The Poole Family

Ansley's 3rd Birthday

2009-12-17T20:12:00.001-08:00

We FINALLY were able to have Ansley a birthday party! As you all know by now, our girls are sick all too often. We have tried to give Ansley and Emma Kate a birthday party each year on their birthdays, but they have always been sick on the scheduled day so each and every party has been cancelled. But not this year- not even snow stopped our fun!!!! Ansley loves all things princess so we had a princess-themed birthday party complete with a 15-foot space jump in the shape of a pink palace!! It was such a sweet morning completed by our family and friends who joined us for the celebration. This birthday party required some special effort to attend as it just happened to be the coldest day of the year thus far AND IT SNOWED!!!! The party was at 10 a.m. and all of the snow was falling out of the trees as the children arrived. It was truly beautiful- little children running, jumping and smiling everywhere- if not for the giant castle, then for the snow!!! The little boys loved hitting Mr. Josh with snow balls! What a sweet morning filled with smiles that will fill our hearts forever.

Aunt Ria was SO sweet to wear her princess crown and jump in that castle with her nieces! They loved playing ring-around-the-rosie with their "RIA!"

She FINALLY got a real birthday cake with lots of family and friends around to sing to her as she blew out her candles!

Daddy was such a good sport and even wore a tiara for a moment- anything for his little princesses!

Uncle Brian and Ansley- true pals! Ansley LOVES for Uncle Brian to push her in the swing since he pushes her "Super Duper HIGH"!!!!

Thanks to all who came and braved the cold and snow!!! We truly appreciate your effort to make our little princess' birthday so special.

Thanksgiving fun

2009-11-30T15:36:00.001-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving- spent all of our time at my family's place in the woods in Yazoo County! The girls had a blast being out in the woods with their MeMe and PaPa. Josh and I even hunted one afternoon together- what a fun date it was for us!

Emma Kate- always the queen bee!

Charlotte kicked back watching her first Egg Bowl with her Mama and Papa- she was decked for the game, but so disappointed as we were!

Emme loved going on the "mule" for rides in the woods- she obviously became so comfortable that she thought she could drive! Few more years, Scooter.

Ansley and Emma Kate loved spending time with their cousin, Trinity. Any time they get with such a big girl is a real treat for our little ones. Trinity came up with her parents and MeMe for Thanksgiving Day- what a fun thing for us all!

PaPa and Charlotte catching some R&R moments in the recliner!

New Pictures of Charlotte

2009-11-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

Here are some recent pictures of our little Charlotte. She is doing very well...gaining weight...sleeping a lot (three cheers for an easy baby!!!)...and big sisters adore her more each day!

Charlotte Belinda Arrives!

2009-09-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Praise God, Charlotte is here!!!!!

We are so grateful that our Charlotte Belinda arrived safe and healthy last Monday, September 21. She was one month early, but weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long (good thing I grow 'em big!). Josh and I went for my weekly appointment and my doctor told us that indeed "it's time folks!" Even though we were nervous about her being so early we had prayed daily for God's timing in Charlotte's arrival and trusted my doctor completely. An added bonus was that the bed rest and my illness would be over!! We are so grateful to my doctor as his wisdom proved perfect on that Monday morning...she was born healthy and perfect in every way! She is so tiny and dainty with a head full of beautiful black hair!

Ansley and Emma Kate met their new baby sister on Wednesday. True to their personalities, they each reacted completely different! Ansley gently patted Charlotte and said "Aw, she's so beautiful, Momma. I love you, Baby Charlotte." Emma Kate ran around the hospital room oblivious to Charlotte but enjoying the cookies that a friend had just dropped off! Finally, Emme ran over to Charlotte and popped her on the head and said "Hey there Baby!" I just love how God creates each child (and person) in their own unique and beautiful way! The girls are doing great now that we have been home one week. Ansley and Emme are adjusting beautifully and Charlotte, thus far, is the easiest baby we have had- thank you, Lord!!!! Josh is doing great and loving ALL his girls...such a rock for our family through this entire season...still lobbying for the male dog which will probably arrive this year. He is, however, looking into all sorts of new savings accounts that will earn interest as we are already planning for THREE weddings!!!

Thank you all for all of your prayers, calls, concerns, food, help and encouragement through the past 8 weeks- God heard, God answered, God was once again so faithful.

Here are some pictures of our first week at home...more to come later as I find 2 minutes in my week to post!

