Monterey morning run

-- Post From My iPhone

Happenings at our house

We've gone for walks.
Hung out on the couch with Ellyn.
Played ball in the house!
Said goodbye to Rebecca.
Started school.
Got caught sneaking m&m's.
Got a black eye (not for sneaking m&m's). He did something in the playroom, we don't know what!
Mike and I have run- alot.
Hung out with friends.

Nothing too exciting, but hey, we're happy.

16 miles

Brooke is doing incredibly well. We went form a 10:40 pace last Saturday at 15 miles to a 9:50 pace this week for 16 miles. The woman is determined!


-- Post From My iPhone

Tribute to Summer '09

We miss you guys!

I don't mean to steal the thunder from that last post, Elly! Make sure you all read about the Leadville 100 below, okay? (; Just reminiscing about our wonderful summer in WA. There's nothing quite like it. So pretty. We miss...

...this face. (;

Jason, before kids (...and after, I'm kidding!).

Berry picking.


The water!

The Allen's farm (and I love your hair this color, Le Anne. I know, I know..you hate it).

Little Ellyn and Auntie Ellyn (you look hot in this pic, btw).





Wil and Hazel and ALL our cousins and of course, Meags and Cory.

I won't forget you, Pa. We miss you too!! My kids miss your snuggles and I miss how upbeat and positive you are. Oh, and one more thing. I LOVED our date on the couch when everyone else went out and what was it, I was sick? miss you all...

Leadville 100!!

Sorry Mindi! Here it is.
Finn and I had the amazing opportunity to go to Colorado last weekend with mom and dad to camp with Adam, Mindi and co. It was so fun! Our camping experience the first night consisted of roasting marshmallows around the fire ring that Sierra built, Dad singing "Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby" in slow mo, spilled spaghetti and lots of rain during the night. We all awoke to puddles in our tents the next morning. (okay not Adam and Mindi because they weren't sleeping the Costco tents that the rest of us had)

Mindi had to drag the stove under the shelter to make our breakfast of "cookie dough". The stove wasn't working very well so that's what the pancakes looked like.We were all feeling pretty sorry for ourselves, sure that the pioneers never had these kind of problems with their stoves or tents!! Dad decided the whole thing was a crock and took a nice long nap in the car.Not sure how many of you know this about Dad, but he's really not the "outdoorsy" type. He says his version of "roughing it" is a condo and a golf course.
And in a the midst of all our tribulation we must remember Adam who has been up since 4:30 riding through the rain, cold and the mud!
We got everybody fed and headed to the first check point to see Adam but missed him by 12 minutes. So it's off the the next one. we were just above the 40 mile check point where the bikers make their final ascent to the turn around point. Mom took the girls and ran ahead. Dad, Mindi, Ruby, Tristan, Finn and I parked the cars and came up a few minutes later. As we were walking up it started to POUR! Mindi and i were walking backwards trying to shield our children as lookers-on were saying "those poor babies" and probably thinking "those crappy mothers!" Dad and Tristan were behind us and found some shelter to hide under and a really nice man called to Mindi and I and gave us his huge golf umbrella. As quickly as the rain began, it stopped and the sun came out. Then we waited.Excitedly at first.We nursed.Then we waited a little less excitedly.And we nursed some more.
Soon (and by soon i mean 3 1/2 hours later) we realized that something must have gone wrong.
But i'm sure all those other bikers really appreciated all of Dad's cheering and we appreciated Tristan repeating what he was yelling. Sure enough when we headed back to the cars there was a message from Adam. He got to the 40 mile check point 5 minutes too late to keep going! Adam is the man. He is so strong, determined and he knows who he is. Instead of being totally bummed and disappointed he shrugged it off as a "mercy kill" and has already determined what he has to do to be ready next year! Adam you're awesome! I love you!
I better cut this short. The rest of the weekend was so much fun. The kids did amazing! We loved being together. I really hope i get to go next year!

Come on Ellynn, we are all waiting for you to post pictures of the Leadville 100 weekend.

bglife

we just had a family home evening about families being together forever and the importance of being sealed in the temple.  while enjoying our peanut butter cookie refreshments the conversation turned to what it would be like in heaven.  wil asked if we had to wear dresses like Jesus.  when i told him that we might he said that he was going to bring some extra clothes along just in case.  and his x-box incase there are any plugs.  man that kid cracks me up.  jackson fell off his stool when cory said that he wasn’t too good at math so it would probably take him a year instead of a week to create his world. 

