Henry's new blanket.

It works.

The beauty around us.

My mother in law sent me this in email form this morning. I loved it and immediately thought of how many ways we fill our souls with sunshine. I think is a great example.


A Violinist in the Metro (incognito)!


Who is he?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes after that, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother was hurrying him along, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars . Two days before playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing

Here is the whole article from the Washington Post. It took me about 2 hours to read because I kept having to live life. However, it is really really interesting! (It will probably take a normal person 10 minutes to read. I did change a few diapers, make breakfast, help with the potty, get some kids dressed, tie a few shoes and make the beds while I "read" it though ;) )

For Jane and Halley

Jane's best friend turns eight tomorrow, Jane has 14 more days of 7.

This song is for them. Beautiful girls with Amazing Potential and Strong Spirits. I am so glad Jane has a good friend like Halley. One day last year at school, I watched the two of them, quietly and confidently Stand for the Right in front of their classmates. No fan fare, no humming and hawing, just simply doing what they believe is right.

It has been fun to help Jane prepare for her baptism. She is smart. She knows a lot and has strong feelings about what is right and wrong and why she is choosing to be baptized. It is lovely to watch her testimony grow.

I'm a proud Momma. And an excited one. Jane will be baptized in California in a few weeks, surrounded by Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and a family that adores her. Hooray! (I wish we could all be there. My siblings and their amazing families.)

Shock and awe.

This is why my tree is still up, my Christmas music is still ringing through the house (sorry Dave.) This is why my garlands are still hanging and I *just* began packing away the nativities.





Magic. I loved their reactions. I love love love that the first thought Eve had was "I'll share her with you." You have to know that both girls have been pining for this doll since her debut last January. They have made posters about her and hung them on their wall. Mia looks Just Like Eve. Jane's doll looks Just like her. Michael was amazed with a DS. His reaction was precious too.

Dave was wondering why I was tearing up over the Ultimate Build Your Own Lightsaber. It wasn't the stuff, it was the experience. It is so totally worth the sacrifices and the hustle and bustle. The JOY. The excitement. The sincere gratitude and thrill of Christmas Morning.

We all got socks. Lily got her banana.


What more could we possibly want?

To do it all again.
Christmas 2009, I'm dreaming about you already.

Best of 2008

We've made music! (that is cousin Joey on Michael's lap.)
We've improved things. (well, Dave's improved things.)
We've loved on cousins.
We've made new traditions.
We've read books.
We've made stuff.

We've been Healthy! (and waited forever to be declared Healthy!)
We've learned!

We've lost teeth.
We've gotten teeth.
We've celebrated Birthdays. (This is a Robinson tradition, we play Heavy Heavy Hangover.)
We've loved on Grandparents.


We've chased lightening bugs.


We've caught lightening bugs!
We've picnicked with loved ones.
We've been Way Cool.
We've slept.
We've seen the Atlantic.
We've been tour guides.
We've Scout Camped.
We've spelled great big words.
We've been smooched and drooled on.
We rejoiced over precious smiles.
We've done mountains of homework.
We voted.
We've had lots of family fun!

We wish you all a Happy New Year!

Thrity Five.

35 Things about Me.

1. I finish books. Even if I don't like it. I have to finish it. Not the same for sewing/craft projects though.
2. I love to dress dolls.
3. I have a thing for matches. Not the fire kind, but the kids co-coordinated clothing kind. It is actually an illness.
4. I love traditions. We have traditions for everything.
   
5. I like guacamole too, but I only found out last year, now I have 34 years worth of guacamole to catch up on.
6. I'd play Christmas music 365 days a year.
7. I adore babies. Adore them. That new baby stage, I think it is heaven.
   
8. I don't do paperwork. It is bad and in 2009 I'm going to get better. Please hold me to this.
9. I dance. All the time. It will be embarrassing for my children someday I'm sure.
10. I wear lip gloss and earrings all the time. Thanks Mom. I look so cute when the mailman comes and I am still in my pj's.
    
11. I cry a lot. A lot. Happy, Sad, you name it, I'll cry with you about it. I'm also a total sympathy crier, I can't be around a crying person without tearing up. (except that crying my kids do when there is nothing to cry about.)
    
12. I like tacky things. I have to resist the urge to decorate my home from the Dollar Tree.
13. I sat for almost 3 hours today on the couch holding a sleeping baby (ok, he isn't really a baby at 14 months and 30something lbs. He is my baby.) I feel NO guilt.
14. Back to that book thing, I read fast. I read Beck's Christmas book today, didn't love it. (I did go through a lot of tissues though.)
    
15. I think I might have more cyber-friends than real life friends. I've been a part of an internet community for over 10 years.
    
