41st Birthday

Well, 41.  I never pictured myself here.  I could see myself as a young mother with toddlers and small children.  I could see myself retired and perhaps on a mission.  For some reason I never really thought about what I would be like in the middle.  It feels good.  So I wanted to take some time and figure out who is this person I am now and enjoy it.  I feel a little silly writing about myself so I'll just make a list, it is easier and more comfortable.
-I am a wife
-and mother of 5
-happy to be a "Stay at Home Mom"
-wish I could stay at home more!
-Love the gospel.
-Love our family motto "No Empy Chairs"  It holds lots of meaning for us. ask me about it and I'll be happy to share
-Love that there is a priesthood holder in my home!
-Love that he uses it for me and others.
-Always get answers to my prayers.  wish I always liked the answers
-love to read
-started a book club (it's in it's 3rd year now)
-love to cook but hate to do dishes
-love it when a new recipe works out and tastes great too!
-try to keep my house and family organized and efficient
-Enjoy setting a timer to help me get my work done (I'd rather do someting fun but cant enjoy it until the work is done)
-one of the best compliments I have received from a friend..."Your house always smells like bread!" (just wish it were true)
-best compliment from my kids..."Wow Mom! You're smart!"...thank you for noticing
-best compliment from my husband..."You did a good job."...ahhh, the satisfaction
-Young Women's leader (have been for most of my adult life)
-Love teenage girls- quirks and all
-I am my kids biggest fan
-try not to be the loud parent in the bleachers(it still happens sometimes)
-get annoyed with other drivers
-my kids remind me that other drivers cant hear me when I tell them how to drive!
-becoming more patient with those drivers (it's an effort)
-enjoy reading blogs of other people especially other moms who keep it real and have great craft/home/photography ideas
-tried to get into scrapbooking-hated it. too much stuff and equipment-  Started a blog instead
-learning how to upholstery -I will probably never do it again after this first project (pictures to follow)
-learning photography- having a blast!  Thanks John, for the perfect birthday gift!
-Love a nap on Sunday afternoon.
-Love that my kids are building a special relationship with their Grammy.  Not everyone has the opportunity to have a grandparent live with them.
-Voluteer with the Office of Emergency Management-I've seen a lot of  things I hope to never see again
and seen some miracles happen and love the energy that happens when people work together
-wore a BYU football tshirt at Walmart and was treated rudely
-Love to be super nice to rude people just to watch them squirm!
-Enjoy a good game of Settlers of Catan.  (especially if i win!)
-I am not a good sport.  I am getting better (another effort)
-Talking about Personal Progress makes me smile
-a list maker.  I love to cross things off as I complete them. (confession- I even add things to my list just so I can cross it off too!-pathetic!)
-Love it when my kids sit on my lap - even when my legs fall asleelp
-have great friends.  They are all different, all beautiful, all talented, smart and fun.  And they are all real!
-find mistakes in my bank account almost every time I reconcile!  it's getting better, yes, another effort
-would rather not roncile my bank accounts.  John is better at it anyway. but I know it is important! bleh!
-Love the variety of bird song outside my bedroom window in the morning.
-looking forward to building our house.  Not looking forward to the work.  Looking forward to having it done.
-Want to make our home a farm home. 
-Farm home = good feelings, good food, self sustaining, work and fun.  It's a lofty goal but I believe attainalbe
-Feel enormous satisfaction when completing very small goals! most especially when they add up to a big one
-cant stand it when people eat while talking on the phone.  Had a friend who talked to me while on the toilet.  I hung up the first time I heard her flush, then I got used to it and now it just makes me laugh!
-teach piano lessons after school.  I love it.  (just dont like the "donkey song" I am sick of it!
-love it that my husband always calls me during his lunch break
-My comfort food...definately Mexican!

-Family, it's what I do.
-LDS Woman.  It's who I am.

SPRING!