Ansley holding Baby Charlotte while Emme looks on!

We all look at our newest family member...the girls love to climb up the side of the crib and watch their baby sister sleep. We just have to watch Emme or she'll try to share a goldfish with "Char-Char" (her name for Charlotte!)!!!

The girls made a welcome home sign with Meme and PaPa to welcome Mommy, Daddy and Baby Charlotte home!!

The girls checking out their sister again.

Emme loves to call people...she called many friends to tell them that she was waiting for

Char-Char to come home!!!

Ansley's day with Bailey

2009-09-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

Our friends Carrie and Bailey Blount dropped in yesterday to show Ansley a fun morning...how kind! Ansley was missing her friends. They went to the park, to Bailey's playroom and made "Mrs. Carrie pizza" (Ansley's term). Ansley had such a fun morning and has asked at each subsequent meal if she could make "Mrs. Carrie pizza." Note to self: must ask Carrie what in the world it is as our daughter thinks it is the greatest thing since Oreos.

Here are some shots from their fun morning together! Thanks Blounts for thinking of us and loving our Ansley in this great way.

Bed rest?. . .seriously?. . .Bed rest?. . .seriously.

2009-09-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the title of this post, I have been put on bed rest for the remainder of this pregnancy. . . ahhhh! Apparently, I have developed quite the heart murmur which is causing me to faint at random times and not be able to walk down the hall without having to "rest." (And I just thought it was all the blizzards taking their toll on me that Josh had to go get for me at 9 p.m.!) We are most thankful that Charlotte, so far, seems to be just fine and growing even at a faster rate than expected- maybe she'll come early?! Oh I hope so!

So, my "know-only-one-speed-180 mph" personality has been ordered to bed. For the first several days I tried to do too much even around the house. I proved my instincts wrong and my doctors orders correct- totally fainted in the kitchen one morning which made Josh just about faint as he helped me through the ordeal and then started having contractions. What a deal. I have now surrendered to bed rest and learned to enjoy it! Already, I am seeing how this has been a blessing for me personally as I have had sweet time to be with the girls in a more quiet setting and just simply enjoy some stillness.

Thus far, I have read two books (one entitled "Bed Rest" which totally cracked me up as I could empathize with the author on every page), six tabloids (got to get my fix), organized my purse 4 times, discovered 3 spots in our bedroom that need to be touched up with paint, decided that our bedroom needs to be repainted altogether, fallen totally in love with the Food Network, become disgusted with daytime-mind-numbing television and discouraged with morning news shows that seem to become dumber as the hour goes on (one main political headline at the outset of the show and by 8 a.m. the segment is on "How to make your feet look slimmer in the Fall's fashionable shoes.")

One total week down and I am forever indebted to our family- both biological and church families- for how they have jumped in and helped us. Our moms have come each day to help me and be with the girls. The girls are loving it! Our church has dropped off food, books, magazines (hey Dabbs- you finished with that new US Weekly yet? I am now shamefully curious as to whether Ed from the Bachelor has been dumped by that Jillian girl yet!!!) and grocery shopped for us. My grandmother and aunt went grocery shopping for us too and have brought food to last for days. We are so thankful for the hands-on-help that is loving us through this time. Truly, I am at a loss for words as I think of all the ways we have been helped by those we love. . .all I can say is "Thanks be to God."

Hopefully, I will be able to be better about keeping our family blog updated- I certainly have the time!!!! Hope you and your families are all well!

Ansley's 1st fish!

2009-07-08T04:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend at our family's "farm"...aka a wonderfully relaxing cabin nestled back in the woods overlooking a beautiful lake where the only things that grow are our waistlines after one of my mom's great meals...Ansley caught her first fish!!!! Josh took her fishing early Saturday morning- sweet time for just the two of them. We had no idea that she would actually catch one...and really no idea how she would react. When they pulled the fish in she stopped and looked for a few seconds and then reached out to pet it and said "Good job little buddy!" So sweet. Josh said that when they released the fish she said "Ok, have a good day little fish. Bye bye little buddy."

Hope your 4th was filled with sweet memories too!