16. I have lived in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Delaware (for just a few months) and Maryland. I'd always wanted to live in Utah, Oregon, Colorado and Maryland! Cool. Don't ask where else I want to live, it would depress my Mom, but wouldn't it be cool to live in a foreign country for just a little while?
17. 1/2 way to 35, are you still reading? I love boxed Mac and Cheese. and cake mixes. And I'm fine with cheap chocolate.
    
18. I like painted toe nails, even when it isn't sandal season.
19. I love water. (drinking, I'm not a swimmer though.)
20. I love to take pictures.
    
21. I am a fabulous story teller. (humble too.)
    
22. I watch most movies (even non action flicks) with my eyes covered the whole time. Anticipation kills me.
23. I can't really carry a tune in a bucket. But I love to sing. Loudly.
    
24. I like to wash dishes and fold clothes.
25. I will read a book over and over and over again.
    
26. I like cupcakes!
27. I am the worlds worst cake decorator. I go so far as to dread taking pics of my kids blowing out the candles for fear of the cake being recorder for the kids to tease me about later.
    
28. I love brand new socks and brand new garments.
29. I love the smell of oranges. (Nutmeg and Orange Zest Scentsy!)
    
30. I am a compulsive weather checker.
31. I wear long johns all the time (not as much as Dave though, and only 1 pair at a time, not layers.)(Michael had on 3 layers of lj's 2 pairs of sweat pants, his Christmas pajamas and went to put on new jeans last night. I think that might define laziness in the clothing dept! )
32. I'm also a compulsive Blog-checker. I'm not compulsive about anything else though. Hence, my really messy house.
33. I struggle with routines.
    
34. I have spent the past 12 years serving in one of 2 callings in the church. That is a lot of time in Primary! (counselor or chorister) I really love it though, I like to see my kids in action. Eve is a fireball in church. Who knew?
35. I am loved and very very blessed.
    

Happy Birthday Me! :)

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve dinner, have you ever seen green cherries? So Festive! They were lime flavored. Interesting! Candle light makes Chinese Sundaes fancy.

I'm going to bed. The kids will probably be awake in 15 minutes. Why on earth am I still up. (Dave is still wrapping. Bless is heart.)

Two Hands.

As of today, Genevieve Noelle needs 2 hands to tell how old she is.

Six.

I can't get through a December 23rd without tearing up. Her birthday is special, her existence is wonderful and a testament to the power of prayers, miracles of modern medicine and Priesthood Blessings. Evie is a precious girl. Thoughtful and kind and keenly aware of others needs. She had a rough start, but wow, she is amazing.

6 Pictures.

Day One. What kind of welcome to the world is this?

Day 2. The world is equally as harsh as day 1. Maybe more so, but she got to hear Michael and Jane sing songs to her.


First Christmas, 2 days old. I love how they propped her wires and tubes up with Reindeer and Santa Beanie Babies and she was "swaddled" without any blankets messing with her.
Four and pretty as Fancy Nancy.
Five, Fresh and glowing.
Six. Smart and Sweet.

(You can tell when we went digital and when we were hooked on film. Ok, I was hooked on film. We are missing a few years there.)

Happy Birthday Sweet Eve,

Santa.

Lily finds Santa everywhere. She saw him in the Food Lion Parking lot last week. She yelled from across the lot "HELLLLOOOOO SANTA!!!!!! I LOOOOOOOOOOVE YOU!!" He looked bewildered, then said. "Hi Little Girl" All the while Henry was Ho Ho Hoing.

He was a Harley Santa IYKWIM.

We had an ornament exchange last week. This ornament could not have been more perfect for my Green Loving girl.

And a random thought. The woman in front of me at Target the other day stole a ginormous package of paper towels. They were hiding under her cart. I actually said "Oh, you forgot your paper towels." Because I forget things in the cart all the time and I am so helpful. She said "Thanks!" The cashier said, "Thanks!" to me. Then, she walked out of the store with them still hiding under her coat. The cashier turned to me and said, "Did she leave those there? She didn't pay for them!"

Strange.

Moving on, we visited with THE MAN the other night. I never realized how much pressure there is for kids, they have this chance to tell him what they want ---- and all 4 speaking children froze. Well, Michael came up with something, Jane said "I dunno" and Eve asked for Chapstick.

Lily's was the funniest though. Sometimes I'd just love a peek into her head.


Banana? Done. Easy.

upright.

Henry has been toddling for a while now. Yesterday he decided it was a better mode of transportation. He had been walking from A to B, then dropping and crawling into the next room. Now I look up to see him walking down the hall or coming from the kitchen to the dining room. He can turn directions and round corners.

Sigh.

It is the cutest, deliberate stepping.

sigh.

My baby is growing up.

sigh. I can tell though, by the sound of his plodding whether he is walking or crawling. Don't you love the sound of each of your kids motions. I can tell you who is bouncing through the house based on their footsteps. Jane never walks. Never.