sibling rivalry

So this is the sign that was posted on Will's bedroom door all week. I think it's hilarious, poor Lucy! (the word you probably can't read after "sometimes the" is "girls" meaning Abby and Phoebe, at our house) But do you know what the little sassafrass said when Will read the sign to her? "we have a open door policy." No sign is keeping her out of anywhere! Although she did stay out, probably just to show Will that she didn't want to go into his boring old room, anyways! Then yesterday when it was the small portion of the day that they get along, when Will was away at kindergarten, Lucy said, "Bud can take his sign down now, cuz i'm being nice to him today!" and she repeated the message to him as soon as she saw him. The sign is now lying on the table. I guess she WAS nice enough. ( Luckily, it doesn't take much to win Willie over. )

Go Jazz!

So I'm sitting here waiting for my kids to get home, making their lists for them to do (yay, short day!) and reading my e-mails. I came across this link from my mom. At the Jazz game last week they took her picture w/some of the kids. I wish I could just post the picture, but it won't let me, so here's the link: http://utahjazz.smugmug.com/ Go to March 22 game, green card, p. 4, pictures 53 and 54. Notice my mom's ginormous ice cream cone! Oh I can't stop laughing...there she is with 4 little kids (3 are mine, the extra is my little nephew, Ezra) and she's the only one with ice cream, and why is she holding it aloft like it's the olympic torch? Hahahahha...
also, I found the pictures on there from when we went on willie's birthday... Jan. 18, dark blue card, p. 4 pictures 13 & 14. I'm sure there is an easier way to do this, but I haven't figured it out yet. Enjoy!

Arnell's Easter

this is hard! Next time I'll stick to a slide show! Anyways, we need a Do-over for Easter at our house! Friday I was able to take the kids out to get their shoes and accessories still needed for Sunday, but by Friday night I was sick, and actually only worked for 2 hours. I came home at 8 and we were all in bed by 9:30, hoping rest would help me so I could be ready for the weekend. Saturday we had planned egg dying at my moms at 11, a weenie roast at noon and a Jazz game at 5. Brandon was sick saturday morning also, so we ended up sending our big girls over to gram's but the little ones stayed home with us, i didn't want to overwhelm Gram by sending all 5 of my little hooligans over without a parent! we got up the energy to go over at noon for the fire, but I sat in the house and my kids ran around outside all day with brandons meager attempts at discipline. The Jazz game was great, but neither Brandon nor I could get too overly excited about it. Thank goodness for Pop and Gram! I think all 5 our kids were sitting on them and Shaury and David while Brandon and I sat staring into space on a row by ourselves. ugh. (Oh, I guess I wasn't too sick to ask the scary lady next to me to watch her language around my daughter, or maybe I should say I was sick enough to ask her...she was way nice about it, luckily.) So home to bed and hoping for a better day on sunday. I did manage the Easter Brunch, with lots of help from my girls. It was so very lovely. i totally copied the entire Family Fun Magazine idea, and it turned out wonderful. We even got out the china! The problem was we were too sick saturday to go buy a beautiful tablecloth, so we borrowed my moms, but it worked. (Owen was asleep and Brandon was too sick to pose for pictures.) All but Brandon made it to church, and then we drug ourselves over to moms again for dinner with the cousins, and a quick egg hunt at Tiff's across the street. Monday morning I felt better, but was stuck cleaning up the aftermath of an entire weekend of the house being run by children. What a Mess!!!!! I think my kids had a great weekend, but I still have plain boiled eggs in my fridge and a box of dye on my counter...my little ones didn't even get to dye eggs! and yesterday lucy was eating a peep at grams and told me "I didn't even get a Peep on Easter!" She was sad. It only made it half way better that she was eating one then, and that she had plenty of other candy at home...I guess it's a good thing easter won't be this early again for 224 years. I wasn't ready! I didn't even get many pictures, because I gave that job to brandon, and after looking at the ones he took today, these 2 of Odie were the only ones that weren't blurry or of the back of heads. Good try, B. :)