Soakin' Up the Sun in New Ways

2009-06-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember I have been a huge beach lover. Keeping with what used to be a rather "extreme" personality trait (the extreme nature has learned to find the beauty in moderation after parenthood took hold!!), I would stay on the beach from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. when my family or friends would beg me off the beach to go to dinner. Yes I have been burned many times and I used to consider it a "badge" of the beach...crazy and oh so naive idea of a young girl obsessed with being tan. (If you happen to still be said "young girl" reading this blog...BELIEVE what the wiser voices in your life tell you- you will regret damaging your skin via sun! Don't do it- straw hats are too cute now...very chic to have healthy skin...skin cancer scares are as horrific as your wiser voices tell you!!!!)

My family and I just returned from a week at the beach with my parents. One thought kept running through my mind..."oh my how times have changed." Rather than packing my sun "amplifying" oil with 0 SPF, I packed 50 SPF for my face and 30 SPF for the rest. For our girls, I packed 55 SPF! I also went on a mad dash last week for the biggest tent I could find so that all of us could sit in the shade!!!! Instead of my normal 12 hour daily homage to the sun, I made sure that we played on the beach from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and from 3:30 until 6 p.m...no more of that 11-2 sun for me. My beach bag was also very different this year: Goldfish, juice boxes, Nemo snacks, kite and sand-castle-making-tools rather than radios, fruity beverages and cell phone. I saw a lot more dolphins, crabs, sea shells and sea gulls than I used to!

Josh and I talked with my parents and each other about how sweet it was to experience the beach through our girls' eyes this year. It was as if we too experienced seeing kites, playing in the sand, making sand castles, looking for sea shells and crab hunting at night for the first time. Years ago I would have been so annoyed if my beach neighbor would have been throwing food for the birds...not this year. We were searching for any cracker we could find just to hear Ansley yell "Great job bird...eat your goldfish!" I might have annoyed our beach neighbors (we had fewer at the end of the week than we had at the beginning!) but they were patient to allow us to make those memories with Ansley and Emme. True enough, this trip was my favorite beach trip of my life...and another first...no sunburns in this house tonight!!!

We have a second beach trip planned next month with Josh's family and we are already talking about what fun we will have all over again- we can't wait!!! Here are a few sweet memories captured on camera from this trip:

A favorite first for the girls was their discovery of a 1/2 head-stand!!! Emme discovered it first and taught her older sister!! No matter how many times I see them do this I crack up laughing.

While on this beach vacation, my parents celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary! WOW! Each year on their anniversary, my mom puts on her wedding gown before going to dinner with my dad...isn't that sweet?! (No- she never wears it in public- it is just a fun and sweet tradition at home which has now been shared with the entire world wide web.) Mom jokes that her dress is the most worn dress in the history of wedding gowns- I think she is correct! Having been a bride and now having brought forth almost 3 children into this world this tradition is more amazing and admirable to me than ever before!!!! Ansley and Emma Kate thought their MeMe looked so "bootifull" (Ansley for beautiful). When Meme walked out to the beach with her wedding gown on Ansley ran to her and said "Meme you have a bride dress...you look so pretty!" How special to share this tradition with our children. Thanks be to God for blessing my parents with 39 years together- what an encouragement they have been to so many- especially me.

Ain't Nothing Easy about "The Big Easy"

2009-05-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, Josh planned a trip for our little family of four to head to New Orleans together. He planned that we would go to the Aquarium and the Audubon Insectarium. We booked the hotel room and off we went on this adventure this past weekend! I have always loved New Orleans- the food (!), the music, the art and the architecture...all of it really makes me feel alive. Therefore, it was never hard for me to understand or relate to the city's nickname "The Big Easy"- until this past weekend.

We were so excited about this trip and had great expectations. I tried to be super prepared- all medicines, comfort blankets, favorite music even favorite juice cups were in tow. I even went so far as to get the girls their very own $3 disposable cameras so they too could take pictures and I might get just a few of them with our camera without them trying to grab the "real" camera (or "smile" as they like to call the device) out of my hands!

