Joe's Valley reunion 2009

JOE'S VALLEY

(I never did meet Joe.)

High there!

Here are a few pics from our family reunion this past August.

Big brother and Lil' sister just a hangin' out in the boat. I love these cuddly moments.

Lil' was pretty scared, it was her first time riding the HOT DOG! What fun. We spent a lot of time on the lake.

I think Milo is praying, so was I. Crazy thing as a mom, always concerned about their safety. But we are not gonna just sit at home and grow roots.

Uhh..... Milo didn't fare to well with the tubing. " Stick with the HOT DOG Milo!"


We also spent time visiting with my moms siblings and their children and their children's children. My mom comes from a family of 14 children. Not all of the brothers and sisters were able to come. My mom is the red head in between my aunts in the purple and red shirts.

The Robinson family reunion is something we look forward to every summer. Who's in charge next year? Where are we going?

Ahhh...

"The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention."

Richard Moss

Has this ever happened to you?

Go jogging on a Saturday at 6:30am? Rarely, but I did it today, 31/2 miles whew!

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Go 13yr old sons' soccer game at 8:30am? Well, the little ones and I made it there by nine, luckily too. We were supplying the oranges for halftime energy boost. ( all of his games are Sat. @ 8:30am! ).

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Oh, they won 9 to 0. Way to go boys!

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Decide that that box of peaches mom got for me and the tomato's in the garden aren't going to can themselves. Spend all afternoon and most of the evening making jam, canning peaches, and salsa. Mom stopped by to help for a few a hours. ( shout out to Mom. I love my mommy).You may ask why it would take so long? Well first I had to do the dishes and clean the kitchen, feed kids, do laundry, etc...

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Peach jam went together smoothly. Mom came and brought me books on how to bottle peaches and tomato's. I remembering helping her when I was little but that was it. Thanks again mom for all the advice and help.

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Lil' played with neighbor girls here and there, to no avail. Milo played with a friend. Hours spent not bothering me in the kitchen.


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Carbon monoxide detector goes off in the middle of chopping ingredients for salsa? Turn off stove and run to the store and buy new battery hoping and praying that will fix the problem. I really didn't want to call 911 in the middle of my project. All is well.

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Mom stops back by with sisters kids? Bring on the noise. Out comes the snake and the gecko. Gecko gets injured. I yell to put all the critters away. Then on comes the game cube at full volume.

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Discover that most of the 36 crickets that you bought 3 days ago had been knocked over and are loose? Yep, as I was chatting with Boy Mom on the phone and herding the neighbor boy out the door at 9:30pm we found crickets on the loose. Scramble to capture them all, on the stairs, in the kids rooms, the game closet, and even into the front room. Luckily the last of the canning was in the pot on the stove processing.

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Have 8 loads of laundry piled in baskets in the front room @ 10:30? It is late but decide to fold them all and start more washing. Thank heavens for SNL. Pickup crickets that crawl across the floor as I fold. Upstairs to put them away, the crickets not the clothes.

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Text message hubby who is out of town? If your fingers get tired of texting, you can always fold laundry to keep them agile. Catch crickets.

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Sarah McLaughlin is on Austin City Limits? This is nice, maybe I'll get all this laundry folded as I watch. Catch a few more crickets.

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As you go upstairs to put captured crickets away, find the ball python loose in the boys room.? Good thing it was "Q", seen on prior blog, and not the red tail boa. Catch more crickets.

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The three youngest kids fall asleep on the couch as you strive to wrap the laundry up? Prior to going to sleep Lil' was bathed, and I snuggled with Milo and Tommy. Milo argues about wearing a pull-up after, I just allowed him to drink a glass of diet DP. I'll put it on him after he goes to sleep no sense arguing at this hour. Catch crickets. Put Lil' in bed.

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Upon finishing folding laundry, think you should stay up late and blog about your event full day? I actually did this, and you are reading it. I am insane. Before blogging , go to take Milo up to bed. The couch is wet, on goes the pull-up a wee bit too late. Oh, and it is late, I am tired. Catch a cricket. Clean the couch and blog. I am now gonna go take a bath. I have been on my feet more than when at work and bent over way too much to..... pick up crickets!