Happy Belated Birthdays

I'm sorry I missed wishing Jessica, Brooke, and Jane very, very happy birthdays! I love you and hope each of you had wonderful days.

Adam you are amazing. I haven't been riding for a couple of years now but I can clearly recall feeling like my lungs were going to burst when riding up long hills. Biking is definitely not for the weak of heart.

Life at the Robbins house has been busy. Everyone has so much they are trying to do and I am just trying to keep up with them. Monica and Cameron have done a lot of landscaping this summer. Their yard looks beautiful. Harley has a part in another play. She's quite the performer. Michelle was hired to choreograph the play 'Fame' for the Egyptian Theater in Park City. She also has a part in it. Monica, Cameron, Jan, Jordan, and I went up to watch her yesterday. She was fabulous! Joel will leave Wilder, Kentucky tomorrow to come home after selling alarm systems all summer. It has not been a very successful summer this year because of the economy. Chantell came home a couple of weeks ago. I think they are very anxious to be together again and I'm anxious to have my boy back. They will be moving into the house we own next door to Bill's mom. We have been working on it for the past year. It's like a new house. I wouldn't mind living there. Jan just started working as a server at Iggy's. He, Joel, and Chantell are getting ready to start school at Weber next week. He is also going to play soccer for Weber this fall. AJ has been writing more music. My basement has turned into his personal studio with his keyboard, mic, and speakers. In the past he has been very shy about performing for anyone but that has all changed. He will sing for anyone. Kel is so busy he barely has time to breathe. He is one of the team captains for Ogden High's football team and is in the middle of two-a-days right now. On top of that he has been fulfilling his responsibilities as the SBO President. I'm impressed with how dedicated and organized he is. Last week he grounded himself until he could get on top of things. Yeah, he's pretty amazing. Actually, I think all of my kids are amazing. I feel that Bill and I have been very blessed.

I'm sorry I wrote a novel but I thought you might be interested to hear what has been happening at our house since it's been a while...

Thanks!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes family. You are all awesome, Cory, Ellyn, Chels, you are all on my Fave list, okay, Tony, Jess, Aunt Jackie, everyone else, except Meagan and Geof. I've already chastised my brother on the phone. I have been nice to him for 16 years and I was only mean for about 4. Meagan, two comments about how rude I was as a teenager and both made during my birthweek? Really? I expect an apology. I'll be waiting. You can call Geof and ask how that's done. I love you anyway. I love you all, you're the best family a girl (or aging woman) could have!

Messy Spaghetti after Church

-- Post From My iPhone

Stake Conference

-- Post From My iPhone

Things that make Violet have this face...

1. Gas

2. The garbage disposal

3. Getting dressed

4. Not being held

5. When I haven't eaten in a whole 20 minutes

6. When mom and dad try to sleep

(I'm sorry, I thought this picture was too funny... This is my sick excuse to share it! She really never cries, so when she does we think its so cute! )

one day late...for Janie

Happy birthday beautiful Jane!! I look exceptionally scary and flat faced in this pic, but you look radiant. You really are such a good girl. Now, stay that way!! (;

love,

your fam in VA

for adam

ok for any of you that see this today……today is adam’s big race so a prayer or four in his behalf would be great!  if you don’t know his big race is a 100 mile mountain bike ride starting in leadville, co.  so basically there is no oxygen.  other crazy racers include….lance armstrong and tinker juarez……so yeah scary!

Happy Birthday Sweet, sweet, Jane!

We love you and we wish that we could keep you from growing up into a teenager. I'm sure you will be a great one though!

You say tomato I say tomahto

Mike thinks that picture is cute and says "attitude." I'm fairly certain it screams "I am a tired old witch wearing a sombrero because I left my pointy hat at home and feel absolutely naked without it." I am quite certain that anyone that is honest and a true friend will agree with me.

happie burthday brooke!!

Hey sugar, better later than tomorrow, eh? Wanted to say happy birthday and hope it was so great. You're the whole reason I married into this family and i want you to know that!
luvs.

Attitude

-- Post From My iPhone

Brookie!!

Brooke,we LOVE you!!! This video isn't as great as I imagined. I wanted to mix a few 80's songs together and change the lyrics a bit so that your name would be in 'em..., but Geof. didn't want to. Lame-o Geof. Anyway, you're great, Brooke. You really are!! We love you.

Feliz Cumpleanos

-- Post From My iPhone

Happy Birthday Brookie-Poo!!