Friday afternoon was fine but it all started once we got to McComb- Emme's fever spiked up to 103...we stop at the local Dairy Queen...administer Motrin and continue on. Fever breaks and she is happy again with seemingly no issues. We check into our hotel- girls are thrilled and play phone while we unpack...next thing I know, they are jumping on the bead and, of course, Emme falls OFF the bed onto her head- I freak out, Josh does a quick exam and determines that she is perfectly fine as she is already off and running. After I got some oxygen and a Sprite (my how times have changed for me in New Orleans!) we headed directly for the Audubon Insectarium. (If you haven't been with your children- it is fun- girls loved it!) This was a blast for the girls- we went through the ant cave at least 6 times and the butterfly exhibit has been discussed at great length for days. I saw the largest beetle I have ever seen or thought about and learned that there are over 350,000 different species of beetles!! After this we head to the River for a little seafood- found a great restaurant with a live band and tables outside...girls were great...loved their food...champs at dinner...we danced by the river and headed to the hotel. Emme goes down at 6:30 just like every night and then wakes at 8:30 p.m. screaming her head off...fever is back at 103 and she is inconsolable...we could only hold her and pray...she gets real sick at midnight- you can use your own imagination- we consider packing up and going to Tulane's emergency room or heading straight for home...she eventually calms down and finally crashes at 3:34 a.m.!!!!! At this time, I am holding her listening to all of the "French Quarter patrons" coming in from their Friday night fun. Even though I was exhausted beyond description, stressed and worried about Emme, I had to laugh to myself at how poetic the situation was for me personally!!!!

6:34 a.m.- Ansley awakes singing to Josh and I- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Since we had only 3 hours of sleep the entire night, we begged her to hum and just talk to Charlotte. She loved that and laid on my stomach and told Charlotte the story of "Goldilocks and the Free Bears"! As exhausted as I was, it was a priceless moment! Emme awakens shortly thereafter and feels miserable. We pack up- grab breakfast and head to the Aquarium so not to disappoint Ansley. She loved everything about it- she loved the Anaconda even! Her favorite exhibit was the penguin exhibit and the clown fish exhibit as she was convinced it was truly Nemo in that tank!!! Below are some pictures from our trip. You can tell how much Emme enjoyed the Aquarium...she slept through the entire thing!!!!

Once we got home that afternoon, we took Emme straight to the doctor- she had hand, foot and mouth disease!!! For those of you who have not experienced this virus- it is one of the worst ever. Our girls have had it 3 times and every time I doubt whether I am going to make it through the 96 hour duration!!!! But, all is well now and looking back now we certainly made some memories! Ansley had a blast and has asked daily when we are going to see Nemo again! Josh and I are going to give New Orleans another shot to earn its "Easy" nickname from this Poole clan!!!

Charlotte Belinda Poole

2009-05-26T17:18:00.001-07:00

Josh and I have decided to name our third daughter Charlotte Belinda. As this pregnancy progressed it was obvious quickly that it was time to name our daughter so to better pray for her specifically and so that Ansley and Emme could really identify with her. It was very important to us to honor both of our families this time around with the name selection as they have meant more to us than mere words could ever express. Charlotte is the feminine form of Charles, Josh's father's name, and Charlotte means "petite and feminine." Belinda is my mother's name and means "beautiful in spirit." Charlotte is named after two people who have not only loved us unconditionally throughout our lives but who have also been true heroes of faith every day in our lives. Our families passed down to us a beautiful legacy of faith, devotion to and love for the Lord- our prayer is that our daughters can say the same about us.

Charlotte Belinda, even though we still have over 4 months until we hold your sweet self in our arms, we love you and lift you up in prayer now.

Our Baby Bella is here!

2009-05-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

We are so happy to welcome our new niece and cousin, Bella Gibson! Bella was born one week ago on May 19 a little before 5 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs 10 oz and is truly beautiful- she lives up to her name!! Big sister Halle is doing such a great job welcoming Bella to their home and I hear that she tells everyone that she can change her dirty diaper. Ansley and Emma Kate have not met their new cousin yet since they have been sick for the last week, but as soon as we know they are well we are racing over so that they can love on her! We all love all you Gibsons- welcome Bella!!!

IT'S A . . .

2009-05-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

GIRL! ! ! We are excited to announce that we have another Poole girl on the way! Three little girls all in curls, we hope! Josh and I were thrilled at the news. Josh has said since week 5 of this pregnancy that he really wanted another girl. I expect that this little girl will wrap her Daddy just as quickly around her finger as Ansley and Emma Kate did. We are most thankful that our little girl is healthy and seems to be doing very good. I felt her move for the first time last week. What a gift those little thumps and flutters are to feel.

WHOA BABY. . .

