Robinson Ramblings

I thought that I could answer a question that Connie posed so that everyone would know what in the world I am eating. Well, I have been eating veggies, fruit, chicken, fish, a little of beef, brown rice, potatoes, & sweet potatoes. I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil, almond butter, coconut or soy milk, and other natural non-dairy items. I am not doing Vegan but I am using alot of vegan substitutes for dairy products. I am still using honey & eating some eggs (but soon I'm going to cut out eggs, too). If I have the "munchies", I have been eating almonds or granola. I've learned to read carefully & buy from Fred Meyer's organic bulk section because many granolas use wheat! The learning curve is great and I plan to try to bake some gluten-free goodies at some point. I've made soup a number of times (Apple squash soup was a favorite). Kelly and Hollie have been encouraging me to buy whole, fresh, and organic whenever possible. The hard thing is that we have ...

Thanks for the prayers! I am getting better - YEA! I stayed in most of the weekend & this morning I was much improved. The meds are doing their job. I am hopeful that I won't get the next virus or bacteria that comes down the pike. I am trusting God to help me find the right path to build up my immune system.

Well, I have completed 9 days of my new diet: gluten free, dairy free, & sugar free!! I haven't improved yet (health-wise) but time will tell! I had to return to the doctor on Friday. My asthma was making it hard to breath (I felt like I had someone sitting on my chest) & my inhaler didn't help. I also have bronchitis! SIGH! I got more meds & a new long lasting inhaler & hopefully I'll start to improve. This past week was rough. I am so thankful for God's Word that encourages during times like this. Last Sunday I filled in for the Primary Sunday School class and taught the story of Elijah and the widow and her son. She was one meal away from starving to death (even harder than that - seeing your son starve to death). Even though it didn't make sense, she trusted God and prepared food for Elijah. God showed his love and care for her and provided the resources (indefinately) that she needed !! God really impressed me that I need to trust Him because he...

I have been plagued with chronic sinus infections and congestion and have been pretty much been under the weather continually since winter started. Truthfully, I have been SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED! A week ago I visited my Dr. & he put me on yet another prescription of antibiotics. As of yet, I haven't really improved! Something has to change!! I have an appt. to see a doctor that will help build up my immune system. The first thing that she will do is put me on an emlination diet so I decided to get started NOW. I have entered the gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free zone!!!! Honestly, at first it seemed over whelming, however, the possibility that it can help me feel better is worth the effort. Becca, Hollie, & Kelly have been helping me find recipes and tips on where to buy some items - it is becoming very exciting! The last few days haven't been difficult at all. Wow, that is amazing!! I will keep you posted on how my search for good health is going ...

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We had a fun, relaxing Christmas this year. Our Sunday morning service was wonderful - highlights of the Messiah, message from Isaiah 9:6, greeting fellow believers and celebrating Christ's birth together. The story of Christmas from both the prophets and the Matthew and Luke accounts never grows old. Rich read a picture book to us on Christmas Day that included the passages of scripture about Christ's birth. The boys really listened intently (Henry especially). He is so excited about Jesus' birthday! Late Sunday afternoon Hollie and then Becca, Brent, Henry, and Jack came over for fun and FOOD! Kelly and Jason went up to Olla, ID (in the mountains) to spend Christmas with some friends. We missed them but we are getting together with them on Friday evening for presents and games (i.e. Settlers of Catan) - Hollie will join us as well. Kelly came over to Becca's on Monday while I was babysitting the boys & spent the afternoon with her nephews (they adore her) and me. ...

On Sunday, November 20, Jan Brett was at our local Fred Meyer store signing copies of her new book, Home For Christmas. I went over and got in line right after church & eventually (2 1/4 hr. later) got her to sign my book. It was very exciting for me. I love her Scandinavian inspired books especially (Wild Christmas Reindeer, Trouble with Trolls, and The Mitten, The Hat, Gingerbread Baby, and now Home for Christmas). Of course, I love her other books too. You can tell by her picture that she likes Scandinavian inspired clothes too! Make sure that you check out her wonderful website - www.janbrett.com. She makes many of her illustrations available to download for free. I especially love her bookmarks. I often print some up and give them away to my students.

Kelly and two girlfriends went backpacking and camped up in the mountains. I was really impressed with the difficulty of the hike - carrying a pack of 20+ pounds & then sleeping at that elevation!!

