Kim was born in Utah and is the oldest of 3 girls. She was only a year old though when they moved to Chico (northern) CA. A year later they moved to Mesa Arizona and three years after that to Fallon Nevada. Again after about a few years they made a more permanent home in Gillette Wyoming. They lived in Gillette for the next 7 years until Kim was in the 10th grade.
Growing up Kim was a huge tomboy. She wanted to grow up to be a cowgirl. She loved playing at her best friend's ranch and being around the horses and going to rodeos. She enjoyed roaming around with her friends catching lizards. She did dance and tried just about every sport one can think of, but never really could settle on just one.
Kim loved Wyoming when she was younger. Her parents would often take them to Big Sky Montana for vacations where they would do white water rafting and enjoy the beauties of state. She loved those vacations and even as a young girl was struck by beauty of nature.
When Kim was in 6th grade she became the school president. When she entered junior high, she went on to continue working on the student council. She served as the 8th and 9th grade class officer. She really enjoyed organizing and planning, especially the activities.
Right before Kim entered her high school , her family moved again. This time to Strongsville Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.. Kim said the beauty of Ohio was amazing. She says there is nothing as beautiful as Ohio in the fall. She loved being surrounded again by the glories of nature.
There was, however, a bit of culture shock in moving to Ohio. She went from having a group of LDS kids around her to being the only Mormon in her school. The kids there were very friendly to her and also quite inquisitive about what it was to be a Mormon. They kind of thought the Mormons were like the Amish. They wondered if we watched TV or danced. She was able to clear up some misconceptions, but really missed the support system of having members of her faith around.
During high school Kim found her sports niche by running cross country and track. She found she was actually very good at it. She was able to compete in region and state meets and made a lot of really close friends. She enjoyed traveling around with the varsity team and even going out of state, including a national meet in New York City. She still loves running and has done multiple half marathons.
After graduation, Kim was ready for a change of scenery. She received a schlorship to Utah State University and moved into Old Farm Apartments, a popular spot off campus. She joined the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, where she met a lot of great people.
Shortly after moving into Old Farm she noticed a really cute guy in one of the apartments. She met him and his roommates not long after moving in. A bunch of them all went on a big group date and there was one guy in the group named Brett Francom, who was a roommate to the guy Kim wanted. Kim was hoping to get to know the roommate that night, but Brett made sure she rode in the middle seat of his truck next to him on the date. Kim felt very awkward, since her roommate had a crush on Brett. Kim had to sit between Brett and her roommate the whole date! Since Brett didn’t know the whole story, he asked her out and shortly after and they became a steady item. They dated for a year and were then married in the Salt Lake Temple, a lifelong dream of Kim’s.
Following their marriage Kim and Brett continued their schooling. Prior to her marriage she had been working as a CNA pursuing a degree in pre-nursing. While it was a difficult job, she loved working in the nursing homes and being a friend to the people there. She felt it was almost a spiritual experience. However, she wasn't happy about the hours and often having to work holidays, so she decided to pursue another love of hers and switched her major to interior design.
After graduating Kim and Brett moved to Clearfield and she took a job with a design firm in Salt Lake called Interior Solutions. She enjoyed designing and working on many projects. Her favortie was designing a plastic surgery office. She had no budget constraints and the clients were a group of men who just let her do whatever she wanted!
After working there for 2 years, Brett and Kim decided they wanted to get serious about having a family and preparing for Kim to stay home with their kids. Kim starting free lancing her talents, starting her own interior design firm, Designs by KF. With this business, she switched from commercial design to residential design and event planning. She continues with this today.
Kim and Brett soon realized that having a family was not coming easily for them. They started down the heart-wrenching path of infertility testing and treatments. They did them all. Finally after using IVF they were blessed with their miracle twins. A boy and a girl. She says as she looks back on this time she can see how it brought them closer as a couple and they were able to enjoy time together and travel.
Having their babies made Kim and Brett think about their living situation. They needed a house with a little more room and they wanted to live in an area that was a little more family friendly. They started working with a real-estate agent who led them to this community. They found a spec house in the coveted cul-de-sac. They loved it! They talked with some of neighbors and found they were so friendly and accepting. They also loved all the children they saw out playing with each other. They were sold and moved into our neighborhood.
Kim loves living in Utah. She loves snowboarding and hiking and the outdoor adventures available to them and their children. Another thing she loves are all the great examples and wonderful people that surround their family. She always wanted that for her children.
I asked Kim what piece of advice she'd give now, given the trials she has gone through. She replied that because all our experience provides a foundation we stand on and you never know how a trial or experience will help you later in life. Since we don’t know what others are going through, we should always embrace kindness and avoid judging them.
I think Kim embraces that advice whole-heartedly. She is so positive and does not say unkind or anything judgmental. She always tries to look on the bright side of things. Kim is quiet and so enjoyable. I hope you take the time to get to know her and appreciate her and who knows? Maybe she'll have some great interior design advice for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment