Polly's World

Oh September... you've been so good to us. Great weather and all.

I wished so badly today I remembered my camera. We went to the Reservoir. Played in the sand, dipped our legs in the water, built rivers. It was weird being in the mountains amongst the red/orange tree covered hills, while enjoying 90 degree temperature on a pretend beach.

Although judging from my ridiculously tired body, I think I need some cold temps so I'll have an excuse to do nothing.

In other news... Whitney scored a goal in her last soccer game. She was so excited. Her eyes were lit all night! But the best news was that Grandma showed up the next day with the promised bribe if she scored, Mrs. Polly Pocket.

Oh how they have been glued at the hip this last week. Whitney insisted that I take pictures of Polly so she could decorate her house. House you ask? Yes, my living room shelf is now Polly's house. With necklaces, pictures, furniture and the works.

Hailey is still in constant motion. She's becoming more brave at her attempts at mobility.

And lastly, I had to take a picture of this. Whitney has had quite the entrepreneur spirit lately. Her and Travis had a mush mixture for sale, which I promptly guided to be a small toy sale (no doubt the juice and everything in the fridge mixture would send some kid to the hospital!). Then a couple days later they held a true lemonade sale. Problem - location. They live in a spot and pick times when there is NO ONE in sight. Bless our neighbor across the street for always being their lone customer and boosting their spirits! (look closely and you'll see thier prices are very fair)

After the reservoir we decorated for Halloween. I should say we started decorating. I have bigger plans this year for the yard :) Welcome wonderful Halloween!

Decade

It's been on my mind frequently the past couple months. What I was doing ten years ago. Ten years ago I attended BYU Jerusalem. Today in sacrament my neighbor sang a solo. It was my favorite song, one that grabs at my heart every time I hear it. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

Every morning while running I realize it's not truly just the exercise or even mental health I am gaining from it, but the connection with nature and being outside that I love. There is something about the outdoors that puts life into perspective for me. Maybe a river, perhaps watching the leaves turn colors, or a sunrise/sunset. It sends a reminder down my nerves of the creator. Why I'm here. How blessed I am. I felt the same way tonight watching my kids play on the trampoline with their dad outside while I held my baby, glancing at the sunsets reflection on the gorgeous mountains.

Tonight as I pulled my Jerusalem journal out and read some of my feelings I made the connection. That same awe I feel outside, is just a glimpsing reminder of how often and strong I felt the spirit while in Jerusalem. I never prayed so much, felt so much, accomplished so much in so short a time. Honestly, it changed me deep down. Deep enough that a decade later, while listening to a 10 year old sing a song that I once sang in the JC Center, overlooking the old city, it was all I could do to not cry. Ironically, the entry in my Journal talked about how much I loved that song. How connected I felt to some of those words.

One more random thought. Today I taught my primary class about talents. As I read my journal I was reminded of some things I wanted to become. I still haven't done many things on my list, and it seems my list keeps getting longer while my freedom to do (or develop) them keeps shrinking :) I hope I don't loose the insight and motivations that I felt back then. I hope my life the next ten years proves as good if not better than the last. I have no doubt time will probably go by twice as fast! And there you have it, my inner ramblings. Good night.

6 month mark!

Oh how I live for this - to say I made it to the six month mark. Actually, Hailey has been pretty easy, so the month mark wasn't as significant. She's amazing. I love that she loves life. How it melts my heart when she looks me in the eye and I see her light up. I love watching her explore the world around her. She is such a blessing. I love you Hailey! Happy six month birthday.

routine

Are we exhausted? Thank goodness Hailey thinks stroller time is nap time. We've spent a lot of time in this puppy lately. Between running, kindergarten pick-up, and soccer games, I've got more exercise in lately - hallelujah for my mental health! We've enjoyed good food :)

learned how to sit

and snuggle.

enjoyed the fruits of our garden

and found the perfect baby entertainment. Twizzlers are not messy like red vines!

We've watched and played football. Go Cougs!

Had picnics

And, thank goodness, haven't had to give up the summer fun yet.

I've ran more, done more sword fighting and football with Travis, heard kindergarten stories and songs from Whitney and loved every minute of this September stuff. Life is good.

First Day of Kindergarten

This is my life now . . .

For the first time in years, I had to buy a watch. Five and a half years of not really needing to know what time it was. Going and doing and playing as we pleased. Sad day for me. I loved the freedom. But it's probably best to know what time it is to pick my child up from school.

Wow, how I've NOT looked forward to today. But just like everything, time keeps moving until it arrives. Whitney was thrilled to go to school for the first time today. Hailey must've sensed her excitement and woke everyone up at 5:30am. Needless to say, we had plenty of time to get ready and chill before school.

I'm so impressed with how strong Whitney is. She had no fears, only excitement. She was even disappointed that I didn't pack her a lunch - sorry kid, you have to come home and eat with us :) This first day picture is a classic Whitney pose. She refuses to just stand there - probably because it's not what a princess would do. Yes, she posed herself. Backpack and all.She rode in front of us the entire way to school. We couldn't get there fast enough. I watched, struggling to hold in the tears until I had parted ways and left. Aaron came with us and tried to discuss how I was doing. I informed him we are pretending to be in happy land right now so I didn't cry.After a quick hug she headed straight into her room without looking back. I walked out as fast as I could so I could cry my way home. Home was different without her. It always is. She has a certain presence that makes our home complete. Without her it was empty. She's always been my buddy, my helper, my second in command, Travis' playmate, and Hailey's entertainment.