I love you sister! You are funny, strong, beautiful, smart and uncoordinated. But best of all you are my sister! I'm so lucky! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Brooke

New pics

http://jaclynne.winkflash.com/ here are my latest pictures. Love you! Me

P.S. A little taste! The prince has turned one and guess who picked out the gift?

Just felt I needed to say that Cole is NOT my challenge. My challenge is figuring out how to be the kind of mom he needs. Well, enough said. (;

Hello everyone!

Last week I spent a day with Jacki and Joan. I was invited to go to Jacki's trailer in Coleville to camp. Naturally, I thought we were going to float the river or something. Both sisters thought that was pretty funny. No, camping with Joan and Jacki means shopping and eating in Park City. We had a great time. Before I left from my 'camping' experience I was harrassed for not reading the blog. Both sisters assured me that it doesn't take long if I were to check it everyday. In the past I used to try to read it but it was overwhelming. Well, I want you to know that as I have read I realize how grateful I am for wonderful nieces and nephews. Your new babies are so beautiful! Hearing how you're working toward half marathons reminds me of how much I hate running on roads. (Trails are so much more fun.) And parenting sweet little children can make you feel crazy at times but you all are doing such a wonderful job. I had Monica's babies last week while she was at camp so I still can relate.

I love you all!
Aunt Paula

Went to NYC this past weekend. Posted a whole buncha pics on my blog. Check it out. I can't believe all the new members of the fam! It's so great! Truly great...

Summer's getting REAL hot here. I was a little scared NY would be the same, but we got lucky and had a nice, breezy weekend there. Now we're home with a huge mess to clean up and put away, an astronomical medical bill to deal with (from me having to go to the ER last Tues. night), and school to get ready for. I'm still planning on doing my half marathon end of Sept. After that, I think I'm done. I really want to get into yoga because seriously, my MIND needs it. Running hasn't really helped me in that area, sadly. I ran 11 miles last weekend with my friend and she kicked my trash (as Geof. would say). We ran a little faster than 9 minute miles and I just about died upon returning home. Not fun. I have yet to do more than 11 and don't think I'll be doing it this weekend since I still haven't fully recovered from this darn gall bladder issue (it's "sludge" in my gall bladder, they say).

We've had a hard time with Cole lately, a real hard time. I know there's a reason one keeps facing the same obstacles/changes/challenges/whatever in life, and had a good weekend to think of what we could do to better our situation. We need to make changes in order to find joy and I know it's possible. I just know I have a loving Father in Heaven who can't take away these struggles or else he wouldn't really love me, would he? It's a perfect plan. Tis..

Question?...

To all nursing mothers that read this blog:

Do you nurse in public?

Do you nurse in church?

Or do you go to the mother's room/bathroom to nurse?

Is there anywhere you wouldn't nurse?

Because I didn't nurse Indie that long I don't remember dealing with these issues. I feel like I am an idiot when it comes to trying to nurse while using a blankie in public. I went to church for my first time with the new baby yesterday and by the end of the day I felt like I had put on a nice dress to go sit in the mother's room to nurse and I barely heard a single thing. Anyways I just wanted to get all of your opinions.

Thanks

J

Aaahhh!

I am finally breathing a deep and satisfying sigh of relief. Today is over, the week is over. Not that I am anxious for next week to begin, no, I'm not ready for school to start on Wednesday. Uh uh, not at all. But... this past week....

Today I had to give a talk AND teach Young Womens AFTER doing the activity Wednesday night. Toss on top of that registering Sadie at her new school, school supply shopping, closing out our old house (FINALLY- scheduling conflicts), interviewing and trying out a new Respite person for Ellyn because Rebecca thinks she needs to move to another country and have an adventure:), and knowing that Saturday morning you have a ten mile run and that is the farthest you've ever gone and you put that all together and well, let's just say it wasn't a "feeling right at ease" sort of week.

The Low Down
I think my talk went well, okay I'm faking humility. My talk went very well. I can say that, I worked hard on it, I prayed about it, Mike made fun of how stressed I was about it, but I'm much more comfortable being uber prepared when it comes to speaking in front of large crowds. It's to make up for all those years of finishing talks with a pen and a program during the sacrament hymn. I was nervous, sick to my stomach nervous and it didn't help when the Stake President "joined us on the stand." A woman in our ward came up to me after Sacrament Meeting was over and asked if I could email her a copy of one of my quotes. I told her just to take the page it was on that I had it saved on my computer (I write out every word, it helps me memorize what I'm going to say and then when I need to I can look down), then about two minutes later she came back and asked if, since I had it on my computer, she could just take the whole thing. I know, I know, I sound like I'm boasting. I'm not, I'm sharing in all humility. It was funny and kind of flattering.

