Robinson Ramblings

Henry celebrated his 5th birthday with homemade pizza and chocolate cupcakes (that he helped make). I went out last night and helped make decorations (and spent time playing with the boys) for his party on Saturday. It is going to be a BIG DEAL!! We are going to bring our gazebo and lots of camp chairs out to Caldwell on Saturday. The party is going to be held at the little park across the street from the Watson's home. It is just a few steps away and there is a picnic table and slides and climbing equipment for the kids. What fun! Early in May Brent was honored with Policeman of the Year for the Caldwell Police. They had a banquet in his honor and he invited all of his family to join him at the banquet. The banquet was sponsored by a civic group in at a local restaurant.

You probably wonder what has happened to me again! This spring has been so busy with school (including another book fair), church, and family. Whew, I am trying to catch up on some much needed sleep and housework, too! I am going to post some pictures of a wonderful overnight that we were able to take compliments of the Sunday School class that Rich teaches. They gave us a night at the Ashley Inn in Cascade, ID (on the way to McCall).

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Update on the house!!  I put a picture of the house on the last post. The house would be perfect for us. It will probably take a month or more to pack up the contents and get it ready for us to rent but it seems as if God is opening this door. Praise the Lord! Here is a picture of Henry and Jack looking at Hollie's horses on her birthday! It was such a nice day. We helped Becca and Brent yesterday and all day today. They are in their house & all that is left on Thorn Creek is cleaning! Brent's parents & brother-in-law helped them too. Here is a picture of us last night while we were unloading the cars. The "big items" (couch, refrigerator, washer/dryer, etc.) hadn't arrived yet. I didn't take more pictures today - we were all so tired that I forgot. They are going to be very happy in their little house on Allegre (I think that is the spelling). The pastor of the GARB church in Caldwell (he is also chaplain of the Caldwell Police Dept.) &...

Yesterday Rich visited with our friend (from church) who is the property manager for our townhouse. She handles quite a few townhomes and house rentals. There is a house that she is taking care of that is empty. It needs a lot cleaning and maintainance (inside and out). If we are willing to clear it out, we may be able to rent it for a reasonable amount. I went past the house today and looked around and it is a daunting task but would be so worth it! It looks similar to Sunny Slope from the outside.The house is a bit smaller than Sunny Slope at 2100 sq. feet but that is plenty of room for our needs!! :-) Pray that if it is God's will, it will fall into place for us to rent. Today I spent much of the day at Becca's house playing with Henry and Jack and helping pack boxes. We had a time of prayer together which is always a blessing. Afterward I went looking for a birthday gift for Hollie (tomorrow is birthday #30!!!). We are going to have a birthday party over at Hollie's...

I have had some issues with my blog & I was afraid that I'd have to scratch this blog and start all over! However, my techie daughter, Hollie, helped me diagnose and fix my problem. Thanks, HOLLIE DOLLY (as Grandma would have said)! What a blessing our children are to us!  Becca is finishing up her last month at SLIERS (St. Luke's Idaho Elk Rehabilitation - what does "S" mean?) and then she will be a stay at home mom. Today she and Jack had a date while Henry, Daddy, and Grandpa (Brent's Dad) went to a monster truck rally. Hopefully, I'll remember to take some new pictures so that you can see how the boys are growing!! On Wednesday night, they had a special concert from a Ugandan Children's Choir (at their church). Becca said that the choir was delightful & the music was very lively. Henry remarked, "Wow, I wish I had energy like that." He must be getting old!!! Henry is winding down his second year in Cubbies and next fall Jack w...

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!