2009-03-13T17:33:00.001-07:00

Ansley and Emma Kate have some news. . .they are expecting their baby sibling in October!!! I can see all of your jaws dropped to the floor right now. Josh and I have just now been able to get over the shock ourselves. . .3 children under 3 years old. . .wow. At first we walked around town looking like two deer caught in headlights. Now we walk around town just laughing at ourselves! Our family is very excited now and we look ahead with great joy as we prepare for our little caboose!

Happy to Help

2009-02-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

Emma Kate LOVES to help me do the dishes. If she hears me in the kitchen, she immediately crawls in there to see if I am by chance loading or unloading the dishwasher. I wish that I were as enthusiastic about this chore!!!

Last week, I left the room for just a moment to check on Ansley and when I returned I found her sitting on the door of the dishwasher! I didn't even know that she could climb, but this week, she is climbing on everything...yesterday, the couch...this morning the table that PaPa made for she and Ansley...and just a few minutes ago- the dishwasher again! I am learning quickly that I can never take my eyes off our Emme!

A Few of Our Firsts. . .

2009-02-13T12:59:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love most "firsts"? True, some first moments we'd all like to forget, but the following specific first moments of our girls, we love!

The Girls' First Box of Valentine Candy

Ansley and Emma Kate enjoy their Valentine candy from MiMi, PaPa, HaHa and RiRi...very much!!!

Emma Kate's First Dance

Emma Kate and Daddy dancing on the deck on one of our very nice warm days.

The Poole Sisters First "Storytime"

After this "storytime", it became part of our day for Ansley and Emme to get in Ansley's bed and read books together. The story usually sounds a little like this:

Ansley:"Sissie, listen...cow an' moon...Fancy Fancy ran 'round an 'round...Sissie, see da cow?"

Emme: "oooohhhh...ba ba ba ba...hhhrrrggg" (all the while chewing on the next book)

Ansley: "Listen, Sissie...see da cow...cow jump oder moon...night night cow...night night moon....eeee baaa". ("Eeee Baaa" is "Ansley-speak" for The End.)

Our First Swing Set!

Ansley still enjoying our new swings!!!

Eeee Baaa!!!

Super Memories, Super Treats, and the Super Bowl

2009-01-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

I find the close of football season bittersweet- bitter because I will miss the all of the weekend games and sweet because March madness is around the corner! Those of you who know me are well aware of my love for sports- especially football. It never ceases to amaze people that I love it and am much more interested in football than my husband or my brother- they'd much rather be in the woods chasing after that "trophy buck." In fact this year, Ansley would watch a game with us on Saturday and yell "Go boy, go...get ball...yay!"

My family would tell you that I get my love for sports honestly- from my precious grandmother, MaMaw. Our beloved MaMaw would sleep late in the morning so that she could watch every game covered by the satellite...she would watch them from the East to West Coast never missing a beat. Her enthusiasm for the game was contagious. Not only was she a loyal fan of the team(MSU always- no matter the success of their season), she knew the story of every coach, player, and their families. She could also tell you whether the new recruits were any good! She was amazing in so many respects- a true gentle spirit and lady in every aspect of the word- which makes her love for sports all the more ironic and fascinating! The older I got, the more it amazed me that a woman of such grace could quietly point to the TV and say "Yeah, I think they'd better blitz here. . ." and the TV commentator would almost immediately chime in to say "And they're showing blitz now...center snaps the ball..."- she knew what she was talking about! It was my MaMaw who brought my attention to a player wearing #22 of the Florida Gators- turned out to be one of the greats of the game, Emmitt Smith. She would be so proud to know that I have continued to be a Gator fan since that day- except when they play Ole Miss! Memories sitting at her feet watching the games with her and eating popcorn candy are cherished ones. . .every Saturday with her was the BCS Championship or Superbowl to me.

The traditions were also in full-swing at our home. My dad and I watched game after game together on Saturdays and some Sundays. I loved this time with him as he taught me about the I-formation, option routes, and the blitz. We had so many exciting 4th quarters, overtimes, and uncontrollable laughs at the commercials. My mother encouraged this time together by cooking all day- even when it was just my father and I watching games all day and night, Mom would make at least 4 appetizers or meals and still wonder if it was enough for the two of us! What a precious lady. . .always loving us through her cooking. . . I pray my family one day feels loved through my cooking!!! I don't pretend to know a lot about the game- I just love it and the traditions that go along with it: tailgating (or "Groving" for the Ole Miss fans in the crowd), air horns (or cowbells for the MSU fans in the crowd), and even the crazy fan (you know the one) in the stand who always knows the perfect play that would have worked had the offensive coordinator just listened to him.

