And times goes on...

Good Morning,

Oh the days have flown by since that jam session...and now the house feels totally empty. The girls and Dorothy are gone and we ALL miss them. There were no sweet kisses this morning...or chunks to snuggle against. My older sister, best friend, compadre, partner in crime has become a mother! I always knew she would be a great mother...she did my hair in up-do's every.single day in the 4th grade. She got us ready to go to school. She carried me around on her back. She always let me sit on her when we watched tv as young kids. Sometimes, she let me sleep in her big bed and would lay her arm over me like a floppy fish so I couldn't move and was stuck and would scream! She was my dance partner at the young single adult dances. She also made sure we had fun things to do together so that we were busy on the weekends when she returned from her mission. She let me be on the "hang-outs" with her and Trevor...I mean seriously, she was bound to be a good mother and IS a great mother! And now she isn't here...but I will be there (in NY) within 3 weeks to cuidar the little ninas while she goes on a cruise to Bermuda (Bahama, come on pretty momma) with her beau, Trevor for the 5 year anniversary!

Mom is no longer sick...Ryan has caught up on rest...and dad is still kickin it...and I am doing well. This whole working full-time thing isn't as much fun as I thought it would be...it brings home the bacon, but takes a lot of time and energy out of your day. Obviously, so does taking 20 credits!...I wouldn't trade places with Ryan right now...been to school and done it and glad I did it, but even happier that it's over! Oh life is good...and moving forward...but let me tell you, there is a lot of faith that has been required lately (well always). It's alright though, the Lord is with us.always.forever.

Jam Session

Well Hello fellow bloggers- We have been having a few jam sessions here in this house this past week. The kids have been having a great time with Uncle Ryan, looking like jammers and jamming with him. Here is Scarrrrlett ready for an evening out! She is sitting in her bumpie, ok bumbo...


And now we have the Jammers together...giving a thumbs up to the cool shades and awesome music time...


And now we have an ultimate jammer...she is ready to jam on the street!


In the midst of jamming! Uncle Ryan even has a guitar for Chloe...it's called a mandolin.


Let's just say our house has been rocking this week. There have been some great songs: ABC's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Once there was a Snowman...and many others that Uncle Ryan has been teaching and singing to Chloe.

Who do you blog for?

We have arrived at the end of 2009 and the 3rd month of 2010...I have been thinking to myself lately about the importance of a blog. Who do I blog for? Why do I do it? 15 years ago, I wrote in my journal about all of the important things going on in my life (regarding who I loved and who my best friend of the day was)...and any picture I had would wait until I had 27 exposures so that I could drop the camera off to be developed. Most of those pictures have ended up in the trash due to the fact that it was a picture of my mom's sofa from 1995!

I have read that many of my friends have made their blogs into books...capturing the last year of their life. I will be honest with you bloggy friends, I won't be making a book of my blog this year. I am working on a book of mission pictures though and that is work enough in itself. If I could ever just choose the pictures I should put into my book without having to call my husband so that he can come downstairs and see this picture of this story when one time...and you get the idea.

Anyways, so I have been thinking who I blog for. My sister, Dorothy has said that she puts out pictures/blogs for her "9 followers." I haven't checked how many followers I have. I have spoken recently with my friend Caitlin who has said that she has found cute ideas from other people's blogs and I admit that I do look at random people's blogs to see what they do and how they present who they are...and it made me start thinking about the person I portray in my blog and if people think I am crazy or boring. Ryan and I do not have any children. We live with my parents. I work 40 hours a week and Ryan attends school 20 credits a week. When it comes down to going out to do something "fun," we end up on the couch watching tv because we are too pooped to go anywhere...it made me think of all the things I am not or all of the things I do not have that other people seem to enjoy so much.

Then it hit me...I just realized that I blog, when I can, about what we (as a family) do...whether it be carrying all we can to stay over a Friday the 13th weekend in a cabin on a rainy lake shore, or baking phenomenons, weddings, thoughts, or just ideas. I blog for my sanity and to let my friends know that I am still around. I also blog for my family (more often than lil' d thinks) because it's like a "hey, we are having fun, but we wish we were having fun with you" type of post.

So know that leaves me with the question:
WHO DO YOU BLOG FOR?? (And/Or) WHY DO YOU DO IT?

