Poulsen Family

My calling in our ward is Enrichment Leader. It can be a very busy calling, but is very rewarding. I am so lucky to work with so many wonderful women that teach me a great deal about life and myself. Last night, we celebrated the R.S. birthday with a program and dinner centered around the parable of the 10 Virgins from the scriptures. It was such a neat experience. We planned a Mediterranean wedding dinner for 80 women and young women, but ended up feeding at least 98. It was a "loaves & fishes" experience, for sure. It really turned out beautifully due to the hard work of so many women. Our program consisted of 10 sisters dressed as the wise and foolish virgins whose characters were being described by 2 narrators, intermixed with 6 beautiful musical numbers. It was planned with the theme of "Come unto Christ." I am grateful for the opportunity it gave me to draw nearer to Christ as I witnessed all of the hard work the sisters around me put in, and the amazing ways the spirit works. A very neat experience that I hope was enjoyed by all.
(I hope it doesn't sound like I am tooting my own horn.)

For our 13th anniversary this year, we celebrated in Cancun, Mexico. Tim won a trip for work last year that was scheduled the week Drew was born so our timing was little off. So, consequently, they let him book another trip within the next year. We loved the little bit of relaxation that we got. We stayed at an all inclusive resort called the Moon Palace. It was right on the ocean with a gorgeous view and very nice.

We flew out Thursday morning so most of the day was traveling. Friday, we enjoyed the pool in the morning even though it was a little overcast. It was till a lot warmer than Utah! On Friday afternoon, we split up and Tim golfed while I went to the spa for a holistic massage. It was so great! I recommend that every vacation begin with that most definitely. It gets you in such a relaxing mode.

On Saturday, we booked an excursion to go on a catamaran ride over to Isla Mujeras, an island off the coast by Cancun. It was very fun and entertaining to say the least. We did a little snorkeling. They wasn't a lot to see, but fun anyway. Then, we were dropped off at some local shopping for about an hour. Then, they took us to have lunch on the other side of the island. And finally, we did some "skeeting"(?) off the back of the catamaran. Everywhere in Mexico is open bar including this little catamaran. It seemed that we were the only ones not drinking and it was obvious. We were offered over and over again and some people insisted that we get one ad tried to order us one. Everyone on the boat was wasted. It was kind of funny to watch and yet, a little discomforting, knowing that they were the ones manning the roped while we were "skeeting", with no life jacket. This "skeeting" was imply a rope with a sail attached in which you would sit like in a swing. They would hoist the ropes up and you would fly off the back of the boat about 50 feet above the water and then they would lower you down softly, or nor so softly:) It had many bruises down my arm and leg after an ubrupt yank at the end of my ride after which I did a back flip (on accident). It was fun, though. I was glad we did it, but they definitely have less of a liability issue in Mexico.

On Sunday morning, we went and swam with the dolphins at a little mini Seaworld kind of place. It was cool and the kid loved the pictures that they totally gouged us on. It was a lot of fun. We flew home Sunday afternoon. Short, but very sweet. Our pictures aren't grand of our Saturday excursion because we didn't dare take our nice camera and just had a waterproof disposable one, but enjoy!

They say that February is the Dental month of the year. It seems that every month or week has a special theme attached to it with school. But anyway, we have had a lots of teeth issues this month (and last). Drew has been one of the onriest teethers we've had. However, I do feel bad for the poor kid. He cut 8 teeth in 8 weeks. It wasn't always 1 tooth showing up per week. It was spiratic, but even if they weren't showing, they were cutting and you could definitely tell he was in pain. Motrin was our very best friend:) Not only did we have teeth coming in, but we had them falling out. Jens lost one and Ellie has lost two now. Side Note: We did also have a dental check-up and cleaning for everyone as well.

Tim also had a very "toothy" month. Tim had an accident when he was a teen with one of his front teeth. He had to have a cap put on one of them. However, that was before much bleaching was done so his cap was quite yellowed. So...he has wanted to get a new cap for a long time. His parents were so kind to help pay for it as a Christmas present. So he went through a teeth bleaching process for 2-3 weeks, then got a temporary while they were making his permanent crown. Unfortunately, his temporary kept getting loose and then eventually broke. He was teased all weekend before he got his permanent crown that he was a "Red Neck" because one of his front teeth was shaved down and really gross and small to fit the new crown that was coming. IT WAS HILARIOUS!!! Poor Tim had to give a talk in sacrament meeting and do sharing time for the Primary that lovely day. People just kept looking at him funny asking if something was different. Anyway, he has a beautiful pearly white smile now!


