At a glance...

And so here is 2011 at a glance! Our lives have been crazy this past year--but we all made it through with some minor scrapes and bruises--and I am only mildly insane (though Kelly might say differently). All in all, we are feeling very blessed! We're looking forward to another year--hopefully we'll do a little less moving this year--guess we'll have to wait and see....onward and upward, right?

Nothing says happy holidays like a mug of hot cocoa and a stocking on your head....

Here we are unpacking Christmas...didn't we just finish unpacking?

Only in Arizona :).

A weekend of fun and some serious shopping!

She's got the moves!

Kelly and my friends surprised me with a visit to AZ for my birthday!  It was a much needed trip...I sure love these girls!

Kenna received the Star Student Award!

First snow fun!

Tessa helped keep things fun...

A princess...in every way!

Not everyone is happy about starting school again....

Welcoming fall!!!

Boxes again?  AARRGGGG!

Carter's pioneer experience!

1st day of school in South Jordan.

A visit from Macey was a highlight for Kenna!

We went to a fun 4th of July parade with all of our Robinson cousins!

Thank you Kraft and Little Caesar's for feeding my kids this summer!

We visited BYU campus with Amy and her kids....good times!

So...we moved. The help and support that came from our friends was incredible. I am still amazed--and very humbled to have had so much help and support. My mom and sister Amy came and helped me pack before camp and then after camp, Natalie, Samantha, Cami, and Monica--wow--words can't express the appreciation and love I feel for these women. And for our whole ward--so many people helped with meals and packing. I know many times they were inspired to call or come help me get things in order...truly.

I wasn't sure if I would be able to go to camp this year--I had some back problems...but in answer to many prayers, thanks to a good husband, good friends, and a great doctor, I went and it was awesome!  I tried to make every minute last as long as it could!  Our theme was "Valiant Quest--We Seek After These Things".  It was unforgettable!

Girls Camp 2012

Kenna and her buddies.

At Peter Piper for Carter's birthday.

All of our Fun Night Friends at Carter's baptism.

Carter turned 8 this year and chose to be baptized.  We let him choose--to wait until we moved or do it in Arizona.  He chose Arizona.  Neither of our families were able to come, but our Arizona family was there.  It is a memory I will always treasure.  I know he felt loved on that day!

Kenna's first year in Chorus--she was up early to be there on time!

Chris graduated from preschool--I was able to work there in Tessa's class.  It was fun to be together!

 

 

 

I think it is easy to look at people and think you know what is going on in their lives. As I've posted these pictures, I've thought that it probably seems that what we've been through this past year hasn't been all that hard. It has--I can honestly say there have been moments when I have questioned myself and everything in my life in this past year. My kids have been stronger than I would have ever thought possible--they have been examples to me of courage. Kelly has been so steadfast--I have had to lean on him. "Life is a hard teacher. It gives the test first and the lesson afterward." We are all still adjusting--and learning to lean on each other as a family. I feel like we've grown closer in ways we couldn't have if we hadn't moved. Happy and together...this was our year...at a glance.

Pride or Prejudice?

I have to preface this next part of my post by writing about a new game my kids have started playing...they started out by "calling" cars as they pass us on the road--each one of my kids tries to "call" the coolest car--which I guess means that in a perfect world somewhere far away, they have this secret stash of "cool" cars. The game has now evolved to include anything and everything--the other day, Tessa "called" the Oquirrh Mountain Temple--after which we promptly had a lesson in the car about reverence for sacred things :).
So, keeping this game in mind--the following conversation actually took place :
Christopher: "I call all the food in the world."
Carter: " Well (pronounced wool) bud, some of the food in the whole world is gross."
Christopher: "Then I'll just give all the gross food to the Indians."
(he looks around as though he realizes that statement is somehow wrong--then stammers)
Christopher: "I mean the Utes--ya, the Ute Indians."
I was, of course, laughing hysterically (trying to be quiet) in the front seat. We had just had a conversation about mascots and what a Ute was--we are big-time BYU fans at our house and have thoroughly indoctrinated our children--so Christopher had just learned that the Utes were a tribe of Indians that are a part of Utah history--and that the University of Utah has named their mascot after them.
So now as mother, what do I do? Is he just declaring his loyalty to the Cougars? Does he have some racial biases that have been suppressed until now? It's hard to know sometimes what exactly goes through a child's mind--he's definitely heard his father declare all out hatred for "the Utes"--how is he to interpret that. So, in wanting to please his father and "outsmart" his older brother in their new game--I think he'd probably say it's a little bit of each--perhaps both pride and prejudice.