KOREA

John got to go to Korea again.  This is the view from his hotel in Seoul.  Notice the garden on top of the building.  He didn't have time for sight-seeing as he was very busy at a rolling mill in Yeongju.  When I asked him why he didn't bring home "travel" pictures he just laughed and said, "I was working."  So, if you ask an obvious question, you get an obvious answer! 

"OLD LADY"

This is where I spent most of the month of March after having surgery to repair cartilage in my hip. I have heard that manditory bedrest is terrible but I was very spoiled by family and friends.  I have to admit I rather enjoyed the break.  There is not much better in life than to smell breakfast cooking while you are still in bed!

This is a sweet card the girls in Young Women made for me.  They are so fun!

TREES, TREES, TREES

We have planted 75 trees!  There are already Ponderosa Pine all over the lot.  We have added White Pine, Douglas Fir, Spruce, Poplar, and Sugar Maples.  The Poplars and Maples alternate on both sides of the lane. I am very excited for them to grow in.  The display will be marvelous!  We have also planted Elberta Peaches and Honey Crisp apples.  I have never had fruit trees before so I am enjoying learning how to care for them.

(The little white "house" in the background of this picture is the chicken coop.  It looks like a playhouse to me!)

Light was fading fast on this evening but we got a fun suprise.  As the sun was setting the geese and ducks began their nightly migration from the farms on the prarie back to the lake.  Their path goes right over where we will live.  They didn't seem to be too afraid of us and as the light faded they traveled closer and closer to the tops of the trees.

"Spring" Break

We traveled to Utah and southern Idaho for spring break.  We got to visit Robyn and John's brother, sisters and parents.  The pictures from Easter didn't turn out but this is the travel conditions we had on the way home!  I love living in Idaho!

Arrow of Light

Cole has moved on from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. We are all very proud of him. I am feeling a little sad about not having a Cub. There is not much cuter than a boy in a Cub uniform, (think of the Disney movie "Up!") and there are no more pinewood derbies for us. But, I am so excited for the new adventures he has ahead of him! This is going to be a fun ride!

The ceremony was great. It was done at the Blue and Gold banquet. Older boys from another troop came and presented the program. They were dressed in traditional native american garb and represented the winds from the four corners of the world sent to give guidance and blessings to the boys who were crossing the bridge into the scouting world. They did a very nice job. A young boy stood up at the end of the program and proclaimed "That was awsome!" He was absolutely right.

Hailey's Baptism

January 9, 2010 was a special day for Hailey! It was baptism day.


I hope she will always remeber this special time with her dad. We are all very proud of her.



The day was made even better because she shared it with two very special friends! Gabby, Lily and Hailey were all so beautiful. Congratualtions to all!

Here and There

Brook and her friend, Olivia planned a youth dance and invited all the wards in the stake as part of the Young Women's program. The decorations were beautiful and they had a good turn out. I think everyone had a great time.

We bought a 5 acre lot outside of town early this fall. It has water, electricity, a barn and a chicken coop but no house. We are excited to start working on that in the spring. It should be an adventure, wish us luck!

Hailey was an elf in the school production of "The Incredible Reindeer".

Cole's Cub Scout den helped the city in raising the flag at the beginning to the community holiday celebrations.

Fall Sports

Hailey played basketball in the Parks and Recreation program. This picture shows her with her coach, Erin. Hailey played several postions and scored a basket during game-play! She learned a lot and we had fun watching her!





Cole played football again this year. His first year in the Junior Tackle program. He had a great time playing corner on defense and wide receiver on offense. We had a lot of fun drinking hot chocolate in the stands and trying to stay warm!

Hello everyone. I'm settling in well and having a blast. I didn't even get lost on the first day. It was cake:) The first night I was here I went to the basketball game against Eastern New Mexico and it was sooo fun. Cosmo (the mascot) even came up to where my row was and I got pictures. Here are a couple and I hope all is well.

Love Robyn