Lesson in Young Women went fine, no hitches.

Our run yesterday was fabulous. I was sick to my stomach nervous about that too. We went to bed at 1:00 am Friday night after staying up late and playing games, then we were back up at 5:20. So not my time of day. The run was beautiful. I downloaded an audio book to listen to along the way and the time just flew by. I had two issues, 1. when I needed to go to the bathroom REALLY badly and there was NOWHERE to go until Mike spotted a biffy at a house that was being built and I hopped the fence and sprinted across the yard (honestly there weren't even bushes to hide in, I'm not afraid). and B. the last mile we had to run back across the golf course and joggers are supposed to be off the course by 7:30 and it was 7:25 and mile 10 and Mike was encouraging me to go faster (very nicely by the way, I LOVED running with him). I was pretty certain my legs were going to fall off. So we averaged a 10:40 pace. Slow for Mike, just fine by me. I am incredibly grateful to my good husband for sacrificing and staying with his slow wife. I don't think I could do it without him.

The kids are awesome. Ellyn has had some off days, not unhappy if she's getting her way, just entirely unwilling to leave the couch. She doesn't even want to go to the table to eat. It has been tricky. I am anxious to get the all clear sign from the orthopedist on Tuesday and really work on getting her moving again. School will be a good thing. AND, if I haven't mentioned it, she is going to be getting swim therapy. I am thrilled about that. Luckily the kid still loves going in the car.

Jane and Sadie are both getting excited for school to start again. A little excitement, a little nerves- those back to school jitters you just can't avoid. Jane is determined to work really hard starting now, to get good grades, go to High School, go to BYU, and then do their nursing program. I think it is a great idea, good goal to work toward. Sadie is still acting very grown up, even with Jane at home. It has really been enjoyable and I am anxious to see how she fares at school this year with her new TUDE.

Sawyer is Sawyer. He is now scooting the step stool around the kitchen enabling him to reach counters, cupboards, and food items that I do not want him to reach (i.e. the bag of M&Ms we use for positive reinforcement for Ellyn). He thinks he is so clever, and he is.

Mike is doing well, homework is not completely consuming his life like it once was. It's been nice. We've been able to play some games, go on a few runs, spend time with a couple of friends, normal happy family stuff. His glasses did decide to suddenly break this week (no, really, just broke right on his face) and that has stressed him out. The only day for appts. is also his busiest day at school.

Wow, novella. That's okay. Journal, family history, recording our ordinary lives. There it is- with a disproportionate amount all about moi. But I'm the authoress so that's the way it goes.
Blog out.

Morning Run

Brooke running past the famous 6th hole and the lone Cyprees tree at Pebble Beach on our long Saturday morning run where we traverse the course to get from Carmel to the coastal road. Wow, that is a long, incomplete sentence!

-- Post From My iPhone

Violet's story

Ok, so this has taken me far to long to post, but here is the story of how our little one arrived.

At my last appointment Dr. Rosenblum said that because I was a week overdue (wait a minute... I thought I was due on the 23rd? Nope, the 16th is correct. NOT knowing this probably saved me from removing this baby myself.) and that she could induce me on Monday if I like. WOULD I!? As some of you know, I had been dilated to a 4 for about the last two painfully long weeks of the pregnancy with contractions every 1-12 minutes (she was teasing me). Brind and I already had gone to the hospital twice that week, hopeful that they would just take pity on me and keep me there... once for false/back labor and once for mastitis that the doctors agreed they had never before seen in a woman who had not delivered yet. Awesome.

Sunday night I couldn't sleep... I was way too excited...I was going to have a baby the next day! So I spent the night sterilizing all hard surfaces in the house and washing every article of clothing short of striping a sleeping Brind of his pj's. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am to be induced. I was so ready. After some boring paper work, monitoring Violet, and hooking me up to an IV, and recording my contractions that were about 3 minutes apart. Dr. Rosenblum came in to break my water at 8 am. There was some mec in the fluid, bummer. After my water was broken the contractions started coming a minute apart and well... hurt. I went from a 4 to a 10 in less than two hours and it was decided that I probably would not be needing any pitocin. I started shaking so violently that I thought I was going to vibrate out of the bed. And then my angel came! Dr. Hess gave me the most delightful epidural. I could feel NOTHING! I kept asking Brind to "Please straighten my legs." because I couldn't move them myself. I guess he got tired of telling me "Baby, they are straight..." that he started just lifting them and setting them back down to humor me.