I do hope and pray that as our girls reflect on their childhoods, they too carry such fun and simple traditions into their homes- after all, it is the time spent with one another that is truly priceless. So, thanks MaMaw, Dad and Mom for sharing this great tradition with me- little did you know that those days would be many of my favorites from my childhood.

In honor of the close of the season and those who instilled in me the love for the game, here is a recipe from MaMaw's kitchen, my mom's kitchen, and my kitchen for the big game!!

MaMaw's Popcorn Candy (a recipe to be passed on to my girls with love):
2 bags popcorn
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup Karo syrup
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix popcorn and nuts on cookie sheet. Combine sugar, butter, and syrup in pan and boil 15 minutes (should be light caramel color). Add vanilla. Pour immediately over corn and nut mixture.

Mom's Cheese Soup (I could eat my weight in this soup!):
4 stalks celery
1/2 bunch green onions
1/2 yellow onion
3 carrots
3 cans Cream Chicken soup
3 cans chicken broth
1 lb. Velveeta cheese

Blend celery, onions and carrots well in blender or food processor. Mix with other ingredients in large microwavable dish. Cook 45 minutes on high in microwave-stir every 10 minutes.

K-Mart's Layered Dip (Katharine shared this recipe this year and it is one of our new game-day favorites!):
Frito's Bean Dip
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 package taco seasoning
guacamole
chopped tomatoes (or chunky salsa)
4 green onions, chopped
shredded cheddar/mozzarella cheese

Spread bean dip all over dish. Mix mayo, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Spread mixture over bean dip. Spread guacamole over mixture. Spread tomatoes and green onions. Top with shredded cheese. Refrigerate. Serve cold with tortilla chips or veggies.

Hope you enjoy! Go Arizona!!!!!

From Swinging Wide to Swinging High

2009-01-24T02:43:00.000-08:00

You know the old saying "nothing in life is free"? Well, this "proverb" ran through my head this week as Josh and I worked to get our new play-set into our backyard for our girls.

Some dear friends of ours gave us their play-set since their children are no longer in a play-set season of life. We continue to be so grateful for this gift and its timeliness as we continue our season of being "grounded" with Emma Kate!

Josh and Ansley took off last weekend to get the set. Trailer securely hitched to the Sequoia: check. Bungee cords to tie down set: check. Chick-fil-A biscuits and juice: check. Mama Mia soundtrack so Ansley can sing "Honey Honey" 25 times in a row: check. Sweet one-on-one time for them, no doubt.

All seemed to go so well until it came time to pull the 14-foot trailer carrying the set into our backyard. As I held the gate open and watched Josh swing as wide as possible pulling into the backyard, I felt it. There was no mistaking that feeling in the pit of my stomach that we all dread: the instinct- I have a bad feeling about this. What was that cracking sound? I looked up to see my passenger side mirror shattering before my eyes. AHHH! Josh immediately stopped and jumped out to make sure that I was okay. After what seemed like a very long moment of silence, we burst into laughter at the sight of the demolished mirror. I mean really,- what else can you do at this point but laugh?

There was a time in my life when my head would have spun around and steam would have come forth from my ears. (See Emme's hair-do at right for reference!) However, twenty-four years of living with my patient and relaxed mom and three years of living with my patient and relaxed husband seem to have finally taught me to laugh at what cannot be undone in life. I wish that I could say that I always get it, but at least I seem to be making some progress!

After we pulled ourselves together, Ansley and I stood by while our gate and my Sequoia's mirror battled to the finish- the gate won. Alas, the set was IN the backyard. Josh worked tirelessly to get the set up and together for his girls. Each time I asked if he wanted to take a break, he told me in the most determined of tones that his girls would swing on this set before dark...and swing high they did! Three cheers for Daddy...we sure have had a lot of smiles this week due to our friends' generosity and Daddy's hard work.

True, some (including myself at times) would choose in this situation to lean on "nothing in life is free"; however, I have chosen to lean on "the best things in life ARE FREE." After all, we have the smiles here to prove it!