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Wonder if I you should of let the children run wild while doing canning project? It was a long fun day, lots of canning accomplished, feel satisfied, smiling and laughing ( about crickets running loose as I yell at kids to gather them, while on the phone).

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7 quarts of peaches

12 8oz. jars of peach jam

9 pints of salsa

Lots of folded laundry

Many, many crickets

One loose snake

Blog

Was it all worth it? Yeah GOODNIGHT!

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"

Proverbs 22:6

This scripture was referenced in a message by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Influence of Righteous Women." No matter what faith you belong to, this article stresses the importance of our roles as women and mothers. Here is a quote that brought me strength to the trying days, "to make life sweet today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today... Some of us look forward to time in the future--salvation and exaltation in the world to come-- but today is part of eternity." (David O MCkay). I encourage all to read it here is the link if you are interested, http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=20f31a01e8d43210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

When I read the verse from Proverbs I chuckled to myself. Because 11yrs or so back we introduced our oldest to the Venus fly trap. We had found this little plant for sale at the local grocery store and bought him one. He was young and intrigued by the plants ability to eat bugs. Now Riley is a nature boy through and through, days were spent feeding and nurturing this little plant. Catching bugs and setting fruit out to rot so flies would gather as food was a necessity. Oh what fun and joy it brought to his life. For a long while after that every time we would go to the store we had to check to see if they had any Venus fly traps in. We could seldom find them. Once we thought of special ordering one, sounds crazy I know.

A few days ago my husband and I ran down to grab some bread and milk. Do you actually think that is all we would come home with? Well maybe if Jason had gone alone. We were headed down the produce isle towards the bread and there caught my eye a rather large display of Venus fly traps. As I showed them to Jason I said, "We need to get one of these for Milo." Milo is 7 about the same age as Riley was when we bought him one. We reminisced about Riley's excitement and how much fun he had. Milo was going to love this. We both were struck with the thought, "We had better get one for Riley too," because it was inevitable Riley, now 18, would want Milo's' plant. So we headed home with two. I was excited.

I became more excited to give Riley his plant. Upon arriving home I ran downstairs to give him his surprise. "No way! You are kidding me, where did you get it?", he said as he grabbed the plant and abandoned his girl friend to go in search for food. Riley's' excitement sparked his little brother and he watched him place a small cricket into one of the plants snares.

Yes, we have caught bugs and even set fruit out to rot. This weekend Riley left town and the only contact has been a text message saying, "Water my Venus fly trap."

You probably ask, so where is the religious link in my tale? It's not exactly a faith building tale either. Just a simple little tale of how something we had introduce to Riley so many years ago had planted a interest in him. This is true with everything we bring to our children's heart, thoughts and eyes. This is why after reading the verse I laughed. I am ever grateful for the joys our children can bring to us.

Milo is hooked, here sharing his plant at school. Showing his classmates how the plant snaps shut. He is so much like his older brother.


We also brought the snakes to share. However interestingly enough Jason cares for them now. Yet Riley caught lots of water snakes for Milo this summer.


"Q " our first snake. Oops Riley's!

Here is the 18 yr old chasing the ducks at grandma's. I don't think he'll ever grow up. Just kidding, he is a wonderful young man.

Julys' Passage

Summer has been so busy that I haven't taken the time to share some of our fun. It is sad that summer is over.

My favorite shaved ice shack is gone, arrgh!

Oh, on with the fun.

Way back in July I went on a little vacation with a friend(BOY MOM) and her children. We had a blast. Just Moms and BOYS, oh and Lily came also. We couldn't leave her home.

Where is and what is there to do in Loa?

It is a small little town a few freckles south of Levan, which is navel backwards, the center of Utah. My grandpa taught me that little fact. I have learned that if you live in Loa you mostly likely are, uhm country folk. A lot of farming, horses, cattle and so forth.

Why visit and what do we as visitors do there?

First off make sure you bring everything you need. There's not a Walmart or 7-11 in site. There is a local grocery store that closes somewhere between 5 and 7pm, something like that, and not open on Sunday. Store hours also depend on the season of the year as well. The light of day isn't put to waste there, bailing hay, harvesting, feeding and watering etc...

