A Peek at the Poulsens

(Makae's hair, killing it)  Aaron's HOME! Aaron, Austin's younger brother, got home from serving a 2-year church mission in Fresno, CA! It was so fun to see him come casually, in typical Aaron-style, walking down the airport corridor and everyone is super happy to have him back. Jack and Ashlee were born while he was gone, so it's been fun for them to meet, and Aaron hadn't met Kenzie's husband Kevin either, so there were some necessary introductions. We've missed his goofy, sincere presence! making signs dinner for 13!   I declared myself the official documenter of Poulsen gatherings since we have like no pictures of what we do when we get together! It is SO FUN to just be able to hang out together. I love watching the uncle/aunt interactions with our kids and seeing them flit from one person to the next. These pictures are all from dinner time the night Aaron came home. Great-Grandpa even made the trip! Ashlee...

It's been a week. I have felt anxious for a few days and that's not a feeling I'm super familiar with. There are lots of contributing factors but mostly my anxiety stems from hard situations of people close to me that I have no control over. Those are their stories to tell, but they've been affecting me and I've felt sensitive and emotional and...well, anxious. It's hard not being able to really help. It's hard seeing bad things happen to good people. It's hard being a bystander and wanting to offer support but not really knowing how (or how much good it would do anyway). A dear family in our ward is struggling with some very serious health issues and my heart is breaking for them, and my brother got a bit of bad news that has abruptly shifted his future school plans (which he heard about while on a cruise in Jamaica, talk about bad timing!). I have felt sucked up in the never-ending vortex of housework and bills and callings and child-rearing, and I hav...

I made the mistake of going through the pictures of when Jack was born and the few days afterwards and I've felt nostalgic all day...I can't believe he was ever that small! Or that Natalie and Stockton were so teeny two years ago! Or that it's been two years and we haven't had another baby! Or that his blankie was ever so fluffy and pristine! I woke up today knowing that our "baby" was turning two. Two years old! He definitely feels two - using lots of words, trying out his independence, growing out of 18month clothes, solidifying his interests and opinions. Two feels so much older than One. He is so excited about life. He LOVES going outside, LOVES eating fruits and vegetables, LOVES Peppa Pig and Moana and Monsters, LOVES his family, and LOVES drawing. There aren't a whole lot of things that he dislikes, except maybe being babysat, taken inside after playing outside, and not being picked up by me when I am busy doing something els...

When Sam comes to Lincoln we do one of three things: -penne rosa -Abe's -Pioneers Park This time we chose PP and brought a picnic and played baseball. It was wayyy colder than we expected but I think it actually worked to our advantage because the kids stayed close so they could be warm in blankets. the big boys ran ahead to drop off the picnic stuff and get straight to playing catch (Stockty's arms behind his back!)  The little boys and I took a walk to get out some initial energy and explore the park. It was fantastic. I love when they roam but also stay close enough to me that it's not stressful.  Natalie was frigid haha. But everyone loved their sandwiches! (Thanks Haybs!)  Stockton was a little cold but mostly just loves this purple blanket Aunt/Niece!  The little boys (and Natalie) ran out to play with the big boys and it was SO FUNNY to watch them all try to maneuver around each other. The kids would ch...