So we headed to the dollar store, played on the trampoline, and fed Whitney. A couple hours really can go by fast. Thank goodness. I loved hearing all about what she did on the walk home. All afternoon we played. I got soaked playing in the pool with them. But it was therapeutic to pretend it was worry free summer again. We had a great time.

Thank goodness her kindergarten is only half day. That's all I'm going to say. . . or else I might start crying again :)

In a big nutshell

Yes, this blog is long. But hopefully the pictures will say more than I will. It took it being the end of August and the night before Whitney goes to school to finally get myself to sit down and blog/journal about the end of our summer.

Whitney and Travis continued to swim. Yes, this is my 5 year old doing a flip off the slide into the pool. No fear.

We snuck ito the mountains for a fun dinner and hike. The kids wish they could do this everyday. Poor Travis still pleads to go camping every night. Maybe next summer kid.

Our 24th was great - the usual: Parade/snowcone time, rides, playground, friends, bbque, fireworks. Oh, I can just smell the beautiful fragrance of firework smoke. mmmmmm ;)

The end of July we finally shoved life out the window to enjoy a week in Idaho. This is without question my favorite time there. I think we all felt a little bit in heaven. Whitney got to ride on the horses, Travis got to go camping, Aaron got to play on the four-wheelers, and I snuck in a mountain run. Nothing like breathing in fresh mountain air and gorgeous scenery when you run!

The kids loved the new addition to Grandma and Grandpa's - the playground. They loved that all of their cousins came up to play - thanks everyone for coming and visiting - it made our vacation complete!

After camping, Whitney came home looking like a chimney sweeper. Pic doesn't even do justice!

Travis got the best present ever. Cleats. We went to the store for Whitney and he was devestated that he wasn't getting a pair. Honestly, lip quivering, devestated. I broke down and bought him a pair under the condition that he did chores and was really good to earn them. This kid never behaved as good as he did the week after we bought them! It is now a morning ritual to go play soccer in the yard, cleats and all. Hailey thinks it's pretty entertaining. I'm pretty sure she's thinking "just wait 'till I can play guys, I'll show you how it's done." Oh - and Travis' favorite version of soccer is called football soccer. You are allowed to tackle at any point in the game. Pure boy!

Pretty sure my kids could have a popscicle every 10 minutes of the day.

Hailey continues to grow.... and get more personality!

She wants everything around her now. Everything I grab has two little hands reaching for it also. Grocery shopping is getting interesting! She's eating too - with bannanas ranking at the top of the chart of likes now.

Love her excitement for life. Yes, I'm a spazz in the pic. That's normal.

We attended the event of the year. I swear the Demolition Derby ranks up there with Christmas for the kids. They talk about it every time we pass the stadium. Which is pretty much daily. Doesn't Travis look in heaven :)

We've had fun visitors the last couple weeks. Jeff and Selly came and thouroughly entertained our kids. We miss them! I love this picture, my kids couldn't be happier to have buddies to play with.

Then Lindsay and Jared made it back and stayed with us for a couple days. Whitney and Travis were pretty bored when they left and all their friends were in school. I've tried to fill in, but I don't do justice.

Grandma and Grandpa came to dinner. Here's Whitney with her BFF Grandma R. I loved that my kids decided the next day at lunch that Grandma and Grandpa needed to move into the house behind us so they could go over and play anytime.

And, lastly, Whitney started soccer. Kindergarten soccer is hillarious to watch. (not as fun to coach - since I'm the coach). Whitney loves it and is doing awesome. It's fun to see her doing "big kid stuff." Travis can't wait 'till his turn either.

Of course we could talk about the rodeo, swimming, flowrider, fruit height days (where Whitney kind of won a prize :)), going out to eat, Aaron's first football game coaching (they won!), and much more. Life has been busy, busy, busy. But we'll call this good... 'till tommorrow.

sheesh

Alright, now I know what comes after me getting sick ... I infected my computer. Well, actually, it's worse. It's dead. Blue screen of death and all. Luckily Aaron's friend was able to get the pics off - which is really all I cared about. So the last month has been a true detox of cyberspace from my life. Which truthfully, was a blessing.

No more computer at the table at lunch.
Instead, me and the kids have had really deep conversations :)

Such as, "Grandma should live next door"
"Lindsay is going to pop out our cousin"
"What superhero's do"
"What dad's doing right now"
"What sport is the best"

So, although this post has no pictures, and has done relatively nothing for my journal. Know that life is great here. Hailey is 5 months today! "Car Smashing" (Demolition Derby) is only one week away. We have played, and played, and spoiled the kids. Aaron started coaching. I got my flowrider fix. I can't even think about Whitney going to Kindergarten in 2 weeks without getting sad. Backyard soccer is in full swing. And last but not least.... can time freeze now? Is that to much to ask? Just for a week, or month?

You'll hopefully hear from me next time from my fixed computer :)