It took a lot of planning on our part to make sure we went to the store before going out to play or get back early enough to be the last ones running through the store gathering our forgotten or needed items for the next day. There is a lot of exploring to do in the area. My favorite spot in Utah is Capital Reef, only a 20 minute drive from Loa. We spent most of our time there this trip.

Boy moms' parents have a little 2 bedroom house in Loa. It is often called the "cabin". It is a house. The home has running water, shower, washer, dryer, etc. However no TV, unless you bring one. Which would be useless, because there is no antenna or cable hook up to the home. It is filled with lots of nick knacks and memories of Boy Moms family. I love staying there. I have even stayed there with out Boy Mom. I am so grateful to her family for sharing such a special part of their lives with us. The cell phone service is real iffy. There is a small patch of service between Loa and Capital Reef. It isn't exactly roughing it but who wants to rough it with 7 kids. Well the kids rough it, there are only two beds. I brought and air mattress for some comfort for the kids. Bless their hearts.

As I said, we spent most of our time in Capital Reef. The pictures I took were mostly of us having fun, not of the amazingly beautiful red rock cliffs. If you haven't been there you should look it up, Capital Reef National Park, Utah.

Boy mom and I are always a little slow at headin' out on out adventures. Good thing the dads don't come, they deserve a break from us. First full day there, we finished breakfast (10:30 or so...) and lazily pack supplies and head to Capital Reef. It was lunch time when we arrived at the park so we unloaded in the beautiful park and picnic area near the visitors center. Lunch took about and hour. We then headed out on our adventure. Boy Mom had never hiked to Hickman Bridge, so we decided to do that. The trail is mildly strenuous, severely strenuous at high noon when you are dragging 7 kids with you, many of whom are wandering chasing lizards." What the...... were we thinking?"

"Come on Issac, you can do it!" Encouragement by Lil'.

"I am so glad it is shady and breezy up here, unlike the trail."

"Hickman Bridge"

Playing under the bridge and exploring.

I hit my head on the rock above as I bent down to take this cute pic. Ouch!

Looking cool and handsome in the heat.

We went through a lot of water!

Sitting on air.

How is he doing that?

When we were all done with the hike and ready to cool off, we dashed to every ones favorite, the water fall.

What kind of mothers would let there children jump into this water hole? Need I answer that.

Bring on the mud!

What kind a mother would coerce her little boy into jumping off the cliff? Isn't that against all parental reasoning?

THE END!

Hooray !! ( ? ) I had a birthday

Hooray, not! 39th, arrgh

Well maybe hooray, I received lots of love.

It all started with some vitamin X. What is that? It is me and my hubby sneaking to bed just a little early. I'll leave it at that. No pictures sorry.

On facebook I was greeted with numerous birthday wishes. It was fun to read all the birthday salutations. Some from people I haven't seen in 10+ years. Thank you!

I had to work on my birthday, arrgh! Oh well, it is really just another day right? While at work my dearest friend ( boy mom ) came in with my requested birthday cake. She is so awesome. It was a made from scratch German chocolate cake, my favorite, and coffee ice cream to boot. I requested that too, selfish huh!! Sometimes you get your cake and get to eat it too. Not me, I had just started a lengthy procedure. She said the cake was still warm. Ooo.... everyone that walked through my department was drooling. I told them to dig in. Everyone refused until I was able to have some first. What great co-workers.

Can you believe I forgot to take a picture before cutting into it?

Looks yummy, huh! Are you jealous? Wait til you see me eating it.

So delicious and still warm. Are you jealous now? Thank you Boy Mom, everyone loved it. We all want the recipe, that is if you are willing to share.

I also received a gourmet candied apple and chocolate covered Cinnamon bears from Michelle, a co-worker, Thanks!

My sister has been having a tough time lately and wasn't able to buy me a gift. I told her if she didn't mind tending my little ones for a hour so I could go for a run that would be a great gift.

Yes! I went for 41/2 mile run on my birthday and it was great. I had to burn all those cake and ice cream calories, present and to come. It was a big cake.

