Sunshine and Summer Time

This has been one hot summer.. Let me tell ya..

We have been keeping really really busy. The thing that is on my mind most of the time these past few weeks is the fact that my brother and his wife are moving to New Mexico. I am seriously distraught from this. My brother is one of my best friends who always knows how to help me. He is one of the hardest workers I know and has taught me so much about working your butt off to get what you want. He is going to New Mexico for a PhD program for English. He is so stinkin smart. We had a going away party for him last night as he newly finished house. We had a great turn out. His friends from his work, Mr. Sheilds (high school english teacher, who has really influenced his choice in career), Coach Dyer (his high school basketball coach), and some people from church. I am so proud of him and everything he has accomplished, but it sucks to think we'll probably never live close to each other again. He is the best brother anyone could ask for.

On another note, my Uncle Mike got a Liver!!!! We are so incredibly happy for him and his family! We love this man so much and I am personally grateful for the stories that he's told me and the memories I have of him when I would stay with him and my Aunt Amy for the summer. The liver came just in time and this whole thing has turned out to be a miracle! A lot of prayer and fasting has helped this family in a very hard time. I am happy beyond measure.

We had our 5 year reunion this weekend too. It was so fun to catch up with some old friends from High School. I forgot how much fun we had! I would love to go back to High School. It was awesome. We just laughed and laughed about all the stuff we did to each other, to teachers, and to coaches. good times. Love my little town of Odessa, no matter how trashy it is sometimes. :)

Jaida will be turning two next month! Where has the time gone? she is a little sassy pants. She may be small like her mama, but she has got some pep in her step. She says the funniest things and does the craziest stuff. She is my best friend and I tell her everything and she loves to make mommy and daddy laugh. She is the life of the party and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect child. She is really into Taylor Swift and literally knows every word of her favorite song, "Mean" by tswift. Her birthday party theme is taylor swift. I can't wait until we have another one so Jaida can be a big sister.

Oh Mi oh May

May was a great month!!! We have had amazing weather and done quite a few fun things with little Jaida.

First off, Jaida took her first camping trip (besides the one where she was in my belly) and it was so much fun. Jr stayed home because he had rugby, but Jaida and I went with my family to their "spot" in bull shoals Arkansas. My dad, Oliver, Laura, and Phil love to go fishing on the White River and the rest of us (Mom, Roxy, Delaney, Jaida and I) like to camp and fish in the boat when we can. I actually caught my first fish! haha Jaida got to touch all the fish that were caught and she would touch them and then scream, "FISH!" haha It was a lot of fun. The camp fire and Phil's stories were the most fun to me. I love laughing with my family. They are so great and I'm going to miss my brother and Laura so much when they move this summer. :(

Secondly, This is very important.... Jaida went to her first Red Sox game and "became one of God's most pathetic creatures.. A Red Sox fan." haha She was able to see the Red Sox play. It was so awesome to take her to that. That is something I will never forget. Jr, Myself, Oliver, and Laura took Jaida to the Red Sox vs Royals game and we had a lot of fun! Kelsey and I and Delaney and Roxy had went the day before and the Sox pulled off a strong win with Papi hitting a home run, Pedroia hitting a home run and Middlebrooks hitting two of them! It was great, we also got Papi to wave to us for the 4th year in a row.. This time we had Kelsey to tell us what to say in Spanish. It was awesome. I'm starting to be convinced that Papi remembers us crazy girls from every year who sneak to the first row :)

Back to the game with Jaida, they did not win (Sox aren't doing too well this year) but it was so much fun. This is Jaida saying the same thing i was thinking, "Stupid manager, take that pitcher out. He's sucking."

This was also Roxy and Delaney's first Red Sox game and I am so glad that i've been a part of being able to share that with them. They were so excited and so impressed that Kelsey and I were as sneaking and persuading as we are.

This was in April, but I don't think I ever said anything about Easter!!! It was amazing... We had a great Sunday in church. My little kids in the nursery learned about the real meaning of Easter and that we celebrate Christ's life. Then we spent time with both families. Sunday is my favorite day of the week.

P.s. She also got Candy which she loves candy!! lol

Something absolutely Incredible happened in May of this year.... The Kansas City Temple was dedicated by the Prophet Thomas, S. Monson. It was so amazing to be able to witness this happen.. We were able to take several friends to the open house and every time we went, it was just breath taking. 

Thanks for viewing!! 

She's back....

SO.... Kelsey is home.. She served her mission in Chile for a year and a half and has returned to good ol' Missouri. We are so glad she is safe and home with us. She is just as cute as ever.

So we have been busy welcoming her home. It's been awesome. it feels so good to have my bestie home again.

Jaida is getting so big. she says almost any word that you tell her to. She is even learning some spanish.. i want her to learn a lot since she does have a lot of family that speak the language. When I ask her Cuantos Anos tienes? she says, "UNO!" it's the cutest thing ever.

She loves to play outside. She would be out there all day if we let her. She makes our lives so fulfilling. He also loves to drive her car that she has at Papa's house and at yeah-yeah's house. She loves her car!

i can't believe how big she is getting. She is her own little person with her own attitude and ideas. We are truly blessed to have her in our lives. Jaida Rae Poli, we love you so much.

I love my calling

I have been in the nursery for 6 months now as the assistant nursery leader. I have been called as the leader now and I just love my calling. I know, i can get really tired sometimes, but those kids make me so happy. Their smiles and laughter just make me feel so good about what i'm doing each week. There are some kids who used to hate going to nursery and now, they just love it. I think for some of them, coming to nursery every Sunday is the only time they get a lot of hugs and kisses and affection, and i'm so grateful that I can be that person to give it to them.

It's so important for us to be patient and loving to our children. They respond so much better to love than they do to  harsh discipline. I am seeing this ring true since being in the nursery. I truly do get to teach angels every week and i think everyone should get the chance to serve in the nursery. It helps you to be more humble and aware of how truly amazing these kids are.

Life of us

Many things have happened since i updated...

Jaida is 18 months old and is getting so grown. she learns a new word everyday. She still brightens my world with every smile, laugh, and hug that she gives me. I love her more than I do breathing itself.

I now work at Cerner, which is a great change for me. I love where I work and I love the normal shift that I am on now. Jr just went to the day shift as well and I never knew how much I would love us both being home in the evenings. We have eaten dinner at the table together 3 nights in a row now, and it is such a blessing. I know Jaida loves to see us at the same time. My friend Yanery is watching Jaida during the day and she loves to play with little Elayna.

The temple in Kansas City is open in a few weeks and I am so excited. There is nothing more special than the Lord's house being only 10 minutes away. I cannot believe how truly blessed we are. I hope I never take advantage of this amazing blessing that Heavenly Father has given us.

I read in this months, (March) ensign about the life of President Monson, and i was really touched by some of the things he has done and said. I am still reading his biography and I just love learning about our Prophet. He is truly an inspiration. He has taught me a lot about the importance of helping the "one." He said, "There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved." I need to do more service and reach out to those people who need it.

Kelsey comes home in 3 weeks. Man, am I excited....