(Not very easy to get a picture, so we got 1/2!)

It is so fun to watch the kids at bathtime that I can't help but get out the camera. I bought them new towels an they are so cute. Jens is, of course, too big and cool for this which gives me even more motivation to catch these moments while they still like to pose and have fun with it.
Presenting...the Lion, the Frog and the Ladybug!

Wow! Do all 9 year old boys act this way?!? Jens decided for his birthday, he wanted to have a "Late Night" with his closest friends. (I have to say that I love the trend that at least our neighborhood is gravitating to...Late Nights instead of Sleepovers. I know that sleepovers were the thing when we were growing up, but this is the way to not have it drag into the next day, not to mention keeping kids in a more controlled environment.) Anyway, they had lots of fun with pizza, video games, a movie projected big onto the wall with popcorn and candy, not to mention ice cream cake. I definitely admire all you Cub Scout Leaders out there, though. All they wanted to talk about when they were eating or sitting around together was burping, farting or something disgusting! Aaah!!! I guess if they had fun, it was a success!

On Sunday, we had a family dinner and had more cake and ice cream. I attempted a lego cake, which my Grandma said looked nothing like one. (So tactful at 86) It looked more like a blob of frosting. However, the inside was a hit! I put legos in the cake and if you found one, you could exchange it for a quarter. Growing up, my mom would boil money and put it in the cake and the cousins always loved it and there was never any cake left. You have to preface it with a choking warning, but the kids love it. So, it was more of a lego cake from the inside than the outside!


On a sentimental note, we are so proud of Jens and what a great kid he is turning out to be. He is so sweet and considerate to friends around him. He could be a little more of that to his siblings, but he is improving. He loves to watch out for them and play with them. His only fault would be watching out for them too much in a controlling way. We were so proud when we went to his last parent-teacher conference. The teacher said that there were some parents that came in and said "Who is this Jens kid?" He has changed our lives. Their son was quite awkward with no friends and didn't want to come to school everyday. Jens befriended him and introduced him to some of his friends and now the boy loves school and has many friends. I was in tears. If there was anything I would want my child to excel in, that would be it. Reading, Math, Sports, etc. are great, but being a Christ-like friend is most important. What a proud parent moment!

Oh, I almost forgot...Jens talked his teacher into letting me bring his bearded dragon lizard, Flames, to show his class for his birthday. They LOVED it as they always do. We bring crickets for him to chase and eat, and worms for him to jump up and eat. Flames is getting used to putting on a show with all the pet days they have at preschool and we have brought him into 3 of Jens's school classes now. (Jens got him for his birthday 2 years ago. I have since become a much braver mom when it comes to this reptile!)

The other day I was listening to Jordin Sparks new hit song, "One Step at a Time" and all I could think was , "Exactly!" Lately, most days are so crazy that to prevent hyperventilation or a stress attack, I feel like I need to just think of it one task at a time. I joke that sometimes I can only think 24 hours at a time, but most of the time, I can only handle one hour, or even one moment at a time. While these feelings of being overwhelmed often dictate my daily schedule, at other times I just want to hit pause and make my kids grow up slower. Every milestone they cross is so cute and sweet and my heart strings want so badly just to hold on to those moments. Drew is crawling everywhere and is so entertaining for the family. He is quick to laugh, smile and do many raspberries which only causes contagious laughter in everyone else! Tate wants to show me a new lego creation or just snuggle up and read a book all the time. Ellie is learning so much in school and she writes me at least 6 notes a day that say, "Mom, I love you! To: Mom From: Ellie." She stays right by my side most of the day and wants to help with everything I do. Jens is growing up so fast and just wants to spend time together doing quality talking or snuggling watching a movie. I just love them so much! I need to take more moments to stop and soak in the joy they bring!

Every year, we enjoy a winter picnic in Kamas with cousins as some of the family cuts down their Christmas trees from the mountain. They stand in line (sometimes sleep out) for their permits in early Nov. Then we go up around Thanksgiving and BBQ, go 4-wheeling, sledding and have lots of fun. Tim and I gave up the real tree several years ago and go with the fake one and a pine scented candle. (It was a compromise that eliminated unnecessary conflict in our marriage at Christmas time...worth every penny!) However, we still join the family for the tradition. It's usually a lot of fun. This year, the kids spent about 10 minutes outside and then sat in the van and watched a movie. Snow or no snow we can handle, but rain was not my idea for a fun picnic. I think we'll watch the forecast a little closer next year:)