Exciting news!

I have to let everyone know: I'm getting a new nephew in April!! Kevin and Shawn just found out they are having a little boy! Yay! My kids will finally have a cousin on my side of the family and they are so excited.

Poor Shawn has been so sick. Not quite crawling to the bathroom, but close, Kevin says. They were very surprised, they really thought it was a girl. I think they were afraid of getting a little Kevin. ;) Mom used to say to him, "I hope you get five of you when you have kids!"

So you all know, Kevin is now a Bishop (called when he was only 29!) in CA. He has left his hellion days behind him. (And he really wasn't that bad....) I now think he can have great empathy for the kids he helps as their Bishop. We give him a lot of grief, but he is an amazing man and I am so proud to call him my brother. He and Shawn are crazy about the kids and the feeling is mutual. They are coming to visit the end of December and we can't wait to see them.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The house looks like Christmas has exploded all over it. And I love it! The kids sure have "helped" this year and it's taken me a little longer than usual to get it all done. But spending time together is what it's all about, right? Patience, Kimberly, patience. That's what I keep telling myself. It's been really good for me to try and not be a perfectionist about how the decorations look. Normally it's a mess here (with five kids, how is it not?) and I usually just roll with it. But when it's the holiday's, I care more. Greg wishes that would last all year long!

We are getting the tree on Friday night (a real one, of course) and I'll post some pictures when we get it. I'll put some of the house on here, too. I hate that my family can't visit this year and see the kids open their presents Christmas morning. I guess this will have to do. We miss you, McGuire's!

Rachel

I have been feeling guilty that Rachel didn't have more photos on here. I wanted to get them all together and make a slideshow, but being a technical immigrant, it's taken me awhile to figure out how to do it.
These are a few photos of Rachel over the first six months of her life. She was a surprise, but we can't imagine our family without her. She has a great laugh, which she shows us every time we take her arm out of an outfit. For some reason she finds this very entertaining and laughs hysterically! She does not lack for attention, that's for sure. We have to remind them all to give her space and not 'love' her so hard. I wish she slept a little better, but otherwise I can't complain. She is an easy baby. We love our Rachel!

Check out my Slide Show!

Keeping it real

In an effort to keep it real, I have decided to share some not so perfect moments from the Poulton's. We aren't the Cleavers, as someone accused me of the other day. HA!

If you stopped by my house right now, I would be thoroughly embarrassed. There would be nowhere for you to sit.

Rachel has an ear infection and has been fussy (for her). This has made for a grumpy Mommy. Trent said "Sheesh, what's wrong with you, mom?"

Saturday mornings are not very fun around here. Getting the kids to do their chores is like pulling teeth. As soon as you mention chores, Elise immediately throws herself onto the floor and begins whining. Same goes for Trent. See, your kids aren't the only ones!

This is just a small sample. I will think of plenty more, don't worry. We are far from perfect!

Thanksgiving 2007

We had a great time at Greg's parents home this year. Jeff and Angie and Jeremy and Heidi and their families were visiting and the cousins had so much fun together. The noise level was unbelievable, with 30 of us there. Highlights of the day:

• Amazing food, of course. There were 8 pies, all made from scratch. Enough said.
• Laughter is always a big part of the holiday. Greg was entertaining everyone, of course.
  
• I got to spend some quality time with my little brother Kristopher. I am so glad he is in Provo and spent the day with us.
• My nephew Chase told his mom, pointing at Seth, "I like this thing. I think I'll keep him."
  
• The mom's had a dance party with the kids in the basement after they cleaned up. Seth now loves to "dip". My niece Lily is almost a rubber band, she is so flexible. I hurt just watching her!
• Hailey, Trent and Elise spent the night at Aunt Ginger's house, with five of their cousins. It was much easier getting two kids to bed, rather than five!

As I drove home (Greg stayed and played Call of Duty with his brothers), I had time to think about how blessed I am. I have five healthy children, a husband that loves me, I come from a loving home, and I have an extended family that I adore; I have the freedom to live the life I want, which includes practicing my faith. And I have wonderful friends. There are so many others in this world that would love to have a fraction of what I am blessed with. When I am feeling pitty-pottyish about how hard it is to raise five kids and be a wife, serve in church, keep a house clean, and do all of these things I am "supposed" to do, I need to remember last night in the car, and the gratitude I felt for my blessings. My life is not perfect, but it is still a very good life.

Seth is 3!

Thursday was Seth's third birthday! His brother and sisters were so excited for him to wake up and open his gifts. He loved his Mickey Mouse binoculars, Backyardigans guessing game and "Ratatouille". He loved running around all day showing everyone that he can hold up three fingers now.
Seth is such a sweet boy. He gives hugs and kisses to everyone, almost always has a smile on his face and has the cutest curly hair. He thinks Trent walks on water and is constantly trying to do whatever his big brother is doing. He smothers Susie, our dog, and she is very patient with him. He is definitely Daddy's little guy and runs like lightning to the garage as soon as he hears it go up in the evening. He is as sweet as they come. We love our Seth!