Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all and to all -get more sleep.

We had a lovely Christmas. I was a bit worried when I realized it would just be me and Grandpa. I wondered if we would be lonely and miserable. What I learned is that my family is always close- by phone. That helps. Then the visits by Wendy and Pete, Peg and Thad, and Vic and Molly who bring friends and kiddies that we love and adore, to visit.  It was quiet but you know, I think I am ready for quiet. I didn't have stockings and I didn't miss them. We have a few presents under the tree and really that was enough-we went shopping and bought what we wanted for ourselves earlier this month so we got what we wanted. The added presents from kids was a surprise and were seen as  tokens of love,which is what we really want. So all in all, we are ready for this life of simple and easier and don't miss some of the things I thought we would. I look forward to times of being together of course and don't mind cooking-although my girls, daughters and in-law daughters, are better cooks that I am, it's just eating and being in the same room that is fun.
I loved Thanksgiving but I didn't get to sit and talk like I would like to. Next time I will plan that in there. We were busy with kids. I do miss holding my grandchildren so don't feel that babysitting is such a bad thing for me. The older the kids get, the more interesting they will be and I don't want to miss that time to talk to them.
All in all, I love you and want you to be at peace as we start the new year. I can't fix the world (boy I would like to) but I can enjoy the blessing of "now" and I hope you can too.You all have a work to do, I know, so just know we pray for you and our grandchildren to fulfill that mission. We have girded our loins (does an apron count?) and hold our shields and move forth. WE can do this- we can use our talents to bring truth to the board -or minds- of those who come in our paths- because they were sent to you.
Love you all, Happy New Year!

Best Prank Ever

This video clip is from a Brazilian TV show (they have sick senses of humor in Brazil, I guess).  Victims are led their believing they are going for a job interview.
(Hint:  The elevator doesn't actually go anywhere.)

Let's learn this dance!!!

Ok not really but I can't seem to get the song out of my head. You will have to click on the link to see the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vMoK0focAFE

Can you guess what the lyrics are?  Don't cheat!

Thank You!

I'm a little embarrassed to say how much I love nice gifts and being thought of by everyone. I love it.

Thank You, Thank You!

I did not at all expect something like this and I LOVE IT!  I shoved everything I thought I might remotely need for a Sunday with 6 kids in this great purse/ diaper bag. When our foster kids, Gazel and Noah came to church with us I wanted to be ready and it ALL fit. When the spit up came and Gazel needed something to quite her because she didn't understand 'prayer time' it was so easy to find. But enough about this cool bag... what about my cool family that was so great and giving and made my birthday a real surprise. 

*The bonus: I had a friend admire my bag the other day and when I explained that my husband surprised me with it for my birthday, she exclaimed "what husband thinks of things like that?" 

Um, Mine!

We Should Make a Music Video

This Video is "TWO" cute!

Have you seen this product before and thought "oh my, what will the come up with next" with all the enthusiasm of heart and soul?  So I am being a little sarcastic.  I have seen this product and rolled my eyes but I am now a changed woman.  BECAUSE I read the customer reviews!  Follow the link and then you read the reviews on this much needed kitchen gadget.

And then go change your underwear because you will pee your pants. 

 http://www.amazon.com/Victorio-Kitchen-Products-Banana-Slicer/dp/B001F5STWU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345407076&sr=8-3&keywords=banana+slicer

Our San Francisco Trip

The Painted Ladies.  Tanners had us over for dinner (Full house reference)

China Town.  I bought a purse and we had lunch.

Grace Cathedral.  I love to visit Cathedrals anywhere I go.

Front Door to Grace Cathedral.

Giants Game!  It was chilly!

Disney Museum.  $20 a person!  But it was moderately interesting.

Disney's Oscar's.  The one in the middle bottom has 7 little ones next to it.  It's the one he got for Snow White.

The Palace of Fine Arts.  Really really pretty.  I dont know what it's purpose is, just a nice place to stroll.

