cut hurt really bad and bled on my favorite dress just dumb things like this. Does it mean anything?