My hubby suggested pizza for dinner so we didn't have to cook, I wasn't gonna pass that offer up. I ordered a pesto pizza, with fresh tomato's and chicken. Oh you got to try it sometime.

Upon arriving home I found a beautiful flower arrangement. I love fresh flowers. He spoils me every year with an arrangement. I love him so much!

My in laws gave me raw cocoa. It is supposed to be the best ever! (it is some healthy, hippie, antioxidant stuff). Well it is, she has made me fudge using it before. But now she says I can make my own. What? Where is the fun in that! Just kiddin' . I am excited to use it. Maybe I'll give it to boy mom to make me more CAKE, um just a thought.

Another day older, I can deal with it. After all I was lavished with fresh flowers and chocolate.

Oh wait, all you bloggers are gonna be jealous, there is more. Just as I was headed to bed my oldest came in with a small but precious gift.

This unclear photo was taken with my cell phone, if you can't read it , it says 16 GB. Wow, I got to load this into the digital camera. I was excited. Bring on endless pictures.

Then to top it all off. The next afternoon I went with a couple of dear friends ( boy mom and my sister ) to get pedicures. What fun it is to get happy feet! Don't our feet look happy. If your feet are happy the rest of you is happy.

I can't wait 'til next year. You are welcome to come.

What No Chocolate or Caffeine

So to begin, I have horrible sinuses. In the last 14 yrs I have had 2 sinus surgeries. If you have ever had sinus surgery you feel my pain. I must admit that it has been a while since the last surgery, uhm 10yrs maybe. I have done pretty well, I say that only because I have avoided surgery again. The sinus infections still come. They are like a storm swell. Sometimes I just accept all the pain and congestion and go on with life. Then there are times like the recent bout, multiple antibiotic courses, I feel much better while on the drugs. So I decide to go see the ENT doctor again. Of course the ENT doctor isn't available, so I see his PA. Nothing against the PA, I didn't feel well, I wanted the real thing. Oh well, so the PA reviews my history and checks my ears, nose, and throat( ENT) duh, because that is his job decsription. So he asks what I am doing to treat my symptoms. Here comes the list : claritin, nasal steriods, mucinex D, nasal rinses........ He says your doing everything you need to do. So he gives me 30 day course of .... antibiotics. I take the new drug and start feeling better. But to no avail 1 week off the antibiotic treatment I start to feel the crud coming back.

So back for a follow up, with the PA. He says since it has been a few years I had better get a CT of my sinuses. Since I do CT scans as my job, I get the test done the next day. I am sure my dedcutible is met now. $$$$$$ NO freebies at my work.

The CT shows mucous thicking- snot - on the RT side. I really didn't need a CT for that. Days later, after the PA and doctor review the results they decide I should come back in for a culture of the sinus. Goodie what fun, I 've been there done that.

So, I go in for the culture. Yea, I finaly get to see the infamous doctor for 10 minutes. He sticks this tiny q-tipped wire up and in my Rt maxilary sinus. He says, "this might cause some pain and pressure in the teeth and your eye." OUCH!! Eyes watering. "How is the Lt side?", he asks. Do I dare answer. I hadn't any antibiotics for 4 weeks, of course there are ooggie boogeies there too. I leave the office with both eyes watering.

Wait ... for results.

"+ 3 staph, and + haemapholus ........, " something like that. MORE antibiotics, this time targeted for these particular boogies.

I am stupid. " I read the drug info. " Take 500mg 2x a day for 15 days. No milk or yogurt, unless with a full meal. Don't take vitamins within 6hrs before or 2 hrs after medication. NO CHOCOLATE or CAFFEINE." " What are you kidding me!!!!!"

Only 10 days left.

Lets see, I saw the PA on the 8tht of July. We could of just cultured my sinuses then. Skipped the CT; used the $90 ( co-pays) and $200+( CT ) for school clothes, and be done with the antibiotics and eating chocolate. I can live with out the DR. PEPPER, maybe.

I am gonna eat german chocolate cake --made by Boy Mom-- on my B-day, I don't care!