At 1:30ish my doctor came back to try a practice push she said that she was going to turn down my epidural drip so I could feel what was going on... I asked if we could just try without touching my drip. She was so surprised that I was able to push without feeling anything that she apparently wanted to test just how little I was feeling... so she started slapping my thighs and doing who knows what else and asking if I could feel it. "Uhm, nope." Brind's mouth was slightly ajar as his eyes darted from the doctor trying to get a reaction out of me and my completely oblivious (content) face. So, although she was surprised that I could push without feeling, we moved on with pushing during the contractions. And because I couldn't tell when they were, Brind had to count down and tell me when to push. Gosh, I love him. In a matter of what felt like minutes Brind said he could see her hair... I probably asked what color it was ten times. And at 2:43... she arrived! Because she was breathing... uh, 'squeaky' they took her immediately and Burt didn't get a chance to cut the cord. I think I was more disappointed than he was. We had a perfect baby girl and I had a 100% pain free delivery. We are so spoiled. As I was getting stitched up, Brind got to check on our sweet girl. She barely cried at all, she is so mellow.

We are so proud of her and of course we think she is just the prettiest baby ever. And such a good sleeper! (HOORAY!) I spend a lot of time awake at night just watching her sleep... making sure she is breathing because she sleeps so well. She loves to snuggle with Burt, listen to The Fray, and sleep in her boppy. When my mom first saw her she said, "Oh, she is Julia's twin... but Brind colored!" She is a yummy shade of pinky peach with dark brown hair. And it looks like her eyes are going to stay gray-blue. Brind is excited to tell everyone that she has my same feet, right down to my tucked-under pinky toes.

We are absolutely blessed to have this perfect little spirit in our lives. A lyric from a song runs through my head a lot lately... "When I lay down at night I thank the Lord above, for giving me everything I ever could dream of." Its so true. We love Violet so so much and we are sure to thank Heavenly Father for sending her to us. Thanks for all the love, prayers, help and sweet messages!

Brind, Julia & Violet

Tender Mercies

I chickened out of bearing my testimony in relief society on sunday even though i know i should have. so as penance, i will write a blog. while listening to the lesson and testimonies in relief society i just had such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love for my Heavenly Father. Moving to Utah was not an easy decision for me. i realize that is silly seeing how i have lots of great friends here and Jason's family is here and of course my wonderful extended family. Still, i'm a washington girl through and through. i love the northwest and being near my family like. . . like uncle Kev loves west kaysville and being near his family. When i was pregnant i could not get out of utah fast enough and escape to blessed battle ground and it's parks and rivers and lakes and of course my mama and Meagan. I was so sick and being sick for that long does things to you. This is a picture or a typical day for me when i was pregnant in Utah. Fleeing somewhere in that kind of desperation makes it hard to think of coming back in a positive light. For 5 months after Finn was born, Jason and i were constantly debating back and forth about moving back to utah for a better job and so he could be in school. for 5 months we could be moving at any time. i mostly didn't worry about it and thought it would never happen. then one day it was decided. Ask Meags and Cory, i was nearly catatonic for 2 days. but we didn't move right away, we still went through several weeks of job hunting in utah and figuring out the best course of action. Jason applied for a couple of jobs here in Utah in mid june. He had to come back for a second interview on the 8th of July. On the 16th he got the job and on the 21st he started work. we had 3 days to move. during that period of time is when the tender mercy of the Lord was poured out on me. As hard as it was to leave everything in washington, especially when little Violet was days away from making her debut, i not only felt okay with moving, but was semi excited! i knew that i could choose to be happy about moving to utah, or i could be miserable. Despite my natural inclination, i prayed that Heavenly Father would help me choose the former. He truly has. the feelings of anxiety, frustration and depression have not once overshadowed me, nor will they. in that moment in class, my testimony of our Heavenly Father's love for, and sincere interest in me was once again reinforced. i know it will still be harder for me to run and train for my half marathon here with the heat and altitude and without mom and meags to run with me. i will still hate the snow and the dryness, but i will choose to focus on the good and be grateful to have a healthy baby boy, a husband who loves me, an amazing family and so many other things. There is no road to happiness, happiness is the road. (or something like that)
So there it is, and there you have it. Sorry, next time i'll just get up and bear my testimony.

Happy Birthday Jessie!!!

Jess you are one of the most amazing women i know and the best friend, cousin and roomie a girl could ever ask for! i have been so lucky to have you my whole life and we'll be friends forever. You are such an example to me and i love you!! Happy Birthday, Princess!
-Ellynn