Kimberly Tucker Carlile

Today just seemed appropriate to begin my monthly spotlighting as it is my dear friend and roommate, Kimberly "Anne"'s Birthday today!!
Kim and I went to High School together, but did not really get to know each other until we were roommates up at Utah State University. May I share with you a few memories and gemstones of this beautiful and one-of-a-kind gal, Kim Carlile....

*Whenever any of us were having a bad day, our hearts were immediately lifted by a handmade, heartfelt note and treat left on our beds. These were no ordinary notes either, but rather one of Kim's crafty creations with every scrapbooking delicacy you can imagine! Kim is the Queen of Cute!!

*My Journal Entry, October 13, 2000:
Would you ever believe, Friday, the 13th would end up being one of the funnest days I've had in a long time?? We awoke this morning to more rainy, foggy weather, but for some reason, it did not dampen our dispositions in the slightest, but rather gave us even more reason to get into the spirit of our favorite holiday...Christmas!! After a soothing cup of sweet hot apple cider, Rachelle, Kim, and I took our place on "stage" (aka-the living room), picked out a suitable microphone (mine was the iron), and then sang our hearts out and danced to Barry Manilow's Christmas tape! If only Holly wood could have seen us! We hummed Christmas songs for the rest of the day! Kim and I sang all the way to Walmart, by way of the Scrapbooking Store!.....(later that day) When I arrived home from the Service Center, I could hear "The Wizard of Oz" soundtrack blasting from Kim's room. I went up to go spy on my roomie...silly mistake! For the next 1/2 hour, Kim and I put on our "wild 'n' wacky" caps, dancing and singing to the Wiz of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. It was a total Kodak moment!...(PS-At this time, our other roomie, Tawni was out in Nauvoo for a Semester! We missed you, Tawni!!)

*If you could look through my Gratitude journal in college, you would discover pages and pages that include how incredibly grateful I was (and am!) for Kim. (i.e-#6. Cute Kimberly Anne!...she drove me to Smithfield to drop off Anne's coat today and then on the way back treated me to 2 prizes...a hamburger at Mickey Dee's and then pictures of us from the photo booth at Kmart!)

*When my dad was in town, he'd take Kim and I out to lunch to talk politics...for reals! We both had no idea who to vote for, so Dad would give us his tactful, non-bias opinion on each candidate and proposition.(often with our BRASC kids as well-We all worked at a disability employment center and often had our dear little kiddos with us)....Name that BRASC girl!.."Alright, Good Job, Whooo!"

*Going up to "our bench" that oversees beautiful Logan and our breathtaking Temple!...(okay, it was Kim's bench, but can I claim it too?)...remember going up to watch the sunrise with our journals, Frosted Flakes, and milk we bought from the gas station?...Kim is a Children's Book Queen of America! As we sat and watched the sunrise, Kim read one of our favorite's, "Fanny's Dream" while I held the flashlight.

*Kneeling in prayer together after a friend of ours was killed in a tragic car accident.

*Making peach cobbler in the dutch oven out on our front porch!

*A few other things I picked up from living with Kimberly Anne:
*You never EVER pick the first thing at the front of the shelf at the store. It is most likely covered in germs or dented, so you fish to the back for a more clean and properly packaged item!...Yes, Kim, now you've got ME doing that!

*Never EVER run your finger under the water while you are filling up the pitcher...GROSS!! I can't believe I did that one time and Kim rightfully gave me the "What For!"

*I admit I have been one to occasionally be a "bed kneeler" when I am already snuggled in my bed and my evening prayers are calling out to me! Kim taught me that it is the least we can do to show our respect to our Heavenly Father to get out of bed and kneel by our bedside. I will never forget that!



How blessed I am to have my Kimberly Anne in my life who has become a permanent piece of my heart! Today she is a beautiful mother of precious Abe and is currently living in North Carolina with her sweetheart, Ken. (Kim and Ken Carlile...how cute is that!) She graduated in Special Education and taught school for children with Autism until her baby Abe was born.

*As a tribute and gift to Kim, for all those who know her, please leave a special memory you have with her! If you don't know her, feel free to comment anyway!! You are special too!!!