Blazzing Saddles is the place you rent bikes from.  $9 dollars an hour and worth it! We biked across the bridge and rode into Sausalito, had lunch and rode the ferry back.

Crossing the bridge.

Lombard street.  We didn't drive down it, just walked it.

Muir Woods and Sasquatch.  Probably.

This area was called "the cathedral". 

Golden Gate.

Alcatraz.  That's the purse I bought in China Town.

Oh and this is back from when Jenny and the kids came up to visit.  Hailey took a liking to Thad.  I still have to watch my back around her.  I think she's still mad at me for hogging Thad all to myself. 

July

This is my favorite picture of my trip to Utah in July. (This and the fishy video).  It was just such a good trip!

The kids are gone

After a visit from Joy and the kids, the kids wrote on the side walk and drive way. It was a self portrait for some and Allie drew a picture on the side of the elevated part of the drive way. Any way, in view of that and Jenny's kids visit,here is my rendition of what happened.

Stay till May.

The pictures were in place
My granchildren's art and face
I loved to see each line
On the drive- way, they were mine
I could see them when I walked
I remembered where we talked

But, alas it didn't stay
For the rain washed them away
Now I long for pictures in that place
And I long to see their face
Some future time I know
I will waite for them to show

It's the fate of getting old
The visits too soon grow cold
I guess there isn't any way
To make them stay till May.

Utah fun

 Park City: Where even the bike racks are artsy and cool.

 Molly and Peter, our wonderful hosts. I love a fun afternoon that ends up at a yummy local restaurant.

 Grant, Hailey and Jack on the Park City trolly.

 The shoe tree in Park City. Now we just need to see Bubble Gum Alley

 We love Peter!  And yes, he is so active that my camera can't take his picture fast enough.

 The Bean museum. A must and I hear Joy, that you get to see it too! They had live animals on exhibit. A Horned Lizard- Mackay asked if it would shoot blood from its eyes. he thinks that is so cool.

Bridal Veil Falls. So much more fun than my original enthusiasm for it. I loved this picture with Peggy and Thad and tried to play around with my new software.  We had such a great trip back in May/June  and have enjoyed a lazy summer ever since.  (that's why I've been slow on the up-load)

Happy Fathers Day Grandpa! You are the Grandpa that each of our children are excited to walk beside, to play with and visit. You are wonderful! There can not be enough said about how much of an impact you have on each of our lives. Some of the best memories in the Robinson house come from time spent with Grandpa (and Grandma)! We love you.

What is Jenny saying?

Add your guesses...

Very touching

Molly, I think you'll like this one.  He's very musical.



I actually get to buy guns and knives at work.  Hehehe.

Today is Vic's birthday! Happy Birthday to you!
We called him Michael when he was little. Do any of you remember that? My mom always remembered him as Michael and had a hard time switching over to Vic.
We are proud of you Vic and hope this will be a blessed week.
I remember feeling that you were older that you acturally were. Hense, I left you to babysit your brothers and sisters probley earlier that most do. You went to Education week when you were 12 instead of 14-the recommended age. But you seemed to "get it" and you wanted to go. You were smart  (but hated to do homework). I am so glad you came to our family, and that you have one of your own. We seem to be going through this life experience pretty fast.
Love you  and are proud of you.
MOM

May

May is my favorite Month! I'm not talking about holidays, memories of my children's births, specific events or seasons. Just months. It's May. It just says "love me". Too many things happen this month for it to be just another page in my calendar.  It happens to be the month I graduated from College, got my Black Belt, and found my first home.  You are already thinking of other big events, aren't you? Happy Birthday to Paul, Vic, Aunt Bonnie & Grandma Jackson. Happy Anniversary to Peggy and Thad, Paul and Kristyn, and Vic and Molly (in that order)!  Happy Mother's Day and let's throw another holiday in just for fun - Memorial Day. There are play try-outs this month, and Father and Sons campouts.  School lets out, and I just might take a couple of weeks off and travel to Utah. Why not! (I'm sure there is a heart to say that as well). I might just get another niece or two this month. Adam goes home this month with our prayers for his Mother and their success.
 And Lucy's graduation day. Her beauty and life adds a depth to this month and gives us perspective to laugh, cry and be generally grateful for our lives.
Are there other things I've forgotten this month?  I think May can handle it!  If I ever have another girl, May would be a name at the top of our list.