The "5 W's" of We 4 Pooles

2009-01-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

In English class, I remember studying the "5 W's": who, what, when, where and why. (For my dear friends and husband- you English teachers and English majors- I do know that there is truly a "6th W- How"; however, How was simply not catchy!) My teacher drove home day after day that these five details were the fundamentals of clear and concise communication. According to her, this formula was the best method by which to grasp the full story. Seventeen years after receiving a B+ in Mrs. Herren's class (because I did not complete the Christmas ornament extra credit project(!)), she is still correct and still my favorite teacher in my twenty years of school.

WHO are we Pooles? We are a happy little family of four that began only four years ago next month. Josh is a commercial banker with the Bank of Yazoo. He is a patient, kind and loving husband and father. My name is Anna. I am an attorney (hence all of the school) but do not practice. Our oldest daughter is two years old and her name is Ansley Grace. She lives into her middle name even at two as she shows us daily about unconditional kindness and the sweetest love. Emma Kate was born only fourteen months after Ansley arrived (SURPRISE!) and continues to be the "spice" of our home!

WHAT should we say about we four Pooles? As you many of you know from being a part of our journey thus far, or simply from the URL of this blog, our life has been one led by a fast pace thus far! A wedding, a move, two daughters, 3 trucks, 2 SUVs, 3 dogs, and one cat in sixteen months speaks for itself. We would not change a thing about life thus far (except for that one cat, right Josh?!); however, we now live our lives at an intentionally slower and simpler pace. It has been a beautiful time as we learn to enjoy each season of our girls' little lives. Josh enjoys his work very much and is thankful for those with whom he works. He also loves anything outdoors- from hunting anything in any season to mowing the lawn- you can most often find him outdoors! I enjoy my family most. They are my sunshine, my source of laughter and pure joy. I also love to read- again, hence the twenty years of school and still would love to teach or go back one day! Ansley enjoys reading too which thrills my soul. She also loves to color and be a little mother to her Elmo and her baby dolls- what a nurturer already! Emme- now she keeps us on our toes. Truly, she is the reason that I am starting this blog, but more in our WHY section (shameless plug for readers to continue unless they have gotten bored already at which point, this sentence is a moot point). Emme's spirit is completely opposite than Ansley's- still precious and sweet, but completely opposite! She is feisty, active, unafraid, curious and incapable of sleep. She makes us laugh constantly throughout the day and often Ansley and I find ourselves just watching to see what she will do next. I shudder to think what our teenage years will bring!

WHEN did Josh and I meet you ask? Four years ago in February- 2005- best year of my life!

WHERE do we Pooles live? We live in Jackson, Mississippi. We are fortunate to have our families so close to us. Josh's family lives in Ridgeland, Mississippi which is ten minutes from our house. My family, the Gibsons, live in Madison, Mississippi which is about twenty minutes from our house. Thanks be to God that our families live so close or our last two years with two babies fourteen months apart would have been MUCH tougher. We are forever grateful for all of their help and support.

WHY start a blog? Great question. Many of you reading have asked me time and again (and again) to join Facebook. I have declined thus far for fear that it would take over my free time and I would become obsessed with checking to see how many "friends" I had. However, many family members far from us have also asked for a more routine way to keep up with our girls. I thought this blog would be that great avenue. Also, I have truly enjoyed reading many of your blogs and thought to myself for months that I would love to start one for our family and friends to keep in touch better. The catalyst for my finally getting around to this blogging that I so often hear of was one of Emme's many doctor's appointments last week. Our Em, while precious and spunky, has been sick about every three weeks of her life since she was nine weeks old. Therefore, after this last illness, her pediatrician advised that we keep Em pretty quarantined (not his word- mine) until April. . .no Kroger, no Walmart, no church- just our home and our parents' homes. You would have to know me to understand what this suggestion meant to me. I am an extrovert in the most extreme definition of the term. I love people. I love any and all conversations. I love going anywhere- Kroger was even a blast for me with my girls. So, to hear that it would be best for us to keep Em out of the public for a couple of months to try to keep her healthy was distressing for this people-lover. I want to stay in touch with all of our friends and family and a phone call is not always (or most of the time) possible with two little ones who deserve my full attention- so the blog is born!

My hope is for this blog to open a line of communication between our family and yours. I don't know how good I will be at keeping this blog current- I will do my best as time allows. Please always post (or whatever they call it) us a message. I would love to hear from all of you and know how your family is doing in your hometown. We miss you all and hope for a healthy Summer so to visit many of you. Until the next time- here are some current pictures of our girls from the holidays and previous fun months!

Mrs. Herren, I do hope I did you and your untold dedication to us proud.