Brandon told me my post about my mom was a little mean. I love my mom. She has since visited my blog, and left me a nice comment. thanks, mom, sorry if i hurt your feelings. I had my feelings hurt on someone's blog before, so i deleted this post. I left the picture, though, because I really like it. :)

It's All Good
I love this picture of my Lucy. She was, as you can plainly see, raggedy ann for halloween last year. brandon's mom made the cute costume for phoebe when she was 3. I love it. I wanted to blog today, because i've been on my computer all day, but I have a lot swirling around in my head and can't come up with a subject to focus on. when I was rocking lucy for her nap, (yes, I still rock my 3 year old, don't ask) the phrase "it's all good" came to mind. years ago, a little hippie girl called Summer Day worked with my dad and Brandon. She used this phrase frequently, and i think it drove my dad and brandon crazy, but i still like to use it occasionally, to remind myself not to get so "worked up" over things. I have a friend whose husband likes to use the following analogy. Your mind is like a stage, and you cast the players on that stage. Do not let hurtful people on your stage! so that's what i'm trying to do. clear the stage, and make room for the main act, which, i am learning in my loverly book club book this month, should be Christ. I don't want to make religious postings really, but it's a thought provoking book. which brings me to another point, last month in book club we were supposed to say a trait about ourselves that we liked. I went second. I said a dumb one, especially now that i've been reading this book. I want a do-over. and plus...i think mine would have been different that very night if i had been a little later in the line up. I know this is random ramblings to most of you, but if i happen to have a few of the "ladies..." reading, just know this, i realize that was a dumb thing to say. (and don't hold me to the do over unless you all want to go again, too.) most likely i have no one that understands a word i'm saying reading this, sorry. my point is, when i'm with my sweet lucy, reading to, singing to and rocking her, i am reminded that it is indeed, "all good." I am truly blessed. I don't at all mean to offend by doing my own little blogging thing. it's just a way for me to journal my life, ramble occasionally, and connect with friends who are interested in said ramblings. I'm not out to impress anyone or change the world one blog at a time, so to speak, I'm just doing my best with my little family, and that, dear reader, is what is on my stage.

Will turned 6 in January. I've been wanting to do a slide show on my blog, and decided his birthday party would be my first subject. We had it at Jungle Jim's and it was so much fun to see him with all of his little buddies! I just realized I could get in trouble for not getting permission to publish pictures of the other little guys. Please don't sue me if you see your child's photo! Anyway, enjoy! P.S. I think I figured out a little too late how to put my post and the slideshow on the same post...maybe next time!