This week in Utah

Hi Family,
Just wanted to say hello and hope you are having a good week.
I wanted to tell you about mine.
I got to watch Peter Thur and Fri. He is one ball of energy as you can imagine. His haircut makes him look like a little boy-no more toddler for him. It is really a drastic change.
He talks more and that's always great when you can communicate. I bought him some ducks and
that was fun. He was very good about taking care of them.They sure are a wet animal. Either they spill the water a lot or they pee a lot. Not sure which. Molly is having to take care of them now so she will soon be the expert. They have a pond in their back yard if you remember.

I was so pleased and honored to be given the "silver bowl" award on Wed. It is awarded to one person per county. It is sponsored by UNICEF. I was given this because of the dictionary project Rotary does every year.
It was in the local paper here Sunday. Don't know if it will be anywhere else.

I have finished my school for this semester. Onward and upward.
I have a guest speaker for Rotary tomorrow, the Lady is running for Senate in the State. She's pretty sharp.
Our neighbors have left on their mission. The Howards are gone for 6 months to the Indian territory and teaches them to set up gardens. Plus help in the wards.We collect the mail for them.
My flowers are looking very well this year. I have peas planted, that's all until we rototiller the ground.
Oh, another big thing. We are taking in two exchange students until they find another place. They are from Chezch(?) Republic and Brazil. Two boys. They will be here about a month and then move to a home that works out better, probably one with High School students. We are called a "welcoming" home. That will be in Aug.
Glad to hear from you. We remember you in our prayers.
Love you all
MOM

Sick as Dead Dogs....

...rotting in the desert surrounded by buzzards, dipped in rotten lard, fried to a crisp and molding over lava made of boogers sitting on top of rotten potatoes and a clogged Jackson toilet in the middle of the Hunger Games Cornicopia.

WE HAVE BEEN SO SICK! Since our benefit concert. Since BEFORE our benefit concert. It's been ridiculous. Honestly, I think we might have pneumonia. And being pregnant on top of it...and chasing Peter (who rode his bike for two hours straight last week--roughly 2.5 miles with 8,000 adventures along the way--I'm telling you...this kid could solve the world's energy crisis)...its been a DOOZIE.

So Vic has been sleeping in "Lucy's Room" for over a week so we can both get better sleep as we are both coughing, twitching, snoring, tossing and turning.

I have started closing the door of his room so I don't have to look at the mess. I even asked him yesterday if he could "please clean his room". That's when I felt like I had a teenage boy. Which kind of made me smile for a second. Just a second. But then I realized, I HAVE TO TELL MARLENE! I have to tell her that I hope she never gets sad thinking that her first baby, her little baby boy went and grew up on her. HE DIDN'T! He is still a little boy and always will be so don't be sad. You can come clean up after him and take care of him and hold him and ask him to clean up his room anytime you'd like!

I can't stop watching this...

