Why Mike Doesn't Control The Camera

This is why Mike doesn't control the camera....

He never lets you take a decent picture. He likes to get you talking or just with a DUH look on your face and then snap it. Like the one I have here. I hope he can change (at least a little) before our little man comes otherwise I will NEVER be in a picture with my child....LOL

My Sweet Husband!

My husband is so sweet! This is what I came home to today!

Yes, this is partially for Valentine's Day, but we had agreed that we didn't need to try and be romantic. He knows I LOVE white roses and so he brought me this. I also found that there was candy in the "candy" drawer for me (I did ask him if he was trying to make me gain more weight then I need to this pregnancy...LOL). And all I got him was a shirt he wanted.....YIKES! I did get him a sweet card and a date night. We are heading out tonight to see The Blind Side (finally! We are slow) and maybe get some dessert after at Chilis. With my new thrifty attitude, he doesn't get to talk me into going out much. (I will be honest too, we actually have gift cards to both the movies and Chilis) but I figure, any guy this sweet deserves a night out with his wife before they have a baby to take along.

TREASURES!

Today I worked on scanning some of my wedding photos into the computer and even edited a few of them. I found some new treasures that I can not WAIT to get printed. This is my current favorite.

Mike, hamming it up and making us girls laugh! WOW! We all look so YOUNG and SKINNY!

Just an Update

Just a little update on the Robins Family.....

Friday afternoon Mike headed up to camp in the snow at Klondike. This is a boy scout event where the boys normally sleep in snow caves, compete in different events, etc. Well, the snowcaves were out as the snow was plenty but not the best snow for making snow caves. I will be honest I was in TOTAL SHOCK when my husband came home from a YM Presidency meeting saying he had volunteered to go up. He really strongly dislikes the snow! However, he had a GREAT TIME! He and the YM President headed up there Friday afternoon with a few of the young men from our ward who were working as staff up there. Mike enjoyed helping with the events and seeing all the boys that came up compete. He thought the young cub scouts (who only came up Saturday during the day) were so cute trying to do all the events. He got home Saturday smelling like a soaked, sweaty MAN (as he would say). As soon as he got home and showered, I gave him a haircut. He has needed it for about a month but BEGGED I wait until after Klondike so his head would be warm.

I have a severely pinched nerve in my back. FUN STUFF! It has been not too bad until last week when I twisted the wrong way and it got pinched even more or the muscles around it tensed up or something. I have been using a home-made heat pack (THANKS MOM- 3 years later and I still use it!) on it for the pain. It is starting to get better. This weekend I spent most of the time Mike was gone with it on my back because even though the nerve was getting better, the rest of my back was now sore from a week of barely being able to move. After reading about a gal in the area (who runs a save money blog) who pinched a nerve in her back this weekend and started having contractions, I promised myself that if it is still bothering me by my next appointment, I will talk to the OB about ways to treat it other then heat.

While Mike was gone and I was feeling a little better, I got out the pac n play we purchased and put it together. We went with a "mini" travel pac n play. It is really cute and is actually the size of a real bassinet. I figured it was one less thing Mike would have to put together.

Mike is doing well in school. He now likes both his teachers. His math teacher was originally a new teacher who, while nice, was not as experienced and so Mike struggled with having her. However, she received a job out of state and so he has a new math teacher which he likes. He really likes his economics teacher and says that economics is a lot more fun with a teacher who has a sense of humor about it. He has already felt the need to warn both his teachers that his wife happens to be due finals week. Both have been very understanding that he may be missing right towards the end if I can't get this little man to stay in until after his last test.

We are planning our EXCITING trip for this year. NAUVOO! Since last year we studied the D&C and Church History (I loved teaching those lessons in Primary) and this and last year was Teachings of Joseph Smith, I figured this was the perfect time to go to Nauvoo. The trip was in the works before we found out Little Man was on the way but we still plan on going! He will be young enough to sleep most the time in the car. Probably just enough to be wide awake every night...LOL! Mike has never been to Nauvoo. I thought this was an important trip for him to take. I remember when my family went and drove clear to New York. We went to Palmyra and then followed the route of the Church. I remember specifically going to Carthage. The Spirit was so strong there. Even though I was not even 12 years old yet, I remember how strong it was. I gained a strong testimony that day of the Prophet Joseph Smith that I have never doubted. I want Mike to be able to have that same experience.

We have also debated a few small trips this year. They may get put on the back burner but we are not sure. We love to travel and have missed it since we have not gone anywhere since Labor Day Weekend. We hope to make it out of town either the end of this month or a weekend in March.

We hope all is well with all of you! We promise that once it warms up some we will start being out doors more and getting some new pics up. Right now we have mostly been working and staying home.

I Have No Life

I realized tonight, I have no life! Mike is up at Klondike (the event where the YM go and sleep in snow caves) tonight. He and the YM president drove a few of our young men up who are working as staff. They get to just hang out up there. Not where I would choose to hang out but to each his own....
So what do you do when your husband is gone for a night? Girls night...well, most of my friends either live out of town OR have jobs that keep them busy on weekend nights (working at a theater and a sports arena). So that is out.
So here I am, sitting on the couch with a heat pack on my back (I have a nerve that has been pinched the last few weeks and then I moved wrong a few days ago and so it is REALLY painful right now). Just watching some TV and playing around on the computer. I should clean the kitchen and start the laundry so that tomorrow I can work on the baby's room. Will I? Probably not.
I really thought I had a life but my family is my life...I miss my hubby! I hope he is keeping plenty warm and having a good time. I will be so happy when he is home tomorrow!