I read a friend's blog this morning, and have been thinking about it ever since. She had a post where she listed 100 (it may have been 101) random things about herself. I have been thinking of 100 random things about myself all day, so decided to sit down for 20 min. and get it out of my head. so here they are, in no particular order, 100 random things that you may, or may not, know about me...
1. Sometimes, I think my kids are perfect. Other times, I worry so much about their imperfections that it makes me sick.
2. I have to remind myself how perfect my husband is. (if my mom doesn't remind me enough.)
3. I love anything chocolate. I actually love to eat, period.
4. I wish I excercised more.
5. I wish my house had more windows.
6. I don't eat red meat, all because of a good friend in High School, (yes, it's Jeffie) who has since passed away.
7. I can count on one hand the people who REALLY know me, and more than half of them I don't have much contact with anymore.
8. There are a few people in my life today that I would like to know better, and to let them get to know me.
9. It takes effort to be my friend, I know. Thanks for making the effort, Ta.
10. I'm a loner, and I don't mind.
11. Sometimes I swear I have OCD.
12. I still lay out all 5 of my kids clothes for the next day, and only Lucy (3) doesnt wear what I choose.
13. I spend way too much money on kids clothes. Not that they're the best dressed kids on the block, it's not name brand I'm going for, just quality and I'm picky about details.
14. Brandon actually "gets" me on this, and agrees and supports my weirdness about it.
15. I don't let my kids watch tv at all on school days/nights, but as soon as they are in bed, (when I'm not working) Brandon and I watch way too much tv that is probably inappropriate.
16. I watch too much MTV.
17. I'm not as nice to brandon as he is to me.
18. I see myself as a very negative person, and I don't like it at all! that is the personality trait that I constantly work on.
19. I look up to people (one family in particular) who strive to be active with their kids. I try, but we're not quite as good as I'd like to be...yet!
20. I am not a clean freak.
21. I LOVE to bake! Yummy treats to share.
22. I feel offended when people act like being shy is a bad thing. It's not, unless you don't like to be shy, then you can work on that and not be shy anymore if you want, but I'm fine with being shy most of the time.
23. I love to sing, it is my favorite talent.
24. I wish so bad I could play the guitar, Brandon gave me one for my birthday years ago, but I can't do much with it.
25. I don't like when people brag about their kids. It makes me jealous and I want to brag about mine, but I know people don't want to hear it unless they are: a. Grandma, b. another close relative with no young children or grandchildren of their own. or c. a best friend, who knows that you love their kids as much as they love yours. You know, a cute little comment here and there is always fun to hear, but we all know people who just brag constantly!
26. I don't like guns and other weapons at all. even toy ones. I think some parents don't take violence serious enough.
27. Brandon also agrees with me on that one.
28. My cousin once told me that Brandon and I are soul mates. that was one of the best compliments I have received, and I have never forgotten it.
29. Some people think brandon just agrees with me because he's afraid not too, but they just don't understand us. We have been through alot together that other people don't even know about. Brandon is awesome!
30. We really didn't want any boys on our third pregnancy, but now the boys we got are golden!
31. When I was a kid, I wanted 5 boys. I couldn't picture myself with girls!
32. I love going to the temple with Brandon. We didn't go for alot of years, and now we are trying to go again, and I know he feels the same way about it as I do.
33. When I was a kid, I was terrified of growing up.
34. When I was a kid, I had a constant story running in my head. I thought I was going to write a book someday.
35. I love all 4 seasons in Utah. I try not to ever complain about the weather. It is a part of nature, and I love the amazing world God created for us.
36. I wish I grew a garden.
37. I seriously NEED a new kitchen.
38. I would rather go to Yellowstone than Disneyland, and love that my kids feel the same.
39. I don't like to read LDS books, novels or otherwise.
40. I didn't love the Twilight Series as much as everyone else.
41. I do love Harry Potter, and listen to the books on tape over and over again.
42. I wish Brandon and I were farmers.
43. I went to 2 years of college and have nothing to show for it, except I did learn alot of life lessons. :)
44. I often wonder what happened to alot of the people that I was close to at college.
45. Brandon dated a Utah Jazz Dancer, but I dated a College Basketball Player (Montana State). I think they're equal, but he makes a bigger deal about his.
46. I don't shave my legs, except for in the summer. (I used to not shave at all.)
47. I usually have a child in bed with me, and I don't mind.
48. I love Bajio's.
49. I recycle everything I possibly can.
50. I don't love being involved in the pta.
