I am thankful for...

Thanksgiving is this week, and while I don't need a holiday to make me appreciate all of the blessings in my life, I am grateful that there is a holiday to celebrate all of the wonderful people in my life all at once.

So here it goes.



I Am Thankful For:

My super cute husband who kisses me tenderly each morning before he goes to work. I'm usually still sleeping but he does it anyway and I love him for that!


Being a mom to 6 wonderful, smart, talented and kind girls.

Memories of my Grandma. I miss her so much.

Twilight movies that give my mom a reason to smile and something to look forward to.

Having an older brother who is mysterious and amazing. Definitely the smartest dude I've ever known!

Having a family that believes in loving nicknames. Chacho, Chacha, KarKar, Mac, Binza, JJ, Shla, Emmers, M-bear, among others.

My children's smiles and laughter. Laughter lit up the house last night and I went to bed with a warm and happy heart.

The fact that there are no "steps" in our house. We may be a blended family, but he is their dad and she is my girl. We are not a "step family" We. Are. Family!

My little brother and how hard he has worked to be where he is at today. I am so proud of him for working through his obstacles. He is such a cute dad and my girls' favorite uncle.

Little hands that find their way into mine when we are watching movies. They're never too old to hold their mom's hand.

Hugs and kisses goodnight, and loving goodbyes in the morning as my girls head off to school.

Fantastic friends that keep in touch even after I change jobs.

New job opportunities that teach me that not all bosses are jerks.

A thoughtful husband that sweeps and mops on his day off so that I freak out a little less over the dogs in the house.

The holidays that make my children's eyes glow with excitement.. not because of gifts, but because they love sharing surprises and spending time together.

Singing Christmas songs with my girls, in the car, as the snow falls.

Seeing my husband's huge smile as he escorts his little girl to our waiting vehicle at the airport. We are so happy that she is back with us for the holiday!

Plans to decorate the "whimsical" tree before Thanksgiving so that the whole family can participate.

Finding out that there will be at least one more trip to the mountains to cut Christmas trees at the Robinson tree farm. We don't need a tree, but we need that time to create life-long memories of family and togetherness. It hurts my heart to think about how different it will be this year.. I know what we will all be thinking, but I also know that if she is able, Grandma will look down on us and smile.

"See ya, Babe." "Bye Punkin, I love you. " "I love you too."

Yuffas and all that they imply.

Blogs that give us an outlet to share our thoughts, dreams and moments. An electronic snapshot of our lives.

To my family: Thank you for giving me purpose and direction. Everything I do is for you and because of you. You are my heart and my soul.. I can only hope that I am able to give you a fraction of the love, strength and happiness that you have given me.

What makes me happy

Carley says this blog is one of very few words. Maybe she's right. But there are some times that pictures speak louder than words, and there are some pictures that sum up everything I feel. This blog is mostly visual...

I am one very lucky person. Lately I have been feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the things in my life that are so wonderful and right up at the top of that list is my family.




I grew up in some pretty cold and extremely persistent shadows. I don't mean that in a "poor me" kind of way, but it was a desperately hard life filled with so many things I couldn't seem to do well enough. And then, almost 17 years ago, I finally got it right and stepped out of those shadows for good. From the moment I looked into their innocent little eyes, I knew my life had changed for the better and I was determined that my girls would never have to live their lives in anyone's shadow. I have made it my goal to give them every ounce of love that I have to offer.. to teach them that they each have so much to give... and they have not disappointed me.

My girls fill my heart with happiness. I am so proud of all that they accomplish and how hard they work at everything they do. These sweet girls are loving, kind and generous beyond measure. Somewhere along the way I did something great to deserve these people in my life. They are my biggest challenge and my greatest joy.

Just when I didn't think it could get any better than a life lived with my 5 best friends, this incredible man and his beautiful girl walked into our lives and just like that we became a family of 8. Once again I find myself giving thanks for all the beauty in my life.

My family. My life.

Quiet Reflection

Believe it or not, it actually feels like life is slowing down a bit. Finally. I can't think of any hectic moments last week... The vegetable garden is beginning to burst with the produce we have been waiting so long for, the flower gardens are beautiful and the girls are happy... overall this week was just normal routine with a few fireworks thrown in for kicks.

Thursday I took Abby and Carley in to visit Grandma Robinson again. Madison was at her biology class and Linzie had a friend over, so it was a rare occasion for me to only have 2 of my girls along for the ride. We didn't count on the torrential rain that began once we were there but it was pretty spectacular! I loved sitting there in my grandmother's house, listening to the ominous thunder and looking at the rain sluicing down the windows that are so old that the glass is rippled. We talked about times when I was little and we would go to visit Grandma and Grandpa on Sundays.. On rare occasions we even had sleepovers there. I haven't thought about those days in years, but it is comforting to know that those memories are still there, fresh as ever. I will always remember.

Friday the girls went to Lagoon with the other side of their family. They had a great time and took some really cute pictures! It makes me happy when they have opportunities to spend time with their father's family. Thanks, Stephanie, for inviting them to tag along!




The 4th of July has always been a time when my family gets together for an afternoon BBQ, followed by evening games and fireworks, but as my other posts have already indicated, this is not a typical year for us. My mom was staying at Grandma Robinson's house and there wasn't much celebrating going on... so the girls and I just spent a quiet afternoon at home. It probably would have continued to be a very subdued holiday had my little brother not called to say they were coming over to share fireworks with us. I have always had a special fondness for my little brother, and last night he worked his magic to cheer us all up. I loved watching him grin and laugh as he tossed lit fireworks as high as he could into the sky and all the girls shrieked and laughed when they plummeted back to the street, showering brightly colored sparks along the way. He especially cracked me up when one of his "lotus" fireworks spun under his Durango and he commented, "Yeah, wait until you see the fireworks when the Durango lights up!" Not to worry, unlike years from our childhood, there was no accident involving lighting the neighbor's grass (or roof!) on fire or other pyro-mishaps.




I love the pictures I captured using extra long exposures, although the kids had a hard time standing still so there are a lot of "ghost-images" ... but my favorite one has to be this one:

I could not figure out what those red dots at the bottom right of the picture were! I was truly puzzled until the girls pointed out that it was little Ty's light-up Winnie the Pooh shirt and then it all made sense. Just like a little Tigger, those red dots show her bouncy trajectory as she bounded toward Emily. Oh Em, it is adorable how the little ones all love you so much!

We finished out the night by watching Layton's fireworks from our window (mosquitoes were vicious last night!) ....just me and my girls. Although it was a quiet holiday, it gave me much time to reflect on what I loved most about holidays as a child. I have big plans for next year! Onward and upward! It is time to start some traditions of our own and I know we will have a blast doing so!