Growing Up

Often times, I sit at work and think of things that need to get done. I am really working...when the phone rings, when an emergency prevails, when patients are standing at the window in front of me...I enjoy working as a member of the front office staff. It is a great job for the time being, but I do look forward to the day when I will have the opportunity to become a mother.

Anyways, Ryan is working hard at school. Did you know that he is doing exceptionally well at taking 20 credits!? He is receiving wonderful grades, keeping up with readings, becoming a leader in group projects. I am so proud of him and appreciate his desire to work hard so that one day I can stay home. Not only is he working hard, but he is also thinking about the future.

I have been accomplishing the task of going to the gym. The half marathon is coming up in October and as far away as it seems...it will be here before we know it. 13.1 miles should not be run without training. Ryan has been inspiring me to go the gym and encourages me to go each day, whether first thing in the morning or right after work. I am working 40 hours a week...and guess what? Our benefits, real life benefits are starting this week! We have many doctor's appointments planned for next week so we can get things underway. We are truly growing up...

Growing up is not as much fun as I thought it was going to be...(Yoga in 10 minutes everyone...). I suppose I thought it would be more fun in different ways. I thought budgeting would be fun and that you would have so much money that it would be easy. I enjoyed it in the 4th grade...However, I would like to mention that it is more fun than I thought in other ways. Having Ryan for a best friend, is pretty awesome. He is really cute and always patient and nice to me...what more could you ask for in a friend. You should see him dance, he is really good!! You realize, as you grow up, that you have more imagination than you thought...without an imagination, how could you make $10 go such a long way?? How else could you make trash such a treasure. These years are helping us be the best that we can be! So it actually is amazing to grow up and is a blessing. Oh, there is much joy in the years to come...(and there is much joy in the years that have passed).

Smooch your Spouse

There sure has been a week of snow...and no school for my family! Ryan got an entire week off and my mom didn't have to go to school either, but my brother did have to do some practical work for school. He is working hard on his EMT career choice and loves it! I actually got a day off because my company was closed for the day due to bad weather...loved it! We all wonder how long it will be before the snow melts...it is so crazy to see how much snow we got.

I took my AFAA test on Friday to *hopefully* receive my Group Exercise Certification. It was in Richmond (they have very little snow compared to here) and I drove down that morning and drove home that evening. There was a practical part and a written test and I feel that I received passing scores in both...but I will not know for about 6 weeks! I am glad that test is over, I have been waiting for it for about 3 months.

Ryan and I went shopping yesterday and then made dinner for my parents. It was a lot of fun being together because while he has been home, I have been working. He has been addicted to the Wii all week with Aaron. We all had fun playing the Wii...and even got new games for Aaron because his birthday was last Sunday. We even have fun on the Wii with Ryan's family! Love it.

Happy Valentine's Day everybody! Enjoy being with the ones you love and do not be afraid to tell them you love them. Smooch your spouse!

Wedding Day

January 30, 2010-The Ian Robertson family was established. It snowed that day...but believe me...it was a great and happy day. Lil'd and Ian were married for time and all eternity in the Washington D.C. Temple. I just wanted to start you all out with a little picture of Ryan and I...

I love Ryan...what more can I say...

This is the only picture Ryan got of all the sisters...Qt came into that picture and you can hardly see him...Lil d was fixing her veil...It is the best one I have...Yes, we planned on wearing the same outfits!

Beautiful Nas and Lil'd...this was such a pretty picture.

Qt and Jen...

This was supposed to be a professional shot that Qt and I got into. And look, there is mom Call in the background.

Hey Ian, welcome to the family. Love this beautiful picture. Not many pictures were taken outside this day because of the snow. Denise and Ian looked really happy and seemed to enjoy their big day. I am really proud of them and grateful that Ian is worthy to take my baby sister to the temple (and that she was worthy herself).

Love it

As many of you know, it has been months since Ryan or I have blogged. Well today it is snowing and it is a perfect time to catch up a bit. It is really snowing buckets out there...or feet...probably about 2 feet are on the ground. I do not dare go outside. Ryan informed me I am not allowed to go outside to shovel. I have watched my brother shovel the driveway for sometime...Now Ryan is going to help him. He looks really strong and sexy in his Russian snow shoveling gear...

I really love his hat...even I, myself, have worn that hat and it sure keeps your head cozy warm...because of my big brain, we have to slam it down on my head...same thing goes for Ryan...that hat is slammed down. I have not gone out in this snow...maybe I will go tomorrow, but I am happy inside cleaning up and relaxing.