51. I can't believe Abby is going to enter SJH this fall!
52. I have tremendous guilt about working, but I also have guilt when I don't work, so I do.
53. I think my dad is all-knowing, never wrong.
54. My mom is one of my favorite people.
55. I don't understand why people hate laundry so bad.
56. I am very intimidated by Brandon's family. Still...I don't think I'll ever get over it. They're all very nice, though, don't get the wrong idea.
57. Sometimes I think I share my opinion too much in book club. they think i'm a heathen.
58. I'm copying someone here...I, too, feel stupid in sunday school.
59. I cannot call people on the phone unless I absolutely have to. I make Brandon, Abby even Phoebe sometimes. It's a disorder.
60. I am very uncomfortable at large gatherings.
61. I am very uncomfortable wearing make-up.
62. I love getting text messages from my husband and my mom. and probably anyone else, they are just the only ones I get them from.
63. I am in a dinner group and I absolutely LOVE it!
64. When people tell me how busy they are, it bugs me, because I think EVERYONE is busy, just in different ways.
65. I hope my children never have self-esteem issues.
66. I am very hard on Abby, because she is my oldest, and I see myself in her.
67. I don't like going to the dentist, but not for the same reason as most people. It's the shy thing again.
68. My dryer just buzzed.
69. My best girlfriend moved too far away, and I'm afraid she's never coming back! (miss you, Ta)
70. I actually like to sit in the nursery with Odie, or the Primary with Lucy, sometimes!
71. I almost don't want anyone to read my blog. It kind of makes me uncomfortable.
72. I skipped 1st grade. I don't recommend it.
73. I don't care if people think i'm weird, but I don't like people to think i'm dumb.
74. I work at IRS
75. If I had another baby, she would be named Lily. He would be named maybe Ammon? or jack.
76. I miss my childhood best friend alot, I can't understand why it's so hard to reconnect.
77. I don't do my own taxes.
78. My parents still spoil me.
79. I married Travis Poll when we were 5. It was our brothers idea.
80. I married Justin Poll in 2nd grade, Mrs. Chambers class. He is still not married, and every time I see his mom, she blames me for this.
81. My first kiss was Jared Poll. (I guess Polls are all you have to choose from in SW.) I'll skip the details, since Abby is my faithful blog reader. But I was definitely quite a bit older than she is now.
82. When I'm at work, I realize that there are alot of people in the world that aren't very nice.
83. I am obsessed with names. My best friend and I used to analyze them daily when we worked together.
84. I think Snoop Dogg is sexy.
85. I love Apolo Anton Ohno.
86. Book Club is the highlight of my month.
87. My hair is longer than you realize. I wear it up all the time.
88. My sons are both named after grandfathers.
89. I'm more sensitive than I let on.
90. I don't cry very much, but I get tears in my eyes, happy and sad, about my kids constantly.
91. My kids eat too many big macs. (even Lucy and Owen) I have guilt over my childrens eating habits. At least they aren't picky.
92. 100 is a long list. When I see blog posts this long, I usually opt out of reading them all. thanx for hanging with me!
93. I am fine with skipping a shower now and then. I can camp for 5 days without a shower, and I really don't care. Sorry if that grosses some of you out.
94. Brandon thinks I take this blog thing a little too far.
95. I love to go tanning.
96. I don't really like surprises.
97. I am NOT romantic.
98. I ran into a wall at my house in college and knocked my front tooth out. I seriously have not felt the same about my appearance since. and no, I was not drunk.
99. I had some great roommates in college, but one girl I still do not even like to think about her to this day. not a pleasant person.
100. I don't want to leave this on a negative note, and 99 was pretty bad, so I'll try to think of something good for the last one...I have cute toes.

Okay! I am blogging away today! I have totally wasted my entire day on the computer, but I'm getting excited about my blog, it's coming along! The bookshelf idea i got from aleesha was so much fun, but then I had to put a favorite of each of my kids and my shelf ended up 3 pages long, so I took some of mine off, but it's still 2 pages I think. Oh well. and I discovered I don't have many good close-up pictures of my big girls that are semi-current. I guess I'll have to change them somewhere along the way, but it still gives you a good idea of each of their personalities, interests, etc. I think. Way nerdy to blog 2 posts in one day, but I'm kind of just experimenting today and I decided the day is already a wash, whats 20 more minutes?

My mom just e-mailed me this picture of me, my mom and my sisters. circa 1986? aren't we up to our eyeballs in the 80's? funny stuff. It must have been Christmas, but Wendy and I wore those outfits alot. We called them our "Fluorescent" outfits. check out my earrings! and I have a pink scarf like wendy's green one, but chose to wear it around my waist. shaury just looks sweet like always. (She was not yet a "tween")