It's going to be a long week!

It is only TUESDAY! I already feel like it should be Friday! This week is going to be a long one. Add to that the fact that this is the week I do not get Wednesday off! UGH!
While I am SO GRATEFUL to have a job right now, it is REALLY SLOW! My days just seem to DRAG! Also, I only have 13 WEEKS (at most) until my LAST DAY! So, I am training the others to do all my stuff, taking away more of my work! Boy, it will be a LONG week!

Ready for Spring....

The warmer weather the last few weeks made me ready for spring. Of course, I needed a wake up call and so, last night, it cooled down and what did Boise get- SNOW!

I know I should consider myself lucky. Look at the ice and snow storms the south is getting. But I still can't help but dream of warmer weather, flowers in bloom, sun shining and my chacos on my feet.

I'd say that I have Spring Fever, But it isn't even Spring.... keeps running through my head!

Spring, you have my permission to come early this year. I don't care what the groundhog says....

Starting to get things set up...

So today we started getting some things set up for the baby/guest/office room. Mike put together the dresser we bought. Today we had to go to the mall to return a shirt I had bought online on clearance that ended up having too large of arm holes so I couldn't wear it....anyways, we ended up doing a little baby shopping. We found a Mickey Mouse for the baby and Mike found a hat for the baby. I think Mickey looked pretty stylin' in the hat....

We decided to set Mickey on the dresser. He may move to the bookshelf once we start getting everything set up and start buying more things and putting them away.

Mike is bound and determined to have the coolest little boy in the world! Hence the hat!

The Moon Tonight

Tonight there was a full moon. There is a storm system moving in and so the clouds make it a "Wolf Moon"

I went outside and took a few pictures, however it was cold and I didn't have my tripod so sorry if they are not the best.

I love taking a moment to enjoy the God's creations. It makes me remember the big picture. That we will not just simply cease to exist after we pass away. That there is a plan in place that we may live forever, and not just live forever, but that we may be with our loved ones for all eternity. I am so grateful for that knowledge! I can not imagine going through this life without it.

My Eyes

A little self portrait of my eyes.

I have taken on the 2010 Photo Project and this is one of my self portraits. Thought I would share it on here.

Organizing!

I am finally getting around to organizing some photographs from trips I took over the year. I found this one I took of a fountain in Nashville. I just love finding things like this in each city I visit. A little something that is not the "normal" tourist attraction.

Just A Thought On... MONEY & SIMPLER LIVING

I have been thinking a lot lately about money. A little about how are we going to be able to get all the stuff we have yet to purchase but more about how we really can do without it. I realize how much can be cut from our budgets if we just take a few extra steps. Programming a thermostat, putting plastic sheeting over the windows to help insulate, and more. As I have been finding ways to save money and trim our budget, I have found myself thinking of a part of the song from Montgomery Gentry "Something to Be Proud Of"

"That's something to be proud of.

That's a life you can hang your hat on.

You don't need to make a million,

Just be thankful to be working.

If your doing what you're able,

And puttin' food there on the table,

And providing for the family that you love,

That's something to be proud of."

I find myself, even though my hours have been cut and times are hard, thanking the Lord everynight that I am employed and that Mike has a job as well. I think that America as a whole is starting to switch their attitude and it makes me so HAPPY! That is right, even with the added stress that comes from lower income, I am HAPPIER! The focus is not so much on material things.

Mike and I never were huge on spending a lot of money to go to movies, etc. But now, We are not the only ones who have not seen the latest and greatest movie until it is at Redbox, or even on TV. I love that more of our friends are willing to just get together for dessert and board games, where as before they always just wanted to meet up for dinner.

We are living such more fulfilling lives with a lot less money and it is GREAT!

Friends share deals they find as their status on facebook to help others save money. We are PROUD to be Crazy Coupon Ladies! We are cooking at home more- and be healthier in the process! People are keeping in touch with loved ones, planning family outings that don't cost an arm and a leg! Camping is on the rise! I used to be able to book our favorite campsite just a week before we went, now it is booked 8 months in advance!

How wonderful it is that we are all taking joy in a much SIMPLER life! I have often looked at this recession and been able to see the pride cycle in process. The humbleness of this country now is AMAZING! I hope everyone is able to find such JOY during this time and enjoy time with family and friends around the table, playing games, sharing stories and eating a dessert. I know we LOVE IT in our home.

Thank You for the Sunshine

The weather in Boise has been a lot warmer this last week. It has been in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Even though the wind has made it feel much colder I have enjoyed days filled with sunshine. At night it rains and the wind blows even harder, but during the day, the sun shines bright and I am able to get out during my breaks for walks and to take in some wonderful sunshine.
Thanks for the sunshine!

Some Belly Pics

Ok, I have not yet taken any pictures of us and random activities but I have a few new belly pics. So I will share them.

This is my tummy at 24 weeks from the side. It is rounding out a little and getting bigger. The top of my belly is filling out A LOT! I don't have the cute pregnancy belly unless I wear the right shirt.

This is a front view. It is finally starting to get so it looks round from the front a little!

This is a picture Mike took when I was holding my tummy because Baby Robins was kicking really hard. I was trying to get him to move by putting a little pressure on my stomach. It did work. Thank goodness. It is wonderful to be able to feel him kicking stronger and stronger because up until now this pregnancy has seemed so surreal. Many times I still can't believe that we will be having a little one in less then 4 months!

I really don't rest my hand on my belly much, but I just was in these pics.