Dear Vic,

...and Sam, Joy, Wendy, Paul, and Peggy,

I thought about you while running. You popped into my mind around mile 9 when Tom Petty started singing on my Nano "well I started out down a dirty road, started out all alone. And the sun went down as I crossed the hill. And the town lit up, and the world got still. (are you singing yet, because I was) I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. Coming down is the hardest thing."
Did you know I have that CD? It's probably yours. It reminds me of when we roomed together and I have great memories from that. I thought about all the things I've learned from you, from all of you. The important lessons you all teach, and the kindness you give when you allow me to learn things on my own, even when you watch me being clueless. Sam, I think about your struggles alone and wish we could all relay with you, taking turns sharing the strain. Joy, I am so sorry that you had to quit track in High School. I get how fun running is now, and I wish that I had taken you to DQ and commiserated together on the way life works out sometimes. I wish we could do that now, when we have hard days. ( I overheard Mackay telling someone "Sometimes I have a nice mommy, sometimes shes mean!") Yep, days like that. Wendy and Peggy, I heard stories about things you did with your roommates and wished I could have been your roommate, at least, longer than I was. Wendy, we are making up for lost time. Peggy I hope I get the chance. Paul. You are too cool for me, but hanging out with families of our own was super cool and I loved the ideas you came up with for your family. You play and hard as you work. I'm learning to do that too. Running has done that for me. I also thought of Lucy, and of Molly's marathon mantra and of the influence of in-laws.
Elder Bednar gave a talk that I really loved. Read it when you have a moment. He states that "Our physical bodies make possible a breadth, a depth, and an intensity of experience that simply could not be obtained in our premortal estate. "
We “accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.” ¹ Please note the primary importance of obtaining a physical body in the process of progressing toward our divine destiny."
I'm noticing my own growth in learning through running. There are times when I think, I'm gonna run an 8 minute mile today and then I get out there and realize, I don't run that fast! Then there are times that we've planned a 9 mile run and I think, 'I can't run that far', and then I do! It's as if having really physical experiences, enhance our intellectual growth as well.
Growing up in our family gave me, gives us, so many chances to learn. Running gives me more time to reflect on what I'm learning. It's a good mix.
I love you all. Thanks for withholding judgement ( to my face) and for talking, blogging, sharing your lives and experiences. I'm so lucky to be a part of all of you. I just wanted to let you know that, and that I thought of you all for at lest 3 miles, ...until I stopped thinking and sprinted to the finish line!
Love, Jenny

Some More Art

We all know how much mothers love the art their children produce (we have all been to Grandma's house and have seen the art wall). I know that sometimes we may be the only ones who appreciate these works of art. It is just so fun to see what is in their heads. But I think you will get a kick out of them.

First of all... does anyone know which park this is? Anyone, anyone? Do you recognize it? I love that Luke (and all of my kids) have happy memories of this park. Click on the photo to enlarge:
And this just made me laugh:
By the way, that is a fake tattoo on his forehead... which looks like he ran into wall.

Just made me Smile

Mom's post reminded me of this. It made me smile, maybe it will make you smile too!

Babies are just proof God loves us and trusts us. They mean life and future.

Did I ever tell you your kids are precious little people? They are noisy and don't always follow rules and make messes, and you have to let them run in the hall, but I am excited for you new additions.

I always used to wonder when my kids were born, who is this person? I ran out of patients and went to bed early sometimes,except when Jenny came and jumped on the bed, but you are the wonderful people I have dreamed about. So,

we wait to see the grandchildren develop and wait to see who they are. Don't you just love it?

Did You Make the Cut?

And the last page...
... ya. Neither did I.

Happy birthday Molly

Happy Birthday Molly! You should be eating a cake this nice! But since you are in California (and who wouldn't be for their birthday if they could) we'll have to skip the cake and just wish you a great day. Enjoy yourself

Thoughts that I should probably keep to myself

I have been thinking a lot about Lucy lately. As we approach Allie's baptism next Saturday I have a lot of mixed emotions. I am so excited and proud of her because she really wants this, it really is her choice. Part of me though also realizes that this marks the end of her innocence so to speak. She is accountable now. And WHAT IF she decides to make choices in her life that we are not happy about. What if she chooses not to follow the Savior later on. That is a real possibility and in the end it is her choice. Part of me feels... maybe a little of jealous of Vic and Molly? Lucy is theirs! Now all they have to do is their part. If someone gave me the option of living my life without Allie... well that is like asking "would you rather have you arm bitten off by an alligator or your leg bitten off by a shark?" Well, hellllooo- neither! There is no answer to a question like that. I am sorry about these morbid thoughts. This is a joyful time! Allie is going to be baptized!!!

But there you go. I just shared them with you.


This is a sculpture in Slovakia at a memorial for unborn children.

...And My Daughter Too.

(She always has to have the last word.)

I love my boys

Nuff said...