This summer has been a blur! Here are the highlights: June 4 - Rich's 60th birthday June 14 - Becca's hip surgery June 17 - Our 33rd Anniversary June 20-24 - VBS at Meridian First Baptist (I am in charge of Henry & Jack & the music for VBS!!) June 29 - My birthday - never mind how many!! July 4 - Birthday of our country July 13- Jack's 2nd birthday July 20-24 Camping Trip to McCall (for one day) and then to the Youth Camp for Central Valley Baptist Church at the 4H Camp in Cascade, ID. We camped with Jack and Henry at the facility where Becca and Brent were involved in their youth group camp ministry. Praise the Lord, Becca did very well physically and was able to participate in almost everything at camp. It was great to see her ministry with the teen girls. I am so thankful for the way God is using her. The Lord recently led their youth pastor and his wife to another church and so this was the first camp that they had without Bob and Tiffany. Bob had been with CVBC...

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for Becca! She is doing better as of last night. Her fever is gone - Hallelujah! and she has been able to keep down her food! Hopefully this will last for 24 hours and beyond! She is able to get around more and had a good night sleep as well. This is such a praise - she has been so grateful to know that family and friends were praying!

Becca came home from the hospital yesterday. She has had a rough week - an infection developed and she had a high fever from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday night. She also couldn't keep any food down during that time. However, her meds were switched a bit & they got the infection under control. She is still having some trouble with nausea but at least she is keeping food down! Please keep praying for strength and healing. Brent is off next week - I will be helping with the boys (I'm taking them with me to VBS) so Becca will be able to rest, go to therapy and not have to worry about anything (hopefully). Then Brent goes back to work and I will be over at the Watsons everyday. Pray that God's strength will be sufficient for all of us!

My little Henry is now a big boy!! He is so grown up! He had a superhero birthday party on May 31! Henry got a Spider Man two wheeler & Jack wanted to have a spin on it!

Thanks to all our family and friends that have been praying for Becca's hip surgery. The surgery went smoothly and she did great yesterday. They had her up and walking with her walker already. We went to see her last night and she was quite comfortable. It is a blessing to know that she has the surgery behind her & now can get busy with the rehabilitation!

On June 4, our family celebrate d Rich's 60th birthday! We had a wonderful time at a local Italian restaurant! Derrick surprised Rich by coming to town for the weekend! Here is the family minus Brent - he was able to join us but came straight from work. He had a "domestic violence" call shortly before his shift was over so he couldn't get away when he hoped to. Praise the Lord, for the wonderful husband that he gave gave to me! If God allows, I'll be by his si de for many more birthdays!

When we had the boys, we took them to a play-ground in a new subdivison right near school. It is called Hazelwood Village & we have looked at quite a few houses in the subdivision. We took them into one of our favorite reasonally priced house & Henry agreed that it was perfect for " Nana and Papa ." Jack loved it too! The subdivision also had a beautiful clubhouse and pool !!

I tried my hand at painting a chair (bought at a flea market) to auction off at the art fair. I think it sold for $45!! Not bad, huh? I have been inspired by Sara Fosmark as well - she paints everything!! Although I am a total novice, I thought I'd give it a try & actually I was pleased with my efforts. I decoupaged the ME picture (from a calendar) onto the seat & painted a border of flowers & leaves around it. Rich took a few pictures of the chair for me but didn't get the bottom. I painted flowers all over the legs and cross bars on the bottom. The "seat" is painted with chalk board paint so that the "saying" can change. The problem was everyone kept touching it and smearing the chalk so it looked very messy by the time we took the picture. Anyway, the new owner said she loved it & wrote a new saying on it when she got it home.

Rich and I watched Henry and Jack on Saturday, May 21 while Becca and Brent went on an all day youth activity. We had fun although Jack was not a happy camper when we were at school. He was tired!! However, after a short nap, he perked up at the park!

Working at an Arts Magnet School is awesome!We always have great art work displayed (often in the library). Here is a display of paintings inspired by Dr. Seuss' Red Fish, Blue Fish and a collection of plates thrown by the husband of our first grade teacher, Jan Lundine. Then the plates were painted by teachers and students and fired in our school's kiln. They will be on sale along with many other art pieces at our Art Fair, Saturday, May 21. The posters were made by 7th graders during library time. They did a great job!