Sisters

Elise loves Rachel so much. It's the end of the world if she doesn't get to give her a kiss before naptime. Their baby pictures look so much alike it's freaky, though you can't see it so much in this picture. I hope that the four years difference between them will keep them from being total rivals, but I'm sure they'll bicker over clothes. What sisters that are close in age don't???

Pictures and Mom's Musings

Here are some pictures of Hailey opening her presents. She has a weird look on her face with the CD, but that is her acting all shocked and awed for the camera. I don't know where she gets the dramatic stuff from. Isn't her sign cool?

Kayla and Christie asked how I was feeling about her being in Young Women's now. (It's the youth organization for 12-18 year girls at church.) I guess I could give you the quick "I'm not old enough to have a daughter in YW!", but I've been trying to put into words how I'm feeling about her growing up, actually. In some ways it feels like yesterday they first placed her in my arms. But then again, I was reading through my journal entries from when I was pregnant with her, and it was definitely a long time ago. Motherhood was such an abstract thing back then. I had no idea what the real deal would be like.
I am excited for all of the fun things she will do in the next six years. Girls Camp, Youth Conference, all of the fun activities. YW is such an inspired program and she is going to learn so many incredible things. But this also means that I only have six years left with her. THAT completely freaks me out. I'm not even close to being the mom I want to be for her, and I haven't taught her nearly enough. I feel like time is slipping away from me. I know it's not possible to be the perfect mom, but I want to be the best I can. She deserves it; they all do. I pray each day that I can be a good example to her, and though I make a lot of mistakes, I have to have faith that it will be enough. Otherwise I'd sit and go crazy with worry. She is a sensitive soul and I mess up a lot. Thank goodness she will have a lot of youth leaders to help her along the way!
Bet you weren't expecting that when you asked, huh?

Hailey is 12!

On October 17th, my oldest baby turned 12. She asked for cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and all of the other kids had fun making signs to hang around the house. They sure love their older sister. We spent the rest of the day getting ready for her party that night. (That will be its own post.) She loved her new pj's and screamed when she opened the makeup I got her. She also got the new Jonas Brothers CD and I had a picture of the JoBros personalized to say "Hailey's Hangout" on it, to hang in her room. She was a very happy camper.

We are so blessed to have Hailey as our daughter. She is so kind and loving. She has such a pure spirit, with no guile in her. She truly is good. She has a calming nature and I am so thankful for all of the help she has been to me while I've been sick. It's been so fun to see her growing into a young woman. She sets such a good example for her younger siblings and I know she will continue to be. I love her so much and I hope she always feels that love.

P.S. She started wearing glasses last week!

A Frustrated Woman

I haven't posted in awhile, because I am tired of feeling like all I do is whine on here, so please forgive me for this. I have been quite sick for the last few weeks. It got so bad that I had to go to the ER last Wednesday. Luckily my in-laws helped us a lot that day. My white blood cell count was above 24,000 so they ran a CT of my torso. (They thought there might be a mass.) I had to drink another nasty solution to make me glow again, and once again they found nothing. After the stomach emptying study came back normal, I was very discouraged. I felt the same way after the CT. Not like I want them to find cancer or something, but I want some answers! This is not conducive to raising 5 kids, after all. I feel so bad for my children. I know I could be such a better mom if I wasn't constantly sick. This is so frustrating!!!

I will post happier things soon. We've had a lot going on, as usual.

Not-so-scary monsters

Elise's friend Alyssa came over yesterday after school and we decided to make Monster Cups. They had so much fun! It's really just vanilla pudding with green food coloring and oreo's crushed on top. They loved watching me 'paint' the inside of the cups with chocolate and were very happy that I made more smiley faces than scary ones. Of course I had to make a vampire one, too! Don't the girls look cute?

We've been BOO'd!

Every year during October our neighborhood BOO's one another. We'd never done it in Washington, so it was a fun new tradition to start when we moved back. If you've never heard of it, it's basically like a Secret Santa. We had a knock at the door and there was a box of treats for us, along with a BOO sign. We then have two days to BOO two other families. You hang the sign in your window so you don't get BOO'd twice. One year we were BOO'd two nights in a row, because I hadn't hung up the sign. So we did four families that year! I did a little bag with hot chocolate and marshmellows this year, since it's getting cold. I'm no Martha Stewart, but the kids had fun BOOing the two families we picked tonight. They always get so excited to ring the doorbell and run.

If you want to start this in your neighborhood, a cute poem comes with the sign, I'd be happy to email it to you.

Photo tag

Christie tagged me awhile ago, but it's taken me forever to get this all on one post. Blogger doesn't like me, I've decided. And Christie, you are in so much trouble next time I see you.

My Favorite Vacation: There are two and they were great for different reasons. Santa Barbara in '01, it was the first time we'd left the kids for a big trip and we loved it there. San Antonio in '05, with Greg's siblings and parents. Jeremy was graduating from law school and we all flew down and surprised him. We had a blast that trip!

My Favorite Color: Green. I love that it is so abundant in nature and it reminds me of Washington. I would never say "It's too green here." ;)

My current age: 35. Greg is going to love that the only picture I could find was an F35 jet. He has always wanted to be a pilot, but his eyes were too bad.

My Favorite Treat: Creme Brulee with fresh fruit or Tiramisu. Yes, it's soaked in coffee, I know. If I were not Mormon, I would have a Starbuck's in my hand 24/7.

Favorite Food: There is no way to pick just one, so I will give a few examples. Anything smothered in guacamole is automatically included; a good steak, especially with a mango chutney sauce, and grilled salmon. I have an amazing recipe for teriyaki salmon, if anyone wants it, you'll love it!

The Place I Want to Travel to Most: Paris. Greg went before his mission and vowed to take his wife there someday. I'm still waiting, hon.

My First Name: Kimberly. This is Kimberly Williams-Paisley. There were lots of Kim's but not many Kimberly's that weren't strippers.

My Middle Name: Michelle. This is Michelle Williams. No, I didn't watch Dawson's Creek.

My Last Name: Poulton. There is a city in England named Poulton-le-fylde, and this is the vicar's house behind the famous church, St. Chad's. I would love to visit there someday.

The Place I Grew Up: I lived most of my youth in So. California. This is Long Beach, where my grandparents lived. Their condo is right on the ocean and from their balcony I could see the Queen Mary. The other picture is of Lake Sammamish, which is 5 minutes from my house in Issaquah, where we moved when I was 15. I started crying when I saw this photo. I have so many good memories from there.

Where I Currently Live: Lehi, Utah. Not my first choice, but it's home. This is a photo of the famous Roller Mills, and the high school. If you have never been to Utah, then you might not know that 'Footloose' was filmed at the school. I think on every date I went on while at BYU that involved driving north, the guy would say "Did you know they filmed Footloose there?" as you see the school from the freeway. I laugh now that I live five minutes from those hallowed halls.

Something I Used to Love (and still do): Dancing. I just don't find the opportunity arises for a good pirouette anymore, though. I have been rocking out a lot with Hailey to the Jonas Brothers, but it's not the same thing. There's nothing like performing.

My Favorite Animal: An Eagle. They are so majestic and beautiful.

I will tag, but ONLY if you want, and ONLY if you are willing to put some time into it: Amy, Kylee, Keri, and Brooke. Hopefully Blogger is nicer to you than if has been to me.