Priceless...

This is actually a picture from awhile ago...but hey--at least I've posted a picture :). Tessa is such a big part of our family--and of course, those of you that have a 3 year old know what I mean. She has officially become "the boss".
She has so much personality and is such a mix of both Kelly and I--in every way. She is full of sass, is adamant about how she dresses, is determined, careful, and quick to give hugs and kisses to her brothers and Mackenna.
One of my favorite things she does right now is when she wakes up first thing...she just jumps out of bed, even if she's still not completely awake and stumbles over to me for a hug--she has huge hair and puffy eyes--then she finds whoever is still sleeping (the kids are all sharing a room right now) and she lays down by them and gives them a big hug and kiss. I'm not sure there's a more tender thing to watch...
I doubt she even knows how much I've come to depend on her for her friendship and her unconditional love. She's my little buddy right now and we go everywhere together. In a time when there is so much uncertainty and unfamiliarity, I have come to lean on her for her never- ending love and her quick smile. Even when I've messed things up, she is always there--so quick to forgive, forget, and give me a hug....always. I can't help but smile when she comes in the room--how I love that little girl!
Anyways--she has just turned three and I wish I could record everything she says--the other day we were in the van and she says, "Hey Mom"--I answer--"What Tess?"--she says, "You're fantastic!"...seriously, what's not to love?
Buying a princess doll house for her birthday--$30. Buying a Rapunzel Barbie as a reward for potty training--$15. Watching my three year old play with old hangars, belts, and leaves instead of her toys--priceless. And she truly is--as are all of my kids in their own special way.
Mackenna is always so quick to help, Carter is Mr. Enthusiasm about nearly everything, and Christopher is my tough guy--they have handled the past few months with such strength it amazes me.
I can't tell you the joys and challenges that come with being a mother--but I can tell you that in spite of those days when I might think about throwing in the towel--I wouldn't trade it for the world. Mackenna offering to help me with dinner when I'm stressed--priceless. Carter flashing me one of his fabulous smiles when I ask him to do homework--priceless. Christopher hugging me so tight I can hardly breathe--priceless. Watching Tessa play "school" with leaves as her students--priceless. Family--priceless.

Transition

So--it is the 4th of July and we just enjoyed a semi-hometown parade in Kaysville, Utah. I would post pictures, but between all of the empty boxes, toys, unpacked items that have yet to find a home, and plain old laziness, I'm waiting on it!
Though it doesn't seem possible, it's already been 5 days since we pulled out of the driveway in Chandler, Arizona, and headed to Utah. The good-byes with our loved ones were tearful--and my heart still hurts when I think about it too much. Luckily I have alot that occupies my mind as of late! Kelly's parents have offered us their basement apartment to call home for the next while until we get established. I am so grateful! It really is a blessing that we have a place to call home while we make decisions. For the kids, it seems like summer vacation...usually after I finish up a week at Girls Camp, we pack up the van and head to Utah for a few weeks anyway--I'm sure the finality of it won't sink in until they have to start school...or maybe when the first snow falls.
I'll sound silly, but when I was putting away our stuff in the bathroom, I smiled to myself at the thought of how fast I'll be able to clean this apartment! Hooray! Of course, this will be the perfect training ground for my kids to be reminded how to clean...I'm sure they will be thrilled.
July 4th is my favorite holiday! I love my country and felt so much emotion when the Veterans rolled by in the parade today. I have always loved the family traditions that seem to surround the 4th--parades, picnics, grilling, games, ice cream (at Reed's Dairy), and finally fireworks--with a little Lee Greenwood :). The overcast weather in Utah today has seemed to match my mood though. I am so happy to be close to family--but I still feel as though I left family behind in Arizona. While at camp, we were talking about change and the stake YW president talked about getting used to "the new normal"...and that is what I am doing. As our lives change we have to adjust--we have to decide who we are and who we are going to be all over again. It has happened for me each time I've had a baby--and now with this move it's happening again. I've decided to type a list of things to hang by my bed--so that each day I will be reminded of who I want to be. It will take time...but good things can come from transition...